Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Since its opening in 2005, Vallarta Botanical Garden (VBG) has won numerous international awards, and now, for the fourth time, it has placed on USA Today‘s 2022 ’10 Best’ list of public gardens and arboretums in North America.
Competing against 19 of the best gardens and arboretums on the continent, VBG was once again the only botanical garden in Mexico to be nominated for this prestigious award. A panel of experts, chosen based on their knowledge and experience of North America’s botanical gardens, partnered with USA Today to pick the initial 20 nominees. The top 10 winners for 2021 were then determined by popular vote.
Historically, the ’10 Best’ list in this category has been dominated by gardens in the U.S., and this achievement by Vallarta Botanical Garden marks only the fifth time an international garden has placed on the list. (The second time was in 2018, when the VBG placed 4th, the third time was in 2019, when the VBG placed 5th, and the fourth time was in 2021, when the VBG placed 4th.)
This year, Vallarta Botanical Garden came in at third place, topped only by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Huntsville Botanical Garden in Huntsville, Alabama; The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, California; the Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona; the Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware; the Biltmore Garden & Grounds in Asheville, North Carolina and the Portland Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon rounded out the top 10 winners determined by popular vote.
“I think [this recognition] says a lot about our membership and the memories that are made after a visit to the Vallarta Botanical Garden, and we are grateful for the support. The two gardens that were above us are located in major metropolitan areas with millions of people. We are proud to represent Puerto Vallarta an Mexico in receiving this honor,” said VBG founder, Robert Price.
“Participating in this international competition is not only important for the Vallarta Botanical Garden, but also for the entire destination, since this place is a great attraction for many travelers,” he added.
A not-for-profit organization started in 2004 with the mission to propagate, study, discover, conserve and display native plants from Mexico and from around the world, the Vallarta Botanical Garden sits on 74 acres of land and is home to a vast diversity of Mexican plant species, including the most visited public collection of orchids in Mexico.
As the Banderas Bay region’s most popular living museum, the VBG also boasts four conservatories showcasing local and exotic flowers from all over the world, plus vanilla, chocolate and coffee plantations; a museum; a rock collection; and a large population of hummingbirds, Military Macaws, and many other species of wild birds. The Los Horcones River, offering breathtaking views, runs alongside the property, which is also home to award-winning restaurant Hacienda de Oro.
The VBG is now embarking on its most ambitious conservation campaign yet. An initial 85 hectares of densely forested land just south of the Garden was purchased to establish a Forest Preserve. As part of its Conservation in Action Campaign, this territory will is home to the world’s first Ocelot Sanctuary. Click HERE for more information about this important project.
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 74 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.
