Botanic Park vs. Mastic Trail?

Edited By : LadyTracy Thu, 05 Apr 2007 14:46:55 -0400

We'd like to do both this trip but I don't know if we'll have time. Any opinions on which one is better? We'll do that first and, if time, the other.

Thanks,

:) LadyTracy

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 2:51 pm Post subject:

if I dare add my negative two cents worth here.......

we went to The Botanical park and I was a little disappointed, we went mostly to see the blue iguanas and there were only two in the three concrete pens and they were so far away we could barely make them out. Luckily we saw one as we were leaving, near the visitors office and it was so used to people we went right up to it and it happily posed for pictures.

That said I thought the trails were too long and there were few interesting sights, altho I truly enjoy just walking and talking with my wife when we left we were way too hot and agreed that even tho we were glad we gave the Botanical Park a visit we probably won't return. We saw more Iguanas at our resort! (boy, do I sound like a tourist or what!)

We also decided that unless we could get an early start that the Mastic Trail would probably be more of the same so we wouldn't plan on devoting time to that.....

Give me that ol' seven mile beach anytime!

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1181 Location: Illinois

I enjoyed the botanic garden, but not as much as I did 5 years ago when we had a guided tour for an extra $2

the trail was so so, but I definitely enjoyed the parts where the plants are grouped by colors, I forget what that is called--maybe heritage garden--also the pond was peaceful and lovely and we saw birds there and an iguana toodling about.

It was a nice change of pace as we were there for 3 weeks---

If you have time and don't regret giving up doing other things that day, it was very pleasant.

Haven't done the Mastic Trail yet, but will definitely do that with a guide if I go so that I can have things explained to me

Shelly :-)

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject:

I've been to both, so here's my drift...

What you will see at The Botanical Gardens, like one anywhere, is dictated by the seasons. We went in March, and the flowers are still not really in bloom. As far as I know, the are seasons even in the Cayman Islands. I've heard that it is better during the summer...

We went on a guided tour of the Mastic Trail a few years ago. (It was a little pricey, but it's going to a good cause.) My wife and I like to walk/hike, so we thought it was pretty cool. And it is basically a hike. It was about 3 miles or so (maybe more..) but we got to see stuff that 99.999% of the tourists don't. It is probably Grand Cayman's last "wilderness", it you want to call it that. The guide was incredibly informed and it was a wonderful experience. (I'm not sure if it's still done...) But it was a hike, not a walk, so if you like that sort of thing, do it. You will be rewarded. (Hey, I've got 4 different pairs of hiking shoes...)

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like we should try the Mastic Trail first (we love hiking) and if time the Botanical Garden. Three weeks from tomorrow...Woo hoo Very Happy

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1181 Location: Illinois

divnpaul

Did you get your guide thru the people at the Mastic Trail (I forgot what the name of the organization is) or did you get another guide. I saw some information on someone who looks like he would be pretty good.

shelly :-)

Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 1

How would be Botanical Gardens be in November? Thanksgiving week, to be specific. Thanks!

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1181 Location: Illinois

MrsPete514

I've been there in Dec. and it was very nice.....maybe in certain seasons there are different things in bloom---I don't know----The garden area has sections that have things of certain colors grouped together and it looked lovely.

I didn't think that the nature trail was that inviting--not that much to see, but I liked the garden area.

Shelly :-)

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