Puerto Vallarta: Canopy Tour with Zipline and Speedboat Ride

The big draw is the 19-line canopy course, including a run longer than 1,800 feet above the Los Horcones River. You reach it by speedboat or open-air jungle vehicle, then move through the trees with trained guides, safety gear, and plenty of stairs.

I like the way this tour combines several activities in one outing: the boat ride can include views of Los Arcos and, on some days, dolphins or whales, while the river stop adds slides, swimming, and kayaking. I also like the rescued-animal sanctuary, where you can see monkeys, toucans, macaws, boas, and iguanas up close.

The main caution is the amount of climbing. The zip lines require walking between platforms and using stairs, so this is not a gentle sightseeing trip. The river can also be cold or less appealing after rain, and food, drinks, photos, and a small marina port fee cost extra.

Key points to know before you go

• Nineteen zip lines: You move from tree to tree above the jungle and river, including a line more than 1,800 feet long.
• Two ways to arrive: Choose a fast Apex boat from a marina or land transport in a jungle truck or van.
• A full activity day: The outing includes zip lines, river activities, tequila tasting, and the rescued-animal sanctuary.
• Good guides matter here: Staff members such as Luigi, Ramon, Eduardo, Edgar, Pepe, and Moises have been praised for humor, patience, and safety.
• Expect a workout: Stairs and short hikes connect the platforms, though some participants can bypass the highest lines.
• Budget for extras: Lunch, drinks, photographs, videos, and a $2 marina port fee are not included.

The ride to Los Veranos sets the tone

Los Veranos Canopy Tour lies outside Puerto Vallarta in the wooded area around the Los Horcones River. The ride from town takes about an hour, and your choice of transport changes the mood of the day.

The Apex speedboat leaves from the Puerto Vallarta Marina or Paradise Village Marina, depending on your booking. These are large, comfortable boats built for speed, reaching up to 40 miles per hour. The trip across Banderas Bay gives you open-water views of Puerto Vallarta, Los Arcos, and the marine preserve.

This is more than a simple transfer. The boat ride is part of the entertainment, especially for families and teenagers who enjoy a fast run across the bay. The ride can be smooth, but it is still a speedboat, so people who dislike quick boat trips should choose the land option.

There can be wildlife surprises along the way. One outing included a stop to watch a pod of whales, and other departures have spotted dolphins. These sightings are not guaranteed, so treat them as a bonus rather than part of the promise.

The land option uses an open-air jungle truck or van from selected pickup points in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. It takes roughly the same amount of scheduled travel time, but the road journey gives you a closer look at the countryside. This option is also recommended for children under five, pregnant women, and people with heart, back, or shoulder concerns, although the overall activity still has restrictions.

Check your pickup point carefully. Options include the Los Veranos main office, an Oxxo location, and pickup points near Nuevo Vallarta. One person missed the boat after having trouble finding the meeting point, so do not leave this detail until the morning of the tour.

Nineteen lines through the jungle canopy

After arrival, the staff explains the course and fits you with zipline safety equipment. The guides also demonstrate the braking system, which is designed to be easy to use. That briefing matters because the course includes different lengths, heights, and approaches.

The zip lines cross the jungle canopy and pass above the Los Horcones River. Some lines run from treetop to treetop, while others open to broad views of the river and mountain forest. The longest line stretches more than 1,800 feet, giving you a sustained ride above the water.

This is not a single short zipline followed by a photo. You get a full circuit of 19 separate lines, with walking and stair climbing between platforms. That variety is one reason the course suits people who want a proper adventure rather than a quick introduction.

The staff keeps the tone light. Guides including Luigi, Ramon, Eduardo, Edgar, Pepe, and Moises have been singled out for making nervous participants laugh while still paying close attention to safety. Their humor helps, particularly on the first few lines when you are learning how to position your body and control your speed.

You may also be offered different riding positions, including tandem rides or upside-down runs, but follow the guide’s instructions and your own comfort level. The optional tricks should not pressure you into doing anything that feels wrong.

The physical side deserves plain talk. You climb stairs to reach the platforms and walk between sections. The course is rated moderate, and people with good general fitness will have an easier time. Older adults with bad knees have been able to skip the highest five or six lines and still enjoy about a dozen runs, but that shortcut should not be confused with a fully accessible route.

People with mobility impairments, serious back problems, heart problems, or shoulder problems should not book this activity. The listed weight limit is 280 pounds, or 127 kilograms. Children under five and pregnant women are also excluded from the main activity.

The river stop is a useful change of pace

After the canopy course, the pace slows at the riverfront part of the property. This is where the outing becomes more than a zipline circuit.

You can use the water slides, swim in natural river pools, or take a kayak when conditions allow. Water levels and weather affect which activities operate, so the river portion can vary. Some people find the water cold, and one account described the river as too dirty to enter, so do not count on a long swim as the main event.

The river beach has groomed golden sand and offers a warm place to sit in the sun. That break is welcome after the stairs and platforms. If your group has mixed interests, some people can relax while others try the water toys.

Kayaks are included when available, but availability is not guaranteed. Bring swimwear if you want the option to enter the water, though swimming is not compulsory. A towel is not listed among the included items, so confirm what you need before leaving your hotel.

The riverfront restaurant, Los Veranos Café, serves lunch and tropical drinks for an additional charge. The food has received strong praise, and a meal here can make practical sense because the tour occupies much of the day. Still, bring cash or a card for lunch and drinks, since neither is included in the $120 price.

