Paragliding from Puerto de la Cruz or Teide National park

The most dramatic choice is the Teide flight, which begins at about 2,200 meters and carries you from the high slopes of Tenerife down toward a beach near Puerto de la Cruz. You get mountain, cloud, valley, and ocean views in one long glide, with roughly an hour of winding road travel before takeoff.

I like the choice between that big mountain-to-sea flight and the shorter Martianez beach flight, which gets you airborne after only a 10-minute drive. I also like the small groups, with no more than four participants, and pilots such as Lucas, Mathias, Gaston, and Adrian who are used to calming first-time flyers.

The main consideration is weather. Wind and cloud can force a delay, a different launch point, or cancellation, so do not schedule this on the final morning of your holiday. The Teide drive is also twisty and takes about an hour, which may be uncomfortable if you suffer from motion sickness.

Key points to know before you book

• Teide starts high: The longer flight launches at about 2,200 meters in Teide National Park and usually lasts 25 to 35 minutes.
• Puerto de la Cruz is quicker: The Martianez option reaches its launch point in about 10 minutes and flies for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Beach landings are part of the plan: You land near the coast, then return to Puerto de la Cruz by van.
• The pilots tailor the ride: Ask for a calm glide or optional acrobatic manoeuvres, depending on your comfort.
• Weather controls everything: Wind and cloud may change the time, launch point, or date, even after you arrive.
• The price includes the basics: At $165 per person, you get the tandem flight, pilot, equipment, insurance, and Puerto de la Cruz transfer. Video costs an extra 30 euros.

Two flights, two very different Tenerife views

This experience is really two products under one roof. Choosing between them matters more than the exact departure time.

The exclusive Teide flight is the big outing. You meet at the paragliding center in Puerto de la Cruz, collect the supplied gear, and ride for about an hour in a van toward the launch area. The starting point is around 2,200 meters above sea level, giving you a long descent toward the coast.

The flight itself usually lasts 25 to 35 minutes. That time depends on wind, cloud, and the pilot’s ability to find suitable air. One flight covered about 18 kilometers, according to the details shared after the experience, but you should treat distance as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed.

From the upper launch area, you may see the Orotava Valley, Teide National Park, the ocean, and, on a clear day, distant islands such as La Palma. Some flights pass through or beside cloud before reaching clearer air lower down. Sunset departures can add warm light and cloud effects, although sunset timing is also more exposed to weather changes.

The adrenaline flight begins above the cliffs near Martianez beach in Puerto de la Cruz. The transfer takes only about 10 minutes, and the flight lasts around 20 to 30 minutes. You miss the long mountain descent, but you gain a quick coastal experience with views over the town, hotels, cliffs, and sea.

I would choose Teide if you want a full half-day-style outing and the widest range of scenery. I would choose Martianez if you want less time in the van, a shorter commitment, or a flight focused on Puerto de la Cruz.

Meeting at Martianez Adventures

Your meeting point is the Martianez Adventures business in Puerto de la Cruz. This is where the staff organize the group, explain the plan, and provide the equipment before you leave for the launch area.

The group is limited to four participants. That is useful here because tandem paragliding involves individual preparation, weather checks, and short periods of waiting. A small group also makes it easier to speak with your pilot and explain whether you are nervous, excited, or hoping for a more active flight.

The experience is offered in English and Spanish. The pilots give instructions for takeoff, explain what you need to do in the harness, and guide you through landing. Several pilots are named in the experience details and personal accounts, including Lucas, Mathias, Gaston, and Adrian.

You receive a helmet, jacket, long trousers, gloves, and the rest of the flight equipment. Sunglasses and comfortable shoes are recommended. You should not bring your cellphone into the flight, and phones are specifically not allowed during the activity.

A camera is included in the equipment description, but video is listed as an extra at 30 euros. Ask clearly before takeoff what footage is included and what you will receive afterward. One useful point is that some people found the video worth buying because it captured the full flight, but the purchase is optional.

The van ride to takeoff

For the Teide option, the van ride is not just a transfer. It takes you from Puerto de la Cruz toward the high slopes and gives you the geographic setup for the flight. You start at the coast, climb through the island, and then return through the air rather than by road.

