Vallarta Botanical Garden Celebrating 20th Anniversary

Vallarta Botanical Garden Celebrating 20th Anniversary With Wall Of Memories Program

Vallarta Botanical Garden celebrating 20th anniversary. On November 15, 2025, this award-winning sanctuary and natural preserve celebrates 20 years of environmental stewardship, community engagement, and record breaking accomplishments. Beginning in 2004 as a remote hillside wilderness 30 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta it has grown into a thriving botanical sanctuary, preserving more than 120 hectares of native forest and harboring over 1,200 plant species.  It also is one of the most popular things to do for LGBTQ+ visitors in Puerto Vallarta, a global leader in conservation, and a cornerstone of Puerto Vallarta eco-tourism.

Vallarta Botanical Garden celebrating 20th anniversary whereby the staff invites locals, visitors, and long-time supporters to contribute to its special 20th Anniversary Wall of Memories. Guests can submit a photo, a personal story, or a cherished moment from the Botanical Garden—whether it was a family celebration, a romantic proposal, a quiet hike, or a joyful afternoon with friends or pets. Every memory helps showcase why the Vallarta Botanical Garden holds such a unique place in the heart of the Puerto Vallarta community.

The Garden now welcomes more than 80,000 visitors per year, making it one of the most popular eco-tourism attractions in Puerto Vallarta and one of the most visited botanical gardens in Mexico. It consistently ranks among the Top Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta on TripAdvisor making it a must do attraction for LGBTQ+ visitors seeking nature and eco-tourism adventures.

Mission & Vision: More Than Just a Garden

The Vallarta Botanical Garden is a nonprofit institution with a mission to not only showcase the beauty of native Mexican flora — such as orchids, oaks, magnolias, and agaves — but also to actively contribute to scientific research, conservation, and environmental education. They run guided tours, host educational festivals (like Hummingbird Week), and reach out to local students through their Young Naturalists Program. Vallarta Botanical Garden

The Garden’s in vitro propagation lab plays a leading role in orchid conservation, cultivating dozens of species — many of them rare and regionally endemic — to strengthen biodiversity and safeguard fragile populations. Vallarta Botanical Garden+1

Conservation Work That Impacts The Environment

Thanks to sustained restoration efforts, the Garden now protects 120 hectares of forest, including 32 hectares certified as a natural protected area by the State of Jalisco. Vallarta Botanical Garden

It’s part of the Chamela–Cabo Corrientes Priority Terrestrial Region, recognized by CONABIO for its high biodiversity value. Vallarta Botanical Garden+1

Wildlife sanctuaries on site include a 3-hectare “Chonchos” bird sanctuary (for Penelope purpurascens) and a 90-hectare ocelot sanctuary, plus more than 15 artificial nests built to support the green macaw, which saw its first successfully fledged chick from the Garden in 2019. Vallarta Botanical Garden

Their micropropagation lab, established in 2009 and upgraded in 2018, is now cultivating 27 orchid species from 15 genera — 10 of those native to Mexico. Vallarta Botanical Garden

A LGBTQ+ Friendly Business

Vallarta Botanical Garden celebrating 20th anniversary and has become a deeply loved space within the LGBTQ+ travel community. For gay tourists, it’s more than a stop — it’s a place for romantic proposals and gay weddings, anniversary dinners, and quiet moments of reflection in nature. The inclusive, welcoming environment is frequently part of itineraries with LGBTQ+ tour companies in Puerto Vallarta, making it a key part of a well-rounded, nature-rich trip.

Eco-Tourism Impact & Regional Influence

As a pillar of Puerto Vallarta eco-tourism, the Garden plays a critical role in attracting visitors who want more than just a party destination. Its conservation-driven mission and educational programs encourage sustainable travel, helping diversify Puerto Vallarta’s appeal to all travelers.

Each year, tens of thousands of guests visit. According to its education pages, the Garden draws “tens of thousands” of visitors annually — a significant number for a non-beach, nature-focused destination. Vallarta Botanical Garden

Awards & Recognition

• In 2022, the Garden became the first public garden outside the U.S. to win the American Public Gardens Association’s Garden Excellence Award, a major honor in the world of botanical conservation. Vallarta Botanical Garden+2EIN Presswire+2

• The Garden has also been recognized by ArbNet for its conservation capacity, particularly in its forest preserve along the Los Horcones River. Arbnet

• Through partnerships with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), VBG is contributing to global conservation consortia focused on oaks and magnolias. Vallarta Botanical Garden

• In 2023, VBG’s director, Jesús Reyes, received the BGCI Marsh Award for his outstanding leadership in conservation. Vallarta Botanical Garden

Partnerships

The Vallarta Botanical Garden (VBG) proudly announces a strategic conservation partnership with The Tryst Puerto Vallarta. The Tryst will feature lush greenery including fresh flowers and native plants sourced primarily from the Vallarta Botanical Garden throughout the property. See more on this partnership here. 

Vallarta Botanical Garden celebrating 20th anniversary includes strategic alliances like the 2025 agreement with the Culiacán Botanical Garden, strengthening regional biodiversity efforts, seed exchange programs, and joint research. Vallarta Botanical Garden

Another major project launched in recent years — with support from ArbNet and BGCI — focuses on collecting acorns from endangered oaks (Quercus cualensis and Q. tuitensis) to safeguard these species for the future. Vallarta Botanical Garden

Happy 20th Anniversary, VBG!

Vallarta Botanical Garden Celebrating 20th Anniversary is a milestone in its journey and isn’t just a must-see Puerto Vallarta attraction — it’s a model for how nature, community, and sustainability can work together. Thank you to Bob Price founder and Jesus Reyes co-founder and everyone who has helped makethis iconic garden reach this milestone. We can’t wait to see what the next 20 years bring.

Hours Of Operation And Getting There

• April to November:
  Open 6 days/week (Closed Mondays)
• Normal Garden Hours:
  Open Daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• December to March:
  Open 7 days/week (Except closure for Christmas & New Year’s Day)
• For information of how to get there check here 

For more updates of Vallarta Botanical Garden celebrating 20th Anniversary visit the GAYPV website here.