Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride

The most exciting part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the setting: after a ride across the bay or through town, you zip above the Los Horcones River and finish by flying straight toward a riverside tequila bar. The course includes 19 ziplines, with a partner race on the final twin cables.

I like the mix of big scenery and hands-on fun. You get an active jungle outing rather than a quick cable ride, and the river stop gives you a place to swim, kayak, and cool off. I also like the guides’ role. Pepe, Edgar, Chica, Mane, Fernando, and others are frequently praised for keeping the mood light while explaining the safety rules clearly.

The catch is the walking between platforms. The steep stairs and humid uphill paths can be harder than the ziplines, especially during the first half of the course. Build in extra time, drink water, and do not choose this outing if you have serious heart, back, shoulder, or mobility concerns.

Key points to know before booking

• Nineteen jungle ziplines: The lines cross the rainforest and river area, with a final side-by-side race.
• Two ways to arrive: Choose a speedboat ride across the bay or land transportation from a designated Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta pickup point.
• The hike matters: Expect steep steps, uphill paths, and a moderate fitness demand between platforms.
• More than a zipline: Swim in river pools, use kayaks and water toys, ride waterslides, or visit the animal area.
• Tequila is included, lunch is not: The tasting comes with the tour, while food, cocktails, photos, and souvenirs cost extra.
• Plan for a half day: The advertised time is about five hours, but transportation, group size, and the stop afterward can affect the schedule.

Why this course feels like a full Puerto Vallarta adventure

This is not just a ride to a platform, a few quick cables, and a bus back to town. The day combines transport, mountain roads, jungle views, a substantial zipline circuit, tequila, water activities, and animals.

That variety is the main reason I see value in the $120 price. You are paying for a five-hour outing with round-trip land or sea transportation, safety equipment, guides, the zipline course, water stations, tequila tasting, kayaks, and waterslides when weather allows. You still need money for lunch and drinks, but the included activities fill out the day well.

The setting does much of the work. The cables are suspended as high as 328 feet, and several lines pass above the river. You get views down through the trees and across the surrounding hills, not just a manufactured adventure park.

Choosing the speedboat or land transfer

The speedboat is the more memorable way to begin. It takes you across the bay and may offer views of Puerto Vallarta from the water. Sightings are never guaranteed, but sea turtles and even whales have been seen during the ride.

The boat option also adds a small port fee of about $2 per person, or 33 pesos. That fee is paid separately at the office and may be paid by cash or card. Read the pickup instructions carefully, since the land and sea departures use different arrangements.

Land transport is the calmer and more practical choice for some people. The ride passes through Puerto Vallarta and then continues toward the rainforest. One reported ride took about an hour to reach the activity area, followed by an open-air truck ride of about 20 minutes up into the hills.

That transfer is part of the outing, but it can make the day feel long. Some people also waited for other members of the group during the drive. Ask where you are going next at every changeover, especially if you booked the boat option. Clear communication matters here, since missing the boat transfer would mean losing one of the activities included in your chosen package.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The listed meeting point is the Los Veranos Canopy Tour main office on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. Cruise visitors may find the office within walking distance from the port, but you should follow the exact instructions for your departure type and arrive 15 minutes early.

The climb before the first major lines

The safety briefing comes before the course begins. Guides explain how to use the equipment, how to move along the cable, and what to do at each platform. You then put on the protective gear and climb toward the first line.

This is where you should be honest about your fitness. The ziplines themselves are thrilling, but the paths between them include stairs, handrails, and uphill sections. The first seven lines are often described as the more demanding part because you climb to reach the higher platforms before riding back down.

You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking hills and steps in warm, humid weather. Wear sturdy walking shoes rather than flimsy sandals. Shorts or lightweight clothing make sense, and bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a swimsuit.

The course is not a good choice for anyone who cannot walk up hills or stairs. It is also not recommended for people who are pregnant, intoxicated, over 285 pounds or 129 kilograms, or dealing with a heart condition, chronic back pain, or shoulder problems. The stated minimum age is five, and a height condition of under 40 inches is listed, so confirm the exact requirement when booking for a young child.

Nineteen lines through the rainforest

Once you are clipped in, the pace becomes much more fun. The lines vary in length and height, and the views open onto the river and thick forest below. Guides help with technique and move the group from one platform to the next.

The staff are a major part of the experience. Guides named Pepe, Edgar, Chica, Mane, Fernando, Ramon, and Jesus have been singled out for being funny, encouraging, and safety-minded. That matters if you are nervous. One guide may ride with a hesitant participant until that person feels ready to continue alone.

The group size can reach 99 people, although your immediate zipline group will be smaller. A larger operation can keep the course moving, but it may also create waiting at platforms. One account described an overcrowded experience and a return two hours later than planned. That does not appear to be the normal outcome, but it is a reason to avoid tight evening plans.

The guides sometimes add playful challenges, including going upside down. You can enjoy the fun without copying every trick. Follow the instructions, keep your hands where the guides tell you, and do not let group energy push you into something that makes you uncomfortable.

The final line is the showpiece. Twin cables let you race another person toward the finish, which makes a good ending for couples, friends, or families. The course finishes near the tequila bar and riverside restaurant, giving you an immediate change from harnesses and stairs to food, drinks, and shade.

