Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride

The big draw here is the 19-line canopy course, where you zip above the Los Horcones River and finish by racing a partner into a tequila bar. I like the mix of serious scenery and playful thrills, especially the speedboat option across Banderas Bay and the chance to cool off in river pools afterward.

I also like the guides, who bring plenty of energy while keeping a close eye on safety. Names frequently praised include Pepe, Edgar, Chica, Fernando, Ramon, and Mane. The main drawback is simple: the steep stairs and uphill walks between platforms can be harder than the ziplines, especially in hot, humid weather.

Key things to know before you book

• Nineteen ziplines above the river: The course gives you plenty of airtime, with several high lines and wide jungle views.
• Speedboat or land transport: The boat ride adds a fast, scenic start, but land transport may suit families and anyone who needs a gentler journey.
• The stairs are the workout: The first part of the course includes steep climbs between platforms.
• A full afternoon at Los Veranos: After the ziplines, you can swim, kayak, use waterslides, eat, taste tequila, and visit the animals.
• Bring your own camera plan: Phones are not always easy to carry safely, and photo packages can be expensive.
• Plan extra time: The stated duration is about five hours, but transfers, waiting, meal time, and activity schedules can stretch the day.

Why this Puerto Vallarta zipline is more than a quick ride

Los Veranos Canopy Tour combines several distinctly Mexican vacation pleasures in one outing: a bay crossing, a ride into the Sierra foothills, jungle ziplines, tequila, a riverside meal, and water activities. You are not simply driven to a platform, sent down one cable, and returned to town.

That variety is the tour’s strongest point. If you want a half-day with a strong sense of place, this gives you more than an amusement park ride. The setting changes from open water to city views, then to forest, river, and mountain foothills.

The tradeoff is that the day has a moving schedule. You may spend less time in the river than expected, or wait at the base before transport leaves. I would treat the five-hour estimate as a guide rather than a strict promise, particularly if you are connecting this outing with a cruise schedule or another afternoon booking.

Getting there by speedboat or road

You can begin with a speedboat across the bay or choose land transportation from the Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta area. The boat option is the more exciting start. The ride takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour according to the reported timings, and you may see Puerto Vallarta from the water. Sea turtles and even whales have been spotted during the ride, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Boat passengers need to pay a port fee of 33 pesos, listed as about $2, at the office. That charge is not included in the $120 tour price. Pay attention to the departure instructions, since the land and sea options use different pickup arrangements.

The land route gives you a slower look at the city and countryside. One portion of the trip uses an open-air truck for about 20 minutes up into the hills. The ride can be bumpy and exposed, but it is part of the charm for many people. If you have a heart condition, back or shoulder trouble, are pregnant, or are bringing a child under five, the land option is specifically suggested so you can enjoy the other activities without taking the zipline course.

The listed meeting point is the Los Veranos main office at Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2735 in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone. Arrive 15 minutes before your selected departure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so check the meeting instructions carefully before leaving your hotel or ship.

Safety training before the first cable

At the base, you receive an orientation covering the course, equipment, and zipline technique. Guides fit your protective gear and explain how to clip on, move through the stations, and finish each line.

This is where the staff earns much of the tour’s strong reputation. Guides such as Pepe, Edgar, Chica, Fernando, Ramon, and Mane are repeatedly praised for being friendly, funny, and attentive. They keep the mood loose, but the safety briefing is treated seriously.

The course can work for beginners. One six-year-old was reported to have managed well with guide support, and an anxious participant was gradually encouraged through the lines rather than pushed too hard. That said, confidence with heights matters. The cables are high, and several lines cross above the river.

The experience is listed for a maximum of 99 people, so group size can vary. A small group may move quickly and feel personal. A large group can mean more waiting at platforms. One particularly negative account described crowding and a much longer day than expected, so I would not schedule a tight dinner reservation or shore excursion immediately afterward.

Nineteen lines through the rainforest

Once you leave the first platform, the course delivers the main event: a series of 19 ziplines suspended as high as 328 feet, or 100 meters, above the ground. Each line gives you a slightly different view of the forest and river.

The first half requires the most effort. You climb uphill and use steep steps to reach the higher platforms, then zip downhill across the open space. Several people found the stairs more demanding than the cables themselves. In heat and humidity, that climb can leave you breathing hard before the next ride begins.

Wear sturdy walking or hiking shoes. Sandals and loose footwear are poor choices here. Shorts or light clothing work well, but remember that you will also have the option to swim later, so pack a swimsuit and towel.

Water stations are provided along the course, but you should still drink before arriving. Insect repellent is worth packing too. It is available for purchase on site, but bringing your own avoids an unnecessary extra cost and helps you start prepared.

Between lines, you walk along marked paths with steps and handrails. These paths let you see more of the forest than a single suspended ride would, and guides can point out local plants and animals. Keep your camera secured with a strap if you bring one. You may not have a safe way to hold a phone during every line.

The final cable adds a bit of competition. Twin lines let you race another person, then arrive directly at the tequila bar and riverside restaurant. It is a silly, fun finish, especially if your group has been cheering one another on through the course.

Tequila at the riverfront finish

The included tequila tasting gives the tour a distinctly local ending. It is not just a drink stop added to fill time. You get a chance to taste tequila and learn a little about it after the physical part of the day.

