Vallarta Botanical Gardens AC

Our previous visit here was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant hurricane that affected the area several years ago. Today, we chose to revisit the location. It has undergone considerable improvements since our last visit. I observed several pavilions showcasing various plants. The grounds are meticulously maintained, and the trails are more accessible than they once were. I am very pleased to see the enhancements, and the plants appear vibrant and healthy. The restaurant is lovely, and the food is satisfactory and reasonably priced. The staff members are attentive. I do not recall the chapel and the cemetery area, which is divided into sections for pets and humans. I am uncertain whether human remains are interred there or if it is solely for ashes and tombstones. Please remember to bring insect repellent, sunblock, and water to stay hydrated during your exploration, and also utilize the restroom facilities. We will certainly be returning here again. * This place is not accessible for handicap

We had a wonderful day at the botanical garden. I got the package that included the shuttle to and from the garden, the guided tour, and lunch. I think it was worth the cost. The guide was very knowledgeable and lunch was tasty. I highly recommend this for people, like us, who like to get out of the city to see some flora and fauna and support ecotourism.

We visited the Vallarta Botanical Gardens today for the first time, and it was absolutely breathtaking. The drive itself, about 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta, was already part of the adventure, winding through lush green hills, ocean views, and even a few little roadside waterfalls. 💪🌞🚙✨ The gardens are stunning. Every corner bursts with life from towering trees to endless varieties of cacti and tropical flowers and a turtle friend. 🌴🌵🐢 This weekend happened to be Mariposa Butterfly Weekend, and we were lucky to see dozens of colorful butterflies fluttering around like nature’s confetti. 🌺🪻🦋🐞 We also hiked down to the stream, where we dipped our feet in the cool water, refreshing and peaceful, the perfect nature recharge. 🩵💦 Highly recommended for anyone visiting Puerto Vallarta! 🌺 Just bring water, some mosquito repellent, and your sense of wonder.

I just love this little piece of heaven. Peaceful, nature, birds, butterflies, color, flowers, lush greenery. Nice restaurant (a little pricey), lovely gift shop, friendly staff. I can easily spend a whole day. Food for the soul. (Bring mosquito repellent, just in case) We took a cab from Puerto Vallarta up to the gardens and took the public bus back down the hill. It's close to an hour ride, but lovely views.

Beautiful garden, the entrance is $300 pesos as of December 2025. Bring bug spray. The trails towards the river are somewhat difficult, specially for elderly people but the ones towards the left as you enter the site are landscaped and quite peaceful. We did not eat at the restaurant as I found that the prices were quite high. You get a very small complementary drink with your ticket is almost shameful. The overall experience however is quite nice if you are looking to enjoy nature and get out of the city for half a day.

I’m so happy we drove the 1.5 hours from Bucerias to take this in! My first suggestion… YES! You must get the bug spray. We didn’t … until we got to the gift shop and we greatly regretted it. Just say yes. Such a beautiful excursion. A peaceful retreat from the city. We had lunch in the restaurant, which I highly encourage. Beautiful view. Excellent food. A little pricey, but all in all completely worth it. We loved every minute.

Overall we had a nice time at the gardens. I love that this used to be just a patch of land with nothing on it and through sheer donations and work the owners and community made it a beautiful place. We booked the shuttle that leaves zona romantica and takes you straight to the gardens, and comes with admission. It costs 1,200 mxn per person which seems a bit expensive but we were at least happy not having to negotiate taxi prices and the driver was very friendly and a great driver. The route takes about 45 mins and is on Mexican roads so if you get car sick on bumpy roads I recommend bringing gravol just on case. Also want to mention there is a taxi that usually hangs at the entrance of the gardens in case you are worried about finding a way back home from the gardens... but not sure how much they charge. We came on a super hot day in September so by the end of the four hours we were pretty depleted and ready to go home. We were happy that our driver let us sit on the AC's van while we waited for the other passengers. The nice part of this garden is that lots of things were in full bloom. There were a ton of butterflies which were beautiful and lovely orchids that smelt lovely. There was nice areas with turtles and tortoises and a beautiful koi pond. ... One of our main downsides was that this also meant there were the most amount of giant spiders I've ever seen. I think we were illprepared for the amount of giant spider webs we would have to avoid while walking through the various areas and paths. We tried to walk down to the river and once we had to go past our third giant spider web we decided to abandon mission and go back to the main trails haha. But if you are braver come ready to swim. We also tried some of the smaller hike loops but felt more like we were rushing out so we don't get eaten by spiders. Maybe this is just us being scardy-cats but just being honest 😅 We did have a really nice time at the restaurant and wish we had stayed there longer. We saw some amazing birds and humming birds from our table that overlooks the jungle area! Also want to note. I got so many mosquitoe bites after,even when applying bugspray multiple times. So be prepared for that or spray yourself more !

