Rio de janeiro : Paragliding Tandem Flights over Rio

Rio looks different from above. This tandem paragliding flight gives you a rare view of Rio, with the ocean ahead, Tijuca Forest behind, and famous sights spread below. I especially like the small group limit of eight and the care built into the launch process, including a practice run and a final safety check.

I also like that your instructor, Ighor Ferreira, leads a large team of certified professionals and speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. The main consideration is the price: at $173 per person, plus a listed BRL 132 insurance fee, this is not a casual budget activity. Flight time is usually only 10 to 15 minutes, though good conditions can stretch it to 30.

Key points before you book

• Pedra Bonita launch: You take off from a 520-meter ramp above São Conrado after a shuttle ride through Tijuca Forest.
• Big Rio views: The flight can include Pedra da Gávea, Rocinha, Morro Dois Irmãos, Christ the Redeemer, and the beaches of São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca.
• Calm, guided takeoff: Your instructor runs through a short simulation before you approach the ramp, which helps if your nerves are already doing their own little flight.
• Small group setup: Up to eight participants keeps the operation more personal than a large sightseeing outing.
• Media after landing: GoPro footage is included in the activity details, while 360-degree images and some camera packages carry an extra charge.
• Strict weight and age limits: The activity is not suitable for children under 14, pregnant women, or people above the stated 110 to 113 kilogram limits.

Why this flight offers a special view of Rio

Rio is famous for its beaches and mountain viewpoints, but paragliding changes the pace completely. You are not looking at the city from a road, a cable car, or a crowded lookout. You are suspended above it, moving quietly with the wind.

The route from Pedra Bonita gives you a striking mix of natural and urban scenery. The green slopes of Tijuca Forest sit behind the launch area. Ahead, São Conrado opens toward the Atlantic. Depending on the conditions and flight path, you can see Pedra da Gávea, Rocinha, Morro Dois Irmãos, Christ the Redeemer, and the long sweep of sand toward Barra da Tijuca.

I like that the experience is not sold as a stunt. It is a tandem flight, so you are attached to a trained pilot who handles the paraglider. Your job is to follow simple instructions during takeoff, then settle into the view.

That makes this a good first flight for someone who wants the sensation of paragliding without taking a solo course. You still get the thrill of leaving the ramp, but an instructor manages the technical work.

Starting at Pepino Beach in São Conrado

The meeting point is the Vem Voar no Rio Parapente Escola RJ flight school at Pepino Beach, also referred to in the instructions as Praia do Pepino or Praia do Pepero. It is in São Conrado, in front of the free flight association.

Allow time to find the flight school and tell the staff you have an appointment with instructor Ighor Ferreira. The meeting time is arranged in advance rather than fixed in the general activity description, so confirm your exact time before the day of the flight.

Pepino Beach is a practical starting point. The area has parking, food kiosks, restrooms, changing rooms, water fountains, showers, and free Wi-Fi. These facilities matter because weather and flight operations do not always move at the same speed as a city tour. You may have a little waiting time before the shuttle leaves, and it is useful to have somewhere comfortable to change or freshen up.

Transportation from your hotel is not included. You need to reach the flight school yourself, and the return trip to your hotel is also your responsibility. The activity does include the private shuttle from the flight club headquarters up to the Pedra Bonita ramp.

At the school, you complete a short registration form. This activates the tour insurance, although a separate BRL 132 insurance fee is listed as not included. Because the information also describes activity insurance as included, I would confirm exactly how that charge is handled before paying. It is a small but important point in the final cost.

Riding through Tijuca Forest to Pedra Bonita

Once the paperwork is done, you board a private shuttle for Pedra Bonita. The ramp sits about 520 meters, or 1,700 feet, above sea level, and the road passes through Tijuca Forest.

The ride is part of the setting rather than a sightseeing stop by itself. You move from the developed beach area into Rio’s forested mountain zone, then arrive at a launch point with wide views over São Conrado and the coast.

