A day spent at Jardin de Balata in Martinique

                 I would like to start by saying, "It was a day well spent." 

                                                Welcome to Jardin de Balata!

                                       
                                                                                                                         

                                                The experience

On the 18th of December 2026, my husband and I decided to visit one of the most popular site which is a botanical garden in Martinique. Like any other situation, I kept asking my husband for weeks to take me to Jardin de Balata, and eventually he said yes. That was such a 'yayyy!' for me.

Upon arrival, the parking lot was swamped with vehicles, both private and tour buses. Parking was such a challenge that we had to first drive, then walk a great distance just to find a spot where we could squeeze in to park our car.

After we solved the problem of the parking issue, we had to walk some distance back to the botanical garden. As we enetered we realised that we would have wait in a long queue to obtain a pass. The pass costs 18 euros per person. While my husband was on the line waiting to buy our pass, I decided to visit the gift shop.

It took about 45 mns to an hour to be able to buy our pass. Then, the cashier asked us to photograph the garden map. Thereafter, we opened a low gate and walked towards the "Creole house." At the Creole house had some welcome locally made snacks by a hostess, but I did not indulge myself, nor did my husband. We entered the Creole house and walked around a bit. Upon entry to the right-hand side is the public toilet. Straight ahead upon entry was a corridor that overlooks the garden. Within the corridor, two bird feeders attracted some birds, called "kilibwi." A word in Creole to name the type of birds.

To continue, we started our journey through the botanical garden by using the map and the signs along the paths.

A little about Jardin de Balata.

Jardin de Balata is a botanical garden located about 10 kilometers outside the city of Fort-de-France. However, someone may think or say that it is outside Fort-de-France, but in fact, it is still within the district of Fort-de-France; it so happens that Balata is a community within Fort-de-France.

How did it all start?

Horticulturist and landscape gardener Jean-Philippe Thoze decided to design and construct this one-of-a-kind botanical garden into what it is today. Turning his grandmother's house into a Creole heritage site, inspired by his Creole and his home Island heritage.

Disadvantages and rules of Jardin de Balata.

• No drones are allowed.
• Do not leave the paved path for no reason at all.
• Do not touch the plants.
• Do not pick any fruit or flowers.
• No noise, loud sounds, or music is allowed.
• Always follow the way of passage; do not walk opposite to the way of passage.
• Animals or pets are not allowed.

As a content creator, I think it is a challenge to fully capture the magnificence of the botanical garden because drones are not allowed. Inaddition, because no one is allowed to deviate from the path or get too close to the plants, it is a bit difficult to capture a very good photograph of the plants. Regarding that, the top-of-the-line photo gadgets or devices are needed, which may be expensive.

Advantages of visiting Jardin de Balata for both tourists and content creators.

If you love the outdoors, nature, and keeping active, then that is a place that you can surely visit. In addition, you get to experience something extremely unique, feeding fish in the ponds, walk on a high bridge that was connected by the trees. 

I do not want to sound like a doctor, but walking alongside nature is good for your health. Not only will you be breathing in fresh air, but walking helps to reduce stress and improve your breathing.

In addition, the garden is filled with possibilities of different materials that can be used for content creation. It is a family-friendly, fun place, very quiet, beautiful, and organised. Lots of unforgettable memories can be created there. 

Furthermore, if you get hungry, there is a restaurant where you can have a bite or two, though we did not indulge ourselves; after all, we are locals.

                            The Creole House

Such a beautiful structure, but I did not get a photo of the Creole house; I did have some photos of the interior. The structure is an old colonial structure inspired by the Creole design heritage.

The Creole house is an old colonial meets Creole design. The roof is covered in clay roof tiles, while around the border of the structure, is built by maybe cutting down trees and sawing flat plywood panels that were done back in the day. The floor is concrete and covered in Marley rather than tiles, which was pretty common back in the day.

How was I able to get around the garden?

There are signs to show directions along the paths in the garden. The signs show directions, the name of the flower or trees, and the description of the next area that you are entering. In addition, the signs are very colourful, and it is in two different languages: French and English.

To continue, those signs with the garden map were a huge help for me to maneuver my way through the garden. Let me tell you that the place was a huge area of about three hectares of land. And I am guessing that these signs will help you or anyone who visits the place.

The concrete paths or pavements are constructed to accommodate persons in wheelchairs, along with signs to help direct the disabled and children. 

To conclude, I think it was a well-thought-out plan because everyone was included in constructing the plan of the botanical garden. Anyone can visit.

                                  

                                           The Garden Map

           

                                      The Bougainvillea

 

Are there any activities for the Kids?

Yes, there is.

There is a playground section among the garden just for children to have fun, plus they get to feed the fish in the ponds. The food for the fish can be bought at the gift shop.

The playground looks safe, and it was built with a strong structure. In addition to the playground, next to it, there is a shed so that the parents can rest and patiently wait for their kids while they play.

Like anything, there are rules, warnings, and advice, and they are:

• Children between the ages of 3 and 8 years are allowed.
• 120 cm maximum.
• Adults are allowed only in case of an emergency.
• Attached and non-skidding shoes are advised.
• No hat or cap.
• Children under surveillance.
• 4 maximum on the same caban and bridge.
• Always follow the direction of the traffic.
• Do not go onto the safety net.
• No beverages or food are allowed.
• Do not stay on the toboggan or get in the wrong way.
• Do not run or jump on the bridges.

                                       Two distant photos of the playground 

                                                    Huge trees 

There were some really tall, big, and ancient trees around. I saw some bamboo that was so big, I had never seen it before, and I lived in the Caribbean my whole life.

                           

                                                                        The ponds

There are three ponds that the children just could not get enough of. One of the ponds was named the Japanese pond. The Japanese pond was overflowing with lilies, so you barely noticed that there was any water in it.

The Japanese pond had no fish in it, but the other two ponds definitely had plenty of beautiful fish, happy to be fed.

                          And we have the hanging bridge.

                  

I am and was terrified of this bridge, not because it was not constructed strongly enough, but because I am terrified of heights. I personally did not go on this bridge, but long queues were waiting their turn to climb some steps that eventually led to crossing the bridge, which gives a one-of-a-kind view of the Garden.

Each person had to cross the bridge one person at a time. While they crossed slowly, they snapped pictures. On a personal note, given the length of the queue and the fact that it had to be done slowly by one person at a time, the end result is patience that I do not have, so I did not bother.

                                 Places to rest 

Trust me when I tell you that there were quite a few places available to rest, like sheds and benches. There were sheds located at two or three viewpoints, where you can rest, enjoy the view, and take some pictures.  The views were magnificent.

                                                         

                                                                        The birds

                                               

These birds were such an attraction. Everyone was in awe as they videotaped and photographed their movement and their beauty, while others were just admiring them, tempted to hold them, but they were too fast to be held.

                                                                The Gift Shop

 

My favourite Items at the Gift Shop

What I bought at the Gift shop, and why?
                                         

I bought a pineapple slicer at the gift shop. That is because;

• First, I love pineapples
• Secondly, it is a cool gadget to have.
• It is a cool process to slice through the pineapple in a circular movement.
• It is literally only a slice through the flesh of the pineapple, leaving the outer part standing, where I can use it as a cup for my smoothies or pineapple salad.
• Lastly, I am planning to do a video showing audiences how cool it is to use it.

All in all, it was a great experience for me, and I do recommend Jardin de Balata.

If you have any similar experiences, have been to Jardin de Balata, notice that I wrote some wrong information, and have any questions or comments. You can do so through the comments sections or contact me privately.