Have you ever ventured up to the Vallarta Botanical Garden? If so, you will be familiar with the beautiful coastal drive that takes you south of the Romantic Zone, through Mismaloya and into the lush, green hills past Boca de Tomatlán. This is when things start to change! You go up and up, following the valley of the crystalline Los Horcones River, as steep hillsides covered in magnolias, oak trees (Mexico is famous for its oaks!), and papelillos (those beautiful trees with the peeling copper-coloured bark) rise up on either side.
Continue to drive inland, and you begin to notice the temperature cooling slightly, a refreshing change from the humid heat of PV and Riviera Nayarit. Eventually, you round a bend and are greeted with a sweeping view across a much wider section of the river valley, full of colour and brimming with trees and plants of all shapes and sizes. You have arrived at the Vallarta Botanical Garden!
Build a closer connection with nature
If you don’t know the Botanical Garden, and haven’t yet explored this magical corner of Jalisco, just 30 minutes or so from PV, then I implore you to do so at the first opportunity. You won’t be disappointed! The Garden is home to over 1,200 species of plants and 250 species of birds, and mammals such as river otters and ocelots (small cats!). It is famous for its orchid collection, the largest in Mexico with over 300 varieties, and if you visit between April and October, you will see dozens of hummingbirds flitting from plant to plant. In Mexico, hummingbirds are believed to bring good luck and are messengers of love and joy, something I am sure you will feel deeply during your visit here.
An opportunity to live off-grid in the beautiful forests just beyond the Garden
Some of our visitors decide to continue exploring beyond the Botanical Garden, delving deeper into the pine forests, where the road traffic dips significantly and the sounds of birds and the rustling of the trees are all you hear. In these lush, fragrant forests, 1,500 metres above sea level, you will find a very special property, now up for sale and with a close connection to the Botanical Garden.
The owner is a longtime Garden Member looking to sell to someone keen to live off-grid, connect with nature, and build a life in this magical corner of Jalisco.
Importantly, a percentage of the sale will be donated directly to Vallarta Botanical Garden to help it expand its conservation programs. These programs currently protect many of the region’s most endangered species, including the Military macaw and the Magnolia vallartensis, the official tree of Puerto Vallarta.
Rustic Forest Retreat | Near Vallarta Botanical Garden
Property Type:
Off-Grid Rustic Compound with Main House + Income Cabins
Location:
5 km from Vallarta Botanical Garden, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco
30 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta
Asking Price:
MXN 7,000,000 (approx. $360,000)
Lot Size:
6,000 m² (approx. 65,000 ft²)
Utilities:
- Fully off-grid
- Solar-powered electricity
- Water from local natural sources
Main House:
- 2 Bedrooms
- 1 Full Bathroom
- Full Kitchen
- Dining Area
- Surrounded by fruit trees and private gardens
Additional Structures:
- 2 Income-Producing Cabins
- Detached Kitchen Building
- Open-Air Yoga Studio
Features & Potential Uses:
- Ideal for birdwatching camp, wellness retreat, or private eco-home
- Surrounded by hundreds of bird species
- Located in a pine-oak forest at 1,500m elevation
- Cool climate, abundant flora, and rich biodiversity
- Tranquil and secluded environment
Community Impact:
A portion of the sale directly benefits the Vallarta Botanical Garden’s conservation efforts, including protecting the Military Macaw and the Magnolia vallartensis, Puerto Vallarta’s official tree.
Contact for Viewing:
Ricardo Andrade +52 322 101 3464
Mention you heard about the property through Chris at the Garden for priority access.
View Photos + Full Listing Here
Your perfect rustic escape that will also benefit the work of the Vallarta Botanical Garden
I absolutely love this untouched corner of Mexico, whose biodiversity sets it apart and which offers a tranquil setting surrounded by nature. You are just a short hop from the huge, expansive beaches of Mayto and the quaint, regional town of El Tuito. I would recommend it in a second to anyone looking to disconnect from the stresses of life and ground themselves in the natural beauty of rural Jalisco. And this property is the perfect grounding point, just 5km from the Botanical Garden and a short drive to Vallarta. Plus, you will be giving back to important conservation work directly benefiting local wildlife. Who could ask for more?
