Paragliding Round-Trip
Explore Costa Rica from above
All in one: Explore beautiful Costa Rica from high above! Visit the ocean and the mountains, see the sights and taste de sea – all in two weeks!
Explore Costa Rica and Paraglide: Perfect for Pilots and their Travel Companions!
Two passions are fused into one: Flying paragliders and exploring vibrantly diverse Costa Rica. We will be in the air almost every day with the possibility to explore between seven and eight different sites – each with a fresh appeal and new challenge! And then, there will still be plenty of time for sweet idleness on the beach or for visiting some of the country’s wild national parks. For those that like their feet planted firmly on the ground, the paragliding round-trip certainly also has a lot to offer. And, of course, even pilots may decide to pass up a day of flying for exploring the ground sights. The itinery has been designed to always offer alternatives. The paragliding round-trip is 15 days long. Ask us about an extension, for example to the Carribbean coast! It will be a pleasure for us to tailor additional adventures to your ideas!
- Who: P2 Rating or equivalent, able to launch and land unassisted
- Price: starting at 4400,- US Dollar
- Dates: February, 24th 2025 to March, 10th 2025
- Reservations & Inquiries: Just send an email to info@skyhigh-costarica.com or Whatsapp to +506 84460896
More than 15 years experience as a paragliding pilot in Costa Rica
more than 18 years experience as a certified Costa Rican tour guide
Flying AND Experiencing Costa Rica
Local Team & Flexibility
Direct Contact
Service with a Smile
“Is is my first time to Costa Rica and I thought it might be wise to have a guide to introduce me to some of the basics and to some of the sites and regions at which I would my paraglider. Nico was a consummate professional and freely shared his knowledge of the many sights, cultural histories and norms as we travelled around together. He was prompt and attentive and patient. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him and have no hesitations recommending him as your guide in this beautiful country.”
Tom Benson, CEO WildPlay
SOUNDS GOOD? WHAT'S NEXT…
Just send me an email for more information or to make a booking. I am looking forward to hearing from you!
Costa Rica Paragliding Round-Trip – Itinary Details
Day 1 – Arrival in Costa Rica.
- Night in San José
- Airport transfer is available as an optional service
DAY 2 AND 3 – CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST (LAUNCH SITES JACÓ AND CALDERA)
At 7am in the morning, we meet over a cup of strong coffee at breakfast. The first hellos having been said, we talk about the day’s programme and leave the capital headed for the Pacific Ocean to our first flying spot in Jacó. Jacó is a great site for warming up with an easy launch and carefree landings. Jacó offers a predominently thermal flight. On a good day, you may try to push out towards the beach for a landing right in front of the beach pub. Two nights we will be in the area. The second day we may either fly Jacó again or drive up the coast to Caldera. The friendly Swiss owner, Jean-Claude, is an excellent pilot himself and operates what you could fairly call one of the country’s most popular launches. Caldera offers fine weather nearly year-round with a great ridge lift and endless ocean views and next to limitless air time. Those that do not fly may visit the beach or book a boat safari down the Tárcoles River crawling with crocodiles and water birds.
- 2x Breakfast
- launch sites Jacó and Caldera
- 2 nights hotel accommodation near Jacó
DAY 4 AND 5 – MANUEL ANTONIO AND PARRITA LAUNCH
Our route continues south along the coast, conveniently past the Parrita launch a little way inland. Parrita commands a magnificent view out over the foothills and the flatlands reaching as far as the sea. Parrita offers a thermal flight and the first opportunities for XC.
The Manuel Antonio National Park is famous both for its wildlife diversity and its startlingly beautiful beaches. After duly considering wind, weather, whims and wishes, the next day may be spent flying, kicking back on the beach or observing the wildlife.
- 2 x Breakfasts
- 2 x Nights in the vicinity of Manuel Antonio
- Parrita launch
DAY 6 AND 7 – DOMINICAL AND DOMINICALITO LAUNCH
Again we head south, however, today it is only a short ride to Dominical and Dominicalito. Dominicalito surely is the country’s most scenic launch. The approximately 600m high launch looks out over rolling rainforest slopes met by the glittering Pacific. The thermal conditions allow for cross country flights. The standard LZ is right on the beach. Two nights in this location allow us to fly this site a second day.
And then there are more regional attractions: How about kayaking the mangroves or venturing out onto the ocean with the chance to see humpback whales up close?