The animal sanctuary adds a gentler hour

The rescued-animal sanctuary gives the day a welcome change of mood. Instead of cables, stairs, and speed, you get a closer look at animals that may include marmoset monkeys, squirrel monkeys, toucans, guacamayas or macaws, boas, iguanas, and lemurs.

Families often find this part especially appealing. Children who are too young for the zip lines cannot join the main activity, but older children can pair the adventure with a memorable animal encounter. The sanctuary also gives anyone who feels nervous about heights something to look forward to.

Animal contact depends on the day and the animals available. Do not assume every creature will be handled or photographed, but the sanctuary is included in the experience and is more than a quick roadside display.

For some people, this is the most distinctive part of the outing. Puerto Vallarta has many boat and adventure activities, but adding rescued wildlife to a jungle zipline day gives the schedule more variety.

Tequila tasting and the optional lunch

The tequila tasting rounds out the non-adventure portion of the visit. You can sample Los Veranos Tequila and Los Arcos Tequila, including flavored varieties. It is a brief introduction rather than a full lesson in Mexican distilling, but it gives adults a chance to try several styles and buy something if they wish.

Shopping is optional, and you should not feel that you need to purchase a bottle for the tasting to be worthwhile. If you are traveling with children, the sanctuary and river activities provide alternatives while adults sample.

Lunch is also optional and not part of the tour price. The café’s riverfront setting is appealing, but the meal adds to an already costly day. If you are trying to control spending, ask about the schedule and decide if you prefer to eat there or bring money for a smaller purchase. The supplied details confirm that food and drinks are extra, but do not specify a permitted packed-food policy, so check before bringing your own meal.

Is $120 a fair price?

At $120 per person, this is not a bargain activity in the narrow sense. It is a package price for round-trip transport, a long zipline circuit, safety equipment, lockers, a bilingual guide, the animal sanctuary, tequila tasting, Wi-Fi, and river activities when weather permits.

The value improves if you use the transport and several included features. Booking the boat option can save you from arranging a separate trip across the bay, and the ride itself becomes part of the outing. If you only want one short zipline run, the price will feel high. If you want a full half-day with several different activities, it is easier to justify.

Remember the add-ons. Lunch and drinks are extra, professional photographs and videos cost more, and a $2 port fee applies to boat departures from the marina. Photo packages have been described as pricey, around $40 to $50 in past visits. Photographers can capture tandem rides and unusual positions, but you can skip the purchase if the cost does not suit your budget.

The advertised duration is five hours, including transport and activities. Plan for flexibility. One outing lasted closer to seven hours, and boat departures, lunch, wildlife stops, river time, and traffic can stretch the day. Do not schedule a tight dinner reservation or airport transfer afterward.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear comfortable shoes with a secure grip. You will walk, climb stairs, and move around outdoor platforms, so flip-flops are a poor choice for the canopy section.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, and cash. A card may work for some purchases, but cash is useful for tips, food, drinks, and small fees. Lockers are included, which lets you store items while ziplining, but keep valuables to a minimum.

The weather affects the river activities, and the tour operates Monday through Sunday. English and Spanish guides are available. Check the exact departure time, pickup location, and transport option before booking because the meeting point changes according to the choice you make.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This is a strong pick for active families with children old enough to handle the course. Kids around 10 to 13 have enjoyed the lines and slides, while a six-year-old has completed all 19 lines with the staff’s help. Age alone is not the only issue, though. Your child must meet the operator’s safety requirements and be comfortable with heights and stairs.

It also works well for mixed-age groups. Older adults who are fit can take part, and those with bad knees may be able to skip the highest lines. The group should be honest about fitness before booking, since the course is not flat or easy to navigate.

Choose this outing if you want a busy day with several elements: boat or jungle transport, zip lines, river time, animals, tequila, and optional lunch. Skip it if you want a quiet nature walk, a fully accessible activity, or a guaranteed swimming and kayaking session.

Final verdict: book it for variety and a real workout

I would recommend Los Veranos Canopy Tour to anyone who wants more than a standard zipline ride. The 19-line circuit is the main reason to book, but the speedboat, river stop, rescued animals, and tequila tasting give the day unusual range.

Book the boat version if you are staying near Nuevo Vallarta or want the trip across Banderas Bay to be part of the fun. Choose land transport if you need to avoid the speedboat or are booking for someone with relevant health concerns. Above all, allow extra time and prepare for stairs.

At $120, the tour makes the most sense when you use several of its included features and accept the extra cost of lunch or photos. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is an energetic, well-rounded Puerto Vallarta outing. If climbing, heights, or changing water conditions are deal-breakers, choose a calmer activity instead.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta canopy tour last?

The advertised duration is five hours, including transportation. Some outings can take closer to seven hours, so leave extra time in your schedule.

How many zip lines are included?

The course includes 19 separate zip lines. The longest is more than 1,800 feet and crosses above the Los Horcones River.

Can I choose between a speedboat and land transportation?

Yes. You can select round-trip transport by Apex speedboat or by jungle truck or van, depending on the option booked.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a bilingual guide, safety equipment, lockers, tequila tasting, round-trip transportation, the rescued-animal sanctuary, Wi-Fi, and river activities such as slides and kayaks when weather permits.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks cost extra. Los Veranos Café serves lunch and tropical drinks beside the river.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, and cash. Professional photographs and videos are also available for an additional cost.

Who should not take the zipline course?

The activity is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, heart problems, back problems, or people over 280 pounds, or 127 kilograms. The land option is recommended for some people who should avoid the speedboat, but the zipline restrictions still apply.