1/2 Day Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden tour

5.0 (12 reviews)4 hPuerto VallartaCulture & historyFits a typical call
Fits your day

Back at the ship by about 1:00 pm, 3 h 30 min before all aboard. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 2 h 30 min to spare.

Safety margin
Ship in portGetting ashore (20 min)Safety margin (1 h)All aboard 4:30 pm
  1. 8:00 am
    Ship docks in Puerto Vallarta20 min to get off the ship and through the terminal
  2. 8:20 am
    Leave the pierAbout 20 min to the start point
  3. 8:40 am
    Earliest tour startTour runs 4 h. Latest sensible start: 11:10 am.
  4. 12:40 pm
    Tour ends20 min back to the pier
  5. 1:00 pm
    Back at the gangway3 h 30 min before all aboard
  6. 4:30 pm
    All aboardGangway closes; the ship won't wait for independent tours

Estimates based on the tour's longest published duration, our researched travel times and typical pier queues. Confirm the departure time on the booking page and keep your watch on ship's time.

Our verdict

This tour fits a typical Puerto Vallarta call (8:00 am–4:30 pm). It runs 4 h; ashore by 8:20 am, you can start by 8:40 am and be back at the gangway around 1:00 pm — 2 h 30 min to spare on top of a 1 h safety margin.

Rule of thumb: it keeps the safety margin as long as all aboard is 2:00 pm or later. Even a short 7:00 am–2:00 pm call works.

We don't have a verified start point for this tour yet, so we assume 20 min each way from the pier — the typical ride in Puerto Vallarta. Check the meeting point on the booking page.

Among the 400 Puerto Vallarta shore excursions we track, this is about average in length (the median runs 4 h); 86% of them fit a typical call.

Computed from the tour's published duration, the distance from the cruise pier to its start point and the typical Puerto Vallarta call. Adjust your ship's times above to recheck.

About this tour

Don't wonder the Garden aimlessly alone. Tour with our experienced university educated guide who mixes science, Mexican history and mexican mythology for an amazing tour.

We will spend up to 2 full hours touring the different planting beds, nursery, and gift shops. This includes the Vanilla Plantation, Orchid Houses, Begonia House, Cactus House, Rhododendrons House, and aquatic plant pools.

Guide will lead discussions and make commentaries based upon science, Mexican history and Mexican mythology.

After the tour, you have several options to see more on your own including visiting the river and swim. Or travel to the historic town of El Tuito by bus visiting the old picturesque main plaza. Or visit a tequila distillery or spend the afternoon at a zipline canopy company.

Lunch available at the award winning Botanical Gardens restaurant Hacienda de Oro.

Space is very limited on these small intimate tours - average size 4 people per tour.

Also offered a full day Garden Tour.

Max 8 per group English

What's included

  • Guided tour by our university educated Guide
  • Entrance to the Garden is Included

Not included

  • Bus is not included approx 3 usd each way.
  • This half Day tour does not include any meals. However the award winning Hacienda de oro restaurant is available after your tour.

Itinerary

  1. 1
    Stop 1
    Along the route to the Gardens the guide will point out and discuss many interesting features including the OXXO with the world's best view, Boca de Tomatlan, Ranchos of Las Juntas and Los Veranos, and especially the sites of the filming of the Hollywood movies "Night of the Iguana" and "predator." We will make a first quick stop for coffee and a small presentation on coffee plantations and growing in the area and have the opportunity to taste. At the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, we immediately will have access to a restroom. Then we will have opportunity to apply bug spray (included) and then we will walk through the gardens for an hour and half or more exploring the major plantings, hot houses, and the vanilla plantation.
    2 hAdmission not included
  2. 2
    Bay of Banderas
    We will travel the picturesque south shore as we travel to the Botanical Gardens. Along the route the guide will point out and discuss many interesting features including the OXXO with the world's best view, Boca de Tomatlan, Ranchos of Las Juntas and Los Veranos, and especially the sites of the filming of the Hollywood movies "Night of the Iguana" and "predator." This is travel time both ways. 1.5 hours approx. total (45 min both ways)
    2 h
  3. 3
    Boca de Tomatlan
    We will do a drive through of this beautiful small bay on a bay community that has a great beach, boat docks, and a few wonderful restaurants on the beach and malecon over the river and bay.
    Pass by without stopping

Meeting point and getting there

Start point
Meet at the gate of Act2 Theatre - there is johnys cafe across the street if you want to come early and get breakfast.
Meet at the gate of Act2 Theatre - there is johnys cafe across the street if you want to come early and get breakfast.
From the cruise pier
About 20 min by taxi
Allow 20 min to get off the ship first. Taxi fares and pier details.
Ends at

Good to know

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Traveler reviews

5.0
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Operated by Puerto Vallarta Walking Adventures. Prices, availability and tour details come from the booking partner and can change; the booking page is authoritative.

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