Easter Sunday we found some time to take the 30 minute drive out-of-town to the lush and beautiful Botanical Gardens of Cartagena and I’m so glad we did. It far exceeded my expectations. About a 30 minute drive outside of town, located in the nearby town of Turbaco, the Botanical Gardens was just the nature escape we longed to have.
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Arriving at the Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens of Cartagena “Guillermo Piñeres” is a peaceful nature escape just outside the city, showcasing the rich biodiversity of Colombia’s Caribbean region. Spanning lush tropical landscapes, the garden features walking trails, native plants, towering palms, and vibrant wildlife, offering a quiet contrast to Cartagena’s busy historic center. It’s an ideal spot for nature lovers, families, and anyone looking to slow down and explore the region’s flora while learning about conservation and local ecosystems.
Key Details:
- Location: Turbaco, Bolívar, Colombia (near Cartagena).
- Address: Sector Matute, km 9, Autopista I-90.
- Distance from Cartagena: About 10 kilometers southeast, a 30-minute drive.
- Features: 9 hectares of tropical dry forest, collections of native plants, natural springs, and a focus on conservation and birdwatching.
We arrived late afternoon and nearly had the place to ourselves. A groomed trail and a friendly tour guide and we were on our way exploring the jungle. Much more lush than our coaster flora, it was so nice to be surrounded my giant trees and the sound of a flowing creek.
There was once a school on this property, so we were able to see the abandoned remnants of those buildings. They also have a cafe and very clean restrooms available, always a bonus to have on site.
We kept on the trail and our guide explained he had been there 40 years, and which trees he had watched grow so tall. We smelled Eucalyptus, admired all the flowers and the kids went nuts when we spotted some poison frogs.
As we wound our way back around to the manicured lawns, we got a special treat. A sleeping sloth in a tree above our heads. He finally woke up and did the sloth walk up the tree, it was the highlight of our day! We finished our time by trying out a tropical Apricot, called a Zapote, and it was delish.
Final Thoughts
So glad we got to spend a day together with friends enjoying these beautiful Botanical Gardens. We take a chance exploring new places, knowing that sometimes they will exceed our expectations and sometimes they will be a dud. Well, no question we thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon in nature, learning and laughing along the way. We will be back again.
If you would like to read more about unique and interesting sites in Cartagena, check out these posts:
- Vivarium del Caribe – See reptiles up close and personal
- Volcan Totumo – Cartagena’s very own mud volcano.
- Blue Apple Beach House – A short boat ride to a day of total beach side relaxation
exploring:
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