Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - The Vallarta Botanical Gardens will be presenting their 'Rain Forest Environmental and Conservation Festival' from 9 am to 6 pm every day from August 18th through August 31st.

The tropical dry forests of our region are magically transformed during the summer rainy season taking on characteristics of true rain forests.

Nowhere is this more the case than at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens in our rainforest demonstration areas. The current highlight of these areas are two of the most famous Mexican rainforest plants, cocoa and vanilla, which are in fruit at this time.

The Festival kicks off on Saturday the 18th with free admission all day (this day only), so that everyone can learn about local efforts to save our planet through workshops and discussions from 2-5 pm. Local ecological groups are invited to join the other groups in Puerto Vallarta that also have an impact on the environment and conservation.

Fun for the whole family, daily activities throughout the festival include:
($60 pesos/person entry fee)

• Garden Tours
• Bird Watching Tours (bring your binoculars)
• Swimming in the Los Horcones River
• Face Painting, Coloring Books, Arts and Crafts, and Movie Hour.

Also Available:

• The "Lost Mine" Gemstone & Mineral Experience ($80 pesos/bucket of mine tailings)
• Festival Special at Hacienda de Oro Restaurant: Ham or Chicken Panini with lemonade or Jamaica ($100 pesos)

Even the ride out to the Gardens along the Palms to Pines Highway (Carretera 200) is a spectacular sight to behold now with waterfalls, cascades, and trees cloaked with vines and encrusted with orchids and bromeliads. Join us for an unrivaled botanical experience!