Have you ever dream to fly like a bird or to explore in the clouds?
Just a few year ago, that was only for a little group of privilious people which had the oportunity to feel this kind of freedom.
At the beginning these sport was only for persons out of their mind, which run direct to emptyness from the top of mountain hanging on a triangle of cloth up in the sky, but with the creation of the "parapente" these sport had became more and more popular each day.

History

The parapente was born in the bases of a ram air parachute with a bigger wing with a perfect aerodynamic side.
The nylon wings are made of open cells in the front and close on the back. The air that blows in to the cells makes the wing raise up and jump to the emptiness
You don't have to jump from a plane to have these experience, you can do it from a little hill or a mountain.
The pilot is seatted on harness and controls the "parapente" with both hands; the parapente waist 6 kg and the pilot can be ready in only 5 minutes, searchig a speed up to 40 km/h.
The "parapente" is the easy, fastest, practical, safe and economic way of flying. There are almost 500 000 active pilots around the world that practice these air sport.

The first fly was done in 1978 when a crazy climber decide to get down from the top of a mountain; jumping on a parachute. Inmediately these sistem was adopted from all the young sport climbers in Europe and all over the world. In Costa Rica you can have the expierence specialy near the coast.

OTHER FLYING SITES
Victor Gallo has provided some brief description of other flying sites.

Villa Caletas
A mountain site located opposite a five-star hotel on the way to Jacó. If you survive the 4-minute hihe to launch, it offers a beautiful flight. With a 460-meter elevation abovesea level or landing, it has a small soaring ridge. The breeze is consistent from the southwest. Around 11:00 am, the thermals can begin pumping with a potential bouncy ride considering the coastal temperatures. The LZ is extensive; just watch out for the electric cable in the first nice pasture. Try to land as close to the fence as possible considering the many mad oxen below.

San José Sites
In general, mountain sites in central valley are very unpredictable. One day it can be blown out and the next it may be perfect. You either need luck or time to lounge. Cloud base is anywhere between 2000 and 2500 meters MSL. San José lies at approximately 1000 meter.

Bebedero
Flying this site is like launching from the Swiss Alps, except conditions are not always that great. In the dry season (December through April) the northeastern trade winds blast away. In the rainy seasom, the winds are not as strong but thundershowers abound, especially in the afternoon. Ridge soaring is great on a dood day. Thermaling is also an option on good afternoon. The approach is a 4wd road in the dry season, which becomes a 30-minute, muddy hike in the rainy season. The LX is about 200 meters below in a pasture next to the town church.