Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Since its opening in 2005, Vallarta Botanical Garden (VBG) has won numerous international awards, and now, for the third time, it has placed on USA Today‘s 2021 ’10 Best’ list of public gardens and arboretums in North America.
Competing against 20 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 fourth time an international garden has placed on the list. (The second time was in 2018, when the VBG placed 4th, and the third time was in 2019, when the VBG placed 5th.)
This year, Vallarta Botanical Garden, in fourth place, was topped only by the Botanical Cactus Garden – Ethel M Chocolates in Henderson, Nevada at #3; the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati, Ohio in second place; and this year’s winner, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida.
The Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware; Naples Botanical Garden in Naples, Florida; Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, California; Washington Oaks Gardens State Park in Palm Coast, Florida; the Portland Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon and the Cypress Gardens at Legoland in Winter Haven, Florida, rounded out the top 10 winners determined by popular vote. Congratulations to all these winning gardens!
“It is truly an honor and privilege to be part of this distinction that could have only been possible with the support of our community,” said Vallarta Botanical Garden founder and curator, Bob Price. “The VBG is young, but it has a great and growing impact that will not go unnoticed. The number of votes we received in this contest show people near and far that Puerto Vallarta is a world-class botanical and horticultural destination, and it is worthy of your visit.”
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 64 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.
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.
