Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride

The most unusual part of this Puerto Vallarta adventure is the finish: after 19 ziplines through the jungle canopy, you fly into a tequila bar and riverside restaurant. Before that, you can cross Banderas Bay by speedboat, ride into the mountains, and soar up to 328 feet above the Los Horcones River.

I like the mix of real physical activity and river time, rather than a zipline course that ends the moment your feet touch the ground. I also like the guides’ warm, playful approach. Pepe, Edgar, Chica, Fernando, Ramon, and Mane are among the staff praised for keeping people calm and engaged. The catch is simple: the ziplines are exciting, but the steep stairs between them can be tiring in hot, humid weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Nineteen ziplines cross the rainforest, with several high above the Los Horcones River.
• The speedboat option adds a second adventure, including bay and city views. Land transport is also available.
• The uphill paths are the workout, with stairs, handrails, and short hikes between platforms.
• Your $120 price includes transport, the course, tequila tasting, kayaks, and water activities, but not lunch, drinks, photos, or small port fees.
• The finish is flexible and family-friendly, with river pools, waterslides, kayaks, and animals such as squirrel monkeys, toucans, boas, iguanas, marmosets, and coatimundis.
• This is best for active visitors, not for anyone with a heart condition, serious back or shoulder problems, trouble walking uphill, or a fear of heights.

A Puerto Vallarta zipline with a proper adventure attached

Many canopy rides give you a few quick cables, a short walk, and a bus back to town. Los Veranos offers a fuller day out. You travel from Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta into the forest, complete a 19-line course, then have time for food, tequila, swimming, kayaking, waterslides, and animal encounters.

That range is the main reason I think the tour has good value at $120 per person. You are not paying only for airtime. You are paying for round-trip transport, trained guides, safety equipment, a full course, and access to a riverside recreation area.

Still, the price does not cover everything. Lunch and drinks are extra, as are photographs and video. Add the $2 port fee for a boat departure, plus the listed $2 Puerto Vallarta admission charge, and bring a card or cash for the restaurant and souvenirs.

Choosing the speedboat or land transfer

You have two ways to reach the site. The speedboat option begins from the shore and takes you across the bay in an open, fast-moving boat. The ride can last roughly 45 minutes to an hour, and it gives you a striking view of Puerto Vallarta from the water.

The boat ride is not just a shuttle. It is part of the day’s entertainment, with the chance to spot sea turtles and, at the right time, even a whale. You will need to pay the $2 boat port fee at the office, by cash or card.

Land transport takes you by road from the designated meeting point or selected pickup location. The drive can take around an hour before the final ride into the hills. The last section may use an open-air truck, which adds dust, bumps, and a close look at the forest roads.

Read the departure instructions carefully. The two options use different pickup arrangements, and confusion at the end can mean missing the speedboat you paid for. If you are on a cruise schedule, tell the staff early and keep checking where your group should go next.

The listed duration is about five hours, but transport, group size, weather, and time at the river can affect the schedule. Some outings have run longer than planned. Cruise passengers should leave a generous buffer before the ship’s departure, especially when crossing time zones or dealing with ship time and local time.

The ride into the Los Horcones River valley

The destination is reached through the Los Horcones River area, where the forest becomes the main event before you even clip onto a cable. The ride from the coast trades city streets for thick vegetation, hills, and glimpses of the river below.

At the main office, you may need to sign waivers and wait for the rest of the group. From there, the ride continues toward the canopy site. Groups can be large, with capacity listed at up to 99 people, although the actual group you join may be smaller.

A large group can slow the course, especially at platforms. The guides generally keep people moving, but this is not a private outing unless your group happens to be small. If quiet forest time matters to you, expect a social, organized activity rather than a solitary one.

Nineteen lines, high platforms, and plenty of stairs

The staff begins with an orientation covering the course layout, equipment, and basic zipline technique. You put on protective gear, then walk uphill to the first platform.

That first section is where many people discover the real demand of the tour. The ziplines themselves require little physical effort once you are attached. The paths and stairways between platforms require much more. Several lines sit higher in the forest, so you climb first and then ride down across the valley.

The paths are marked and have handrails, but you still need reasonable balance and stamina. In hot weather, the combination of humidity, stairs, and waiting in gear can feel tougher than expected. Drink water before the course and use the water stations along the route.

Once you launch, the rewards are clear. The cables cross above the trees and river, with long stretches of open air and broad views through the canopy. Each line has its own angle and length, and the final section includes twin cables where you can race another person.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Staff members such as Pepe, Edgar, Chica, Fernando, Ramon, and Mane are known for humor, encouragement, and close attention to safety. That matters if you are nervous. One anxious participant was given extra support and eventually gained enough confidence to ride independently.

You can also ride in different positions, including going upside down if the guides and course conditions allow it. Do not expect to use your phone freely while moving. If you want photos, bring a camera with a strap and secure it properly.

The final zipline lands at tequila

The last ride brings the course to a theatrical finish at the tequila bar and riverfront restaurant. It is a clever bit of staging, and it gives everyone a natural place to remove equipment, catch their breath, and celebrate.

The tequila tasting is included. It is a traditional tasting rather than an open bar, so you should still budget for any extra cocktails. Mango margaritas and other drinks cost more.

