Skip the beach for a day, and head inland toward the jungle to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, a relaxing, picturesque destination with more than 3,000 plant species. Travelers can visit the gardens in numerous ways: Explore independently, or as part of a culinary combo excursion. Or, whizz around on a bike tour of the surroundings.
The Vallarta Botanical Gardens are a must-do for gardeners, bird-watchers, and botanists.
To get the most out of your visit, plan to spend at least two hours at the gardens.
Gravel paths, lawns, and jungle trails make select parts of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens inaccessible to wheelchairs.
Wear bug repellent and, if susceptible to bites, long pants.
An on-site restaurant serves traditional Mexican dishes.
Situated around 18 miles (30 kilometers) outside of Puerto Vallarta, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens are reachable by bus—from the corner of Aguacate and Carranza streets downtown—or by car. If you’d rather not drive or navigate public transit, consider joining a tour with transportation included.
The Vallarta Botanical Gardens are open every day except Monday. For the most solitude in the gardens, plan your visit for the Puerto Vallarta low season, between July and September.
Besides the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, the region offers several other day-trip options. Beach lovers can swing south to Boca de Tomatlan, a small fishing village from which you can take a speedboat toward Playa Las Animas. Jungle adventurers may prefer a zipline tour through the Vallarta canopy.