Paragliding in Brazil: The Complete Guide to Flying Brazil’s Best Sites (2026)
Brazil Paragliding: A World-Class Destination for Every Pilot
Brazil is one of the world’s most sought-after paragliding destinations, offering everything from gentle coastal ridge soaring to world-record-breaking flatland XC flights. With its vast territory spanning multiple climates and landscapes, Brazil delivers exceptional flying conditions across nearly every region—from the iconic granite peaks of Minas Gerais to the dramatic cliffs of Niterói and the legendary thermal fields of the northeastern sertão. Whether you’re a first-time tandem passenger or an experienced XC pilot chasing a personal best, Brazil has a launch ramp waiting for you.
The State of Paragliding in Brazil
Brazil’s free-flight community is among the largest and most competitive in the Americas. The sport is governed at the national level by the CBVL (Comissão Brasileira de Voo Livre) and supported by regional associations including ABVL (Associação Brasileira de Voo Livre) and ABP (Associação Brasileira de Parapente). Together, these organizations oversee competitions, pilot certifications, and safety standards across the country.
Brazil has produced world-class pilots who consistently dominate international competitions. The nation has won multiple FAI Pan-American Paragliding Championships, most recently in 2024 when Rafael Barros took the overall title at the 6th FAI Pan-American Championships held in Andradas, MG. The 19th FAI World Paragliding Championships are slated for Andradas in 2025, cementing Brazil’s status as a global paragliding powerhouse. Brazilian pilots also frequently rank among the top finishers at the Paragliding World Cup Superfinal and FAI World XC Contest, with flights regularly exceeding 400–500 km from sites in Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte.
Thousands of certified pilots fly recreationally across the country, supported by a network of accredited schools, tandem operators, and local clubs. The country’s diverse geography means there is virtually always somewhere with good conditions—the flying season simply moves with the rains and thermals across regions.
Top Paragliding Sites in Brazil
Brazil’s best-known sites span from Rio de Janeiro to the interior of Minas Gerais and the remote sertão of the northeast. Below are five premier destinations that define the Brazilian paragliding experience.
Pico do Ibituruna – Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais
Governador Valadares, often simply called “GV,” is arguably the most iconic paragliding destination in Latin America. The Pico do Ibituruna rises approximately 1,123 meters above sea level, offering an elevation gain of around 860 meters to the main landing zones. The site features four wooden ramps and ten natural grass ramps, allowing simultaneous take-offs in multiple wind directions.
GV’s permitted wind quadrants include North, South, Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest, giving pilots exceptional flexibility. The thermals here are strong and well-organized, reaching up to 9 m/s on good days, with cloudbase regularly exceeding 3,500 meters. The official landing area is at Feira da Paz, about 2.5 km from launch. The local club, Clube Valadarense de Vôo Livre, provides webcam feeds and weather station data.
Best season: September through March, with optimal conditions in February and March. Year-round flying is possible, though peak XC season aligns with the Southern Hemisphere summer.
Flyable wind: N, S, NE, SE, NW, SW
Rampa da Pedra Bonita – Rio de Janeiro
Pedra Bonita is Brazil’s most internationally recognized paragliding site and one of the most scenic launches in the world. Located at 520 meters within Tijuca National Park, the purpose-built ramp overlooks the full sweep of Rio’s coastline—including Sugarloaf Mountain, Ipanema, Leblon, and the Atlantic Ocean. Flights land on the sandy beach of São Conrado, where pilots are often greeted with fresh coconut water.
The site is ideal for tandem flights and recreational pilots. The takeoff is straightforward in the right conditions, and the aerial views are simply unmatched—Pedra da Gávea, the Two Brothers peak, Tijuca Forest, and on clear days, the Christ the Redeemer statue are all visible from the air. Certified tandem operators accredited by ABVL operate daily flights year-round.
Best season: March through September (autumn and winter), offering milder temperatures (18–28°C), more stable winds, and less rainfall. Flying is possible year-round.
