Transfer Time - San Jose International to Tobias Bolanos Airport (Nature Air)
 

We have a flight that arrives in SJO at 1:45PM. The last flight to Quepos that day leaves at 4:25PM on Nature Air.

Is 2 hours 40 minutes enough time to get through customs, get a cab, get to the other airport and check in on time?

On a scale of 1 to 10 are we crazy to try this (1) or is it no problem (10)?

I suspect you already know the answer! PROBABLY it is enough time, barring any delays. If you get in on time, get through immigration and baggage pick-up without too much of a wait, etc. etc. etc.! Suppose everything is right on time, let's break it down:

1:45 arrival
2:45 complete immigration and have bags in hand (no checked luggage would be nice, huh?)
3:00 grab a taxi for a 20-30 min drive
3:30 arrive at Pavas

See? Should be just perfect. Back to Sentence #1! Good luck! Have fun--I bet it will all turn out just fine. No worries! Pura vida. . . . :)

Shillmac's advice is spot on, as always, but I'd ask:

Day of week? Fewer worries about traffic on the weekend.

Month of year? Normally that wouldn't matter, but December is generally horrible for traffic, all day, every day. Everyone is out doing their Christmas shopping and spending their mandatory extra one month's salary that Costa Ricans get in December. So unless your trip is this month, don't give that a thought.

In your favor is that procedures at the airport are generally faster in the afternoon. Many fewer flights arrive then, so assuming your flight arrives on time, you'll likely have even more time than Shillmac has mapped out.

Yep, as long as your flight is relatively on time you should be fine. Have a great time and enjoy Quepos' lovely airport/terminal...ah, hut! ;)

We are arriving on a Friday afternoon in February - hopefully rush hour won't be an issue.

Good advice on carry-on only but with two kids in tow, we don't travel as light as we used to....

Tully - I hear you on the Quepos airport. Our first trip there was about 14 years ago - it looked like we were landing on a dirt road! We were there two years ago so I know it is paved now.

Thanks all!

I too had a question similar to this. I found a flight that arrives in San Jose at 12:45 PM. The latest nature air flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez (Osa Peninsula) is 4:15 PM. I suspect that should be enough time then too?

I know I'm always curious about immigration lines in other countries. Having travelled to Mexico, and Japan it's always a toss up how long it will take. Are there any tips to getting through immigration quickly that I should be aware of?

If we can get these flights it will save quite a bit of money from having to get a hotel room in San Jose, but that's not necessarily a must.

Thanks everyone,

Derek Lewis

If possible, carry a small child. They'll move you right to the front of the line. Very handy at times, these small children! :)