A private charter to Santa Teresa costs from 895 USD for the whole aircraft, not per passenger. This destination has a quirk no other cost page in the network shares: there is not one arrival strip but two, and that affects the door-to-door total.
Quoted per aircraft, not per seat
The fare covers the entire aircraft, without varying by passenger count. With 4 seats, the cost per person depends on how many travel. At Santa Teresa the typical profile — surf groups and retreats — runs to four or six, which spreads the fare well.
Variable 1: the origin
| Origin | Distance to Tambor | Note |
|---|---|---|
| San José (SJO) | 50.2 NM · 93 km | The shorter |
| Liberia (LIR) | 60.1 NM · 111 km | Ten nautical miles more |
Unlike Nosara or Tamarindo, the gap between San José and Liberia here is small: ten nautical miles. That means origin weighs less on the price than at other destinations, and the decision can be made on itinerary convenience rather than cost.
Detail on San José to Santa Teresa and Liberia to Santa Teresa.
We'll tell you which strip suits your hotel
Variable 2: Tambor or Cobano, and the cost that isn't in the air fare
Santa Teresa and Mal Pais have no strip of their own. Access runs through two fields:
Tambor (TMU) is the established one: public, DGAC-administered, runway 12/30 at ten metres above sea level. It serves Mal Pais, Santa Teresa, Montezuma and the Cabo Blanco reserve, and is the country's sixth-busiest airport.
Cobano (ACO) is newer and geographically closer to Santa Teresa town.
By air they are almost equidistant. The real difference is the final road transfer, and that transfer carries a cost — in time and money — that does not appear in the flight fare but does appear in your total budget.
So at this destination, "what does the flight cost" is an incomplete question without "to which strip". We settle it with the quote: We confirm the entry field we operate in the quote, because it changes with the date and the operation.
Variable 3: operations, and an information limitation
Both fields are daytime and visual, with no instrument approaches. And one detail is worth knowing: Tambor publishes no METAR of its own. The nearest reference weather station is Juan Santamaría, some ninety kilometres away.
In practice that means the operational call is made on area information and local observation rather than a report from the field itself. It is one more reason to prefer morning departures and not to slot this leg at the end of a tight day.
On confirmed closures: Several fields in the network operate in daylight and visual conditions, and close when the weather does not allow it.
Cessna 206 · 4 seats · baggage hold 40 cu ft
Empty legs
When a repositioning sector coincides with your route and date, the fare can drop. They cannot be planned in advance. We work with empty legs: they arise from operations already confirmed, are listed at short notice and are not guaranteed. Ask us what is available that day.
What the fare does not include
It covers the flight. We do not quote third-party services: accommodation, surf lessons, retreats or the ground transfer from the strip beyond what we confirm in the booking.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private charter to Santa Teresa cost?
From 895 USD for the whole aircraft. The final figure depends on origin, arrival field and date.
Does Santa Teresa have an airport?
No. Access is via Tambor (TMU) or Cobano (ACO), with a ground transfer to the town.
Which is cheaper, Tambor or Cobano?
By air they are almost equidistant. The real difference is the final road transfer, which affects your total budget though not the flight fare.
From San José or from Liberia?
San José is 50.2 nautical miles out and Liberia 60.1. The gap is small, so you can decide on itinerary convenience.
Why are morning flights recommended?
Both fields are daytime and visual, and Tambor publishes no METAR of its own: the operational call is made on area information and local observation.
Is the price to Private Charter to Santa Teresa / Mal Pais per person?
No, per aircraft. The cost per person falls as the group grows.