The flight
The launch ramp sits on Pedra Bonita, inside Tijuca National Park, about 500 metres above sea level. The tandem flight with a certified instructor lasts 10 to 20 minutes depending on wind conditions, soaring over the largest urban rainforest in the world before turning toward the sea and descending onto São Conrado beach, between Morro Dois Irmãos and Pedra da Gávea. No prior experience or special fitness is needed: the pilot controls the paraglider, and the passenger just takes a few running steps at launch and sits for landing.
Why this flight is different
Unlike most paragliding sites worldwide, here you launch from the jungle and land on an urban beach with the city as backdrop: in a single flight you see Christ the Redeemer, Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. The combination of mountainous terrain right against the sea creates consistent thermal currents almost year-round, making Rio one of the most reliable paragliding destinations on the planet.
When to fly
Flights run year-round, but conditions are most stable between April and November, when there's less rain; in peak summer (December-March) afternoon storms can cancel flights with little warning, so it's worth booking a morning slot. Certified operators check the wind before every launch and won't fly if conditions aren't safe, even if that means rescheduling for another day.