Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – September brings a special sense of celebration to Mexico as the country observes el Mes de la Patria, or Patriotic Month, leading up to Independence Day on September 16. At the Vallarta Botanical Garden, Mexican history and culture are woven into the landscape, making the gardens a fitting place to enjoy the season.
One of the most meaningful examples can be found at the Koi pond below the Hacienda de Oro restaurant. An eagle statue recalls one of Mexico’s best-known origin stories: the legend that the Mexica were instructed by the god Huitzilopochtli to establish their city wherever they found an eagle perched on a nopal cactus and eating a serpent.
After a long pilgrimage, the sign appeared on an island in Lake Texcoco. There, in 1325, the Mexica began building Tenochtitlan, the great city that eventually became the foundation of present-day Mexico City.
The pond also features another important Mexican symbol. Standing among the water and greenery is an Ahuehuete, or Sabino, a tree whose name in Nahuatl is often translated as “old man of the water.” Revered for centuries, the species was declared Mexico’s National Tree in 1921. At the Garden, the Ahuehuete and eagle statue share the same pond, creating a natural setting where two powerful symbols of Mexican identity come together.
A Fiesta Mexicana on September 15
The Garden will celebrate the season with a Fiesta Mexicana on Tuesday, September 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family-friendly event will feature traditional Lotería games, a free mechanical bull, Mexican antojitos and drinks, along with the traditional Grito de Independencia ceremony.
Guests are encouraged to join the festivities dressed in traditional Mexican clothing. General admission is $300 MXN, while Garden members receive free admission.
A Taste of Mexico
Mexican Independence celebrations are closely tied to food, and the Garden is giving visitors several ways to enjoy the flavors and ingredients associated with the season.
Cacao, one of Mexico’s most enduring culinary traditions, takes center stage in September. Long before chocolate was combined with milk and sugar, cacao was valued by pre-Hispanic cultures as a ceremonial drink, a treasured commodity and a gift associated with the divine.
Its legacy remains part of Mexican cuisine today. Cacao is an essential ingredient in mole poblano and is also used in champurrado, the thick, warm chocolate drink often enjoyed with pan dulce on cool or rainy evenings.
Visitors can take some of that tradition home from the Gardens’ Gift Shop, which carries cacao-based treats, including organic chocolate bars in flavors such as salted caramel, almond and chile, as well as drinking chocolates.
At the Hacienda de Oro restaurant, September also brings the Enchiladas Banderas, a dish named for its presentation in the three colors of the Mexican flag.
The plate features three chicken-filled enchiladas, each prepared differently. One is covered with a green tomatillo and serrano chile sauce, another is topped with Mexican sour cream and fresh cheese, and the third is served with a red sauce made from dried chiles such as guajillo or ancho. Together, the three enchiladas offer contrasting flavors while creating a distinctly Mexican presentation.
From the eagle and Ahuehuete at the Koi pond to traditional foods and Independence Day festivities, September at the Vallarta Botanical Garden offers visitors an opportunity to experience Mexican history and culture in a setting surrounded by nature.
The Garden will be closed on Wednesday, September 16, allowing its staff to celebrate Independence Day with their families.
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.
