Parasailing or paragliding in Paracas: what is the difference and which should you book?
Both put you in the air over Paracas, and many tour listings mix them up. They have little else in common: one takes off from a boat in the middle of the bay, the other running down a hill. Here is what changes.
Updated on 5 October 2026
The difference in one sentence
In parasailing you sit in a harness under a parachute that a boat lifts from the sea: no running, no jumping and nothing to steer. In paragliding you run down a slope with an open wing and a tandem pilot flies it. One is a sea activity; the other belongs to hills and wind.
Take-off and landing
- Parasailing (YakuFly): you sit on the back platform of the boat, the captain speeds up and the canopy fills; the climb is gradual. You land on the same platform, without getting into the water.
- Tandem paragliding: you and the pilot run a few steps downhill until the wing lifts you. Landing is on foot, in an area the pilot chooses depending on the wind.
What is asked of the passenger
- Parasailing: ages 10 and up (10 to 17 with their legal guardian), 40 to 160 kg, no experience and no swimming needed; a life jacket is mandatory on every flight.
- Paragliding: each operator sets its own age and weight limits, and you need to be able to run a few metres at take-off and land on your feet.
What you feel and what you see
Parasailing is quiet: once the line is tight you stop hearing the engine, and below you lies the whole of Paracas Bay, the El Chaco pier, the anchored boats and the line where the desert of the Paracas National Reserve meets the sea. Paragliding is a different experience, with turns that depend on the wind and the pilot, and the coast seen from the land side.
Which one to choose
- Travelling with kids aged 10+ or with someone who cannot swim: parasailing.
- Afraid of heights but want the bay from above: parasailing.
- Want to fly as a couple or as three on the same canopy: parasailing (Duo and Trio flights).
- Want the feeling of gliding and steering with the wind: tandem paragliding.
Frequently asked questions
Are parasailing and paragliding the same thing?
No. In parasailing you sit in a harness tied to a boat that lifts you from the sea and lands you back on its own platform; you do not run or steer. In paragliding you take off running down a slope and a tandem pilot flies the wing the whole time.
Which one is better if I am afraid of heights?
Parasailing: the climb is gradual and seated, with no jump, and the crew brings you down when you ask with a hand signal agreed in the safety briefing.
Can children do parasailing in Paracas?
Yes, from age 10 with YakuFly. Minors aged 10 to 17 must come with their legal guardian, who signs the authorisation, and every passenger must weigh between 40 kg and 160 kg.
How much is parasailing in Paracas?
YakuFly charges per flight, from S/ 200 (Peruvian soles, VAT and life jacket included). A tandem flight for two costs S/ 350. Paragliding prices are set by each operator and are not listed here.
Can I do both on the same day?
Yes. Parasailing leaves from the El Chaco pier at fixed morning and afternoon time slots, while paragliding depends on the wind on the hill. Book the parasailing slot first and plan the rest around it.
Prices, time slots and how to book from abroad are on parasailing in Paracas. Water sports around the bay: Paracas water sports. Leer en español.
Going for parasailing? Book your slot
Pick a date, an exact time slot and how many people fly. We confirm on WhatsApp.