Before the price, a question that saves money: is your destination Nicoya, or a beach near Nicoya? From 895 USD per aircraft.
If you are heading for the coast, this is not your field
Nicoya is the peninsula's administrative town. It has no scheduled service — neither domestic nor international — and its facilities are basic.
The reason is not aeronautical: travellers do not go to Nicoya, they go to the beaches.
| From Nicoya | Distance |
|---|---|
| Nosara | 15.7 NM |
| Punta Islita | 17.5 NM |
| Tamarindo | 24.2 NM |
| Liberia | 27.9 NM |
If your accommodation is at Nosara, Tamarindo or Sámara, fly to the beach field, not to Nicoya. The road transfer from here will cost you time and money the direct flight does not.
We say it first because it is what saves the most budget. And because it is a frequent error: the peninsula's name leads people to search for "Nicoya" when the real destination is half an hour's drive away.
Who Nicoya is for
For anyone going to the town: business, farming, cattle, or visits to the inland communities.
For anyone staying inland, which does happen: the peninsula has an interior, not just a shoreline.
And for the blue zone, with a caveat that avoids an expensive mistake: the blue zone is not the town, it is the region — the dry interior of the central and southern peninsula, taking in Hojancha, Nandayure and Santa Cruz. If that is your interest, Nicoya is the correct starting point and no beach field substitutes for it.
The specific aircraft is assigned on confirmation, based on passenger count, baggage and the destination field.
The five categories
| Aircraft | PAX | From SJO | From Pavas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 206 | 1–4 | 1,295 USD | 1,250 USD |
| Piper Seneca | 1–5 | 1,695 USD | 1,595 USD |
| Piper Navajo | 1–6 | 2,395 USD | 2,195 USD |
| Cessna Caravan | 1–12 | 3,895 USD | 3,695 USD |
| King Air | 1–7 | 3,995 USD | 3,895 USD |
The price is per aircraft. And as towards the whole northwest, Juan Santamaría is closer than Pavas — 4.1 nautical miles. Over seventy-four miles that is a little over five per cent, so the choice of field weighs less here than on short legs. We show a "from" price per route; the final fare depends on the date, the group and the baggage, and is confirmed in writing before booking.
And the runway does limit
Nine hundred and sixty-five metres, with hills to the south and west. The surrounding terrain shapes the approach and, with it, which aircraft can work the field.
It is the country's fourth field where relief counts as well as length, after Golfito, Palmar Sur and Punta Islita — the four cases where the day of the flight is checked as well as booked.
It is not severe like Drake Bay, but ask with the exact passenger count before fixing dates. In practice this means Nicoya is not a lowland field: the day of the flight adds a variable that Upala or Guápiles do not. The specific aircraft is assigned on confirmation, based on passenger count, baggage and the destination field.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the field for the beach?
No. If you are staying at Nosara, Tamarindo or Sámara, fly to the beach field: the transfer from Nicoya costs time and money.
Who is Nicoya for?
For anyone going to the town — business, farming, cattle — or staying inland.
Is it the blue zone?
The blue zone is the region, not the town: the dry interior of the central and southern peninsula.
For to private charter to Nicoya, is Pavas the better departure?
No. Juan Santamaría is 4.1 nautical miles closer, as towards the whole northwest.
Does the runway at private charter to Nicoya limit the aircraft?
Yes: 965 metres with hills to the south and west. The surrounding terrain shapes the approach and, with it, which aircraft can work the field.
Is the price to private charter to Nicoya per person?
No, for the whole aircraft. We show a "from" price per route; the final fare depends on the date, the group and the baggage, and is confirmed in writing before booking.