Shaw Park Gardens & Waterfalls
Shaw Park Gardens & Waterfalls
4.5
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Beautiful, well-kept gardens just a short walk from the center of town.
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The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
91 within 5 kms
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938
0.6 km€€ - €€€ • Italian • Fusion • Jamaican
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0.6 km€€ - €€€ • Caribbean • Seafood • Jamaican
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0.9 km€€ - €€€ • Caribbean • Bar • Pub
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0.6 km
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0.7 km€€ - €€€ • Caribbean • Jamaican
Rasta Taco
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Attractions
27 within 10 kms
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0.4 kmNature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens
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0.9 kmParks
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Island Village
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
218 reviews
Excellent
134
Very good
65
Average
16
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Teia K
Twin Cities, MN5 contributions
Had a personal guide. Stairs to climb but done gradually. Away from the normal tours. A very pleasant place to go.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David Sole
Lancaster, UK1 contribution
Friends
Bijou little gardens that we were guided around by one of the gardeners and close to where we were staying in Ocho Rios. We were the only ones there (me and my son) and other than the gardens the main purpose was to try and see birds following a recommendation on Trip Advisor. Plenty to see including the Doctor Bird and other than hummingbirds so I totally recommend for those interested in birds. Took about 45 mins for the tour then spent and hour and a half doing our own thing.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bruce F
1 contribution
Couples
Great personal, informative tour of beautiful gardens. Our guide Dave has worked as a gardener there for 30 years, and he was terrific.
Written 30 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alan Z
New York City, NY22 contributions
Close your eyes and you can imagine yourself transported back to the 1930s when the Shaw Hotel was the Place to be in Ocho Rios. The stunning horticultural pathways lead you down and around the former formal grounds of what was the Shaw Park Hotel that opened in 1923. The Hotel suffered a fire and was eventually torn down, but was remains is worth a few hours of strolling.
Written 1 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MobayJoe
Salem, MA4 contributions
This was a pleasant stroll through a historic garden. Lots of wonderful to see if you like plants. The tour was very informative and you get learn the native name for many plants as well as the history of the garden and the hotel that once stood there. Ronald was actually a gardener there for many years before "retiring" to be a tour guide. You can self guide but you miss all the history.
Written 7 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fiona M
Purley, UK11 contributions
Couples
My husband and I got to Shaw Park gardens about 6. I think the tours tend to close at 5 but luckily they accommodate us and we were given the choice to have a guide or have a wonder around just us. The cost was 10 dollars US but with the guide you just give a tip based on how the tour went. Our tour guide has been at the property from the 1980s and was very knowledgeable about the various plants and the history of the garden. Very beautiful, peaceful and scenic garden. Very relaxing and calming. The drive up the hill to get there was slightly daunting.
Written 20 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KIM2006
Aberdeen, UK207 contributions
Couples
Stopped here on our drive and what a stop, to have a break and just to take in the view.
Would recommend it to anyone
Would recommend it to anyone
Written 31 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Annavejjo
5 contributions
Friends
Entrance fee is the same than with guard. Percy was worth every dollar (10 per person), he knew every plant, was very kind and told us a lot of interesting facts about the park. We were afraid of going to tourist places which were crowded of people - in shaw park we were the only two tourists around, paradise!
Written 23 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rose J
7 contributions
Friends
I felt enveloped with natural beauty. The colours were exquisite, our guide knew every plant, and let us taste a few! Incredible view of Ocho Rios and the sea. The falls are quaint yet magnificent and gives it the Garden of Eden feel. Truly a must see for any horticulturist or ANYONE who would enjoy the beauty, tranquility and fresh aromas in the breeze. Great for a multitude of photo ops. This place touches all of your senses in such a pleasant way.
Written 13 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
wcforr900
Bloomington, IN33 contributions
Family
Shaw Park Garden is a lovely botanical garden located high on a hill above Ocho Rios. The setting is nice, with a lovely view of the town and the plantings were quite interesting. Our guide Percy met us at the top of the garden near the parking area and showed us around. He was a very low key but friendly and knowledgeable guide. He started at the overlook and took pictures of the family for us and then led us through the grading, telling us about the plants and the history of the place. We paused at the little waterfall for more pictures. We spent about an hour total. The price of admission was $10 US per person. If you're interested in tropical plants it's well worth the price of admission. One word of caution, if you're driving yourself the road is a bit rough so take it slow. Still, we were able to get through in our rental car with no problem.