Flyable wind: E–NE for optimal conditions; avoid strong SW winds
Morro do Urucum – Quixadá, Ceará
If GV is Brazil’s thermal mecca, Quixadá is its distance legend. The Morro do Urucum near Quixadá in the semi-arid sertão of Ceará is widely regarded as the best flatland XC site in the world. With a launch elevation of around 460 meters above sea level and an enormous landing zone ahead, pilots have broken hundreds of world records from this site.
The thermals here are among the most powerful on the planet—easily reaching 8–12 m/s in peak season—and cloudbase climbs to 3,500 meters. November is the peak month for extreme distance flights, with winds regularly exceeding 50 km/h requiring precise launch timing. December brings slightly gentler conditions while still offering 300+ km potential. The Quixadá Verde season (April–July, green season) offers a softer introduction for pilots newer to the sertão.
Best season: September to November for world-record attempts; December to February for slightly calmer winds; April to July for green season XC with gentler thermals.
Flyable wind: NNE, E, SE, S, SW, WNW—requires strong wind management and experienced launch technique
Pico do Gavião – Andradas, Minas Gerais
Pico do Gaviao (1,339 m ASL) near the town of Andradas in southern Minas Gerais is one of Brazil’s most popular competition sites. With ten natural grass ramps on a well-maintained field, it accommodates simultaneous launches and a wide wind window, making it ideal for both weekend recreational pilots and international competitions. The landscape transitions from flat farmland to rolling hills, offering varied XC routes.
Andradas hosted the 2024 FAI Pan-American Paragliding Championships and is scheduled to host the 19th FAI World Paragliding Championships in 2025. The local infrastructure is excellent, with good hotels and restaurants in town. The site works well for triangles and distance tasks alike.
Best season: September and October, with the strongest thermals and best thermal structure.
Flyable wind: Wide window from N to SW, with multiple ramp orientations accommodating different conditions
Parque da Cidade – Niterói, Rio de Janeiro
Often called Rio’s “best-kept secret,” Parque da Cidade in Niterói offers a completely different perspective on the Marvelous City. From this launch on the opposite side of Guanabara Bay, pilots enjoy panoramic views of Rio’s skyline, Sugarloaf, and the bay—all during a spectacular sunset flight. The park’s open hillside provides consistent lift, and the area has a growing community of local pilots.
The site is particularly popular for tandem flights and photography flights, and is easily accessible from most of Rio’s hotel zones. Local operators offer regular tandem flights with stunning golden-hour views.
Best season: Year-round, with optimal conditions from March to September.
Flyable wind: N–NE for best conditions from this coastal launch
Brazil Paragliding Sites at a Glance
| Site | Region / State | Altitude (m ASL) | Best Wind Direction | Best Season | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pico do Ibituruna | Minas Gerais (Governador Valadares) | 1,070–1,123 | S, SE, SW | Sep–Mar | Intermediate–Advanced |
| Rampa da Pedra Bonita | Rio de Janeiro | 507–520 | E, NE | Year-round (Mar–Sep optimal) | Beginner–Advanced |
| Morro do Urucum | Ceará (Quixadá) | 460–470 | E, SE, NNE | Sep–Nov (distance); Apr–Jul (green season) | Advanced–Expert |
| Pico do Gavião | Minas Gerais (Andradas) | 1,339 | Multiple (N–SW) | Sep–Oct | Intermediate–Advanced |
| Parque da Cidade | Rio de Janeiro (Niterói) | ~120 | N, NE | Year-round | Beginner–Intermediate |
| Morro do Careca | Santa Catarina (Balneário Camboriú) | ~200 | E, NE | Sep–Mar | Beginner |
| Ninho das Águias | Rio Grande do Sul (Novo Hamburgo) | 673 | N, NW, S | Year-round (Sep–Mar optimal) | Beginner–Intermediate |
| Morro do Ferrabraz | Rio Grande do Sul (Sapiranga) | 562 | SE, SW | Sep–Mar | Intermediate |
| Pico Agudo | São Paulo (Santo Antônio do Pinhal) | 1,261 | Multiple | Year-round | Intermediate |
| Praia de Pipa | Rio Grande do Norte (Tibau do Sul) | ~80 | E, SE | Aug–Feb | Beginner–Intermediate |
| Pedra Grande (Atibaia) | São Paulo (Atibaia) | 1,382 | N, NW | Sep–Nov | Intermediate–Advanced |
| Castelo – Ubá | Espírito Santo | ~900 | NE, E | Apr–Oct | Intermediate |
| Tangará | Santa Catarina | 1,179 | Multiple | Sep–Mar | Intermediate–Advanced |
| Baixo Guandu | Espírito Santo | ~500 | E, NE | Mar–Sep | Intermediate–Advanced |
| Patu | Rio Grande do Norte | ~400 | E, SE | Sep–Dec; Apr–Jul (green season) | Advanced |
Pilot Numbers and Flying Culture
Brazil’s paragliding culture is vibrant and community-driven. The CBVL sanctions national championships and maintains an official pilot ranking system, while the FAI CIVL records international competition results. Brazilian pilots are particularly known for their flatland XC skills—multiple FAI World XC Contest podium finishers in recent seasons have been Brazilian, and the world’s top distance flights are consistently flown from Brazilian sites, especially the sertão region of Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte.
