Flying around Costa Rica is an excellent method of transportation for those on a flexible budget. Not only does it saves a ton of time (5 hours driving vs 30 minutes flying) but the views are unbeatable. Taking a Costa Rica domestic flight is truly an unforgettable experience!
Since 2018, a crop of new airlines popped up, offering tourists competitive rates and more routes throughout the country. Now in 2019, tourists can choose between 5 different local airlines to take them around Costa Rica.
If you plan to take a local flight in Costa Rica, here is what you need to know.
Costa Rica Domestic Airlines
Unfortunately due to COVID, some local airlines closed. There are a few that have resumed operations and Sansa Airlines is the one with the most flights. Green is very active with pretty much daily flights and is the ideal option for those going to Manuel Antonio/Quepos or Santa Teresa/Tambor/Montezuma.
Sansa Airlines
Sansa has been operating for 40 years and currently, Sansa offers the most destinations and flights. They fly to all the main destinations in Costa Rica as well as the Costa Esmeralda in Nicaragua.
You can book flights from their website easily.
Green
The only destinations Green offers as of this moment are Quepos and Tambor from San Jose.
Costa Rica Domestic Airports
All of Costa Rica’s international airports serve domestic flights. These are Juan Santamaria International Airport (San Jose International Airport), Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia International Airport), Limon International Airport and Tobías Bolaños International Airport (Pavas).
Although classified as international airports, Tobias and Limon don’t serve commercial international flights.
Then there are many domestic airports throughout Costa Rica. These are the places that have a local airport.
- Tamarindo
- La Fortuna
- Tambor
- Nosara
- San Isidro de Perez Zeledon
- Puerto Jimenez
- Quepos
- Palmar Sur
- Drake Bay
- Golfito
- Tortuguero
- San Jose (Pavas)
- Coto 47
There are also small airstrips throughout Costa Rica, open only for charters and private flights (such as Sirena Aerodrome in Corcovado National Park or Punta Islita).
What to Know About the Domestic Airports in Costa Rica
Some local airports charge a fee to guests use the airport. Quepos Airport is $5 USD per person, Fortuna Airport charges $7 USD per person and Bocas del Toro airport is $15 USD per person.
Additionally, the local airports are a bit away from the town, usually around a 10-15 minute drive. Your options for when you land is to take a taxi to your hotel or have your rental car delivered to the airport. If you have a car rental and need to return it, car rental companies will pick it up at the airport.
San Jose Domestic Terminal
In San Jose, domestic flights now have their own terminal completely apart from the international airport. It is right next to the San Jose International Airport and the local airlines depart from there.
If you are using Uber to get there, just search for Domestic Terminal San Jose. It is very nice with one cafe and souvenir store, bathrooms and seating. You do need to go through security (metal detector) and take out your laptop and check your bags.
Check In
For local flights, you need to be at the airport to check in one hour before your flight. For the San Jose International Airport, I would get there 1-1.5 hours before because that airport is much busier than the other domestic airports so security takes a little more time.
Routes and Schedules
An important thing to know about schedules and routes for local airlines is that there aren’t going to be routes for all destinations.
For example, you will readily find routes from San Jose to La Fortuna or San Jose to Tortuguero, but there won’t be schedules for routes such as Tortuguero to Puerto Jimenez. direct. You will need to spend some time checking out all the websites. You will need to be flexible in planning.
Luggage
Each airline has their own luggage rules and restrictions. Generally, passengers are allowed one carry on that has a maximum of 10 pounds and one check in. Airlines offer different price points to include less or more luggage.
Every passenger will be weighed with their carry on luggage before getting on the plane. The airlines will charge for excess luggage weight from $1.50 – $2 per extra pound.
Overall, you will need to be very aware of how much your luggage weighs if you fly as you cannot pack a full 50 lbs you normally would on a commercial flight.
Reservations and Prices
All Costa Rica domestic flights have to be prepaid and most have a nonrefundable policy like commercial airlines. We always recommend to purchase them as soon as you know your dates because there are 12-19 seats on one plane so most of the times, they are sold out especially in high tourism season (December – April and July/August).
As for prices, local flights are not cheap in Costa Rica. For example, a one way flight from San Jose to Tamarindo is around $80-100 USD for a 30 minute flight depending on the time of year. Low season prices are way cheaper, at around $40 USD one way. The airlines also sometimes do a last minute fares or promos. If you’re flying around Christmas, Easter or New Year, be prepared to dish out more.
Getting Around Costa Rica
Flying is one way to get around Costa Rica that is a little expensive but efficient and fun. Many people will mix it with a rental car or shuttle so you don’t have to just fly to get around Costa Rica.
You can read the following post for more information on getting around Costa Rica.
Brooke says
Sansa offers two fares “Regular” and “Full.” I am struggling to understand the difference between the two. Do you happen to know what that would be? If it is in regards to baggage I am not finding that listed anywhere. Thanks so much!
