Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens Hiking Tour: Orchids Tequila

Orchids, river slides, rescued animals, and handcrafted tequila in one morning

This six-hour hiking tour in Puerto Vallarta combines the Botanical Garden's orchid collection with a private riverside trail, river activities, and a tequila tasting at Los Veranos Adventure Park. A native guide leads small groups through the gardens and along the Horcones River, where you swim, slide on natural rock formations, and kayak before visiting the on-site animal sanctuary. Entrance, tequila tasting, and river activities are included. Transportation is provided from your chosen departure point in Nuevo Vallarta, Marina Vallarta, or Sur/Romantica.

The experience

The day starts in the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden, where you walk trails lined with Mexico's most-visited orchid collection and native flora. From there, a guide leads you along a private path down the Horcones River, a lush stretch thick with biodiversity, until you reach Los Veranos Adventure Park on the riverbank. The route is a hike, not a stroll, and the guide knows which plants and animals live where and why they matter to the region.

Once at Los Veranos, the river becomes your playground. You can swim in the crystal-clear pools, slide down natural rock formations, paddle a kayak, or float an inner tube, all weather permitting. A meal and tropical drink are available at the riverside restaurant if you want them (not included). The animal sanctuary sits nearby, where you meet rescued monkeys, toucans, macaws, and iguanas that live on the property. The tequila tasting happens here too: you sample handcrafted tequila made exclusively by Los Veranos and learn how it's made.

Small groups mean the guide can move at a pace that works for everyone and answer questions as you go. You'll need moderate fitness for the hiking sections and should wear comfortable shoes, a swimsuit, and bring a towel, sunscreen, and a camera with a strap. Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. The tour runs about six hours depending on which collection point you choose (Nuevo Vallarta, Marina Vallarta, or Sur/Romantica), and transportation from that point is included.

What’s included

• Entrance to the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden.
• a guided hike along the Horcones River with a native guide.
• kayaks, natural rock slides, and river swimming (weather permitting).
• a visit to the animal sanctuary.
• a handcrafted tequila tasting.
• and transportation from your departure point.

Options for this experience

4 options

Hiking tour departing by land from Nuevo VallartaGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30Land hiking from Nuevo Vallarta at 8:30; the meeting point is in the parking lot of the Centro Empresarial (Business Center) in Nuevo Vallarta

Sea departure hiking tour from the MarinaGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Sea transportation: our main office is in the parking lot of Chedraui Plaza (Playa de Oro)

Hiking tour from Sur/Romantica at 9:35Guide in English or Spanish · 09:35Romantic Zone: the meeting point is at the OXXO convenience store in Conchas Chinas; pickup is included

Land hiking tour departing from Marina VallartaGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30, 08:45 and 09:35Land hiking from the Marina at 9:00; our main office is in the parking lot of Chedraui Plaza (Playa de Oro)

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SaturdayDepartures at 08:30, 08:45, 09:00 and 09:35

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Los Veranos Canopy Tour

Is this one for you?Choose a departure point based on where you're staying (Nuevo Vallarta, Marina Vallarta, or Sur/Romantica), and the guide and small group size mean you move at a pace that works for everyone, with time to ask questions and linger at the orchids or the river without feeling rushed.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden like, and how much time do you spend there?

The Botanical Garden is home to Mexico's most-visited orchid collection and native flora spread across trails. You explore it at the start of the tour before heading to the river, so you see the orchids and the garden's landscape without rushing through it.

Can you swim and do water activities on the Horcones River?

Yes. At Los Veranos Adventure Park on the river, you can swim in the pools, slide down natural rock formations, kayak, or float on inner tubes, all weather permitting. The water is described as crystal-clear.

What animals will you see at the sanctuary?

The on-site animal sanctuary is home to rescued wildlife including monkeys, toucans, macaws, and iguanas. You visit it as part of the tour after the river activities.

Is the tequila tasting included, and do you need to be a certain age?

Yes, a handcrafted tequila tasting made exclusively by Los Veranos is included. The minimum age for alcohol consumption in Mexico is 18 years.

Which departure points are available, and is transportation included?

You can depart from Nuevo Vallarta, Marina Vallarta, or Sur/Romantica. Transportation from your chosen point is included. If you depart from Marina Vallarta by boat, a port fee of $2 applies (cash or card at the office).

What should you bring and wear for this tour?

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a swimsuit and towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera with a strap. Extra money for lunch or souvenirs at the riverside restaurant is recommended, along with a debit or credit card. Arrive 15 minutes before your selected departure time.