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In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=47844		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  BashfulDwarf [ Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:  In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
I know there is air service between SJO, Qeypos, Límon, and Puntarenas. Can anyone provide me links to the informational sites (or at least names of carriers to research)?

Any first-hand experience would be greatly apprec'ed.

Thanks all.
Author:  Puravidatransport [ Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
There are two airlines that do routes inside the country, Nature Air (dual engine) and Sansa (single engine). Here are the links to the two sites:

http://www.natureair.com/
http://crc.flysansa.com/en/home

If you are traveling solo, it is usually cheaper to fly than drive to most destinations in Costa Rica. When you get up to 2-3 people, it usually becomes more economical to drive depending on destination.
Author:  Mucho Gusto [ Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
BashfulDwarf wrote:
I know there is air service between SJO, Qeypos, Límon, and Puntarenas. Can anyone provide me links to the informational sites (or at least names of carriers to research)?

Any first-hand experience would be greatly apprec'ed.

Thanks all.


http://www.natureair.com
or
http://www.flysansa.com

Both companies fly to airstrips around the country. Nature Air has twin engine - 17 seats per plane.
Sansa has single engine - 12 seats per plane.

Nature Air used to fly out of Tobias Bolaños Airport in Pavas, but I heard they've moved their operations to Juan SantaMaria Int'l Airport.
Sansa has always flown from their terminal, next to the main airport (Juan SantaMaria).

Here's a tip:
There's also another site for Nature Air. It's their Spanish site, used by locals. I've used it many times for discounted fares. If you can navigate their site in Spanish, it may be worth it if you can get seats with their "LOCOS" fares.
Here's the link: http://www.natureair.co.cr/

Buena Suerte! :wink:
Author:  Bigal211 [ Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
I used Natureair twice. Once to la Fortuna and once to Bocas del Toro. They have both single and two engine planes. On the twin engine planes the seats are very close together, I'm 6'2" and I had to sit in the aisle seat with my legs in the aisle. On the return trip I told my companion I needed to try to get into the front row, when we started boarding, she ran across the runway to get to the plane first and saved the front seats for us, bless her heart. The single engine planes are roomier.

There are 3 prices, for each trip, the main difference being how much luggage weight you are allowed. The lowest price is not always available on all flights. There is a discount for citizens and residents, I was able to get it by booking the flight using her name and info.
Author:  Puravidatransport [ Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
Be careful using the citizen/resident fare if you don't have a cedula. I've had clients that were charged the FULL fare after booking the citizen/resident fare then not having proof of residency/citizenship when they checked in for the flight. But like Bigal said, I've heard of them not questioning people about that as well.
Author:  Ilv4play [ Mon Aug 17, 2015 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
The other thing to keep in mind is that they are very picky on weight and the lowest fares only include 30 pounds of luggage and the overweight fee can be expensive. The other thing you should know is if there is not enough passengers they will cancel the flight and make you wait for another flight or they may put you on a flight going somewhere else then to your destination. About half of the time I have flown on them I have had to wait up to 4+hours to get a flight out of San Jose then I have been sent to La Fortuna or Liberia then onto my destination. So making plans your first day where ever you are going is not recommended unless they are for dinner. My last trip I was supposed to be in Quepos by 9:00am and did not make it there to almost 3:00pm. Thankfully my delays have been in San Jose and have never waited more than an hour longer than scheduled, on the return flight.
Author:  Ilv4play [ Mon Aug 17, 2015 6:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
Oh and make sure you have your seat belts on at all times. We have hit some nasty turbulence that has dropped the plane a few hundred feet in a second and you will knock yourself out if your head hits the ceiling. On that flight I had an open water bottle and soaked myself with the water. The Twin Otter's are very safe and even through it was unexpected and a few of the other passengers where as white as a ghost I was laughing and enjoying the ride. You do feel everything and if you are a nervous flyer be prepared but those things are some of the most dependable aircraft out there and even with both engines out they are still quite capable of landing in areas most other planes would not be land.
Author:  BashfulDwarf [ Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
Many thanks to all, especially for the 'spanish' ticket site.
Author:  Mucho Gusto [ Tue Aug 18, 2015 8:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
Puravidatransport wrote:
Be careful using the citizen/resident fare if you don't have a cedula. I've had clients that were charged the FULL fare after booking the citizen/resident fare then not having proof of residency/citizenship when they checked in for the flight. But like Bigal said, I've heard of them not questioning people about that as well.

