“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” —Oscar Wilde
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My friend Andrew and I decided to spend a relaxing day at one of my favorite places in Kingston—Hope Botanical Gardens.
If you’ve read my previous posts, you already know how much I love this spot. It’s been my go-to for years whenever I need a peaceful escape to write, think, or simply breathe. I often come here to draft blog posts or work on my upcoming book (which I hope all of you amazing readers will support when it’s finally published!).
This time, I arrived a bit earlier than Andrew so I could take a few photos before our chill session began. That way, I wouldn’t disrupt our quality time with my usual camera-in-hand moments.
Hope Botanical Gardens, also known as the Royal Botanic Gardens, is the biggest public green space in Jamaica. It’s in St. Andrew on the Liguanea Plains and used to be a sugar estate back in colonial times. Now, it’s a peaceful spot filled with history and natural beauty—definitely a place locals and visitors love.
The grounds we now know as Hope Gardens once formed part of the historic Hope Estate, founded in the 1660s by Major Richard Hope—an English officer granted this land after the British wrested Jamaica from Spanish rule in 1655.
What began as a humble cattle operation in the 18th century soon transformed into a bustling sugar estate, drawing life from the Hope RiverRiver to power its mills. A stone aqueduct, built in 1758 to carry that water, still lingers—partially intact—whispering its history within the gardens and across the grounds of the nearby University of the West Indies.
Back in 1766, the estate started supplying water to Kingston, playing a big role in the city’s growth. Then in 1881, the Jamaican government bought 200 acres to start an experimental garden for growing foreign plants—which later became the Hope Botanical Gardens we enjoy today.
Hope Gardens soon blossomed into a sanctuary of knowledge and leisure—a place where science took root and the public found peace among petals and palms.
In the late 1800s, Hope Gardens became a place for testing out crops—especially sugarcane—while also turning into a relaxing public park. It was even linked to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, regularly swapping plants, research, and staff to help both gardens grow.
Hope Gardens is dotted with enchanting features that tell stories of time and beauty. Near the main entrance stands the Cassia siamea Grove, planted in 1907, one of the garden’s oldest living landmarks. The Cactus Garden whispers resilience, showcasing rare and exotic species from arid lands. Wander along the Bougainvillea Walk, where bursts of color frame every step. Find stillness at the Sunken Gardens and Lily Pond, perfect for quiet reflection. And beneath the shade of Palm Avenue, stand among some of the oldest living sago palms—silent guardians of the garden’s legacy.
Among the garden’s hidden delights are the Orchid House and the whimsical Maze, both adding charm to its lush expanse. In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II visited and was captivated by the garden’s breathtaking beauty and botanical diversity. So enchanted was she that she granted it the title of “Royal”—making Hope Gardens the first public garden in the Caribbean to receive such a distinguished honor.
Currently, Hope Gardens is operated by the Nature Preservation Foundation (NPF), a non-governmental organization that assumed management in 2005 under a 49-year lease agreement with the Government of Jamaica
The Nature Preservation Foundation lovingly tends to Hope Gardens, guiding its growth and care so it remains a living testament to Jamaica’s natural beauty and cultural soul.
Hope Gardens remains a cherished green sanctuary—where laughter echoes through concerts and weddings, culture blossoms in vibrant festivals, and curious minds gather to learn beneath the trees. It’s more than a garden; it’s a living classroom, a stage for celebration, and a space where nature and community thrive side by side. With its lush plant collections and deep historical roots, Hope Gardens stands as a timeless treasure—an invitation to locals and travelers alike to wander through the living legacy of Jamaica’s botanical soul.
We made our way to Hope Zoo. I had only been once before—my heart still uneasy with the idea of animals behind fences. But Andrew was eager to go, and sometimes friendship means walking into places you wouldn’t choose for yourself. After all, isn’t that what friends are for?
Nestled within the Royal Botanical Gardens, Hope Zoo has stood as a symbol of Jamaica’s cultural and environmental legacy since 1961—a place where wildlife, education, and heritage come alive beneath the island sun.
Founded just a year before Jamaica claimed its independence, Hope Zoo was born from a bold vision—to create a Caribbean sanctuary of global wildlife, where creatures from afar would inspire wonder, and native species would be protected and celebrated through education and conservation.
Born from the grand vision of the broader Hope Gardens project, Hope Zoo was crafted as a place where wonder meets learning—a space where animals from near and far invite both delight and discovery.
Its creation sought to deepen public appreciation for wildlife and conservation—echoing the botanical gardens’ own mission to nurture a world of plants, both familiar and rare, in one harmonious space.
One of the most remarkable chapters in Hope Zoo’s story is its role in rescuing a ghost of the wild—the Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura collei). Once believed to be lost to time, this elusive reptile was rediscovered in 1990 in the rugged Hellshire Hills. Since then, Hope Zoo has become the heart of a passionate conservation effort, breathing life back into a species that almost vanished forever.
Since 1991, the zoo’s been running a headstart program where they raise baby iguanas until they’re strong enough to survive on their own. So far, they’ve released over 500 iguanas back into the wild—pretty amazing progress for a species that was once thought to be extinct.
Once overseen by the Public Gardens Division, Hope Zoo entered a period of hardship in the early 2000s—its paths quieter, enclosures emptier, as limited funding took its toll. But hope was not lost. In 2005, the government took action, laying the groundwork for change. By 2011, the Hope Zoo Preservation Foundation (HZPF), under the visionary leadership of Mr. Kenneth S. Benjamin, assumed full responsibility, breathing new life into the zoo and its mission.
That shift marked the start of a big comeback. The zoo started getting upgrades, better care for the animals, and a more enjoyable experience for everyone who visited.
These days, Hope Zoo is proof of Jamaica’s efforts to protect animals and teach people—especially kids—about the environment and conservation.
More than just a refuge for creatures great and small, Hope Zoo is a classroom beneath the open sky—offering lessons in animal behavior, the urgency of conservation, and the delicate balance of biodiversity that sustains us all.
Its integration with the Royal Botanical Gardens provides visitors with a holistic experience of Jamaica's rich natural heritage.
After soaking up the symphony of sights and sounds at the zoo, I was reminded that every creature has a song worth hearing.We made our way to the playground—yes, it’s meant for kids, but that didn’t stop us from having a blast.
We jumped on the swings, seesaws, and slides like we were six years old again. The swing quickly became our favorite. We laughed so hard it felt illegal.
We might’ve taken over the kids' park for a moment, but they didn’t seem to mind. 😄
Andrew is my real-life twin in spirit—and that day, we were simply two kids again, free and full of joy.
Seamlessly woven into the fabric of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Hope Zoo offers visitors a full immersion into Jamaica’s natural legacy—where flora and fauna unite to tell the story of an island rich in life and wonder.
Have you ever visited Hope Gardens or the Hope Zoo? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear about your experiences!
See you on the next adventure,
Nature’s Sweet Escapes 🌿
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