Eight is the King Air's ceiling and twelve the Caravan's. Between those two numbers the options narrow fast, and what decides is almost never the headcount.
The three possible answers
One Caravan. Up to twelve seats and a large compartment. It is the clean solution when the destination runway accepts it.
Two aircraft. Two coordinated flights, more expensive and with the coordination at the far end that implies: two arrivals, two transfers, two schedules to line up.
Or rethink the entry. Come in through a field that does not restrict and continue by road or water. It is the one least often proposed and often the best, because it solves the runway and the transfer at the same time — a large field usually has ground transport waiting that a small strip does not.
What decides, and it is not the number
The runway. At Punta Islita, eight metres wide, a group of ten may have no suitable aircraft. It is not that it comes out expensive: there is no direct option.
The entry then becomes Palmar Sur — 76.3 nautical miles, 1,400 × 12 m — and after that road and boat. One large flight usually costs less than two small ones, and the group arrives together. 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.
The baggage. Ten people with dive gear or boards can fill the compartment before the seats. The Caravan is the highest-volume category and even it has a limit.
And the distribution. Ten adults do not weigh the same as six adults and four children. Say it separately when enquiring.
When two aircraft does make sense
When the destination restricts and there is no comfortable alternative field.
When the group is going to split anyway at destination, and two arrivals create no problem.
And when the dates force it. If Caravan availability does not match your window, two smaller aircraft may be the only way to fly that day.
What almost never works is splitting a group to save money: two small flights rarely come out cheaper than one large one, and they add coordination. Intuition says otherwise and the arithmetic does not agree.
What has to be solved at destination
With ten or twelve people, the transfer from the airfield stops being a detail. A minibus, or two cars, or a boat with capacity.
It is not included in the fare and we do not operate it. Confirm it with your accommodation before fixing the flight time, because with a group this size availability is not always immediate. Ground transfer is not included in the fare: your accommodation or a local operator arranges it.
How to enquire
Adults and children separately. It changes the weight distribution.
Baggage in pieces and dimensions, not kilos.
And the specific final destination, because the runway may govern everything else. The specific aircraft is assigned on confirmation, based on passenger count, baggage and the destination field.
Frequently asked questions
Which aircraft carries twelve?
The Cessna Caravan. The King Air reaches eight.
What decides with a large group?
The destination runway, almost always before the number of people.
Does splitting into two aircraft pay?
Rarely on price. Two small flights do not usually come out cheaper than one large one and they add coordination.
When does two aircraft make sense?
When the destination restricts with no comfortable alternative, when the group splits anyway, or when the dates force it.
And if the destination will not take the Caravan?
You come in through an unrestricted field and continue by road or water. Palmar Sur is 76.3 nautical miles from San José.
How does the baggage affect it?
Ten people with dive gear or boards can fill the compartment before the seats, even in the Caravan.
What has to be solved at destination?
The transfer for ten or twelve people. It is not included and at that size availability is not always immediate. Ground transfer is not included in the fare: your accommodation or a local operator arranges it.
Enquire
The specific aircraft is assigned on confirmation, based on passenger count, baggage and the destination field.