The drive takes about an hour and follows winding mountain roads. If you get carsick, take that seriously. A motion sickness tablet may be wise, though you should use only medication that is suitable for you and follow its instructions.

The Puerto de la Cruz flight has a much easier transfer. The launch point above Martianez beach is only about 10 minutes away. That makes it the practical choice for anyone who dislikes long mountain roads or wants to fit the flight into a shorter day.

The waiting time can change. Pilots need suitable wind and cloud conditions, and a takeoff may be delayed or attempted again if the breeze is too weak. One flight needed two aborted starts before the third attempt worked. That is not a sign of poor organization. A paraglider needs the right conditions, and a careful pilot will not force a launch.

What takeoff feels like

You need to be able to run during takeoff. The pilot prepares the canopy, connects you to the harness, and gives instructions for the short run. Your job is to follow those instructions and keep moving as the canopy lifts.

For many first-time flyers, this is the most intense part. You are leaving a slope, cliff area, or mountain launch point and trusting the pilot’s timing. The supplied feedback repeatedly points to the same practical lesson: the anticipation can be worse than the flight itself.

After takeoff, the experience changes quickly. Instead of a sudden free fall, you are suspended beneath the canopy and moving forward through the air. The pilot controls the flight, so you are not expected to operate the paraglider yourself.

Pilots can adjust the style of the flight. If you want a peaceful glide, say so. If you want more excitement, the pilot may offer manoeuvres when conditions allow and when you are comfortable. Do not feel pressured to choose acrobatics. The basic flight already gives you the key experience: a silent, extended view of Tenerife from above.

From 2,200 meters to the beach

The Teide flight gives you the most striking change in scenery. At the top, you look across the high volcanic interior and possibly above or among clouds. As you descend, the view opens toward the Orotava Valley and the Atlantic coast.

The descent feels calm rather than rushed. A 25 to 35 minute flight gives you time to look around, take in the scale of the island, and settle into the sensation of flying. The pilot may point out views or adjust the route within the limits of wind and safety.

As you reach Puerto de la Cruz, the flight becomes more urban and coastal. Hotels, balconies, beaches, and the sea come into view. People below may notice the paragliders and wave or cheer as you pass. That small connection between the air and the town adds a pleasant finish to the flight.

The landing takes place on one of the beaches. You will need to follow the pilot’s instructions and prepare for contact with the ground. Once you are safely down, the team brings you back to the starting point in Puerto de la Cruz.

The route is not fixed like a bus tour. Wind direction may change the launch area, flight direction, and landing beach. On one occasion, poor conditions meant the planned Teide flight could not happen, so the pilots changed the plan and flew from Adeje instead. Flexibility is part of this activity.

The coastal Martianez option

The Puerto de la Cruz flight offers a different kind of reward. You do not get the long high-altitude descent, but you are close to the town from the start. The cliffs above Martianez beach give you an elevated view over the coast and make the experience easy to add to a stay in Puerto de la Cruz.

The short transfer is a major advantage. You spend less time in the van and more of the day near your hotel or other plans. The flight lasts around 20 to 30 minutes, enough time to enjoy the coast without committing to the longer Teide outing.

This option may suit you if you are nervous about the altitude of the Teide launch. It is still an adventure, and you still need to run at takeoff, but the setting may feel less extreme than starting high on the mountain.

Ask which flight is available when you book, especially if you have your heart set on Teide. Weather, wind direction, and cloud can affect the plan at any time. The provider may switch the route to keep the flight safe and workable.

How the pilots handle nervous first-timers

You do not need previous paragliding experience. The pilot handles the canopy and gives you the instructions you need. Your main physical task is running at takeoff and following the landing directions.

Several pilots receive especially warm praise for their manner. Lucas is repeatedly described as reassuring and professional, while Mathias is noted for clear instruction and for checking before adding manoeuvres. Gaston is praised for making a first flight feel relaxed, and Adrian is credited with explaining the process carefully.

That matters because the first few minutes can be intimidating. You might be looking down from 2,200 meters, dealing with height, wind, and a strange harness. A pilot who explains each stage clearly can make the difference between merely enduring the flight and enjoying it.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, back problems, or pregnancy. It is also not suitable for children under 12, people over 70, or anyone over 95 kilograms, which equals 209 pounds. You need a reasonable level of fitness and the ability to run at takeoff.

