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Experience silent flight over Jaco’s coastal rainforest from a Las Terrazas ridge. Tandem pilots use natural thermals to lift you 1,500 ft (often higher) for coastal and jungle views in a short, high-adrenaline outing.
Experience silent flight over Jaco’s coastal rainforest from a Las Terrazas ridge. Tandem pilots use natural thermals to lift you 1,500 ft (often higher) for coastal and jungle views in a short, high-adrenaline outing.
You lift off from a grassy ridge ten minutes from downtown Jacó, the ocean shrinking into a ribbon as the thermals take hold. The canopy below is an old secondary rainforest, trunks older than many of the coastal roads, and the wind arranges itself under the wing like a careful hand. Silence becomes a texture; birds cut around you and the surf far below keeps time.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Bex Tandem Flights · Jacó, Puntarenas
You lift off from a grassy ridge ten minutes from downtown Jacó, the ocean shrinking into a ribbon as the thermals take hold. The canopy below is an old secondary rainforest, trunks older than many of the coastal roads, and the wind arranges itself under the wing like a careful hand. Silence becomes a texture; birds cut around you and the surf far below keeps time.
This part of Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast sits at the ecological seam between dry forest and wet tropics — a reason scarlet macaws and raptor species frequent the skies here. Jaco itself grew from a fishing hamlet into a surf and adventure hub in recent decades; Las Terrazas takeoff benefits from that microclimate and the ridge lift created by coastal contours and daily sea breezes.
Culturally, flights operate with small local teams and certified pilots; operators emphasize low-impact flying and respect for migration corridors that traverse the bay.
Practical guidance: arrive in sturdy shoes and lightweight layers, expect a full briefing and weight checks, and plan for a 20‑minute airborne window inside a 2–3 hour excursion that includes transport and briefing. Midday thermals are strongest — that’s when climbs get lively, and when bird activity is richest. Carry a small pack with water, ID, and sunscreen; secure phones with straps or use pilot photography services.
If you want calmer conditions, request early-morning slots. Always check weight limits, disclose medical conditions, and fly only with certified tandem pilots who run regular safety checks.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; must be able to stand and perform a short, gentle run at takeoff.
The airborne tandem portion is about 20 minutes on average, though total time with briefing, transport, and setup is typically 2–3 hours.
Operators set weight limits and require passengers to provide weight and health info; age minimums vary but children are usually allowed when accompanied and meeting weight/height requirements.
Flights are weather-dependent; operators cancel in unfavorable wind or rain and offer full refunds if canceled 24 hours in advance or due to conditions.
Tandem passengers sit in a seated harness attached to the pilot; takeoff is a brief running launch followed by a seated glide.
The mid-Pacific corridor around Jacó marks a transition zone ecologically; the ridge takeoffs used for paragliding are part of informal local flying culture developed as the town expanded into an adventure tourism hub.
Pilots and operators work to minimize disturbance by using established takeoff zones, avoiding low passes over nesting sites, and encouraging visitors not to feed or approach wildlife.
Bex Tandem Flights operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You lift off from a grassy ridge ten minutes from downtown Jacó, the ocean shrinking into a ribbon as the thermals take hold. The canopy below is an old secondary rainforest, trunks older than many of the coastal roads, and the wind arranges itself under the wing like a careful hand. Silence becomes a texture; birds cut around you and the surf far below keeps time.
You lift off from a grassy ridge ten minutes from downtown Jacó, the ocean shrinking into a ribbon as the thermals take hold. The canopy below is an old secondary rainforest, trunks older than many of the coastal roads, and the wind arranges itself under the wing like a careful hand. Silence becomes a texture; birds cut around you and the surf far below keeps time.
This part of Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast sits at the ecological seam between dry forest and wet tropics — a reason scarlet macaws and raptor species frequent the skies here. Jaco itself grew from a fishing hamlet into a surf and adventure hub in recent decades; Las Terrazas takeoff benefits from that microclimate and the ridge lift created by coastal contours and daily sea breezes.
Culturally, flights operate with small local teams and certified pilots; operators emphasize low-impact flying and respect for migration corridors that traverse the bay.
Practical guidance: arrive in sturdy shoes and lightweight layers, expect a full briefing and weight checks, and plan for a 20‑minute airborne window inside a 2–3 hour excursion that includes transport and briefing. Midday thermals are strongest — that’s when climbs get lively, and when bird activity is richest. Carry a small pack with water, ID, and sunscreen; secure phones with straps or use pilot photography services.
If you want calmer conditions, request early-morning slots. Always check weight limits, disclose medical conditions, and fly only with certified tandem pilots who run regular safety checks.