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Paragliding in San Gil is the single most spectacular thing you can do in Colombia’s adventure capital — and one of the most affordable places on the planet to fly tandem over a world-class landscape. The star attraction is the Chicamocha Canyon, a gorge roughly 2,000 meters deep that locals proudly compare to the Grand Canyon. Strapped to a certified pilot, you’ll ride the thermal currents rising from the canyon floor, soaring alongside vultures with the Andes stretching to the horizon.
No experience is needed to go paragliding in San Gil: flights run year-round, every flight is tandem with a professional pilot, and prices are a fraction of what you’d pay in Europe. This guide covers the two takeoff sites, prices, the best season to fly, and how to book a safe, reputable tour.
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ToggleThree things make paragliding in San Gil exceptional.
The landscape. The Chicamocha Canyon is one of the largest canyons in the world, and flying over it is the only way to grasp its true scale. From the air you see the Chicamocha River snaking through the gorge, the cable car crossing the void, and layer after layer of Andean ridgelines.
The thermals. The canyon acts as a natural thermal generator. Warm air rising off its walls creates reliable, powerful lift almost every day of the year — which means longer flights and smooth soaring rather than a quick glide down.
The price. A tandem flight over the Chicamocha Canyon costs around $70–90 USD, often including transport from town. Paragliding in San Gil costs two to three times less than a comparable flight in the Alps.
There are two main takeoff sites, and choosing the right one matters.
This is the flight everyone comes for. You take off from the canyon rim near the Mesa de los Santos area and soar directly over the gorge. Flights typically last 20 to 35 minutes depending on conditions, and the tour takes around half a day including transport from San Gil (the canyon is about 50 km away).
Paragliding over the Chicamocha Grand Canyon, San Gil — from $78
Curití is only 15 minutes from town, making it the most accessible spot for paragliding in San Gil. The flight is shorter and you won’t fly over the canyon itself, but you’ll still soar above the green hills of Guane territory with mountain views in every direction. It’s the right choice if you’re short on time or budget — and conditions here are often flyable when the canyon site is not.
Curití Paragliding: Flight over the Guane territory & Chicamocha Canyon” — from $77
You don’t need any training — your only job is to run a few steps at takeoff. Here’s how the experience unfolds:
Most operators offer GoPro photo and video packages for an extra $10–15 USD — worth it, because your phone stays zipped away during the flight.
You can fly year-round, but conditions are most reliable during the dry season from December to March. The rainy months (April–May and September–November) bring more cancellations, though flights still operate on clear days — operators simply reschedule if the weather turns.
Time of day matters as much as season. Late morning to early afternoon is prime time for paragliding in San Gil, when thermals are strongest. Book the earliest slot available: if weather delays your flight, you’ll have the rest of the day as a buffer.
| Price | $72–90 USD depending on site |
| Duration | 10–35 min flight, half-day total |
| Experience needed | None — tandem with certified pilot |
| Weight limit | Generally 40–100 kg (confirm when booking) |
| Age limit | Children can usually fly from ~6 years with parental consent |
| What to bring | Sneakers, sunglasses, sunscreen, windbreaker |
| Booking | 1–2 days ahead in high season |
Yes — Santander is the heart of Colombian paragliding, with a mature, professionalized industry and local pilots who compete at national level. Reputable operators use certified tandem pilots, maintained equipment, and reserve parachutes as standard.
The key is choosing who you fly with. Book through a verified platform with real reviews rather than street touts in the town center. Operators will cancel or delay flights when conditions aren’t right — if your flight gets postponed, that’s a sign of a serious company, not a bad one.
How much does paragliding in San Gil cost? Expect around $72 USD for a flight from Curití and $85–90 USD for a flight over the Chicamocha Canyon, usually including transport from town. GoPro video packages cost extra.
Do I need experience to go paragliding in San Gil? No. All flights are tandem with a certified pilot who controls the wing. You only need to run a few steps at takeoff and follow the pilot’s instructions.
Chicamocha or Curití — which flight should I choose? Choose Chicamocha if you want the iconic canyon flight and have half a day. Choose Curití if you’re on a budget or short on time — it’s closer, cheaper, and still beautiful.
What happens if the weather is bad? Operators monitor conditions closely and will reschedule your flight rather than fly in unsafe weather. Book your flight early in your San Gil stay so you have buffer days.
Can I combine paragliding with other activities? Yes. Many travelers pair a morning canyon flight with the Chicamocha National Park cable car, or combine it with rafting or caving on the same trip. See our Chicamocha Canyon guide, for a full day-trip plan.
