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Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens
4.5
About
The Botanical Gardens are one of the most important and popular sites in St Vincent. They are the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere (established in 1765) and are also an important conservation site (particularly for the St Vincent parrot). The Botanical Gardens are in Kingstown, a short journey from the town centre.
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  • JH-Haslemere
    Surrey, United Kingdom48 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit
    We visited here in May which isn't the time of year when the gardens are at their most colourful but we still had a very enjoyable couple of hours being shown round by Cornelius who was very knowledgeable and patient. Whilst a guide is not mandatory you will get an awful lot more out of our visit by having one as you will learn about the history of the gardens from their original inception and appreciate how it has developed over the years and the fact that many of the trees/plants are not indigenous but have been brought here over the years from many countries. We particularly enjoyed that Cornelius took the time to explain the uses of some of the plants/trees whether it be for medicinal purposes or for more practical purposes, the tree who's leaves could be used as sandpaper and the tree who's wood was very hard and used for making tool handles were just some of the many things we would never have learnt about had we walked round on our own. If you've got a couple of hours to spare this place is well worth a visit.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written November 18, 2023
  • machinmad
    Yaxley, United Kingdom2,655 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Educational and fun ...
    This colonial garden is about 40mins walk from the cruise port; take stout shoes as the pavements are very rough or non existent. It’s up hill in the heat too. Admission is only $2 but make sure you pay the extra $6 to get a guide. We were fortunate to get a guy who knew everything about everything in the garden. He explained each tree and shrub, showing which had spicy scents and what they were used for. It really was an enjoyable education and a fascinating hour. I think these guys are self-employed, so tip them generously. There are restrooms, a small gift shop and cold drinks for a couple of dollars.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written January 26, 2024
  • Jill H
    153 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Botanical Garden in St Vincent
    We spent about an hour and a half walking through the garden. The first hour we had a guide who was very knowledgeable. He was able to answer any questions put to him. It is very peaceful and relaxing and a great place to unwind after a busy day. There is a wonderful variety of flowers, trees and shrubs and the garden is beautifully maintained. Well worth the visit and hiring a guide who will only enhance your visit.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written February 29, 2024
  • DaveBMinnesota
    Circle Pines, Minnesota21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Take Taxi (don’t walk!) to Wonderful Garden
    Take a taxi to Garden, Don’t Walk! This garden is very good but the walk from cruise port is through a sketchy neighborhood (a kid stole our bag and ran but I got it back from him!) $2 each to enter: $4 each for a local guide at the entrance. Our guide Nigel was very good at describing plants from around the Caribbean in the garden. Took taxi back to cruise ship for $6 each with no problems.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written March 4, 2024
  • Mel C
    New Glasgow, Canada17 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful gardens
    We had a nice visit to the gardens. Our bus dropped us off at the top, so we wandered down to pay at the front. We decided we were going to do a self guided tour. However, the local guide decided we weren't. He just walked with us and started talking about the plants. We did not agree to a tour but reluctantly went with him . He had a script and would not really answer questions about plants not in his itinerary. After it was done, he aded for $20 EC plus a tip. My husband tipped him $5, but he was unhappy with it.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written March 10, 2024
  • DuckysWife
    United Kingdom1,506 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Coreas Caribbean Adventures tour of gardens
    Open feel to the gardens with many plants and huge trees many of them old, all in great health. Guide was exceptional with knowledge on everything and anything we looked at. Quick look at the tiny aviary to one side for breeding parrots. Tour operated by Coreas Caribbean Adventures also took us to Montreal Gardens.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written May 11, 2024
  • travelsafer
    7,142 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Botanical gardens in Kingstown, St Vincent and Grenadines
    We had a nice visit to and old botanical garden, our guide told us history facts and let us touch and smell several garden plants and gave us explanations on many of them. The entrance is $2, and it's $4 for a guided tour which is very recommended. There is some walking so wear comfortable shoes.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written May 23, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles495 reviews
Excellent
225
Very good
203
Average
56
Poor
8
Terrible
3

SueWolves53
Wolverhampton, UK296 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
This is one of the oldest botanical gardens in western hemisphere. Recommend having a guide as they are very knowledgeable and could relate a lot of information regarding how many of the plants could be used for medicinal or cooking purposes.
The aviary houses many local parrots, their national bird.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

William L
London35 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
We were stayiing in Bequia and having read a little about the Botanical Gardens in nearby Kingstown thought we would make the trip. After a short ferry ride and a little difficulty we found the bus station and with the help of the locals found our bus. 1 EC$ each was the cost which is almost nothing. I would not recommend walking there as it is uphill, very steep and very hot.

