A variable valve mechanism includes a cam shaft, a cam unit, a guide portion and a shift pin. The guide portion includes a guide plate provided on an outer periphery of a cam unit, a first stopper and a second stopper. The guide plate is pivotally supported at a first part such that a second part of the guide plate is inclined toward a first side or a second side. The first and second stoppers abut with the second part from the first side and the second side, respectively, so as to hold the second part at a first position and a second position, respectively. The first part includes two arms projecting toward the first side and the second side. The two arms are configured to swing the guide plate.