REVIEW · PUERTO VALLARTA
Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride
Book on Viator →Operated by Los Veranos Canopy Tour · Bookable on Viator
Ziplining into tequila sounds like a dare. This Puerto Vallarta canopy day pairs 19 zip lines over the jungle with a finish in a tequila bar, plus a chance to splash in the river afterward. The two big wins for me are the high-energy, safety-focused guides and that you’re not just flying—you’re also swimming, kayaking, and sliding. The main thing to consider is that the adventure includes real uphill climbing between platforms, so pack for a workout.
I also like that the day moves fast without feeling chaotic. I saw names like Edgar, Pepe, Chica, Ramon, Mane, Jesus, and Fernando pop up in the guiding crew, and the common theme is clear: they teach you the system, keep you feeling secure, and keep the mood light. If you get nervous at heights, you’ll still have support—but you’ll need to be ready for a lot of steps.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You Should Know Before You Go
- Ziplining Over Puerto Vallarta Into a Tequila-Bar Finish
- Speedboat or Land Ride: Starting the Day With Real Motion
- The Los Veranos Course: 19 Ziplines and a 100-Meter View Chase
- Why the stairs matter more than the cables
- Safety and guide energy
- The Tequila Bar Moment: Included Tasting at the Finish Line
- River Time: Swim, Kayak, and Waterslides When Weather Plays Nice
- Food, Drinks, and That Riverside Restaurant Reality
- The On-Site Animal Sanctuary: What You Might See
- Price and Value: What $120 Really Covers (and What Adds On)
- Who the price makes sense for
- Who Should Book This Puerto Vallarta Zipline and Tequila Combo?
- Should You Book This Tour or Pick Something Easier?
- FAQ
- How long is the Puerto Vallarta zipline tour?
- Is the speedboat ride included?
- What’s included with the tequila?
- Is lunch included in the price?
- What river activities are included?
- What extra fees should I expect?
- What physical condition do I need?
- What if weather is bad or I need to cancel?
Key Highlights You Should Know Before You Go

- Puerto Vallarta’s first-ever circuit feel: a long, full canopy route with lots of cable time.
- 19 zip lines plus racing moments: you’ll get a twin-cable contest near the end.
- Tequila tasting is built into the finale: you literally zip toward the tequila bar finish.
- River time is a big part of the value: swim, kayak, and waterslides are included when conditions allow.
- An animal sanctuary wrap-up: you may see squirrel monkeys, boa constrictors, toucans, iguanas, plus other species like marmosets and coatimundi.
- It’s active, not laid-back: brief hikes and steep stairs are part of the deal—good shoes matter.
Ziplining Over Puerto Vallarta Into a Tequila-Bar Finish
This is a full-throttle canopy experience, not a quick zip-line stop. You start in the Puerto Vallarta area, then transition into the rainforest canopy where the big cables stretch across valleys and river views. One moment you’re focused on your harness and clipping in; the next you’re looking out over the scenery like you’re standing on the roof of the jungle.
What I like most is the way the tour is designed around momentum. The final zip line is the showpiece: you race down the last cable and end at the tequila bar and riverfront restaurant area. It’s a fun payoff after a lot of climbing, and it makes the tequila tasting feel earned instead of tacked on.
The canopy itself is physically demanding in a normal-human way. You’re not just “walking to a ride.” Between platforms you hike and you climb. That’s the part that can surprise people, especially in warm, humid weather. If you’ve ever had leg fatigue on stairs, plan for that—and plan your hydration.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Puerto Vallarta.
Speedboat or Land Ride: Starting the Day With Real Motion

The tour gives you two ways to begin: an optional speedboat ride across the bay, or land transport from the cruise area in Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta. If you choose the sea start, you’ll zoom across the water before heading into the green interior.
This matters because the intro sets your energy level. The speedboat stretch (commonly around 45 minutes to about an hour) gives you that “I’m on vacation, but I’m actually doing something” feeling right away. Plus, you may spot sea life during the crossing, depending on conditions.
If you’re more comfortable on land, the land route is still part of the story. You’ll ride up toward the rainforest zone, and the road transfer is often described as a bumpy, mountain-style truck ride. In plain terms: expect a scenic drive that gets you into the canopy area without wasting time.
Either way, you’ll want to follow pickup instructions closely. One downside I’d watch for is simple confusion at handoffs—so if you’re in the speedboat option, double-check you’re being sent to the boat stage when your orange bracelet group is called out.
The Los Veranos Course: 19 Ziplines and a 100-Meter View Chase

