Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride

Puerto Vallarta’s first zipline circuit finishes in an unexpected place: a tequila bar beside the river. You’ll cross 19 cables high above the Los Horcones River, hike between platforms, then cool off with swimming, kayaking, waterslides, and a small animal sanctuary.

I like the mix of serious jungle scenery and easy vacation fun, and I like that the guides, including Pepe, Edgar, Chica, Fernando, Ramon, and Mane, are praised for keeping nervous riders comfortable. The main drawback is the uphill walking. The ziplines are thrilling, but the stairs and heat are the real workout.

Key points at a glance

• Nineteen ziplines: Several lines cross the river and reach about 328 feet above the ground.
• Two transport choices: Choose a speedboat ride from Puerto Vallarta or land transportation from the port and nearby areas.
• More than ziplining: Swim in river pools, use kayaks, race down waterslides, and visit the animal area.
• Tequila tasting included: Lunch, cocktails, and other drinks cost extra at the riverside restaurant.
• Allow time for stairs: The first part of the course includes steep paths and many steps between platforms.
• Good for active families: The minimum age is listed as 5, with height and weight restrictions that you should confirm before booking.

A jungle course with a tequila-bar finish

Los Veranos Canopy Tour gives you more than a quick ride on one or two cables. The course includes 19 ziplines, with lines suspended high over the jungle and river. Some are short and playful, while others give you a long view through the trees and across the surrounding hills.

The final line is a fun flourish. Twin cables let you race another person, then arrive near the tequila bar and restaurant. It is a neatly staged ending, especially if your group enjoys a little friendly competition.

The setting matters as much as the speed. The course follows the Los Horcones River, so you get views of thick forest, rocky river edges, and open mountain scenery between the platforms. Your guide points out plants and animals along the way, though the main focus remains the physical activity.

I would not call this a gentle canopy ride. You clip into the cables, but you also walk uphill from platform to platform. The first several lines may require the most effort because you climb to reach the higher points. One group rated the physical challenge around 7.5 out of 10, which seems fair if you are not used to heat, hills, or stairs.

Choosing between the speedboat and the land ride

The speedboat option adds another adventure before the ziplines begin. You cross the bay in an open boat, with views back toward Puerto Vallarta and the coast. Sightings can include sea turtles and, at times, whales, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

The boat ride takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour according to the available experience details. You then transfer to an open-air vehicle for about 20 minutes up into the hills. That truck ride can be bumpy, dusty, and entertaining. It is part of the outing, not simply a transfer.

If you are arriving from a cruise ship, pay close attention to the correct meeting instructions. The main office is at Los Veranos Canopy Tour, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2735, in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Land transportation is the safer planning choice if you have limited time, are pregnant, or need to avoid the boat. It is also suggested for children under 5 and people with heart, back, or shoulder problems who want to enjoy the non-zipline parts of the property. The speedboat requires an additional port fee of about $2, payable at the office.

One practical warning: leave extra time if you have a cruise departure or another fixed appointment. The advertised duration is about five hours, but transportation, group size, waiting, weather, and time at the river can affect the schedule. Confirm your return plan before leaving the port area.

What the 19-line course is really like

You begin with a safety briefing and an explanation of the equipment. Guides demonstrate how to position yourself, brake, and move at the platforms. The instructions are given in English, and the staff also speaks Spanish.

The early section includes the most uphill walking. Paths have stairs, handrails, and marked routes, but you still need to climb in warm, humid weather. Bring water and use the supplied water stations. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and hiking shoes are better than sandals.

Once you reach the first platform, the activity becomes more straightforward. You attach to the cable, push off, and glide above the trees. Between lines, you walk with the group while guides prepare the next launch. The guides are a major part of the experience. Pepe, Edgar, Chica, Fernando, Ramon, and Mane are among the staff members praised for humor, encouragement, and careful attention to safety.

That friendly approach is useful if you are nervous. One rider became anxious after the first line and received patient help from the guides before trying again. If you are uncertain about heights, tell the staff early. They can explain the next step and help you decide how to continue.

The course can handle families, but children need to meet the stated requirements. The listing gives a minimum age of 5 and a 40-inch height reference, so confirm the exact rule for your child before paying. Adults over 285 pounds, or 129 kilograms, are not accepted.

You should also be comfortable walking up hills and steps. This is not a good choice for anyone with a heart condition, chronic back pain, serious shoulder problems, or difficulty walking uphill. Pregnant people and anyone who is intoxicated should not take part in the zipline course.

The river stop is more than a waiting area

After the final cable, you arrive at the riverside complex. This is where the experience slows down. You can swim in natural river pools, use the kayaks and water toys, or take the waterslides into the water when conditions allow.

I like this part because it gives your body a chance to cool down after the course. It also means non-zipliners in your group have something to do. The river area is attractive, but do not assume you will have unlimited time there. Transportation schedules and group departures can shorten your swimming break.

Some people find the restaurant portion takes longer than expected. If your priority is the water, ask staff how much free time remains before ordering a large meal or sitting down for drinks. One family found the portions so large that a single dish could easily serve two people, which is useful to know before ordering several entrées.

