Getting up to the launch and back down
The launch is a drive up into the hills from the city. Bookings with a hotel transfer collect you in the city (The dream of flying, for example, picks up in Laureles) and bring you back afterwards. Flight-only bookings meet you at the launch, and you arrange the ride yourself. Going up by taxi is simple. Coming down is the harder part: one reviewer waited about two hours for a ride-share. Reviewers also mention a small road toll in each direction, so ask your driver whether it is in the fare.
Steps, cooler air and some waiting
From the road you climb 200 to 300 steps to the take-off area. The listings of Only Fly, the San Félix aeroclub and The dream of flying still carry a wheelchair-accessible badge; if stairs are a problem, ask the operator before you count on it. Up here it is noticeably cooler than in the city and colder again in the air, so bring a jacket and wear long trousers and closed shoes; sandals are not accepted. Fog and wind can hold flights back, and reviewers mention waiting at the launch before their turn. Take your passport or a copy of it.
Video included or paid on the day
Green Bike Tours, ParapenteSanFelix and The dream of flying include photos and video in the booking. At Only Fly the GoPro or Insta360 footage is an option, a review of Top 10 tours in Medellín describes paying for it, and BlueSky’s reviewers name the GoPro as an extra. The aeroclub’s listing lists video under the inclusions and mentions a charge in the same text. Whatever you book, agree on the video before you take off: not every pilot films reliably, and one reviewer reports that the footage was lost.
Weight and age limits at San Félix
We found no general legal limit for tandem passengers in Colombia; each operator sets its own. At San Félix the listed weight limits run from 125 kg at Only Fly to 140 kg at ParapenteSanFelix, while The dream of flying gives 130 kg in one place and 135 kg in another. Children can fly from 4 years with Only Fly and from 7 with the aeroclub; Top 10 tours in Medellín does not take children under 12. Typical exclusions in the listings are pregnancy, heart or back problems and epilepsy. If you are close to a limit, confirm it before you book rather than at the launch.
Wind and the time of day
From October to July the wind at San Félix is mostly light, up to about 30 km/h, and flights run for most of the day. In August and September it reaches about 50 km/h, and the calmer hours are early in the morning; book the first slot you can get in those months. The dream of flying prefers mornings between 9 and 12 and offers afternoon flights only in June, July, December and January. Thermals tend to build from about 10 o’clock, and guides advise against gusty afternoons.
Wind: APPI flight site San Félix. Flight times: the operators’ listings.
Before you take off
Ask the operator for the pilot’s tandem licence from Fedeaereos and for the insurance that covers you as a passenger; most listings name an insurance or a medical assistance card among the inclusions. Tourism operators also fall under the adventure tourism standard NTS-AV 013. None of this rules out an accident. After the fatal accident at San Félix on 17 September 2026, the reports said the operator’s papers were in order; the cause is still being investigated. If the wind looks strong to you on the day, ask if you can move to a later slot or another date.
Sources: Vanguardia, Telemedellín.
