Skip The Line: Vallarta Botanical Garden Admission Ticket

An amazing assortment of plants, flowers, ponds, birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds. A wonderful little restaurant with a wood fired oven. It’s worth the drive.

The gardens were in the best condition that we’ve seen for this time of year. The peacock was a highlight as it wandered in and out of the restaurant. The Jaguar Trail was pretty strenuous, but a great hike to the river. The pizza was a hit with our group! Sitting on the upper deck patio is a must! For me, the hummingbirds fluttering by as we ate was the worth the hour drive! From the hotel zone, you’ll need to spend 800 pesos for a taxi, one way.

Beautiful peaceful place. Lots of stairs and steep terrain. May not be suitable for people with mobility issues.

This was a wonderful experience. We booked it ourselves in advance as an excursion from our cruise ship when we docked in Puerto Vallarta. The tour guide Eduardo and driver Juan were very friendly, prompt, and helpful. They were with us from start to finish, when they dropped us back off. They picked us up at 9 at the meeting place and took us in the comfortable van for the hour ride up to the gardens. All the way there, Eduardo told us about the gardens and how they began and about the area. When we arrived, Eduardo took us through the garden, which is very rustic and lush. Eduardo was extremely knowledgeable about all the plants, their Latin names, uses, variations, etc, and demonstrated how they are used. After the tour we had lunch at the restaurant, which was open-air and very attractive: lots of big wooden beams and Mexican tiles and decor. The food was delicious and for dessert we had vanilla ice cream that was made with vanilla that had been grown right in the gardens. Can't say enough good things about Vallarta Botanical Gardens and recommend highly.

Absolutely beautiful gardens wonderful facilities on site. Very well maintained wonderful, short, hiking trails throughout the grounds to explore your own leisure.

I cannot believe this place is only 20 years old, it looks straight out of the jungle old, yet fresh and natural. It is an absolutely beautiful place. We had a rental car and went here on our own, purchased the ticket from their website and did not have a tour guide, which meant we were able to explore at our own pace, not rushed. We went all over, including the river and one of the trails from the river through the jungle and back to the garden. Then we ate at the restaurant, also amazing. The owner of the gardens was a chef from Florida, and it shows in the restaurant the food was fresh and flavorful. Great time!

Lovely to wander around through different gardens, see so many different types of orchids, and walk beside peacocks. I did not hike down to the river, there are warnings not to do so alone. I had lunch at the restaurant on site, which was nice, and I was able to get a taxi back to the Zona Romatico from the entrance.

Beautiful botanical garden with moderate hiking trails. Great restaurant on site. The staff is helpful and will point you toward the least strenuous trails if you like.

not much to do, unlike other experience goers describe unless you like hiking trails restaurant has okay food, but too pricey

My wife really enjoyed this! Beautiful landscape, small church, play in the river, do a mini hike and enjoy the great restaurants!

The jungle location of the gardens is magical, you can see as little or as much as you want with trails all over to different areas of interest. There are signs that advise against hiking solo down to the river, which I heeded. Lunch at the restaurant was nice with the breezes blowing through the open building. Seeing the variety of orchids they have growing was awesome, I thought I saw them all in Hawaii before, but I was wrong! Some of them are so unique I really doubted they were real.

Buying our tickets ahead for the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens made the experience much easier...less than at the gate, and assurance that we would get in!

Many beautiful and exotic plants and flowers. Great hiking, and the restaurant is delicious! The orchids were especially lovely and diverse.

The gardens were beautiful, restaurant was delicious. We did not get a welcome flower or drink as stated in the booking. It is cheaper to just buy your ticket at the gardens. There was no line.

Meeting Robert and Jesus the founders and owners of the fabulous Biological Gardens of Puerto Vallarta Vallarta. The Gardens are immense and natural. Do not miss this opportunity. The best experience in puerto Vallarta.

Such a beautiful setting in the mountains. We arrived right at 9:00am and were met with an astonishing self guided tour of these gardens. Butterflies, peacocks, birds, so many different trees, flowers, cacti, pathways, the river, vanilla beans, chocolate pods, a very good restaurant, historic church. This is a place to relax, stroll, and spend a wonderful day.

The gardens were exceptional. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience & would defend visit again. The views were perfect.

