Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – Vallarta Botanical Garden will welcome visitors on February 7, 2026, for its annual Chocolate & Vanilla Festival, a one-day celebration honoring two of Mexico’s most important botanical and culinary gifts. The festival runs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and offers activities for all ages.
Cacao, the foundation of cocoa and chocolate, has deep roots in Mexican history. Derived from the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, meaning “food of the gods,” cacao was highly valued by ancient civilizations. Indigenous peoples ground cacao beans by hand and mixed them with water, corn, chile, and often vanilla to create an early form of chocolate. Aztec ruler Moctezuma famously drank chocolate daily, while the household of Nezahualcóyotl of Texcoco consumed large quantities of cacao each day.
Today, chocolate in Mexico remains closely tied to tradition and is most often enjoyed as a drink, commonly flavored with cinnamon or vanilla. Vanilla itself has an equally rich history. Culinary vanilla, known as Vanilla planifolia, was first cultivated by the Totonac people along the Gulf Coast in present-day Veracruz. According to legend, the vanilla orchid grew from a tragic love story, symbolizing devotion and endurance.
With both cacao trees and vanilla plants growing on its grounds, Vallarta Botanical Garden provides a fitting setting for this celebration. Festival guests can enjoy guided tours focused on these plants, tastings of artisanal chocolate and vanilla products, and educational talks demonstrating how cacao is transformed into chocolate.
Additional highlights include an exhibition of locally made goods, live music, Mexican folk dancing, and hands-on activities designed for families. The festival offers a relaxed way to learn about Mexico’s agricultural heritage while enjoying the Garden’s natural surroundings.
All festival activities are included with regular Garden admission, priced at 300 pesos per person. Entry is free for Garden members. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and experience this flavorful celebration of Mexico’s botanical traditions.
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 135 hectares 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 $300 pesos, with children under 5 entering free-of-charge. Children aged 5-10 pay just $150 pesos. For more information, call (322) 223-6182 or visit vbgardens.org.
