Looking down to red stained rocks of the Chicamocha Canyon from 2400m high whilst sitting in essentially a harness-chair hybrid left me in disbelief. It was surprisingly peaceful considering I’d put my life in the hands of a man I didn’t know, a piece of fabric, and the daily forecast. I arrived apprehensive, and left with one of the absolute top highlights from my Colombia trip.
Planning your full trip? Read my complete guide to things to do in San Gil
Why San Gil is One of the Best Places to Paraglide in Colombia
San Gil’s paragliding is known for one thing over everything else: the Chicamocha Canyon. At over 2,000m deep, it provides a backdrop that very few paragliding destinations anywhere in the world can match. Thermal currents generated by the canyon’s geography, high launch altitude and dramatic scenery makes it a bucket-list paragliding location.
The Santander department in Colombia is built on rugged terrain, and has consistent mountain winds which create reliable flying conditions for much of the year. The operator network in San Gil is also well-established enough that safety standards are high.
San Gil Paragliding vs Bucaramanga: What’s the Difference?
Both San Gil and Bucaramanga offer tandem paragliding in the Santander region, but they’re very different experiences. Bucaramanga has more international recognition as a paragliding destination, but San Gil flies higher (up to 2,400m, even 2,800m at times!), and the Chicamocha Canyon backdrop is the more dramatic setting of the two.
Bucaramanga suits travellers basing themselves in the city. San Gil suits those already on the adventure circuit, like many backpackers, and if you’re there for rafting and canyoning, adding paragliding is an easy decision. If the view is your priority, San Gil is the better choice.
What is Paragliding in San Gil Actually Like?
The Drive to the Launch Site
I was picked up from my hostel after breakfast and squeezed into the last seats at the back of a truck, alongside a handful of other tourists and the paragliding team. There must have been about 6 or 7 of us total. It’s a communal, “walking bus” setup so expect a few hostel and hotel stops before you leave town.
The drive to the launch site takes around 1-2 hours depending on traffic, which varies considerably in Colombia. Sitting in the back seat through winding mountain roads and limited airflow from the windows, I started feeling motion sickness in the final 30 minutes of the journey. In hindsight, this was foreshadowing.
That said, try to enjoy the drive as much as you can. The views of the Andes on the way to the canyon are some of the most impressive mountain scenery I’ve seen, with huge, sweeping ridges that make you realise exactly where you’re about to fly.
One tip: if you’re prone to motion sickness, take medication the night before or on the morning, not just when you’re already on the road. Bring water, sit as close to an open window as possible, and fix your eyes on the horizon when the road gets twisty. Oh, and don’t sit in the back seat if you can help it!
The Paragliding Flight Over the Chicamocha Canyon
Once at the launch site, we waited around 30 minutes while waivers were filled out and the thorough safety briefing was completed. The briefing covers take-off technique and landing- your pilot will tell you in the air whether to go for a seated landing or a running one. Mine was somewhere between the two, which I’d generously describe as a “controlled crash.”
He also graciously indicated that if we wanted to vomit and couldn’t get a plastic bag in time, to vomit from the sides of our mouth and not the front – comforting!
As for the actual experience: take-off brought me an immediate rush of adrenaline. Then, surprisingly quickly, it settled into something closer to calm. Sitting in the harness with the canyon laid out below you, where you can fully grasp the size of the ancient ridges dropping thousands of metres, and complete silence except for the wind, it’s one of those experiences where your brain struggles to process what it’s actually seeing.
My guide was perfect at reading not only the currents, but me too. He knew when to talk, when to quietly observe and appreciate, and when to ask if I needed help (spoiler: I started to feel nauseous again).
Towards the end of the flight, after spending time riding the thermal currents up and down and staring at the ground far below, nausea and vertigo started to creep in. I mention this not to put you off, but because it’s a common experience and worth knowing about in advance. After notifying the guide, we came in to land shortly after.
I was in the air for about 15 to 20 minutes. It may have been longer had I not started feeling unwell, but time does something strange up there. 15 minutes felt like much longer and I was happy with the duration.
High Altitude vs Lower Tandem: Which Flight Should You Book?
There are two options for paragliding in San Gil: the full flight at 2,400m, and a lower altitude alternative from a different launch site. Both fly over the Chicamocha Canyon and offer a comparable experience in terms of the views and the tandem setup.
The lower option suits those with more anxiety around heights, severe vertigo, or anyone who wants a slightly shorter, less intense experience. The higher flight is the more popular choice and, in my opinion, the right one if you’re physically able. The price difference is small, both are safe, and the views are more impressive at 2,400m. If you’re already making the trip, I’d say go for the bigger version!
How Much Does Paragliding in San Gil Cost?
Tandem Paragliding Prices in San Gil
| Lower Altitude Flight | Higher Altitude Flight | |
| Price (Colombian Pesos) | $150,000-180,000 | $200,000-$295,000 |
| Price (USD/GBP) | $37-$45 £28-£34 | $50-$80 £38-£60 |
| Altitude | Lower launch site | 2,400-2,800m! |
| Duration in air | 15 minutes | 15-20 minutes |
| Transport included? | Yes | Yes |
| Equipment included? | Yes | Yes |
| Video add on available? | Yes, usually | Yes, usually |
Tipping the pilot is not mandatory but is appreciated, and 20,000 to 30,000 COP is a reasonable gesture if you had a great experience.
