Photo Tour: A Day at Jardines de México
The world's largest floral gardens, at least according to their website.

 

Brace yourselves, ’cause this is a long one. Just like our day at Jardines de México, but oh so worth it.

I’d never heard of this place before, until we drove by it on the highway on our way to Acapulco. My nieces promised me we could stop on the way back, and I intended on holding them to it.

The gardens are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00, except during certain holidays (like Christmas! Which usually runs from 18:00 to 21:30). Tickets are 320 MXN/19 USD for adults, 140 MXN/8.50 USD for kids, 260 MXN/15.50 for seniors, with an additional 20% off for teachers and locals and 30% for students. You can even bring your doggos in for 80 MXN/5 USD, so long as you have them on a leash at all times and bring food and waste bags.

The entrance to the gardens hides how big (and impressive!) the place actually is. You enter through the gift shop, which is full of beautiful, if overpriced, souvenirs. But once you exit through the glass doors at the back, you are greeted by an open space with trees and benches, and a colorful peacock topiary at the back.

I try to avoid making snap judgements so quickly, but I’m certain that the installations are pristine, and the attraction is as world-class as it is touted. The cleanliness and attention to detail are obvious, something that is not always present when it comes to México.

We started our visit on the left side, intent on tackling all seven of the themed gardens clockwise. In addition to these gardens, there are several other areas and facilities spread out throughout the park. There’s a business center, an art gallery, a restaurant, an event hall, an exhibition center, an amphitheater, greenhouses, and gardening school.

The first stop was ConSentidos, an area devoted especially to little ones. There, they can play in a butterfly garden, explore the insect pavilion, participate in workshops that teach them about the environment, or go on an adventure to learn all about cells.

This area was closed down for maintenance, which was only kind of a shame. It’s definitely something I want to check out, but some other time. My nieces are definitely older than 12 and none of us were feeling particularly juvenile today anyway.

As we continue further, we run into a bus stop, thankfully shaded. For 50 MXN/3 USD, you can use the internal transportation system and jump on and off as many times as you’d like throughout the day.

 

Laberinto de los Sentidos (Labyrinth of the senses)

Immediately next to the kid’s area is the Laberinto de los Sentidos. The most prominent tree species here are bamboo, amate, and ceiba.

The art gallery is located in the center of the labyrinth and rotates between paintings, sculptures, photography and other artforms. At the end of the labyrinth and in the direction we were heading next is an apiary that you can actually step into. No pictures are allowed inside, though, but you’re welcome to stay inside for as long as you want. You may even spot the queen bee through the interior’s glass panels. 

 

Jardín estilo Japonés (Japanese-style Garden)

A tranquil walk down from the labyrinth there’s a roundabout where the tram turns around. On the left side is the Japanese garden, and on the right is the Italian one. 

Within the Japanese garden there are bamboos, gardenias, and jasmines, several bridges, a pagoda, and a koi pond. Having just come back from Japan, this was the garden I was most excited to see.

 

Jardín estilo Italiano (Italian-style Garden)

The most stunning of the gardens (in my opinion), the tree-lined pathway leading up to the terrace gives such a satisfying reveal to the magnificent garden below. The terrace is complete with a shaded, ventilated wine bar where I’d spend the entire day if I could. The marble fountains and statues are real Carrara marble, and the flowers adorning the garden are mostly petunias, impatiens, and geraniums.

 

Jardín Tropical (Tropical Garden)

On our way to the tropical garden, we got a bit lost and ended up in the business center, where there are also insanely clean bathrooms. In the actual garden you can find an orchidarium (didn’t know that was a word until today) housing both native and global species, complete with vanilla orchids💛. Other flowers you may spot here are purslanes, frangipani, and bromeliads.

 

Jardín de Cactáceas (Cactus Garden)

The midday sun was beating hard by the time we got to the ironically appropriate cactus garden. Thankfully, there’s a shaded nursery down the path, as well as a little hut that sells snacks. We grabbed a couple of cucumber ice pops and a Gatorade before exploring the desertic landscape.

(insert friendly reminder here to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated!)

The giant cactus is known as a candlestick cactus, and I’m 99% certain there are tarantulas living in there. We also saw saguaros, sotoles, Peruvian apple cacti, and blue skyvine.

 

Jardín Cuatro Primaveras (Four Springs Garden)

Last and a little least, we explored the Four Springs Garden. My wild guess is that the name alludes to the “eternal spring” that Cuernavaca, where the gardens are located, is known for. 61 million flowers cover 10 acres and bloom all year round. Amongst the most notorious are dahlias, gerberas, and chrysanthemums.

There’s supposed to be a fountain in the middle, but I guess it was also out of commission.

Slowly, a bit tired from our day of exploring, we made our way back to the park entrance.

Both the event space and the restaurant are perched on the water on either side of the walkway.

We managed to explore every corner of the park and were starting to get hungry, but with a family dinner looming ahead, we settled for an ice cream. Fresh and fruity flavors appropriate for a botanical garden, we grabbed a mascarpone and fig.

And as one final surprise, right outside the gates on the way to the parking lot, we were each gifted with a plant of our choice. We picked a basil, a mint, and an oregano.

All said and done, I had a wonderful time at Jardines de México. I was so pleasantly surprised with all the details, the cleanliness, the ambiance, the theming. It’s the perfect way to spend an entire day at a leisurely pace, with family or with friends or even by yourself. I know I’ll be coming back, and if I’m lucky, maybe during the Christmas season.

Do you have a favorite botanic garden? If so, where?

 

Jardines de México is located at KM 129 of the México – Acapulco highway (also known as the Cuernavaca – Chilpancingo highway or federal highway 95D), Tehuixtla, Morelos.