Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride

Hold on to your hat, and your lunch. This Puerto Vallarta adventure combines a speedboat ride, 19 jungle ziplines, river swimming, tequila tasting, and a small animal sanctuary in one active half-day. I like the mix of fast fun and nature, and I like that the guides, including Ramon, Edgar, Pepe, Chica, Mane, Jesus, and Fernando, are repeatedly praised for keeping the mood light while taking safety seriously. The main catch is simple: the ziplines are not the hardest part. The steep uphill paths and stairs between platforms demand a moderate level of fitness.

The experience costs about $120 per person and lasts roughly five hours, depending on your pickup point and transport choice. I see good value here if you want several activities in one outing, but food, photographs, drinks, and small port charges push up the final cost. If you are on a cruise schedule, allow extra care with timing, since transportation delays and a large group can shorten your time at the river or create a tight return.

Key points at a glance

• Nineteen cables above the Los Horcones River: The course reaches about 328 feet above the ground and includes a final side-by-side race.
• Speedboat or land transport: The boat ride adds bay views and wildlife-spotting potential, while the road option is more practical for some families and people with physical concerns.
• The stairs are the workout: Expect uphill paths, steps, heat, and humidity before many of the higher lines.
• Tequila tasting is included: Lunch, cocktails, and other drinks at the riverside restaurant cost extra.
• River time comes after the ziplines: Swim, kayak, use the waterslides, or visit the animal area with marmosets, coatimundis, boas, toucans, and iguanas.
• The schedule needs attention: The maximum group size is 99, and some departures may take longer than the advertised five hours.

From Puerto Vallarta to the Los Horcones River

The day begins at the Los Veranos Canopy Tour office on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, or at an arranged pickup point in Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure and follow the instructions for your selected transport. Boat and land departures do not use the same process, so this is not the time to rely on guesswork.

The speedboat option is part of the entertainment, not just a transfer. You cross the bay in an open boat, with a ride that can take roughly 45 minutes to an hour. Along the way, you may see Puerto Vallarta from the water, and wildlife sightings have included sea turtles and even a whale. The boat can be lively and bouncy, so keep loose belongings secure.

If you choose land transport, the drive takes you through Puerto Vallarta and toward the mountains. At the site, an open-air truck carries you farther up through the forest. One road transfer has been described as a memorable ride in its own right, but transportation can also be the least predictable part of the day. A vehicle may wait for additional passengers, and traffic can lengthen the return.

A small port charge of $2 USD, or 33 pesos, applies to boat departures. The listed admission information also notes a $2 Puerto Vallarta fee. Bring cash or a card, and keep some money available for lunch, drinks, souvenirs, and photographs.

Safety training before the first cable

At the canopy site, you receive a briefing on the course, equipment, and zipline technique. Guides fit your protective gear and explain how to leave each platform and arrive at the next one. The staff are frequently praised for being funny, patient, bilingual, and encouraging, which matters if you are nervous at the first platform.

The course includes water stations, but you should still drink water before starting. The first part is often the most demanding because you climb toward higher platforms. You are not simply walking on a flat trail from cable to cable. Expect steps, inclines, handrails, and short forest paths.

One useful detail: a child around six years old completed the activity comfortably with help from the guides. The minimum age is five, with a height requirement of at least 40 inches. That does not make this a gentle children’s outing. A child must still be comfortable with heights, equipment, stairs, and a long active day.

The operator lists a maximum weight of 285 pounds, or 129 kilograms. The activity is not recommended for pregnant people, anyone with a heart condition, chronic back pain, shoulder problems, or anyone unable to walk up hills or steps. The land option is suggested for pregnant women, children under five, and people with certain physical concerns so they can enjoy the other activities, but you should confirm suitability before booking.

A serious complaint has alleged inappropriate physical contact by workers. That is not consistent with the many positive comments about professional, safety-focused guides, but it is important to acknowledge. If any physical assistance feels improper, speak up at once and ask for a supervisor.

Nineteen ziplines through the jungle

The reward for the climb is a long sequence of cable rides through the forest. The lines cross above the Los Horcones River and give you broad views of the surrounding hills and trees. Some are high enough to make the first launch feel intimidating, especially if you do not enjoy heights.

The 19 lines are not identical. Some offer a short burst of speed, while others give you more time in the air to look around. You will hike between platforms, so the activity alternates between adrenaline and exertion. The guides keep groups moving, but you should not expect a lazy ride from one cable to the next.

I like this format because it gives nervous participants time to adjust. After the first line, you understand the basic body position and arrival process. You can then focus less on the mechanics and more on the river, tree canopy, and mountain views.

The final cable uses twin lines, allowing you to race another person to the finish. This adds a playful finish to the course, and guides may help you try different positions, including going upside down when appropriate. If you are celebrating a birthday or special occasion, mention it to the staff. The guides have been praised for helping make celebrations feel personal.

Bring shoes with a firm sole. Sneakers are better than sandals, and hiking shoes are useful if you already own them. Wear shorts or comfortable athletic clothing, since you will climb, sit in harness gear, and possibly get wet later. Insect repellent is especially important. It is available for purchase at the site, but bringing your own is cheaper and avoids discovering too late that the forest has found you.

The riverside restaurant and tequila stop

The final zipline carries you toward the tequila bar and riverside restaurant. Tequila tasting is included, and the tasting adds a cultural note to what could otherwise be a pure thrill ride. You can buy cocktails such as mango margaritas or mojitos, but alcoholic drinks are not included in the price.