The national competition calendar is busy year-round, with events ranging from local club weekends to FAI-sanctioned Category 2 competitions and the Brazilian National Championship series. Popular annual events include the X-Ceará (Quixadá), Valadares Paragliding Cup, Campeonato Sul Brasileiro de Parapente, and the Andradas Open. Many events are live-streamed and attract international participation.
Best Time to Fly in Brazil
Because Brazil spans nearly half a continent, flying seasons vary dramatically by region. Here is a general seasonal guide:
- December–March (Southern Hemisphere Summer): The south and southeast of Brazil (Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Minas Gerais, São Paulo) see their best thermal conditions. Days are longer, thermals are strong, and cloudbase is high. The northeast coast also flies well.
- April–October: The southeast and center-west (Distrito Federal, Goiás, Minas Gerais interior) offer excellent flatland thermal flying. Brasília and Jaraguá are at their best during this period, with relative humidity dropping below 10% and cloudbase reaching 4,500+ meters.
- October–November: The northeast takes over as the big distance season. Quixadá, Tacima, Patu, and Caicó offer 10+ hour flying windows, with launches as early as 7 AM and thermals lasting until well after sunset. This is the season for 300–500+ km flights.
- Year-round: Coastal sites near Rio de Janeiro (Pedra Bonita, Parque da Cidade) are flyable in almost every month, with the most stable conditions from March to September.
Key rule: when one region is in its off-season, another is at its peak. Dedicated XC pilots often travel across the country following the best conditions.
Practical Tips for Flying in Brazil
- Fly with certified operators. Always book tandem flights and courses through ABVL- or ABP-accredited instructors. The Brazilian free-flight community is welcoming, but “pirate” operators exist. Ask for credentials before booking.
- Bring a Spot or inReach tracker. For XC flights—especially in the sertão—a satellite tracking device is mandatory for safety. Mobile phone coverage is unreliable in remote landing areas. Share your live track with a ground contact.
- Respect the seasonal timing by region. Don’t plan a Quixadá trip in June expecting record conditions—go during the green season for gentler thermals, or September–November for extreme distance. Match your destination to your skill level and goals.
- Stay hydrated and protect from the sun. Brazilian thermals can be fierce. Carry 2+ liters of water on XC flights, wear a hat, apply sunscreen, and plan for retrieve times that can run late into the night—especially in the sertão.
- Learn about retrieve logistics before your flight. Brazilian XC sites often have long retrieves. In Quixadá and Caicó, distances of 200–500 km can mean a full night of driving. Arrange a retrieve service in advance or join a guided trip with organized support.
Experience Brazil from Above
Few countries in the world offer the sheer diversity of paragliding experiences that Brazil delivers. From the adrenaline of launching off Pico do Ibituruna over a quarter-million-person city to the meditative silence of a 300-km sertão flight between granite monoliths, Brazil has a dimension of adventure that cannot be replicated anywhere else on Earth.
Whether you’re visiting Rio de Janeiro for a once-in-a-lifetime tandem flight or making the pilgrimage to Quixadá to chase your personal distance record, Brazilian skies will reward every pilot who comes with respect for the conditions and an open mind.
Featured image: Paragliding at sunset over Parque da Cidade, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.