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Book Domestic Flights In Costa Rica
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Book domestic Costa Rica flights with Alternative Airlines
Finding and booking domestic flights in Costa Rica is simple with Alternative Airlines. Whether you’re heading to Tamarindo, Quepos, Drake Bay, or Puerto Jiménez, our site makes it easy to plan your trip and travel at your own pace.
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What are domestic flights in Costa Rica?
A domestic flight in Costa Rica is any non-stop flight that both departs and arrives at destinations that are within the country.
All airlines that operate routes within Costa Rica are small, Costa Rican carriers. There are some bigger airlines such as Avianca Costa Rica and Volaris Costa Rica - however, these airlines focus on providing international flights in and out of the country, rather than internally.
There are many airports in Costa Rica, but not all of them have regularly scheduled flights.
Why book internal flights in Costa Rica?
Although Costa Rica is a small country, flying can still be the most convenient and quickest way to travel. Plus, flights are inexpensive and offer great value for the length of time that can be saved.
For example, travelling from San Jose to Puerto Jiminez by bus takes around five hours, whereas flying from San Jose to Puerto Jiminez takes under an hour.
There are quite a lot of airports in Costa Rica for such a small country and, as a result, it's well-connected by air. Most flights travel to/from one of the major airports in San Jose, but some airlines do offer flights between the smaller airports in destinations outside of the country's capital.
Popular domestic routes in Costa Rica
Airlines that fly domestically in Costa Rica
Only a small number of airlines operate domestic flights within Costa Rica. They focus on short routes that connect San José with coastal, jungle and regional destinations across the country.
SANSA Airlines
SANSA Airlines is the main domestic airline in Costa Rica and operates the largest internal route network.
- Based at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José
- Flies to destinations including Quepos, Tamarindo, Tambor, Tortuguero, Drake Bay, Puerto Jiménez, Golfito, Liberia, Nosara and La Fortuna (Arenal)
- Offers frequent daily flights on popular routes
- Uses small aircraft designed for short domestic journeys
SANSA is the most reliable option for travellers booking domestic flights in Costa Rica.
Green Airways
Green Airways is a smaller airline offering scheduled domestic services on selected routes.
- Operates flights mainly from San José (SJO)
- Serves destinations such as Quepos and Tambor, with some routes running seasonally
- Also operates charter flights within Costa Rica
- Availability and routes may vary depending on demand and season.
When booking domestic flights in Costa Rica, it’s worth knowing that not all local airlines operate domestic routes. Some airlines, such as Nature Air, Aerobell, SkyWay and TAC, currently offer limited services or are not operating regular domestic flights.
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Domestic Flights Costa Rica FAQs
Do I need a passport for flights within Costa Rica?
For domestic flights within Costa Rica, a passport is not usually required for Costa Rican citizens. However, international travellers will generally need to show a valid passport at check-in. Always check with the airline before your flight to confirm ID requirements.
How early do I need to arrive for domestic flights in Costa Rica?
This will differ depending on the airline, but as a general rule, you should arrive at least one hour before your flight departure time. If you've never flown from the airport before or are not a seasoned traveller, it's recommended that you arrive earlier than an hour before.
Airport check-in in Costa Rica is mandatory, as no airlines currently offer online check-in.
What is the baggage allowance for flights in Costa Rica?
The baggage allowance for flights in Costa Rica will differ depending on which airline you're flying on. Generally, most airlines give one piece of free carry-on baggage with a maximum weight of 4.5kg and one piece of free checked baggage with a maximum weight of either 9 or 14kg.
Can I buy domestic flights online?
Yes, you can buy flights in Costa Rica online at Alternative Airlines. All you have to do is enter the two destinations that you want to fly between in our search form at the top of the page and click 'search flights'. We'll then show you all flights on all airlines that fly that route on the dates that you want to fly on.
Which airlines fly domestically in Costa Rica?
Currently, the main domestic airlines are SANSA Airlines and Green Airways, offering scheduled flights to popular destinations across the country.
How long do domestic flights in Costa Rica take?
Most domestic flights are short. For example:
- San José to Tamarindo: Around 45 minutes
- San José to Puerto Jiménez: Around 55 minutes
- San José to Quepos/Manuel Antonio: Around 25 minutes
Are domestic flights expensive?
Domestic flights are usually affordable, especially considering the time saved compared with buses or cars. Prices vary depending on the route, season, and airline.