This stop can feel brief if you are eager to sample tequila, swim, and eat before the return transfer. It is worth listening carefully when staff explain the next stage of the day, especially if you selected the speedboat option.

River pools, waterslides, and a small animal area

After the canopy course, you can change the pace completely. The river area offers natural pools for swimming, provided weather and water conditions permit. Kayaks and water toys are included, and the waterslides add an easy dose of fun after the more demanding uphill walks.

I like this part because it lets your group split up. Strong swimmers can use the water, children can enjoy the slides, and anyone who has had enough adventure can sit near the restaurant with a drink.

There is also a small animal sanctuary and menagerie. You may see squirrel monkeys, marmosets, coatimundis, boas, toucans, and iguanas. It gives the outing an educational wildlife element, though the main attraction remains the zipline course.

Plan your time. The restaurant, animals, tequila tasting, and river activities all compete for the same few hours. Some outings allow a relaxed finish, while others may feel rushed or may keep you at the property longer than expected because of shared transportation.

Lunch prices, portions, and what to order

Food is not included, but the riverside restaurant offers a useful place to eat before the ride back. The sample menu includes Mexican avocado salad, fajitas with chicken, marinated flank steak, or shrimp, pizza with tomato, mozzarella, and basil, and warm apple cake with vanilla ice cream.

Portions can be large. A fajita plate may be enough to share, so ask about serving sizes before ordering if you are traveling as a couple or family. The setting beside the river is pleasant, but prices can feel high for the quality, and not every dish will suit every taste.

The restaurant has accommodated vegan requests, but tell the staff before ordering. If food is not a priority, eat beforehand and use your budget for drinks or a shared dish. Bring extra cash or a debit or credit card.

Photography is another optional expense. Staff photographers capture action shots from the course, but the photo packages can cost around $70 to $90. The images may be well timed, yet you should decide in advance how much you are willing to pay.

A phone with a strong strap is the cheaper option, but only use it if the operator permits it and you can keep it secure. Losing a phone over the river is a poor souvenir.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta adventure?

This outing suits families with active children, couples, groups of friends, and cruise passengers who want a full half-day away from town. The minimum age is five, and children must meet the stated height and safety requirements. Families have successfully taken six-year-olds, with guides offering extra help when needed.

You should be comfortable with heights, stairs, warm weather, and a moderate level of exertion. Good walking or hiking shoes are more useful than sandals. Wear shorts or comfortable clothes, bring a swimsuit and towel, and pack sunscreen and insect repellent.

The operator does not recommend the tour for people over 285 pounds or 129 kilograms, pregnant women, intoxicated people, or anyone with a heart condition, chronic back pain, or shoulder problems. People who cannot walk up hills or steps should not choose the full zipline course.

The land option is suggested for pregnant women, children under five, and people with certain heart, back, or shoulder concerns if they want to enjoy other property activities. That does not automatically make the zipline course suitable for them, so confirm the safe options directly before booking.

Practical timing and meeting advice

The main meeting point is the Los Veranos Canopy Tour office at Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2735 in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone Norte. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Arrive 15 minutes before your selected departure. If you are coming from a cruise ship, follow the specific port instructions and account for the walk from the ship, check-in, waivers, transport, and possible waits.

The experience is offered in English, and staff also speak Spanish. Clear communication is especially important during the transition from the course to the restaurant, river, and return transport. Ask where your group should meet next instead of assuming the first vehicle is taking you to the boat.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can move to another date or receive a full refund. Otherwise, cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

My take: exciting, active, and worth the stairs

I would book this tour if I wanted more than a quick zipline ride. The combination of a speedboat or mountain transfer, 19 cables, river swimming, tequila, and animals gives you a varied day for the price.

I would skip it if you have knee, heart, back, or shoulder problems, dislike heights, or need a tightly controlled schedule. Cruise passengers should be especially careful with return timing, and anyone hoping for a quiet nature outing should know that this is a busy, guided adventure.

For the best day, wear sturdy shoes, pack insect repellent, hydrate early, carry a strap for your camera, and set aside money for food and drinks. If the stairs do not scare you, Los Veranos offers one of Puerto Vallarta’s most complete canopy adventures.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta zipline tour last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours, depending on your selected pickup point, transportation, group size, and time spent at the river property.

What is included in the $120 price?

The price includes round-trip land or sea transportation, the zipline course, water stations, a traditional tequila tasting, kayaks, waterslides, and river water activities when weather permits.

Is lunch included?

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

Do I have to take the speedboat?

No. You can choose land transportation or the speedboat option. Follow the pickup instructions for your selected departure.

Is the speedboat fee included?

The listed price does not include the $2 USD port fee required for the boat departure. The fee can be paid in cash or by card at the office.

How many ziplines are on the course?

The course has 19 ziplines, including a final pair of twin cables for racing another participant.

How physically demanding is the tour?

You need a moderate fitness level. The most demanding part is walking uphill and climbing stairs between the platforms, particularly during the first part of the course.

What should I wear and bring?

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

Is there a minimum age?

The minimum age is five years. Height and safety requirements also apply, so confirm the requirements for children under 40 inches before booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted. If bad weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.