Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Saturday, November 15, 2025 marks the official 20th anniversary of the Vallarta Botanical Garden, a significant achievement for any non-profit organization.
The Garden first opened its doors to the public on November 15th, 2005. The entry price was just $30 pesos and the layout was very simple: a main building, housing the current Hacienda de Oro restaurant and a small gift shop, an outhouse with bathroom facilities and a couple of very basic structures displaying a selection of local plants. Few there that day could have imagined what the Garden would go on to become!
The Vallarta Botanical Garden was founded by Bob Price and his mother Betty, from Savannah, Georgia, in the USA, along with local co-founder Jesús Reyes, from the town of El Tuito. Bob had a vision to create a space where both visitors to Puerto Vallarta and locals could appreciate the wonder of plants and learn more about the biodiversity of this beautiful corner of Mexico. “Botanical gardens are magical spaces where people can disconnect and return to nature, which is what I wanted to bring to Vallarta” he says.
His original inspiration came from a chance encounter with an orchid salesman in 2004. “I had moved to Puerto Vallarta in 2004, planning to stay for only 6 months. However, someone knocked on my door one day, selling wild orchids” recalls Bob. “Those orchids were absolutely incredible, gorgeous, and I asked the man where he had found them. “In the mountains” he told me… and eventually he brought me to this very spot (the site of the current Botanical Gardens). I took one look and said to myself, “This is where I want to stay!”.
Bob has shared some of his original photos from the Gardens’ construction and opening year, showing the site’s original 4-hectare (10-acre) site, consisting of bare, dusty hillsides, used at the time for growing agave and grazing cattle. Today’s Vallarta Botanical Garden represents an incredible evolution, now protecting over 1,200 species of plants across 120 hectares (almost 300 acres) of pristine forestland and river ecosystems through its Conservation in Action program.
Tens of thousands of visitors each year marvel at the 150 species of orchid on display, 30 of which are being cultivated for critical conversation purposes, while birdwatchers from all over the world flock to observe the 130 species that inhabit the Garden. Over 1,500 Mexican school children visit the Botanical Garden every year at no cost, the result of the organization’s impactful Young Naturalists environmental education program.
In a reflection of all they’ve achieved, in 2022, the Vallarta Botanical Garden received the prestigious Garden of Excellence award from the American Public Garden Association, the first time ever that a Garden outside of the USA received that accolade.
To the Next Two Decades of Memories!
So much has happened in 20 years and many special moments have been shared at the Vallarta Botanical Garden.
As part of its anniversary celebration, the Garden is inviting the Vallarta community to share its own memories. Whether it be a family reunion, a wedding proposal, a walk along the Garden’s trails with your favourite pet or a moment of quiet reflection, let them know why the Vallarta Botanical Garden means something to you. Photos and reminiscences will be added to their Wall of Memories!
This is also the perfect opportunity to donate and inspire the next 20 years of outstanding visitor experiences, filled with learning and natural wonder, at the Vallarta Botanical Garden.
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.