- 2x Breakfast
- 2x Nights Accommodation in Dominical or Surroundings
- Dominicalito Launch
DAY 8 AND 9 – SAN GERARDO AND ALEX LAUNCH
Time to rise and shine early to continue our journey to San Isidro El General. We leave the beach behind and turn inland towards Costa Rica’s highest peaks. In the small village Rivas, we start heading up the hills to gain our launch altitude, fingers crossed for constant thermals. Rivas is about thermal flying. The best XC flights in Costa Rica have been recorded here. However, for all its potential, Rivas is also more demanding. Those that do no fly may alternatively visit the Cloud Forest Reserve in San Gerado with its many waterfalls. The quaint mountain village San Gerardo will be our home for two nights.
- 2x Breakfast
- 2x Nights accommodation in San Gerardo or Surroundings
- Alex launch
DAY 10 AND 11 – TURRIALBA AND LA PASTORA LAUNCH
Our route today takes us across the highest point of the famous Panamerican highway. Around noon we arrive at our next destination, the fertile Turrialba volcano’s mountain sides. La Pastora de Turrialba offers ample space for take-off and landing on a neatly kept lawn and promises fairly dependable thermal lift with a few soaring elements. It is well worth mentioning, that adjacent to the take-off, Don Noe runs a small, local restaurant that serves veal ragout as a speciality. Additionally, there is a new restaurant right on the launch site that has been expanded in the recent years. The climate at 1500m adds another perk. Plenty of ingredients for an enjoyable day flying!
Those that do not fly may visit the nearby archaeological site Guayabo, which dates back to pre-Columbian days or take a peek inside the Irazú volcano’s crater.
- 2x Breakfast
- 2x Nights Accommodation in the area
- La Pastora de Turrialba launch
DAY 12, 13 AND 14 – SÁMARA AND NOSARITA LAUNCH
Past the former capital Cartago and San José, we make our way back towards the Pacific coast. We might enjoy another opportunity for flying Caldera. However, our destination for today is the charming seaside town Sámara on the Nicoya Peninsula. Sámara is just perfect for letting our round-trip finish with a relaxing spell on the beach. Beach cafés invite you drop in barefoot for a light lunch or sunset cocktail. The forgiving, constant swell is also perfectly suitable for a try of surfing.
We will be staying here for three nights in walking distance to the beach – plenty of time for both digging your toes into the sand and additional activities.
But then, of course, we will also be looking at the sky: three launches in the vicinity invite us to enjoy the birds’ perspective of the Nicoya Peninsula. All three are suitable for XC. Wind speeds and directions can be complicated here but we will do our best to put in a least another day of flying!
- 3 x Breakfast
- Stop in Cartago
- 3 x Nights in Sámara
DAY 15 – TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
Time for saying our goodbyes. The last flight will take place as cabin passenger. After breakfast, it is time to leave beautiful Sámara and head back towards San José, now carrying countless new beautiful photos and memories. We will arrive at the San José Airport in the afternoon.
- Breakfast
AN EXTENSION? MORE DAYS IN COSTA RICA?
You feel it is too early to gome home? Talk to us! It will be a pleasure for us to arrange additional days for you, no matter whether you are keen on more paragliding or on discovering more of Costa Rica. One things is for certain: Despite all the adventures and regions you have experienced in the last 15 days, Costa Rica holds many more wonderful surprises in store!
Prices
- 4400,- US Dollar
- 850,- US Dollar single room surcharge
Worth knowing
- Click to View Round Trip on Google Map
- The maximum group size is 12 guests
- Minimum of 2 guests
- Shared lodging in a twin room with another guest can be arranged on request. You save the single room surcharge. Depending on availability.
- All accommodation in comfortable mid-range hotels.
- Should it be impossible to fly on a given day (e.g. due to unfavourable weather conditions), it is often possible to repeat the flight on a different day. Additional flights not listed in the itinerary may become possible on short notice, possibly even at additional sites! We are committed to you getting the most out of flying Costa Rica!
Included Services
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary above
- Meals as described in the itinerary above
- Activities and paragliding flights (provided that the conditions for flying are safe) as described in the itinerary above.
- Private transfers from day 2 to 15
- 4×4 vehicle support day 2 to 15
- English-speaking tour guide from day 2 to 15
- Unlimited XC retrievals and transportation to the launch of flying days
Not included
- International flights
- Meals and Drinks with the exception of the breakfast
- Travel, Health and Emergency Insurance
- Voluntary Tips
“Is is my first time to Costa Rica and I thought it might be wise to have a guide to introduce me to some of the basics and to some of the sites and regions at which I would fly my paraglider. Nico was a consummate professional and freely shared his knowledge of the many sights, cultural histories and norms as we travelled around together. He was prompt and attentive and patient. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him and have no hesitations recommending him as your guide in this beautiful country.”
Tom Benson, CEO WildPlay
SOUNDS GOOD? WHAT'S NEXT…
Just send me an email for more information or to make a booking. I am looking forward to hearing from you!