The gardens are beautiful. The trails are clear with a level of difficulty. We hiked first, then ate at the restaurant. The food was good and the service was excellent. They brought out cold wash clothes to clean up after hiking which was much needed and appreciated.

The gardens are a MUST visit! This is a wonderful place to celebrate the biodiversity of Mexico. You're greeted at the front and told you can get free tea in the restaurant. The tea is more like cold juice (super sweet) and so so, but the food at the restaurant is among the best we had on our trip. In fact, the enchiladas are the best I have ever had in my life and I don't even consider myself an enchilada person haha. Some reviews say the restaurant is pricey, but 1) not pricey by American standards and 2) the experience is so worth it. Everything from the presentation and flavors were top notch. Service was also incredible friendly and kind. As if the food itself weren't enough, the views from the restaurant were remarkable. Additionally, the musicians added charm; one even played "Baby Shark" on the violin for my toddler. She was thrilled. As for the nature and gardens, soak it up and enjoy the serenity of nature. There are some places to sit down and I believe there is also a waterfall somewhere. A little chapel sits on top of one of the hills, offering not just peace for reflection and meditation but also air conditioning! Note: you will need bug repellent. Make sure it actually works and is not essential oil based (not effective!). Thank you, Vallarta Botanical Gardens!

I would go back here 100 times over! We began our adventure aimlessly wandering through the beautiful garden full of butterflies. We found our way to the hiking trails which were extremely steep and difficult to navigate (beware if you are not in good shape and health) we saw animals and the gushing river as we approached the restaurant. The servers greeted us with cool wash clothes for us to clean and cool down before lunch. The food was fresh and delicious. We enjoyed the fish tacos and fresh guacamole. As well as mocktails. The service was warm and inviting. They had a beautiful gift shop full of niche items. The restaurant sits on a mountain overlooking the bountiful landscape. Its majestic. Its affordable. After lunch we wandered around the garden until we found our car. There were so many beautiful plants and rocks , even scientists in the labs! Plants were labeled to help identify them. We went to the cathedral and pet cemetery and saw the most amazing art. This place is a true gem. If you're into adventure, beauty, nature, and exceptional food. Visit.

Stunning grounds to take in beauty and nature. We took a van from Puerto Vallarta that left at 9:30 am and returned at 3 pm, so we could relax and enjoy all the people and nature around us. Pack plenty of water so you stay hydrated. I probably drank 1.5 liters while in the gardens (the river hike is intense but worth it). After hiking and checking out the wildlife, we took a break from the November humidity and enjoyed a lovely lunch on the upper deck that faces the river. If it were hummingbird season (alas, we missed it by a month) we would have seen an impressive variety of birds at the many feeders. I'll review the restaurant separately but know, gentle reader, that it was equally awesome. We did a second, half-hearted hike after lunch to the vanilla plantation, but after a couple of trips on roots and a loose step, we quit and just sat in the shade to talk. I'll definitely return and pack 2 liters of water for my hikes here.

Like other reviewers, we went yesterday expecting to spend a few hours and ended up staying all day. The gardens far exceeded our expectations- they are incredibly beautiful and well kept. The pet cemetery was unexpected and very touching and my son had fun wading in the small waterfall, and yes, it is quite small. We were able to push my son in his stroller for much of the way but my husband did end up carrying it quite a bit too, so I think it was worth having for the most part. We had lunch in the beautiful restaurant (I'm going to do a separate review) but just in case you only read this one I'd recommend going there for a drink for sure but we weren't overly impressed by the food, and it was quite pricey. However, the gardens are well worth a visit!!

So beautiful! The staff are wonderful, friendly, and informative. The hacienda has scrumptious food and drinks and authentic hospitality. Highly recommend!