The heart of the tour is the zipline circuit. You’ll get an orientation first, with guides explaining the layout and how to handle ziplining safely. Then comes the gear moment—protective equipment on, harness checked, and instructions repeated in practical terms so you’re not guessing.
From there, you climb up to the first platform and get your first real taste of the height. The course includes a full run of ziplines—19 total—with multiple opportunities to look down at the rivers, trails, and jungle canopy below. One specific stat worth knowing: the cables reach heights up to about 328 feet (100 meters), so it’s not a “high school field trip” situation. The views are a real part of the fun.
Why the stairs matter more than the cables
Here’s the straight truth: the difficult part for most people isn’t the zip. It’s the hiking between stations. You’ll take stairs and steep paths to reach higher platforms. Several people noted how many steps show up early in the route—so even if you’re athletic, you should expect a workout.
If you have bad knees, back issues, shoulder problems, or trouble with hills and steps, take that seriously. The tour is listed as requiring moderate physical fitness, and the guides’ job is safety—not pacing you like a spa day. Good footwear is not optional. Wear sturdy, grippy shoes and bring a swimsuit you can rinse off later.
Safety and guide energy
I especially like that the guides balance fun with control. Names like Edgar and Pepe come up often for high-energy guidance, and the general feel is that staff stays on you at each station until you’re clipped in and ready. You’ll also likely do a buddy-style moment near the end on twin cables, where you can race another person to the finish.
The Tequila Bar Moment: Included Tasting at the Finish Line

The tequila tasting is included, and it’s timed as a celebratory break after the last (serious) zip line. That timing is smart: your adrenaline is already up, and your body is ready for the cool-down vibe.
In practice, you’ll slide into the tequila bar and riverfront restaurant area right as the action winds down. The tour then gives you a choice: you can lean into the food and drinks (your own expense) or focus on the water activities next.
A couple practical notes:
- Tequila tasting is included, but additional drinks like mango margaritas cost extra.
- If you’re the type who likes to drink, keep it moderate. You’ll likely still be in swimsuit mode afterward, and you don’t want to feel off-balance after a long hike.
Also, if you care about photos: there’s photography available during the zip line experience, and people have complained that the photo packages can be pricey. I’d treat it like an optional splurge. Bring a camera strap and keep your phone secure so you can capture your own shots between stations.
River Time: Swim, Kayak, and Waterslides When Weather Plays Nice

This is where the tour turns from “adrenaline-only” into a full day outside. After the zip lines, you get time at the river with multiple included activities, weather permitting.
Expect:
- Swimming in natural river pools
- Kayaks and water toys, if conditions allow
- Waterslides into the river area
This is one of the most valuable parts of the day because it balances the earlier effort. You’re working hard hiking uphill in the rainforest heat, then you get a chance to cool down and actually move in the water. If you love vacation days that mix action and relaxation, this river block is the payoff.
One thing to plan: the timing at the restaurant and bar can run longer than you think. If your main goal is maximum river time, try to eat quickly (if you eat), and keep an eye on how long you’re in the dining area before the water activities. In hot weather, you’ll feel the difference.
Food, Drinks, and That Riverside Restaurant Reality

Lunch is not included, and neither are drinks. You’ll have options at the riverside restaurant and bar, and there’s a sample menu described for what you might order there.
From the menu details, you could see:
- Mexican avocado salad (avocado, cherry tomato, roasted corn, olive oil, honey, lemon, plus rustic bread)
- Veranos fajitas with a choice of chicken, marinated flank steak, or shrimp, served with rice, beans, guacamole, and fresh tortillas
- A margaritha pizza
- Warm apple cake with vanilla ice cream
I also learned a useful lesson here: portion sizes can be large. If you don’t want to spend extra time eating, consider splitting items or going for something smaller. Some people felt the food cost didn’t match value, so if you’re picky about restaurant pricing, I’d treat this as a plan-for-it stop rather than a reason to over-order.
And if you’re bringing your own snacks: nothing in the info explicitly says you can or can’t. Still, the safest approach is to follow guide instructions if anything comes up at check-in.
The On-Site Animal Sanctuary: What You Might See

