La Malinche
📍 Mexico , Tenancingo · Nearest city: Acatzingo (Acatzingo de la Piedra) (1 km)
66 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2249 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
18.92260, -99.59720Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-20 13:19 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1636 m, viento 14 km/h, precipitación 1.1 mm.
base ~1636m · wind 14 km/h · precip 1.1mmNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~1102 m, viento 11 km/h, precipitación 3.3 mm.
base ~1102m · wind 11 km/h · precip 3.3mmDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1293 m, viento 11 km/h, precipitación 0.7 mm.
base ~1293m · wind 11 km/h · precip 0.7mmDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1341 m, viento 16 km/h.
base ~1341m · wind 16 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Wind chart — altitude × time
Color: green < 20 km/h · yellow 20-30 · red >40. Arrows point to where the wind is blowing. Each column = 1 hour. 4 altitudes: 10m surface, 80m first thermal, 1500m (850 hPa) thermal cruise, 3000m (700 hPa) top.
Wind next days (Open-Meteo model)
Wind rose 10m — 2026-04-20
| Date | Morning 08-12h | Midday 12-16h | Evening 16-20h | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-20 | 10 km/h E | gust 28 | 7 km/h S | gust 28 | 8 km/h W | gust 27 |
| 2026-04-21 | 6 km/h SE | gust 19 | 8 km/h W | gust 24 | 9 km/h W | gust 25 |
Colors: green < 15 km/h (optimal) · orange 15-25 · red >25 (flying not recommended). ⚠️ = shear >25 km/h between 10m and 850 hPa (potentially broken thermals).
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 4 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.88 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.74 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 2255 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 4.6° |
| Slope aspect | 333° (NW) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
La Malinche Launch is unique in the region; the intersection of three valleys releases a consistent daily house thermal. It is the best local launch for both local and XC flights, providing options for 360 degrees and landing zones in all directions, as well as an extensive system of inexpensive taxis to take you where you wish. Pilots new to this site should get a briefing of the multiple landing and XC options. The large grass launch is maintained year around exclusively for paragliding by the paragliding owners and can easily accommodate 4 – 5 gliders. Winds are predictably Southwest, South, and Southeast. Top landings are common for local Mexican tandem pilots and should present no problems for intermediate pilots.
Rules and notes
No regulations Air traffic is very rare. Flying is prohibited directly over the rectangular military base 7 kilometers to the northeast, identifiable by a large Mexican flag at the entrance. Avoid unharvested fields and stay as far away from fields with livestock, especially horses, as much as is possible.
Pilot comments
The flight park has a pilot's building with 2 basic hotel rooms with hot/cold water, showers, toilet and shared kitchen.La Malinche Flight Park has a onsite pilot's building with 2 basic hotel rooms with hot/cold water, showers, toilet and a shared kitchen. Casa Del Piloto, located in Tenancingo, is an English speaking lodge that provides comfortable accommodations for up to 9 pilots. The host also offers paragliding transport and tours. See www.casadelpiloto.com or contact [email protected] for more details. Low Season rentals (April – September) are also available by request.
Nearby sites
Ixtapan de la sal (57) · Despegue Bistro (65) · El Picacho - Malinalco (60) · Nevado (12) · Tepoztlan (47) · Valle de Bravo - El Peñon (71)