Roughly 40mins car ride from Zona Romantica. Be prepared for mosquito bites! They also sell mosquito repellents at the entrance. If you get hungry before or after the garden there's a restaurant on premise. Good food, good service and great view with a nice breeze. A lot of tropical plants, butterflies and other animals roaming around this garden. It was a beautiful experience but way too hot for me. Plenty of benches, restroom and shade throughout the garden. You can also go down the steps to the river if you'd like.

Fun short hike to a gorgeous stretch of the river; beautiful birds, restaurant enchiladas were really tasty, too! Its not a huge place so very doable in 2 hours. Note that the website says the bus is 20-28 pesos ( one way) but it was 50. We ubered To the gardens ($25 USD) from PV, and bussed back (50 pesos). To catch the bus home, walk out to the road, cross to other side of road and turn right- look for the " bus stop" ( walk behind the guard rail)

Visited the botanical gardens during my trip there. Took an Uber there, ride was pretty scenic along the way, nice to see all the cliff side properties along the water. The garden had a few dogs roaming around, maybe they belong to the staff, they were super cute and friendly. It was really nice to see the variety of plants in the area. There were also hiking trails, one of the trails led to a quiet river that you could swim in, the water was calm and clear. We had lunch at the garden, the view was gorgeous, there was a hummingbird that came to visit the bird feeder throughout our meal, it was so cute. Food was delicious and service was great. The food is more westernized and on the pricier side since this is a tourist attraction. Unfortunately there's no service in the area to call an Uber back, so your options are to get the place to order you a taxi or take the bus directly across the street. The bus comes every 30 minutes, sometimes it is a few minutes late. The bus is a bit cramped since there's not a lot of leg room but it is a lot more affordable than taking a taxi back to the city. The bus back to the city is 50 pesos per person.

Stunning does not do justice to this jewel of an idea nestled in the mountains south and west of Puerto Vallarta. Luscious grounds pruned with care showcase native and non native varieties. The orchid area is wonderful, the vanilla plants, cactus and desert, and many others are here. The main building has exploding bougainvillea with a water Lilly pond and eye catching koi. The restaurant is top notch with welcoming cocktails and quite a gift shop. Dress appropriately with good walking shoes, a hat, sun screen and bug spray. Once you leave the central area it is forest and very uneven but fairly well constructed trails. Overall an incredible place to visit.

I came by for some pesto pasta and a hamburger because previously it had an amazing mushroom sauce. I was disappointed after receiving a burger with only mayo no sauce, even though the menu includes a special sauce. The pesto pasta has been removed from the menu, so I that was a bummer. Things like the chocolate macadamia nut cake are no longer on the menu as well. $1700 pesos for two people to walk the garden and eat, plus the taxi fare here and back. We got ripped off by the taxis up there open leaving. Posted price to Mismaloya was $300 they wouldn't take less then $500.

What an extraordinary surprise! Definitely a must see in Puerto Vallarta. I wanted to book a special adventure for my friends who were also visiting Puerto Vallarta in celebration of their anniversary. I asked my friend what she wanted to do, and my friend said she wanted to go to the Botanical Gardens and she said, "Does that sound boring?" And even though I kinda thought that it may be, lol, I told her "Of course not!" And in looking through the various options I landed on this one with Vallarta Botanical Gardens that also involved a culinary adventure - and I thought what a WIN WIN (because I am a foodie). Any doubt about whether this was going to be worthwhile was diminished by the glowing, incredible reviews .... You can go by yourself, but we opted to go with a tour... Our tour guide Eduardo was - brilliant, funny, knowledgeable - I mean VERY knowledgeable .... He was passionate, so enthusiastic, he had an enthusiasm that was infectious! When we arrived at the Botanical Gardens my friend had said, so overtaken by the beauty, that she said she felt like crying being there; not merely seeing something in a book or on t.v. Later Eduardo said to her about the beautiful child like wonder she had being there. I felt that his comment really captured it for her and her husband. We were oohing and awwwing throughout our stay. I thought I may get bored, but the time flew by so fast! It would not feel to be an exaggeration if my friend said that this was the most things beautiful places she had ever been. There were exquisite flowers I had never seen before.... hummingbirds and butterflies everywhere! Photographer's paradise. I tried to take notes because what Eduardo was saying was so interesting, I didn't want to forget.... Eduardo's lessons of century old trees, trees that grew up, rather than down...vanilla plants, the pollination of tequila, how cocoa is processed and was traditionally processed.... all so fascinating, and gave us all a deeper appreciation of this beauty. Unexpectedly there was a beautiful church .... koi pond.. hiking (if you wanted to - I didn't, but one of my friends did). The culinary adventure at the on-site restaurant could have been a separate 5 star excursion in and of itself. The drinks with fresh ingredients (recommended the Vanilla Bean Mojitos - with fresh vanilla, which I ordered), the tortilla soup, the guacamole, fish tacos.... everything we had was just delicious. Many wonderful things to choose from! We were charmed by our waiter, and entertained and wow'ed by the hummingbirds that flew by as we dined. The Gardens was about 40 minutes from our hotel. It was very helpful to be picked up at a location close to where we were staying, and of course to be dropped off at our hotel. So nice not having to deal with taxi drivers so that we could just sit back and enjoy the beauty of the scenery as we made our way to and from the gardens. I want to go back to how amazing, what a difference Eduardo made it for us. The Botanical Gardens was magical and we for sure go back each time we visit Puerta Vallarta. For us, it made a huge difference to have such a passionate and knowledgeable guide. I give both the Botanical Gardens and Eduardo a 10 star rating!

