By Arlene Pervin
One would not expect to see the color turquoise in a plant, but the Philippine Jade vine displays its lady slipper-like flower in all its turquoise splendor. This is just one of the fabulous feasts for the eye at the Vallarta Botanical Garden, now celebrating its 20th year.
A fifty peso bus ride takes you south along the coast, where the view is ever-changing, passing Los Arcos, Mismaloya, and Boca de Tomatlan and then climbing to an elevation of about 3000 ft, where the air is just a bit cooler.
A 300 peso fee allows entrance to the Garden for the day, where you can wander down to the Horcones River for a swim, hike the winding paths, peruse the grounds and numerous buildings, or just find your own special place to sit and enjoy the tranquility.
Some visitors come for the variety of birds or butterflies that can be seen in the area at different times of the year. I have seen other visitors with their sketch pads enjoying the open canvas of the Garden.
Sometimes, I just sit on the bench opposite the ficus tree, in respect of the hundreds of years it has grown, and I give thanks to this matriarch, this noble species of tree that grows in this tropical jungle.
The Botanical Garden’s variety of plants, flowers, and trees is almost overwhelming. Another favorite of mine is the monstruosa or Swiss cheese plant, where the size of a leaf can easily cover a dinner table. It has this name for the size of the slashes in the leaves, a feature that helps it survive the heavy rains.
The cactus garden has multiple species, from the barrel cactus to the old man cactus, each looking like its name. The numerous varieties of orchids are also a drawing point for many visitors.
The attention to detail is notable. Every time I visit, I notice something new. It might be a flower, a sculpture, or a butterfly, or it just might be the light on a particular day. It is an exemplary place where the gardeners, entrance workers, and all who carry out their tasks contribute to sustaining this award-winning and world-recognized Botanical Garden.
From the quality of the Mexican goods in the gift shop to the excellent cuisine prepared and served in the airy restaurant housed in the Hacienda de Oro on the second floor, the waiters and barkeepers – everybody – show their skills and attentiveness in serving their customers.
It would be an understatement to state that without the ongoing vision of founder and curator Robert Price and the many patrons who contribute to the Garden, this place would not exist. Puerto Vallarta and all its visitors from around the world are lucky to have this gem.
It would be difficult for me to choose a favorite plant, flower, or tree. They all have their unique attributes. From that magnificent ficus tree that is hundreds of years old to the stateliness of the Royal palms, to the assorted colors of the anthuriums, to the stunning variety of orchids, the Garden features a cornucopia of plants.
The Vallarta Botanical Garden is a place of wonder; it is truly a class act. The beauty of the plants, both native and from around the world, show their exquisiteness.
Experiencing the Garden is a bit like inhabiting a different world, away from the ordinary and into a world of wonder.
