Our Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens of Puerto Vallarta belongs to all of us, even though the curator Robert Price is the founder, developer, property owner and magician of this amazing venue south of town. Beginning with a magnificent yet simple lodge in 2004, Bob and his mother, Betty, who has since left us for heavenly gardens, lived on site when we originally visited. Their quarters were modest and humble, yet splendid and regal, with beds on the upper floor, open to the jungle and a traditional Mexican kitchen lay below in early stages of construction. This building is now called Hacienda de Oro and is the site of a grand restaurant on two levels. Tiles commemorating events, anniversaries, memorials, pets, family, and friends are made to order and have supported some of the Gardens many causes along with adding magnificent color and a treasure of memories.
Weddings are commonplace at the Botanical Gardens of Puerto Vallarta along with a host of lively events such as annual Thanksgiving and Valentine’s dinners, Anniversary commemorations, the Bugambilia Festival, and Member Appreciation Day. There are singular events that include special guest speakers and entertainment, well chosen from local and regional attractions, both professional and amateur.
Recently the Botanical Gardens of Puerto Vallarta won 4th Place in the Ten Best Botanical Gardens of North America, competing with famous gardens such as Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum of St. Louis.
Forty-six hectares of hiking trails wind in and out of the native jungle/forest above the incredible Holstein Orchid and Vanilla House, Divine Chapel and many other delightful attractions, new and original.
Vallarta Botanical Gardens has developed educational programs for local studies and participates in public environment awareness programs. The Gardens is a haven for bird watchers; both amateur and professional botanists will be delighted by the gathering of exotic plants from around the world. The conservation and propagation of orchids is at the heart of the garden’s mission.
Take the El Tuito bus, available and easily marked at the corner of Aguacate and Carranza in the Romantic Zone; there’s one every thirty minutes. The Vallarta Botanical Gardens is closed on Mondays from April to November but open every other day of the year from 10 am to 6 pm; admission is 100 pesos and school groups can visit at no cost if they have advance reservations. Little ones under four years of age get in for free.
Que es cómo es.
Thanks to our guest blogger Adam Garcia for this article!