Paragliding from Puerto de la Cruz or Teide National park

The island looks different from the sky. This tandem paragliding experience gives you two distinct ways to see Tenerife: a long descent from the high slopes of Teide National Park, or a shorter, more adrenaline-filled flight above Puerto de la Cruz. I like the choice between a scenic mountain-to-sea journey and a quick coastal adventure. I also like the small groups, with no more than four participants and professional pilots such as Lucas, Mathias, Gaston, and Adrian.

The main consideration is weather. Wind and cloud can change the launch point, delay your booking, or cancel the flight. The Teide option also involves about an hour in a van on twisting mountain roads, so anyone prone to car sickness should plan carefully. Still, the safety-minded approach and patient communication make this a strong choice for a first flight.

The six details that shape the experience

• Two launch areas: Choose the high Teide National Park flight or the Puerto de la Cruz flight above Martianez Beach.
• A true mountain-to-sea route: The Teide option begins around 2,200 meters above sea level and usually ends on a beach.
• Shorter coastal thrills: The Martianez launch takes only about 10 minutes to reach from the meeting point.
• Small groups: The activity is limited to four participants, which helps keep preparation personal and organized.
• Pilots adjust the mood: You can usually expect a calm glide, with optional manoeuvres for those who want more excitement.
• Budget for the video: Flight equipment and insurance are included, but the flight video costs an extra 30 euros.

Choosing between Teide and Puerto de la Cruz

The two flights offer very different versions of Tenerife.

The exclusive Teide flight begins at about 2,200 meters above sea level, described as the highest paraglide launch point on Tenerife. From there, you travel down toward the coast, with a flight lasting roughly 25 to 35 minutes when conditions cooperate. The broad views can include the Orotava Valley, the slopes of Teide National Park, Puerto de la Cruz, the ocean, and, on exceptionally clear days, nearby islands such as La Palma.

This is the better pick if you want the biggest sense of distance and height. One flight covered about 18 kilometers and ended near sea level, which gives you a real change in scenery during the descent. You begin among mountain air and high cloud, then gradually approach the coast and beach.

The tradeoff is the road journey. Reaching the launch site takes about an hour in the van, and the mountain roads have many bends. That extra time is part of the experience because you get to see more of Tenerife on the way up, but it can be tiring if you get motion sickness. The high launch point is also more exposed to cloud and wind, so the exact start location may change.

The adrenaline flight starts above the cliffs of Martianez Beach in Puerto de la Cruz. The transfer to the launch site takes only about 10 minutes, and the flight generally lasts 20 to 30 minutes. You still get sea views, a beach landing, and a clear look at Puerto de la Cruz, but without the long mountain transfer.

I would choose this option if you want a simpler outing, have limited time, or prefer to stay close to town. It may also suit you if the thought of standing at a 2,200-meter launch point feels like too much for a first attempt. The shorter flight does not mean a lesser experience, but the visual scale is different.

Meeting in Puerto de la Cruz and preparing to fly

You meet at the Martianez Adventures paragliding center in Puerto de la Cruz. From there, the team provides the equipment and takes you to the selected flight area by van.

The supplied gear includes a helmet, jacket, long trousers, gloves, and other necessary flight equipment. Insurance and the tandem pilot are included in the price. You should arrive with sunglasses and comfortable shoes, and leave your cellphone behind because cellphones are not allowed during the activity.

The clothing arrangement is useful because conditions at the launch point can be cooler than they are by the beach. Long trousers and closed, comfortable footwear also make sense for the short run needed at takeoff. You do not need to bring a large collection of specialist gear.

Before launch, your pilot explains what to do. The key instruction is simple: you need to run when told. You do not need previous paragliding experience, but you do need enough fitness to run during takeoff and manage the physical demands of getting airborne.

What takeoff feels like at 2,200 meters

The first few seconds are the part most likely to make you nervous. You run down the slope with the pilot, the canopy catches the air, and the ground falls away. Several people with no previous experience, including one person who had vertigo, found that the initial fear quickly gave way to a calmer flight.

That does not mean the launch is effortless. Wind conditions may require more than one attempt. One flight needed two aborted starts before the third attempt worked because there was very little breeze. This is not a flaw in the experience. It is exactly the sort of caution you want from a pilot who refuses to force a bad launch.

Your pilot controls the paraglider throughout the flight. You sit in the tandem harness and can focus on the scenery instead of managing the canopy. Pilots have been praised for clear instructions, friendly manner, and the ability to help nervous first-timers relax. Lucas, Mathias, Gaston, Adrian, and Jesus are among the pilots specifically praised for their calm and professional handling.

The 25 to 35 minute descent toward the beach

Once you are airborne, the experience changes character. The rush of takeoff gives way to a quiet glide, with the coast slowly drawing closer below you.

From the Teide route, you may see the Orotava Valley spread below the mountain slopes, Puerto de la Cruz along the coast, and the ocean beyond. On a clear day, the view can stretch toward La Palma. Cloud can also become part of the flight, with some departures passing through or above it.

The flight usually lasts 25 to 35 minutes, but the exact time depends on wind and other conditions. The route and landing beach can change as well. One flight had to begin from a lower point because of wind and cloud cover, while another changed direction and flew toward Santa Cruz. Flexibility is part of booking this activity.

As you approach the coast, you may pass above the hotels and beach area. This is one of the more memorable details of the route because people below may wave or cheer as you glide past. The final approach brings you down to one of the beaches, where the team then returns you to Puerto de la Cruz.