Tequila, lunch, and the river stop

The tequila tasting is included, and it provides a simple introduction to one of Mexico’s best-known spirits after the physical part of the outing. The tasting can feel brief, so think of it as a sample rather than a full educational tour.

Lunch and drinks are extra. The sample menu includes Mexican avocado salad, chicken, steak, or shrimp fajitas with rice, beans, guacamole, and tortillas, pizza, and warm apple cake with vanilla ice cream. Portions may be large, so consider sharing if you want more time for the river.

Food opinions are mixed. Some people found the restaurant meals good and enjoyed the riverside setting. Others felt certain dishes were expensive for their quality. If lunch is important to you, budget for it but keep expectations closer to a casual activity restaurant than a destination meal.

Mango margaritas and other drinks also cost extra. Bring a card or cash for the restaurant, souvenirs, and any optional services. The tour price does not cover photo or video packages, and several accounts found the photo prices high, with figures around $70 to $90 mentioned. If you want your own pictures, bring a camera with a secure strap and use it only where the guides permit.

The river area is one of the best reasons to allow time after the last zipline. You can swim in natural pools, ride the waterslides, use provided kayaks and water toys, or simply sit near the water with a drink. These activities depend on weather and river conditions.

This is also where the schedule can become unclear. Some departures expect you to remain at the property for a while after the zipline portion, while others may move you back sooner. If you have a cruise departure, ask exactly when and where you must leave. Do not assume that finishing the cables means your transportation is ready.

The animal area adds a gentler finish

The small on-site menagerie gives the day a different mood. You may see squirrel monkeys, marmosets, coatimundis, boa constrictors, toucans, and iguanas.

This stop works especially well for families. It gives children something to do after the physical course and lets adults cool down before the return ride. It is not a substitute for a major wildlife reserve, but it adds variety and can be a pleasant use of your waiting time.

If your main goal is ziplining, do not count on spending the entire afternoon in the water or with the animals. The tour has a set flow, and the available free time depends on transportation and group timing.

What to pack for a smoother day

Bring the following:

• Closed-toe walking shoes with a good grip
• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• A camera with a secure strap
• Extra cash and a debit or credit card
• Water and a small snack before the course

You should eat lightly before starting. The climb can be tiring, and lunch comes later. Drink water at the stations and pace yourself on the stairs.

Do not carry loose phones, wallets, or jewelry on the cables. The staff offer photo and video services, but they may cost more than you expect. If you want personal photos, use a secure case or strap and follow the safety rules.

Safety, comfort, and a serious note

The strongest part of the operation is the guide team. They explain the course, check participants, and help nervous people get through the first lines. Bilingual service is available, including English and Spanish.

Still, the course demands attention. Heat, humidity, steep steps, and heights are not minor details. If you have bad knees, a heart condition, shoulder pain, chronic back pain, or trouble with stairs, choose a different outing.

The land transport option is suggested for pregnant people, children under five, and people with certain medical concerns so they can enjoy the other activities. That does not mean the zipline course itself is suitable for them, so confirm what parts of the package are allowed before paying.

One serious complaint alleged inappropriate physical contact by staff. I cannot verify that account, and it is not consistent with the many positive safety reports, but it is worth stating plainly: you should feel comfortable setting boundaries and speaking up immediately if any guide behaves improperly.

Is $120 a fair price?

For an active half-day in Puerto Vallarta, $120 is reasonable if you use several parts of the package. The price covers transportation, the full 19-line course, safety equipment and water stations, tequila tasting, kayaks, waterslides, and river activities when conditions allow.

The value drops if you only want the cables and plan to leave right away. You will still pay separately for food, drinks, port fees on the boat option, photos, and souvenirs. Cruise passengers should also account for the value of their time, since a late return can cause real problems.

The high rating and 99 percent recommendation fit the strongest parts of the outing: the views, the friendly guides, and the number of activities included. The main risks are the demanding stairs, unclear transitions, extra costs, and occasional schedule problems.

Should you book the Los Veranos zipline tour?

Book it if you want an energetic day with more than one headline activity. It suits families with active children, couples, friends, cruise passengers with a generous shore window, and anyone who likes jungle scenery, heights, water activities, and a little tequila afterward.

Think twice if you dislike stairs, need a tightly controlled schedule, or want a quiet nature outing. Wear proper shoes, read the pickup details twice, ask for the departure time at each stage, and keep money aside for lunch and drinks.

For most fit visitors who want a full Puerto Vallarta adventure, this is a strong choice. Just remember that the real workout is the climb to the lines, not the flight across them.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about five hours, depending on your selected pickup point. Transportation, group timing, and time spent at the restaurant or river area can affect the total length.

Is transportation included?

Round-trip land or sea transportation is included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must follow the instructions for your designated meeting point.

Can I choose a speedboat ride?

Yes. You can select the sea option, which begins with a speedboat ride across the bay. A land transportation option is also available.

Is the tequila tasting included?

Yes. A traditional tequila tasting is included. Lunch, cocktails, other drinks, and restaurant purchases are extra.

How many ziplines are on the course?

The course includes 19 ziplines. The final line has twin cables for a race with another participant.

Do I need to be physically fit?

You should have a moderate fitness level and be comfortable walking uphill and climbing stairs. The paths between platforms can be steep, especially in warm and humid weather.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera with a strap.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The stated minimum age is five. The information also lists a height condition of under 40 inches, so confirm the exact requirement before booking for a child.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather may result in a new date or full refund.