Hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro: a tandem flight from Pedra Bonita

At a glance

Where the flight starts and lands

Pedra Bonita is inside Tijuca National Park, a federal conservation unit run by ICMBio. The park runs the ramp together with the Associação Brasileira de Voo Livre (ABVL). There are two take-off points, both at 517 m: a built ramp of metal and wood for hang gliders and a natural slope used by paragliders.

The flight heads to Praia do Pepino, the stretch of beach at the end of São Conrado. Visit Rio gives about 10 to 20 minutes in the air. Add the drive up, the briefing and the wait for the right wind, and the whole thing takes a good part of the day. We never squeeze other plans right after it.

If you want to walk as well, the trail to the top of Pedra Bonita takes about 20 minutes. The park opens daily from 8:00 to 17:00, and you have to start the trail by 16:00. Parking for trail visitors holds 24 cars, and pets are not allowed.

Hang glider or paraglider

You fly either one as a passenger. The pilot steers, and ICMBio rules say a tandem passenger needs no licence.

If you cannot decide, write what matters more to you and we will suggest one.

Who may fly tourists for money

ICMBio regulates hang gliding and paragliding in federal conservation units through Instrução Normativa nº 7 of 19 June 2023. For a passenger the main points are:

• flights depend on local weather and terrain, so the decision to fly is made on the day;
• a tandem with an instructor counts as an instruction flight and must be authorized by ICMBio;
• the instructor carries proof of aeronautical insurance;
• pilot and passenger use all the safety equipment the rules require.

The park advises beginners to fly only with an experienced instructor accredited by ABVL. The national confederation, CBVL, adds its own rules from 1 March 2026: a pilot who takes tourists on paid tandem flights needs the top rating, IPPI 5, plus a tandem course, a theory test and first aid training.

Before booking, we check with the pilot:

• ABVL accreditation at Pedra Bonita;
• CBVL approval for paid tandem flights;
• current insurance;
• the equipment: tandem wing, reserve parachute, helmets for both of you.

More on how we check people we book: how we vet providers.

Weather and wind

The wind at the ramp decides. Under the CBVL rules, the local club sets wind speed and direction limits for the site and posts them at take-off. So the final “we fly” only comes on the day. We put the flight early in your trip, keep a spare day, pass on the time the pilot sets from the forecast and stay in touch. Seasons are explained on our Rio weather page.

Weight, age and health

We did not find one official limit for passengers in the ICMBio or CBVL rules. Each pilot sets limits for their equipment, so tell us everyone’s weight, height and age (especially for children) and anything relevant about health. We offer only a pilot who can take you.

Photos and video are usually offered by the pilot. Whether they are available and in what form goes in the proposal; we do not promise them in advance.

What to tell us in your request

• Dates, ideally with a spare day
• Number of people
• Hang glider or paraglider (or “not sure”)
• Weight, height and age of each flyer
• Where you are staying, if you need pickup
• Whether you want photos or video

How booking works

1. You send the details above.
2. We find a pilot with the right accreditation, check availability and send a proposal within 24 hours: type of flight, meeting point, what is included, price and cancellation rules.
3. Terms and payment are set out in the proposal; you pay nothing before you confirm. A single flight costs no more through us than with the same pilot on booking platforms: our fee is already included in the price.
4. After confirmation you get the pilot’s name, contact and meeting time.

If plans change: cancellation at no cost up to 48 hours before; one date change at no cost with 48 hours’ notice if the pilot has another slot; weather stops the flight: new date or full deposit refund; the pilot lets you down: a replacement or a full deposit refund.

Combine it with

Another way to see the city from above is a helicopter flight or a scenic flight in a light aircraft. For more options see adventure activities in Rio, and a private driver can take you to the ramp and on to the rest of the day.