The gardens are a delight. It is well worth hiring a guide and it's not expensive. We had the wonderful Errol. Without Errol we would have missed so much. Beautiful trees and shrubs from all over the world and even some endangered but beautiful parrots. Errol even suggested our lunch venue, Veejays in Kingstown, which together with the bus ride with Bob Marley blasting out at full volume was a truly Caribbean experience.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Byzy
Doncaster, UK55 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 • Family
We had an excellent tour around these botanical gardens by Jeffrey the guide. It was well worth paying extra for the tour as Jeffrey brought the gardens to life, with his expert knowledge and his bag of tricks with all sorts of wonders to see, smell and touch. Well worth a guided visit to spend an afternoon or morning!
Written February 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yorkshire Lad - The Original
York, UK1,675 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
Go there on an organised tour, or walk the two miles from the cruise terminal up the hill and pay the couple of US dollars entry before slipping 10 US $’s to a local guide who will take you all around the garden, started way back in the mid 1750s. Our guide knew his stuff and took us to places away from the snaking groups who seemed to take an eternity, always held back by the slowest member of the party. Deffo worth the trip just to smell the lovely botanicals.
Written December 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mikopath
Birmingham, UK57 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Couples
Excellent historic botanical gardens with lots to see. It’s very cheap to get in and on top of that we hired a local guide for a couple of pounds more which was a great move. Cornelius was very well-informed and after his tour we spent a further hour or so just strolling. Allow a couple of hours to do it justice.
Written March 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dolittle2016
Miami Beach, FL48 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We visited the gardens with expert guide Diane on an excursion arranged by Celebrity Summit. She shepherded about 20 of us around the relatively small acreage, stopping to explain what we were seeing particularly in regard to herbs with medicinal or culinary qualities. A highlight was seeing the enclosure where a rare species of parrot, the Island's national bird, is encouraged to reproduce. Well worth an hour or so's visit.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John H
Leigh, UK322 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
Our ship docked at the key side and we walked through town to the Gardens. A walk of about 40 minutes with the last 15 uphill. Once at the gardens it was 5 EC$ per person to enter. The site is kept in lovely condition and it’s a pleasant place to spend a couple of hours. There are plenty of benches to sit on and plenty of shade. There are guides to walk you through the various plant types. It is well worth the walk. If you want to take a taxi it is 15 EC$ or 5 USD.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mel C
New Glasgow, Canada17 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
We had a nice visit to the gardens.
Our bus dropped us off at the top, so we wandered down to pay at the front.
We decided we were going to do a self guided tour. However, the local guide decided we weren't.
He just walked with us and started talking about the plants.
We did not agree to a tour but reluctantly went with him .
He had a script and would not really answer questions about plants not in his itinerary.
After it was done, he aded for $20 EC plus a tip.
My husband tipped him $5, but he was unhappy with it.

Written March 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Metrorider105
Greater London, UK125 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
Still one of the best places to visit in SVG. This is a must to see if you are going to the country for the first time and into plants etc.

Only gripe is the shop could be better stocked with more items. Very limited cold drinks was available and it would have been a bonus if they had ice-creams.

It is great to see many of the National Parrots there which there are plenty of now.
Seems to be popular for people taking wedding pictures.

Entrance fee good value for money
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

machinmad
Yaxley, UK2,655 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
This colonial garden is about 40mins walk from the cruise port; take stout shoes as the pavements are very rough or non existent. It’s up hill in the heat too.

Admission is only $2 but make sure you pay the extra $6 to get a guide. We were fortunate to get a guy who knew everything about everything in the garden. He explained each tree and shrub, showing which had spicy scents and what they were used for. It really was an enjoyable education and a fascinating hour. I think these guys are self-employed, so tip them generously.

There are restrooms, a small gift shop and cold drinks for a couple of dollars.
Written January 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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BOTANICAL GARDENS - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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