Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend that you bring the following:
- Sunscreen
- Drinking water
- Insect repellant (we also sell a variety of options at the Garden)
- Long pants and long sleeve shirts to stay covered and protected (optional)
- Sneakers or shoes suitable for easy to medium hiking trails
- Swimming suit & towel if you plan on swimming in the river
- Money (we accept CAN, USD and MXN. Credit cards are accepted in the restaurant and gift shop but not at the entrance gate)
Travel to the Garden from Old Town, Puerto Vallarta takes approximately 30 minutes. The length of time you spend at the Garden depends on your schedule and what you’d like to do. You can hike along our trails, swim in the river, visit the orchid conservatory, have a bite to eat at the restaurant, take a guided tour and much more! We recommend giving yourself at least 2-3 hours for your visit, but some choose to stay for the whole day or even come back again and again.
We are located 24 km south of Puerto Vallarta on the scenic Palms to Pines Highway. The Garden is easily accessible by bus, car or taxi.
Our PHYSICAL address is: Carr. Pto. Vallarta a Barra de Navidad, Km 24 Las Juntas y Los Veranos, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico. Please note that our mailing address is different. See home page.
Just $300 Pesos per person from 4 years old!
Kids (3 and under) Free
We are open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm seven days a week between December 1st & March 30th.
We open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday between April 1st and November 30th. We are closed on Mondays during that period of time.
As a small non-profit, heavily reliant on memberships and donations, we also rely on the Hacienda de Oro Restaurant’s contributions to maintain our general operations. For this reason, no outside food or beverages are permitted on the property.
Pets are welcome when kept on a leash in their owner’s control, and their waste is picked up immediately with a plastic bag. Extra fees of $100 pesos per pet applies. Member’s pets get in for free. Your pet may not run off-leash. Please control your pet and do not allow it to approach children or other animals (There are various animals who make the Garden their home).
Yes! The Vallarta Botanical Garden is offering its own guided tour to this world-famous garden destination and pristine nature reserve! This exclusive experience immerses guests in both the natural beauty of Mexican plants and the richness of authentic Mexican cuisine. We also offer birding tours upon request. More information can be found on our tours page.
Several areas of the Garden are accessible for people with limited mobility – including the Vallarta Conservatory of Mexican Orchids, the Hacienda de Oro Restaurant, Garden Gift Shop, the Aquatic Plants Pond and the Flag Trail. Trails going through the jungle are not accessible.
Additionally, at the garden entrance, you can rent a wheelchair for $500 pesos per day to make your visit more comfortable.
As a nonprofit public benefit organization, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens rely on the contributions of our members and donors to sustain this natural sanctuary, continue much needed conservation projects, and further our outreach to the Puerto Vallarta region’s community. The Garden receives no funding from the government, which means that we rely on your support to remain open. Donations and memberships help raise awareness of environmental needs, contribute towards important tourism generating, support a world-class community resource and create environmental education programs for the community’s youth.
Yes! We are always looking for volunteers to assist in a variety of work such as plant propagation, gardening, administrative assistance, graphic design, translating (not just to/from Spanish!), education, leading tours and many other areas. Some of these tasks can be done without being at the Garden or even if you are in another country. If you are interested in volunteering, contact at email escolar@vbgardens.org with any questions you may have.
Permits are necessary for professional photo shoots or any organized photography. The basic photography permit of $3,000 MXN admits one photographer and one model or assistant. DRONE photography, $1,500 MXN extra. Standard garden entry fees apply to additional guests and to arrange this in advance, call +52 (322) 223-6182.
For any additional questions, please email info@vbgardens.org or call (322) 223-6182 or (322) 223-6184.
Garden Rules & Etiquette
Wearing proof of entry is mandatory: Members – badges and green wristbands; General public – orange wristbands.
- Credit card payments may be made by phone: 322 223 6182 (10am – 6pm, closed Mon. in summer)
- Direct Deposits: Banorte account # 0201383728 (account name: Vallarta Botanical Gardens A.C.)
- Vallarta Botanical Gardens AC is a non for profit organization registered in Mexico, The VBG is not a “Donataria Autorizada” therefore it can not expedite a tax deductible receive in Mexico.
