Rio de Janeiro: Hang Gliding Flight & GoPro Video

Summary

Hang gliding above rio’s coast with instructor and gopro video

You’ll meet your instructor at Rio’s flight club for a quick safety check and registration before heading up to the launch ramp by van. After some hands-on training, you’ll soar over Rio de Janeiro’s coastline with your guide—wind in your face and GoPro capturing every moment—before landing softly on the beach below.

What’s the experience like?

Li was already grinning at me when I walked up to the little flight club in Rio de Janeiro — apparently my nerves were obvious. He handed me a helmet, told me not to worry (“You’ll love it, trust me”), and then showed me how to buckle into the harness. The salty air was thick that morning, kind of sticky on my arms. There was this low hum of people chatting in Portuguese, but I caught bits in English too — mostly laughter. I had to sign a form for insurance (it’s 21 dollars, card accepted), and Li double-checked the wind with another guy before we piled into a van up the hill. The drive took maybe 15 minutes, all winding roads and flashes of ocean between trees.

I didn’t expect the ramp to be so high — or for my heart to thump that loudly while Li clipped us in. He talked me through everything again, real calm, like he’d done this a thousand times but still cared if I got it right. “Just run straight,” he said, tapping my shoulder. The takeoff was wild: one second my feet were on wood, next we were floating. Wind everywhere. My hands went cold from adrenaline but then I just started laughing because — well, you’re flying over Rio’s beaches and favelas and it smells like sea spray and sunscreen up there. Li pointed out Sugarloaf Mountain in the haze; I probably butchered its name trying to say it back in Portuguese. The GoPro caught my face going from terror to pure joy (I watched it later — embarrassing but worth it).

We circled down slow enough that I could actually look around instead of just panicking. There were other gliders swooping nearby, waving as they passed — some locals who do this every week for fun, apparently. Landing was softer than I expected; sand under bare feet feels different when you’ve just been in the sky. Li high-fived me after unclipping the harness and laughed at how shaky my legs were. Still think about that first rush when we left the ramp — honestly don’t know if anything else will ever feel like that again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hang gliding flight preparation and experience

• Confirm wind conditions 1 hour prior
• Register and pay insurance fee
• Drive 15 minutes to flight ramp
• Receive training before flight
• Enjoy hang gliding flight

Top questions

How much does insurance cost for hang gliding in Rio?

The required insurance costs 21 USD or 110 BRL and can be paid by credit or debit card at the flight club.

Do I need experience for hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro?

No experience is needed; instructors provide training before your flight.

Is there a weight limit for hang gliding flights?

Yes, men must weigh up to 90kg and women up to 85kg for safety reasons.

What’s included with the hang gliding experience?

Your flight includes all equipment (helmet, harness), a Level 4 instructor, emergency parachute, and a GoPro video.

How do I get to the launch site?

You’ll ride in a car or van from the club up to the flight ramp—about 15 minutes away.

Are weather conditions checked before flying?

Yes, weather is always analyzed on flight day; confirmation is needed an hour before your scheduled time.

What’s included

Your day covers all essential gear—helmet, harness with carabiner, emergency parachute—and you’ll fly tandem with a certified Level 4 instructor. A GoPro video is included so you can relive your hang gliding adventure over Rio de Janeiro after landing safely on the sand.