Frequently Asked Questions (click below)

Why paraglide Costa Rica with Nick?

Nick knows where to fly, when to fly and how to get there! Nick has flown dozens of sites in Costa Rica, having pioneered 5 new sites. Nick is a USHPA Advanced Paragliding Instructor and tandem pilot. He speaks good Spanish, and knows much about Costa Rican ecology, especially the bird life. If you want to paraglide Costa Rica, come along with Nick and Paracrane Tours!

Why not just travel yourself instead of with a tour?

Most paragliding sites in Costa Rica are on private property and many need special permission or a key for access. Trying to fly by yourself severely limits your access. We maintain close relationships with land owners and have access to many sites you won’t be able to fly otherwise. Sites have been lost by irresponsible visiting pilots. At some sites we collect a modest fee for the landowner, at others we have to inform the owner or caretaker prior to our visit. Please help us preserve paragliding sites in Costa Rica by respecting the local customs, the precious Costa Rican environment, and the relationshops we have nurtured with local landowners. Come paraglide Costa Rica with us!

How is traveling in Costa Rica?

Traveling in Costa Rica is a unique adventure, with new vistas, flavors and environments around every corner. Roads can be poorly signed and are not always smooth! But leave the driving to us! Prices in Costa Rica are reasonable by US or European standards, but not cheap. Meals are around $3-5 for breakfast, $5-10 for dinner. Keep in mind that Costa Rica is a third world country, so customs and standards are not necessarily the same as the US, Canada or Europe. As my Canadian friend Randy says "Sure you can find things to complain about, but for every one there are 10 things I love about Costa Rica!"
We travel comfortably, in air conditioned 4X4 SUV's for maximum comfort and safety, plus access to rugged mountain launches. We stay in very nice, comfortable, clean, safe hotels. All have hot water and private bath, most have AC, except where you really don’t need it, at higher elevations for example. We eat at moderately priced restaurants with well prepared food.

Is Costa Rica safe?

Costa Rica has a very stable democracy and a strong tradition of peace, with no armed services. While no place in the world is immune from crime, a few tips will minimize the posibility. Don’t leave a purse or backpack visible in an unattended car!!! Best place for your wallet and passport is on your person in a zipped pocket or passport safe under your clothes. If you spend the night in San Jose before or after the tour, take a taxi after dark, as you would in any large city. Costa Ricans, known as "Ticos" are friendly and rightfully proud of their beautiful country.

Water, bugs, sun, disease, accidents?

The water is treated everywhere, so it is safe to drink, but you might prefer bottled water. Treated water means it's safe to eat raw fruit, veggies and salad in a restaurant. Usually there are very few mosquitos, but on rare occasions, a breezeless evening on the beach for example, you might want repellent. There is no malaria in Costa Rica. Do bring sun block and a hat! Sometimes travel or a new cuisine can cause a GI disturbance. Usually peptobismol tablets work well. Keep in mind you are in a third world country, so be even more conservative to prevent accidents and fly safely.
HYDRATE! USE SUN BLOCK! FLY SAFE! JOIN US!

When should I come to paraglide Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has great paragliding for pilots of all skill and experience levels. For learning to fly, or for less experienced pilots, any time from December through March works fine. We fly practically every day, and have an option of sites depending on the weather. At some sites conditions can be too strong at midday for less experienced pilots, but mid morning and late afternoon are optimal. I love to teach paragliding in Costa Rica, as even beginners get lots of flight time, and progress much more rapidly than at typical US sites.
For experienced pilots looking for the best conditions, from mid February on the cloud base is usually higher, and the best XC paragliding flights occur. In March 2008 I had personal bests at 2 different sites, plus a site record at another.

Travel Insurance

One thing I recommend is travel insurance from DAN, Diver's Alert Network. While it started for divers to provide medical evacuation after an accident, anyone can join, and evacuation for any type of accident is covered. They have international numbers to call, doctors on staff, and a very informative magazine, focused on diving, but with lots of useful general information about staying healthy while traveling. The yearly fee is only about $29.00

How do I sign up?

Drop us an email or call Nick at 541-840-8587 to reserve a spot. A $500 deposit holds your place, the remainder is due when you arrive in Costa Rica. After you have signed up you will receive a detailed list of what to bring, how the airport pickup works, how to contact Nick in Costa Rica, etc.
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