Dominican Republic’s National Botanical Garden

The largest botanical garden in Latin America thrives in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. That’s where you’ll find the Dr. Rafael María Mosoco Botanical Garden, also known as the National Botanical Garden of the Dominican Republic.

This garden has a surprising history here on this tropical island. With this guide, we invite you to explore what makes the National Botanical Garden so special, and discover the gardens’ most alluring attractions.

If you’re thinking of visiting the Dominican Republic, the gardens shouldn’t be missed!

History

The Dr. Rafael María Mosoco Botanical Garden was created in 1976. The National Garden was named after the innovative Dominican botanist who first cataloged all the plant life on the island.

The National Botanical Garden of the Dominican Republic is a member of the environmental group Botanical Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). In addition to offering a beautiful natural space for visitors to enjoy, the National Botanical Garden also contributes to botanical studies and conservation efforts worldwide.

Unique & Notable Features

The conservation and educational focus of the Dr. Rafael María Mosoco Botanical Garden leads to some of its most engaging features.

Guided Tours & Train

The National Botanical Garden can be traversed at your own pace, but it also offers guided tours. Tour guides are knowledgeable, and tours begin on the Gardens’ train, which lets you move among different parts of the grounds quickly.

Independent visitors can also use the train at their leisure, as it’s included in the ticket price.

For bird enthusiasts, the Hispaniola Ornithological Society organizes guided walking tours (and hikes!) in the Botanical Garden oriented around the best spots for bird watching.

Events & Festivals

The National Botanical Garden hosts educational events, workshops, and festivals throughout the year.

One of the most popular is the National Plant and Flower Festival, a family-friendly event dedicated to plant care and environmental education. The day is filled with food, games, and vendors selling ornamental flowers.

Attractions

The Dr. Rafael María Mosoco Botanical Garden covers 400 square acres of land. That’s a lot to cover! While it’s worthwhile to explore the entire place, here are a few of the top-tier attractions at the gardens. Make sure not to miss them!

Orchid Garden

The National Botanical Garden houses and nurtures over 300 species of orchids. Many of these are native to Hispaniola.

The Orchid Garden is a newly organized exhibit, first curated in 2023 as part of a showcase by The Society of Dominican Orchidology. Since then, the collection of colorful, iconic tropical flowers continues to inspire.

Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden was first given to the National Botanical Garden as a gift, part of a cultural exchange between Japan and the Dominican Republic in 1976.

The Japanese Garden was created by Mamoru Matsunaga, a landscape designer and martial arts master. He thought to use traditional Japanese landscape techniques and aesthetics with Dominican botany and styles. Together, the two cultures harmonized in Matsunga’s piece.

Today, the Japanese Garden is a tranquil oasis. It remains one of the most well-loved exhibits in the National Botanical Garden.

Flower Clock

The Flower Clock, or living floral clock, is a fully functional timepiece designed by Italian clocksmith Giovanni Abramo. It stands proudly near the Gardens’ entrance, about 3.5 meters tall, while the clock’s face is 20 meters wide. The face’s sections are easily distinguished with floral blooms of contrasting colors.

In 1998, the Flower Clock was broken during Hurricane Georges. Fortunately, it was restored a decade later, in 2018, by the artist Julio César Valentín and engineers from Tecnológicas Dominicana.

Tropical Garden, Cactus Garden & Arboretum

There are hundreds of exhibits and spaces to enjoy in the Dr. Rafael Moscoso National Botanical Garden. No two people’s tastes are exactly alike. Fortunately, the garden has something for everyone.

The curated, intentionally dry Cactus Garden is a surprising contrast to the island’s usual tropical humidity. The Arboretum invites visitors to explore rainforest treetops by bridges. And, the Tropical Garden showcases some of the most unique botanicals native to the Dominican Republic.

What exhibit will be your favorite?

Reviews & Testimonies

“True Paradise”

“[The Botanical Garden] is a true paradise for nature lovers and botanical enthusiasts. This botanical garden is a hidden gem in the heart of the city, featuring a stunning collection of native and exotic plants in a peaceful and serene setting. As you meander through the garden, you’ll encounter a diverse range of flora, from vibrant tropical flowers to towering palms and lush greenery. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the plant life that calls this garden home.”

—Fantabulous Travels (YouTuber)

National Botanical Garden Is “Remarkable,” “Lush” & “Verdant”

“The park showcases the remarkable endemism in both the [native] birds and vegetation…The garden features collections of bromeliads, ferns, palms, succulents, medicinal plants, and an exhibit of over 300 types of orchids. The expansive, well-maintained park is also a popular destination for bird watchers, as a wide variety of avian species—both familiar and rare—make either permanent or transitory homes…among the lush and verdant vegetation.”

—DaleBest1, a community contributor writing for Atlas Obscura

“One-Of-A-Kind” Garden Is “Enchanting Escape”

“The cost is well worth it for this one-of-a-kind run. Not only are the ecological features of this eclectic tropical garden considered some of the best in the world, the miles of ornamental brick paths here are an enchanting escape from the busy streets of Santo Domingo.”

—GreatRuns.com, editor Kelsey Perrett

Book Now To Experience The National Botanical Garden—and More—In The Dominican Republic

The best way to experience the Dr. Rafael María Mosoco Botanical Garden? Caravan’s 7-Day Dominican Republic Tour.

The curated trip is unlike anything else available: it’s all-inclusive, escorted, and completely guided by experts.

Currently, Caravan is the only travel organization offering an affordable tour package in the Dominican Republic. This unique trip includes six nights at hotels, hand-picked activities, meals, and transportation, all booked before you ever sign up.

At Caravan, we eliminate stress from the travel experience. Our professionals handle the details, so guests need only to sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Everything on the itinerary, including the Botanical Garden, is factored into the price: no surprise fees!

So why not experience seven days in the Dominican Republic (and its glorious flora) at one affordable rate?

For more information about Caravan’s Dominican Republic Tour, call us toll-free at 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826). Book by phone with our toll-free number, or call 1 (312) 321-9800.

Or, reserve a spot on the tour online via the calendar on the tour page.