Love Botanical Gardens ... but will definitely not recommend their rest for breakfast it wasn't good at all! my waiter told the manager (Angel) but he didn't care he just charged me he didn't say anything that's not customer service " it really shows how much he actually care for his job" ....

I regularly go to botanical gardens, as an avid gardener. This one is stunning and will inspire you. But if you don't care for plants, there is neat architecture, a delicious restaurant, a river to swim in, and lots of birds and butterflies. It's a wonderful and peaceful place to visit. We bought tickets ahead of time on their website. They are closed on Mondays. Getting there and back: We were able to take an Uber there from Marina Vallarta. Took about an hour. But you can't get an Uber back unless you make a prior arrangement with the driver to wait for you. Same with taxis. You may get lucky and find a taxi to take you back. Was not the case for us but not a problem. There is a bus stop across the street that drops you off at the Zona Romántica where you can get an Uber or taxi to get back to your hotel. You jump on the bus and pay when you get off. $50 pesos per person, they didn't charge for my toddler. Only one bus route so it's a simple ride, you can't get lost. It was safe and quick.

This is one of my favorite places in the world. Nestled in the jungle with its own raging river gorge it feels like you're a million miles from civilization. The grounds and plants are maintained impeccably, and the staff is friendly, bilingual, and eager to help with any request. There are a handful of walking trails ranging from "OK for toddlers" to "Oh, heck no!". My personal favorite is to take the Jaguar Trail down to the river (the long way around) and then take the Rio trail back up to the top of the hill where the restaurant is. And the restaurant... It, alone, is worth the trip. The food isn't "world class" but it's very good. High quality and a wide selection. And, again, the staff are beyond helpful and friendly. Extensive drinks menu, too! If there is a more perfect way to loll away an afternoon, sipping a good drink, on the terrace, overlooking the river, watching the hummingbirds and admiring the tranquility, I have not found it yet. There's a gift shop; of course there is. Same ticky-tacky stuff you see in every shop in Bahia Banderas. But! There's also a plant shop that's amazing. Beautiful orchids, succulents and terrariums (terraria ?) for sale. Not the cheapest but I saw a couple of unique Vanda hybrid orchids for sale, $70US, that I don't think I'd seen anywhere else. Free parking is a plus, but the lot is TINY. They also provide taxi hailing service to/from Puerto Vallarta Centro (450 pesos each way, mas ó menos) so that's an option, too. (I sometimes will take the local bus, but most gringos won't enjoy the experience.) Pro Tip: The staff tells me that Tuesday and Saturday are their "slow days" and so if you'd like to have the place basically to yourself, keep that in mind. Highly Recommended!

It is amazing!! Beautiful! It's worth the trip! All the food in the cafe is so delicious!

We were lucky to be staying only a 5 min drive away! We came here on the first day of our vacation and spent almost the whole day looking at the amazing gardens! There are a lot of different paths to take, a cute shop where you can buy gifts and plants, there's even an amazing restaurant I highly recommend checking out while you're here! We probably could have spent many more hours exploring and definitely hope to be back! It's definitely worth the drive out

Amazing place well worth the trip we spent hours here and you have to have lunch the view is beautiful. My wife had the pizza made from a beautiful pizza oven l had the chicken enchiladas made with hand made tortillas to die for .

