National Botanical Garden Dr. Rafael María Moscoso — Attraction in Santo Domingo

The National Botanical Garden of Santo Domingo is a true gem and an absolute must-visit for anyone who loves nature and tranquility! This expansive and beautifully maintained garden is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the bustling city, offering a perfect escape to reconnect with the natural world.

From the moment you enter, you’re greeted by lush greenery and an incredible variety of plants and trees. The layout of the garden is thoughtfully designed, with well-marked paths that take you through different sections, each showcasing unique ecosystems and flora. My personal favorite was the Japanese Garden, which felt like stepping into another world with its serene ponds, bridges, and perfectly manicured landscapes.

The diversity here is stunning—you can explore everything from tropical plants and orchids to towering palms and rare species you won’t find anywhere else. For anyone interested in botany or just looking for a peaceful walk, it’s a dream come true. The garden is also home to many birds, so don’t forget to bring your camera for some great wildlife photography opportunities!

What impressed me the most was how well-maintained and clean everything was. The staff clearly put a lot of effort into preserving the garden’s beauty, and they were friendly and knowledgeable whenever I had questions.

Whether you’re visiting Santo Domingo as a tourist or you’re a local looking for a peaceful retreat, the National Botanical Garden is the perfect spot to unwind, learn about nature, and enjoy some fresh air. It’s a place I’ll definitely return to again and again. Highly...

I love visiting this botanical garden. It's great for kids but also for adults. Whether you just want to have a nice walk among beautiful plants or ride their little train or just go jogging through their paths, there is so much to do there. There is a nice cafe with breakfast and lunch cooked meals, as well as fruit smoothies. I absolutely loved that they were all about sustainability. The to-go cups were paper cups with compostable straws, the napkins were recycled, and the plates and cups to dine in were ceramic and glass with a metal straw. They recycle and compost as well. Very impressed.

They have a butterfly enclosure where you can delight in seeing the process butterflies go through as well as listening to the calming sounds of the water coming from the pond that is inside.

There are multiple pavilions, so I highly encourage you to take a day to ride the train and then walk to each pavilion. The fernery is absolutely gorgeous, the orchid pavilion is great!, some of the other pavilions need a little more upkeep, though like the Bromeliad one and the Wetlands one. Long story short, definitely visit and spend the day! Bring bug spray and wear light clothes that have...

Beautiful space located in Santo Domingo, quite close to the center. Unexpected because of its size, cleanliness, a true green breathing lung in the city.

The special exhibits... hit or miss. The Japanese garden was a truly beautiful space, maybe not genuinely Japanese, which would not be possible anyway due to the difference in clime, but a wide and serene space. Other exhibits we were simply unable to find, like the Mariposario.

It would really help if the garden had more (and more accurate signs), including maybe duration in minutes to the various exhibits, as well as printed maps.

I salute the idea of having a little train, and I am sorry I did not get to use it.

The so-called museum was also a das little affair, four rooms of dusty dioramas. But I do truly appreciate the efforts of our museum guides to speak clearly and make sure us gringos could understand her. A couple other staff members spoke English and were very attentive and helpful.

All in all a very pleasant if somewhat frustrating experience. But if you just go in there and stroll around, without trying too hard to find the butterfly exhibit, you are going to enjoy it very much. I am planning...