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Zimbali's Rasta Tour: An Inside Look into the Rastafari Culture in the Hills of Negril
4.5
36 Ratings
Negril
Experience the Rastafari culture in the hills of Negril with Zimbali’s Rasta Tour. Hike through breathtaking views, learn about Rasta living and spirituality, and enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal cooked by Fire. Don’t miss this unique cultural experience!
Experience the Rastafari culture in the hills of Negril with Zimbali’s Rasta Tour. Hike through breathtaking views, learn about Rasta living and spirituality, and enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal cooked by Fire. Don’t miss this unique cultural experience!
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Cane Fields - During the rode to Zimbali you will see pieces of Jamaica’s history- driving through cane fields that are remnents of a bygone era.
- Cane Fields - During the rode to Zimbali you will see pieces of Jamaica’s history- driving through cane fields that are remnents of a bygone era.
What's Included
- Bottled water provided
- Air-conditioned minivan transport
- Optional hotel pickup/drop-off in Negril ($20/person)
- Bottled water provided
- Air-conditioned minivan transport
- Optional hotel pickup/drop-off in Negril ($20/person)
What's Not Included
- Gratuities (recommended) This is a once in a Lifetime opportunity- Feel free to leave something with Fire.
- Gratuities (recommended) This is a once in a Lifetime opportunity- Feel free to leave something with Fire.
Additional Information
Interested in experiencing the Rastafari Culture up close?
Journey to the mountains, just 25 minutes from Negril, and let Fire guide you on a trip back in time.
Your experience starts at Zimbali, where you’ll receive a freshly prepared welcome beverage.
Your adventure continues with a hike, including a stop at ‘Gracie’s’ spring to refill your water…
Interested in experiencing the Rastafari Culture up close?
Journey to the mountains, just 25 minutes from Negril, and let Fire guide you on a trip back in time.
Your experience starts at Zimbali, where you’ll receive a freshly prepared welcome beverage.
Your adventure continues with a hike, including a stop at ‘Gracie’s’ spring to refill your water bottles.
This moderately challenging trek into the hills rewards you with stunning panoramic views of the mountains and sea. Ensure you have sturdy shoes suitable for walking/hiking.
Your destination is Fire’s ‘Camp Survival’, where he has resided and cultivated the land for over three decades.
Understand how the Rastas live and farm.
Observe as Fire collects wood and food before preparing a traditional Rastafari ‘Ital’ (vegetarian) meal over an open wood fire, employing age-old natural coconut and spice techniques.
Engage in a conversation with Fire regarding his way of life and Rastafari spirituality.
This is a unique chance to witness this genuine Cultural Lifestyle first-hand.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Dress code is hiking casual with comfortable shoes
- Meal is Vegetarian
- A moderate amount of walking & Hiking is involved
- Minimum age is 12 years
Location
Negril
Our Transport is pickup from your Hotel Lobby.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(36 Ratings)
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Garima_b
Mar 7, 2025
Glad we tried the tour - The Zimbali Rasta Tour offers an authentic experience closer to resorts in Negril. On a hot day, Mark arranged our pickup from the hotel and stopped at a refreshing retreat before meeting Fiyah and his team for the hike. The drive was through the fields, uphill and bumpy.
The 45-minute hike is moderate, with a slightly challenging uphill section at the end, but it’s manageable. Climbing down could be a bit challenging, but it’s a shorter hike of 20 minutes. Along the way, we sampled fresh sugar cane from the fields and our guide shared interesting sights. We also enjoyed cooling off with splashes of spring water from the stream. Reaching Fiyah’s place made all the effort worthwhile. He welcomed us with a hibiscus drink and prepared a delicious Rasta meal from scratch. Engaging in conversations with Fiyah and his friends, learning about the forest and their way of life, it was definitely worth the time and effort.
Review provided by Viator
M4955puchristined
Mar 5, 2025
Rasta Fyre! Absolutely amazing! - This tour was amazing! Fyre and Satur took my family up the mountain to his home. Along the way, Fyre taught us about the plants and vegetation and told us about his life. What an interesting man! The last 15 minutes was a challenge, but that made it all the more rewarding! We were treated to lemonade while we rested in his hammocks and enjoyed the wonderful view! We learned so much about Rasta culture while Fyre prepared the best meal I have ever had, lentil stew with potatoes, yams, plantains. We were then treated to a ginger infused drink before our trek down where we refilled our water bottles with natural spring water. As Fyre said “try to smile with your heart instead of your face.” We will miss Fyre and Satur but hope to meet again one day!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariat-dk
Jan 28, 2025
Real Rasta tour - Andreas, 23: Although half of the drive to Zimbali from Negril was on a rather bumpy dirt road, it was honestly pretty manageable. We arrived at Zimbali and were shortly after greeted by Fiyah. He packed some produce and we headed towards his farm. We made a quick stop at his house to pick up his friend - and some more herbs for the lunch. The hike was fairly easy, however the last stretch can be tricky as it’s very steep and rocky. As we arrived to the farm, Fiyah started cooking while his friend prepared a refreshing drink from passion fruit, sugar cane and spring water. Before the lunch, Fiyah’s friend let us taste some fresh fruits from the farm: papaya, a delicious custard apple and coconut with brown sugar. The lunch was great: lentils boiled with allspice, okra, pumpkin, yams, green banana, potato and ackee. Real rasta food, made with love as Fiyah said. Proper food. Probably the most authentic rasta experience you’ll find around these ends! Highly recommended.
