Flying over São Conrado by hang glider or paraglider is one of the most sought-after experiences in Rio. It's also a risky activity: ANAC, Brazil's civil aviation agency, defines it as a "high-risk" sport and makes clear that it doesn't guarantee its safety. That's why this guide focuses on what you can control: how the flight works, who is certified to take you and what to ask before you pay.
At a glance
- Takeoff: the Pedra Bonita ramp, at 517 m, inside Parque Nacional da Tijuca.
- Landing: a grassy area at the end of Praia do Pepino, in São Conrado.
- Who flies with passengers: pilots with up-to-date registration and a tandem-flight rating; the local club publishes the list.
- Weather: if conditions aren't right, nobody flies. Ask beforehand how rescheduling or refunds work.
How the flight works
According to Parque Nacional da Tijuca ↗, Pedra Bonita has two ramps: a metal-and-wood one for hang gliding and a natural one for paragliding. The Clube São Conrado de Voo Livre (CSCVL) ↗ explains that the ramp is about 7 km from Praia do Pepino via Estrada das Canoas, and that inspectors check each pilot's paperwork before takeoff.
The official landing zone is the grassy area at the end of Praia do Pepino, next to the club's headquarters, or the sand at the far right end of the beach. The usual arrangement is to meet down in São Conrado and ride up to the ramp with your pilot.
Hang gliding or paragliding
The practical difference lies in the equipment and the feel: in a hang glider you lie face down next to the pilot, under a rigid wing; in a paraglider you sit under a fabric wing. Both take off from the same mountain and land on the same beach. Weight and age limits are set by each operator: for example, Rio Centro de Voo Livre ↗, linked from the club's website, lists 90 kg for hang gliding, 120 kg for paragliding and a minimum age of 14 with a parent present. Confirm these details with whoever you're flying with.
Who can take you
ANAC ↗ doesn't issue free-flight licenses, but it requires pilots to be registered through accredited associations and only allows flying in designated areas. It states that commercial operation without authorization is prohibited, while paid instruction is legal: that's why flights for tourists are offered as "voo duplo de instrução" (tandem instructional flights).
To fly with a passenger, the CSCVL regulations ↗ require an up-to-date ANAC certificate, a rating from the Brazilian Free Flight Confederation (CBVL) and inspected two-seater equipment. The CBVL states that only IPPI levels 4 and 5 ↗ may carry passengers.
How to check your pilot
The club publishes the list of pilots certified for instruction and tandem flights ↗, indicating whether they fly hang gliders, paragliders or both. Before paying, ask for your pilot's full name and look them up on that list. If someone offers you a flight on the street or at the beach, do the same check.
The weather decides
The club has weather stations at the takeoff and landing sites and publishes their data on its São Conrado weather page ↗. Takeoff requires wind from certain directions; if conditions aren't right, the flight is called off. That's why it's best not to leave it for the last day of your trip.
What to ask before you pay
- Is the pilot on the CSCVL list for the type of flight you chose?
- What does the price include: transfer to the ramp, photos or video?
- What happens if the weather doesn't allow flying: is it rescheduled or refunded?
- How long is the flight, and how long is the whole experience, including transfers?
- Does your travel insurance cover high-risk sports? Many policies exclude them or require an add-on.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a hang gliding flight in Rio?
It depends on the wind. Operators mention flights of about 10 to 20 minutes, within an experience of a couple of hours including transfers. Ask for this information when you book.
Where do you land?
On the grassy area at the end of Praia do Pepino, in São Conrado, next to the club's headquarters.
Can you go up Pedra Bonita without flying?
Yes. Pedra Bonita has a short trail with one of the best views in the city. We cover it in our guide to hiking in Tijuca.
Sources: Parque Nacional da Tijuca ↗, Clube São Conrado de Voo Livre ↗, ANAC ↗ and CBVL ↗, accessed September 28, 2026. We don't publish prices because no official source reports them.