Wellness tourism is a massive industry. Whether on a silent meditation retreat or an urban spa staycation, more Americans than ever are taking advantage of the trend. At the same time, interest in cannabis and psychedelics is booming. It was only a matter of time before the two worlds would collide like they do at the Coral Cove Wellness Resort.
Nestled in Little Bay, Jamaica (roughly 30 minutes southeast of Negril), Coral Cove Wellness Resort is a tranquil seaside oasis where wellness, weed, and magic mushrooms are on the menu. The boutique property is popular among cannabis professionals like myself, but it still somehow feels like a hidden gem—and genuinely one-of-a-kind.
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The property boasts 20 rooms, including standalone cottages, starting around $190 per night. Owner Steve Zindars later told me he discovered Coral Cove in the mid-’90s while on vacation in Little Bay with his family. At that point, it was nothing more than brush, but he was so taken by its natural beauty that he told the locals if it ever came up for sale to let him know. A year later, a small patch where the main office now stands was his. Zindars slowly built the resort to what it is now and continues to add on (a sweat lodge and outdoor gym are currently in the works).
I had long wanted to travel to this pot lover’s paradise, and after throwing our full-blown weed wedding, Coral Cove made sense as our honeymoon destination. So, my new husband Kurt and I booked a weeklong stay, secured our flights, and counted down the minutes to our island escape.
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“Feel free to light up…”
When we stepped off the plane at Montego Bay airport, the magic of Jamaica immediately surrounded us. Friendly staff guided us through customs, and right outside the door was a smiling man holding a Coral Cove sign. He led us to a passenger van, handing us two joints as soon as we sat down.
“Once we’re out of the city, feel free to light up,” he said.
It was truly a warm welcome.
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The drive to Little Bay is roughly two hours, so the doobies were definitely a nice touch. Around the halfway point, our driver also made an impromptu stop at Border Jerk, a restaurant popular with locals and tourists alike. He told us to order a quarter chicken with festival, a side dish sort of resembling fried dough sticks. Fresh turmeric juice and a Red Stripe washed it all down.
The final road to Coral Cove is definitely a bumpy one, but well worth the journey. When we finally departed the van, the resort’s friendly manager, Tajh, greeted us with welcome drinks and cool towels. After a late dinner at the on-site restaurant Momma Beach Restaurant, we drifted off to sleep in our comfy bed, the sounds of crashing waves in the distance.
Stunning and serene surroundings
Since it was dark when we arrived at Coral Cove, we didn’t get a chance to tour the property. But as soon as the sun came up on our first morning, we opened the French doors of our room and saw just how breathtaking the resort was. The views at Coral Cove are stunning, plain and simple. Given that it’s tucked away from the hustle and bustle of touristy Negril, it’s pure, unspoiled majesty.
The sprawling property straddles a cliff-filled bay with neighboring beaches on either side. One end of the property extends out to a little gazebo where daily yoga is held; the other side juts out into the sea, housing a small pool and bar (and epic sunset views). In the middle is a private bay where you can relax by the water, snorkel, or take out a kayak. The largest building features a conference room on the main level, perfect for groups who want to schedule retreats or company trips.
Meals are served al fresco, with tables dotting the landscape. The menu features farm-to-table fare, curated in collaboration between James Beard-nominated cannabis chef Jordan Wagman and local executive chef Maurice. Popular Jamaican dishes like escovitch lobster and ackee with saltfish are available. Every single meal we had at Coral Cove was top-notch, whether it was the fresh fruit and daily porridge for breakfast or fresh grilled kingfish at night.
Spa services are also available, including massage, facials, and skinwraps. We opted for a sunset couple’s massage in the yoga gazebo. It was an incredibly intimate and romantic experience, and we walked away in a state of sheer relaxation. Just be sure to arrange your spa services before you visit so the resort can schedule the therapists according to your itinerary.
Orange Hill: the Emerald Triangle of Jamaica
Pretty much everything we wanted was available at Coral Cove, so we didn’t need to venture out too much. If we did have an excursion planned, Tajh arranged a ride for us. It was around $40 USD round trip to go into Negril, where the world-famous Seven Mile Beach is located. Hot tip: bring plenty of cash with you to Jamaica or hit the ATM when you’re in town because they tend to be scarce, and many non-touristy places don’t take debit or credit cards.
