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Jake's - Jamaica

March 2006
Treasure Beach
posted by Wade

Jake's is the ultimate laid back Caribbean hang out... Hands Down!
I have traveled to roughly 13 different places in the Caribbean, and Jake's takes the cake so far for the most "chill vibe". Jake's is a collection of, well basically "huts", along the beach in a small town on the south coast of Jamaica known as Treasure Beach.
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of life, this is the place. No TV or phone in your room. You get a CD player, with access to the Jake's music library (mostly reggae, motown, new age, and other music). You get a bathroom. Most villas don't have air. Most have a view of the ocean. But all are totally unique and completely colorful and almost otherworldly in design. Sally Henzell a theatrical designer.
There are plenty of things "to do" at Jake's. Topping the list are - Drink Red Stripe, Eat fresh seafood, Sleep in the Hammock, Play with the beach dogs, Watch the fishing boats come in, etc. OR you could be more active and - Mountain Bike, Hike to Lover's Leap, Go to the amazing YS falls, tour the Black River in search of saltwater crocs, go saltwater fishing (we caught some huge fish with the help of our guide Dennis), swim, or visit the Pelican Bar.
The Pelican Bar is a platform with a thatched roof made of driftwood. A local fisherman built it and will cook up the fish you caught that day for a very small fee. He'll also sell you some cold Red Stripes. And all this while 1/2 mile off shore on a sandbar in the ocean.
The people in Treasure Beach really made the trip. We met several locals that were the nicest people we'd met in a long time. Of course you might get asked if you'd like to buy some ganja, or bracelets when walking down the beach, but just politely say no and move on if you aren't interested.
This was an amazing place that I hope I get the opportunity to return to some day. If I were rating it, it would get a 10. But I'm not the foo-fooey type. Some might want luxury, but this had it's own quaint, small town, Red Stripe-drinking, hammock-sleeping luxury.