- Wearing proof of entry is mandatory: Members – badges and green wristbands; General public – orange wristbands.
- Shirt and shoes required inside the restaurant. Children cannot run around inside the restaurant.
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Children under 15 must be closely supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
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Cutting, touching or collecting plants, rocks, river stones or seeds is forbidden.
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No outside food/drinks. Food service and snacks are available at the restaurant.
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You must clean up after your pet with a plastic bag.
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Dogs must be kept on leash at all times.
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No loud noises or running. No yelling, whistling, or playing music.
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No diving in the river (but swimming is permitted)
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Permission is required for drone photography.
Donating within Mexico
- Cash, check, & credit card donations are accepted at the Vallarta Botanical Garden. Please visit!
- Credit card payments may be made by phone: 322 223 6182 (10am – 6pm, closed Mon. in summer)
- Direct Deposits: Banorte account # 0201383728 (account name: Vallarta Botanical Gardens A.C.)
- Vallarta Botanical Gardens AC is a non for profit organization registered in Mexico, The VBG is not a “Donataria Autorizada” therefore it can not expedite a tax deductible receive in Mexico.
ARRIVAL POLICY FOR MEMBERS WISHING TO USE MEMBER’S PARKING AT VBG
We are delighted to welcome you to the
Vallarta Botanical Garden
ALL MEMBERS AND VISITORS:
- Please follow our new entrance policies There is no more curbside entry or in-vehicle check-in.
- Check-in occurs at the membership cashier desk Valid Membership, or payment of entrance fee is required at this time
The best way to check-in: Present your digital Membership available on the Wild Apricot Member App
- If your Membership has expired, please attempt to renew it at home before your visit using our online system Wild Apricot https://vbg.wildapricot.org This will allow you fast entry into the
- Members: Please present your membership card and one form of identification at the cashier. Inform the cashier if you have additional non-member guests and pay the
appropriate fee
- Please wear your membership card at all times to obtain valuable discounts at the gift shop, restaurant and plant sales area
- Non-members pay 100 pesos per pet; members free
- Lower parking is also designated handicapped accessible with an official placard
- Non-members may use member’s parking lot when available for 300 pesos per car
- Drivers have 5-minute limits to pick up or drop off at Hacienda
- Tour buses or taxis cannot wait with their motors running.
Idling buses or cars must wait in parking lot B on the other side of the highway
These new entrance policy changes have been implemented, so please arrive with your valid membership card and current photo identification to ensure a smooth entry process as we are updating many of our systems. A forgotten membership card will result in your delay at the entrance.
Thank you for adhering to our new policies; the livelihood of the Garden depends on it!
- Be respectful of bird habitat and avoid disturbing other species, especially birds at their nests and feeders, by keeping an appropriate distance (6-10 m), stay out of the birds’ comfort zone and limit your time near them.
- Use a telephoto lens and keep an appropriate distance to allow birds to behave naturally and avoid causing them stress. Birdcall Apps are forbidden!
- Avoid using flash and know the rules and laws of the place, following the established minimum distances. Leaving the trails is forbidden!
- Before sharing specific bird locations to the internet, consider the potential impact on them or their habitats and please give credit to the Vallarta Botanical Garden, as it is a specially curated and carefully maintained conservation sanctuary with professional bird feeders where you can observe wild birds in a simple and responsible way.
- Do not use drones to photograph or record birds, especially at their nests, as they can be disruptive and are prohibited here.
- Be respectful of bird habitat and avoid disturbing other species, especially birds at their nests and feeders, by keeping an appropriate distance (6-10 m), stay out of the birds’ comfort zone and limit your time near them.
- Use a telephoto lens and keep an appropriate distance to allow birds to behave naturally and avoid causing them stress. Birdcall Apps are forbidden!
- Avoid using flash and know the rules and laws of the place, following the established minimum distances. Leaving the trails is forbidden!
- Before sharing specific bird locations to the internet, consider the potential impact on them or their habitats and please give credit to the Vallarta Botanical Garden, as it is a specially curated and carefully maintained conservation sanctuary with professional bird feeders where you can observe wild birds in a simple and responsible way.
- Do not use drones to photograph or record birds, especially at their nests, as they can be disruptive and are prohibited here.