The most beloved alternative accommodation in Jamaica — a whimsical collection of painted concrete cottages on a rugged south coast fishing beach that is the opposite of north coast resort Jamaica in every possible way.
Why We Chose It
Jake's at Treasure Beach on Jamaica's south coast is a genuine counterculture destination — a ramshackle collection of colorful, individually decorated concrete cottages on the black-sand beach at Treasure Beach, operated by the family of actor Colin Firth's ex-wife Meg Mathews (no, actually by the family of noted Jamaican-Italian restaurateur Jason Henzell). The south coast is dramatically less touristy than Negril or Montego Bay — Treasure Beach is a working fishing community with a small bohemian expat presence. Jake's hosts an annual Calabash International Literary Festival and attracts a creative, literary crowd. The food is excellent. The fishing boats go out at 4am and return with the day's catch by noon.
What Stands Out
- The anti-resort Jamaica experience — whimsical
- literary
- and deeply authentic
- South coast Treasure Beach — far from the touristy north coast
- Calabash International Literary Festival hosted here annually
- Individual painted cottages — no two are the same
- Working fishing community surroundings — daily catch visible from the beach