Hang-Gliding in Rio
Listed under Flying, Gliding & Ballooning in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
One of my favorite reasons for traveling is the opportunities that arise while on the road. You’re bound to do things you wouldn’t necessarily do when you’re home within your comfort zone. One of my best adventures was hang-gliding while visiting Rio de Janeiro last winter.
When I first arrived in Rio as a solo female backpacker, I must admit that I was a little disoriented, considering that I was coming from the Amazon, a peaceful place compare to Rio. So when I first arrived in the city, I had to find out what I had to visit or do while I was there. Although guidebooks are useful when backpacking, I prefer to talk to other backpackers or locals to get a feel of how I should be planning my time in the city. One of the recommended activities by everyone I spoke to hang-gliding. I didn’t know much about it at the time but I knew one thing for sure. I wanted to do it! Adventurous little me wasn’t going back home without adding “hang-gliding in Rio” on my list of adventures.
Hang-gliding is popular in Rio due to the numerous hills surrounding the city. You should budget for approximately R$240. Hang-glides take off from Pedra Bonita, on the edge of Tijuca National Park and 520m above the beach of Sao Conrado. You’ll fly over the forest and ocean as well as alongside the mountains before landing directly on the beach of Sao Conrado. Depending on the wind conditions, the ride will last anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes. The view of the hills and beaches are absolutely gorgeous from the sky.
The scariest part of the experience is take-off or maybe even the thought of take-off. The pilots wait until the right combination of winds are present before picking up the hang-glide and running towards the edge. It was a little scary at first but the view is worth all the feelings you’ll experience before landing on the beach.
Written by 
Tanya & Nara.
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Sounds like a fantastic trip
Sounds like a fantastic trip
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Related links
- Rio de Janeiro travel guide
- Rio South East travel guide
- Brazil travel guide
- Brazil travel specialists
- The best Flying, Gliding & Ballooning
Was it a whole day experience?
Was it a whole day experience?
1 Reply
It wasn't supposed to be but you need the right combination of winds to take-off so we were stuck waiting for a while so in my case, it took almost an entire day of waiting for 15 mins of pleasure, but it was all worth it!!