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The Vallarta Botanical Garden is a 79 acre botanical garden at 1,300 ft (400 m) above sea level, near Puerto Vallarta Mexico. Of which 73 acre are dedicated to preserve.

The garden was founded in 2004 and has been open to the public since 2005. The collections showcase plants of the Tropical Dry Forest Biome, native to the region around Puerto Vallarta and in which the Gardens are located, as well as exotics from around the world. Orchid conservation and propagation is a focus of the garden's mission. These can be found on trees throughout the grounds and in the Holstein Orchid and Vanilla House. Other notable collections include oaks, bromeliads, agaves, cactus, rhododendrons and wild palms. The Vallarta Botanical Gardens actively participates in public environmental education through tours and classes.

The gardens feature hiking trails both through the native forest and the manicured garden grounds. Visitors are also welcome to swim in the Rio Horcones, the tropical river that runs through the property. Bird watchers will find the most birding activity early in the morning or later in the day.

The Vallarta Botanical Garden receives no government funding and there is a small admission charge. Vallarta Botanical Garden is a membership organization.

Mission Statement
To create Mexico´s foremost botanical garden for the propagation, study, discovery, conservation, and display of Mexican native plants for the enjoyment of Puerto Vallarta´s residents and our visitors.

Conservation
Since the garden's inception it has accumulated 73 acre specifically for the purpose of conservation. Boosting the garden's size to a total of 79 acre. But with every passing year the threat of development looms over the park. In recent years the garden has been purchasing parcels of land which will remain free of development. Camera traps have been installed to document the vast array of wildlife. This land's wildlife and vegetation are studied by various scientific surveys.

Affiliations

 * Asociación Mexicana de Orquideología Official Asociación Mexicana de Orquideología website
 * Asociación Mexicana de Jardines Botánicos - Facebook page Facebook page of Asociación Mexicana de Jardines Botánicos''' website
 * Friends of Vallarta Botanical Gardens, A.C. Official Friends of Vallarta Botanical Gardens, A.C. website
 * Canadian Garden Tourism Council Official Canadian Garden Tourism Council website
 * Canadian Garden Counsel Official Canadian Garden Counsel website

International Peace Garden
On February 16, 2017 the Cheryl L. Wheeler International Peace Garden of Mexico at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens was dedicated. The garden within the gardens is meant to be a place of contemplation and of peacefulness. Besides consisting of many native flowers and plants, it offers a section of monuments to our lost loved ones, as well as the interfaith chapel, Our Lady of the Garden, the Peace Garden's jewel. The chapel was updated in 2021 with the permanent art installation "Los Angelitos" by David Allen Burns and Austin Young of Fallen Fruit.

2013
"Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Travelling For" by the North American Garden Tourism Conference's International Tourism Award Jury

2015
"Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Travelling For" by the North American Garden Tourism Conference's International Tourism Award Jury USA Today ranked it as one of the 10 Best Botanical Gardens that "Think beyond the flower".

2017
The gardens was the recipient of the 2017 International Peace Garden, presented by the International Peace Garden Foundation.

2018
USA Today ranked it number four in its list of 10 "Best Botanical Gardens".

2019
"Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Travelling For" by the North American Garden Tourism Conference's International Tourism Award Jury USA Today ranked it number six in its list of 10 "Best Botanical Gardens". "The Best Kept Secret" award by the readers of the Vallarta Tribune. "Best View Restaurant" award by the readers of the Vallarta Tribune.

2021
USA Today ranked it number four in its list of 10 "Best Botanical Gardens".