At Pedra Bonita, you have time to look around and take photographs before your flight. You can watch other paragliders take off, which gives you a useful preview of the basic movement. Seeing the process first may calm your nerves, though it could also make the reality of the activity feel more immediate.

The team is coordinated by Ighor Ferreira, who works with more than 140 certified paragliding professionals. You will not be flying with all of them, of course, but the size of the operation helps explain the organized launch process. The supplied feedback repeatedly praises Ighor as experienced, funny, and reassuring. One person who was nervous said his relaxed manner made the experience easier, while another praised his effort to adjust the flight timing around a separate helicopter flight.

That personal approach matters here. A good pilot needs to explain instructions clearly and keep the mood calm without treating safety as a joke. The strongest praise for this activity centers on that combination.

The safety briefing and takeoff

Before you fly, your instructor runs through a short takeoff simulation. This is not a long training course. It is a practical rehearsal so you know how to position yourself and respond when the launch begins.

You also receive the required safety equipment. A certified inspector completes a final check before you leave the ramp. Cameras are switched on only after this check, then you and your instructor move toward the takeoff area.

The takeoff is the most demanding moment for many first-time participants. You need to follow the instructor’s directions and keep moving as instructed. The preparation is brief, but it gives you a chance to ask questions and get used to the equipment before the real attempt.

The coordinated activity on the ramp is another reassuring detail. Several pilots work in an orderly way, and the operation is designed to keep departures controlled. You should still understand that paragliding depends on weather and wind. The stated flight time is an average, not a promise, and exact views or airtime can change with the conditions.

Ten to thirty minutes above Rio

The normal flight lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. In suitable conditions, it can reach 30 minutes. That range is worth considering when you compare the $173 price with the experience you want.

Ten minutes in the air can feel substantial when it includes takeoff, wide views, and a low pass near the ocean. Still, this is not a half-day flight lesson or a long aerial tour. You are paying for a carefully managed adventure in one of Rio’s best scenic settings, not for extended airtime.

Once airborne, the paraglider moves quietly. There is no engine noise competing with the view. You may see the rocky forms of Pedra Bonita and Pedra da Gávea, the forested slopes, the dense neighborhoods around Rocinha, and the twin peaks of Morro Dois Irmãos.

Christ the Redeemer may also appear in the distance, depending on the route and visibility. Below, São Conrado Beach and the beaches toward Barra da Tijuca form a broad coastal line. The mix of cliffs, forest, buildings, sand, and sea is the real prize.

Your instructor can also make a low pass over the ocean before landing. This is one of the most memorable parts of the advertised route, since it brings you close to the water and gives the camera a dramatic final view. The precise path depends on flight conditions, so treat it as a planned possibility rather than a guaranteed maneuver.

Photos, GoPro footage, and the landing

The activity details include GoPro footage of the entire flight, but they also list GoPro images as an extra charge. The wording is not perfectly clear, so ask what is included in your booking: video, still images, or both.

Images from the 360-degree camera are specifically listed as not included. If you want a full panoramic record, budget for that separately. The useful part is the quick transfer process. After landing, the available photos and videos are sent directly to your phone, ready to share.

You land either on the beach or on the grassy landing area beside the flight club. The planned flight route is from Pedra Bonita to São Conrado Beach, but the exact landing zone can vary. A beach landing makes for a memorable finish, while the nearby grass area gives the pilots another practical option.

The landing itself is gentle when properly managed, but you should follow your instructor’s directions until you are fully stopped. After that, you can use the club’s common areas, including showers and changing rooms, or relax at Pepino Beach.

What the $173 price really covers

At $173 per person, this is a premium Rio activity. The price includes the tandem flight, safety equipment, club fees, the shuttle to Pedra Bonita, and access to the flight club’s facilities. It also includes activity insurance according to the inclusions, though the separate BRL 132 insurance fee needs clarification.

