INTERNATIONAL SKYDIVING ADVICE

From remote South America to world famous Europe locations, everything can be different at international drop zones. I learn something new with each country and hope this helps you in your future adventures.

GENERAL

Colombia, Argentina, Panama, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Puerto Rico

Always carry the AAD card or at least a photo of it. A lot of people working at smaller foreign airports have never seen a parachute and this describes all of the elements in the AAD.

When possible, travel with your rig as carry-on. Use a rig sleeve or a small suitcase. I would not risk having it in your checked bag out of your site.

If you are asked to un-pack your main and/or reserve say no firmly but politely. Show the AAD card and say you can’t unpack and repack in the airport. (This happened to me in a Spanish countries by airport authorities- in my broken Spanish I did this and all turned out well.)

Bring your gear bag on board if possible. I suggest always having your GoPro, altimeter, helmet- anything expensive- as carry-on. I always travel with my rig on my back and gear bag as my second carry-on. This prevents anything being stolen from your checked bag in more dangerous countries.

Remember everything you were taught about safety- even back to those AFF days. Country and drop zone rules can be completely different from the US- often non existent and not enforced. Rely only on yourself for safety. Communicate as much as possible before boarding- even if you can’t speak the language.

Be humble. Things can be run so differently at drop zones in different countries. These ways may seem worse or better but there is always something to learn from their operations.

Be patient. It be challenging when everything is different- the language, rules, people, culture. With patience you will find the person who speaks English and can help, the people who are helpful there and the right people with whom to jump.

If you are on a budget, find out the prices first in the different countries. I’ve found prices to be as high as $45 for a single jump ticket.

COLOMBIA

Skydive Colombia- Flandes, Xielo- Flandes, Skydive Colombia- Playa Mendoza, Xielo- Playa Mendoza

You can arrive and leave with your rig as carry-on.

Be prepared to be questioned about it when leaving as you go through security. They don’t see parachutes often so have the AAD card ready. Once they understand what it is they will let you through.

The drop zone owners I met speak English. Very few fun jumpers speak English here so be prepared to do your best to speak Spanish.

Flandes skydiving is just on the weekend.

Jumping at the beach in Playa Mendoza (Skydive Colombia and Xielo) is dependent on tandems scheduling- or flying the plane if you bring a big enough group. I suggest contacting them ahead of time to schedule.

ARGENTINA

Skydive Chuscomous, Skydive Lobos

You can arrive with your rig as carry-on.

When you leave Argentina, you absolutely must put your rig in your checked bag. They will not let you through security with a parachute no matter what you say.

You must pay in cash at the drop zones I went to- they do not accept credit card.

Very few people speak English here so be prepared to do your best to speak Spanish

PANAMA

Contadora Island- Pepe Island Boogie

You can arrive with your rig as carry-on.

Panama airport security is inconsistent about their rules for rigs as carry-on leaving the country. Sometimes they will let you and others not. I highly suggest checking it in your bag when leaving to avoid being at security and having to go back and check it.

I went for the Contadora Island Pepe Island Boogie- in the spring each year. Here you will be fine speaking English or Spanish here.

If you are going to Contadora Island, make sure to bring cash. There is no place on the island to get cash- and you will need it for a heli jump, occasional pack job in the high heat or paying at one of the small island businesses that only takes cash.

PUERTO RICO

Xtreme Divers- Arecibo

This is technically part of the US so it is fine to use your rig as carry-on arriving and leaving.

If you are not American, you must have an American Visa to go there.

I went for the boogie in February and later on to take my coach course. You will be fine speaking English or Spanish here.

If you are going for the annual Puerto Rico Freefall festival boogie, book your house as far in advance as you can. The best place to rent a house for this boogie is on the beach where there are beach landings all week- next to the Arecibo lighthouse.

ITALY

Skydive Fano

You can arrive with your rig as carry-on.

You can leave with your rig as carry-on but definitely have the AAD card ready.

At the drop zone, you will be asked for Medical Insurance policy and number- be prepared to have some form of it.

SPAIN

Skydive Empuriabrava

You can arrive and leave with your rig as carry-on.

You will be absolutely required to have medical insurance and proof of it. It must be “3rd Party” health insurance that covers skydiving. It is best to have a physical card- especially if you’re from the US. They will definitely not let you jump without proof of this.

If you don’t have 3rd party insurance, there is an option to buy it at the drop zone for 40 Euros. This will cover you for 3 months there.

PORTUGAL

Skydive Portugal

You can arrive and leave with your rig as carry-on.

You will definitely be required to have medical insurance and proof of it. It is best to have a physical card- but they will also let you email them proof. They will definitely not let you jump without proof of this.

A lot of people speak Spanish and English in addition to Portuguese.