www.CostaRicaTicas.com

They have different pricing structures. I have found that Nature Air has lower fares (usually). They have 3 different pricing tiers for their seats on each flight, while all the seats on each Sansa flight are priced the same. If you book early, you can get a NA flight as cheap as a 5 hour Interbus ride to Tamarindo.

For example, let's take San Jose-Tamarindo (one-way fares):

Sansa: $89 + taxes (all seats to Tam same price)
Nature Air: some seats are $96, some are $62, and some are $29 + taxes

Taxes are about $15 each way/person.

A few months ago, a few of us went to Flamingo. I paid $88 total roundtrip on NA, but our wingmen paid $100 more on Sansa.

Bottom line: check both sites before you book.

Websites:
www.natureair.com
www.flysansa.com

FYI--On Sansa (don't know about NA), your favorite Tica (or Tico if that's your thing) get 50% off when they walk-up and buy their ticket. They must show their CR ID card ("cedula"). No discount given online. But she/he MUST buy early because walking up the day of the flight is not recommended, they will probably be sold out. Best bet is to go at least 3-4 days before with your travel companion and buy the tix together to guarantee you'll get the same flight.

Also note:

Sansa
-flies out of SJO (the same airport we fly into from the US)
-single engine planes
-12 seats

Nature Air
-flies out of the airstrip in Pavas (about 20 minutes from the gulch, closer than SJO)
-twin-engine (very colorful, happy ) planes
-17 or 18 seats

Orange wrote:


Can you still buy the tickets at downtown hotels with a travel desk? I remember doing this 10 years ago but we were both Gringos.

So I guess I have 2 questions, can you buy reserved tickets at travel desks in general and if yes can you buy one for your Tica too if she's present w/ her cedula?

I don't know if you can buy tickets at a hotel. I always book online, I'm forgo the discount for my novia. I'm that lazy.

If you can, I doubt they would give you the Tica discount at a travel desk. I assume you have to show the cedula to a airline ticket employee to get the discount.

I'm just guessing, so I could be wrong on both though.

Orange
Isn't there an "official" TACA desk at the Amon Plaza? Is TACA affiliated with Sansa? If so, the Tico discuenta may be available. Just speculation.

Ciaociao

I just checked Natureair's website and it looks like you can get a ticket from SJ to Quepos for about $102.

I'm staying in SJ for all of my visit this time, and have been planning to make day trips out from there (my first visit, I'm not trying to see ALL of CR on this trip, just trying to get a good taste).

I knew I probably wasn't going to make it to MA, just too far. But was hoping to get the Catamaran to Tortuga at least.

But the flights look cheap and quick. In your opinions, could I fly to Quepos in the AM, see it (at least worthwhile for a first time), and fly back in the late afternoon?

Does this sound doable, or too aggressive? And is transport from Quepos's airport to MA easy to arrange?

Archileach wrote:


They have much cheaper fares if you choose dates that their discount seats are still available, or are you talking r/t w/ taxes?



Most, if not all travel desks can book your catamaran trip, I think its $80 or $90 and includes hotel pickup and drop off.



Your only in the air for about 20 minutes, so it's possible, but Manuel Antonio deserves at least a 2 night visit in an ocean view hotel.



When I've taken Sansa, they'll drop you off in their shuttle van at your hotel. If Nature Air is the same, Just name a hotel near the park and they'll drop you off there. But yes, personally I think although doable you should at least overnight in Manuel Antonio, or save it for a time when you can.

I did the MA trip as a day trip in early 2007. The flight was quick. The Sansa people had a van waiting at the airstrip for the ride to MA and charged us $20 each for 4 people to ride one-way to MA. We got a cab on the way back for about $5 and the van driver and guy at the Sansa desk were pissed that we didn't take the van back - WTF?

I found MA to be a good day trip, myself but it would also be nice to overnight there.

Good advice.

I've flown Sansa over 30+ times in past years, but I've just started flying Nature Air within the past couple trips. As Orange stated - Definitely check prices on both Sansa AND Nature Air before booking.

Two days ago, I booked flights for myself and a wingman (with Nature Air) for a 2 night trip to the beach Superbowl weekend. I was able to get a couple of the $29 seats for one of the flights.

Another small benefit with Nature Air: They fly out of the airport in Pavas, which is much closer to the gulch. Sansa flies out of a smaller terminal, next to the main terminal at Juan SantaMaria Airport (SJO).

MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Sansa-One engine, but two pilots
Nature aIr-Two engines, but one pilot

Sansa - Cessna Caravan C206 turbo-prop. Very dependable but small.

Nature Air - DeHavilland Twin Otter. Equally dependable and larger but maybe a little older. Nature Air flights I have taken had two pilots.

Both seemed competent to me...

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

You know what the 2nd engine is good for? It takes you directly to the scene of the crash!

Berk....

_________________
FRUITCAKE... and you thought it was something you eat! Not on CRT!

NatureAir is safer since there are two engines. These are more robust "true" airplanes. I have flown NatureAir a few times and enjoyed them all.

You must realize that flights on these small planes involve a lot of turbulence. They are always bumping up and down while banking left or right. It's somewhat like a rollercoaster since the planes are so light!

Do you really want to be concerned with the lowest cost at 10,000 feet over the mountains? Just spend the money to fly NatureAir and the peace of mind that the larger plane provides.

_________________
I will travel the world over to find a better latina! Gringas have flat asses..

There is no factual evidence to support any of that babble especially the "true" airplane reference.

Perhaps you might want to explain what that means and at the same time do some research comparing the accident rate of Nature Air as opposed to Sansa.

You prefer Nature Air or if you prefer twin engine airplanes thats fine but keep your comments factual or at the very least label them as opinion.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Hopefully, Nature Air is not flying the first ones ever built.

Can not rule out the possibility.

From November - December issue of nature Air's official magazine "Nature Landings".

"At Nature Air, We are proud to continue the rich tradition of exploration and adventure of the Twin Otter, opening up remote destinations that previously where only reachable by long and difficult journeys over land. Nature Air has the largest fleet of Twin Otters in Central America. Our aircraft have come from destinations as far away as the Grand Canyon, Canada, Samoa and even Australia."

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine