Paragliding from Puerto de la Cruz or Teide National park

The striking choice here is altitude. The Teide flight begins at about 2,200 meters above sea level, then carries you over Tenerife’s volcanic slopes and the Orotava Valley toward a beach. I like the long flight time and the way the pilots adjust the experience, from a quiet glide to optional turns for those who want more action.

I also like the small groups, limited to four people, and the practical pickup from Puerto de la Cruz. The main drawback is weather: wind and cloud can change the launch site, delay your flight, or cancel it. The drive to Teide takes about an hour on twisty mountain roads, so plan carefully if you get carsick.

Key points to know before you book

• Two very different flights: Choose the 25 to 35-minute Teide flight or the 20 to 30-minute Martianez cliff flight.
• A high mountain launch: The Teide option starts around 2,200 meters and ends at beach level.
• Small groups: No more than four participants share the outing.
• Good support for first-timers: Pilots give clear instructions and can keep the flight gentle or add manoeuvres when conditions allow.
• Weather controls the schedule: Your flight may move to another day, use a different launch site, or be cancelled.
• Bring the right gear: Wear comfortable shoes and sunglasses. Phones are not permitted during the activity.

Teide at 2,200 meters, or Martianez above Puerto de la Cruz

You are choosing between two flights rather than booking one fixed route.

The exclusive Teide flight is the bigger outing. After meeting at the Martianez Adventures center in Puerto de la Cruz, you ride for about an hour in a van to the launch area in Teide National Park. The takeoff point sits around 2,200 meters above sea level, and the flight usually lasts 25 to 35 minutes.

That extra height matters. You get a longer descent, a wider view over Tenerife, and the unusual sensation of moving from high mountain air down to a beach. On clear days, the view can include the Orotava Valley, the coast, Teide National Park, and even distant islands. Cloud cover can change the view quickly, though, and it may also force the team to use a lower launch point.

The adrenaline flight begins much closer to town, above the cliffs near Martianez Beach. The van ride takes about 10 minutes, and the airtime is usually 20 to 30 minutes. This option gives you a quicker outing and a strong view of Puerto de la Cruz from above.

For many people, the Teide flight is the obvious choice because of the height and longer airtime. The Martianez option makes more sense if you want less time in the van, prefer to stay close to Puerto de la Cruz, or have limited time in your schedule. Ask which flight is available when you book, since conditions and timing affect the final plan.

Meeting the pilots in Puerto de la Cruz

Your starting point is the Martianez Adventures center in Puerto de la Cruz. The provider is Parapente Lucas, and the team operates in English and Spanish.

The group limit of four is useful here. You are not being moved through a large activity operation with a crowd waiting behind you. The pilots can explain the takeoff, check your equipment, and talk through any worries before you leave town.

Several pilots are named in the experience feedback, including Lucas, Matthias, Gaston, Adrian, and Jesus. The strongest pattern is calm instruction and personal attention. That matters because the hardest part for many first-timers is not the flight itself. It is the few minutes before the running takeoff, when you are standing on a slope with a parachute behind you.

Your pilot handles the glider and gives you instructions. You still need to take part in the launch by running when told. The operator requires you to be in good physical condition and able to run at takeoff.

The van ride to the launch site

For the Teide option, allow about an hour for the trip uphill. The road winds through the mountains, and one detailed account warns that the ride can be hard for anyone prone to car sickness. If that is you, consider taking your usual motion sickness remedy before leaving, provided it is safe for you to do so.

The van ride is part of the time commitment. The advertised duration is one to three hours, but the Teide version includes the uphill transfer, preparation, flight, landing, and return to Puerto de la Cruz. The actual day can also stretch if the pilots need to wait for a safer wind window.

The Martianez flight is simpler on this point. A 10-minute transfer takes you above the cliffs, so you spend less time in the vehicle and more of the outing near town. That shorter transfer does not make it a lesser experience, but it does make it easier to fit around other plans.

Getting ready with helmet, jacket, and gloves

At the center, the team provides the essential gear: helmet, jacket, long trousers, gloves, and other flight equipment. Insurance and transfers from Puerto de la Cruz are included in the $165 price.

Bring sunglasses and comfortable shoes. The sunglasses help with glare, while sturdy, comfortable footwear is practical for the running takeoff and beach landing. Do not plan to hold your phone in the air. Cellphones are not allowed during the activity.

The operator also offers video for an extra 30 euros. A camera is included among the equipment described for the outing, but the finished video costs extra, so confirm exactly what you will receive before takeoff. If recording the flight matters to you, this add-on may be worth considering. If you mainly want to watch the view without thinking about a camera, skip it.

The clothing provided includes long trousers and a jacket, which helps with cooler air at altitude. Even in warm Puerto de la Cruz, the launch area in the Teide region can feel very different. Dress for comfort rather than beachwear.

The takeoff, where nerves peak

A tandem paraglide does not begin with a dramatic jump. You and the pilot run forward together as the canopy fills with air. The slope and wind do much of the work, but you need to follow instructions and keep moving during the launch.

This is the moment to listen closely. Pilots have dealt with hesitant starts, changing winds, and nervous beginners before. One flight needed several attempts because the breeze was too light, while another began from a lower point because of cloud and wind. Those changes are not signs that the activity is going badly. They show why the launch site and departure time cannot be guaranteed in advance.

If you are nervous about heights, tell your pilot before takeoff. Pilots such as Lucas, Matthias, Gaston, and Adrian are repeatedly singled out for clear explanations and a reassuring manner. That does not remove the height, but it gives you something useful to focus on.

Floating over Tenerife for 20 to 35 minutes

Once airborne, the experience changes character. The initial adrenaline gives way to a quieter glide, with the pilot seated behind you and the canopy carrying you over the slopes.

The Teide route offers the longest flight, normally 25 to 35 minutes. You may pass above the Orotava Valley and head toward the coast, with Puerto de la Cruz and the ocean below. Clear weather can open long views across the island and toward other islands, while clouds may create a completely different scene.

Several flights have used sunset timing, and this can be especially striking from the high launch point. One route passed through inverted clouds as the sun went down. Sunset departures are not guaranteed, and the schedule depends on wind and daylight, but they can add warm light and changing shadows to the flight.

The Martianez route lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. You fly above the cliffs and coast near Puerto de la Cruz, with the town and beach areas below. The lower starting point gives you less height but a closer look at the coast. You may also see people near hotels and beaches as you approach the landing area.

The pilot can usually keep the flight smooth or add manoeuvres if conditions allow and you want them. Tell the pilot whether you prefer a calm glide or more turns. Do not assume the most exciting option is always available. Safety and wind conditions decide what the pilot can do.

Landing on a beach near the coast

Both versions finish with a beach landing, followed by transport back to Puerto de la Cruz. This gives the experience a clear beginning and end: mountain or cliff launch, coastal flight, then sand under your feet.

A beach landing may look easy from the air, but you still need to follow the pilot’s instructions as you come down. Keep your attention on the landing process rather than trying to film or look for people below.

The coastal finish is one of the activity’s best details. You are not simply returning to the same mountain field where you started. You travel from a high or elevated launch point to sea level, then the team brings you back to the original meeting area.

The return transfer also means you do not need to arrange a taxi from the beach. That is particularly helpful if you leave a car, bag, or other belongings at the Puerto de la Cruz center.

What $165 includes, and where extra costs appear

At $165 per person, this is not a low-cost sightseeing ride. You are paying for a tandem flight, a professional pilot, equipment, insurance, and transfers from Puerto de la Cruz. The Teide version also includes a substantial mountain transfer and up to 35 minutes in the air.

The value is strongest if you want a serious first paragliding experience rather than a short amusement ride. The small group size and the chance to choose between a high mountain route and a closer coastal route add flexibility.

The price does not include the optional video, which costs 30 euros. If you are traveling on a budget, decide in advance if that keepsake matters. You may prefer to spend the money on the flight itself and remember the view without a recording.

The activity can also require schedule flexibility. A weather delay might mean losing part of a beach day or shifting the flight to another day. For that reason, I would book it near the beginning of your Tenerife stay rather than on your final morning. The provider allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, while weather changes can happen at any time during the process.

Who will enjoy this flight most

This experience suits adults and children aged 12 or older who can run at takeoff and meet the physical requirements. You must not weigh more than 95 kilograms, or 209 pounds.

It is a good fit if you:

• Want a first tandem flight with a professional handling the glider
• Like mountain and ocean views in the same outing
• Can stay flexible about the exact time and launch point
• Are comfortable with a short running takeoff
• Prefer a small group rather than a large organized activity
• Want the choice of a longer Teide route or a shorter Puerto de la Cruz route

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people over 70, people with mobility impairments, or children under 12. Anyone with a medical concern should check with a doctor before booking.

You should also think honestly about heights. Several nervous first-timers found the flight calmer than expected, but paragliding still means launching from a mountain or cliff area. A pilot can support you, but cannot make the height disappear.

Smart planning for a smoother day

Book early in your stay so a wind delay does not ruin your only chance. Keep the rest of that day flexible, especially for the Teide flight.

If you get carsick, prepare for the winding drive to the high launch point. Wear shoes that let you run comfortably, bring sunglasses, and leave your phone behind as required. If you want the optional video, ask about the 30-euro charge before the flight.

Morning, midday, and evening departures are offered, but the best time is the time that works with the weather. A planned midday flight may move to sunset, or to another day, when wind conditions change. That flexibility is part of the sport, not a minor scheduling detail.

Should you book Parapente Lucas?

I would book this if you want Tenerife’s coast from a genuinely unusual viewpoint and can accept a weather-dependent schedule. The Teide flight offers the strongest value for the money, with its 2,200-meter launch, longer airtime, and beach finish.

Choose the Martianez flight if you want a shorter transfer and a more local Puerto de la Cruz setting. In either case, expect a nervous few minutes before takeoff, clear instructions from a pilot such as Lucas, Matthias, Gaston, or Adrian, and a quiet glide once you are airborne.

Skip it if you cannot run at takeoff, need a fixed schedule, dislike winding van rides, or fall outside the age and weight requirements. For everyone else, this is one of the more memorable ways to see Tenerife, provided you give the weather room to make the final call.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience begin?

You meet at the Martianez Adventures center in Puerto de la Cruz. The provider then transfers you to the launch area by van.

How high is the Teide launch point?

The Teide flight begins at approximately 2,200 meters above sea level. It is described as the highest paragliding launch point on Tenerife.

How long is the flight?

The Teide flight normally lasts 25 to 35 minutes. The Martianez flight normally lasts 20 to 30 minutes, depending on weather conditions.

How long does the full activity take?

The stated duration is one to three hours. The Teide option takes about one hour to reach the launch area, while the Martianez transfer takes about 10 minutes.

Is equipment included?

Yes. The activity includes a tandem flight, professional pilot, insurance, transfers, helmet, jacket, long trousers, gloves, and necessary flight equipment.

Can I bring my cellphone?

No. Cellphones are not allowed during the activity. Sunglasses and comfortable shoes are recommended.

Is the flight suitable for children?

Children must be at least 12 years old. The activity is also unsuitable for people over 70, pregnant women, people with back problems, and people with mobility impairments.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The flight may be moved to another day or cancelled. Weather conditions can also lead to a different launch site or a change in the planned flight time.