The original Canopy Tour was conceived in the tropical forests of Costa Rica in 1992. This was the first tour of its kind allowing people to explore the tree-tops and eco-system at 40 to 100 meters above the ground. The technology for this original tour is a combination of spelunking, rappelling and techniques created by American researchers, but put into operation and patented by a Canadian team.
Each canopy tour is based on the same concept; tall trees, departure platforms, wires and cables, a pulley system with security measures, and people who want to sail through the tree tops for up to hundreds of meters at a time. Plus, you can’t get this type of adventure in any other place in Mexico, as Puerto Vallarta is the only place conducive for swinging like a monkey through the trees.
Vallarta Adventures Canopy
The Vallarta Adventures Canopy tour is the furthest away from Vallarta. Transportation to the tour, which is included, takes about an hour to reach. Once there, you will find yourself in the midst of a very professional and secure operation. They use the best equipment, (plastic covered lines, hand brakes, and waist belts) which is better for the faint of heart, but it slows things down, so the dare-devils won’t be as happy here. Their longest “flight” is 220 meters long, and their highest point is 20 meters high, with a total of 11 jumps.
Best for: Older people, families, and those who are not totally adventuresome but want to branch out.
Los Veranos Canopy Tour
Los Veranos Canopy Tour is a little bit closer, just south of Vallarta, with a scenic ocean view drive. This tour, while similar, is more for the daring, with 13 heart pounding jumps, one at 350 meters in length, and the highest point is 120 meters up, the thing that makes this different is the equipment. They use a different cable and brake system, allowing people to fly through the trees and over the river at a much faster speed. If you freak-out easy, you may not want to do this one, although there is one “last resort”; Pancho’s Last Resort (cleverly named) which is the ending place of the final “flight” of the tour.
Best for: More adventuresome people, and those wanting a greater thrill and speed.
Canopy El Edén
Canopy El Eden is the newest of canopy adventures. They have the longest run of all, at 470 meters and the highest point is 90 meters up in the air, but, instead of different trips on the cables, you will end up doing the same lines a couple of times. Of all the canopy tours, this one is the closest to Vallarta and probably in the best location, with the El Eden Restaurant and Predator set right there. Just don’t go on Sunday, as they are closed.
Best for: People who want to combine a canopy tour with other activities such as shopping, dinning, swimming in the river and checking out the Predator set.
