Ecuador Travel

Children in Crucita beach

Ecuador is a great place to practice paragliding and hang gliding. Paragliding and hang gliding which are both adventure sports practiced in the Andes and on the Coast are growing in popularity with a variety of world-class locations, flights and training courses available. Launch yourself from the Pichincha Volcano and soar above Quito, get airborne off the cliffs of Canoa, and fly over the beaches of Crucita. You can even earn your paragliding pilot's license while enjoying Ibarra's scenery. Tour companies provide professional pilots along with accredited courses with safe and top-quality equipment.

Paragliding and hang gliding launch sites are easily accessible from city centers and towns. Good weather conditions and amazing scenery offer novice and expert paragliders great opportunities to take to the skies. There are often paragliding and hang gliding competitions in the coastal region.

The Andes and the Coastal region are the best places to paraglide and hang glide solo or in tandem (parapenting). Top paragliding and hang gliding destinations in the Andes region include Quito, Puengasi, Ibarra, Pelileo (near Baños), Cuenca, and Niton (Tungurahua province). Coastal hotspots include Crucita, Canoa, Manta and Montañita. La Troncal in Cañar province is another top paragliding and hang gliding destination. Quito is a good base for paragliders and hang gliders, as there is easy access to a number of nearby launch sites and popular destinations in the Andes. Crucita, in the province of Manabi is known as an ideal location for hang gliding due to good conditions year-round and excellent multi-day courses for beginners.

Paragliding and hang gliding clubs in Ecuador are good sources of information. Additionally, they offer courses and flying opportunities. Contact paragliding and hang gliding organizations for flight and course information, including prices.

Tandem flights are a fast and easy way for novice pilots to enjoy paragliding and hang gliding. No experience is necessary; professional pilots accompany beginner paragliders on tandem flights which last between 15 and 30 minutes ($30-$50). Tour companies in the Andes and on the Coast also offer guided flights ($80 a day) to more experienced pilots.

Longer, multiple-destination trips allow paragliders to experience a number of Ecuador's top flying locations. A two-week group trip covering the Andes and the Coast ($1,000-2,000) may include nearly 10 flying locations at Ecuador's paragliding and hang gliding hotspots as well as visits to major tourist sights and attractions. The majority of paragliding and hangliding trips are all-inclusive with instructor and guide, private transportation, all meals, flying site and national park entrance fees, excursions, hotels, luggage and equipment included. Tour companies also provide all equipment and training.

Paragliding and hang gliding teaching and training courses are also available in Ecuador. Piloting courses ($250-400) for beginner and advanced paragliders are fully certified and taught by accredited paragliding schools. Instructor programs are available for experienced pilots who have accumulated a sufficient number of flying hours in various conditions. Before signing up with a paragliding and hang gliding company for flying or coursework, confirm that it is fully accredited and that it has a good reputation.