Jardín Botánico Faustino Miranda

Imagine a true natural oasis nestled in the heart of the bustling city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. The Faustino Miranda Botanical Garden is not just a park, but one of the oldest and most respected research centers in Mexico. Covering an area of over 5 hectares, it serves as the literal “lungs of the city,” preserving the biodiversity of the state of Chiapas.

Founded in 1949, the garden features a unique collection of over 700 species of native flora. Here, you can see rare and endangered plants, walk under the canopy of tropical deciduous forests, and discover unique gallery ecosystems. This site is recognized as a historical monument and is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the region's living nature.

In addition to its rich living collection, the complex includes a Botany Museum and an extensive herbarium. Science and aesthetics blend harmoniously here: from ancient wood collections to interactive exhibits dedicated to medicinal plants. The garden is a major attraction not only for scientists but also for tourists seeking tranquility and inspiration amidst lush greenery.

To clarify details before your visit or to organize group tours, you can use the official resources and contact information of the garden administration.

Below is the main contact information for reaching out and locating the site on the map:

A walk through the garden begins along winding nature trails (senderos) that lead through thick tropical forests. Here, you can see the unique "Flowers of Chiapas" collection, striking in its vibrant colors, and explore the medicinal plants sector, used for centuries in traditional Mexican medicine. For photography enthusiasts, this is a perfect spot: the play of light through lush foliage and the exotic shapes of local flora make for magnificent shots.

Be sure to stop by the Botany Museum, which features a famous exhibition of the region's wood species. In the museum lobby, look out for the historical mosaic panel dedicated to agriculture. Visitors are often offered temporary interactive exhibitions, lectures, and even workshops where both children and adults can work with natural materials, seeds, and flowers.

The garden is also an excellent place for ecotourism and birdwatching or spotting local insects. For those who prefer a more thoughtful immersion, a specialized library and audiovisual materials are available. This space is ideal for quiet meditation, educational family walks, or a deep dive into ethnobotany—the relationship between people and plants in Chiapas culture.

This natural corner is located in the northeastern part of the city, within the famous Parque Madero. The exact address is Calzada de las Personas Ilustres S/N, which is an extension of 5th North East Avenue. Finding the entrance is easy, as the garden is surrounded by other major cultural centers of the city.

The easiest way to get there from central Tuxtla Gutiérrez is by taxi or public bus, which stops right near the park. If you are renting a car, the drive from the international airport takes about 20–30 minutes; convenient parking is provided for visitors.

Many tourists prefer to walk here from the central squares, combining a city stroll with a visit to the park area. Thanks to its convenient location, a visit to the botanical garden is easy to plan alongside a visit to the Regional Museum of Anthropology and History.

The history of this place began on November 20, 1949, when the prominent Spanish botanist Dr. Faustino Miranda González founded a research center here. Arriving in Mexico as an immigrant, he dedicated himself to studying the region's unique nature and created the first tropical botanical garden in the country, which remains one of the oldest and most significant to this day.

In 1951, the Botany Museum opened at the garden, based on the unique “Maderas de Chiapas” collection. Dr. Miranda personally collected samples of 46 wood species characteristic of the state of Chiapas, leading locals to call the institution the "Wood Museum" for a long time. A year later, the museum lobby was adorned with a monumental mosaic, "Agricultural Production of Chiapas," created by artist Héctor Ventura and recognized today as a national treasure.

Interestingly, before moving to its current location, the city's first zoo was located right here. Over time, the territory was transferred entirely to the Institute of Natural History, focusing on flora conservation. In 2021, the garden celebrated its 72nd anniversary, continuing its founder's mission to protect tropical forest biodiversity.

To leisurely explore the main collections and enjoy the silence of the tropical forest, plan for a visit of approximately 2–3 hours. This is usually enough time to walk all the nature trails (senderos) and visit the Botany Museum.

If you are traveling with children or are an avid nature lover wanting to study the herbarium and rare plant species in detail, your visit might last up to 4 hours. Keep in mind that the garden is a great place to escape city noise, so you may often want to stay longer just for the peaceful atmosphere.

The Botanical Garden is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday. Guests are welcome from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please note that Monday is a day off, when technical and maintenance work is carried out in the garden.

A nice bonus for tourists is that entry to the garden is free on Tuesdays. If you need to visit the administrative office or library, they typically operate on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The Botanical Garden is located in the heart of Tuxtla Gutiérrez's cultural cluster, allowing tourists to create a full day's itinerary. A walk around Parque Madero will give you access to the city's best museums and entertainment venues for the whole family.

Check out the list of attractions located within walking distance or a short drive away: