Sansa questions!
 

My husband and I are planning our trip to CR for the end of June into July (11 days--can't wait!). Our trip will be split between the Osa Peninsula and the Peace Lodge. We are planning on flying in from Boston, Massachusetts on US Airways which will bring us into San Jose for 11:42AM. We want to then fly to the Osa Peninsula to stay at Bosque del Cabo. However, the only flight to Osa left on the day we fly in takes off at 1:00 (Sansa airlines). We are concerned because we have heard that Sansa flights are unpredictable and are worried that we would be cutting it too close? We are going to have Bosque do the travel arrangements for us with Sansa but wanted to post this question to hopefully get some info from CR travelers first. We have also heard that Natureair is more predictable, but we would have to leave the next day since all the Natureair flights will have left by the time we get to San Jose. Also, can anyone tell us the weight restrictions for Sansa flights? We know that it's a 25 lb. limit for Natureair. Thank you all in advance for your help!!

Dan and Melissa

Hi Dan and Melissa,

Definitely stay in San Jose your first night! (Probably not the answer you want to hear). If there are a lot of flights arriving, you can expect customs/baggage claim to take an hour. That only gives you 20 minutes to get over to the SANSA terminal and check-in, and SANSA requires that you be there 30 minutes before your flight. You could always chance it and fly out the same day, but it's a big risk. Hope that helps!

I agree. This isn't necessarily bad news! Stay overnight at Las Orquideas or Villa Bonita and you can enjoy the afternoon relaxing from your flight. You'll start your vacation very rested and ready to go! There are also any number of nearby places of interest should you prefer not to rest--things you might otherwise not do, but very enjoyable.

Sansa as an airline is fine. Your times are close. We arrived at 11:00 and made the 1:00 sansa with tons of time to spare-at least 1 hr. If the folks at Bosque de cabo think you can do it you might have a chance. If you carried your bag on that will save you tons of time and you will be the first one in line at customs.
Our first time clearing customs the lines were long and it took about 1/2 hour - longer for others in the back I'm sure. Our last vacation we walked right through in 3 min

We are definitely planning on only having carry-on bags, so the only issue would be getting through customs. Does anyone know where I can find out the weight restrictions for Sansa flights? Thanks again for the quick replies!!

Sansa is a good flight. Sat behind the pilots and they were very professional and attentive to their flying. 30 pounds is your limit. We made the flight a month ago from Manuel Antonio back to San Jose. We were worried about the weight limit also, but we even were a few pounds under.
Right by the airport is The Hampton Inn and Suites which is a very nice place to stay if you decide to stay a night before your flight. You may have time to cathc your flight on Sans as it is right beside where you are arriving.

This sounds obvious, but bears repeating: For the weight limit on smaller planes, you can wear your heaviest shoes (I wore boots) and pants over shorts and my coat over two shirts. Then, we weighed my bag to clear the weight limbo-dance at the counter.

I've always found the lines at immigration to be what takes the time. Doing only carry on isn't going to help with that line. By the time you're through immigration, it doesn't take long to collect your bags before going through customs. Jean

Thanks everyone!! This site has been great for getting info!! We are most likely going to plan on staying overnight in SJ before leaving the next day for Bosque del Cabo, unless different flight times are added between now and June. The Sansa flight schedule for 2005 does not appear to be out yet (or at least we can't find it online) and we still need to email Bosque del Cabo to get their opinion on it.

Melissa/Dan- Just back from Bosque del Cabo. The sunburn is just starting to peel off. That place is AWESOME, great food, staff, rooms... We saw White Face, Howler, Squirrel and Spider monkeys all in two days! The guys who run the kayak tour are great (Joe and Josh).

Bosque set up Sansa flights for us. The airport in Puerto Jiminez is so small it's hilarious! The flight out of San Jose was right on time, but the return from PJ was about 1 1/2 hrs late and then it flew back to Gulfito. We had hoped to spend the afternoon at the museums in SJ but they were closed by the time we landed. I wasn't aware of a weight limit and they didn't give us any grief about our luggage.

Happy to answer any questions [email protected]

Steve

Technically the weight limit is 25lbs for both airlines. Most of the time 30lbs won't be a problem and that is what I shoot for when I have to include extras like hubbys camera exquipment.

For either airline it can be extremely variable as to what they will do if you are over. Some of them even weigh you as well as your carry-on (including that bottle of water!). No tucking those heavy batteries in your socks as it is the overall weight that they are looking at. Most of the time it isn't a problem and they just put you and your stuff on the plane. There are times when it will matter. Twice over the years we have had to leave stuff behind...it always caught up to us a day or so later. The first time it happened I was at 35lbs. Last year I flew back to SJ from Puerto Jimenez but my luggage was not on the same flight. I think it is Sansa that says they charge for overage but we have never been charged extra.

I have flown both Nature Air and Sansa as well as many private charter flights and they are all pretty equal.

Jessie,

Thanks for that info!! We are not the greatest at packing lightly and will need some practice before leaving! I have never flown in a small plane before but last year we took a helicopter ride in Hawaii that had no doors and survived so a small plane can't be too bad after that experience!!
:) Melissa