Full Day Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden Tour

4.8 (45 reviews)7 h–8 hPuerto VallartaSightseeingAdventureToo long for a typical call
Won't fit

Too long for this call: you'd be back about 5:00 pm, 30 min after all aboard. Look for a shorter version or a longer port day.

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 7 h–8 h; we plan for 8 h. Latest sensible start: 7:10 am.
  4. 4:40 pm
    Tour ends20 min back to the pier
  5. 5:00 pm
    Back at the gangwayAfter 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

Too long for a typical Puerto Vallarta call (8:00 am–4:30 pm). At up to 8 h plus travel from Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal (Terminal Marítima, Puerto Mágico), the earliest you could be back is about 5:00 pm, after all aboard. It only works on a long call — your ship would need to stay until at least 6:00 pm.

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 one of the longer ones (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 just visit the Botanical Gardens alone and wonder aimlessly. The Gardens are so much more then just pretty flowers. Tour with our university educated guide who will mix biology, Mexican history and ancient Mexican mythology digging into the rich cultural to discover the roots of the essence of Mexico. After the guided tour, enjoy a leisurely break for lunch at the award-winning restaurant, where delicious food pairs (not included) with breathtaking views of the river canyon and gardens. Afterward, a gentle 15 to 20 minute (optional)easy guided walk leads you to the sparkling river, where you can swim, relax, or simply admire the peaceful river float by. The day concludes with time to browse the gift shop, nursery, and a final stroll through the Gardens before returning refreshed and inspired. Discover the fascinating history and rich ancient mythology rooted in the unique bond between Mexico and its flora and fauna that only this meticulously researched guided tour can unveil.

Max 12 per group English

What's included

  • University educated guide of the Gardens
  • Botanical Gardens Admission Fee

Not included

  • All food and beverage are responsibility of traveler.
  • Trip does not include price of scenic bus ride about $2.5 usd each way)

Itinerary

  1. 1
    Conchas Chinas
    We will drive through along the beautiful vacation homes, oceanside villas and spectacular beaches.
    Pass by without stopping
  2. 2
    Los Arcos de Mismaloya
    We view the Massive pink granite islands and the wave carved arches through them as we pass by along the stunning coast commonly know as "South Shore" of the Banderas Bay.
    Pass by without stopping
  3. 3
    Mismaloya
    We will catch a introductory look at the old fishing village of Mismaloya as we pass by. See the famous hotel painted pink and the setting in the hit TV show Acapulco.
    Pass by without stopping
  4. 4
    Boca de Tomatlan
    Catch an introductional look at Boca de Tomatlan as we pass by. Notice all the yachts and boats in the protected cove of the bay where the river canyon meets the bay.
    Pass by without stopping
  5. 5
    Jardin Botanico de Vallarta
    After a beautiful drive along the south coast of the bay and through the spectacular river canon surrounded by a jungle canapy arrive to the Botanivcal Gardens. Spend the first 2 hours with a university educated naturalist guide exploring the most significant and popular garden plantings at the world renowned and one of top five best Botanical gardens in North America. Then with our adventure guide continue the tour with a hike of the outer and more wild trails of the Botanical Garden. Take an hour break for lunch and to visit the displays of the visitors center. Then spend the next few hours hiking and visiting the river in the canyon below. Relax on a huge boulder or swim in the refreshing pools of the river.
    7 hAdmission included

Meeting point and getting there

Start point
Meet in the courtyard of the ground floor at 8:30 am
Meet in the courtyard of the ground floor at 8:30 am
From the cruise pier
About 20 min by taxi
Allow 20 min to get off the ship first. Taxi fares and pier details.
Returns
Back to the start point

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
  • The total tour duration includes the travel time.

Traveler reviews

4.8
45 traveler reviews
5
89%
4
4%
3
4%
2
0%
1
2%

Read all 45 reviews

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

More Puerto Vallarta tours that fit a typical call

Back with at least an hour to spare on a 8:00 am–4:30 pm call.

All tours
from $80Check dates & book