Since its creation it has been a place of encounter with nature and a wealth of conservation of conspicuous plant species, from the center, south and insular regions of the country, becoming a place of learning ,  culture and enjoyment in the province of Valparaiso.

The National Botanic Garden offers to the public:

• A park of  22 ha designed in 1918 by George Dubois, french arquitect and landscape designer , containing more than 280 species:
  • Exotic plants: European beech,   Lebanese and Japanese Cedars, and  North American sequoias among others.
  • Native plants including some endemic of the  Coast Schlerophyllous Forest such as  Peumo Cryptocarya alba, Boldo, Quillay, Maitén Maitenus boaria, Molle, Northern Acorn Beilschmiedia miersii, Lúcumo Pouteria splendens.
• A Cactarium including  670 cactus of 60 species and a colection from Central America
• A colection of 578 plants from 31 endemic species from the  Archipiélago Juan Fernández
• A colection of plants from the Valdivian Temperate Rainforest
• A colection of the  extinct Toromiro; Sophora toromiro from Easter Island.

It is one of the few documented colections in the world.

• A Palm Colection whith 25 Chilean palm; Jubaea chilensis, and exotic palms

The National Botanic Garden has a total of  779 species of which 42,5% are native.

Atractions:

• The  “Marianne North” path with its  enviromental interpretation.
• Lawns
• French Garden
• Natural water causeway
• Small waterfalls
• Japanese bridge
• Artificial lagoon with its arbour and interior sluice gates
• Water fowl which swim peacefully in  the lagoon from October to May
• Pic-nic area
• CANOPY; a sports adventure program which incluyes a circuit through swaying and hanging bridges, tibetan and tirolese cables between trees of great height.

Furthermore, the National Botanic Garden  is the habitat for endemic bird species, such as the Tenca , foreigners such as the quail and summer visitors like the giant humming bird, the shy and hard to find Fío-Fío and the “Cuca” heron. Finally, the garden is a resting place and a source of food for migrating birds. Birds that can be  found in the botanical garden:

Bailarín chico Anthus correndera chilensis

Cachudito Anairetes Palurus Palurus

Carpinterito Picoides lignarius

Chercan Troglogytes aedon chilensis

Chincol Zonotrichia capensis chilensis

Chirigüe Sicalis luteiventris

Churrete Cinclodes patagonicus chilensis

Codorniz Callipepla californica

Cometocino Phrygilus gayi gayi

Diuca Diuca diuca

Diucón Xolmis pyrope pyrope

Fío-fío  Elaenia albiceps chilensis

Garza chica Egretta thula thula

Garza cuca  Ardea cocoi

Garza grande Casmerodius albus egretta

Golondrina chilena Tachycineta melleni

Gorrión Passer domesticus

Guairavo Nycticorax nycticorax

Jilguero Carduelis Barbata

Loica  Sturnella loyca

Mirlo Molothrus bonariensis

Paloma Columba livia

Pato real Anas sibilatrix

Picaflor gigante Patagona gigas gigas

Picaflor Sephanoides galeritas

Picurio Podilymbus podiceps antarcticus

Piden Rallus sanguinolentus landbecki

Pimpollo  Rollandia rolland

Platero Phrygilus alaudinus alaudinu

Queltehue Vanellus chilensis chilensis

Rara Phytotoma rara

Rayadito Aphrastura spinicauda spinicauda

Taguita Gallinula melanops crassirostris

Tenca Mimus thenca

Tijeral  Leptasthenura aegithaloides aegithaloides

Torcaza Patagioenas araucana

Tordo Curaeus curaeus curaeus

Tortolita Cuyana Columbina Picus

Tucúquere Bubo magellanicus

Yeco Phalacrocorax brasilianus brasilianus

Zorzal Turdus falklandii