Bucaramanga / Ruitoque – Las Aguilas

Las Águilas sits on a long windward mesa in Ruitoque above Bucaramanga, Colombia — one of South America's most reliably consistent flying sites. Two launches on the same ridge (Las Águilas and Vuelo Libre) share a large main LZ, with several bailouts. The day rhythm is textbook: sled rides early morning and late afternoon for novices, morning thermals for XC, and dynamic ridge lift all afternoon that transforms into glass-off at sunset. It's a great training site — kiting, top-landing, playing all day, every day. Weekdays can be quiet, weekends fill up with empanadas, spectators and tandem rides at launch.

Launch & conditions

Long grassy mesa launch with two takeoffs (Las Águilas and Vuelo Libre), both suitable for top-landing. Ridge is windward and consistent.

Getting there & local rules

From downtown Bucaramanga along carrera 33, take a bus to Piedecuesta heading south — ask the driver if he stops at 'Papi Quiero Piña'. Get off there and take a second bus to Ruitoque, asking for 'El Voladero' — that bus drops you right at takeoff. Landings: main LZ north of Ruitoque, with several bailout options in the same area.

Local rules & hazards

Site is best flown from early morning (sled/thermal) to late afternoon (dynamic + glass-off). Weekends bring lots of spectators, tandem passengers and food stalls at launch — keep the setup area clear.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Bucaramanga / Ruitoque – Las Aguilas, 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 Bucaramanga / Ruitoque – Las Aguilas with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.