I am in the process of doing research on for our honeymoon to Costa Rica in July. I am learning that the best way to get around within the country is by plane.

I am completely freaked out to fly in those little planes - anyone have words of comfort, thoughts?

There is mainly Sansa and Nature Air . I have flown Sansa on 2 previous trips , before having kids . This last trip which was a month ago we flew Nature Air , after doing some research with regards to safety etc. , it seemed the best option .

Sure! It was no problem! Fun, great views, very professional, SO MUCH BETTER than the horrible roads! We were just in CR a week ago and flew a Sansa flight from Tamarindo to San Jose.

We were on the 6:20 a.m., so we had our hotel call Sansa the night before to arrange a shuttle, which picked us up at 5:30 a.m. and cost about $5 for the 2 of us. The airport itself was really small, just an open-air waiting area with benches in a semi-circle next to an enclosed building, where the bathrooms and ticket booth was located. Our shuttle driver took out a scale with a hook on it and hung it from a tree, then weighed our check bags and put them on a blue luggage cart. The ticket agent arrived in shorts, riding his bike across the runway. He took my paper print-outs and gave me two laminated boarding passes that they never collected, so I have them still!

There was a Nature Air flight that stopped & the pilot got out and asked if we were waiting for the 6 a.m. shuttle? We weren't, so he went back and got into the plane and flew away.

Then the Sansa flight arrived and I was happy to see that it was larger and had both a pilot and a co-pilot. The 2 of us and 2 other passengers were directed to walk out to the runway and board the airplane. There were two seats on the right and one on the left, so I sat on the left, next to the window, and let my boyfriend sit next to the window on the right. As we were waiting to take off, the pilots went over some check-lists.

Then, right after they closed the door to the plane, two stuck-up surfer guys arrived and ran out to the field, waiving their tickets and screaming for the pilots to stop. The pilots told them no, it was too late, and they had to wait for the next flight. The ticket guy and baggage guy ran out to the field and told the men to leave. They kept arguing with the pilots and finally swore and returned to the seating area, where it looked like they continued swearing. Let that be a lesson: You don't need to be there too early, but you can't arrive at the last minute either!

Our flight took off on time and arrived in San Jose at 7:15 a.m. It was a nice take-off and landing. A friend of mine had told me the flight would be frightening, so I was braced for the worse. But it was great! I think in the back of my head, I was aware that it would totally suck if our plane suddenly nose dived into the mountains. But it didn't happen. The flight was smooth and I got lots of great pictures!

I should mention that I am from Hawaii and have lived in West Virginia, so I grew up flying in very small airplanes, so I may just be really used to it and not easily scared... But I really didn't think these flights were bad. I was more worried that the flight would be late or delayed or cancelled... but it was on time and great. Hope that lengthy description helps ease your fears... Flying is MUCH better than driving in CR, in my opinion. I just hated the roads SO much!

Good luck! Have fun!

I had never flown in a small plane(Sansa) before flying from Manuel Antonio back to SJ in Sept. It was great-such beautiful views, no bumpy road and very professionally done. It is a great way to get somewhere in the country quickly if there are flights to the area. Flight took off on time. When we arrived in SJ people at the desk called our hotel for us. We were afraid our luggage was too heavy,but they allowed 28 lbs and think they are not too strict even with a few pounds over. I never saw any boarding pass. Think you will enjoy a flight.

MissO, I understand completely your fears and concerns.

This year we opted to take advantage of the in country air travel. It was my first experience with small planes. I must confess that I was in tears when the plane was taking off. All I could think is that I was in a foriegn country and my children were home, and what the heck was I doing! My husband understands completely that my fear of heights is paralyzing, and was a rock of support.

Very shortly after take off, I was totally taken in by the absolutely stunning views. It was wonderful. And yes, I too have some great pictures.

Landing was again a bit frightful, but after a couple of times, I got the hang of it and must admit I rather enjoyed it.

Now, you did not say what areas you are planning to visit. I won't say that flying is always the best way to travel. Some areas you will not be able to fly into.

I have very much enjoyed our driving trips in CR. It is nice to be able to stop along the way and enjoy some things, that you might not have the chance, if you were on a plane.

This year we started in SJ, then to Tortuguero (Carribean side), back across to Montezuma (Pacific Side), back to SJ and onto La Paz. So Air travel was the best option.

Next trip is mostly in the Osa, so we are definately flying.

Sometimes a mix of travel options is your best way to see all that you want.

I do not think my original post was clear so I will clarify . We found the roads great this trip compared to 10 and 13 yrs. ago . We just wanted a quick trip back to the city , and the views are great while flying . We did research with regards to aircraft safety , which company had a better safety record ( Nature Air versus Sansa ) we had more of an issue with this since we had the kids . Also my husband is a private pilot and an air traffic controller and more inclined to check things out .... Nature Air does have a much better safety record at this point . Faith

Forgot !!!! Nature Air uses a twin otter ( 2 engines ) while Sansa uses single engine . Faith

Haven't flown yet in Costa Rica, but agree that it definitely would save you some travel time. And no doubt, CR is beautiful from the air--as it is on the ground!

That said, we, too, think it is a lot of fun to drive here and there, stop, look around, visit, etc. We've gotten to know the country very well "on the road" and wouldn't trade those experiences for anything. You can learn a LOT about everyday life in Costa Rica while driving and observing.
So one's preference rather depends on just how intimate one wants to get with this little paradise! As someone mentioned to me recently, to appreciate Costa Rica is to enjoy a young man on a bicycle with his girlfriend on there too! Or an older man with his team of oxen. I actually have a photo of a team of oxen on the highway in Guanacaste with a semi truck behind waiting for a chance to pass! Or a mother nursing her baby on the porch. The children waving as you drive by. . . .and on and on. . .

The only reason we would choose to fly is due to time constraints/convenience (such as getting to the Osa and back).

I have flown from one end of CR to the other and places in between many times. I fly Nature Air more often than Sansa and feel very comfortable with them. This is primarily because of schedules but they do have a good safety record.

I now know where a lot of the little pockets of turbulence are going to be and am prepared for them rather than surprised and scared to death! That was probably the harded thing for me to get used to.

We used to fly a lot of private charters with Sansa but I called it quits on those when we took one flight all the way from San Vito (Panama Border) to Los Innocentes (Nicaragua Border) with a former German fighter pilot (guess what we nicknamed him?) It was a horribly rough ride and my husband has permanent dents in his leg from my fingers (like that would really help LOL). Another time we had no co pilot and my husband sat in that seat and the pilot sat on a book because he was so short! I really began to question their safety record after that one.

On the bright side....you do see some amazing things and it is a whole different perspective. You can see CR as a whole rather than in parts when you are up higher.