A private charter from Liberia to the southern tip of Nicoya covers about 60 nautical miles in roughly 35 minutes. Santa Teresa has no airstrip of its own: flights land at Tambor (TMU) or Cobano (ACO), and the choice changes your ground transfer. From 1,295 USD per aircraft.
Route facts
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Origin | Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR / MRLB) |
| Primary destination | Tambor Airport (TMU / MRTR) — 60.1 NM · 69 miles |
| Alternate destination | Cobano Airport (ACO / MRAF) — 60.3 NM · 69 miles |
| Estimated flight time | 35 min |
| Aircraft | Cessna 206 · 4 seats |
| Tambor elevation | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Tambor runway | 12/30 |
| Price | From 1,295 USD per aircraft |
Santa Teresa has no airport — which is why this page exists
That is the first thing to settle, because almost no site says it plainly. Santa Teresa and Mal Pais are adjoining towns at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, and neither has a landing strip. Air access runs through two nearby fields:
- Tambor (TMU), the established one. A public airport administered by the DGAC, ten metres above sea level, runway 12/30. It serves Mal Pais, Santa Teresa, Montezuma and the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, and it is the sixth-busiest airport in the country by passenger traffic.
- Cobano (ACO), newer and geographically closer to Santa Teresa town. It is served by Costa Rica Green Airways from San José and by SANSA from Liberia and San José.
From the air the two are effectively the same trip: 60.1 and 60.3 nautical miles from Liberia respectively. The difference is not the flight — it is the drive at the far end. Cobano sits closer to Santa Teresa; Tambor lies further north, toward Paquera.
Which field we operate on your date is confirmed with your quote: We confirm the entry field we operate in the quote, because it changes with the date and the operation.
We'll tell you which strip suits your hotel
Why almost nobody drives this
The road from Liberia to Santa Teresa is one of the longest in the country relative to the actual distance. It runs down the Nicoya Peninsula, works through the Cobano area on a mix of paved and rough surface, and finishes on a stretch that degrades noticeably through the wet season.
Route 160, the main access road to Tambor Airport, is paved and connects Nicoya with Paquera, but carries the winding sections typical of the peninsula's terrain. None of this is an obstacle in itself. It simply turns 69 air miles into a driving day.
For a surf trip or a retreat of five to seven nights in Santa Teresa, the flight hands a whole day back.
Aircraft, baggage and operations
Cessna 206, 4 seats, baggage hold 40 cu ft.
Both Tambor and Cobano are daytime, visual-conditions fields with no instrument approaches. Tambor publishes no METAR of its own; the nearest weather reporting station is Juan Santamaría, some ninety kilometres away. In practice the operational call is made on area information and local observation, and morning planning is preferable.
On confirmed weather closures at these fields: Several fields in the network operate in daylight and visual conditions, and close when the weather does not allow it.
Surfboards are the most common oversized item on this route. Declare them at booking — length and quantity determine the aircraft assigned.
Connections
From southern Nicoya we operate to Nosara and Tamarindo, which allows a south-to-north run up the peninsula without returning to the Central Valley. From the capital, the equivalent is San José to Santa Teresa.
Frequently asked questions
Does Santa Teresa have an airport?
No. Access is via Tambor (TMU) or Cobano (ACO). Cobano is geographically closer to Santa Teresa town; Tambor is the established field with more traffic.
How long is the flight from Liberia to Santa Teresa?
Roughly 35 minutes across about 60 nautical miles, plus the ground transfer from the strip to your accommodation.
How much does a private charter from Liberia to Santa Teresa cost?
From 1,295 USD for the whole aircraft, not per passenger.
Tambor or Cobano?
It depends on where you are staying and on availability for your date. From Liberia the air distance is effectively identical; the difference is the final road leg. We confirm it with your quote.
Can I bring surfboards to Santa Teresa?
Yes, if declared at booking. Baggage hold 40 cu ft
Are there night flights to Tambor?
No. It is a daytime, visual-conditions field with no instrument approaches.