Leer en español: Paracaidismo en Querétaro: Guía de Salto Tándem
If a hot air balloon no longer does it for you and Peña de Bernal felt too tame, the next level sits at 17,000 feet. Skydiving in Querétaro happens at its own drop zone in Cadereyta de Montes, about an hour from Zibatá. Better yet, you need no prior experience, because on a tandem jump a certified instructor handles everything. This guide covers what to expect, what it costs, and how to plan the weekend.
Where to go skydiving in Querétaro
Skydive Center Querétaro operates from the Aeródromo de Cadereyta Élite, in the community of Santo Domingo. There, it offers tandem jumps from 15,000 or 17,000 feet, plus scenic flights for anyone who would rather stay inside the plane. At the time of writing, the center holds 4.1 stars on Google from more than 70 reviews, and most of them praise the instructors and the safety briefing. Meanwhile, the drop zone opens Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., always by reservation.
What happens on jump day
First, you get ground training where the instructor walks through the exit position, freefall, and landing. Next, the crew fits you with a dual harness that keeps you attached to the instructor for the whole jump. Then the plane climbs to your chosen altitude, and from that point everything moves fast. Freefall lasts about 45 seconds at more than 200 km/h.
Finally, the instructor opens the canopy and a calm descent of several minutes begins. From up there, you can see Peña de Bernal, the Sierra Gorda, and the Zimapán reservoir with Tzibanzá Island. All told, the activity takes one to two hours, training included.
Pricing and requirements
A deal listed on Yumping prices the 17,000-foot jump at 3,550 MXN per person. However, the center runs promotions often, so confirm the current price when you book. Likewise, agency packages include training, a jump certificate, handheld video shot by the instructor, and digital photos.
As for weight, one agency lists a 90 kg maximum, with a per-kilo surcharge up to a 110 kg cap. That same agency also requires at least 10 people to open a date. So if you are going solo or as a couple, book directly with the center and ask whether you can join an existing group.
Tips for your first jump
- Book ahead and bring an official ID.
- Wear comfortable clothes and tightly laced sneakers. Skip sandals, boots, and loose accessories.
- Eat a light breakfast and skip alcohol the night before. The airfield has a small café on site.
- Keep the day open. Wind and clouds can push back your slot or even your date.
- If you have a back injury or any medical condition, check with your doctor before booking.
Build an adrenaline weekend
Cadereyta sits about 40 minutes from Tequisquiapan, so the jump fits neatly into a two-day getaway. For example, you can take a sunrise balloon flight over Tequisquiapan one day and jump the next. You can also add rock climbing and rappelling on Peña de Bernal with Aventuras Denali. In addition, our Sierra Gorda guide covers the mountains you will see on the way down.
Other options outside the state
If you want to pair skydiving in Querétaro with a lakeside landing elsewhere, Tequesquitengo in Morelos is another classic skydiving spot in central Mexico. Several Querétaro agencies sell packages with round-trip transport starting around 3,500 MXN. However, the trip takes the whole day. On another note, a skydiving club in Pedro Escobedo still shows up online. We found no recent activity from that club, so confirm with them directly before making plans.
Sources: Yumping: Parachute Jump at 17,000 Feet in Cadereyta | Cadereyta Mágico: Activities | Viajes Encuentro: Skydiving in Cadereyta
Read more: Ballooning, Climbing and Rappelling Near Zibatá | The Sierra Gorda
In the Zibatá Hoy directory: Skydive Center Querétaro, a tandem drop zone in Cadereyta, and Aventuras Denali, a climbing and rappelling outfitter at Peña de Bernal.
