Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Mark your calendars for the 2018 Vallarta Bird Festival, set to take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 8th, 9th and 10th, and hosted by the beautiful Vallarta Botanical Garden.

Just a short drive from Puerto Vallarta, the Vallarta Botanical Garden is situated on 64 acres at 1,300 ft above sea level in bird-rich Cabo Corrientes. Offering excellent birding opportunities, over 200 different species of birds have been observed and documented by enthusiastic local residents and international visitors within the Garden alone.

During the Vallarta Bird Festival, guided birding tours will be offered each morning, along with guided tours of the Garden's incredible and exotic array of native Mexican flora every afternoon.

Bird photography workshops and educational seminars will be offered, along with exhibits, music, native dancers, and fun, all included with a daily general admission of $200 pesos or for $500 pesos with a three-day pass. Vallarta Bird and Nature Festival proceeds will be used for the construction and installation of Military Macaw nest boxes.

For an additional fee, professional birding tours will venture from the coastal habitats to the upper elevation forest habitats in search of endemic specialties among the over 400 bird species found in this diverse region of Jalisco. Prices range from $600-$1000 pesos per person, depending on the tour. The professional birding tours require advance registration, and fees are paid directly to the guide. Click HERE for more information.

The festival does not provide transportation, but there are buses and taxis available in Puerto Vallarta that can take you directly to and from the Garden. The Hacienda de Oro Restaurant is open from 10 am to 5 pm serving breakfast and more, including oak-wood-fired brick-oven pizza and authentic Mexican cuisine. Click HERE to see the menu. Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, binoculars and, if you want to take a swim in the river, a bathing suit and towel.

For more information, contact Nancy Holland at nancycholland(at)gmail.com or visit the event's website or Facebook page.

Visit the internationally famous Vallarta Botanical Garden located just 30 minutes south of Old Town at Km. 24 on Highway 200 and easily accessible by public transportation and taxi. This 64 acre wildlife preserve and botanical garden have something fun for everyone. Over 200 species of birds have been observed on the Garden's grounds. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit for a refreshing dip in the jungle river. See plantings of vanilla, chocolate, and hundreds of other botanical delights! Authentic Mexican Cuisine is served in the Hacienda de Oro Restaurant from 10 am to 5 pm. The Garden is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm (closed Mondays from April 1 to December 1). Garden admission is just $200 pesos. For more information, call (322) 223-6182 or visit vbgardens.org.

Click HERE to learn more about Vallarta Botanical Gardens.