Zimbali Culinary Retreats

' Our stay at Zimbali Retreats left us completely amazed. From the stunning accommodation and breathtaking views to the lush scenery all around, everything was more beautiful than we could have imagined. The breakfasts were incredible, fresh, and full of flavor, setting the perfect tone for each day. What truly made the experience unforgettable, though, were the hosts. They didn’t just offer accommodation—they welcomed us into their home and made us feel like part of the family. Warm, thoughtful, and accommodating, they went above and beyond to adapt meals for dietary needs and were incredibly considerate of my wife’s pregnancy, ensuring everything was safe and suitable without compromising on taste. Their guidance throughout our trip—sharing advice on local spots, tips on staying safe, and gems of wisdom we’ll carry through life—was invaluable. This trip far exceeded our expectations. Between the authentic, off-the-beaten-track experience, the chance to truly connect with local life, and the unforgettable culinary evening of food and festivities, Zimbali is a place we’ll always treasure. Highly recommended for anyone seeking something genuine, soulful, and special. .

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.

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!!

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!

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 !!

This trip was with my best friend and I as a restorative, relaxing trip while I am off work on stress leave.||This rustic resort is set in rural Jamaica’s bamboo forest, on a series of unmarked (at least to me!) roads. I was glad we had Zimbali send a driver to pick us up because he knew where he was going. We appreciated that he brought us a couple of beers in a cooler for the road, and we stopped to get some jerk chicken along the way. It would be a nice touch to have been asked for preferences in advance, as we probably would have taken water over beer, but drinks were welcome nonetheless.||You can either drive over mountain or a longer route around the island through Negril to get to Zimbali. We wanted to see what was in Negril as we wanted to spend time there during the week, but it would have been better to go more directly, as you can’t tell much from the road and the Negril route was much longer.||Upon arrival at Zimbali, we entered into what feels like a private village behind large, wooden gates with some guest cabins, washrooms, the 2 main dining areas, bar, and a small gift shop, set along a stone floor/path. Mark greeted us upon arrival. ||We were booked in the Mountain Villa, which is located down a set of stairs from either the gift shop or the dining room; staff carried our cases down for us. The Villa’s 2 bedrooms are along a hallway and share a bathroom. There is a door to the outdoors at the end of the hallway, and no door closing in the Villa hallway from the stairs up to the dining room - just know it’s not a private “suite” with 2 bedrooms but a hall where the 2 bedrooms are always rented together with that bathroom. Each bedroom has a queen-sized bed, a ceiling fan, and we were provided with some well-worn towels. There was a small coffee maker in the larger room, and a jug of water and a couple of mismatched glasses in each room. The larger room has A/C that doesn’t seem to work and there is no A/C in the smaller room. The jungle sounds at night are incredible - I’ve never heard such loud frogs!||We asked a staff person for a tray that we could use to prep some jamaican gold, which she provided us, but also asked us to give her some. I thought that was a fairly bold ask for staff, which did give us pause, but perhaps there is a cultural practice we were not aware of.||Some windows have screens and wood slats vs glass windows, so sound does travel in and out of each room. Each room has large doors out to its own balcony - they are next to each other, but have a railing that separates them. Each balcony has a single well-loved sitting hammock and a table with 2 chairs. The balconies look out over the water tanks, and beyond that is a variety of trees and lush jungle - but you can’t see far away because there are some fairly tall trees right there. I definitely recommend bug spray at night. There is a path down into the property from the dining area that is right next to the larger bedroom windows and balcony, where folks walk on their tour of the property. The bathroom has a toilet, sink, and bathtub with a shower where a pipe comes out of the wall with the water - no shower head.||The pool is located down some stairs behind the other rooms and is tucked away in the jungle. There are chairs and an umbrella at the pool. Food is taken in a dining room when you are not eating in the show kitchen. It has lovely views over the property and ceiling fans, though they weren’t on when we were there. We took dinner in our room the night before as I wasn’t feeling well - delicious shrimp curry. Breakfast is served at 9, however we didn’t know that the night before, so we were up and about at 8am. There is a coffee/tea station available, with self-serve coffee made in a home-style coffee maker, and because the kettle was broken, hot water from a pot in the kitchen. During the day, there is an Igloo cooler available with water, but we had to ask someone for ice. ||It’s a super family-style environment. Mark was packing his kids’ lunches in the kitchen when we asked for hot water for tea and one of the kids enquired why we were just staying the 1 night. So it’s perfect if you want to get to know the family and have that type of casual, local vibe.||We ended up staying just the 1 night as the setting wasn’t what we needed for this trip, but they were accommodating to help us arrange transport and agree on cancellation fees. Hopefully, if we are in Jamaica again, we can visit for the cooking show!

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! 🇯🇲💛💚❤️