The 20 to 30 minute Martianez coastal flight

The Puerto de la Cruz option is more compact but still gives you a strong sense of flight. You leave the center, drive about 10 minutes to the launch point above the cliffs of Martianez Beach, and prepare for takeoff with the same tandem equipment and pilot support.

The views focus on the coast and the town rather than the full mountain-to-sea progression. If your main goal is to see Puerto de la Cruz from above, this may be the most direct choice. You spend less time in the van and more of your outing near the town where you are staying.

The flight lasts around 20 to 30 minutes, subject to conditions. You land on a beach and return to the meeting point in Puerto de la Cruz. That straightforward plan works well if you are fitting the activity into a busy holiday schedule.

The word adrenaline is appropriate here because the launch above the cliffs can feel dramatic. Your pilot can keep the flight smooth, or may offer extra manoeuvres if you want more movement. Tell the pilot what sort of experience you prefer rather than assuming every tandem flight has the same pace.

Morning, midday, or sunset?

Flights are available in the morning, at midday, and in the evening. The best time is not simply a matter of choosing the prettiest light. Wind and cloud have the final say.

Sunset flights have received special praise for the changing colors, cloud effects, and views toward the coast. One flight from Teide at sunset passed through inverted cloud with the sun dropping behind it. That kind of timing can make the mountain route especially striking, but sunset availability depends on the day and the flying conditions.

Morning may be a sensible choice if you want to leave room in your schedule for a weather change. It also gives you more time to move the flight to another day if needed. The practical advice is to book early in your holiday rather than on your final day. If wind causes a postponement, you need spare days.

The company may change the time, launch location, or date when conditions are unsuitable. A flight can also be cancelled during the process if the weather becomes unsafe. You receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, but weather changes are a separate matter because the pilot must make the final safety decision.

How safe and personal does it feel?

The group limit of four participants is one of the strongest practical features. You are not being processed through a large adventure-sport operation. The pilots can spend time explaining the run, checking equipment, and matching the flight style to your comfort level.

The most consistent praise goes to safety and reassurance. First-time flyers describe clear explanations and a calm feeling once airborne. The pilots also adapt the flight: a steady glide for someone nervous, or optional manoeuvres for someone wanting a livelier finish.

You should still take the restrictions seriously. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, children under 12, people over 70, or anyone weighing more than 95 kilograms, or 209 pounds. You must also be able to run at takeoff.

The weather policy is a safety benefit, not an inconvenience. Wind, cloud, and launch conditions control paragliding. If the pilot changes the plan, that may mean a lower launch, a different route, another day, or a cancellation.

Is the $165 price good value?

At $165 per person, the experience is not a cheap add-on, but the price includes more than the time in the air. You get the tandem flight, a professional pilot, equipment, protective clothing, insurance, and transfer from Puerto de la Cruz.

The Teide option offers especially good value if you want a long flight and a full mountain-to-coast journey. The drive takes time, but the high launch and 25 to 35 minutes in the air give the outing more scale than a short coastal flight.

The Puerto de la Cruz flight may offer better value for you if convenience matters most. You reach the launch area in about 10 minutes, avoid the long mountain road, and still receive a beach landing and coastal views.

Videos cost an additional 30 euros. The equipment list refers to a camera, and some flights have included a GoPro stick or produced a memorable video, but you should treat the video as an optional extra and confirm the current arrangement when booking. If recording the experience matters to you, budget for it.

Who should book this flight?

I would recommend it to adults and older children aged 12 or above who are reasonably fit, curious, and willing to follow instructions. It is particularly well suited to first-time flyers because the pilot manages the paraglider and provides the guidance.

Choose the Teide flight if you want:

• The highest launch point offered on Tenerife
• A longer flight
• Mountain, valley, cloud, and coastal views
• A dramatic mountain-to-beach route
• A memorable sunset possibility

Choose the Puerto de la Cruz flight if you want:

• A short transfer
• A flight focused on the town and coast
• Less time on twisting mountain roads
• A simpler plan within a tight itinerary
• A more immediate dose of excitement

I would not book it for the last day of your holiday. Weather can move the activity, and you need spare time if the team offers another date or location. I would also avoid a heavy meal before the Teide transfer if winding roads affect you.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience meet?

You meet at the Martianez Adventures paragliding center in Puerto de la Cruz.

How long does the full activity last?

The stated activity duration is between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the selected flight, transfers, and conditions.

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 flight from above Martianez Beach usually lasts between 20 and 30 minutes.

How high is the Teide launch point?

The Teide flight begins at approximately 2,200 meters above sea level.

Is transport included?

Yes. Transfer from Puerto de la Cruz to the flight area and the return to Puerto de la Cruz are included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses and comfortable shoes. Cellphones are not allowed during the activity.

Can weather change or cancel the flight?

Yes. If conditions are unsuitable, the flight may be moved to another day, changed to another location, or cancelled at any point during the process.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a memorable view of Tenerife and can stay flexible. The Teide route gives you the most impressive overall experience, with a high launch, a long glide, and a beach landing. The Puerto de la Cruz route is the practical choice when you want less road time and a closer look at the coast.

The strongest reasons to choose this company are the small groups, professional pilots, included equipment, and careful response to changing weather. The biggest cautions are the 95-kilogram weight limit, the need to run at takeoff, the long mountain drive for the Teide option, and the extra charge for video.

If you are nervous, tell the pilot before launch. A calm flight is available, and optional manoeuvres can be added for those who want more action. If you have several days in Tenerife and the right weather window, this is one of the most direct ways to see the island from a completely different angle.