People with vertigo should think carefully, but fear of heights does not automatically rule it out. The flight is different from standing on a tall building or looking straight down from a platform. You are moving with the canopy, and the pilot controls the ride. Still, you should tell the team about your concerns before you leave the center.

Is $165 good value?

At $165 per person, this is not a cheap short activity. It is a fair price if you choose the Teide flight and value the high launch point, van transfer, professional pilot, insurance, equipment, and 25 to 35 minutes in the air.

The price also includes practical items you would otherwise need to arrange: helmet, jacket, trousers, gloves, and transport from Puerto de la Cruz. For a first-time participant, having the team manage the equipment and transfers removes much of the hassle.

The Puerto de la Cruz flight may feel less impressive in terms of duration and altitude, but it still includes the pilot, gear, insurance, and return transfer. It can be better value for you if a quick coastal flight is exactly what you want.

Video costs an additional 30 euros. I would consider buying it if this is a major holiday highlight or if you want footage of the takeoff and landing. If you are mainly interested in the sensation and views, you can skip the extra cost.

The weather rule you need to accept

Paragliding cannot run on a fixed schedule in the same way as a museum visit. If conditions are unsuitable, the flight may be moved to another day or cancelled, even during the process.

Wind is the main practical issue, but cloud can also affect the launch and views. A midday booking may become a sunset flight, while a planned Teide launch may move to another location. One person who originally expected a midday flight ended up flying at sunset and found the change especially memorable.

Book this activity early in your holiday if you can. That leaves room for a delay or a second attempt. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, but a weather decision can occur at any time. Keep the rest of your schedule loose on the day.

Morning, midday, and evening flights are offered. The best time depends on conditions rather than a universal rule. Sunset can provide beautiful light, but morning may offer a calmer start and gives you more time to reschedule if needed.

Who should book this flight?

I would recommend it most strongly if you want an active way to see Tenerife and are comfortable giving up some control. You should be able to run at takeoff, accept a weather-dependent schedule, and follow the pilot’s instructions.

The Teide option suits you if you want the biggest sense of occasion, the longest flight, and the greatest change in scenery. The Martianez flight suits you if you want a simpler outing close to Puerto de la Cruz.

This is less suitable if you need a guaranteed start time, dislike winding roads, cannot run, or want a completely predictable itinerary. It is also not the right choice if you are counting on using your phone in the air or if the weight, age, health, and mobility restrictions apply to you.

Should you book it?

If you have room in your schedule, I would book it near the beginning of your Tenerife stay and request the Teide flight if the weather allows. The combination of a 2,200-meter launch, views across the valley, a coastal descent, and a beach landing gives you more than a quick thrill. It gives you a new way to understand the island.

Choose the Martianez flight if you value convenience over altitude. Either way, go in expecting weather changes and a short run at takeoff. If you can accept those conditions, this is a strong choice for a memorable Tenerife day, especially with a pilot such as Lucas, Mathias, Gaston, or Adrian helping you through your first flight.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience begin?

You meet at the paragliding center in Puerto de la Cruz. The meeting point is listed as Martianez Adventures.

How long does the whole activity take?

The stated activity duration is 1 to 3 hours. The actual length depends on the chosen flight, transfer time, waiting, and weather.

How long is the Teide flight?

The Teide flight usually lasts between 25 and 35 minutes, depending on weather conditions.

How long is the Puerto de la Cruz flight?

The Martianez flight usually lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on weather conditions.

How high does the Teide flight begin?

The Teide flight launches at about 2,200 meters above sea level.

How long is the drive to the Teide launch point?

The van ride from Puerto de la Cruz to the Teide launch area takes about one hour.

How long is the drive to the Martianez launch point?

The van ride to the launch point above Martianez beach takes about 10 minutes.

Is equipment included?

Yes. The activity includes the tandem flight, professional pilot, helmet, jacket, long trousers, gloves, insurance, and transfer from Puerto de la Cruz.

Can I use my cellphone during the flight?

No. Cellphones are not allowed. Sunglasses and comfortable shoes are recommended.

What happens if the weather is unsuitable?

The flight may be changed to another day or cancelled at any time during the process if weather conditions are not good enough for a safe tandem flight.