What a paradise! The garden is stunning and peaceful and bristling with colour, as well as the sound of birds. Love the focus on conservation as well as the opportunity to donate. The gift shop/restaurant is a sight to behold as well with all the memorial tiles throughout. We had a late breakfast and were delighted by the numerous choices for food as well as beverages. The presentation and taste of the dishes were amazing! Walking around is for the sure-footed as many roads and paths are the typical PV cobblestone. Walking shoes are strongly recommended.

I enjoyed walking down the path to the river, the plants were unusual and the colors spectacular. The restaurant was lovely and we enjoyed watching birds and hummingbirds while having lunch.

The gardens were so amazing! I would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting PV. We saw peacocks, climbed rocks near the river, and went off on a few bikes. My only complaint is that I did not get the flowers that the ticket said I would upon entry. Otherwise, it was a magical experience.

Good to get away from the beach and craziness of downtown PV. The uphill / mountain part of Cheetah trail is not for everyone. It is fairly steep and uneven. But getting to the river can be done easily from the other side of Cheetah loop. Definetly walk down to the river. The restaurant on site is also worth experiencing. Food is quite good the service is excellent and the views are WONDERFUL The ride to the gardens takes you along other beach areas and forested mountains.

El Mosquito was a wonderful guide- knowledgeable, friendly, entertaining. The gardens were beautiful and well worth the time it took to get there. Our guide was through Los Veranos tour company.

This place is a must!! The gardens and florals were beautiful. There were butterflies everywhere and it felt to enchanting. It was warm so be sure to bring your water, sunscreen and bug spray. We swam in the river afterwards. There are steps to go down so it may be tiresome for kids and anyone who hates stairs. Bring comfortable shoes, a bathing suit and your own snacks if you go to the water. There is a gift shop and restaurant to enjoy afterwards. The food was delicious and everyone is so friendly there. I loved every minute.

wonderful gardens. We spent 2 hours walking around and then headed to the restaurant which was absolutely fabulous. Food was well portioned, well priced (we read it was over priced but not so!) brilliantly executed. The staff were highly attentive, the prosecco they served was the best drink i had in Mexico!

I cannot love this garden enough. It is my dream. I would be happy to stay here admiring the wonderful plants for the rest of my days!! So beautiful and inspiring. It is a work of pure passion and love. Treat yourself to the sanity of nature and enjoy a day browsing this glorious paradise.

Absolutely a not to miss attraction just outside of Puerto Vallarta! I am not a big plant person, but the setting of the gardens and the way the displays are arranged is beautiful. Everything is located in a lush forest / jungle setting. The natural, hilly jungle setting made this so different than other gardens I have visited. Main pathways through the gardens are accessible for those with limited mobility. However there are many more paths through the jungle and down to a river that require good mobility. Do make sure to get a map at the ticket office as you will need it to navigate all of the secondary trails. The general description says 2 to 3 hours is needed to complete, however I would recommended more time, maybe 5 or 6 hours, and include time to have lunch at the restaurant. The restaurant is spectacular! A two-storey open air building with the restaurant on the second level surrounded by trees. The restaurant is filled with plants and vines everywhere, and includes some quiet sitting areas with comfortable seating. I was expecting to pay a little extra for the great menu and unbelievable setting, but found the pricing very similar to restaurants in the city, and very affordable. We ordered the Mexican pizza witch was fully loaded and big, serving two people easily. We took the bus from the city to the gardens. The Botanical Gardens website has the intersection in the city where the bus leaves from in the downtown tourist zone. The coach bus ride was about $3.50 CDN each way. Pay the driver and he can make change for you. This bus serves many small towns south and east of Puerto Vallarta and many locals will be getting on and off along the way. Definitely a scenic ride to the gardens. The bus was running every 30 minutes when we were there in March. When we bought our admission ticket at the entrance they did tell us that the last bus back was at 5:30pm, so we had to time our visit accordingly. Well worth the trip to get out of the tourist craziness for a day. Do visit the beautiful church on the hill and the pet cemetery while at the gardens! Note the gardens and restaurant accepts credit cards, but the bus is cash only in Pesos.

Not necessary. You can save a few dollars. We arrive at 10:30 no line. Beautiful grounds worth the trip. Great drive up the coast from puertovallarta

My sister and I spent time in the gorgeous, peaceful chapel and walked around through the most well kept garden we’ve seen. Even the orchids there are thriving! The landscaping is graves and the facility is cared for. Photo opportunities at every corner.

