Vallarta Botanical Garden.

About 40 minutes south of downtown Puerto Vallarta, on Highway 200 toward Barra de Navidad, right in the Los Horcones River area. An ideal family-friendly space with nature and outdoor learning where children and adults can learn in a fun way about Mexican flora, especially orchids, agaves, and ferns. There are easy trails to follow, ideal for children and seniors.

The Botanical Garden offers activities for everyone, such as light hiking, with well-marked paths of varying difficulty, where you can walk from 15 minutes to an hour. You can also swim in the Los Horcones River, as there is a swimming area that borders the garden. Perfect for cooling off after exploring!

Bird and butterfly watching boasts more than 200 recorded bird species, making the place a paradise for birdwatchers and curious children. There is also a nature play area with open spaces for children to run, play, and connect with nature.

The Botanical Garden has rest and picnic areas, shaded areas where you can sit and rest or have a picnic. They also have a restaurant, "Hacienda de Oro," which offers Mexican cuisine, including vegan and children's options.

We can't forget the educational workshops and activities, as they frequently organize gardening workshops, environmental education workshops, and special events such as the Orchid Festival in spring. Children are taught how to plant plants and care for the environment.

Family and cultural events are very characteristic of the Botanical Garden, which, in addition to being a place of recreation, also host cultural events, live music, art exhibitions, and traditional celebrations. On important dates, such as the Day of the Dead or Christmas, they organize themed activities that include the whole family.

Admission is approximately 300 pesos per adult, and children under 4 are free (prices subject to change). Hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, every day except December 25th and January 1st. Visitors should wear comfortable clothing, a swimsuit if they want to go into the river, biodegradable insect repellent, sunscreen, and a hat.

The Botanical Garden is especially popular with Vallarta families because many locals take advantage of it to have picnics or celebrate family birthdays. It's a green respite from the hustle and bustle of the city and fosters a love and respect for nature in children. It has an educational and recreational focus, which makes it different from a simple park or beach.