The value is strongest if you want three things at once: a controlled first paragliding flight, major Rio views, and a professional photo or video record. The certified team, private mountain transfer, and small group size make this more than simply paying for a ride off a hill.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long flight. With the usual 10 to 15 minute duration, you may feel the cost is high if the weather allows only a short time in the air. You are also responsible for getting to the flight school and returning to your hotel, and food and drinks are extra.

I would also set aside money for optional media. The included footage and additional camera charges should be explained clearly before takeoff. That way you will not be surprised when you receive the files or settle the final bill.

Who will enjoy this most

This activity suits adults and teenagers aged 14 or older who want a memorable view of Rio and are comfortable with a short burst of adventure. It is especially good for a first-time participant because the instructor handles the paraglider and gives you a simple briefing rather than expecting technical knowledge.

I would choose this for a special occasion, a bucket-list day, or the one big splurge in a Rio itinerary. It also works well for people who have already seen Rio from street level and want a completely different angle.

It may not suit you if you dislike heights, need a guaranteed schedule, or want a long aerial excursion. The launch and flight depend on conditions, and the standard airtime is modest. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women, children under 14, or people over the stated weight limits of 110 kilograms and 113 kilograms. Since two limits appear in the information, ask the operator which limit applies to your booking.

The small group size helps keep things personal. Language support in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French is useful, especially during safety instructions. The strongest feedback focuses on instructors who are both professional and lighthearted, with Ighor receiving repeated praise for helping nervous participants relax.

Practical planning for your Rio day

Plan this as a two-hour activity, but keep the rest of your day flexible. The listed duration includes registration, transfer, preparation, the flight, landing, and return to the club. Wind and launch timing can affect the rhythm.

Wear clothing that lets you move comfortably during takeoff and landing. The supplied information does not specify a dress code, so follow the operator’s instructions when you confirm your appointment. Bring a phone for the file transfer after the flight, and use the changing rooms if you want to continue your day at the beach.

You should also confirm the meeting location wording. The school is given as Vem Voar no Rio Parapente Escola RJ, while the instructions refer to Pepino Beach in front of the free flight association. These describe the same São Conrado flight area, but a clear address and meeting time will save you an unnecessary search.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rio schedule is still taking shape.

Should you book the Pedra Bonita flight?

I would book this if paragliding is on your personal list of things to do and you want to do it above one of the world’s most dramatic cities. The views are excellent, the operation has a strong safety focus, and Ighor Ferreira’s calm, friendly style seems particularly helpful for first-time flyers.

I would skip it if $173 feels too high for 10 to 15 minutes in the air, or if you need a fixed, weather-proof schedule. Before booking, confirm the BRL 132 insurance charge, ask exactly which GoPro files are included, and check the age and weight rule that applies.

For the right person, this is not just another lookout over Rio. You leave the mountain ramp, float toward the coast, and return with a story that no bus tour can provide.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience begin?

You meet at Vem Voar no Rio Parapente Escola RJ at Pepino Beach in São Conrado, in front of the free flight association.

How long does the activity last?

The total activity lasts about two hours. The flight itself usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes, though it can reach 30 minutes when conditions allow.

How high is the Pedra Bonita launch ramp?

The launch ramp is about 520 meters, or 1,700 feet, above sea level.

What is included in the price?

The activity includes the tandem flight, safety equipment, club fees, transportation from the flight club to Pedra Bonita, access to the club’s common areas, and GoPro footage as listed in the inclusions.

Are photos and videos included?

GoPro footage is listed as included, but GoPro images and 360-degree camera images are also listed as extra charges. Confirm the exact media package before flying.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. You need to arrange transportation to the flight school and from the flight school back to your hotel. The shuttle from the flight club headquarters to Pedra Bonita is included.

Who provides the instruction?

The experience is coordinated by instructor Ighor Ferreira, with a team of more than 140 certified paragliding professionals. Instruction is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 14, pregnant women, or people above the stated weight limits. The information gives limits of 110 kilograms and 113 kilograms, so confirm the applicable limit before booking.