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Looking for the ultimate adventure in Medellin, Colombia?
Well, paragliding is it! Not only does paragliding give you a huge adrenaline rush, it’s also a fantastic way to enjoy aerial views of this beautiful city. When we lived in Medellin, we were forever meeting tourists who told us how much they loved paragliding here, so we thought it was only right to go and test out the tours for ourselves.
But of course, you want to make sure you choose a safe and reputable tour, which is why we’ve written this guide! We’ve rounded up the very best paragliding tours that showcase Medellin’s best scenery, from rolling hills to secret waterfalls, and beyond.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE experience is this paragliding tour above Medellin. You’ll soar above the city and get mountain and valley views with an internationally certified instructor from a reputable company that has been around for decades.
This tour is VERY popular and you can check out the 400+ reviews and book it here!
Tip: Reserve this tour early to guarantee your spot and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
1. Antioquia Paragliding Tour in Medellin
- Price: $59 – $119 USD
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: 8:30 am – 3 pm
- Highlights: Range of flights available, beautiful views over Medellin, internationally certified instructors
- Inclusions: Insurance, transport from meeting point to launch, all equipment and instruction
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
It’s clear to see why so many travelers opt for this paragliding tour! There are a range of flights on offer, so you can do a standard 5-10 minute flight or opt for one that’s around 30 minutes long for the ultimate paragliding experience.
This tour is our top choice because the instructors are the best in the business! The owner of the flight club has almost 30 years of experience and all of the instructors have been flying for years, so you’re in very safe hands with this tour.
Flying over Medellin and the wider Antioquia province is such a special experience. We loved the aerial views as we flew through the air and really got a feel for the beauty and variety of the landscape below.
In fact, although we’ve been paragliding all over the world, the views in Medellin were definitely among the best we’ve seen. On the day, we also had the chance to buy GoPro footage of our flights for an extra 50,000 COP (around $12 USD).
Paragliding has become an iconic thing to do in Medellin – in fact, it’s unmissable! It’s certainly one of the best things we’ve ever done here, so if you want to see the city in style, don’t hesitate to book this tour. It’s one of the most popular and reputable options out there, so it tends to fill up in advance.
Secure your spot on this 5-star paragliding tour here!
2. Aburrá Valley Paragliding tour in Medellin
- Price: $48 USD
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 9 am – 5 pm
- Highlights: City views, soaring above the beautiful valley and hills, air acrobatics, flight tailored to your liking
- Inclusions: Photos and videos, transport from flight club to launch, all equipment,
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 80+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
This paragliding tour is our top choice for budget-conscious travelers. I mean $48 USD for a paragliding flight with photos and videos included? Deals like this certainly don’t come around every day, so take advantage!
We were so impressed by how well-organized the tour company was, and their communication was excellent. But of course, those aren’t the juicy details you want to know about!
We got ourselves to the flight club and then were driven to the launch pad. Everything went so smoothly and before we knew it, we were running off the side of a mountain! Once we lifted off, the views were just epic. I’m talking rolling green hills as far as the eye can see, and the incredible city of Medellin below.
What I personally loved the most was that my instructor was super attentive and asked for the kind of flight that I wanted. Those who are a little nervous can ask for a calmer flight but as a thrill-seeker, of course, I requested all of the air acrobatics and adrenaline! I have no regrets.
This tour is such incredible value for money. My advice would be to take advantage of this deal while you’re in Medellin because you won’t find many paragliding tours for much cheaper than this anywhere else in South America!
Book this budget-friendly adventure here to get free cancellation!
Related Read: For more bucket list activities, check out our list of the best tours in Medellin!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Cocorna Canyons Paragliding Tour
- Price: $149 – $199 USD
- Duration: 4-10 hours
- Time: 8:30 am – 9:30 am
- Highlights: Visit to a mountaintop restaurant, 10-25 minute flight time, beautiful waterfall views
- Inclusions: Transport to Cocorna, Guatape tour (if option selected), medical insurance,
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 340+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Now, this paragliding tour goes a little further afield than the others for the ultimate scenic flight!
Yup, rather than staying in the city, this tour heads out to the Cocorna Canyons, which is famous for its dramatic scenery and huge waterfalls. Can you imagine flying past towering waterfalls tucked away deep in the jungle? Talk about a bucket list experience!
If, like me, you’re the kind of person who likes to get out of the city, I definitely recommend making time for this tour. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore a more wild and rugged area, and if the conditions are good, the flight can last up to 25 minutes.
Another thing that I really like about this tour is that there’s the option to add on a visit to Guatapé, which is a must-visit destination from Medellin. It’s a colorful town with a stunning lake and it’s home to the famous Piedra del Peñol, which you’ll be able to climb up for epic views.
Going paragliding and visiting Guatapé are two absolute unmissable activities in Medellin, and this tour provides the opportunity to tick them both off in a single day, so why not take advantage?
Finally, this tour is also my top choice for families, with kids as young as 6 welcome to take part. This would be a truly unforgettable bonding experience. It’s the most scenic paragliding tour around, so if you’ve got the time and the budget for it, I highly recommend it!
Book your spot on this paragliding combo tour here!