Sammi says
They have a little question mark next to the fare that has a description of each one.
Kent Johnson says
Hello,
I’ve just discovered your blog today. Thank you for all of the useful information.
Does SJO airport have baggage storage services so that I can leave my larger checked bag at SJO when traveling on Sansa?
Thank you
Sammi says
Unfortunately not to my knowledge
Anne says
I’ve read that Sansa typically does not have your baggage fly with you and there could be hours before you receive them. I have several flights booked with them and am very concerned about this. Does Costa Rica have a courier that would take my luggage from one place to another so I know I’ll have it?
Sammi says
Hi Anne, to be honest I have never heard that and we have flown Sansa many times and they brought our luggage in the same plane, they do have a weight limit so you’ll pay an extra fee if you’re over weight but we’ve never had our luggage come separately…I would contact them to be sure what their policies are
Yana says
Hi there, love your blog it’s super helpful. I need to buy a ticket from Quepos to Tambor, and I know it has to have a stop-over in SJO. How much time do I have to allow for the stopover at SJO?
Thank you.
Sammi says
For local flights, you’ll go to a completely separate building than the international flights so it should be fairly quick since there aren’t many local airlines, it’s a very small terminal
Nicole says
Hi Yeison, Samantha,
thanks so much for all this helpful information! Do you know if there is an airline operating from Boco del toro (BOC) to Tortugero (TTQ). I can not find any without 26 hours travel time. If not.. is there are package from Moin to Tortugero? Thanks for your help! Nicole
Sammi says
Hmm I am not sure to be honest, you would need to check the local airlines like Sansa. You may have to do Bocas – San Jose – Tortuguero
Briana says
Hello :), I am flying into San Jose airport and then traveling straight to Monteverde. From Monteverde I’ll be going to Arenal and then back to San Jose to head home. I’ve looked into the different ground transportations but I am having a hard time understanding my flight options. Is there a way to fly to Monteverde from San Jose? and is there a way to fly from Monteverde to Arenal? and then from Arenal to San Jose? … I’m only here for a week so I’d like to enjoy as efficiently as I can lol
Thank you!
Sammi says
Unfortunately Monteverde does not have a local airport so there is no way to fly there
Frances says
Hi, do you know if Sansa only release flights a few months at a time? I am trying to book to go from SJ to Puerto Jimenez and there is not much showing after August?
Thanks in advance
Fran x
Sammi says
I think so since the schedule depends on seasons and demand so they should update it soon
Soozie Laubach says
Hi! I’ve been an avid lurker for a while. We’re flying to sjo then on to the states. It’s there a map somewhere showing me how to get from one place to the international side? Thanks
Sammi says
Hi Soozie, the SJO Airport is very small so you will have no problem navigating it
Jani says
Hi,
Planning a trip back to Costa Rica in March just wondering if you have a promo code for Sansa Airline? I love your blog!
Thank You
Jani
Sammi says
Unfortunately we don’t 🙁
Linda Rudolph says
Hello,
I’m flying on Sansa in April, but can’t find any information about carrying liquids in carry on luggage. Do you know if they allow liquids and how much?
Thank you!
Linda
Sammi says
Hi Linda, I recommend to reach out to them directly regarding their liquid policies to be sure.
Linda Rudolph says
Thank you! I will do that! I wasn’t sure if there is a separate security check in for domestic vs international flights.
Thank you again!
Sammi says
You’re welcome Linda, the domestic and international terminals are not in the same building and there are separate security checks for both.
Juliette says
Hi! Thanks for this well written article. Do you have any advice on switching from a domestic to international flight in SJO? Are the terminals walkable or do we need to get a cab? So hard to figure out on any map.
Sammi says
You could walk, the domestic terminal and international are almost right next to each other, but if you have a lot of luggage, I’d take a cab.
heather says
Hey! This information was very helpful and I just booked with Skyway, but I just wanted to let you know the coupon code didn’t do anything. (It seemed to be valid but it didn’t give me a discount or anything.)
Sammi says
Hi Heather, if you entered the coupon, it should automatically give prices with the discount (it won’t say like original $X, discount $X, it’ll just have one price) and you can compare it to the website. But if it didn’t give any discount, feel free to email us at services @ mytanfeet . com and I’ll pass it to the manager just in case they were updating their site or something!
Kalista says
Hello,
I am trying to find flights for May 8th 2020 from sjo to fon but I am unable to select the date. Is that mean the flights are sold out or have not become available?
Thanks!
Sammi says
Unfortunately they don’t have flights to or from La Fortuna in low season (May – beginning Dec)
Sammi says
Yes, the local airlines all have restrictions for weight since they are small planes. For example, Skyway has a weight limit of 300 lbs per person and if they weigh over 300 lbs, they must purchase an extra seat.
Laura says
Are the domestic flight planes okay for plus-sized people?
Tash M says
This is such a comprehensive and well written article. This will come in useful when I plan a Central American adventure. Cheers!