Paragliding from Puerto de la Cruz or Teide National park

Feel Tenerife fall away beneath you. This tandem flight gives you two very different ways to see the island from above: a long glide from Teide National Park or a shorter, more immediate launch above Puerto de la Cruz. I especially like the small groups of up to four and the calm, professional approach of pilots such as Lucas, Mathias, Gaston, and Adrian. The main catch is weather. Wind and cloud can change the plan, so you need to keep your schedule flexible.

The Teide option is the big event: a van ride of about an hour, a launch at roughly 2,200 meters, and a 25 to 35 minute flight down toward the coast. The Martianez option is easier and quicker, with only about 10 minutes of driving and a 20 to 30 minute glide above Puerto de la Cruz. You must be able to run at takeoff, weigh no more than 95 kilograms, and accept that the flight may be moved or canceled if conditions are poor.

Key points to know before you book

• Teide launch at about 2,200 meters: The exclusive flight offers the highest launch point on Tenerife, with a long descent toward a beach.
• Puerto de la Cruz option: The adrenaline flight starts above the cliffs near Martianez Beach, making it the practical choice for a shorter outing.
• Beach landing: You land near sea level, then return to the Puerto de la Cruz meeting point by van.
• Professional tandem pilots: The pilots give clear instructions and adjust the flight to your comfort level, from gentle gliding to optional acrobatics.
• Small groups: With no more than four participants, the experience feels personal rather than like a large activity operation.
• Weather controls the day: Flights can be delayed, moved to another day, or canceled when wind and cloud make flying unsafe.

Two ways to see Tenerife from the air

This experience is really two activities under one name. Choosing the right flight matters because the setting, driving time, and amount of airtime are quite different.

The exclusive Teide flight begins high in the national park at around 2,200 meters above sea level. You ride in a van for roughly one hour from Puerto de la Cruz to the launch area. That road journey is part of the outing, but it can be tiring for anyone prone to motion sickness. One detailed account recommends considering a travel-sickness tablet before the twisting climb.

Once conditions are right, you run a few steps with your pilot and leave the slope. The flight normally lasts 25 to 35 minutes. You may pass through cloud, look across the Orotava Valley, and see the coast spreading below. On clear days, views can reach as far as La Palma, according to one flight experience. The journey ends at a beach, followed by a transfer back to Puerto de la Cruz.

The adrenaline flight begins above the cliffs near Martianez Beach. The drive takes about 10 minutes, so this option suits you if you want less time in the van and more time focused on the flight itself. At 20 to 30 minutes, it is slightly shorter than the Teide flight, but it still gives you a high view of Puerto de la Cruz and the oceanfront.

I would choose Teide if you want a full Tenerife outing and the highest possible start. I would choose Martianez if you prefer a simpler schedule, a shorter transfer, or a flight centered on Puerto de la Cruz.

Meeting at Martianez Adventures

You meet at the paragliding center listed on Google as Martianez Adventures in Puerto de la Cruz. The team provides the flight equipment before you leave for the launch point.

The supplied gear includes a helmet, jacket, long trousers, gloves, and a camera. You should still bring sunglasses and comfortable shoes. Cellphones are not allowed during the activity, so do not plan to use your own phone to film the flight.

The outfit matters more than it may first appear. A takeoff at altitude can feel cool, even when Puerto de la Cruz is warm, and the jacket and long trousers help protect you from the breeze. Comfortable footwear also makes sense because you need to run during takeoff.

The group limit is four participants. That is useful for first-time flyers because the instructors can spend time explaining the process and settling nerves. The experience is offered in English and Spanish.

What takeoff feels like

The most nerve-racking moment is usually the first few seconds. You do not simply sit down and wait for the aircraft to lift. You need to run when instructed, allowing the paraglider to fill and carry you from the slope.

The physical requirement is clear: you must be in good enough condition to run at takeoff. This is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, serious back problems, or anyone who cannot move quickly when asked. It is also not available to children under 12, people over 70, pregnant women, or anyone over 95 kilograms.

The pilots appear to put strong emphasis on communication and reassurance. Lucas is repeatedly praised for making first-time flyers feel comfortable, while Mathias is noted for giving clear instructions and checking whether a passenger wanted extra maneuvers before landing. Adrian also helped a nervous flyer through several attempts when the breeze was too light for the first two launches.

That detail is worth taking seriously. A failed takeoff attempt is not necessarily a problem. Wind can change quickly, and a careful pilot will wait rather than force the launch. You may need patience, a second attempt, or even a change of launch point.

The Teide flight: longer, higher, and more scenic

The Teide flight offers the strongest sense of occasion. You begin high above the coast, often looking down through clouds before descending toward the sea. The height gives the flight room to unfold slowly, rather than feeling like a brief jump from a nearby hill.

At around 2,200 meters, the start is dramatic. One passenger with vertigo described feeling nervous at the edge, then surprisingly calm once airborne. That pattern makes sense: the launch is the intense part, while the glide itself can feel quiet and steady.

The views are the main reason to choose this option. You may see the Orotava Valley, the upper reaches of Teide National Park, Puerto de la Cruz, and the Atlantic. Some flights have covered around 18 kilometers and lasted close to 30 minutes, although your exact route depends on wind direction and cloud.

A sunset departure can be especially striking. The sun drops behind the island while you descend through cloud toward the coast. It is also possible that your midday booking shifts to evening if the weather works better then. That can be a lucky change, but it means you should not build a tightly timed dinner reservation or evening excursion around the original flight time.

The drawback is the long van ride. The road to the launch point takes about an hour and includes winding mountain sections. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, prepare for that part. Also, high launch points do not guarantee a flight from exactly the advertised altitude. Cloud and wind may require a lower starting place.

