Morning is the time to fly
Thermals, the rising warm air that paragliders use, start to build from around ten o’clock, according to a guide to paragliding in Colombia, which advises against gusty afternoons. The dream of flying prefers flights between 9 and 12 and offers afternoon slots only in June, July, December and January. Green Bike Tours and BiciTour collect their passengers around ten. If you book a flight-only slot, ask for the earliest one, especially between August and September.
August and September bring the wind
From October to July the wind at San Félix is soft, up to about 30 km/h, and the launch can be flown most of the day. In August and September it reaches about 50 km/h, and the site is then flown early in the morning and towards the end of the day. August is one of the drier months in Medellín; September is wetter. A clear, windy afternoon can still mean a long wait at the top or a flight moved to another day. How wind limits take-off is explained on safety and licences.
Source: APPI flight site San Félix.
Rain in every month
Medellín has no real dry season. January is the driest month, followed by July, February and August. The wettest stretches are April and May and again October and November. Even in January it rains on more than half of the days, so plan for rain whenever you come and keep the morning for the flight.
| Month | Rain | Days with rain |
|---|
| January | 147 mm | 17 |
| February | 180 mm | 17 |
| March | 277 mm | 20 |
| April | 347 mm | 20 |
| May | 346 mm | 21 |
| June | 216 mm | 19 |
| July | 178 mm | 18 |
| August | 184 mm | 19 |
| September | 255 mm | 20 |
| October | 321 mm | 21 |
| November | 304 mm | 20 |
| December | 203 mm | 18 |
Source: climate-data.org, Medellín, averages 1991–2021.
Fog, cloud and waiting at the launch
Reviewers mention fog and wind as the usual reasons for a delay. Pilots wait until the launch is clear and the wind blows from the right direction; one reviewer waited about an hour before the wind turned. Bring something warm for the wait, and do not plan an appointment in the city right after your flight. What to pack is on what to wear.
If the weather stops your flight
The rules differ by listing. Top 10 tours in Medellín, Xplore Colombia, Medellin Best Local Tours and the Ecoventure day from Medellín promise a full refund if the weather prevents the flight. Where a listing says nothing about it, ask before you book. Every GetYourGuide booking on this site can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before, which helps if the forecast for your day looks poor. Fly early in your stay, so that a postponed flight still fits.