One thing we definitely wanted to see was the famous Orange Hill, which is considered the Emerald Triangle of Jamaica. The warm ocean breeze and fine dirt make growing conditions ideal. Fortunately, it was right up the road from Coral Cove. This is where the cannabis sold at the resort is cultivated; the team at the resort had grown on-site in the past, but water can be scarce, so they now source their bud from local farmers.
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Those farmers are located at Blue Hole Mineral Spring, a popular attraction with tourists and locals alike. My husband took the 35-foot plunge into the spring while I was nervous even to use the ladder. But we were both more excited about the farm tour.
When we arrived at Blue Hole, we quickly met a friendly woman named Alicia. She was originally from Pennsylvania but had been living and working on-site for several weeks. Alicia introduced us to Natural Mystic, the farm’s resident breeder, who showed us one of the many cannabis fields on the property. He then whisked us up the hill to a large house, where roughly a half dozen men were furiously bucking and trimming.
It was there we encountered Wabba, the man in charge of it all. We learned that Wabba’s mother had taught him about cultivation and that genetics like Tangie and Dark Star were thriving in the climate. He gifted us many types of herb and showed us his clandestine dry room chock full of hanging weed.
Natural Mystic showed us other companion plants grown on the property and shared a chalice session with us. The chalice is a water pipe that steams the cannabis; Natural Mystic taught us that Rastas would rather not put fire to the plant in accordance with their spiritual practices. He did say he was curious about the futuristic hash-smoking devices we have in the US, so we gave him a Lil Dipper from Dip Devices, which Natural Mystic seemed to enjoy. It was a cannabis cultural exchange of the highest degree.
Wabba was incredibly generous with his product and set us up for the week. For folks who don’t venture to Blue Hole, weed can be purchased at Coral Cove for $10 per gram. There is a menu in your room, but the actual stock definitely varies, so just ask Tajh at the front desk what’s available. Technically, only medical cannabis is legal in Jamaica, but it’s definitely a gray area—and weed is literally everywhere, so we weren’t overly concerned.
A trippy touch
Cannabis has long been a staple of Jamaican culture, but psilocybin is quickly surging in popularity (and availability). Magic mushrooms are not technically a controlled substance in Jamaica; that fact, combined with the growing tourist demand, has created a bustling grey market throughout the country.
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Coral Cove offers guided mushroom retreats led by a facilitator who provides support and post-trip integration. According to the Coral Cove website, this service starts around $500 per person (or $900 per couple). The cost makes sense, given the fact that skilled professionals take you through your journey, but as newlyweds still paying off our wedding, we decided to take the DIY approach.
For the low price of $12, the chef will prepare microdose smoothies using locally sourced mushroom chocolate. Each tasty treat has less than 0.2 mg of psilocybin, elevating your day without providing a full trip. I had one, which was more than enough to set the mood; my husband had two and a half, hoping to catch more of a buzz.
We enjoyed them next to the water, with soft jazz and the sounds of the ocean putting us in a state of pure bliss. I will admit a touch of anxiety hit me now and then, and I was glad I took it look and slow. Having said that, the Coral Cove facilitator was only a message away should things have gone awry.
Coral Cove Jamaica: a vacation you’ll never forget
Coral Cove Wellness Resort is truly a special place. If you’re seeking a paradise where you can truly get away from it all, this is it. The vibe was incredibly chill and inviting, with staff eager to make your every wish come true. The breathtaking sunsets, the crystal blue waters with schools of fish, and the luxurious accommodations will have you eager to return before you even depart.
While it’s definitely not the party environment some resorts provide, the serenity was exactly what we had in mind when making our honeymoon plans. Whether you’re a solo vacationer, a couple like us, or a group wanting to rent out the entire space for retreats, Coral Cove is perfect. Another hint: if you want a taste of the action, have the Tajh book you a boat ride with Captain George up to Rick’s Cafe.
It’s also important to note that while cannabis and psilocybin are a big draw of Coral Cove, it’s not the defining feature. This is a wellness resort, and the plant medicine is simply the icing on the cake. From sound baths to snorkeling, exquisite cuisine to energy healings, Coral Cove Jamaica has something for everyone. Do yourself a favor, and treat yourself to a stay.
