Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride

Reviewed · BANDERAS BAY BOAT & SAILING TRIPS

Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride

5.0 · 3,786 reviews 5 hours (approx.) From $120 Operated by Los Veranos Canopy Tour · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

This zipline ends with tequila. If you want adventure with a little Mexican celebration built in, this is a standout way to see Puerto Vallarta from above. You start with a speedboat or land transfer, then ride 19 ziplines through the treetops, racing across twin cables before the last line drops you into a riverside tequila bar.

I love how active the day feels without being random. You get a real jungle canopy course with a guided safety orientation, and then you finish in the river with waterslides, swimming, and kayaks when conditions allow.

One thing to plan for: the adventure includes hiking and steep stairs to reach platforms, so it is not a sit-and-watch outing.

Quick hits I think you’ll care about

Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride - Quick hits I think you’ll care about

  • 19 zip lines with a final race on twin cables
  • Tequila tasting is included, served right at the finish in a tequila bar setting
  • A strong workout factor: steep steps between stations
  • After the ziplines, you get river time with swims, kayaks, and waterslides (weather permitting)
  • The on-site animal area includes marmosets/coatimundi/boas plus other wildlife you may spot
  • Optional speedboat ride across the bay before the rainforest

From the bay to the zipline: how the day is paced

Your day starts with either sea transfer (a speedboat across the bay) or a land route depending on your chosen pickup option. The point isn’t just transport. That first chunk gives you a sense of Puerto Vallarta’s coastline before you head inland toward the canopy course.

Once you arrive, you get a scenic ride into the area around the Los Horcones River. Think of it as a gentle transition: the ride cools your nerves after time on the water or road, and it gets your body ready for the first climb. The tour is about 5 hours total, but the pace is built around active time, not long bus waits.

If you are the type who hates feeling rushed, note that the day moves with purpose. You will do safety briefing, gear up, hike up to start, fly through the course, then shift back to river play and food time. It is a packed, fun format.

More cables over the canyon at El Jorullo

The zipline course: why this one feels different

Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride - The zipline course: why this one feels different
This is described as Puerto Vallarta’s first zipline circuit, and the biggest reason it feels special is the structure of the course. You are not just riding one or two long lines. You do a series of 19 ziplines, and the course includes hikes between platforms so you keep changing direction, height, and viewpoints.

The ziplines are suspended roughly 328 feet (100 meters) in the air on the strong cables, which is plenty of vertical thrill. The view part matters because the lines take you over the jungle canopy and toward the river below. You also get water stations along the course, which helps when it is hot and humid.

Safety orientation is part of the fun

Before you leave the first platform, guides walk you through how the course works and how to clip in and ride safely. This is not a vague speech. It sets expectations for what the stations feel like, and it helps you avoid the common first-time panic of not knowing what comes next. Several guide names show up in experience writeups, including Edgar, Pepe, and Chica, along with others like Ramon, Fernando, Jesus, and Mane. The consistent theme: professional, friendly, and safety-focused while keeping energy high.

The hike is the real challenge

Here’s the honest part: the challenging element is not the cables. It is the steps. Reviews repeatedly call out steep stair sections, and you can feel that in how they describe reaching the first half of the lines. If your legs get tired easily, you will still be able to ride, but you should plan to take breaks when the guide offers them.

Wear comfortable shoes with real grip, not flip-flops or thin soles. Bring shorts you can hike in. And if you have any knee or mobility limitations, treat the stairs as the deal-breaker issue—not the zipline itself.

Riding the last line into a tequila bar

Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride - Riding the last line into a tequila bar
The finish of the zipline portion is built for maximum payoff. Approaching the final, you race against a partner on twin cables. You clip in and let gravity do the work, and that last stretch is timed for big momentum so you end right where the celebration begins.

Then you soar into the tequila bar area and the riverfront restaurant. This is one of the reasons I like this tour format. Instead of ending with a generic transfer to a departure point, you land in the place where the fun continues. The included tequila tasting happens at the finish, so the adrenaline does not die off in a parking lot.

Tequila tasting: included, but not the whole meal

The tequila is included, while food and additional drinks are your expense. If you want a margarita, those are separate. That means it’s smart to arrive with a plan for lunch budget, because you will have time to eat at the riverside restaurant after you’ve worked up an appetite.

A few notes from real dining experiences: portions can be massive, and some food items may not hit the mark for everyone’s taste preferences. There’s also mention that vegan options were handled. If you are picky about authenticity or seasoning, order with care, and do not assume every menu item will match the style you expect.

The river finish: slides, swim pools, kayaks, and toys

Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride - The river finish: slides, swim pools, kayaks, and toys
Once the zipline adrenaline fades, the tour shifts to water play at the river. You can swim in natural river pools, and you may use provided kayaks and water toys if weather conditions allow.

Waterslides are part of this finish too, and they are a big reason the day feels like more than just an adventure park. You get to cool down, shake off the dust, and move from “hold on tight” to “where should we swim next.”

Bring a swimsuit and a towel. Sunscreen is not optional here. And pack insect repellent. One common complaint is that people arrive without bug spray and then get eaten once they’re at the site, so it is better to handle it before you walk into the jungle air.

