Rio de Janeiro: Paragliding Tandem Flight & Hotel Pickup

Summary

Soaring over Rio’s coast with a tandem paragliding flight

You’ll get picked up from your hotel in Rio’s south zone and driven straight to São Conrado for a tandem paragliding flight over Pedra Bonita. With an experienced instructor guiding you, you’ll feel the rush of wind above Rio’s beaches before landing softly on the sand. All gear is included, plus digital photos and video so you can relive every second.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely finished our coffee when the van pulled up outside our little hotel in Copacabana. The driver grinned and waved us in — it was just us and one other nervous-looking traveler. I kept glancing at the clouds as we zipped through Rio’s morning streets, past vendors setting up fruit stalls and the smell of strong coffee drifting out of bakeries. São Conrado came quick, maybe 25 minutes? Our guide, Rafael, met us at the club — he had that calm energy you want before you do something like this.

The paperwork was fast (they joked about my handwriting), then we all piled into another car for the drive up Pedra Bonita. It’s a winding road, green on both sides, and I tried not to think too hard about what was coming next. At the top, Rafael handed me a helmet and harness — everything felt new and solid, which helped my nerves a bit. The air up there smelled like eucalyptus and salt. We did a quick training (mostly “don’t sit down until I say so!”) and then suddenly it was just me, Rafael, and this huge stretch of blue below us.

I don’t know how to describe that first step off the ramp — your stomach drops but then you’re floating, really floating. It’s quiet except for wind in your ears and Rafael pointing out Rocinha down below (“that’s where my cousin lives,” he said). The city looks different from up there — softer somehow. I tried to say “obrigado” but probably messed it up; Rafael just laughed. Landing on the beach was sandy but safe (I got sand in my shoes). They handed me a GoPro with my shaky video right after — I still watch it sometimes when I need a reminder that I can do scary things.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Paragliding experience in Rio de Janeiro

• Pick up at meeting point
• Drive to paragliding club
• Complete flight authorization paperwork
• Drive to mountain takeoff site
• Attend brief training session
• Enjoy tandem paragliding flight
• Receive photos and digital video

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Rio paragliding tour?

Yes, pickup and dropoff from hotels in Rio’s south zone are included.

How long does it take to get from central Rio to São Conrado?

It usually takes less than 30 minutes by car from most south zone hotels.

Do I need any experience for tandem paragliding in Rio?

No experience is needed; you’ll fly with an experienced instructor.

What is included with the paragliding flight?

The tour includes transportation, all equipment (helmet, belt), insurance fees, GoPro camera use for photos/video.

Are there age or weight restrictions?

Yes, participants must be over 14 years old and under 105kg (about 231 lbs).

Can service animals join this activity?

Service animals are allowed at the meeting point but cannot join the flight itself.

Is lunch provided during this tour?

No meals are included; only transportation and flight-related services are provided.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with pickup and dropoff from your hotel in Rio’s south zone, all necessary fees and insurance coverage, new paragliding equipment like helmet and harness, plus digital photos and GoPro video of your tandem flight before heading back down to earth.