The skip the line ticket was so easy! We loved the gardens and the restaurant was excellent. Only downside is accessibility. I had a broken foot and in a boot. I brought a knee scooter that could not be used. The cobblestones and uneven pavement made it so difficult. I wish they had wheelchairs to rent, though i am not sure if that would work. I highly reccomend the garden, but, if you have mobility problems enjoy the lovely benchs.

My daughter and I took many pictures that do not do this place justice. The gardens were amazing and The Restaurant was very good. The drive to get there was long and winding, we almost got car sick. My recommendation would be to take a taxi that doesn't have a stick shift for a smoother ride. We had that coming back down.

Amazing garden, relaxing, nice trails, great little restaurant, birds, peaceful, well designed, worth a tour

Gardens themselves where great. The "Skip the Line" upcharge was completerly unneccessary; there were maybe 5 people at the place when we arrived 45 minutes after it was open. Save yourself a few dollars and buy your ticket online at the PVBG website (300 Pesos).

Our driver also gave us a brief tour and then we walked around and visited the remainder of the gardens on our own. We had the most delicious cocktails at the restaurant! On your way to the bathrooms in the restaurant there are a few beautiful wood and glass curio cabinets filled with various specimens and art. Everyone was friendly and helpful. The gardens are meticulously maintained and curated.

Location is beautiful, on the river. Flora, fauna, amazing. Give yourself at least 2 to 3 hours to walk around. Great birding Lunch is overpriced w small portions. Pretty views though. Bring bug spray or you will be paying a lot of money for it there. :)

We took an Uber to the garden from our hotel. It took 30 minutes and we returned on a bus which passes every half hour. The staff at the garden were welcoming and friendly. The ambience is serene with a peace chapel on the grounds. The gift shop is beautiful but over priced for Mexican ceramics. We had a flavorful lunch with a luscious dessert. We ate on the balcony which allows you to gaze at the lush scenery. If you want to learn about the ecosystem of Vallarta, this is a pleasant excursion.

This is a must do when you visit Puerto Vallarto. Unless you are dying to have a guided tour and pay more, take a bus , taxi, or rent a car and go it alone. The ticket is inexpensive and you will spend a lovely time with the beautifull flowers and plants. Parking, however is not great. The restaurant is wonderful and while we were there, there was a concert violinist and pianist playing. Be sure to tip them well as you enjoy the music!

Fabulous time and the food was incredible! The garden and flowers were immaculately kept. Service and staff exceptional.

Over priced. It's not all that great. The restaurant is good food, but the prices are over the top. $100 for lunch with no booze is ridiculous. The store is way overpriced for everything. Won't be back. Just too plain. Maybe if there were more gardens would be better. But it's just a bunch of trails threw the woods with some gardens planted here and there.

Arrived on time and checkin was easy. They didn't offer a guided tour which I recommend. Just wandering around with the map is NOT ideal, sine there are so Any trails and educational areas that a guide could explain.

If you want peace, tranquillity and nature then this is the place. Gorgeous flowers and an amazing river view. Lots of birds for people into watching Loved the pet cemetery Wear good shoes as paths are uneven and sometimes steep Not so impressed with no-tour guide on Sunday. extra $$ for our taxi to wait in parking lot

We decided to skip the organised excursion and got a taxi from Secrets & Dreams to the gardens which was only 450 pesos each way. The place is beautiful with lots of walking trails which we did. Absolutely loved being within the local nature, our particular favourites were the hummingbirds and leaf cutter ants, both which we could’ve watched for hours! The restaurant was a real bonus, with a complimentary hibiscus iced tea. The food and service were excellent and we can recommend the Swiss Iced Coffee which was amazing! Definitely well worth a visit when staying in the area. 10/10!

It felt like a peaceful sweet dream. The garden is breath taking. I was so impressed by how well kept the plants, flowers everything was. I hope to return and enjoy the restaurant.

Beautiful gardens, trees & flowers. Good lunch at their on-site restaurant. Lot of walking but well worth it!

Beautiful grounds. Of course. The restaurant, the worst experience: do not eat there! On our visit, food was cold and with no flavor. Service, was worse than at the taco stand on the street: waiter with no training or knowledge of the menu (and besides, with bad manners). We complained, and they did not care --which speaks volumes about the management. Never again... Beware members... Is this really a good investment?!

