Barlovento

Barlovento is an active thermal, soaring, cross-country, hike-and-fly and flatland site at 1,943 m in Colombia's Valle del Cauca, with wind working from north, south, southwest, west and northwest. The takeoff, known locally as Barlovento Buitrera, is a large grass area with top-landing available, though on-site infrastructure is still being built out. Reaching launch currently requires a 4x4. Thermal conditions run good throughout the day, but only when the flatlands and foothills below are catching sun — without that, the site isn't worth the drive. The official landing, Acuarela del Sol, sits in the fields around the town of La Buitrera and is easy to top-land as well. Getting there means navigating toward Palmira–Pradera and continuing up the Aguaclara mountain road to the Acuarela del Sol site. One practical caution: theft has been reported while pilots pack up gear, especially near the neighboring city of Palmira to the northeast, so keep belongings close and avoid packing up alone if you can help it. Local pilots are generally the best source for current site conditions.

Launch & conditions

The takeoff, Barlovento Buitrera, is a large grass area with top-landing available. On-site infrastructure is still being developed, and access currently requires a 4x4.

Getting there & local rules

Navigate toward Palmira–Pradera and continue up the Aguaclara mountain road to reach the Acuarela del Sol site. The official landing sits in the fields around the town of La Buitrera and is also easy to top-land.

Local rules & hazards

Thermal conditions depend on sun over the flatlands and foothills below — without it, the site isn't worth flying. Theft has been reported while pilots pack up gear, especially near the neighboring city of Palmira to the northeast, so keep an eye on your belongings.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Barlovento, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Barlovento with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.