Another attraction that you must see and do in this area is the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. It's an impressive and lovely natural attraction to spend some quality time with your friends. Locals and visitors love this popular destination. The gardens showcase an assortment of wild flowers and insect life that provides a relaxing and romantic getaway from the day-to-day hustle of Vallarta's downtown. It is a 20-acre botanical garden at 1,300 ft above sea level in Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico
The collection of cocoa plants, all sorts of orchids, tequila (mezcal) plants, bouganvilla, greenhouses, will excite you. It also offers hiking trails around the perimeter. Walk down the path to the river, and take a swim in the fresh, clear water around granite rocks. Butterflies, iguanas and birds of all types will join you. You’ll feel as if you have entered the Garden of Eden.
Also, be sure to stop in at the Hacienda. This immense, beautiful, graceful building looks like it has been there forever, but it was built at the same time the Gardens were created. It houses an expansive lounge area and gift shop on the lower level and a full restaurant above. The Hacienda de Oro Restaurant on the premises offers good food and refreshments at reasonable prices. This restaurant comes highly recommended by both travelers and experts. You will find a courteous staff, brick oven pizzas, salads and Mexican specialties.
Take the opportunity to visit the Puerto Vallarta’s Botanical Gardens and learn a little about the vast variety of species in this amazing region and enjoy the wonderful scenery they create.
Vallarta Botanical Gardens is located 30 minutes south of Old Town at Km. 24 on Highway 200. For more information visit their website: http://www.vbgardens.org/