We had a great time exploring the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. The place is absolutely amazing. There are a lot of clearly marked trails to hike and enjoy the natural wildlife and gardens. We also had an excellent lunch. They have a very creative cocktail menu with lots of delicious choices. As a vegetarian, I was happy to see several vegetarian options on the menu. I highly recommend Vallarta Botanical Gardens for an amazing meal and a wonderful day out in PV!

Came for a spontaneous day out to the gardens, It's a good hour trip out from fluvial/hotel zone area, the drive there is beautiful for sure, plenty to see, looking at 600 pesos to get there by Uber, more by cab. It's 300 pesos to get in per person, bring bug spray if you don't they charge 180 pesos for spray, trust me, you need it, the mosquitoes here are nuts. Honestly I would have worn light pants and a light over shirt if I knew it was that buggy, the spray didn't seem to bother them too much lol. Since this was a last minute trip we didn't come with a guide which I'm sure would make the experience much much better, the map they have (they don't provide a printed one for you to follow) is pretty basic with no information other than indicated areas. Without a guide it was interesting looking at the plants etc., but I have no idea how people spend an entire day here. If it rains the river is super muddy and no one goes in. Restaurant has a gorgeous view, the food is okay, all in all its not a cheap trip and definitely not a "must do" on a trip to PV in my opinion.

Saw this place recommended a few times on various sites and I'm always down for a hike so we came here on a Thursday morning to check it out. Like I said there is a fee to get in but they take pesos, cash or card. You can Uber here but FYI you cannot Uber back. To return home you'll either have to take the bus ($1 usd) or a taxi and we found the taxi to be expensive ($23 usd to the romantic zone). This was my least favorite part because the bus wasn't going to run for another 50 minutes and a taxi was going to take 20 minutes to come get us. Anyways, the place itself is stunning! There are multiple trails to hike, much to see, a small church on site and a river that you're welcome to swim in weather permitting. There is a main building that holds a gift shop and restaurant on the upper level. Although we did not eat there if you stop in you get a welcome drink which is a hibiscus tea and cold towels to cool down after your hike. If you want to experience a hummingbird up close ask for a small sugar water (free), hold it in your hand and the hummingbirds will come to you. I was scared at first because their wings flutter so fast but it's truly an amazing experience.

This is such a magical place! I cannot stress enough how important it is that anyone make a trip out here. Only a 30-40 min drive from the city. Uber is cheaper but you'll have to take a taxi back. Do yourself a favor and get there right at opening we got there about 11 and stayed till closing (literally last taxi was waiting for us) the staff is amazing. There's some real scientific studies going on here and the amount of biodiversity is off the walls. I still have sooo much to do. Take the path near the women's restroom down (the jaguar trail) to the river.. it's the bees knees. 10000 of tadpoles and the water is nice for a quick swim. Stay within the pools there is white water right over the big rocks. Wear comfy shoes and as always wear repellant the mosquitos were not playing around but they're pollinators sooooo best wear some repellant and let them be. Happy hunting!

Had I known about these gardens earlier, I would have returned to visit them each trip to PV! Exceptionally well maintained and a sight to behold. This was one of most enjoyable days of my time in PV. The trails are great, the individual garden areas are nicely marked, and the staff is both pleasant and helpful. Free fast internet available throughout the park. I was able to FaceTime from a jungle trail (to family in the snow belt - ha ha). The 200 peso entry fee (2020) is a bargain for the experience.

Not enough stars!!!! 73 acres of paradise!!!!! A five star restaurant!!!! A full bar!!!!! Servers and staff that could not do enough for you!!! LIVE MUSIC!!!!!!!! This is like no other! In our humble opinion, Longwood Gardens is the only Botanical Garden that gives you this kind of an experience!!!! Go to spend the day, take advantage of the overstuffed couches and enjoy the panoramic vistas! Definitely come hungry and just be ready to enjoy!!!! Weber and his staff have put together something incredibly special here!!!!! DO NOT COME TO PUERTO VALLARTA AND MISS THIS!!!!! One criticism......the gift shop.....far too generic! We would have spent a fortune in the gift shop if there were Vallarta Botanical Garden Hats ( xl please), Vallarta Botanical t shirts, Polo Shirts, post cards, etc..... We would have gladly been walking advertising!!!!! Anyway, do not miss!!!! Simply one of a kind!!!! Thank you Weber for being there!!!!!!

