Jake's? Saba?
 

OK: Boyfriend and I want to go to the Carib. in August, for about 10 days. I want to spend no more than 1200 per person for everything (incl. air).

I want to go somewhere non-touristy (Saba and Jake's in Jamaica seem great), but nonetheless with some restaurants etc.

I don't just want to rent a house far from everything as I don't plan to rent a car. Ideally would stay in a bungalow (or something similar) ON the beach.

Jake's seems great, I'm trying to find deals. Saba also seems great, incl. a place called 'El Momo', but I'm slightly concerned that it's a bit too isolated (if anyone's been there and can advise me that would be great).

For activities: sunbathing, eating (GREAT food) and drinking a LOT, hiking, swimming (NOT shopping, disco-dancing, water sports).

Help please! Never been to the Carib.

mp -

If you want to stay at a beach, you wouldn't want to go to Saba, as there are no beaches. The island is very isolated and quiet, with no beaches. The flight from St. Martin to Saba is quite hair-raising (thrilling).

Martha

Treasure Beach/South Coast,Jamaica and Jake's might well fit the bill. A room for two including tax/service charge and rt airport transfers would run about US$1,080 with rt air from East Coast on AJ or AA about US$1,000 max for two (depending on where you are).
Food and eteceteras additional -- and you'll definitely want to schedule a boat trip to Pelican Bar/Black River from Jakes. Some small restaurants in town,within 5 min.walk:WILD ONION, HEART OF LOVE BAKERY recommended, as is JOSH STEIN, the area's best masseur. The vibe here is right for you, esp.for a 1st time visit to Caribbean, tho the terrain here is more Kenya than Costa Rican green lush. August is quiet on island. Try for SEAPUSS, TREASURE COT or JACK SPRAT cottages at Jake's. See the community Web site at treasurebeach.net for more info on the area.

You might also want to check out MAR BLUE DOMICIL, a new, Euro-style private auberge with pool, beach, great food and great attention to detail. It's about a 5 min.walk from Jake's. The style's different:Corbusier-lean,clean and luxe versus Frank Gehry gone funky in the tropics. Run by an architect/former Continental chef and his wife. Rooms but with more private, amenities and breakfast included about the same price or a little less than Jake's. It's also shown on treasurebeach.net . In TB, Irie Rest is a popular budget choice.
But aside from the villas (which offer the most), Mar Blue and Jake's have the style factor down pat.

Mar Blue was awesome...right on the beach, really low price for what you get....the room will be about $1000 (toal, not each) for 10 nights, including b'fast. Figure $200 to get to and from TB with a private driver.

Wrote a trip report on our stay there and took a lot of photos (including of the recommended-by-tiv Black River/Pelican Bar trip). The food at Mar Blue is AMAZING, much better than Jake's, we thought....but it's close enough to Jake's to go there for happy hour before dinner, which is kind of "the thing to do" in Treasure Beach.

http://www.alink.com/personal/liz/negril/2003trip.htm

mp413: We sent LIZ to Mar Blue originally and ironically this morning, we were just appointed their new US reps. Talk to me for details/rates,etc...

And very good advice it was, tiv!