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: 2026-05-02 16:03 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Very favorable day for XC, cloud base ~1441 m, wind 13 km/h.
base ~1441m · wind 13 km/h · precip 0.4mmVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~2311 m, wind 13 km/h.
base ~2311m · wind 13 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
🗓️ Best season to fly (2024 climatology)
Monthly climate score: historical avg of temp, wind, rain and cloud cover. Green = optimal month.
⭐ Best month: Feb (100/100, 23°C, 9mm lluvia) · Worst month: Sep (45/100, 334mm lluvia)
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.
Nearby sites
Ixtapan de la sal (57) · Despegue Bistro (65) · El Picacho - Malinalco (60) · Nevado (12) · Tepoztlan (47) · Valle de Bravo - El Peñon (71)