Since Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park opened in 1994, it has acquired a reputation as a world-class facility, for its stunning native gardens and bounty of wildlife.

More than 60 acres of flora and fauna await exploration at the Botanic Park, which is just a 30-minute drive from George Town.

The most famous inhabitants of the breathtaking Botanic Park are the rare and extraordinary Blue Iguanas. The gardens are home to these beautiful creatures, and you may just encounter one on your tour.  These intriguing natives were under severe threat just two decades ago before an extensive breeding programme was undertaken . The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme began in 1990 and comprises habitat protection, captive breeding and release, research and monitoring, education and outreach and the planning, management and fundraising that goes with it. The Blue Iguana is Grand Cayman’s largest native land mammal which can grow to over five feet long and live as long as a human can. Sadly, in 2002 there were only around a dozen left in the wild due to habitat destruction, road kills and domestic animals, which made the Blues one of the most endangered species on earth. However, there is now hope for the future of this magnificent dragon-esque beast.
There are different areas to discover at the Botanic Park, each with its own personality. The Heritage Garden showcases the plants that have played a role in Cayman’s past, such as medicinal plants and silver thatch palms. The Colour Garden is a vibrant garden featuring all the colours of the rainbow, with open spaces and native wooded areas.

The Woodland Trail, at less than a mile long, is a comfortable walk and passes through a variety of habitats that contain Cayman’s native flora.

Among many treasures, the three-acre lake is a habitat for aquatic birds and, of course, the Orchid Garden is a wonder to behold.

The Heritage Garden showcases a series of plants which were important in Caymanian history. These range from Silver Thatch, utilized for weaving by generation after generation, which helped Cayman’s economy tremendously.

But it is not just the plants that will delight. The Botanic Park is home to a bounty of butterflies. Cayman has 56 species, five of which are so rare that they are only found in the islands. See how many you can discover.

After touring the Botanic Park, explore the Visitor Centre and Gift Shop for special souvenirs of your new, blue friends.

The Botanic Park is owned jointly by the Cayman Islands Government and the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, a non-profit, statutory body dedicated to preserving natural environments and places of historic significance in the Cayman Islands for present and future generations