Diverse flora and fauna can be found in Banderas Bay, which is due in large part from the lush vegetation of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains. There are numerous varieties of interesting wildlife and plant life in Puerto Vallarta. The biodiverse environment makes a naturally stunning place to visit for travelers that come from everywhere around the world. Read below to learn more interesting facts about the flora and fauna in Banderas Bay.
Flora and Fauna in Banderas Bay
The flora and fauna in Banderas Bay depend on Puerto Vallarta’s tropical climate which provides them with the rain that they need during the summer months. The summer rainfall combined with sea breezes, sunshine, and humidity create a perfect habitat for plants, animals, and marine life. The Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains touches the Banderas Bay’s edge to form a dense canopy that the jungle inhabitants call home. The tropical climate stimulates biodiversity in the 40 kilometers of rivers, mountains, beaches, and coasts in Banderas Bay.
Vallarta Botanical Gardens
You and your family should make sure you take time to visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens when you are in Puerto Vallarta. Just south of downtown Puerto Vallarta, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens is approximately thirty miles away. The gardens are open to everyone, and there are over 3,000 species that are on display at the natural park. The orchid nursery is absolutely amazing with more than one hundred species of orchids. While visiting the lush gardens, you should head down to the river below the natural park. The river is quite peaceful, and it is a perfect spot for a refreshing swim on a warm day. Snacks are allowed to be brought to the river, but if you want your meal prepared for you, then you can visit the restaurant that is found upstairs and has good food and breathtaking views. Do you love tropical fruit? If you do, then make sure you try some of the yaka, avocados, coconuts, mangos, and guavas when they are in season. You won’t be disappointed.
Variety of Wildlife
There are so many varieties of wildlife in Puerto Vallarta. The bird species include the Yellow Chest, Mexican Cacique, Blue-fronted Alcatraz, and the Copete Magpie. The fish species include the blue and black marlin, sailfish, snapper, croaker, and tuna. You may want to go snorkeling or scuba diving to see all the beautiful fish. There are many animals that live in the jungle in Puerto Vallarta, which include the green and spiny-tailed iguana, Mexican lizard, crocs, and the enchaquetado lizard. Keep an eye out for snake species, too.
Variety of Marine Life
There is a large variety of marine life in Puerto Vallarta. Some of the favorite marine life that visitors love to see are dolphins. There are spotted spinner and bottlenose dolphins that love to be playing in and around the Banderas Bay waters. The sea turtle species include the olive ridley, leatherback, green, and hawksbill turtles that come to Puerto Vallarta every year to lay their eggs, then they head back to sea. You can assist in protecting the sea turtles with a baby sea turtle release that is overseen by local conservationists. Of course, you must see the humpback whales when you are visiting Puerto Vallarta. They come to Banderas Bay during the winter months so the mothers can give birth in the warm waters where nurse their young, before continuing their journey up north to colder waters.
In conclusion, the flora and fauna in Banderas Bay is something everyone should see and appreciate. Will you be visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico soon? If you are, then make sure you take in all the natural beauty here.