Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta adventure is the mix: 19 ziplines above the Los Horcones River, followed by swimming, kayaking, waterslides, animals, and tequila at a forest outpost. The optional speedboat ride adds another burst of fun before you reach the jungle.

I love the friendly, safety-minded guides, including Pepe, Edgar, Chica, Fernando, Ramon, and Mane. I also like that the tour gives you more than a quick cable ride: you get mountain views, a riverside meal, a tequila tasting, and time to cool off in the water.

The main caution is simple: this is a workout. The steep stairs between platforms can be harder than the ziplines, especially in hot, humid weather. If you have heart, back, shoulder, or knee concerns, choose land transport and check whether the full course is right for you.

Key points to know before you book

• Nineteen lines over the rainforest: The course includes a series of cables high above the river, with a final twin-line race into the tequila bar.
• Speedboat or land transfer: The boat crosses the bay and can make the journey part of the adventure, while the land option is better for anyone who needs a gentler ride.
• Expect steep uphill walking: You hike and climb stairs between platforms, with the first section requiring the most effort.
• A full afternoon at the river: Swim, use the kayaks and water toys, race down waterslides, or visit the animal sanctuary.
• Lunch and photos cost extra: Tequila tasting is included, but restaurant meals, drinks, and photo packages are not.
• Strong family appeal, with limits: Children age 5 and up can take part if they meet the height rules, but the course still requires confidence with heights and moderate fitness.

Why this tour feels like three outings in one

This Los Veranos Canopy Tour is not only a zipline circuit. You get transportation across the bay or through Puerto Vallarta, a mountain ride, a canopy course, a riverside restaurant, a tequila stop, water activities, and a small animal area.

That variety is the reason the $120 price can make sense. You are paying for roughly five hours of activity rather than a short zipline session. The value is strongest if you plan to eat, swim, and use the river facilities after the course.

The tradeoff is pace. A few people have found the full day longer than expected, especially when transportation delays or extended time at the restaurant are added. If you have a fixed evening plan, wedding event, or cruise departure, leave plenty of room.

Choosing the speedboat or land transfer

You can begin from the main office on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, or follow the pickup instructions for your selected departure point. The tour offers transport from Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta, with either a sea or land option.

The speedboat is the more exciting choice. The ride crosses the bay and can last around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on conditions and routing. You may see coastal scenery and, if luck is on your side, marine life such as sea turtles or whales. The boat ride also gives you a quick view of Puerto Vallarta from the water.

Expect a lively ride rather than a quiet transfer. The open boat and bay conditions can make it bumpy. A port fee of $2 USD, or 33 pesos, is required for boat departure and is not included in the price.

Land transport takes you toward the mountains and rainforest. The ride includes a scenic route through Puerto Vallarta, followed by an open-air truck ride up into the forest. One reported journey included about an hour on the road and another 20 minutes in the truck.

The land option is the practical choice for pregnant people, children under 5, or anyone with certain heart, back, or shoulder concerns, although the zipline course itself may still not be suitable. Read the pickup instructions carefully. Sea and land groups may follow different meeting procedures, and the transport choice affects the timing of your day.

The Los Horcones River setting

The attraction sits beside the Los Horcones River, where the paved city gives way to thick forest and mountain air. The river is not just scenery in the background. It becomes the center of the second half of the outing, with natural pools, kayaks, waterslides, and places to sit with food or a drink.

Before the cables begin, you will reach the main activity area, receive a safety briefing, and learn how to use the equipment. Guides explain the course and demonstrate the basic zipline positions. Protective gear and water stations are provided.

The staff keeps the mood light, often with plenty of jokes and encouragement. Pepe, Edgar, Chica, Fernando, Ramon, and Mane are among the guides praised for keeping groups calm and moving. This matters if you are nervous at the first platform. One person who felt anxious after the opening line received extra help and later continued with support from the guides.

The humor can sometimes be a little too casual. One person found some jokes dated or inappropriate, and one serious complaint described unwanted physical contact by staff. That allegation is not consistent with the many positive safety comments, but it is still worth taking seriously. You should expect professional handling and speak up at once if a guide makes you uncomfortable.

Nineteen ziplines and a lot of stairs

The cable course is the heart of the tour. You move from platform to platform, flying above forest and river on 19 lines. Each stretch gives you a different view, and several lines sit high above the water.

The ziplines themselves are not the only physical challenge. Between them, you walk uphill on marked paths and climb many stairs. Several people described the early section as the hardest part, with one person rating the physical effort around 7.5 out of 10. If you are out of shape, have weak knees, or dislike steep steps, this is the part to consider carefully.

Wear sturdy walking shoes with a secure fit. Shorts or light clothing work well, and you should expect heat and humidity. Drink water before the course begins and use the water stations along the route.

Height is another factor. You may feel perfectly comfortable on the ground and still find the first platform intimidating. The guides are used to nervous participants and can offer instruction and encouragement, but you should not book this expecting a gentle introduction to heights.

The final line adds a fun competitive finish. You pair up on twin cables and race another person toward the tequila bar and riverside restaurant. It is a playful ending to the most demanding part of the tour, and the guides may help create a party atmosphere.

Tequila, lunch, and the riverside break

After the last line, you arrive at a tequila bar and restaurant beside the river. A traditional tequila tasting is included, giving you a chance to sample the spirit and learn a little about it before deciding if you want a full drink.

