One jump and you’re flying above Rio. This tandem paragliding experience starts at Praia do Pepero in São Conrado and quickly turns into real air time over Rio, with a calm, safety-first approach led by instructors including Ighor Ferreira. I love how guided it feels, from a takeoff simulation to a final safety check before you run and glide. I also love the payoff: you’re up at Pedra Bonita for landmark views, then drift toward the ocean with footage and photos meant to be shared fast. One thing to consider is that the actual flight is usually short—about 10–15 minutes, sometimes up to 30—so come for the moment, not the length.

Logistics are straightforward for Rio standards: you meet, you get set up, you shuttle up through the Tijuca Forest to the Pedra Bonita ramp (520 meters above sea level), and you fly with a small group (limited to 8). The biggest “watch out” is that this is not for everyone: it’s not suitable for children under 14, pregnant women, or people above the stated weight limits.

Key Points Before You Go

• Pedra Bonita ramp at 520 meters gives you the kind of Rio aerials most people only see in photos
• Small group (8 max) means more personal attention during briefings and setup
• Tandem flight with a relaxed, safety-led instructor approach (including Ighor Ferreira)
• Rio-to-ocean views include Christ the Redeemer, Rocinha, Pedra da Gávea, and both São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca
• GoPro footage included, and you’ll receive captured media to your phone after landing
• Flight time depends on conditions: typically 10–15 minutes, sometimes up to 30

Meeting at Praia do Pepero in São Conrado (and Finding Ighor Ferreira)

Your day starts at Praia do Pepero in São Conrado, right in front of the free flight association area. When you arrive, you’ll want to tell them you have an appointment with instructor Ighor Ferreira so you get slotted into the right group and safety flow.

This helps your first 30 minutes feel less chaotic. You’re not guessing where the operation begins or who’s responsible for your flight. It’s also a practical location: São Conrado is one of the core coastal bases for flying around Rio, so you’re near the action before the shuttle even starts.

Language support is built in. Instructors can work in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, which makes the safety briefing far less stressful if your Portuguese isn’t strong.

The Shuttle Up: Tijuca Forest to the Pedra Bonita Ramp

After you’re checked in, you head to the flight club headquarters area for a short registration form that activates your tour insurance. Then it’s onto a private shuttle that climbs up through the Tijuca Forest toward the Pedra Bonita ramp.

This ride matters more than it sounds. You’re going from the coast into a different “feel” of Rio. The forest and altitude change the air and the tempo of the day, and the ramp itself is where you’ll stand before takeoff. Pedra Bonita sits at 520 meters (1,700 feet) above sea level, which is a big part of why you get wide, dramatic views once you’re airborne.

You’ll also see other pilots prepare. There’s usually something reassuring about watching experienced teams coordinate on the ramp. It’s not a solo show; it’s an organized operation.

Ramp Prep: The Safety Briefing That Actually Helps

At the ramp, you get panoramic views and time for photos while you watch others launch. Your instructor guides you through a takeoff simulation, which is basically a rehearsal so your body knows what to do when the real moment arrives.

Then there’s a final safety check by a certified inspector. After that, the camera gear is turned on, and it’s go-time. What I like about this approach is that it doesn’t treat nervousness like a problem. The instructors are there to walk you through the steps until you’re comfortable.

This also explains why people come back feeling proud afterward, not just entertained. You’re not just dropped into an activity—you’re coached into it.

Your Tandem Flight Over Rio: City Icons to the Ocean Ahead

Here’s where Rio gets unreal.

The average flight time is 10–15 minutes, with conditions sometimes allowing it to last up to 30 minutes. Either way, you’re in the air long enough to notice details—streets, ridgelines, and the way the coast curves—without it turning into a long, tiring ordeal.

As you glide silently, your route puts you above major Rio landmarks from a new angle, including:

• Pedra Bonita and Pedra da Gávea
• Rocinha
• Morro Dois Irmãos
• Christ the Redeemer
• The golden beaches of São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca

The ocean shows up as a visual anchor. It’s one of those moments where you stop thinking about the logistics and just focus on the sensation—wind under your wing, city in front of you, and that strange calm that comes from being suspended in motion.

Your instructor also captures media with a 360° camera, with special attention during a low flyover of the ocean just before landing. That low pass is the part people remember because it feels like you’re skimming right along the waterline.

Touchdown at São Conrado Beach (and Getting Your Media Fast)

Landing is typically gentle, with touchdown either on the beach or on a grassy landing zone beside the flight club. After you come in, there’s a real “wait, is that it?” feeling—because the air time is short—then relief and excitement once you realize how complete the experience is.