Andreas mom, 63: great experience; but the toilet sucked. Just saying.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danielle_m
Dec 24, 2024
Must do!! - What can I say about this experience? 5 stars doesn't cut it. I would give infinite stars if possible. This was, by far, my favourite excursion of the whole time we were in JA. Our taxi was late, but Mark sorted it out super quickly and apologised when we were at Zimbali.
Fiyahman is an incredible guy, he told us about plants and trees as we made our way up the mountain. We also learnt bits about his life, we stopped off at a fresh water spring to collect some water and then made our way up to the house he has built in the jungle.
I stayed watching Fiyah cook and asked him questions throughout, he was always happy to talk and share his knowledge. His friend, Sata, was also an amazing guy. He told me about the drink he made for us all, shared some fresh coconut with sugar, and was really enthusiastic about the produce available.
The food was great, my partner and I are vegan so the Ital food was exactly the kind of thing we already eat at home.
I would 1000% recommend this tour, and make sure to speak to Fiyahman as well as take in the views. He has some great stories and general view of the world and life. A great guy. Someone I would definitely love to keep in touch with.
Thank you Mark for making this experience possible. We are beyond grateful. This was our last excursion before coming home and was the most memorable and authentic.
Review provided by Viator
Rika_s
Dec 8, 2024
I loved the whole experience - I loved the whole experience, the hiking with the rastaman was an amazing and incredible experience, it was definitely a highlight of this vacation. I also loved the Terrace restaurant in Zimbali.
Review provided by Viator
Stephaniep263
Nov 25, 2024
A Unique & Valuable Experience - Fyah is a magnificent guide, full of wisdom & knowledge of the Jamaican terrain.
- The tour is similar to a medicine walk because he shares about the many plants, roots, leaves that can heal and for what ailments.
The meal he cooked with coconut milk from scratch was delicious - yam- coco - lentils & plantain.
I hope that the Zimbali owners appreciate the value that this man brings to their business and hopefully as a result, is generous with his compensation!!
He is the real deal.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Martha_s
Oct 10, 2024
Do it - Taxo ride was very interesting driver a hoot guide for mountain hike was excellent very informative as to plant life lunch was vegetarian and done well an enjoyable experience
Review provided by Viator
Y8185rgpamelac
Aug 8, 2024
Amazing experience for anybody traveling to Jamaica!!! - This was an amazing experience for the whole family, including the hike up the mountain, the beautiful vegetation, learning from our guide Fyah, and of course, culminating with a delicious home-cooked meal with an incredible view.
I highly recommend this for anybody who wants to see some of the real Jamaica and get a taste of its amazing fruits and vegetables , as well as some insight into the Rastafari culture . Fyah , our guide was amazing - very knowledgeable and very kind and a great cook as well.!
Make sure to wear water shoes or hoking sandals- and a suit under your clothes for a dip in the river/ bring lots of water for your hike and cash to tip the guide .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melotte_c
May 22, 2024
A must-do - We came as a couple, there were only two of us when we visited, it was a memorable moment out of time, but you need good legs to climb it.
Review provided by Viator
Isabella_a
Aug 18, 2024
Unmissable - This tour was an embodiment of the tranquil life of Rasta’s that live in the mountains. Welcoming and knowledgeable in terms of how to survive in the mountains they live in.
Fire was our guide and he was so wise about all plants and edible fruits. It was a hike but doable and so lovely at the end to finish in the tree-top accommodation overlooking the mountains. Fire made an amazing vegan meal, was hospitable and the ginger and lime juice was so refreshing and natural. Fire is an inspiration; his philosophy and life lessons around simplicity and finding beauty in nature and what we have around us has been so powerful for me. I came away with such a different mindset.
Fires dogs followed us the whole journey there and back and we’re a welcomed addition. My son loved it, he didn’t want the excursion to end. You have to book this. Best excursion I’ve ever done!!
Review provided by Viator