One of the most beautiful gardens that I have ever been to. Tropical flowers in the middle of the jungle. Beautifully curated with wild peacocks, hens and iguanas graciously sharing the space with you. and thedog graveyard was a bonus.

Beautiful gardens and wonderful restaurant. Took the jaguar hike to the river. Very nice and helpful staff.

It's a nice half day trip if you want to escape PV and head up into the hills. You can get there via bus, Uber, cab etc. about a 40 min drive south of the romantic zone. This is what I would call a rustic garden setting. They have some nice displays close to the restaurant in greenhouses and the church but beyond that it's hiking trails to the river and other areas of the property. The red/jaguar trail is the most rustic and the hardest option on the property which leads to the river. It really wasn't all that scenic and you need to watch your footing at all times. You can more easily take the yellow trail down to the river and not miss much. The restaurant and gift shop are very nice and a perfect spot to have lunch. The restaurant has wifi so you will be able to order an Uber from there or ask them to call you a cab (phone signal is nonexistent). Otherwise the bus stop is right in front of the garden (bus is cheap but also can get very crowded in the city). It's a 3.5 experience for me.

El jardín botánico de Puerto Vallarta is about 45 minutes outside Puerto Vallarta. Keep that in mind when making plans. That said it is a beautiful drive with many vistas that are not to be missed. The garden itself is full of plants, go figure. Admission is good for 7 days and very reasonable. I recommend bringing bug spray or buying it at the ticket counter. It is there for a reason. Take a picture of the garden map and plan your stroll through this beautiful compound. We checked out the chapel and the little sub-gardens before going to the restaurant that outlooks so much green! The bird feeders kept the local avians close and us entertained. The menu is varied and reasonable. If after you have replenished yourself you feel like hiking down to the river, go for it! Just remember there is little more than a goat path with some sketchy stairs here and there. It is not an easy hike and I took more than a break or two to catch my breath and apologize to my legs. To me it was worth the effort. The gift shop and a lot of options and I reduced the chocolate stock significantly. It is worth the trip if you want something leisurely, just skip the hike and enjoy the stroll and a nice lunch. Go early. By the time we left, the small parking lot was bursting!

Fantastic place Fantastic food Fantastic service Fantastic setting Big portions of food Will be back again

Absolutely amazing experience. There are flowers and beautiful areas to explore throughout. We had the opportunity to see numerous hummingbirds and butterflies. Pack a bathing suite if you want to hike down to the river. I can't wait to come back a different time of year to see what else will be in blooming.

This place is super beautiful and very tranquil. For anyone going who plans on doing the tiger trail (which leads to this amazing water area) give yourself time! It's so worth checking out! I think it was the best part of the garden. It's a little strenuous so I would say plan for an hour to really enjoy the water and the walk (for just that part of the garden alone). Also, this is a drive from the city to get here. So bring snacks and water. There's food there but it's like a 40min-1hr long drive to get there. ****BRING BUG REPELLENT!!!! Cannot stress this enough. (And probably a hat as well)

One of the best locations in Puerto Vallarta. If you go you must swim in the river it was 90f and so relaxing. The restaurant was also awesome. Our waiter was friendly and entertained us with some great local stories.

What an outstanding visit today! Took an Uber there and a taxi back. The gardens are just amazing, nothing like I've ever seen, so lush, so colorful, so full of life. Coming from Arizona, i recognized a lot of the succulents and bromeliads and bougainvillea but the next level of foliage was awe inspiring. Walking through there makes you feel like you're walking through a jungle paradise! Price is very good and seriously, a higher cost would've still been worth it. It is maintained well but not to the extent that overruns the natural growth of things. The restaurant was absolutely worth it. We had tacos de chicharrón, fish and shrimp a la plancha and all of that was delicious. Staff was always kind and informative. Highly recommend to anyone visiting PV!

Magical. From the bucolic scenes to the hummingbird havens, our visit was simply luxurious. And the on-site restaurant has really excellent food and service. Spend some time here and you won't be disappointed.

