They fly through the air with the greatest of ease, these daring young folk on their flying…paragliders! Becoming an increasingly popular extreme eco sport in the Dominican Republic  paragliding enthusiasts from around the globe are discovering the Caribbean thermals are soaring good fun. The Dominican Republic has even played host to the Paragliding World Cup in previous years and also hosts the Ozone Caribbean XC Challenge with those in the know coming back time and again to experience the full range of paragliding routes from the rough and challenging thermal conditions of the desert areas in Galvan to the tranquil, mild and wide thermals found in the higher valleys of Manaclita.  

There are great training sites for beginners and pilots alike found on the north coast of the Dominican Republic in Playa Cofresi where you can literally spend hours in the air to safe and easy short routes for the recreational paraglider pilot found in Alto del Guayabo and Manaclita where one can develop or refine cross country skills.

With outstanding year round paragliding conditions, awesome and incredible landscapes, picture perfect surf and beaches to ogle at plus an unforgettable range of paragliding touring possibilities it is understandable why passionate paragliders are coming to realize the Dominican Republic dream with some serious paragliding activities.  What a fantastic way to combine a vacation with friends and family as for non paragliders the Dominican Republic offers excellent opportunities to sit on beautiful unspoilt beaches or get serious with some seriously fun excursion opportunities from sand to surf whilst the paraglider can fly right in the heart of the Caribbean’s most diverse and tropical island, the Dominican Republic.

The thermals are always here in the Dominican Republic and so is the sun!  The Dominican Republic offers over ten world class flying sites with pretty much all year round flying conditions and thanks to many years of paragliding enthusiasts and individuals in the Dominican Republic the country is now recognized as a serious paragliding heaven.  Over the years dedicated individuals have ensured safety standards in the training of pilots, and have developed a superb paragliding flying infrastructure and activity that is now rewarded by national and international levels of competition.

With a paragliding school now open in the Dominican Republic, paragliding beginners can learn about the equipment, accessories, packing and un packing of equipment, ground training, learning different take off techniques frontals, crossed winds, no wind conditions etc.,.and basic flight knowledge. Theory and ground work will all lead up to taking a tandem ride with your instructor for the first couple of times ready for your first solo flight which will open up “Nylon Heaven Nevada!”.   After 5 solo flights successfully completed the student will receive their certificate for Basic Paragliding Pilot.

If you fancy having a once in a lifetime paragliding experience then you can hook up with a professional paraglider in the Dominican Republic on specialized tandem paragliders.  Using a larger glider and two harness’s both you and the instructor can communicate easily together and you can have the chance of controlling the glider yourself at certain parts of the flight or just simply sit back and marvel at the spectacular scenery below you and take photos/video of your incredible experience. What an exhilarating way to have your fist taste of paragliding in the Dominican Republic and you never know you could just get the bug and be hooked for life! Bienvenido to one of the most serene and yet exciting extreme sports in the world, Paragliding in the Dominican Republic!

If you are looking to book or discover other alternative, eco and extreme sports, excursions and trips in the Dominican Republic click here.