Botanic Gardens
#5 in Best Things To Do in St. Vincent & The Grenadines
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2 of 3Key Info
Price & Hours
Details
scorecard
- 5.0Value
- 4.0Facilities
- 4.5Atmosphere
St. Vincent's lush 20-acre park holds a reputation as the oldest botanical garden in the Western Hemisphere, with roots dating back to 1765. Inside, you'll encounter a broad collection of tropical flora and fauna, from flamboyant, mahogany and breadfruit trees to exuberant parrots. Be sure to catch a glimpse of the garden's versatile array of natural spices – such as cinnamon and nutmeg – hanging from centuries-old tree limbs.
Recent travelers recommended visiting in the morning and tagging along on a guided tour, led by guides who know their stuff. Other reviewers suggested wearing sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven.
You'll find the gardens just northeast of Kingstown off of Leeward Highway. The Botanic Gardens welcome visitors from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. every day. Entrance is about EC$5 per adult (approximately $2). Guided tours are available for EC$10 (about $4). According to recent visitors, you'll want to agree on the price with your guide before you start the tour. Some reviewers said they were charge per hour, not one flat rate. For more information about the Botanic Gardens, consult its website.
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2 of 14#1 Tobago Cays
This cluster of small, uninhabited isles perched at the east end of Mayreau boasts some of Grenadine's finest underwater sites. The remote cays' calm, clear waters teem with bright coral reefs and exotic marine life. In fact, the area was named a wildlife reserve to maintain its natural setting. As a result, yachts are not allowed to drop anchor here, so you'll feel like you've discovered untouched Caribbean waters. Almost universally, visitors call Tobago Cays breathtaking and a must-see.
A wide variety of diving, snorkeling and sailing companies offer excursions to Tobago Cays. Friendship Rose Cruise, a reputable charter company, offers full-day sailing and snorkeling excursions via schooner from Bequia to the cays. Boats depart every day at 7 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m.; breakfast and lunch are included. A full-day cruise costs around EC$410 (roughly $150) per adult; children 5 and younger can sail for free. Lambi Queen Tours is another company recommended by past visitors for its easy daytrip itineraries. For more information on the Tobago Cays, visit the SVG Tourism Authority's website.
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