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Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens With native and non-native plants such as cactus, palms, ferns, orchids and bromeliads, as well as a restaurant and river swimming - the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens are located approximately 16-18 miles (at Km. 24 Highway to Barra de Navidad) south of Puerto Vallarta in the Sierra Madre mountains. Located on 20 acres of land, the botanical collection of the Gardens features over 3,000 different species of plants. "Our gardens are in a unique tropical dry forest ecosystem at 1,300 feet above sea level. Against the breathtaking backdrop of soaring mountain peaks, there is much to experience: Palm Gardens, Rose Garden, Tree Fern Grotto, Orchid House, Jungle Trails, Tropical Bird Watching, Agave Gardens, displays of Mexican Wildflowers and the Carnivorous Plant Collection. Bringing your swimsuit and enjoy a refreshing dip in the crystal clear Rio Los Horcones." The Hacienda de Oro restaurant on the premises also offers food and refreshments, open Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm. The Gardens have been open to the public since 2005 and there is an admission of 50 pesos (approximately $4 USD) for non-members.  Visit the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens website. It's a great and lovely place to spend some quality time with your friends and of course groups from schools and universities are always welcome. In order to arrange a field trip and guided tour of the garden for children or a school, contact the Botanical Gardens at Tel: (322) 223-6182. There are some special rules that apply to children and younger persons, and these young people are required to be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Also, special visiting times for field trips can be scheduled in the mornings from 9am-12:30pm. As an additional bonus, the Gardens doesn't charge an entrance fee for students' field trips. The Botanical Garden's stated Mission is to create one of the outstanding botanical gardens in Mexico "for the propagation, study, discovery, conservation and display of Mexican native plants for enjoyment by Puerto Vallarta's residents and its visitors." Perhaps those of you who love plants would also like to know about the Puerto Vallarta Orchid Society which has monthly meetings and occasional forays into the Sierra Madre mountains in search of some of the 240 indigenous species of orchids in this part of Mexico.  Botanical Gardens Location: Puerto Vallarta Highway to Barra de Navidad at Kilometer 24, Las Juntas y los Veranos, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco. To Get to the Gardens: You can take the local "El Tuito" bus from Aguacate and Carranza streets on the South Side which leaves about every 30 minutes - the bus should say "Botanical Gardens" on the front windshield. Or just jump in a taxi, but be sure to ask the cost before going, I believe it should be around $20 USD or so one way. Open, Tues-Sun, 9am-6pm. Closed Mondays and for Christmas and New Years day. Local phone: 223-6182 Most of these Botanical Garden pictures were taken by Benoit Gagnon, Canadian friend extraordinaire, and I am once again grateful for his kindness in granting me permission to reproduce and share these fine photos. Several photos here are thanks to Chuy at the Gardens who was kind enough to send them for us to view.