Great tour from PV. Small group, air conditioned coach and exceptional knowledgeable tour guide. Take this tour! https://tours.vbgardens.org

We went here on a whim while staying at a Villa in Conchas Chinas. It was about 40 min drive and wow the mountain is absolutely beautiful. We took a few small trails when we got there. Wear tennis shoes!!! We then went to the garden by the restaurant and got so many ideas for our yard. The restaurant food was the best I had the entire week. No lie and we didn't even plan on eating there. Hummingbirds everywhere. Just go please

If you do one thing when you go to Puerto Vallarta make the trip to one of the top gardens in the Americas. Each turn is more beautiful than the last and the last was pretty amazing. Upstairs for lunch was airy with a lovely view. We went earlier in the day so it was not so hot. Met a nice person that knew my last home town. The hibiscus tea was light and tasty. My avocado salad stuffed with shrimp was a total surprise and very filling. Reed's nachos with Gouda cheese and chicken was tasty too! I would never have expected such special food in such a remote place. We did not run into any of the huge bugs shown in the shop and I am glad for that. It was the highlight of my trip!

The gardens are a nice get away from the busy area of downtown. We have taken a tour to the gardens and Uber to the gardens for a self guided tour. I highly recommend doing a self guided tour this will allow you to spend as much time as you want in the different areas of the garden e plowing the terrain. Bring good walking shoes to the garden. Do not wear sandals or flip flops as the around us uneven with roots. You are in the hills of Vallarta and the temperature is cooler with a slight breeze. We uber to the gardens for 300 pesos and took a taxi back to old town with a set rate of 350 pesos.

A hidden treasure to see the botanical gardens of Puerto Vallarta. I recommend having a cocktail after a good stroll. The cocktails are to the perfection. The view with a refreshing drink is a must to conclude the excursion.

Pictures do not so this place justice! We took an Uber from our Airbnb in Mismaloya which was less than $5 for about a 25 minute ride. The entrance price is $12 each. Thanks to previous reviews we were prepared with bug spray which is definitely needed. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. We were a group of 4 each of us paid separately with a $20 bill however grandma paid with a $50. Once we were inside she realized she was not given the correct change, the cashier gave her the same change for the rest of us who had paid with $20's. She went back and informed the cashier. After he looked through his drawer and found he had only one $50 he was super nice and apologetic about the mistake and readily gave her the correct change. So all was good. I can't even begin to describe how beautiful this place was. It was much bigger than expected. It's like taking a hike in the jungle. We saw so many rare exotic plants and flowers, majestic trees, the sound of birds chirping all day. Warning: you may see spider webs with giant spiders. We hiked to a spot with 2 little waterfalls and a stream and stopped there for a while enjoying the sights & sounds. There's also a hanging bridge which is in the middle of the jungle so a very cool sight. We ate at the restaurant which was fun except for when I felt something slither under me, look down, and it was an iguana, yikes!! But that didn't take away from our experience there. Everything we ordered was delicious and the service was excellent. There's no Uber's available in that area for a ride back but they do have taxi's in the parking lot. We took the bus back to Mismaloya for $1 each. Overall I would say this was one of our best vacation days in Mexico! Just bummed we couldn't see it all and look forward to going again next time we're in PV!

Best place to chill, be prepare for a dip in the river that runs through the garden. It's beautiful! Save your stomach for good fresh food at the restaurant! Amazing view! Grilled Shrimp taco is very good!

Just go . Even if it's a long drive as it was for us . I read all the reviews and was mostly listening to the one guy who said Don't bother Well he's an idiot It's worth every minute of time it takes to get there Paradise And the restaurant. Omg? !!!!

This wonderful place was the final stop on our ATV tour with Estigo ATV Tours and after pushing the pedal to the metal and winding through the twists and turns of the coast it was nice to hop off the ATVs and walk around the gardens. One big difference that I noticed as compared to other botanical gardens I've been to is that this garden isn't overly manicured or landscaped. Don't get me wrong, there aren't areas that are super overgrown or anything but it's like they allow nature to take it's course and grow where it will. There are parts that actually feel like you're walking through the jungle and the mosquitoes and the humidity give it that extra umpf to keep you realistic as to where you are. We didn't really need a tour guide as one shouldn't really need one to walk a botanical garden, but sometimes questions arise when certain plants aren't labelled. So, as there was not a tour guide on duty, our ATV guide served as a guide for the gardens too which was awesome that he was so knowledgeable about the local plants and such of Mexico. It was cool to see things like cacao, chicle, coffee, and blue agave growing naturally. We were even given tips on finding tequila that the locals make that is a bit more potent than what is sold on shelves by the companies that own most of the blue agave in Mexico. We ran into the owner of the gardens while checking out the several different varieties of orchids that the gardens offer. He was very nice and seemed very passionate about the preservation of many of Mexico's unknown orchid and botanical species, so I felt kind of honored that there are people left like that with a strong passion. There weren't many people on the grounds overall so it was like we were getting a private tour. I didn't see many locals here either, but granted you probably can see most of what you see here outside the gardens in your front yard with the exception of the orchids. The ground is paved in places and uneven and wet in others so where appropriate shoes. There were chickens running around when we pulled in, lizards in several places, and we were also chased by a pair of geese with attitudes like they owned the place when we were heading to the restaurant. This place is worth a stop if you're in the area. It's only 80 pesos for entrance which is like $6-7 USD (as of 07/2015)

