Jardín Botánico Exterior

Jardín Botánico Exterior is a four-hectare garden on the campus of Mexico's National Autonomous University, housing over 1,600 native plant species. These plants come from Mexican forests, deserts, and jungles and are arranged by their natural origins.

The garden developed as part of the Institute of Biology founded in 1929 to support research in botany and zoology at the university. As the institution grew, the botanical collection expanded to include a broader range of Mexican plant species.

The garden displays how Mexican plants have been used traditionally for healing, food, and farming through its organization and labels. Visitors can observe which species have mattered in people's lives across generations.

The garden sits on the university campus and opens on weekdays, with a more limited schedule on Saturdays. Plan to walk through the collection on foot, arriving earlier in the day when there are fewer visitors around.

The garden gathers Mexican plants from completely different climates and regions all in one place, from dry to very wet environments. This arrangement gives visitors a sense of how varied Mexico's natural landscapes actually are.