Puerto Vallarta: Canopy Zipline Tour with River Swim & Tequila

Summary

Zipline through jungle, swim rivers, taste tequila and laugh with guides

You’ll fly high above Puerto Vallarta’s jungles on 19 ziplines with local guides cheering you on, then cool off swimming in natural river pools or relaxing by the water. Lunch is served riverside with tropical drinks and a tequila tasting included. It’s loud, messy fun—and somehow exactly what you need.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll scream,” our guide Marco promised, grinning as he tightened my harness. He was right. The first zipline shot me out over the Los Horcones river so fast I forgot to look down—just wind, green everywhere, and that weird mix of fear and giddy joy you only get when your feet aren’t touching anything solid. My friend kept yelling “¡Vamos!” behind me but honestly I couldn’t hear much except the whir of the cable and my own heart. We’d started the morning bouncing along in a jungle truck outside Puerto Vallarta (the speedboat option looked fun too, but I get seasick), windows open, dust and birds everywhere. Didn’t expect it to feel so far from the city so quickly.

By the third or fourth line I was finally looking around—there’s this moment where you’re flying between trees and you can see sunlight flickering off the river below, little kids waving from a rock on the bank. Marco kept making jokes about how he could do it blindfolded (I believed him). After all 19 ziplines (yes, nineteen—my hands were shaking by then), we crashed at their riverside restaurant. The grilled shrimp was smoky and perfect after all that adrenaline, and someone handed me a cold drink that tasted like mango and lime. There was a tequila tasting too—Li laughed when I tried to pronounce “reposado” properly; probably butchered it.

I didn’t think I’d want to swim after lunch but the river looked too good—cold water, smooth rocks underfoot, some local kids showing off on the stone slides. You can kayak or just float if you’re lazy like me. There’s even an animal sanctuary tucked back near the trees; parrots chattering away while one of the staff told us about rescues from nearby villages. It’s kind of chaotic but in a good way—everyone talking at once, music somewhere in the background, sunlight glinting off wet hair.

I still think about that feeling on the last zipline—the way everything goes quiet for a second before you hit land again. If you’re looking for a day trip from Puerto Vallarta that feels half wild adventure and half backyard party (with tequila), this canopy tour is it. Just don’t wear flip-flops—I learned that one the hard way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Zipline and river adventure in Puerto Vallarta

• Meet at pick-up point
• Choose speed boat or land transport
• Admire Puerto Vallarta views
• Zipline on 19 high cables
• Enjoy bilingual guide safety briefing
• Have lunch at riverside restaurant
• Taste traditional tequila
• Swim in natural river pools
• Use stone slides and kayaks
• Visit rescued animal sanctuary

Top questions

How many ziplines are included in this Puerto Vallarta canopy tour?

The tour features 19 zip lines across more than 2 miles of cable.

Is pickup included for cruise ship passengers?

Yes, pickup is available by speedboat or land transportation from designated points.

What food is served during lunch?

The menu includes grilled fish fillet, coconut shrimp, fajitas (chicken, steak or shrimp), quesadillas, rice & vegetables, avocado salad and warm apple cake with ice cream.

Are there activities besides ziplining?

Yes—swimming in natural pools, kayaking, stone slides and visiting an animal sanctuary are all included.

Is this canopy tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 5 years old with at least 40” height required.

Can pregnant travelers join?

Pregnant travelers are advised to choose land transportation and can enjoy non-zipline activities.

How long does it take to get from Puerto Vallarta to the canopy site?

The journey varies depending on transport choice but generally takes less than an hour each way.

What should I bring for this day trip?

You should bring comfortable shoes (not flip-flops), swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, insect repellent and extra cash for souvenirs or drinks.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip transportation from Puerto Vallarta by either speedboat or jungle truck (your choice), all 19 zip lines with safety gear and bilingual guides watching out for you every step of the way. Afterward there’s time to swim or kayak in natural river pools before enjoying a full riverside lunch with tropical drinks plus a traditional tequila tasting—all wrapped up before heading back to town.