The ending isn’t only tequila and water. There’s also an animal sanctuary or on-site menagerie area where you might meet a few species while you cool off and wait for the end-of-activity flow.
Specific species called out include:
- squirrel monkeys
- marmosets
- coatimundi
- boa constrictors
- toucans
- iguanas
This is a nice bonus if you like wildlife, and it breaks up the day emotionally. You’ll move from high-speed cables into a calmer “observe and learn” setting. Just don’t expect this to replace a full zoo or wildlife tour—it’s an add-on that rounds out the experience.
Price and Value: What $120 Really Covers (and What Adds On)

On paper, this tour is listed at $120 per person, and it runs about 5 hours. For a cruise or resort day, that can be a good deal because you’re combining multiple activities into one package:
- transportation (land or sea round trip)
- the zipline circuit with water stations
- a traditional tequila tasting
- river activities like kayaks and waterslides (weather permitting)
- an animal sanctuary-style stop
But don’t forget the extra fees that can affect your final number:
- A port fee (listed as $33 pesos or 2 USD) is not included in the base price.
- A Puerto Vallarta admission fee is listed as $2.00 per person.
If you’re doing the speedboat start, that port fee is the one to watch. Budget a little extra cash or card access for these add-ons at the office if needed.
Who the price makes sense for
If your ideal Puerto Vallarta day includes an active canopy zipline and water time, $120 is often “fair.” If you’re only interested in the slides or only want a casual stroll, you’ll probably feel like you’re paying for the wrong parts. This tour is best for people who want the whole mix: heights, hiking between platforms, then cooling off by the river.
Who Should Book This Puerto Vallarta Zipline and Tequila Combo?
This is a strong fit if you:
- like adrenaline and don’t mind heights
- can handle steep stairs and uphill hiking between platforms
- enjoy guided safety instruction and a lively crew
- want a full half-day outdoors with swimming and waterslides afterward
It may not be a good fit if you:
- have heart conditions, chronic back pain, or shoulder problems
- can’t walk up hills or steps
- are pregnant (the land transport option is suggested for pregnant travelers)
- are over the listed weight limit of 285 lbs / 129 kg
- don’t want to deal with insects (bring repellent; people reported getting eaten up when they didn’t plan ahead)
Age/height notes are also important. Minimum age is 5 years, and the tour has height guidance (under 40 inches falls outside the zipline requirements). If you’re traveling with kids, it can work well—some families did it successfully—but be sure the child meets the criteria and is comfortable following safety directions.
Should You Book This Tour or Pick Something Easier?
I’d book it if you want the most “Puerto Vallarta in one day” energy you can get: rainforest zip lines, a tequila tasting finish, and then river play to cool down. The best reason to go is simple: the day is built around variety, and the included river activities make the ending feel worth the climb.
I’d skip it or choose a gentler option if you know stairs and heat wipe you out. If heights make you panic, consider whether you can handle a full circuit with a lot of walking to reach platforms. Also, if you’re mainly food-shopping for value, keep expectations on the restaurant realistic: lunch isn’t included, and some people felt the pricing and portion experience wasn’t their favorite.
If you’re somewhere in the middle—okay with some effort, excited by zip lines—this is a very solid way to spend your time.
FAQ
How long is the Puerto Vallarta zipline tour?
The experience runs about 5 hours (approx.), depending on your selected pickup point.
Is the speedboat ride included?
You can start with an optional speedboat ride, or choose land transport. Transportation is included as part of the tour package.
What’s included with the tequila?
A traditional tequila tasting is included. Other drinks, like mango margaritas, are not included and you pay for them separately.
Is lunch included in the price?
No. Lunch and drinks are not included. You can purchase food at the riverside restaurant during the visit.
What river activities are included?
Included activities can include swimming, kayaks, and waterslides, and water toys may be available weather permitting.
What extra fees should I expect?
Besides the listed tour price, you may need to pay a port fee (listed as $33 pesos or 2 USD) and a Puerto Vallarta admission fee of $2.00 per person.
What physical condition do I need?
You should have moderate physical fitness. The tour includes stairs and hiking between zipline platforms. People with heart conditions, chronic back pain, shoulder problems, or trouble with hills and steps should consider the land option or skip the experience.
What if weather is bad or I need to cancel?
The tour requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

























