Travel Information
The first and last days of your surf adventure are considered travel days. The first day officially kicks off around 6:00pm with a "Welcome Dinner" and the last day ends around noon after a surf session and brunch. We have fun activities planned for both those days, so be sure you don't arrive too late or leave too early! We recommend that you allow 2 hrs between your international and domestic flights for customs, baggage claim and ticketing.
Flying To/From Costa Rica
International Airport: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), 17 km outside San Jose, the capitol of Costa Rica.
Airlines: American, United, Frontier, COPA Panama, Delta, US Air, Continental, America West, LACSA, Mexicana, and Taca airlines fly to Costa Rica.
Departure Tax: $26 departure tax is payable at the international airport by all foreign passengers departing on international flights.
To/From Malpais
There are two ways of getting to/from Malpais: a domestic flight or shuttle bus.
Domestic Flight
The closest airport to Malpais is Tambor. Once in Tambor, expect a 1hr taxi ride. Taxis cost approximately $45 for 1-4 people and $10 for each additional person. We will schedule a taxi to pick you up in Tambor, so look for a sign with your party's name. There are a limited number of flights and seats to Tambor, so make your reservation early. The two airlines that fly from San Jose to Tambor are Sansa and Nature Air. If you are planning on bringing your surfboard, please contact the airline regarding their size restrictions. Flight schedules change periodically, so please check with the airlines for exact times.
NATURE AIR
Nature Air is located at the Tobias Bolanos Airport near San Jose in Pavas - 8 miles from San Juan Int. Airport.
www.natureair.com | info@natureair.com | 011-(506) 220-3054 | Toll Free USA/Canada: 800-235-9272
Rates: One-way $57, $79 plus tax
Flight schedules change periodically, so please check with the airlines for exact times.
High Season – December 1 - April 30
Flight times from San Jose to Tambor:
- Departs: 8:00 am Arrives: 8:25 pm
- Departs: 2:00 pm Arrives: 2:25 pm
Low Season – May 1 – November 30
Flight times from San Jose to Tambor:
- Departs: 8:00 am Arrives: 8:25 pm
- Departs: 9:15 am Arrives: 9:40 am
- Departs: 1:30 pm Arrives: 1:55pm
Flights times from Tambor to San Jose:
- Departs: 8:30 am Arrives: 8:55 am
- Departs: 2:30 pm Arrives: 3:40 pm
Flights times from Tambor to San Jose:
- Departs: 8:35 am Arrives: 9:00 am
- Departs: 9:50 am Arrives: 11:00 am
- Departs: 2:05 pm Arrives: 3:10 pm
SANSA AIRLINES
The Sansa terminal in San Jose is located at the San Juan International Airport.
www.flysansa.com | reservations@flysansa.com | 011-(506) 290-4100 | Toll free USA: 1-877-767-2672
Rates: One-way $71, round trip $142, plus tax
Flight schedules change periodically, so please check with the airlines for exact times.
High Season – November 20 - April 30
Flight times from San Jose to Tambor:
- Departs: 7:40 am Arrives: 8:15 am
- Departs: 7:45 am Arrives: 9:10 am
- Departs: 11:05 pm Arrives: 11:40 pm
- Departs: 2:00 pm Arrives: 2:34 pm
- Departs: 4:00 pm Arrives: 4:35 pm
Flights from Tambor to San Jose:
- Departs: 8:25 am Arrives: 9:00 am
- Departs: 9:20 am Arrives: 9:55 am
- Departs: 11:50 am Arrives: 12:24 am
- Departs: 2:44 pm Arrives: 3:18 pm
- Departs: 4:45 pm Arrives: 5:19 pm
Low Season - May 1 - November 20
Flight times from San Jose to Tambor:
- Departs: 7:45 am Arrives: 9:10 am
- Departs: 10:28 am Arrives: 11:03 am
- Departs: 12:30 pm Arrives: 1:05 pm
- Departs: 2:00pm Arrives: 2:34pm
Flights from Tambor to San Jose:
- Departs: 9:20 am Arrives: 9:55 am
- Departs: 11:13 am Arrives: 11:47 am
- Departs: 2:44 pm Arrives: 3:18 pm
Shuttle Bus
The shuttle bus leaves San Jose daily around 6:30 am and 2:30 pm and Malpais daily around 8:00 am. We have partnered with Montezuma Expeditions to provide you with shuttle bus services to/from Malpais. The shuttle bus will pick you up at the airport or your hotel. The price is $45/per person each way. The shuttle ride is an approximate 7-hour drive through Costa Rica’s picturesque countryside, including a 90-minute ferry ride on the Golfo de Nicoya. Please contact Montezuma Expeditions directly at info@montezumaexpeditions.com or call 011- (506) 2441-3394.