Written 11 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
J K
Michigan271 contributions
We will arrive in Ocho Rios by cruise ship. Shaw Botanical Gardens isn't far from where we are docked. Most reviewers mention driving up the hill and parking at the top. Is it possible to walk up the hill and enter the Gardens on foot? How long (time wise) is the guided tour? Is it $10 per car of per person? Is there a restaurant nearby? Thank you!
Fiona M
Purley, UK11 contributions
Hi I would not recommend walking to the top as it would take you around 30 minutes or so. If you are keen to walk then of course you. can enter by foot. There is a sort of a cafe before you get to Shaw Park Gardens where they serve coffee, drinks, snacks and you can relax but it’s not a restaurant as such. The guided tour was about 45 minutes but it’s quite flexible and our tour was interrupted by rain but our tour guide was fantastic and accommodating. It’s $10 dollars per person. If you can check out Konoko Falls on your way to Shaw Park you will find it also amazing.
What is the cost to go in?
KIM2006
Aberdeen, UK207 contributions
I don’t know, we had a private tour with other sites seeing
RoyalOasis2017
Toronto, Canada1 contribution
Hi, is the park wheelchair accessible?
PeacefulWarrior67
England, UK145 contributions
Afraid not. There were several levels to the gardens and very few slops. We went with a 7 month old baby and had you carry her as her stroller was of no use in the terrain.
joamhinds
Toronto, Canada
Hi, I am trying to find a suitable location that can accommodate my family of 40 persons (babies, toddlers, teens and adults) inn December for a day. We are trying to have a family reunion relaxing and enjoying nature for a day. Do you think Shaw Park Gardens is the ideal place for such gatherings?
Gilla B
2 contributions
Trust me, this is the place to be. Your family will always have this memory, you can chose here or Cranbrook flower forest in the same parish. Being that its 40 people, I would chose the latter. Hope this helps. Good luck and hope you enjoy the family day.
Travellers084
Isle of Man United Kingdom7 contributions
We are due to spend a day (9am-5pm) in Ocho Rios and would like to visit Konoko Park and Shaw park. Is it possible to do this in the limited time....expect we would have to use taxi but would they wait whilst we visited each attraction.
Opinionated B
2 contributions
Yes, and they are fairly close to each other. 2 hrs in each place is plenty, plus an hour for lunch, and travel time.... should be easily able to fit this into 9-5. Enjoy!
JackieLee2014
Fort Lauderdale, FL2 contributions
Hi, coming in October on Carnival Splendor. This is not offered as a cruise excursion. Husband & I want a calming and beautiful excursion. Some questions. How much does a taxi cost for 2 people from the dock? About how far away is the gardens? How long does it take to see the gardens& waterfalls? Is it easy to get a taxi back to the ship? We should be ashore from about 9 to 3PM on tuesday, October 18. . What are the hours of operation? This place sounds beautiful. Thank-you. Jackie.
elliechoir
Exeter, UK44 contributions
From Ochos Rios, if that is where you dock, it is about 5 miles - you can see the cruise ships from a viewpoint in the garden! It shouldn;t cost more than about $60 US for a taxi to take you there and wait and take you back. There was a small cafe where you can buy a beer but it is all slightly run-down. Very peaceful when we were there though, It will take about an hour or so to look around. They seem to have guide chaps on tap to show you plants and paths for $20 say Nice place. Wear insect repellant maybe.
MansfieldPotters
MANSFIELD20 contributions
We are intending to visit by Taxi from our resort
How did you get a guide?
is there an email / website for the park?
What is the entrance fee
Rufus212
Heidelberg, Germany31 contributions
The entrance fee is $10 per person which includes the guide who will be assigned to you at the gate. Enjoy
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Shaw Park Gardens & Waterfalls | Ocho Rios | UPDATED September 2022 Top Tips Before You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Shaw Park Gardens & Waterfalls
- We recommend booking Shaw Park Gardens & Waterfalls tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Shaw Park Gardens & Waterfalls tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Shaw Park Gardens & Waterfalls:
- (0.54 km) Garden House Jamaica
- (0.82 km) Beautiful Beachfront 1 Bedroom Condo D18, Ocho Rios Jamaica
- (0.55 km) PENTHOUSE ON THE RIDGE
- (0.61 km) apt3 Ocho Rios Views to Die For!!!!
- (1.35 km) Moon Palace Jamaica
- Restaurants near Shaw Park Gardens & Waterfalls:
- (0.19 km) Oceans On The Ridge
- (0.60 km) Evita's Italian Restaurant
- (0.71 km) Devon House I Scream
- (0.73 km) Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Ocho Rios
- (0.86 km) Ocho Rios Village Jerk Center