Where do we start! First our tour guide Javier was great his knowledge of the Garden was outstanding and insight into the culture and how it is intertwined with the plants was fantastic. Who knew the vanilla plant was an orchid? Ok ok maybe that's my bad! The culinary lunch was delicious to say the least! Best Chile Relleno I think I have ever had! Believe me when I say the whindy road to the Garden is well worth the trip!

It was a lovely restaurant at the gardens. The service was wonder and the food was delicious. I got the club sandwich. It has a freshly grilled chicken breast on it. The view was spectacular - River below and mountains above.

The botanical garden was my favorite part of our whole week long trip to PV. I took so many photos of flowers, dragonflies and butterflies. We saw hummingbirds too, but they were too quick for me to get photos. Parts of the hiking trails made me feel like I was in an Indiana Jones movie. They have stone work that makes you feel like you've stumbled upon old Aztec ruins. If I ever go back to PV, I'll do this again for sure.

A fantabulous Lunch experience at Vallarta Botanical Garden ( Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) - if you ever visit PVR - this is a MUST GO place! The 75 mins drive from Riviera Nayarit to this place is worth every penny with the scenic drive along the coast and then thru the hilly winding roads - feels like driving in Costa Rica or Jamaica The botanical garden itself is a wonderful place with all the flora and fauna, surrounded with beautiful mountains & gardens. As you pay for your entrance fee ($10/pp) you are welcomed through a series of man made gardens full of butterflies and then to a classic fountain with gigantic koi fishes and lillypads. The restaurant in the botanical garden is split in 3 stories and the best seating , of course , is on the top floor with panoramic views of the mountains and river - with an open air concept you are right in between the nature The food was superb, with each ingredient having its unique organic taste. The fish tacos with different color tortillas was the best amongst what we ordered. The chicken avacado salad was flavorful and paired with a perfectly baked flat bread/ chips. The welcome drink - hibiscus tea was nice and refreshing , and you can distinctly taste the hibiscus flavor. The mocktails and cocktails was delicious and WELL made. Monarcha and the mojitos were amazing. And then the DESSERTS- the vanilla bean ice cream , which is made with locally grown vanilla beans and chocolate- was the best I have tried. The coconut cake - more like a tres leches cake topped with coconut flake was good - very moist , smooth and tasteful There are few hiking trails in the garden to workout all those calories you Consume ( and I'll post my wildlife encounter to the jaguar trail in a separate post later) A beautiful day spent at the Vallarta Botanical Garden !

Beautiful! My wife and I went for a short visit in mid-April. We saw several types of birds with beautiful colors and fancy headdresses. The plants and trees were very pretty. We hiked around for about an hour. Some good, steep trails, but nothing too hard. If you're into plants, trees, flowers, and birding, you'll love it.

One of the highlights of our first PV stay was the Tour & Culinary Adventure. We made reservations online. We walked over to the PV office to meet the tour of 10 at 9am. Marcos lead the tour, he was insightful, thoughtful, knowledgeable & terrific company. Luis drove us to & from the gardens, he was a very considerate & safe driver - thanks Luis. The gardens were lovely, & the orchid collection amazing. The tour included lunch, to be honest, it has been the best food I have had in PV over the week I have been here. Delicious. Totally yummy. The tour cost us about $109/person, - totally worth the wonderful & insightful experience. Highly recommended.

We enjoyed coming here. The gardens have many interesting colorful flowers, the pizza in the restaurant was very good. I wish they distributed the maps of the grounds, the trails are not marked very well to find them. Still very glad we went, and taking the bus here was interesting as well.