Calling culinary connoisseurs and nature enthusiasts: Vallarta Botanical Gardens, the fourth best garden in North America on USA Today’s 2018 ’10 Best’ list, is offering an all-inclusive tour that celebrates Mexico’s unique plants and authentic cuisine. The newly launched Botanical Delights Tourand Culinary Adventure begins with an introduction to a designated Vallarta Botanical Garden guide who has a wealth of knowledge about Mexico’s native flora and fauna. While winding along Vallarta’s south shore and up the Horcones Canyon to the world-famous Vallarta Botanical Garden garden trails, conservatories, and exhibits, the guide will share fascinating facts about the plants along the way. The tour is followed by lunch in the Hacienda del OroRestaurant, where visitors will experience an authentic Mexican feast featuring the native plants just witnessed in cultivation, such as agave, cacao, and vanilla.

After a leisurely lunch, visitors can wander the garden, swim in the crisp mountain waters flowing through the forest preserve, count the dozens of different species of hummingbirds, witness one of Mexico’s most extensive orchid collections, or relax on the Garden’s Visitor Center observation deck.

The Botanical Delights Tour and Culinary Adventure is open to individuals or groups of any size every Monday through Friday, and to groups of six or more on Saturdays and Sundays, through March 29, 2019. The Botanical Delights Tour and Culinary Adventure is 2,180 pesos ($109 USD) per person and can be booked online. The price includes transportation, entrance fee, welcome refreshment, and lunch.

The 64-acre wildlife preserve and botanical garden features manicured gardens, multiple kinds of plants, over 200 bird species, multiple hiking trails and a babbling stream. The Garden is located 30 minutes south of OldTown and is open daily from 9am to 6pm.