Boituva, a small town roughly 115km southwest of São Paulo city, is widely regarded as Brazil's skydiving capital, home to several drop zones clustered around its municipal airport. Tandem skydiving pairs a first-time jumper in a shared harness with a licensed tandem instructor for a freefall from around 12,000-15,000 feet, reaching terminal velocities near 200km/h before the instructor deploys the canopy for a several-minute descent under parachute. No prior experience or fitness training is required, but drop zones typically set a minimum age of 16-18 with parental consent below 18, a maximum weight limit (commonly around 100-110kg), and require jumpers to complete a health declaration ruling out conditions such as uncontrolled cardiac issues, recent surgery, or pregnancy. Equipment — jumpsuit, harness, tandem rig, altimeter, and helmet — is fully provided by the drop zone; GoPro footage and photo packages are available to rent separately and are not automatically included. SkyDive Boituva and the other operators based at the airport employ instructors certified by Brazil's aeronautical sports federation (CBPQ-affiliated) with logged tandem-jump counts required for certification renewal. Every jump begins with a ground briefing covering body position during exit and freefall, canopy landing posture, and emergency procedures, including the reserve parachute and automatic activation device fitted to every rig as a backup if the main canopy is not deployed by a set altitude. Jumps run year-round since skydiving depends more on cloud ceiling and wind than temperature, but April through September brings the clearest, driest skies with the least chance of a weather delay; cloudy or high-wind days can push a booked jump slot to later the same day or a different day entirely.
| Price | R$900-1,300 (approx $175-255) per tandem jump |
|---|---|
| Duration | Full jump experience 2-3 hours including training; freefall itself about 45-60 seconds |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Season | Year-round, best April-September (drier skies, less afternoon cloud buildup) |
| Address | Aeroporto de Boituva, Av. Aviador Gerivaldo Pereira Barroso, Boituva, SP |
Activity facts
- Where
- Boituva, São Paulo State
Equipment
Provided by drop zone — jumpsuit, harness, tandem rig, altimeter, GoPro rental available
Weather through the year in São Paulo
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for São Paulo.
Location
Aeroporto de Boituva, Av. Aviador Gerivaldo Pereira Barroso, Boituva, SP
-23.2814, -47.6725 View on map
Highlights
- Freefall from roughly 12,000-15,000 feet with views over the Serra do Mar foothills
- Licensed tandem instructor handles deployment and landing
- Ground training and safety briefing included before every jump
- Multiple drop zones operating from the same municipal airport
- Optional GoPro and photo packages capture the jump
Tips for visiting
- Book on a weekday for shorter waits; weekends see the heaviest demand
- Weather can delay a jump to later in the day or another date — build slack into travel plans
- Wear closed-toe shoes and avoid loose jewelry or dangling accessories
- Arrive with a printed or digital ID and be ready to complete a health declaration form
- GoPro or photo-video packages usually cost extra and should be added at booking
Frequently asked questions
Is prior skydiving experience required?
No, tandem jumps are designed for first-timers and require no prior training beyond the pre-jump ground briefing.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Drop zones postpone jumps for cloud cover, rain, or high winds; the jump is typically rescheduled to later the same day or another available slot rather than cancelled outright.
Is there a weight or age limit?
Most Boituva drop zones set a maximum weight around 100-110kg and a minimum age of 16-18, with parental consent required for minors.
How far is Boituva from São Paulo city?
It is about 115km southwest of central São Paulo, typically a 1.5-2 hour drive depending on traffic.