Of all the ways to see Rio from above, this is the one people talk about for years afterwards. Pedra Bonita is a granite dome in sector C of the Tijuca National Park, between Pedra da Gavea, Sao Conrado and Barra da Tijuca, and just below its summit sits the free-flight ramp that has launched hang-gliders and paragliders since the 1970s. You do not need any experience: visitors fly in tandem, strapped to a licensed instructor who handles the launch, the flight and the landing, and your only real job is to run hard down the short wooden ramp when told to and keep running until your feet leave the boards. Then the noise stops. Below you the rainforest falls away to the sea, Pedra da Gavea rises like a stone head to one side, and the long curve of Sao Conrado beach, the Rocinha hillside, the Dois Irmaos peaks and the beaches of Leblon and Ipanema open out ahead. Flights usually last somewhere between a few minutes and a quarter of an hour depending on the wind and thermals, and end with a gentle landing on the sand at the Sao Conrado end of the beach, where the operators have their base. Hang-gliding (asa delta) and paragliding (parapente) are both offered. The hang-glider is faster and feels more like flying, lying flat with arms on the frame; the paraglider is slower, seated and floaty, and can stay up longer in light winds. Most operators include pickup from South Zone hotels, the drive up the winding Estrada da Canoas to the ramp, a safety briefing, and photos or video taken from a camera on the wing, which is usually an optional extra. Everything depends on the weather: flights only go when the wind and cloud allow, and a good operator will postpone without hesitation. Riotur, the city tourism office, lists the ramp and several licensed operators, and the experience is one of the most popular paid activities in the city.
Booking it well: choose a licensed, established operator with its own insurance, ideally one listed by Riotur or recommended by your hotel, and avoid touts on the beach. Book for the first fine morning of your stay and leave a backup day free, because flights are often moved for wind or low cloud; reputable companies will rebook or refund. Mornings generally offer the steadiest air and the clearest views. Ask whether photos and video are included, since that is where prices tend to rise. Weight limits apply, so mention your weight when booking, and wear trainers, comfortable trousers or shorts, and nothing loose that could blow away.
The setting: the ramp sits at the top of a short road and the start of the Pedra Bonita trail, an easy forest walk of around forty minutes to the summit with a view over Pedra da Gavea, Barra, Sao Conrado and the South Zone. If you are not flying, the ramp itself is a superb free viewpoint, and on busy days you can watch flight after flight launch into the air. Pairing the flight with the walk makes a great half day. The landing beach at Sao Conrado is popular with surfers, and there are kiosks for a coconut afterwards.
Who it suits: anyone who wants a once-in-a-lifetime view and a jolt of adrenaline, including nervous first-timers, who almost always find it calmer than they expected. Couples often fly one after the other. Older children can fly with some operators within the weight limits and with a parent signing. It is not for people with serious heart or back problems, and pregnant travellers should skip it. Expect the price of a nice dinner or more for a tandem flight, with extra for media.
What to expect
The experience
A tandem hang-glider or paraglider flight with a licensed instructor, launched from the free-flight ramp on Pedra Bonita in the Tijuca National Park and landing on Sao Conrado beach. Operators usually include hotel pickup.
Best time
A clear morning with steady winds. Keep a backup day, since flights are postponed for weather.
How long
The flight itself lasts a few minutes to around a quarter of an hour; allow two to three hours with transfers and briefing.
Tips
Book with a licensed operator listed by Riotur or recommended by your hotel, not a beach tout. Wear trainers, check the weight limit, and ask what the photo and video package costs before you go.
Quick picks
- Best for
- The single most thrilling view of Rio, with no experience needed.
- Families
- Older children can fly with some operators within the weight limits; younger ones can watch from the ramp or the beach.
- Couples
- Fly one after the other and swap videos over a coconut on the sand at Sao Conrado.
- Pair with
- The Pedra Bonita summit trail, Pedra da Gavea, or an afternoon on the beaches of Ipanema and Leblon.
- Time needed
- A morning, with a spare weather day in reserve.
Good questions
Do I need experience to hang-glide in Rio?+
No. Visitors fly in tandem with a licensed instructor who controls the launch, the flight and the landing. You only need to run down the ramp on the count and follow the briefing.
Hang-glider or paraglider: which should I choose?+
The hang-glider is faster and feels more like flying, lying flat beneath the wing; the paraglider is slower and seated, and can stay up longer in light winds. Both launch from the same ramp and land on Sao Conrado beach.
What happens if the weather is bad?+
Flights only go when the wind and cloud allow. Reputable operators will move you to another day or refund you, which is why it pays to book early in your stay.
Where does the flight start and finish?+
It starts at the free-flight ramp on Pedra Bonita in the Tijuca National Park, reached by road from Sao Conrado, and finishes with a landing on the sand at Sao Conrado beach.
Is it safe?+
With a licensed, insured operator and a good weather call, tandem flights have a long record in Rio. Choose an established company, follow the instructions, and declare any health conditions and your weight honestly.
