You don't have to be a plant-lover to see the magic throughout the Vallarta Botanical Gardens! This stunning property has plenty of scenic hikes and landmarks for you to explore. Bring the family or your significant other for an adventure full of lush gardens and outdoor activities! Or, spend some "you" time getting lost in this idyllic sanctuary.

Getting There

The Botanical Gardens are located south of Puerto Vallarta, about 30-40 minutes depending on where you're staying and potential traffic. To get there, you will turn off Highway 200 at the Km. 24 marker. It's easy to find via Google Maps or any other mapping phone app or GPS.

Alternatively, if you don't want to drive, you can either book a tour with transportation, take the bus, or pay for a taxi. From Zona Romantica or Puerto Vallarta Centro, it will cost approx. between 350-450 MXN (~$18-23 USD). The bus is the most cost effective option, costing only around $2 USD each way. You'll find the bus at the corner of Carranza and Aguacate. Look for the bus heading to "El Tuito." This bus conveniently leaves approx. every half hour.

Tickets & Tours

While the Botanical Gardens themselves offer tours, there are plenty of other companies that offer Botanical Garden tours as well. What's the difference? Depending on where you need to be picked up for transportation, this may play a part in the company you decide to choose. Perhaps only select companies pick up from your location or you want a shorter/longer tour. There are many options that can suit your needs. Alternatively, if you don't need any transportation to the gardens, you'll find the best deal is purchasing a General Admission Ticket on their direct website.

Memberships

Looking to visit often? It's worth your while to invest in a membership! There are a few different membership options with the most basic being the "Individual" which allows for a 1 year membership for single person. This basic membership is $60.00 USD/year.Couples would benefit from the Sustaining membership which allows for two members at $95.00 USD/year. For families, you'll want either the Sustaining Plus or the Copa de Oro which allow 4-6 members respectively.

Inside the Gardens

The amount of time you spend here is completely up to you. Some are in and out within an hour while others spend all day here! Upon entry, you'll be stunned by how lush it is everywhere you turn. There are numerous areas to explore, so let's jump right in.

Hikes & River

There are 10 hikes throughout the garden to enjoy. All of them have varying lengths, but they are easy and moderate in difficulty. For the most part, the areas  in the garden are wheelchair accessible. The trails going through the jungle are not accessible. Along the opposite end of garden entrance lies the Rio los Horcones or the Los Horcones River. One of the coolest parts about visiting here is that you can actually swim in the river! Just be sure to bring your own swimsuit and towel.

Conservatory of Orchids & Native Plants

The conservatory truly transports you to another place. The stunning windows, natural light, and variety of plants will take your breath away. The incredibly high ceilings allow so much sunlight and make for a stunning place for photos. If you want to do a professional photo shoot or take drone footage, there is a fee so be sure to look into that ahead of time so you can get all proper documentation.

Hacienda de Oro

Inside the Hacienda de Oro, you'll find the First Aid area, bathrooms, restaurants, information, gift shop, garden center, and the library. It's essentially the hub and primary meeting spot inside the gardens.

Donations

Anyone can donate the the gardens and it is highly appreciated! The money they collect as donations help to fund the maintenance of their property. In addition, they purchase land adjoining their property. However, they don't use this land to expand their property. Instead, they purchase it so that they can ensure it remains untouched and in its natural state for years to come. Their goal is to provide a safe haven for the wildlife and plants within the ecosystem. In addition, they install cameras to photograph the wildlife in the areas. They also explore the areas to document the plants and animals within.

You can make one time donations, set up monthly donations, or purchase a commemorative bench. You can also purchase a high level membership. Either one of these different methods helps the Gardens uphold their mission of preserving the area.