Rio De Janeiro is one of the top-visited cities in the world, and for very good reason! Not only is it known for its lively music, top-notch dancing, gorgeous white sand beaches, and Carnival, it also displays some of the most unique natural beauty.

There are many ways to view it in all its glory, but hang gliding is perhaps the most memorable. Soar the skies, viewing Rio from an aerial perspective, while getting that adrenaline pumping!

We’ve done the “hard” part for you, in order to bring you the top Rio De Janeiro hang gliding adventures that are well worth your time and money!

Take a guided tour of Rio, read our reviews city tours here.

Best Rio De Janeiro Hang Gliding Experiences

	Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro	Experience Hang Gliding or Paragliding in Rio	Rio de Janeiro Hang Gliding Experience
Departure:	Av. Pref. Mendes de Morais, 1501 - São Conrado	Av. Pref. Mendes de Morais, 1500 - São Conrado	Estr. do Joá, 136 - São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro
Start:	8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM	Between 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM	Between 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Duration:	2 hours	2 hours	2 hours
Includes:	Equipment (hang gliding, paragliding, helmet, emergency parachutes, Images (Photos and video) recorded on DVD	Equipment (hang gliding, helmet, emergency parachutes, photos)	Equipment (hang gliding, paragliding, helmet, emergency parachutes, Images (Photos and video) recorded on DVD
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rio De Janeiro Hang Gliding For 2024

1. Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro
2. Experience Hang Gliding or Paragliding in Rio
3. Rio de Janeiro Hang Gliding Experience
4. Paragliding and Hang gliding included Pick up and drop off from your hotel
5. Paragliding or Hang Gliding Experience in Rio de Janeiro

Rio Hang Gliding Tour Reviews

1. Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro

Easily one of the most popular selections in the entire country, the Hang Gliding in Rio De Janeiro Tour is a can’t-miss. Many have the misconception that hang gliding is only for serious athletes, when that couldn’t be further from the truth!

This tour is perfect for beginners, with tour guides who make sure you succeed and have a blast while doing it! Start things off by meeting at the landing area, enroll, and go up the ramp in your guide’s vehicle.

All use of equipment is available, including a safety helmet, emergency parachute, and the choice of a paraglider which can accommodate a higher weight limit. Safety is the number one priority, and all instructors are highly-experienced and professional.

Before you do anything, your instructors will put you through a safety briefing and practice to ensure everyone is more than ready for take-off. When everyone is ready, you’ll take off from the Pedra Bonita trail inside Tijuca National Park.

One you run off that cliffside, be prepared for (literally) breathtaking aerial views of the lush greenery against the magnificent beaches down below.

Land in Sāo Conrado beach safely with your instructor, and revel in the incredible experience you just had! With all the excitement, it simultaneously seems to go on forever and in the blink of an eye.

Thankfully, they provide photos and videos of your tour so you’ll always have them to look back on (and prove that you actually went hang gliding while in Rio De Janeiro)!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Other Experiences You May Enjoy:

2. Experience Hang Gliding or Paragliding in Rio

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to fly, we have just the ticket for you! What better place to act like a bird and go on a thrilling ride then in Rio De Janeiro? With the Experience Hang Gliding or Paragliding in Rio Tour, you’ll do that and more!

Lasting 2 hours in total, this tour is really easy to fit into a busy schedule. You get to choose from various start times as well, of course, it does depend a bit on the weather, too.

Start by meeting your instructor at Praia de Sāo Conrado at Clube de Voo Livre, where you’ll get situated with the included equipment and undergo a safety briefing beforehand.

Then, it’s time to get into your driver’s vehicle and head to the take-off ramp located at Pedra Bonita. Your instructor will make sure you’re ready and be there with you from beginning to end so everything goes off without a hitch!

Enjoy the sky-high views of the bay down below while feeling the wind blow through your hair! If you’ve never hang glided or paraglided before, you’re in for a real treat. Of course, the experience is great for people of all experience levels.

After landing at the beach in Sāo Conrado, you’ll get to check out the photos and videos taken throughout the tour! You’ll be able to even purchase extra memory drives if you don’t have enough space on your device – they think of everything!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Rio de Janeiro Hang Gliding Experience

As you probably know by now, Rio is full of exciting experiences, no matter what your interests are. If you are an adrenaline junkie or simply someone who likes trying new things, you’ll love this next tour.

The Rio De Janeiro Hang Gliding Experience lets you see the city only possible from a hang glider, with a professional instructor to keep you safe and focused on the fun at hand.

Lasting 2 hours, you’ll get some say over the start time (depending on wind conditions, as well). You’ll typically meet your guide at the flying center, unless you are staying in the nearby Sāo Conrado neighborhood in which case, they’ll come pick you up.

Upon arrival, you’ll meet with your friendly instructor and they’ll answer any questions you may have. Safety is of utmost importance, and you’ll be flying with a fully-certified instructor to guide you along the way.