Related Read: For a step-by-step blog to plan your trip, our Medellin itinerary guide goes through how to spend 1-5 days in this amazing city!
Other Activities to do While You’re in Medellin
While soaring above the city on a paragliding tour is a must, don’t leave without discovering all the things to do in Medellin. I even moved here for six weeks after my first visit because I loved it so much! These are just a few of our favorite activities in Medellin.
- City tour – Get your bearings and explore Medellin with a local guide. This walking tour with Real City is one of the best free walking tours I’ve done in Latin America! You need to book a day in advance and then you’re all set to see the highlights of downtown Medellin. Alternatively, this bike tour of Medellin covers more ground with plenty of stops for photos as you explore back roads, quiet parks, and colorful neighborhoods.
- See Comuna 13 – What used to be one of the most dangerous places in the world, Comuna 13 has transformed into a vibrant neighborhood! Graffiti art and street food are two main attractions and this Comuna 13 tour includes both. The guides also share personal stories of life here giving you a window into its dark past. We learned so much and it was one of our favorite tours in Medellin.
- Eat amazing food – There are flavors galore here, so get a taste of Medellin by joining a private food tour! You get to try traditional Colombian food and drinks as your guide helps you order at some of the best local spots. If you’re looking for a great meal on your own, the vegetarian pizza at Cafe Zorba is a personal favorite of mine!
- Learn to salsa dance – If you’ve always wanted to learn how to salsa, this is the place! We loved the live salsa music at Son Havana Bar for a night out. If you want to learn a few moves beforehand, this salsa and bachata class is a great way to find your rhythm and get those hips moving!
- Explore El Poblado – This is one of the safest and most touristy areas in Medellin and it’s home to some of the best restaurants, bars, and shopping. In fact, your hotel might even be located here! Head to the local square of Parque Lleras for live music and dancing in the evenings!
Where to Stay in Medellin, Colombia
With so much to see in and around Medellin, chances are you’ll need a solid place to stay in this city so you can explore! And luckily, it’s one of the best places to see in all of South America.
However, picking the right area to stay in a big city can affect your experience, and Medellin is no different. For most people, safety in Medellin is the most important factor when deciding where to stay. Below are the best areas to stay in Medellin along with accommodation options for all budgets.
El Poblado
This vibrant upper-class neighborhood offers amazing nightlife, top restaurants with cuisine from all over the world, and a safe friendly atmosphere. The streets in El Poblado are safe to wander day and night providing you use some care when it’s really late.
This area is a perfect base to explore other parts of the city and the area I recommend staying in Medellin. It’s also the starting point for many of the best tours in Medellin and tours to Guatapé. Some places I recommend staying are:
Los Patios Hostel – A great budget option for backpackers. this hostel is famous in Medellin, and the place is beautiful. There’s a rooftop swimming pool, communal spaces, and a fun terrace. Rooms are themed according to different regions in the country which is a nice touch. While dorm beds aren’t the cheapest (starting at $30 USD), the reviews and standards are really good. You can also easily book on either Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
14 Urban Hotel – This medium-budget hotel is stunning and perfectly located in El Poblado. The rooms are spacious and modern, the staff is friendly, and the price includes a delicious breakfast. Plus, this hotel can cost as little as $93 USD a night when booked in advance.
Café Hotel Medellín – Cafe Hotel is your typical hotel and comes with everything you’d expect from classic hotel brands such as Hilton. The location is a little up the hill from the main restaurant and bar area of El Poblado, but this makes it much more of a quiet stay. It has a beautiful view and a rooftop jacuzzi which is perfect for relaxing after a long tour! Rooms start from $120 USD on Booking.com.
For luxury travelers, Elcielo Hotel & Restaurant is easily the best choice. Not only is it still affordable (starting at $319 USD), but the hotel comes with a fantastic location, luxurious rooms, a swimming pool, a spa and wellness center, a fitness center, and fantastic views of the city. It’s beautifully decorated, and the quality of the service and on-site food is superb. It’s a popular choice, so best to book this one ahead of time.
Laureles
Laureles is another upmarket neighborhood that’s a great area for tourists to stay. This area is where the stadium in Medellin is located, and it’s very similar to El Poblado. The reason I like Laureles is that it’s closer to downtown and more central so you don’t have to travel as far to visit many attractions in Medellin. Some places to stay in Laureles are:
The Wandering Paisa Backpackers Hostel is a top choice for backpackers in Laureles. It has a fantastic atmosphere perfect for meeting other travelers, a great location, and clean facilities. What more could you want? Plus, a bed in a shared dorm starts from just $11 USD a night. You can check availability and book on either Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Hotel Vivre – If you want a quiet and comfortable stay then Hotel Vivre will suit you. It’s right off the strip with lots of shops, bars, and restaurants nearby. The rooms here are modern and clean, and breakfast is included in the room rate (which begins at just $66 USD).
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Paragliding over Medellin is one of the best experiences you can do while you’re here! Hopefully, these tours encouraged you to take the leap. It will be something you’ll always remember from your time in Colombia – I know it is for me!
For more help on your travels, check out all our blogs on South America, or if you’re spending more time in Colombia, here’s a link to our Colombia section!
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