The Martianez flight: a shorter route to the sky

The Puerto de la Cruz flight makes a good alternative when you want the fun of tandem paragliding without committing to a long mountain transfer. After about 10 minutes in the van, you reach the launch area above the cliffs near Martianez Beach.

The flight lasts around 20 to 30 minutes. You will glide above the coast and see the hotels, beach area, and town from a completely different angle. Some flights include close passes near hotel balconies, where people below cheer as the paraglider passes. That gives the descent a cheerful, public finish.

This option may also be more practical if your holiday schedule is crowded. The shorter drive leaves more room around the activity, although weather can still alter the start time. The flight is not a guaranteed quick appointment. Paragliding depends on safe wind and cloud conditions, no matter which launch point you choose.

If your main goal is the highest launch and broadest view, pick Teide. If your goal is simply to fly above Puerto de la Cruz and land near the coast, Martianez is enough.

A calm glide or a little extra adrenaline

The pilots can adjust the flight to your preferences and comfort. A first flight can be a smooth, quiet glide, giving you time to look around and enjoy the view. If you want more excitement, the pilot may offer optional maneuvers, provided conditions allow and you are comfortable with them.

That flexibility helps explain the wide appeal. Some people arrive nervous, including passengers with a fear of heights, and prefer a steady flight. Others book specifically for the thrill and want a more active finish. Tell your pilot what you want before takeoff, and speak up if you would rather keep the flight gentle.

The activity is still an adventure sport, not a scenic chairlift. You will run at launch, sit in a tandem harness, and follow instructions from the pilot. The pilots are responsible for the flight, but you remain part of the process.

Safety, weather, and the need for flexibility

Weather is the one factor you cannot control. If wind or cloud makes the flight unsuitable, the company may change the launch area, move the activity to another day, or cancel during the process. Several accounts describe successful changes, including flights that started from a lower point or shifted to another part of Tenerife.

I would book this early in your holiday rather than on the final morning. That leaves room for a weather delay. It also avoids the stress of trying to fit a replacement flight into a short departure schedule.

Do not treat a weather change as poor organization. Paragliding needs the right wind, and a delayed flight is far better than a rushed one in bad conditions. The pilots’ willingness to alter plans is part of what makes the experience feel properly managed.

Insurance is included, along with the tandem flight, pilot, equipment, and transfer from Puerto de la Cruz. Video costs an additional 30 euros. The supplied camera equipment means filming may be available, but confirm the exact video arrangement before takeoff if recording is important to you.

What the $165 price includes

At $165 per person, this is not a low-cost sightseeing activity. You are paying for a professional tandem pilot, specialist equipment, insurance, transport, and roughly 20 to 35 minutes in the air, depending on the chosen flight and weather.

The Teide option offers stronger value if you care about altitude, driving through the mountain country, and the chance of a longer flight. The Martianez option may feel more expensive if you judge it only by the shorter transfer, but the price still includes the pilot, safety equipment, insurance, and return transport.

The biggest value is the access. You do not need training, a license, or your own gear. A qualified pilot handles the paraglider while you experience the views. For a once-in-a-holiday activity, the cost is reasonable if you want something more memorable than another boat trip or lookout point.

The video is an extra 30 euros. If you want a permanent record, that is worth considering because you cannot use your cellphone during the flight. If you are mainly interested in being present and watching Tenerife below you, skip the add-on.

Who will enjoy this most

This suits you if you want a first paragliding experience with a trained pilot and a clear structure from meeting point to beach landing. It is also a good fit for anyone who wants to see Puerto de la Cruz, the Orotava Valley, and the coast from a new angle.

You should be comfortable with a few basic demands:

• You need to run at takeoff.
• You must weigh no more than 95 kilograms.
• You need to wear comfortable shoes and bring sunglasses.
• You must accept that the timing can change.
• You should be prepared for a winding van ride on the Teide option.
• You cannot bring or use a cellphone during the activity.

This is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people over 70, people with mobility impairments, or children under 12. If any of those restrictions apply, choose a less physical activity.

Should you book this flight?

I would recommend it if you want a memorable Tenerife experience and can keep your schedule flexible. The Teide flight is the stronger choice for dramatic scenery and a longer, higher start. The Martianez flight is better for a shorter transfer and a coastal flight above Puerto de la Cruz.

Book early in your holiday, allow extra time for weather changes, and prepare for the mountain drive if you choose Teide. You will need to run, hand over your cellphone, and accept that the conditions make the final decision.

If those details suit you, the payoff is considerable: a quiet glide above Tenerife, a beach landing, and the chance to watch the island change from mountain to ocean beneath your feet.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience begin?

You meet at the Martianez Adventures paragliding center in Puerto de la Cruz. From there, the team provides equipment and drives you to the launch area.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity takes about one to three hours, depending on the flight selected, driving time, and conditions. The Teide flight takes about one hour to reach the launch area, with 25 to 35 minutes of flying. The Martianez flight requires about 10 minutes of driving, with 20 to 30 minutes in the air.

What is the difference between the two flights?

The Teide flight starts at roughly 2,200 meters in Teide National Park and lands at a beach. The Martianez flight launches above the cliffs near Martianez Beach in Puerto de la Cruz and lasts slightly less time.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses and comfortable shoes. Helmets, jackets, long trousers, gloves, other necessary equipment, and insurance are included.

Can I use my cellphone during the flight?

No. Cellphones are not allowed during the activity. Videos are available for an extra 30 euros.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The flight may be changed to another day, moved to a different launch area, or canceled if wind and cloud conditions are unsuitable. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.