Overview

Botanical gardens with tropical and subtropical plants. Unfortunately lots of access issues otherwise I would have given it 5 out of 5 as the gardens themeselves are beautiful. Access is not great but it is do-able.

Transport & Parking

The Botanical gardens are located in the La Paz area of Puerto de la Cruz, a suburb. Buses stop near by. Taxis are relatively inexpensive and you can be dropped off at the entrance.

Access

By the entrance there are 2 zebra crossings, one directly opposite the entrance and the other at the corner of the road, neither of which had a drop kerb. The entrance to the gardens is either via a slope or steps and there is a small permanent at the entrance gate. The ticket booth is at standing height. I was given a map when I arrived. It marks off the main features and plants and trees. No accessible route is marked off and it was not clear from the map where there were stairs. The area immediately by the entrance is level. However there are then a few steps to the upper level. However for a step free route make towards the toilets and follow the the path where G is on (see photo of map). Then the only other place where there are steps are at the far end of the garden where the water gardens is (marked as F on the map). Apart from the steps near the entrance the rest of the garden has a gentle slope. The paths are gravel and in several places the tree roots cross the path, some of them are signposted but it meant that I couldn't properly relax as i walked around as I kept having to watch where I was walking. The gardens are very beautiful but they are not especially large, so distance wise it is very managable but lots to see.

Toilets

There are 2 "accesssible toilets" one in the men's and the other in the ladies toilets. To be honest they are not fit to be called accessible toilets. I noticed a metal gate with a wheelchair user sign. The gate had to be unbolted and it was heavy. I went threw thinking it would be obvious where the accessible toilet was. When I followed this step free path it appeared to lead to a private admin block and it was not clear where to go. I think in hindsight I should have turned right at the end of the path to get to the toilets, but as it wasnt sign posted I retraced my steps. I then followed the sign to the toilets. There was a single step to negosiate and then a short flight of stairs with a handrail on one side. I used the accessible toilet in the ladies. The door to the ladies was open and the accessible toilet immediately in front with a wheelchair user logo on the door. the toilet itself was clean and spacious but there were NO grab rails. I nearly found myself stuck on the toilet and I found this distressing. This was unacceptable.

Staff

The only member of staff I spoke to was the person at the ticket office. I asked about an accessible route round the gardens, and I was pointed towards the accessible toilets. This may have been due to me only being able to speak in English. There were gardeners busy tending to the gardens during my visit and the gardens are well cared for.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The flowers, shrubs and trees in the gardens are wonderful. It's also nice to see them growing outside rather than in a greenhouse. I understand the gardens are currently being in the process of being enlarged and equipped with modern facilities. I hope that means in the future there will be better access. Yes I would go back and I would like to see the garden at another times of the year, as despite the access limitations they are well worth visiting. The gardens don't have a cafe but on a gentle downward slope there are several cafes and hotels in this area, known as La Paz.

Photos