That's a good point. I've flown these two airlines from SJO to the coast no less than 60 - 70 flights with minimal problems/delays. If memory serves, I've only been questioned twice about my CR residency, but I showed them my CR Driver's License and told them I have condo's in Guanacaste and they were fine with that. But as always, in CR it's kind of a roll-the-dice situation. :roll:
Author:  bandon843 [ Tue Aug 18, 2015 10:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
You guys are brave!! I am too chicken to get on one of these third world operated and maintained little prop planes...no thanks! I'll take the suicide road drive instead...probably more dangerous, but easier on my nerves :shock: :D
Author:  Puravidatransport [ Tue Aug 18, 2015 2:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
Mucho Gusto wrote:
But as always, in CR it's kind of a roll-the-dice situation. :roll:


yep...and there are a LOT of those kind of situations :lol: :roll:

As for safety, I have heard good things about both airlines and they have a great safety record. The planes they fly are proven very safe every day around the world. I wouldn't have a bit of problem flying them and would actually think they are more safe than driving.
Author:  Mucho Gusto [ Tue Aug 18, 2015 3:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
Puravidatransport wrote:
... I wouldn't have a bit of problem flying them and would actually think they are more safe than driving.


Statistically speaking? Without a doubt! And anyone who's spent any kind of time driving around CR - I'm sure will agree with you also!! :wink:
Author:  Gringotim [ Wed Aug 19, 2015 8:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
Ilv4play wrote:
The other thing you should know is if there is not enough passengers they will cancel the flight and make you wait for another flight or they may put you on a flight going somewhere else then to your destination. About half of the time I have flown on them I have had to wait up to 4+hours to get a flight out of San Jose then I have been sent to La Fortuna or Liberia then onto my destination. So making plans your first day where ever you are going is not recommended unless they are for dinner. My last trip I was supposed to be in Quepos by 9:00am and did not make it there to almost 3:00pm. Thankfully my delays have been in San Jose and have never waited more than an hour longer than scheduled, on the return flight.


I've never flown NatureAir, but I have flown to Quepos three or four times on Sansa. One time, the 9:00 AM(?) flight was cancelled due to lack of passengers, and I had to wait four hours until the next flight, as Ilv4play mentioned above. Another time there was only myself and a couple on the flight, so I don't know what the passenger 'cutoff' count is for cancelling the flight...it must be one or two. It might be a good idea to call Sansa three hours before the scheduled flight time to check the possiblility that the flight will be cancelled.
I was a little apprehensive on one of the flights, as both pilots seemed very young...perhaps in their twenties?! But I guessed they knew what they were doing :)
One time coming back from Quepos, the flight was overbooked, so one of the pilots stayed in Quepos and let a passenger sit in one of the pilot seats. I quickly volunteered :)
As mentioned in another post, it can get a little rough, especially going over the mountains.
Author:  bandon843 [ Wed Aug 19, 2015 11:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
.[/quote]

I was a little apprehensive on one of the flights, as both pilots seemed very young...perhaps in their twenties?! But I guessed they knew what they were doing :) .[/quote]

Scary, right...nothing more reassuring than a middle aged, salt and pepper haired, neatly uniformed, Roger Sterling look-alike pilot in charge of your plane as you board...as opposed to what you describe!

I'll keep on taking the ground suicide route...more dangerous statistically, but giving a better sense of control! :shock: :|
Author:  Jackietrehorn [ Wed Aug 19, 2015 7:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: In-Country flight options - Info and Links please
Note that if you weight over 250 lbs, you must buy two tickets. I good rule in my book.
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