Location: Shaw Park Rd
Tel. 876 974 6235
Open: 8am-5pm daily
Coyaba River Garden, located in Ocho Rios on Jamaica’s north coast, is a tranquil botanical garden and cultural site that offers visitors a serene escape into the island’s natural splendor and historical legacy. Nestled approximately 1.5 miles south of downtown Ocho Rios within the historic Shaw Park Estate, this 3-acre oasis is fed by the clear waters of the Milford River, creating a lush, tropical haven often described as a “paradise”—a fitting tribute to its Arawak name, “Coyaba,” meaning just that. While it has been known as Konoko Falls and Park since new ownership took over in the early 2010s, it retains the essence of its original identity as a water garden, museum, and waterfall retreat. As of April 10, 2025, Coyaba remains a cherished destination, offering a quieter alternative to the bustling Dunn’s River Falls nearby, with its blend of natural beauty, educational exhibits, and recreational opportunities.
Coyaba River Garden is a meticulously crafted water
garden, its layout defined by the Milford River, which rises above the
property and flows through its entirety. This limestone-filtered stream,
purified by the surrounding bedrock, maintains crystal-clear waters that
cascade gently through stone-cut channels, small ponds, and pools
teeming with life. Visitors can observe koi carp, mullet, snappers, and
turtles swimming in these waters, with one pond featuring a viewing
window that provides an underwater glimpse into their natural habitat.
The river’s constant murmur creates a soothing backdrop, enhancing the
garden’s peaceful ambiance.
The garden itself is a vibrant
showcase of tropical flora, shaded by a canopy of towering trees—almond,
avocado (locally called “pears”), giant cedars, and sprawling banyan
trees—that temper the Jamaican sun. Pathways wind through well-tended
flowerbeds bursting with color: anthuriums with their waxy blooms, fiery
heliconias, pink ginger lilies, crotons with their multicolored leaves,
and rampant vines that weave through the landscape. Native ferns and
bamboo add texture, while the air hums with the calls of birds like the
red-billed streamertail (Jamaica’s national “doctor bird”) and the
diminutive Jamaican tody, flitting among the branches.
A
centerpiece of Coyaba is Mahoe Falls, a tiered waterfall tucked deep
within the gardens. Standing at approximately 20–30 feet high, Mahoe
Falls is smaller and less imposing than Dunn’s River Falls, but its
charm lies in its intimacy and accessibility. The limestone terraces,
capped with rounded, mushroom-like formations, offer natural grip—unlike
the often-slippery rocks elsewhere—making it an inviting climb for
visitors. The ascent, which can take 20–30 minutes depending on pace,
leads through shallow pools ideal for wading or a quick dip, culminating
in a refreshing plunge pool at the base. This lack of crowds and
enforced human chains distinguishes Mahoe Falls, providing a private,
oasis-like experience.
At the garden’s highest elevation, Ysassis
Lookout Point offers a stunning panoramic view of Ocho Rios Bay, the
harbor, and the Caribbean Sea beyond. Named after Cristóbal Arnaldo
Isassi, the last Spanish governor of Jamaica who reportedly hid in the
area after the British takeover in 1655, this vantage point frames the
coastline’s lush greenery and turquoise waters, a breathtaking reward
for the short climb up a set of steps from the main garden.
Coyaba River Garden occupies a site steeped in
history, originally part of the Shaw Park Estate, a colonial property
tied to Jamaica’s plantation era. In 1923, the estate hosted Ocho Rios’
first hotel, marking an early step in the town’s tourism legacy. The
garden as it exists today was the vision of Simon Stuart, a
horticulturist and former president of the St. Ann Horticultural
Society, who, with his wife Faith, purchased the land in 1983. Over 19
years, Stuart transformed the “poor scrub land” into a botanical
masterpiece, opening it to the public in May 1997 without heavy
machinery to preserve its natural contours. His goal was dual-purpose: a
public garden showcasing Jamaica’s flora and a commercial nursery for
exporting orchids and decorative plants.
The Coyaba Museum,
housed in a Spanish-style building with a cut-stone courtyard and
fountain, anchors the site’s cultural offerings. This small but
informative museum traces Jamaica’s history from its pre-Columbian
Arawak (Taíno) inhabitants—whose artifacts like pottery and tools are
displayed—through Spanish and British colonial periods, to modern
independence. Maps, photographs, and antiques illustrate the island’s
evolution, emphasizing the Arawak influence (reflected in the name
“Coyaba”) and the cultural blend encapsulated in Jamaica’s motto, “Out
of Many, One People.” The museum’s compact size belies its depth,
offering a concise yet engaging primer on the island’s past.
Coyaba River Garden is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m., with admission typically set at $20 for adults and $10 for
children, though prices may fluctuate slightly under current management.
The experience begins with a guided tour, included in the entry fee,
lasting about 45 minutes to an hour. Knowledgeable guides—often locals
with names like “Happy” or “Naldi”—lead visitors through the gardens,
identifying plants and explaining their uses (e.g., ginger for scent,
allspice for flavor) while pointing out wildlife like hummingbirds and
spiders. The tours are informal and interactive, encouraging questions
and photo opportunities, though self-guided exploration is also an
option for those preferring solitude.
The climb up Mahoe Falls is
a highlight, requiring a swimsuit and water shoes for the wet, rocky
ascent—visitors are advised to bring these essentials, as rentals are
limited. The falls’ gentle tiers make it manageable for most, with
guides offering assistance if needed, and the plunge pool at the base
invites a refreshing swim. Beyond the falls, the museum provides a brief
historical interlude, while the courtyard offers a spot to relax with a
view of the bay, often accompanied by the taste of Blue Mountain coffee
from the snack bar. A small craft shop sells Jamaican souvenirs—wood
carvings, jewelry, rum, and coffee—adding a tangible memento to the
visit.
Total visit time ranges from 2 to 3 hours, depending on
pace and interest, with the flat garden paths accommodating most
mobility levels, though the falls and lookout steps involve steeper
climbs. The garden’s location, a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk from
central Ocho Rios, is accessible via taxi ($10–$15 round-trip) or
organized tours from resorts and cruise ships, making it a convenient
stop for day-trippers.
Coyaba’s ecological design relies on the Milford
River’s natural purification and minimal intervention, with mulching and
composting sustaining its flora rather than heavy fertilizers—a
sustainable approach championed by Stuart. The garden’s biodiversity,
from native plants to resident fish and birds, offers a microcosm of
Jamaica’s natural heritage, while its educational role—once tied to
plans for a nature center—continues to inform visitors about
environmental stewardship.
Culturally, Coyaba connects to
Jamaica’s Arawak past, honoring the island’s first inhabitants through
its name and museum exhibits. Its colonial roots as part of Shaw Park
Estate tie it to the plantation era, while its modern incarnation
reflects Jamaica’s embrace of eco-tourism and cultural preservation. The
garden’s understated charm contrasts with the commercial bustle of
nearby attractions, offering a “hidden treasure” experience locals often
praise.
Coyaba River Garden stands apart from Ocho Rios’ more famous sites like Dunn’s River Falls by prioritizing tranquility over spectacle. Its smaller scale and lack of crowds appeal to nature lovers, families, and those seeking a personal encounter with Jamaica’s landscapes and history. The Mahoe Falls climb, while less daunting, retains an adventurous spirit, and the museum adds intellectual depth, making it a well-rounded outing. Its hilltop perch above the bay enhances its sense of seclusion, a slice of paradise just minutes from the tourist throng.