Other drinks, including margaritas and mojitos, cost extra. Lunch also costs extra, and the portions can be large. A sample menu includes Mexican avocado salad, chicken, steak, or shrimp fajitas with rice, beans, guacamole, and tortillas, plus pizza and warm apple cake with vanilla ice cream.

The riverside restaurant is one of the most useful parts of the base area. You can sit near the water, eat, and let your legs recover. Food opinions can vary, but the fajitas and pizza are among the safer choices based on the menu and reported dining experiences. If you want a quick swim rather than a long meal, ask about the schedule before ordering. A large lunch can easily take up the time you hoped to spend in the river.

Bring extra cash or a debit or credit card for food, drinks, souvenirs, and photos. Food and drinks are not part of the $120 price, and photo and video services are also separate.

River pools, kayaks, and waterslides

After the zipline course, you can trade harnesses for a swimsuit. Weather permitting, the base offers river swimming, kayaks, waterslides, and other water toys.

This is a welcome change of pace. The river pools provide a quiet counterpoint to the fast cables, while the slides keep the energy going for children and adults who still have some fuel left. The water portion is also valuable if you have spent the earlier part of the day climbing in the heat.

Do not assume you must take part in every activity. You can swim, watch from the riverbank, eat, or visit the animal area instead. The schedule may not allow unlimited time for each option, so decide early what matters most to you.

If the river is your priority, say so before settling in for lunch and ask when your return transport leaves. Some departures require you to remain at the property until a set time. Staff may be able to help when transportation and timing create a problem, but you should not count on a private adjustment.

A small animal sanctuary on site

The on-site menagerie gives the outing a gentler finish. Depending on the day and access arrangements, you can see squirrel monkeys, marmosets, coatimundis, boas, toucans, and iguanas.

This is a nice bonus for families or anyone who enjoys wildlife but does not want the entire day built around adrenaline. It also gives you something to do if you skip the river or finish the zipline course before your transport departs.

Keep your expectations reasonable. This is an animal area at an adventure base, not a full wildlife park or a dedicated research visit. Its value is that you can see local and exotic species in the same place where you eat and relax.

What the $120 price really covers

At $120 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to zipline in Puerto Vallarta. The price includes round-trip land or sea transportation, the complete 19-line course, water stations, tequila tasting, kayaks, waterslides, and river activities when weather allows.

That makes the price fair if you plan to use several parts of the day. The speedboat, zipline circuit, water area, and animal sanctuary would require separate planning on your own. You still need to budget for lunch, drinks, photos, souvenirs, the $2 boat port fee if using the sea departure, and a $2 Puerto Vallarta admission fee listed separately.

Photos deserve special attention. The on-site photographers can capture action shots that are difficult to take yourself, but packages have been described as expensive, with prices around $70 to $90. Bring a phone with a secure strap if personal photos matter to you. Do not bring it loose in a pocket and expect to use it comfortably on every line.

Who should book this adventure

I would recommend it to active families, couples, and friends who want a full outing rather than a single attraction. It suits you especially well if you like heights, can handle steep stairs, and want swimming or a meal after the main activity.

Children can take part if they meet the stated age and height rules, but adults should judge fitness and confidence honestly. The course requires walking uphill, climbing steps, and moving between platforms. It is not a good match for anyone with a heart condition, chronic back pain, shoulder problems, serious difficulty with hills or steps, or a weight over 285 pounds, or 129 kilograms. Pregnant participants and intoxicated people are also excluded.

The activity is offered in English, and the guides can also accommodate Spanish speakers. One vegan participant was accommodated at the restaurant, though you should still explain dietary needs before ordering.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. The tour depends on good weather, and a weather cancellation gives you the choice of another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Los Veranos zipline tour?

Book it if you want a lively, physical day with plenty of variety. The 19 ziplines, fast boat ride, skilled guides, river setting, and tequila tasting create a memorable combination, and the staff’s humor and encouragement are a major part of the appeal.

Skip it if you dislike heights, struggle with stairs, or need a tour that ends at an exact time. For cruise passengers, confirm the ship’s local time and the return plan, especially after crossing between time zones. Arrive prepared with good shoes, water, insect repellent, a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and money for lunch.

My practical verdict: this is a strong choice for thrill-seekers who understand that the jungle course is a workout. The ziplines are the main reason to go, while the river, animals, and restaurant make the $120 fare easier to justify.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta zipline tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours, depending on your selected pickup point. Transfers, waiting, meal time, and activities at the base may affect the total time.

How many ziplines are included?

The course includes 19 ziplines through the rainforest.

How high are the ziplines?

The cables are suspended as high as 328 feet, or 100 meters, above the ground.

Is transportation included?

Round-trip land or sea transportation is included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you must follow the correct instructions for your chosen departure option.

Is the speedboat ride included?

You can choose a speedboat departure or land transportation. A $2 port fee is required for the boat departure and is not included in the listed price.

Is tequila tasting included?

Traditional tequila tasting is included. Lunch, margaritas, other drinks, and souvenirs cost extra.

Can I swim or kayak after ziplining?

Yes. Swimming, kayaks, waterslides, and other river activities are available when weather permits.

What should I bring?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

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. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.