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Where It's At
Treasure Beach is an intimate hideaway set in lush tropical
gardens at the edge of a turquoise sea. Manicured lawns extend
down to magnificent mahogany trees onto a perfect white sand
beach. A ramshackle fishing area on Jamaica's southeast coast,
Treasure Beach attracts an array of visitors from fashion
models to penniless backpackers.
Indian Heritage
Treasure Beach is a relatively new name. In the 1930s, a Canadian
built a hotel called The Treasure Beach Hotel and soon
after, the name took hold. The first inhabitants of the area
and Jamaica were the Tainos, previously called the
Arawak Indians. These people, known for their grass
skirts and feathered head-gear, are shown on Jamaica's crest,
coins and bank notes. The tribe lived peacefully by their
fishing and hunting skills.
Pirate Legacy
Later on, Pirates found their way to Treasure Beach, then
named Pedro, which was the original name for this area.
One of the more notorious, William Rackham, made Pedro
his headquarters. He would sail out, scuttle and plunder passing
ships. Eventually, he was caught and hanged on a little cay,
now called Rackham Cay. His name survives in Billy's
Bay, a small village located two miles down the road.
Just past Billy's Bay, seventeenth century English soldiers
built a lookout at Starve Gut Bay and changed the name
to Fort Charles. The soldiers however, never left,
their legacy remains in the fair skin, red hair and blue-green
eyes of the Treasure Beach people.
Visiting the 'Desert Coast'
When you visit Treasure Beach, the residents treat you as
guests. Nicknamed the Desert Coast for its ever-present
sunshine, this area of Jamaica is still unspoiled and largely
unaffected by tourism. Here, you'll discover the best of Jamaican's
natural beauty and charm, deserted sandy beaches, colourful
coral reefs and mountains that reach the sky. You will also
have the opportunity to learn about the rich culture and easy-paced
lifestyle where fishing is as important as it was half a century
ago. Watch out for Snappers, Barracuda, Mackerel Shark,
White Shark and Yellow Jack in the surrounding
waters.
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