The small animal area adds another change of pace. You may see squirrel monkeys, marmosets, coatimundis, boas, toucans, and iguanas. This is not a large zoo, but it gives you a close look at animals associated with the region and offers a pleasant option if you prefer watching rather than swimming.

Tequila tasting, lunch, and the extra costs

Traditional tequila tasting is included. It follows the final zipline near the bar and restaurant, so it works as a relaxed finish to the active part of the day. The tasting is intended as an introduction, not a full tequila tour, and the time can feel short when the group is moving on a schedule.

Food and drinks are not included. The sample menu lists Mexican avocado salad, fajitas with chicken, flank steak, or shrimp, pizza, and warm apple cake with vanilla ice cream. A vegan meal has been accommodated, but you should mention dietary needs in advance.

The food receives mixed impressions, so I would treat lunch as convenient rather than the main reason to book. The riverside location is appealing, and several dishes are described as good, but some diners found certain items expensive or disappointing. Pizza appears to be the safer choice for picky eaters. You can also eat before the tour, then order only what you need afterward.

At $120 per person, the outing is not a budget zipline. The price includes round-trip land or sea transportation, the full 19-line course, water stations, tequila tasting, kayaks, waterslides, and river activities when weather permits. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, zipline park, and river day, the package offers reasonable value.

Budget extra money for lunch, drinks, souvenirs, and the port fee. Photos and videos are also sold separately. The photo package can be expensive, with one quoted price around $70 to $90, so bring a phone with a secure strap if you want your own pictures. Do not carry a loose phone on the cables.

Timing, groups, and what can go wrong

The experience allows up to 99 people, so the size of your departure matters. A large group can slow the course, especially at launch platforms and during transportation. Staff generally keeps the line moving, but you may spend time waiting.

The schedule can also be affected by transfers. One reported problem involved a vehicle stopping partway to collect more people, with little explanation given. Another issue involved unclear instructions about which vehicle returned speedboat passengers to the port. These are avoidable problems if you ask at every transition: where to wait, which bracelet or vehicle applies to you, and what time you must leave.

Cruise passengers need to be especially careful with clocks. Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan can involve a time-zone change, and ship time may not match local time. Confirm the ship’s required return time and tell the tour staff if you have a tight deadline. Staff have helped people arrange earlier transportation, but you should not rely on that as your main plan.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. Wear shorts or light clothing, closed-toe shoes, and a swimsuit. Bring a towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, a camera with a strap, and cash or a card for food and souvenirs.

The weather rule is straightforward. Poor weather can cancel the activity, in which case you receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, refunds and changes are not accepted.

Safety and staff conduct

Most of the experience depends on competent staff. The guides explain the equipment, watch each launch, and help riders who need extra confidence. Many people particularly praise the combination of humor and safety awareness.

Still, no adventure activity is risk-free. Pay attention during the briefing, keep your hands and equipment in the instructed position, and tell a guide if you feel unwell. The physical effort is concentrated in the walking sections, not just the cable rides.

There is also a serious conduct complaint involving inappropriate physical contact by workers. It is an isolated report within the supplied material, but it should not be ignored. If anyone touches you improperly or makes you uncomfortable, speak up immediately, ask for a supervisor, and report the incident to the booking company.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta adventure?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full half-day outing rather than a quick zipline ride. It works especially well for active families, couples, cruise passengers with enough time, and anyone who likes combining nature, speed, water, and a casual meal.

It is also a good fit if your group has mixed interests. One person can ride the ziplines while another spends more time by the river or animal area, though everyone should confirm the transportation schedule.

I would skip it if you dislike heights, have trouble with steep stairs, or need a tightly controlled schedule. I would also think twice if your main goal is quiet time in nature. The course can be lively, social, and busy, with guides keeping the energy high.

Should you book it?

Book this if the words 19 ziplines, speedboat, river swimming, and tequila tasting sound better than a slow beach day. The best parts are the mountain views, the long course, the energetic guides, and the chance to cool off beside the river afterward.

Before paying, confirm the transport option, height and weight rules, meal budget, photo costs, and your return time. Bring good shoes, water, bug repellent, and a secure way to carry your phone. With those details handled, this is one of Puerto Vallarta’s stronger choices for an active day in the forest.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta zipline tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours, depending on your selected pickup point, transportation option, group timing, weather, and time spent at the river area.

Is the speedboat ride included?

Round-trip land or sea transportation is included, but the speedboat option requires a port fee of about $2 per person. You can pay the fee at the office by cash or card.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food and drinks cost extra. The riverside restaurant offers items such as avocado salad, fajitas, pizza, and warm apple cake.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, a camera with a strap, and extra cash or a debit or credit card for lunch and souvenirs.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The listed minimum age is 5, with a 40-inch height reference. Confirm the current age and height rules before booking. Children must also be able to manage the walking and stairs.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather cancels the activity, you are offered another date or a full refund.