Andromeda Botanic Gardens — Attraction in undefined

Off the beaten path, a stone's throw from the magical waters of Bathsheba, tucked in the the beautiful parish of St. Joseph; Andromeda Botanic Gardens is so vibrant with an almost technicolor array of plants & flowers it's like you step off the road & enter a whole new world. Nothing short of an Eden within a paradise.

I was blessed to spend the afternoon at Andromeda last week and explore the full breadth of its stunning grounds with its sage owner, Sharon Cooke. Though I was fortunate enough to receive her rich introduction to the garden, its history & the plants within, I can honestly say if I had just walked in & wandered its leaf imprinted stone paths on my own (as an avid traveler, I love a good wander) I believe the garden itself would have whispered its story to me in the Atlantic breeze that swirls between vine, bloom, leaf & tree. With so much sweet oxygen emitting off the plants, you can almost feel the place breathe. And breathe a bit better yourself. Surrounded by luscious green life, the air feels as clean & crisp in the lungs as the sparkling water that babbles in the various natural streams & ponds that rise from the land to make a home in this unspoiled place.

What I love most about Andromeda is that it's not an outdoor show room with plants placed on display to entertain humans. It's a real, organic, natural garden--the only one of its kind in Barbados--where all are invited to connect on a deeper level with our place within nature vs seeing ourselves as apart from or a mere observer of it. Andromeda vibrates with ancient energy. I felt like I entered a portal that, in its unrelenting beauty, reflects back the history of ancestors that healed & fed themselves through their close bond with the plants embedded in this landscape. Its sprawling canopy also gives a glimpse into the future of what a mighty tree the seed of that history can become.

If you are a serious lover of plants, or if you know little to nothing about plants but find some sense of wonder in them, or if you want to see the authentic natural world of Barbados thrive on its own terms (beyond the beach) this is the place for you. And if you simply love to be surrounded by breathtaking almost cinematic beauty that is the stuff unforgettable photos, memories & moments of clarity are made of, this is the place for you. A visit to Barbados without a visit to Andromeda Botanic Gardens leaves too much joy on the table to bear---Do yourself a...

What a place

I'd previously never thought of visiting this attraction due to the fact that I didn't think it would be for me...

I like nature but didn't think that a botanical garden would be my thing but this past week, my outlook has completely changed!

I had the opportunity to go visit with some friends and from the moment we arrived, I was VERY impressed. The lady at the desk is genuinely a most pleasant person and she was quite informative as we were about to head off on the tour through the garden.

Fun fact: Your entry fee doesn't just give you access to the garden on that day only; you're allowed to return as many times as you like in 3 weeks from the date of your first visit! I took advantage of this by returning a couple days later and will also be returning in a few days.

The tour itself is self-guided but there are directional arrows to help you along. There are nice areas for relaxing and for taking photos as well as ponds with koi for the kids to feed (they hand out fish food at the entrance to kids).

Overall, it's a great place to spend an afternoon relaxing.

Two things to note: (1)Wear comfortable shoes as it is a bit of a trek and the paths aren't perfectly paved. (2) It is a tropical garden and therefore the temperature and humidity can make it feel a bit warm. Bringing a bottle of water might not be a bad idea although there is a cafe on property where you...