The best place to hang glide in Rio

Hang gliding in Rio is one of my top travel experiences EVER! If you are in Rio and love adrenaline this is an absolute MUST. To read about my experience check my blog: The day I fell 520m

The best place to hang glide in Rio

If you are planning to hang glide in Rio and want a good deal you need to arrange it directly with a company. If you try and organise it through a hostel or agent it will cost more. The price depends on the time of year and the company. Most companies have an additional charge for photos and videos- my advice is to see this as part of the overall cost as it will probably be a one in a life time experience.

 The best place to hang glide in Rio

Approximate prices: 400 – 1500 Real (£80 – £300 or $120 – $450) + additional cost for photos and video

The quoted price includes club membership which is required for anyone who wishes to fly.

I was able to book a flight as late as the day before- but I wouldn’t recommend doing this. In high season (for example during the Rio Carnival in February) it is advisable to try and book early. So what is the best way to organise your trip?

 The best place to hang glide in Rio

Just Fly Rio is the way to go

 I am very glad that I went with Just fly Rio. When I emailed to enquire Paulo replied very quickly. All of the information was extremely clear and very helpful and he answered all of my questions. Just Fly Rio is run by experienced, friendly staff with great English. If you’re planning to try gliding just drop Paulo an email info@justfly.com.br

Gliding starts around 8-9am and depends on the weather. If you go with Just Fly Rio Paulo will arrange a time and will communicate in the morning of the flight to let you know if the conditions are safe for flying.

Top tip

It is worth planning to spend a few days in Rio for hang gliding uncase the flight is cancelled.

 The best place to hang glide in Rio

What to bring on the day:

• Light weight shoes (not flip flops / sandals)
• Comfortable light clothing
• Small day sack
• Camera / phone
• Small change for the bus / Metro
• Cash to pay for the flight / photos (but not too much more for safety)
• ID for club registration (may not be required if you are over 18- check with the company)

Note: You may not be allowed to fly if you have certain medical conditions that could put you at risk. If you are unsure whether you are fit to fly please consult your doctor and talk to the company.

How to get to the gliding site

Companies do not generally offer pick up from your hostel. To get to the meeting point you will either need to travel by taxi, bus or a combination of metro and bus.

The address of the meeting point is: Avenida Prefeito Mendes de Moraes 1500 – São Conrado.

Top tip

The buses in Rio only stop at bus stops that have their number. If you can’t see the bus number listed on the stop, there will probably be another bus stop near by for your bus.

The Rio Metro system does not run to São Conrado. The closest Metro stop to São Conrado is Ipanema. If you go to Ipanema you will still need to take a bus to get to São Conrado. The 177 bus to São Conrado runs along Rua Prudente de Morais (one way street) which is on the South side of Praca General Osorio square. The Praca General Osorio square is to the south of the subway station and has a delightful hippy market on Sundays.

Buses also run to São Conrado from other places in Rio

Bus 177 runs from: Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon and Centro

Bus 309 runs from: Gavea, Jardim Botanico, Barra/Alvorada, Botafogo and Centro

The bus journey from Ipanema takes around 15-20 minutes. Get off the bus at the bus stop right in front the Churrascaria Oasis next to Igreja De São Conrado (Church of São Conrado), beside the market Zona Sul and Shell petrol station. If you turn back you will see a pedestrian bridge.

Cross the bridge and walk along the small road (Rua Pricesa Diana de Gales) towards the ocean. At the end of the road turn right and follow the road (Avenida Prefeito Mendes de Moraes) 300m, the beach should be to your left. You are looking for a yellow hut by a small park with a Skol sign. The walk from the bus stop to the meeting place takes around 5-10 minutes. When you arrive at the meeting point ask for Paulo Celani.

Top tip

If you are travelling with someone else decide whether you would like them to film your take off or landing (unfortunately there is not time for both). If they wish to film the take off ask if they are allowed to join you at the top- for every glider a car drives up to the launch site and then back to the beach.

Quick facts

The typical decent rate of a hang glider is a 1m decent for every 8m forward

On a still day a hang glider flies at a speed of around 20mph (30km/h)

Hang gliders rely on the Bernoulli Principle: when air moves over the wing it moves faster over the top of the wing than the bottom leading to a lower pressure on the top of the wing. This creates a net upward force called lift.

From the glide route off Pedra Bonita mountain (the launch site described here) you will get a stunning view of the largest favela in the world- the Rocinha Favela and the beautiful Rio coastline. The launch platform is around 520m above sea level.

Just fly Rio, hang glider specification: Wills Wing, Falcon Tandem 3. Produced and Licensed in the USA https://www.willswing.com/hang-gliders/falcon-3-tandem/

For more info http://justflyinrio.blogspot.com.br/