Lunch and other beverages are extra. The sample menu includes Mexican avocado salad, chicken, steak, or shrimp fajitas with rice, beans, guacamole, and tortillas, margarita pizza, and warm apple cake with vanilla ice cream.

The portions can be large. If you are traveling with family or friends, sharing may make better value than ordering one full meal for each person. The food receives mixed impressions: some people find it very good and enjoy the riverside setting, while others feel certain dishes are expensive for the quality.

I would treat lunch as convenient rather than the main reason to book. You can order a substantial meal after the physical course, but the price is separate and the meal may take time away from swimming. If water time matters more to you, decide your lunch order early and keep an eye on the schedule.

Bring a card or extra cash for food, drinks, souvenirs, and the photo service. A vegan meal was accommodated in one case, but specific dietary choices should be confirmed when you arrive.

River pools, kayaks, and waterslides

The second half gives you a chance to slow down. You can swim in natural river pools, use provided kayaks, or take the waterslides. Water activities depend on weather and river conditions, so they are not guaranteed on every departure.

This is a useful contrast to the canopy course. After climbing and holding your body position on the lines, cooling off in the river feels well earned. Families may prefer this part because children can shift from the high platforms to easier play in the water, provided they follow the local safety rules.

You should bring a swimsuit and towel. Wear sunscreen and insect repellent, and pack a waterproof way to protect valuables. Phone use on the ziplines is not practical unless you have a secure strap, and you should never carry a loose device on the course.

The on-site animal area adds another option. You might see squirrel monkeys, marmosets, coatimundi, boas, toucans, and iguanas. It is not a substitute for seeing wildlife in the forest, but it gives the day an extra family-friendly feature and fills time if you are waiting for transport.

Photos, timing, and the details that affect value

Photographers capture action shots during the course, but the photo packages can be costly. Prices reported by people who paid for them were around $70 to $90. If you want pictures, ask about the current cost before you commit.

A camera with a strap is recommended, but do not bring anything you cannot secure. If you skip the photo package and leave your phone behind, you may have very few pictures of the actual lines. On the other hand, many people feel the scenery matters more than collecting photographs, and the photographer may capture angles that are hard to get yourself.

The advertised duration is about five hours, but the actual day can vary. Transport, group size, weather, restaurant time, and the return schedule all play a part. The activity can take longer than planned, and large groups may move more slowly.

The maximum group size is listed as 99 people, though smaller groups can happen. A private outing is possible in quieter periods, but you should not count on having the course to yourself.

Cruise passengers need to be especially careful with time. Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan may use different ship-time arrangements, and a time-zone change can add confusion. Keep your ship departure time in mind, follow the operator’s instructions, and tell the staff early if you need help returning promptly. The operators have assisted people with tight schedules, but you should not rely on a last-minute rescue.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta adventure

This is a strong choice for you if you want an active half-day with several types of entertainment. It suits families with older children, couples, groups of friends, and cruise passengers who want more than a city tour.

You will get the most from it if you:

• Enjoy heights and outdoor activity
• Can walk uphill and climb many steps
• Want swimming and waterslides after the main event
• Like lively guides and a social group setting
• Are comfortable paying extra for lunch, drinks, and photos
• Have enough free time for transport delays

It is a poor fit if you need a low-effort outing, dislike heights, or have a heart condition, chronic back pain, shoulder problems, or difficulty with stairs. The activity is not recommended for people over 285 pounds, or 129 kilograms, pregnant people, intoxicated people, or anyone unable to walk up hills or steps.

The stated minimum age is 5, with a height requirement of under 40 inches noted in the tour information. Because the wording is not fully clear, confirm the current age and height rule before booking for a young child.

What to pack and how to prepare

Wear comfortable shoes with good grip, a swimsuit, and clothing that can handle water and heat. Bring a towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, a camera with a strap, and money or a card for lunch and drinks.

Arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before your selected departure time. Confirm whether you chose the boat or land option, since the pickup steps differ.

Have a light meal before you go and drink water. The first section can be strenuous, and waiting until lunch to eat may leave you short on energy. If you are sensitive to motion, the speedboat and open-air truck are both worth considering when choosing your transfer.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the idea of a serious zipline course plus river time sounds better than a quiet sightseeing day. The 19 lines, mountain views, friendly guides, and final race make the canopy portion the clear star.

The tour is not perfect. Stairs can be demanding, schedules can stretch, and food and photos add to the cost. Still, at $120, it offers good value when you use the water activities and include the boat ride as part of the experience.

I would choose the land option if comfort and timing matter most, and the speedboat if you want the most adventurous version of the day. Bring good shoes, plan for sweat, keep your schedule flexible, and book it for the ziplining first. The tequila, animals, and river are welcome extras.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta zipline tour last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours, depending on your pickup point, transport option, weather, group size, and time spent at the restaurant or river area.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip land or sea transportation is included, depending on the option you select. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the speedboat ride required?

No. You can choose a land transportation option instead. Follow the pickup instructions for the option selected at booking.

How many ziplines are included?

The course includes 19 ziplines, with a final twin-line race that ends near the tequila bar and riverside restaurant.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. A traditional tequila tasting is included. Lunch, other drinks, and margaritas cost extra.

Are lunch and drinks included in the price?

No. You purchase food and drinks separately at the riverside restaurant and bar.

What should I wear and bring?

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

Is the tour suitable for children?

The stated minimum age is 5, with a height rule noted in the tour information. Children still need to handle heights, hills, stairs, and a moderate level of physical activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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 lead to a new date or a full refund.