The good part: all your photos and videos are instantly transferred to your phone after landing. That’s a big practical win. You’re not waiting around for downloads later, and you’re not stuck with blurry screenshots because you ran out of time.

Media details to know: the package includes GoPro footage of the entire flight. The data also says 360-degree images and GoPro images are not included. So if you’re the kind of person who wants every still frame, confirm what you’ll get on your phone immediately versus what might be an extra purchase.

Price and Value: What You Pay (and What Adds Up)

At $173 per person for about 2 hours total, this isn’t a budget activity—but it is one of the more value-heavy “bucket list” options in Rio because the flight itself is the core product.

Here’s what’s included:

• Tandem paragliding flight from the Pedra Bonita ramp down toward São Conrado Beach
• Safety equipment
• Club fees and activity insurance
• Transportation from the flight club headquarters to the Pedra Bonita ramp
• Access to common areas like restrooms, changing rooms, water fountains, and showers
• GoPro footage of the entire flight

What is not included:

• An insurance fee of BRL 132,00
• Images from the 360-degree camera
• Images from the GoPro camera
• Food and beverages on-site
• Hotel-to-flight-club transportation (you’re expected to handle getting to the meeting point / headquarters area)
• Return transport to your hotel

My take: you’re paying for trained instructors, a supervised ramp operation, safety gear, and hard-to-replicate views. The extra BRL insurance fee is something to budget for early so it doesn’t surprise you at the last moment.

Also, the small group size (8 max) pushes the value up. You’re not getting rushed through a conveyor belt.

Who Should Book (and Who Should Skip)

This works best if you want a real thrill but still prefer a structured, low-stress format. You’re not hiking for hours. You’re not handling gear. You’re flying tandem, with an instructor doing the technical side.

It’s suitable for:

• Adults and confident teens who can follow instructions and feel okay with a short run on the ramp
• Anyone who wants a high-impact Rio view in a short time window

It’s not suitable for:

• Children under 14
• Pregnant women
• People over 243 lbs (110 kg), and the info also lists over 250 lbs (113 kg) as not suitable

If you’re close to the weight limit, I’d treat it as a hard requirement and double-check before you book. For safety activities, guessing or rounding can backfire.

Tips for a Smooth Flight Day (Without Overthinking It)

A few practical things that help you enjoy the experience more:

Dress for wind and movement. Even though the ride is short, you’ll be exposed to airflow at height. Wear something you can move in and that won’t flap around too much.

Plan to arrive ready. Restrooms, changing rooms, showers, and water fountains are available at the flight club common areas, which makes it easier to freshen up after. Bring a basic small bag for essentials.

Think about photos before you take off. You’ll have ramp time for pictures, and the instructor captures 360° media. If you’re trying to get your own shots, keep your phone secure and remember that your best framing often happens during guided passes, not random angles.

If you’re nervous, good—tell your instructor early. The whole operation is designed around briefings and a takeoff simulation. Instructors like Ighor Ferreira are experienced with calming people down so you can focus on the flight instead of the fear.

Should You Book Paragliding Over Rio from Pedra Bonita?

If you want one Rio activity that mixes awe, scenic payoff, and a real sense of accomplishment, this is a strong yes. The reason is simple: you get flight over iconic sights like Christ the Redeemer and the ocean approach, with tandem support and an operation that feels organized from the ramp onward. The small group limit helps too.

You might pass if you’re very budget-sensitive, want a longer time in the air, or have any of the listed suitability issues (age, pregnancy, or weight limits). Also, if you’re the type who expects galleries of 360° stills included, double-check what you’ll receive to your phone on the day.

My advice: if this is on your bucket list, book it early enough that you can still adjust your Rio schedule around the flight window. Then show up, follow instructions, and let the city move under you for those 10–15 minutes.

FAQ

How long is the full experience?

The total experience lasts about 2 hours, including setup, shuttling, briefing, and the flight.

How long is the actual paragliding flight?

The average flight time is 10–15 minutes, with conditions that may allow it to last up to 30 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Praia do Pepero in São Conrado, in front of the free flight association. You should inform them you have an appointment with instructor Ighor Ferreira.

Is the flight tandem?

Yes. It’s a tandem paragliding flight with an instructor from the Pedra Bonita ramp down toward São Conrado Beach.

What’s included in the price?

Included: tandem flight, safety equipment, club fees and activity insurance, transport from the flight club headquarters to the Pedra Bonita ramp, access to facilities like restrooms/changing rooms/showers, and GoPro footage of the entire flight.

What languages do instructors speak?

Instructors can work in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French.