Rio de Janeiro · RIO HANG GLIDING FLIGHTS
Every flight launches from Pedra Bonita and lands on the sand at São Conrado. These 14 are compared on price, photos and video, and how each operator handles a day with the wrong wind.
From Pedra Bonita, 525 meters above sea level, you run a few steps with a tandem pilot and glide over Rio before landing on São Conrado beach. The 2 to 3 hour outing includes instruction and safety gear. Ask what video footage costs, and allow extra time for weather or launch queues.
“It was the biggest adrenaline rush! Such a wonderful experience, very professional and safe”
Meet your instructor, ride by jeep to Pedra Bonita in Tijuca National Park, then launch on a tandem hang glider for a 7-to-15-minute flight toward São Conrado Beach. Beto, Bebe, Dudu, and other experienced pilots are among the team. One front-camera video is included; extra camera angles cost more.
“Excellent fun, we really lucky with weather with beautiful views from the jumping off spot. Our pilots were amazing, especially Zero, who made me really comfortable before taking the jump! The whole experience was really well organised by Beto Rotor! Just to note you only get one free camera recording as part of the package, there are two cameras you need to pay extra for on the day, but the 360 degree camera is well worth the money and the ground team helped me getting it working on my iPhone! Amazing experience!!!”
Meet your tandem pilot, learn the take-off steps, and run from 525-meter Pedra Bonita into open-air flight above Rio. The 2 to 3-hour outing includes transport to the launch site and a front-camera video. Flights depend on weather, and a R$120 club fee is extra.
“We really enjoyed the activity. Mind-blowing landscape and super nice guides !”
Meet Ricardo Hamond’s team at São Conrado Beach, then ride to Pedra Bonita for a tandem hang gliding or paragliding flight. The airtime lasts 7 to 20 minutes, with the flight type chosen according to weather, passenger weight, and pilot availability. Ricardo has flown since 1987 and logged more than 25,000 flights.
“I had the most amazing experience! Unforgettable. Great long fly, very lovely pilot and amazing videos.”
Meet Pepê Parapente at Parque da Cidade in Niterói for a private paragliding flight with a certified instructor. Your hour-long experience includes a safety briefing, modern equipment, GoPro photos and Full HD video, sent to you by download link. Wind and airspace can change the launch point or flight time, so confirm conditions by WhatsApp.
“The flight with my with was amazing ! More than all our expectations. We arrived at the place and it was King of cloudy but we trusted Pépé that has expérience and indeed the weather became better, and the view was just wonderful. We cant describe how was the sensation... It is such a good feeling to be able to fly upon that dream landscape. Thanks for all Pépé”
Meet instructor Sandro Cardoso at the São Conrado flight club, then ride to Pedra Bonita for a tandem paragliding flight over Rio. Expect a short takeoff practice, safety check, and an average 10-minute flight with views of Christ the Redeemer, Rocinha, and the coast. GoPro footage is included; the separate 360-degree camera images cost extra.
“The actually experience was amazing. The instructor is bilingual like myself so it was fun to mix languages with him whilst in the air. However, the waiting seemed a bit messy and was extremely long, I waited nearly 2 hours until my turn”
Meet at São Conrado Beach, then ride up to Pedra Bonita in Tijuca Forest National Park for a safety briefing and practice run before flying tandem over forest, sea and Rio neighborhoods. The private two-hour experience includes your pilot, equipment and park transport. Paulo, Felipe and other pilots have been praised for clear instructions and calm, friendly service.
“Amazing activity! Out of everything I did in my 2 weeks in Rio (helicopter ride, jet skis etc), this was by far my favourite activity. Felipe and Paulo were excellent communication wise, I felt super comfortable flying with Marcos and the whole process was amazing! A MUST if you’re in Rio.”
Meet in São Conrado, enroll with the flying club, then ride with your instructor to the launch ramp near Pedra Bonita. Fly past Pedra da Gávea and finish on São Conrado Beach. The roughly two-hour private outing includes equipment and video. Instructors named by participants include Carlos, Odilon, and Renato; an extra club-use and insurance fee applies.
“Amazing experience, from the staff who meet you at the bottom to the instructors, everyone is very friendly, helpful and make the process easy and fun. One of the best experiences i’ve ever had. 10/10 would recommend”
Tandemflyrio takes you from its São Conrado meeting point to the Pedra Bonita launch ramp for a paragliding flight with pilot and instructor Mahmoud, who has 29 years of experience. Expect views of Pedra da Gávea, Pedra Bonita and the Atlantic, plus GoPro photos and video. The outing lasts about two hours; a 360-degree recording is available for an extra fee.
“If you never had this kind of adventure before you're missing out on something great. This is a very professional company that will make you feel very comfortable and secure every step of the way. Mr. Mahomund is a very friendly and experienced guide, He assures me that all their equipment is constantly being checked and safety is their utmost concern. The jump site is well organized with safety personnel from the city fire department to oversee all the operations. It si a beautiful place with spectacular views of the city.”
Take a private shuttle through Tijuca Forest to Pedra Bonita, then fly tandem with instructor Ighor Ferreira above Rio’s coast and landmarks. The flight usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes, with longer airtime possible when conditions allow. The two-hour outing includes safety equipment and club access, but hotel transport and some camera images cost extra.
“Great experience, the guide Ighor Ferreira is experienced, safe relaxed, funny, manages to relax you. All the pilots cooperate in a coordinated and relaxed way on the ramp, so that instills security. The organization of the flight was within the limits of the advertisement. The flight was phenomenal, literally 10" you need to get into a relaxed fashion. Definitely a recommendation, in the option of visiting Rio de Janeiro again, I would turn to Igor's team again.”
Meet Easy Fly Rio at its Asa Delta office by Praia do Pepino, then head to the launch point for a tandem hang-gliding flight with an instructor. The two-hour activity includes photos and video from cameras mounted on the glider. The instructor speaks English or Spanish. A R$100 fee is paid separately to the Free Flight Club.
Join hang-gliding instructor Luciano Popó for a tandem flight from Pedra Bonita, about 520 metres above sea level in Tijuca National Park, to São Conrado beach. No experience is needed: Luciano gives you instructions and you make a short run on the ramp to take off. The two-hour activity includes transport to the ramp, photos and video, and one companion.
“Expérience incroyable ! Voler au-dessus de Rio en parapente était magique, avec une vue à couper le souffle. Mon instructeur était super sympa et rassurant, parfait pour profiter à fond. À faire absolument !”
Take off from Pedra da Gávea with an instructor and see São Conrado Beach, Rio’s cityscape and Rocinha from the air. The private tandem activity includes pre-flight training, safety equipment and flight photos. Expect 6 to 20 minutes in the air, depending on wind. Confirm that the flight will be hang gliding before you book.
“Amazing, but I wanted the Hand gliding experience not the paragliding one. However it was still amazing. Next time I will emphasize that.”
RioXtreme pairs you with a certified tandem pilot for a hang-glider or paraglider flight from Pedra Bonita, above Tijuca Forest. Look down on coastal islands, Rocinha and Rio’s famous hills before landing at Pepino Beach. Pilots Rudolfo, Paulao and Paulo have earned praise, though your pilot and flight type depend on the day’s conditions.
“It was an awesome experience!!! Rudolfo and Paulao did a great job! I’m going to repeat this activity, I hope in Rio again”
Peaks, trails, the bay or the samba floor.
