It is the oldest botanical garden in contemporary Mexico. The garden was inaugurated in 1951 and covers 4.4 hectares on the banks of the Sabinal River. 98% of the species are endemic to Chiapas. The garden provides information cards with the scientific name, family, common name, habitat, and use of the plants.

The visit to the garden is complemented by a brief visit to the Botanical Garden Museum, which features an exhibition of Chiapas woods, including fossilized woods. There are also other sections that focus on trees, medicinal plants, and flowers of Chiapas.