Made up your mind? Book your high altitude paragliding experience here!
Afraid of heights? The Curití paragliding experience here has you covered
Is the Video Package Worth It?
Yes. and I say that as someone who didn’t get it and regretted it immediately. The footage of flying over the Chicamocha Canyon at 2,400m is not something you’ll ever recreate. The add-on costs around £4 to £5 (or the COP equivalent) and is confirmed on the day with your operator. It’s not expensive and the memory is permanent. Get the video.
How to Book Paragliding in San Gil
Booking Through Your Hostel vs Booking Online
Booking through your hostel is always the most convenient option as you can ask staff and fellow travellers for operator recommendations, assess the weather forecast before committing, and sort everything in one place. However, the risk is availability: if you leave it until the morning of, spots can fill up, particularly in peak season (December to February or July to August).
For booking online in advance, GetYourGuide and Viator are the best platforms. Verified operators, real reviews, English-language listings, and flexible cancellation policies are all the benefits you may not fully confirm if booking in person. If you’re travelling as a group, want to research operators before you arrive, or are visiting during peak season, booking online ahead of time is the smarter choice.
What to Look for in a Paragliding Operator in San Gil
Paragliding carries more inherent risk than most San Gil activities, so the bar for operator selection should be higher than for, say, a zip line. Look for pilots with CIVL certification or Colombian aviation federation credentials where possible, tandem-specific training (not all paragliders are certified for tandem flights), and recent equipment. Read reviews carefully, and specifically look for mentions of safety and professionalism rather than just “amazing views.”
Avoid operators without verifiable credentials or reviews. For this activity in particular, go with established, bookable operators rather than anyone who approaches you on the street. If you’re in San Gil and haven’t yet booked anything, any reputable hostel should give you pointers or suggest reliable operators.
What to Expect on the Day: The Quick Practical Guide
What to Wear Paragliding in San Gil
The most important thing to get right is layers. San Gil town sits at around 1,000m and feels warm, but the launch site at 2,400m is noticeably colder. Bring a lightweight jacket or a layer you can tie around your waist during the drive and put on for the flight.
Closed-toe shoes with a secure fit are essential. Trainers are perfect. Anything that could slip off your feet during landing is a problem. Zip pockets help for securing small items, like keys, pocket change, hand sanitiser, etc. However, I’d advise leaving anything you can’t afford to lose back at the hostel or at the launch site.
Motion Sickness and Altitude: What to Know Before You Go
I felt nauseous twice during this experience; once on the truck and once towards the end of the flight. It may have been an off-day, but given both the drive and the altitude are genuine contributing factors, it’s worth preparing for.
Take motion sickness tablets the night before or on the morning of your trip, not just when you’re already feeling it on the road. Bring water for sure. Eat something light beforehand, with the emphasis on light. Many operators include a drink or small snack, but don’t rely on it. During transportation, sit as close to the front or as close to a window as possible, and keep your eyes on the horizon.
Is Paragliding in San Gil Safe?
Yes. Tandem paragliding means you are attached to a certified pilot for the entire flight; you are not controlling the glider at any point. Your job is to enjoy the view.
Flights are weather-dependent and are cancelled when conditions are unsuitable. Reputable operators check forecasts carefully and will not fly in unsafe conditions. This actually happened during my visit to San Gil when a morning slot was moved due to wind. Trust the operator’s judgment on this.
The waiver process is standard and covers the activity’s inherent risks honestly. If you have a heart condition, have had recent surgery, experience severe vertigo, or are pregnant, speak to your operator before booking. For everyone else in reasonable health, this is a safe activity in the hands of an experienced pilot.
Paragliding vs Other Adventure Activities in San Gil
On paper, paragliding sounds scary. In practice, I felt significantly calmer up there than I did rafting on the Río Suárez. The rafting was physically intense, loud, and unpredictable. Paragliding, once the take-off adrenaline settles, is peaceful. The views do the work, you just need to learn how to appreciate.
Rafting at Grade IV to V is a genuine physical and adrenaline challenge: you get soaked, you fall out, you listen to your instructor and paddle for your life. Paragliding is less demanding on the body but gives you something the rafting can’t: stillness, altitude, and a view of the Santander mountains that puts your whole life into perspective.
For a four-day stay in San Gil, I’d recommend starting with rafting on your first full day, and saving paragliding for day two or three. The contrast between the two makes both better. I recommend to have some flexibility with paragliding as there are many deciding factors outside of your control which means you may not fly the day you planned to.
If you want to learn more, I have a whole guide on white-water rafting in San Gil
You can also read my full San Gil adventure guide if you’re beginning to plan your trip to this gorgeous, action packed area of Colombia!
Getting to the Paragliding Launch Site from San Gil
Transport to the launch site is arranged 90% of the time through your tour operator. This is standard practice and included in the price of your experience. You’ll be collected from your hostel or hotel as part of a group pickup, with a few stops around town before departing. The journey takes one to two hours depending on traffic.
This does mean you arrive and leave with everyone who flew that day, which sometimes delays the process a little, but also, you share the experience of the truck ride, the flight, and the recovery beer afterwards makes for an easy way to meet fellow travellers!
It’s fascinating that you felt so peaceful despite being hundreds of meters above the canyon—your description really captures how paragliding can be both exhilarating and meditative. I never thought of it that way before, and it makes me appreciate the emotional side of adventure sports even more.