The Botanical Gardens | Things to do in Puerto Vallarta

Drive south of Puerto Vallarta, and you’ll discover an incredible wonder nestled in the mountains: the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. One of the most unique things to do in Puerto Vallarta, the gardens are a lush escape from the heat and crowds of the beach. It’s an internationally recognized garden that plays a role in conserving the environment and protecting endangered plants. Here, there’s plenty of things to do that everyone will enjoy for a full day of adventure.

Getting to the Puerto Vallarta gardens from downtown is surprisingly simple. At the intersection of Calle Aguacate and Calle Venustiano Carranza, the El Tuito bus fills up with passengers going to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. The busses are clearly marked and cost 30 pesos. If you’re looking for quicker transportation, taxis cost 350 pesos. Along the way, you can spot the Los Arcos rock formation rising from the sea, and you’ll see the natural beauty of the mountains as you wind along the road on your way to one of the most unique things to do in Puerto Vallarta.

The Vallarta Botanical Gardens are a spectacular display of indigenous and foreign flora and fauna, and taking one of their daily tours to learn more about the natural environment is one of the top things to do in Puerto Vallarta. There are greenhouses, gazebos, and a chapel, all filled with vibrant flowers and verdant palms. There’s something spectacular to see everywhere you look, and you can spend an afternoon wandering the gardens and smelling the roses.

Parts of the garden are located along jungle trails. Take a hike to spot a vanilla and coffee plantation, and cool off in the river, some of the top things to do in Puerto Vallarta. Kids can run along the trees and splash in the water all afternoon. Nature lovers can spot tropical birds fluttering from tree to tree, and if you bring your dog, they’ll love a long walk in the jungle. Exploring the jungle here is one of the unique things to do in Puerto Vallarta that everyone can enjoy.

A jungle hike will make you hungry, and the hacienda at the Puerto Vallarta gardens has a fresh and tasty restaurant where you can relax and sink your teeth into fish tacos, stuffed quesadillas, or handmade pizzas. To cool off, order one of the specialty cocktails while you enjoy the breeze and sweeping views of the mountains. Make your day at the gardens even sweeter with dessert and coffee to finish off your meal.

Before leaving the Puerto Vallarta gardens, take a look in the gift shop where you can purchase artisanal food products, garden decorations, and local crafts. Purchasing your souvenirs here supports the gardens, keeping it staffed and clean. Beyond just the gift shop, the admission ticket and your meal also help fund the gardens and their local environmental work.

Of all the top things to do in Puerto Vallarta, a day at the Botanical Gardens will bring you closer to nature and show you the beautiful wonders of Mexico. With so much to do here, you can easily spend the whole day exploring and relaxing in a serene and verdant environment.