You’ll be launching off the Tijuca Forest National Park, known for its lush tropical forests and unbeatable ocean views. Top Rio landmarks such as Sugar Loaf and Christ the Redeemer also call this park “home”.

After jumping off a cliff with your instructor, you’ll glide over the phenomenal vista, gently landing on the white sand beach below.

There is so much to see in Rio De Janeiro – from forest, to beach, to city. However, combining all of those views into one is difficult to do. With this hang gliding tour, you get to see it all in just a few exhilarating minutes!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Paragliding & Hang gliding including Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off

Next up, is the slightly longer Paragliding and Hang Gliding including Pick Up and Drop-Off from Your Hotel Tour. Clocking in at 2.5 hours, it’s one of the most comprehensive currently available in Rio De Janeiro.

If you’re looking for convenience and the best bang for your buck, you can’t leave this one out of the equation. Instead of having to meet your instructors at the take-off spot, they’ll come to you in a comfortable, air-conditioned car to pick you up right from your hotel lobby.

This is so much easier for many, as you don’t have to worry about arranging separate transportation. Once you arrive at the flight club in Sāo Conrado, you’ll receive a safety briefing and sign all the paperwork necessary to participate.

Then, you’ll learn more about technique and any other safety details you should know. Your instructor is highly-trained and well-experienced in hang gliding and paragliding, and will make sure you’re in good hands.

Next, head up 15 or so minutes by car to the takeoff point where you’ll perform a practice before going on your tandem journey. Enjoy the unmatched views from high up in the air, and come as close as you possibly can to flying!

This bird’s-eye view is incredible, with the staff’s attention to detail and friendliness making it that much more memorable. You’ll land on the gorgeous beach down below, which is known for being a hang-gliding destination.

Once you’re landed, you and the others in your group will be able to receive a video of your entire experience! It’s such a fun memento to have and share with others back home (and perhaps convince them to go with you next time!).

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Paragliding or Hang Gliding Experience in Rio de Janeiro

If you’ve ever been interested in hang gliding or paragliding, this is the perfect opportunity! The Paragliding or Hang Gliding Experience in Rio de Janeiro is ideal for any experience level, and is something you absolutely will want to repeat!

If you have a really packed schedule, this tour is just 1 hour, so it really packs in a lot of fun into a short amount of time! You’ll be able to pick the start time that works best for you and your group, anywhere between 8 am and 4:30 pm.

Upon arrival to the Sāo Conrado beach, you’ll head up to the flight club to fill out all necessary documents and begin learning about the sport. Your instructor will go through a safety briefing and tell you what you can expect.

Then, head up in their car to the Pedra Bonita ramp and ensure everyone has their safety equipment put on correctly. The supervisor spends extra time revising each piece of gear, down to the cables and assembly.

Head off with your experienced pilot in tandem, and enjoy the full 360 views of the postcard-perfect Brazilian landscapes. These incredible aerial views are almost unbelievable, but you’ll be able to share your adventures with everyone back home.

Both GoPro and 360-degree cameras record the entirety of your flight, so you can share on social media or keep it on your hard drive as you wish. All in all, this is a simply magical experience that has to be seen to be believed!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Guide to Hang Gliding in Rio De Janeiro

Differences Between Hang Gliding and Paragliding

There’s a common misconception that paragliding is the safer of the two, due to its bigger wing and slower speed. However, both are very safe and accidents are extremely rare.

Kite

The size and shape of the kite is the biggest difference between the two sports. The hang glider sports a unique triangular shape, made of a thick polyester sailcloth. The frame is made of a lightweight aluminum and is in the shape of an A-frame for great aerodynamics and higher speeds.

The paragliding wing comes in either polyester or nylon, but in an ellipse form with two layers of fabric. You also won’t find a metal frame.

Positioning

You may notice that the pilot, while hang gliding, lays down horizontally against the A-frame in order to direct with their body. With paragliding, you sit up in a harness like sitting in a chair, pulling the command lines in order to control direction. This may seem more second-nature to some.

Weight

As we mentioned briefly earlier in the guide, paragliding can support more weight than hang gliders can. Paragliders can support up to 350 pounds, while hang gliders typically go up to 200 to 240 pounds.

Tips

1. Only go on tours with experienced professionals. All of the tours on our guide are reputable, and come with the highest ratings of any tour of their kind. They’re certified to take you flying high into the air, and make sure you land safely.
2. Don’t underestimate safety. Make sure to pay close attention to what your instructors tell you regarding equipment, how your harness and helmet fit, and so on. If something doesn’t feel perfect, it’s always better to ask.
3. Try to relax and have fun! We know that sometimes is easier said than done, but you can feel safe knowing everything will turn out perfectly! Enjoy the views and the experience of soaring through the air.
4. Don’t look down. Even though you’re doing to be doing tandem instruction with your pilot, you will want to find a focal point on the horizon as this dictates where you go. Not only that, but some people get a little bit freaked out by seeing how high up they are.