Wildlife time, plus a real animal sanctuary component

After the main water fun, you have a chance to check out the on-site menagerie/animal sanctuary. The animal descriptions you might see include marmosets, coatimundi, and boas, along with sightings like squirrel monkeys, toucans, and iguanas in the area. The vibe is more than a quick look. You get a chance to observe and learn in a setting that feels integrated into the grounds.

If wildlife encounters are a big reason you booked this, plan extra time for the animal area rather than sprinting straight to the restaurant. The food will still be there after you see what’s moving around.

Food, drinks, and the price you should budget

Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride - Food, drinks, and the price you should budget
You pay about $120 per person for the core experience, but your final day cost can grow a bit once you add the local fees and what you choose to eat. The tour includes transportation, the zipline course with water stations, the tequila tasting, and river activities like kayaks and waterslides (weather permitting).

Not included are:

  • Food and drinks
  • Photo and video services
  • A port fee of $33 pesos or 2 USD for the boat departure option
  • A Puerto Vallarta admission fee of $2 USD per person

Also, photos can be pricey. Multiple accounts mention that photo packages were expensive for the quality, and one practical takeaway was to keep your phone safe so you can grab your own action shots. If you care about documentation, consider how you will carry your phone and camera strap so you get the shots without risking it.

Lunch reality check

The riverside restaurant has a sample menu that includes things like Mexican avocado salad, fajitas (with options like chicken, flank steak, or shrimp), a margaritha pizza, and warm apple cake. But the more important part is the tone of the dining feedback: portions can be very large, and some items may not be worth the money for everyone.

My advice: if lunch is important, eat something you know you’ll enjoy, and do not plan to sample everything. If you want to spend more energy in the water, be efficient with ordering and eat promptly.

Who this tour fits best

Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride - Who this tour fits best
This is a great match if you want a full day outdoors with adrenaline and a social, guided feel. It works well for:

  • Couples and families looking for one main activity plus a fun river hangout
  • People who like a mix of thrill and nature, not just one or the other
  • Travelers who can handle stairs and short hikes between platforms

It is less ideal if:

  • You struggle with steep steps or have mobility limits (the stairs are the main difficulty factor)
  • You have heart conditions, chronic back pain, shoulder problems, or pregnancy (land transport is suggested for some conditions, but the core activity still includes hiking)
  • You get uncomfortable with heights. If heights bother you, you may feel it quickly once you reach the first platforms.

There are also clear height and age limits: minimum age is 5, and height under 40 inches is not eligible. Adults over 285 lbs / 129 kilo are not recommended.

Practical tips so your day goes smoother

Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride - Practical tips so your day goes smoother
Here are the small choices that make a big difference on a course like this.

  • Bring insect repellent. Do not wait until you smell the problem.
  • Wear grippy shoes. The hardest parts are the stairs between stations.
  • Pack a swimsuit and towel so you can use the river facilities without improvising.
  • Bring extra cash or a card for lunch and souvenirs. Food and drinks are your responsibility.
  • Plan your phone strategy. Action photos from staff can be expensive, and your own camera helps fill the gaps.
  • Use sunscreen early. You are outside for most of the day and you will get sun between hikes and water time.
  • Show up early to the meeting point. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

One more note: group size is capped at 99 travelers, and the flow is designed to keep everyone moving. Still, it is not a quiet, slow tour. If you like lots of personal space, you might feel the group energy during transitions between stations.

Booking decision: should you do it?

Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride - Booking decision: should you do it?
If you want a single Puerto Vallarta excursion that mixes zipline thrills, a river playground, and a tequila tasting at the finish, this is an easy yes for the right person. The value is strong because the included part is not only the zip lines. You also get the course logistics, water access, and included tequila without having to pay separately for the core fun.

I would book it if:

  • You are comfortable with heights and stairs
  • You want guided safety, not just a self-serve adventure
  • You like the idea of ending your flight-over-jungle day with a swim and slides

I would skip (or rethink) it if:

  • You do not handle uphill steps well
  • You need a fully relaxed day with minimal physical effort
  • You are hoping the included price covers lunch, drinks, and photos (it does not)

In short: if you can handle the stairs and you’re excited by the speedboat-to-canopy-to-river formula, this tour is a high-joy way to spend a Puerto Vallarta day.

FAQ

How long is the zipline and tequila plus speed boat experience?

The total duration is about 5 hours, depending on your selected pickup point.

Is the speedboat ride included?

The experience includes either a speedboat ride across the bay or land transport, depending on your departure option.

What activities are included at the river?

You get kayaks and water activities, plus waterslides and swim time in the river’s natural pools when weather permits.

Is lunch included?

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

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. Traditional tequila tasting is included.

What fees might I need to pay that are not in the listed price?

A port fee of $33 pesos or 2 USD may be required for boat departure, and there is also a Puerto Vallarta admission fee of $2 USD per person. Photo/video services are also not included.

What fitness level do I need?

You should have a moderate physical fitness level. The tour includes hiking and steep stairs between zipline platforms.

What should I bring with me?

Wear comfortable shoes. Bring a swimsuit and towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera with strap. It also helps to have extra cash or a card for lunch or souvenirs.

What is the cancellation cutoff?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cut-off times follow local time.