All activities / Paragliding / Medellin
Paragliding in MedellinCO
Colombia's second city, rebuilt around innovation and culture after decades of upheaval. Sits at 1,500m in a narrow Andean valley with a year-round spring climate.
Why here
San Felix, 40 minutes north of Medellin, is the main flying site: reliable thermals from a launch at around 2,600m, with the city's valley spread below. The flying community is tight-knit and internationally connected, with experienced European pilots wintering here to log hours at low cost. The ICP angle is that Medellin is a genuinely interesting city in its own right: the Metro cable cars, the neighbourhood transformation story, the food scene, the Botero sculptures. It works well as a deliberate paragliding destination or as a serious add-on to a Colombia trip.
Best months
Medellin has two dry seasons: December to March and June to August. Both produce good flying days. The wet seasons (April to May, September to November) bring afternoon rain that ends flying early and makes some days impossible. Morning thermals develop around 10am. The site at San Felix is forgiving for intermediate pilots; the valley conditions reward XC pilots who know how to read afternoon convergence.
Getting there & around
Fly into Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE). San Felix is 40 minutes north by taxi or with operator transport. Spanish is useful but not essential; the flying community is internationally connected and most operators speak some English. Cost of living in Medellin is low, making extended stays practical for pilots who want to log serious hours.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (1)
Paragliding Medellin
SchoolColombia's longest-running paragliding operator, founded in 1992, operating from San Felix 25 minutes from Medellin. Holds APPI school accreditation (School No. 83) and offers both tandem discovery flights and a full pilot training curriculum leading to international APPI certification. The San Felix site offers consistent thermal conditions and panoramic views of the Aburra Valley.