Welcome to the wonderful VALLARTA BOTANICAL GARDEN (VBG) located in the Cabo Corrientes region just south of Puerto Vallarta in México. The location of the Vallarta Botanical Garden could not be more different from the Altiplano (high plain) landscape of San Miguel de Allende, México which was the subject of my blog post entitled
These two botanical gardens are diverse, unique, and wonderful, and so very, very different as a result of their geographical locations. I love them both and I look forward to you joining me in this excursion to the Vallarta Botanical Garden.
Only forty minutes (mas o menos) south of Puerto Vallarta a visitor passes through a landscape of astounding natural beauty with pockets of still pristine coastal wilderness. Encompassing a mountainous peninsula that juts into the Pacific Ocean at Cabo Corrientes (Cape of the Currents), this is the most westerly point in the state of Jalisco. For mariners of old this point was the treacherous entrance to Banderas Bay (The Bay of Flags) where Puerto Vallarta is now located. Cruising sailors often refer to it as Mexico's Point Conception.
Beyond the coast, Cabo Corrientes boasts lush and varied habitats of tropical dry forest (both deciduous and semi-deciduous) as well as pine-oak forest and cloud forest. When you add to this the untamed rivers with their lush waterfalls and the native animals which include the emblematic jaguar and macaw, you find a truly remarkable environment.
This is the area where Bob Price, Curator and Founder of Vallarta Botanical Garden, chose to build this beautiful complex in 2005.
A brief history: "Robert Price and his mother Betty founded the Vallarta Botanical Gardens after realizing the need for conservation and environmental awareness in the area. Bob was specifically concerned with the numbers of orchids that poachers were taking from the nearby jungles to sell commercially. He envisioned a place where orchids could be propagated and displayed without depleting the local populations. The Garden opened to the public in 2005 and has been flourishing ever since."
The vision of the founders was: "The creation of Vallarta Botanical Gardens has provided an unprecedented opportunity for our community to share the wonder of the vast diversity of Mexico’s plant species with the world. We have assembled botanical collections in a safe environment with viewing trails and have already built the most-visited public collection of orchids in the country of Mexico.”
The Mission was: “To create Mexico's foremost botanical garden for the propagation, study, discovery, conservation, and display of Mexican native plants for the enjoyment of Puerto Vallarta's residents and our visitors.”
The Vallarta Botanical Garden has grown and expanded throughout the years since its inception. The Garden now includes the following amenities which add to the overall experience of visiting the Vallarta Botanical Garden.
The Vallarta Botanical Garden is the perfect place to share with friends from Puerto Vallarta.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES FOUND AT THE VALLARTA BOTANICAL GARDEN:
CONSERVATORY OF ORCHIDS AND NATIVE PLANTS
México is home to over 1,200 native species of orchids and of these over one third are endemic, naturally occurring only within México. More orchid species are found in Jalisco than in any other Mexican state. A current goal is the creation of the National Collection of Mexican Orchids, the most complete collection of Mexican orchids anywhere in the country.
HACIENDA DE ORO VISITOR CENTER AND RESTAURANT
Without a doubt, some of the most delicious food found in the Puerto Vallarta area is served at the lovely Hacienda del Oro Visitor Center and its restaurant. Enjoying a meal and a cool refreshing drink at the restaurant with its amazing view of the forest and the river are worth the drive alone.
OUR LADY OF THE GARDEN CHAPEL FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS AND QUIET TIME
CHAPEL INCLUDING SHRINES TO THE MAJOR RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD AND A SMALL PET CEMETERY
HIKING TRAILS AND NATURE WALKS
RIVER FOR A REFRESHING DIP
EVENTS, EXHIBITIONS, AND REUNIONS
AND BIRD WATCHING!
With my sincere thanks and appreciation to the founder Robert Price and his staff at the Vallarta Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanico Vallarta). The Vallarta Botanical Garden is awesome! (JardÃn Botánico de Vallarta es increÃble!)
I realize that I am a very fortunate person. I can enjoy both the beauty and diversity of a truly great botanical garden complex nearby and also the wonder of fish life just off our shore. The following links are to a mini photo album showing the beauty of our local tropical flora in Puerto Vallarta and following thereafter is my photo album on the Vallarta Botanical Garden.
Good friend and two-time president of the Puerto Vallarta Garden Club agrees with me. A day at this wonderful garden complex is not to be missed while either living in or visiting Puerto Vallarta. We promise you will not be disappointed and you will come back time and again. Laura
LOCAL TROPICAL FLORA PHOTO ALBUM
VALLARTA BOTANICAL GARDEN PHOTO ALBUM
POST PUBLICATION UPDATE: Just read the following in a local paper, the Vallarta Tribune, and thought I should share it. Way to go Vallarta Botanical Garden!
Posted on 10 May, 2018 by Marcia Blondin
"Congratulations to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens for placing fourth out of the Ten Best Botanical Gardens in North America brought to you by USA Today. Founder and Curator Bob Price is celebrating in London, England. Way to go, Bobby! Another feather, er, flower for your ‘lovely’ straw hat! "
