Great Day Trip to Vallarta Botanical Garden

by Tara A. Spears

The number one reason visitors come to Jaltemba Bay is for the beautiful beach but the number two reason is because of the vibrant culture. While there are several interesting day trips for those interested in exploring Mexico, visiting Vallarta’s Botanical Garden is an excellent adventure for any age, single person or family. It’s more that just a bunch of plants; the Vallarta Botanical Garden offers an amazing, dazzling collection of tropical plants but it also has a fascinating natural science component that identifies native insects, bones and birds. It’s the type of place that to fully appreciate what it offers takes several visits.

The VBG is the result of the vision of one expat, Robert Price, who quickly got other supporters to participate in his endeavour. According to Sharon McDonnell’s 2010 interview: Bob Price’s plan was to conserve Mexico’s unique flora and birdlife. The Vallarta Botanical Gardens he founded is the means to help achieve that vision. In 2019 the VBG was recently included on the list of Top Ten Public Gardens in America you should visit.

Bob explained, “I left the US because I was looking for new experiences after selling the restaurant I owned and managed for 15 years. I have long travelled in Mexico and always loved the people, the culture, the food, the nature. It was exciting to move here in 2004.” Just one year later the VBG opened to the public.

“I was also concerned with the activities of poachers. They were taking huge numbers of orchids from the mountains and trapping military macaws in the nearby jungles to sell commercially. I wanted a place where orchids could be propagated and displayed without depleting the local populations. So the Gardens is 20 acres of unique dry tropical forest ecosystem. We have miles of hiking trails through the mountains so visitors can look at plants in the wild, as well as manicured areas of garden. We have 25 employees keeping it all going, and I work with them in the gardens and restaurant.

We’re also forming a foundation that will own the garden when I’m not here so it can continue. As well we are always working on improving our collection of native plants.”

Since the original opening several structures have been added to house specialty plant collections, such as bromeliads and orchids. The meandering paths throughout the gardens include art, ceramic pots and identifying name tags to heighten the experience.

The Vallarta Botanical Garden’s new Chapel, named “Our Lady of the Garden,” was opened to the public in March 2016. The Chapel promotes peace, rejuvenation, inspiration and harmony within all cultures and faiths, while being nestled in a natural paradise. Nick DeLorenzo has offered pro bono master planning and landscape design services for the Vallarta Botanical Garden.

The VBG offers a series of jungle hikes and paths you can enjoy through different biomes (many trees and plants have small signs stating name and species), including the Tropical Dry Forest, which is the natural surroundings in the jungles of PV. There’s the Holstein Orchid and Vanilla Conservatory, the Aquatic Plants pond by the Visitor Center, the Galeana Family Cactus Garden, swinging bridge, the Emerald Pools swimming area, the Tree Fern Grotto, the Native Mexican Orchid Conservatory (orchid conservation and propagation is one of VBG’s main goals), Tropical Fruit Orchard, you’ll find collections of oaks, agaves, wild palms and bromeliads and much more.

The high points of my recent visit to the garden was becoming inspired by plants again; learning names for Mexican plants that I wanted to know; enjoying the birds in their natural setting. It’s worth the admission price to receive the Visitor’s Guide that includes maps, listings of birds, animals and plants with names. And the gift shop also has plants for sale!

Visit the Vallarta Botanical Garden for a break from the beach; enjoy seeing the native Mexican jungle up close, thrill to the artist arrangement of exotic flowers and enjoy a delicious lunch with hummingbirds entertaining you. (cocktails, too!) It’s an excellent place to bring family from NOTB or just to enjoy the beauty of Mexico.