Lunch is also separate. The sample menu includes Mexican avocado salad, chicken, steak, or shrimp fajitas with rice, beans, guacamole, and tortillas, as well as pizza and warm apple cake with vanilla ice cream. Portions can be very large, so two people may be able to share a main course. That can help the value, though prices and portion sizes make it sensible to ask before ordering.

Food opinions are mixed enough that I would treat the restaurant as convenient rather than the reason to book. Some meals are described as good, and the riverside setting is relaxing. Other diners have found certain dishes expensive or disappointing. A vegan meal has been accommodated, which is useful, but state dietary needs clearly before ordering.

This part of the day can also affect your schedule. The restaurant, tequila tasting, animal area, and river activities are all competing for your remaining time. If you want to swim and kayak, do not spend the entire break on a long lunch. On the other hand, if you are tired from the stairs, the restaurant provides a welcome place to sit.

Swimming, kayaking, slides, and animals

After the cable course, you can use the river’s natural pools, try the waterslides, and take out one of the provided kayaks or water toys when weather permits. This is one of the best features for families and mixed groups. A person who does not want to zipline can still enjoy the water and grounds, though the overall outing remains centered on the canopy course.

The river is a refreshing change after the heat and uphill walking. You should bring a swimsuit and towel, even if swimming is only a possibility when you book. Sunscreen and insect repellent are useful before and after the zipline section.

The on-site animal area adds another layer to the day. You may see squirrel monkeys, marmosets, coatimundis, boa constrictors, toucans, and iguanas. It is not a replacement for a major wildlife park, but it gives children something to look forward to and provides a calmer finish after the cables.

The main tradeoff is time. Some people would prefer less time at the restaurant and more time in the river. If swimming or kayaking matters to you, ask the staff early about the schedule and how long you can stay.

How much value do you get for $120?

At $120 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price includes round-trip land or sea transport, the full zipline course, water stations, tequila tasting, kayaks, waterslides, and river activities when conditions allow. That is a substantial package for one half-day.

The value is strongest if you plan to use several parts of it. A person who only wants to zipline may find the price harder to justify, since lunch, drinks, photographs, and some fees are extra. A family or couple that wants transportation, a long canopy course, water play, wildlife, and a tequila tasting in one outing gets more for the money.

Photographs and video are available at an additional cost. Several people have considered the package expensive, with one report putting the photo price around $70 to $90. Bring a phone with a secure strap if you want your own pictures, but do not risk carrying a loose phone on the cables. The safest plan is to keep it attached firmly or leave it with someone in your group.

Cruise passengers need a careful time plan

The meeting point is in the hotel zone, and the activity ends back at the starting point. Cruise passengers can reach the office on foot from the port area, but you need to follow the exact instructions for your departure. Boat passengers also need to pay the port fee before leaving.

This is where I would be cautious. A vehicle may wait for other people, traffic may slow the road transfer, and a large group can stretch the schedule. One outing ran about two hours longer than planned, while another group had to ask for help after a time-zone and ship-time problem threatened the return.

If your ship leaves the same afternoon, confirm the full return plan before you go. Tell the staff about your ship deadline at the start, not when the last activity is finished. The staff have helped people return when timing went wrong, but you should not build a tight connection around that possibility.

The advertised duration is approximately five hours, not a guaranteed five-hour clock. Add a cushion for transport, waiting, changing clothes, and traffic.

Who should book this adventure?

I would recommend it to active families, couples, groups of friends, and cruise passengers with a generous shore-excursion window. It works especially well for people who want more than one activity and enjoy a little theatrical fun from energetic guides.

You should be comfortable with heights and moderate physical effort. The stairs may be difficult in hot, humid weather, particularly if you have bad knees, limited stamina, or a heart condition. Drink water, eat a light snack before starting, and do not underestimate the climb simply because the ziplines themselves are assisted by cables.

The bilingual staff are helpful for English-speaking visitors, and Spanish-speaking participants should find communication easy as well. The friendly style is part of the appeal, although humor can occasionally be too familiar or include jokes that not everyone appreciates.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded. Poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Los Veranos zipline tour?

Book it if you want a full, active day rather than a single short zipline ride. The combination of 19 cables, a possible speedboat crossing, river swimming, waterslides, wildlife, and tequila tasting gives you plenty to do for the price.

Skip it if steep stairs, humid heat, heights, or uncertain timing will spoil your day. Cruise passengers should choose it only with a solid return buffer, and anyone mainly interested in swimming may prefer a simpler water outing.

For the best day, wear sturdy shoes, bring a swimsuit and towel, pack insect repellent, secure your camera, carry extra money, and ask clear questions at every transport change. The ziplines are the headline, but the real appeal is the complete mix of forest, river, staff energy, and Mexican flavor.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta zipline tour last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours, depending on your selected pickup point and transportation option. Delays, traffic, group size, or extra time at the site may make the day longer.

How many ziplines are included?

The course includes 19 ziplines, with a final pair of twin cables where you can race another person.

Is the speedboat ride included?

Round-trip sea transportation is included when you select the speedboat option. A $2 USD port fee, or 33 pesos, is required for boat departure.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can purchase lunch and beverages at the riverside restaurant.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. A traditional tequila tasting is included. Cocktails and other drinks cost extra.

Can I swim or kayak after ziplining?

Yes. Swimming, kayaking, waterslides, and other water activities are available when weather permits.

What should I wear and bring?

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

Is the tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is five, and children must be at least 40 inches tall. The activity still requires comfort with heights, harness equipment, walking, and stairs.

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, and poor weather may result in a new date or full refund.