Zimbali Culinary Retreats

What an amazing experience my partner and I had. We were welcomed from the moment we stepped onto the premises. All staff were so kind. Would definitely recommend if you are in negril or other surrounding areas and are looking for something tranquil and affordable, we really wished we booked our entire trip to stay here.

Chef Alecia and her crew were nothing short of amazing. This was our second time at an all-inclusive. Normally we are deep in culture and finding the places off the beaten path. Zimbali delivered exactly that to us on this more relaxing vacation. We had private transportation pick us up from our resort and take us into the lush green forest for a 5 course non traditional meal. Chef Alecia is hilarious yet fiercely determined to showcase her skills and still honor Jamaican roots in different ways. You will not be disappointed in the resort, the food or the people.

My heart is still in Zimbali. Me and my friend booked a week all inclusive, Our experience met our expectations and so much more! The farm is stunning, we appreciated the family feel and the delicious food daily. Our room was very comfortable and all the staff made us feel very comfortable. We enjoyed daily excursions and top local recommendations from Mark. This really was the perfect way of experiencing Jamaica away from the tourist bubble and getting to know the real history and culture of jamaica. We will see you again!

My fiance and I traveled to Zimbali to celebrate his birthday. I wanted to do something unique for his birthday and Zimbali provided us with such a one-of-a-kind experience. We stayed for 4 days and booked the all inclusive package. I'd been communicating with Mark for months trying to make sure everything was in order and he ALWAYS responded quickly, which I could appreciate as a tourist. His family and the Zimbali Staff were so welcoming and accommodating. The property is absolutely beautiful and the food at Zimbali was always so fresh and tasty. Make sure you book the cooking show with his wife Alicia. You will leave please and stuffed. She definitely is extremely talented.||The full day in Negril was by far our favorite day. The food at 3 Dives was the so good that we are still talking about it. Also because it is so quiet up in the mountains it was nice to have a full and busy day in the city. ||The Rasta Tour also was a favorite. The hike was so intense, but the views from the top were so worth it. Fiyah will make you a meal that is so flavorful and fresh that you will be happy that you didn't give up on the hike =). ||The only thing that could have made this experience better was if there would have been other guests at the resort while we were there. So I suggest traveling with friends or another couple because at times it was too quiet. Some days we wanted to just chill at Zimbali, but have others to interact with besides each other =). However, that definitely did not take away from the top tier experience that we had.||Mark has definitely figured out a way to curate the most perfect experience and will tailor it to your wants and needs. He literally had the perfect driver for each experience down to having the best airport driver, Mr. Betty.||We will definitely be back!! I am a self-proclaimed videographer and my pictures and videos have made my friends and family so jealous and ready to book their stay with us. Thank you for such an amazing experience that we will never forget!!

Zimbali is a paradise in the mountains of Jamaica!!! It’s peaceful and beautiful. The food is natural and incredibly delicious. I can’t wait to return !!!! Everyone there is very attentive to you . It’s also extremely safe. It feels like a natural paradise !!

The culinary experience at Zimbali is truly special. Throughout our stay, we tasted exotic fruits we had never tried before—each one a delightful discovery. The farm-to-table dining was exceptional—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly portioned. The Cooking Show with Alicia was a highlight. Her passion for food was contagious, and she explained the health benefits of each ingredient. One of the most surprising aspects of our trip was the water. I wasn’t prepared to drink only local water, but to my surprise, I even drank fresh spring water straight from the source in the jungle! I have a sensitive digestive system (lactose and gluten intolerant, plus IBS), yet I had absolutely no issues the entire stay. In fact, I felt like my body had gone through a complete reset!||||We loved the Paradise Pool, a stunning jungle-view deck with no mosquitoes—just peaceful relaxation. Watching parrots and tropical birds fly by made it even more special. Enjoying a 420 package in this setting was amazing!||||Sleeping in the jungle was pure bliss—falling asleep to the sounds of crickets and frogs, breathing fresh air, and resting in a comfy bed. We truly recharged!||||The atmosphere at Zimbali is like being part of a big family. The staff members are warm, welcoming, and truly care about their guests. Mark and Alicia’s children are polite, intelligent, creative, and full of humor. The drivers providing shuttle services are not just reliable and professional—they genuinely love working for Mark and go the extra mile to make guests feel safe and well taken care of. Every excursion outside the retreat felt completely secure, and we always knew we were in good hands. Jamaicans are far more welcoming than I ever imagined, and they genuinely care about visitors' safety and comfort.||||The Rasta Tour was an unforgettable adventure! A challenging mountain hike, but every step was worth it. We learned about the jungle’s plants and trees, and at the top, Fya prepared an incredible meal. The view? Breathtaking—lush mountains, endless jungle, and the ocean in the distance!||||The Booby Cay Island Grille experience was another highlight. We went scuba diving with hundreds of tropical fish—a truly surreal experience! And the lobster? The best I’ve ever had!||||On our 5th day, we asked Mark for a beach day and sunset experience, and he arranged everything effortlessly. Just tell him what you want, and he’ll make it happen!||||Zimbali is pure One Love—a true Jamaican experience beyond any resort. ||Ya Mon! We can’t wait to return! 🇯🇲💛💚❤️

Zimbali Retreat is a great place to unwind, disconnect, and de-stress. Surrounded by beautiful nature, it's ideal for hikes and truly allows you to immerse yourself in a peaceful environment. I especially enjoyed the experience with Fyre — it was an interesting introduction to Jamaican food and culture, and I learned a lot. The grounds feel very safe, making it comfortable to go for walks and hikes at any time. The pool is also a nice touch, perfect for a refreshing dip after a long hike. That said, I’d like to offer a few constructive suggestions, even though I understand from previous reviews that feedback might not always be warmly received. Hopefully, it’s taken in the spirit of improvement. The retreat could benefit from a slightly more service-oriented approach. For instance, being upfront and clear about breakfast, lunch, and dinner times right at check-in would be helpful. We also participated in the cooking show, which was enjoyable, but it would have been nice to receive the welcome drink that was advertised. The only live cooking element was preparing the salad starter, which was delicious, but I had hoped to learn a bit more about Jamaican cooking techniques overall. Additionally, the meal felt a bit rushed, and it seemed like guests were quickly ushered out, though there was plenty of chatting and music happening afterward. One other point worth mentioning: while Zimbali has a laid-back atmosphere, there’s quite a lot of swearing, which at times felt a bit at odds with the serene setting. When we arrived later than planned due to navigation issues and feeling a bit stressed, we felt quite rushed to go to dinner instead of being able to settle in for a moment. Similarly, when we asked if it was possible to have breakfast at 8 am to leave a bit earlier (the roads are indeed tricky), the response felt unnecessarily sharp — something that could be avoided if expectations around meal times were clearly communicated from the start. In summary, the retreat itself is lovely and perfect for those looking to relax, enjoy nature, and disconnect. I’d recommend opting for a room away from the main house to avoid early morning or late-night noise. The food is fresh and tasty, and the surroundings are beautiful. With just a bit more focus on hospitality and communication, the experience could be even better.

Visited for the second time and as before we hated to leave. You really do feel the family vibe while there. Mark and Alecia are great hosts who we consider friends. As before everything wqs exceptional from lodging to food. We hope to be lucky enough to return in the future. If you're in Negril it's a must visit.