Skydiving in Colombia: The Ultimate Guide to Jumping Over the Andes and Caribbean Coasts

Colombia, a country renowned for its vibrant culture, stunning biodiversity, and the majestic peaks of the Andes, offers a truly unique backdrop for skydiving. For both seasoned fun jumpers and first-time tandem enthusiasts, skydiving here is more than just a freefall—it’s an opportunity to see one of South America's most geographically diverse nations from a breathtaking perspective.

This guide provides essential information for planning your adventure, covering the local skydiving scene, regulatory environment, and what makes jumping in Colombia a memorable experience.

---

Discover the Thrill of Skydiving in Colombia

Skydiving in Colombia is an expanding sport, celebrated for its professional standards and diverse jumping locations. Currently, the country is home to approximately five dedicated dropzones, spread across various regions, allowing jumpers to choose their scenery: from the warm tropical lowlands to the cooler valleys nestled between mountain ranges.

Choosing to skydive in Colombia means choosing variety. Unlike destinations constrained by uniform landscapes, Colombia offers glimpses of towering mountains, lush coffee plantations, and expansive plains. The local skydiving community, while smaller than in other global hotspots, is deeply passionate and maintains strong ties to international safety organizations, ensuring a professional and high-quality experience.

---

Skydiving Regulations and Safety Standards in Colombia

Safety and regulation are paramount in Colombian skydiving operations. The sport is overseen by the official national body, the Federación Colombiana de Deportes Aéreos (FEDEAEREOS), which ensures that all commercial dropzones and licensed instructors operate under stringent safety protocols.

Governing Bodies and International Alignment

While FEDEAEREOS sets the national standard, many Colombian dropzones and instructors align their procedures closely with established international bodies, particularly the United States Parachute Association (USPA). This commitment to globally recognized best practices is a major benefit for international visitors and licensed skydivers.

• Licensing: Instructors and dropzone personnel are typically required to hold relevant FEDEAEREOS and/or international certifications (like USPA ratings) to conduct student training and tandem operations.
• Equipment: All parachuting systems must adhere to rigorous safety standards, often requiring Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval, similar to FAA regulations. This includes the use of certified main and reserve parachutes, and reserve parachutes must be inspected and packed by a certified rigger at designated intervals.
• Automatic Activation Devices (AADs): For tandem operations and student jumps, the use of an operational AAD is a standard requirement, providing an essential layer of safety.

Essential Requirements for Skydivers

Specific requirements can vary slightly between operators, but general national guidelines exist for participant safety:

• Age Limits: The standard minimum age for a tandem skydive is 18 years old. Some locations may permit minors aged 16 or 17 with specific, notarized parental or legal guardian consent.
• Weight Limits: Strict weight limits are enforced for all tandem jumps. These limits are set by the gear manufacturer's specifications and instructor safety protocols. Tandem weight maximums typically fall within the 90 kg to 100 kg range (approximately 200–220 lbs). It is crucial to confirm your weight and height/weight proportionality when booking.
• Health and Fitness: Participants must be in good physical health. Any pre-existing medical conditions, such as heart or respiratory problems, or recent injuries must be disclosed.
• Substance Use: The consumption of alcohol or recreational drugs before a jump is strictly prohibited and results in automatic cancellation without refund.

Altitude and Airspace Rules

In line with international skydiving manuals, Colombian dropzones adhere to mandated minimum deployment altitudes to ensure safety margins.

• Minimum Opening Altitude: For tandem jumps, the minimum main parachute deployment altitude is often set around 4,500 feet above ground level (AGL), providing ample time for a safe canopy flight and landing sequence.
• Supplemental Oxygen: Jumps conducted above 15,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) typically require supplemental oxygen to be available in the aircraft, adhering to standard aviation regulations.

---

The Colombian Skydiving Environment

The logistical and environmental factors in Colombia contribute to an exceptional skydiving experience.

Ideal Weather and Seasonal Jumps

Colombia is a tropical country close to the equator, meaning it experiences seasons defined by rainfall rather than temperature changes. This often translates to reliable, year-round jumping, provided you know the local weather patterns.

• Dry Seasons (Best time to jump): Generally, the driest months are from December to March and then again from July to August. These periods often offer clearer skies and more stable conditions, maximizing the number of jumping days.
• Rainy Seasons: While skydiving continues, the rainier months (especially April/May and September/October/November) can lead to more weather holds or cancellations due to cloud cover and strong winds.
• Altitude Effects: Dropzones located at higher altitudes, particularly in the mountainous interior, will have cooler freefall temperatures, requiring jumpers to wear warmer clothing or jumpsuits.

Unique Scenery and Views

Jumping in Colombia provides visual rewards unlike anywhere else on the continent.

• The Andes: Many sites are situated near the towering cordilleras, offering views of the vast, green mountain slopes and productive valleys—a truly majestic backdrop for freefall.
• Coastal Vistas: Some locations may provide access to stunning coastal views, where the green landscape sharply meets the blue expanse of the sea, creating a beautiful contrast during the canopy ride down.
• The Coffee Region: Jumping over the famous coffee cultural landscape provides a picturesque view of organized farms and rolling hills, a UNESCO World Heritage site waiting to be admired from above.

---

Advice for Licensed Skydivers

If you are a licensed skydiver planning to visit and jump at one of Colombia's five operational dropzones, be prepared to present specific documentation and adhere to local currency rules.

Licensing and Currency Requirements

• Required Documents: Always carry your current license card (e.g., USPA, BPA, FAI national equivalent), your logbook showing your recent jumps, and your reserve packing data card. Dropzones will require proof of currency for your license level.
• Currency Check: Dropzone staff will strictly enforce currency requirements. For instance, if you are an A-licensed skydiver and haven't jumped in 60 days, you should expect to be required to complete a supervised hop-and-pop or check-out jump with an instructor before being cleared for solo loads.
• Foreign Equipment: If traveling with your own gear, ensure your reserve parachute packing cycle is valid (typically six months). Be prepared to show documentation (often in Spanish) proving the rig is certified and meets international safety standards. It's also advisable to carry documents detailing your AAD (if applicable) for customs and airport security when traveling.

Gear and Wingloading Considerations

Colombia’s altitudes can influence aircraft procedures and landing approach. The high altitude of the mountains means that equipment setup and performance should be carefully considered, particularly wing loading.

• Understanding Air Density: Higher altitudes mean thinner air. This results in a faster freefall and a potentially faster, higher landing speed under the same size canopy you use at sea level.
• Canopy Selection: Licensed skydivers must select a canopy size that is appropriate for the dropzone's elevation and conditions, maintaining a safe wing loading (the ratio of your weight plus gear to your canopy's surface area). If you are jumping at a significantly higher altitude than you are accustomed to, you may consider temporarily upsizing your canopy or adjusting your landing pattern to accommodate the change in performance.

---

Disclaimer

The information provided in this guide is for general informational and planning purposes only. Skydiving regulations, licensing requirements, equipment standards, and weight limits are subject to change by the governing national authority (FEDEAEREOS) and by individual dropzone operators without notice. BEFORE planning or making a skydive in Colombia, you MUST contact the specific operator or a representative of FEDEAEREOS directly to verify the most current and accurate regulations, insurance requirements, and safety protocols.