The whole garden was so beautiful. The food at the restaurant was amazing. Overall it was the best experience you could have.

Although a long and winding road to the gardens, a big pay off with stunning gardens and a first class restaurant and very helpful staff!

On a recent trio to Puerto Vallarta, my husband and I took the bus from the Romantic Zone to the Botanical Gardens. We never had the chance to go on our last visit and we are more "beach" people. As it turned out, this was one of the highlights of our trip. The gardens are truly amazing. The bus ride alone was worth the trip. You get to see all the small beaches tucked away along the southern coastline and feel like you are really in Mexico, not on a tourist adventure. If you go, you have to try to food in the restaurant. Some of the best avocado dishes and desserts in the area. I would recommend you head right up to the main opening before you venture through the side trails.

This is an amazing garden with incredible orchids, plants, and hiking. It was a perfect day away from the beach and an adventure in the jungle. The biggest surprise was the excellent food and service at the on-site restaurant! They have a nice gift shop as well.

Following the lead of others, we arrived at 9 AM via taxi. We did investigate the bus option, and were told that we would want the bus to El Tuito, which had just changed (seasonal apparently) to running on the hour, at the top of the hour, from the Zona Romantica area (versus every half hour) The bus was not the same bus as that on Constitution. The phone number to the administrative office on line was not working, I did get a great response when I called the number listed on my confirmation. There was a slight bit of confusion, as one of our taxi drivers was offering to take us there at a future date, but was insistent that it was closed on Mondays (I also read a blog that said it was closed Mondays). He had apparently taken someone a week or two prior, and said it was closed. He called a colleague and confirmed it was closed. That said, I had a confirmation for today’s date (Monday, 12/13) , and did call the number I had been given when I initially emailed the director for additional information. He assured me that it was indeed open, and also alerted me to change in bus schedule, should I opt for the bus. Guessing the days may change with the seasons (next week high season begins). On to the garden, it was beautiful, though we were told we are in the dry season so it is much more lush at other times. We still had a lovely experience with all the plants and flowers. We stopped in for our complimentary “welcome” drink, which was a delicious hibiscus cold tea, and ended up having a second breakfast (instead of the planned lunch). After we spent several hours hiking around, we stopped back in for a snack and refreshing cocktails. We enjoyed buying a few souvenirs - glass ornaments - and sugar coated cocao nuts from the Chocolate Factory (that we’d failed to pick up while there). Butterflies are also everywhere, we spotted Mariposa flama/Julia…Dryas Julia, and Mariposa Debra/Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonia) and a third I could only find identified as “Vallarta butterfly)….lovely. Pleasant hike. They aren’t kidding about the mosquitos - they are the size of helicopters, and seem to enjoy feeding at the hummingbird feeders lining the restaurant, before moving on to their second course of human flesh….so do use bug spray, as they advise. If you fail to bring it, they have a natural option for $100 pesos (about $5 USD) that was effective, and pleasant, in a reasonable sized container that you can easily use for other events. It is suggested you wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots. That appears to be for the buts, and occasionally uneven paths. My partner had shorts and closed toe keens, short sleeved shirt; I had below the knee pants, long sleeves, and Birkenstock’s - we were both fine, though reapplied extra repellant for bare areas. I can see some of the paths might be troublesome for people not used to going up hill or needing assistance walking….there would be some suitable areas, and others perhaps beyond their scope, however for most people its fine. As far as the swimming thing - there are lockers up on the first floor counters, (same building as the restaurant). that you can stow your things in. Walking to the swimming location, we opted not to swim - there wasn’t really anything compelling about the location, other than it is a fresh water stream if you want to cool off, but not really anything to write home about if you are accustomed to streams … if that’s a new thing for you, then give it a go! There is a koi pond where you can buy fish food and feed them - they are quite large, and while we didn’t do so, I’m sure kids would love it. The staff was wonderful, the lady cleaning floors in the chapel was singing to herself, everyone seemed happy to be there in such a luscious natural environment, and happy to see visitors. The people in the gift shop, the restaurants - everyone was great. We received a map upon entering (inside of a Visitors Guide), and also obtained a free, smaller, foldable map from the gift shop that my partner preferred to walking around with a large guide in-hand. It wasn’t a tour per se, so the questions about COVID didn’t really apply. Put this activity on your must-do list, including eating there!