Bucket list experience:
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil
With warm weather and towering coastal mountains creating almost constant thermals, myriad broad sandy beaches for landing strips and spectacular views over boulder-mountain studded bays, Rio is a hotspot for hang gliding.
The sport is long-established here, and a number of operators offer tandem or solo flights, which take off from the paragliding station atop the giant 520m-high monolith of Bonita Rock (Pedra Bonita).
If you’ve ever wanted to try hang gliding, this is as good a place as any.
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Destination Guide >Tour operators will collect you from your hotel and transport you to the take-off point. All equipment is provided, and a full safety briefing is given before you fly.
Flights last 15-30 minutes depending on weather conditions; the whole adventure, including transport, takes about 2 hours. There’s no minimum age, but children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a weight limit of around 120kg.
Flights can be organised all year round, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset – weather permitting.
This is obviously something best done on a cloudless day. November to March is Rio’s rainy season, so expect intermittent clouds and weather interruptions during these months.
Try and fly as early as possible for the best light and clearest air and for chances of seeing marmoset monkeys and birds along the short jungle trail that leads to the take-off.
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[3 miles]
Ducasse-trained chef is sumptuous. That’s a good thing, because alternative eateries, bars and the famous beaches are a 20-minute cab ride away.
Official star rating:
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[5.7 miles]
Rooms are modern, flooded with light, and decked out with Paulo Alpes furniture. The best have views of the sunset over the beach and the Morro dos Dois Irmãos mountains.
Official star rating:
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[8.4 miles]
Effortlessly hip and elegant in a choice Ipanema location, this is one of Rio’s most luxurious beach hotels in an unrivalled beachfront location.
Official star rating:
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[8.7 miles]
There’s a rooftop sundeck with fabulous beach views, a small pool and the restaurant serves high quality comfort food including a huge breakfast (included in the price).
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Southeastern Region, Brazil
Heaven for healthy hedonists – hang glide, surf or hike by day, relax on the beach and party all night. Then, of course, there’s that carnival…
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Rio de Janeiro , Southwestern Region, Brazil[3 miles]
Get a deeper understanding of Rio life with an insider tour of its famous favelas.
Best for ages: 13+ | £25
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[5.9 miles]
Rio’s lush urban rainforest climbs over the mountains that surround the Christ statue and Atlantic beaches, affording some of the world’s most beautiful urban views. Excellent for hiking, biking and wildlife-spotting.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[7.2 miles]
Breathy and breathtaking rainforest hike to the highest peak in Rio de Janeiro’s urban mountain range, stopping at Tijuca National Park’s waterfalls on the way.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 4 hours
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[8 miles]
This iconic, art deco beauty, the symbol of South America, watches out over Rio from high on Corcovado Mountain. The panoramic views from the statue’s feet are dazzling.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[1.3 miles]
This half-day hike through a wildlife- and waterfall-filled rainforest ends with a scary summit scramble. It rewards, though, with the best views in Rio. Guided rock climbs are also on offer.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 6-8 hours
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[5.9 miles]
Once the Emperor’s private retreat, these gardens brim with rare plants and are a haven for birds and butterflies
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[6.7 miles]
Rio’s prettiest, chicest ocean beach, is watched over by the impressive Dois Irmaos mountain that sits behind. The water is cleaner, and the crowd more exclusive the further south you go, where Ipanema Beach merges into the more upscale Leblon Beach.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[7.4 miles]
Pelé da Praia has been teaching locals and tourists Brazilian football tricks on Ipanema beach for more than a decade. One-to-one tuition and group classes available. Contact him at peledapraia1@hotmail.com.
Best for ages: 8+ | £15 | 1-2 hours
