Thirty-eight nautical miles from Costa Rica's highest point to its densest rainforest. And it is the itinerary with the most stacked permits in the whole catalogue: two national parks, two quotas, two calendars. From 1,495 USD per aircraft.
Route facts
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Isidro de El General (IPZ / MRSI) |
| Destination | Drake Bay (DRK / MRDK) |
| Distance | 38.0 NM · 70 km |
| Destination runway | 1,000 × 18 m |
| Price | From 1,495 USD per aircraft |
Two parks, two quotas, two calendars
That is what makes this trip difficult, and it has nothing to do with the flight.
Chirripó requires an advance booking on a limited quota, managed by SINAC, and several days of walking. Access requires an authorisation handled by the area’s administration or your local operator, on their own timescales.
Corcovado requires a certified guide and quotas coordinated in advance. Access requires an authorisation handled by the area’s administration or your local operator, on their own timescales.
We handle neither. And both dates are fixed before the flight's, not after.
That is the reverse of how most trips are booked, and it is worth knowing before anything else is paid for.
If the Chirripó descent then runs a day late, the Corcovado quota does not move with it. That is the real risk of this itinerary, and it is worth leaving a day of slack between the two.
The specific aircraft is assigned on confirmation, based on passenger count, baggage and the destination field.
And does the runway limit the group?
Not by width: Drake Bay measures 1,000 × 18 m, among the generous ones in the network. What decides here is the length available and the day's weight, not the width. The specific aircraft is assigned on confirmation, based on passenger count, baggage and the destination field.
The alternatives are close by, and mainly serve when the day does not allow operating into Drake:
| Option | Distance | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Direct | 38.0 NM | runway 1,000 × 18 m |
| Via Palmar Sur | 27.9 + 17.3 = 45.2 NM | longer runway, 1,400 m, but 12 m wide |
| Via Quepos | 25.4 + 52.2 = 77.6 NM | 1,100 × 18 m |
And a practical consequence: if the group does not fit, the cause will be the day's weight or the baggage, not the runway. That is solved by changing category, not aerodrome.
Overland there is no comparison
From the General valley to Osa by road: down to the Costanera, round the Golfo Dulce or on to Sierpe, and boat from there. A long day with several links.
Thirty-eight nautical miles by air, over the same ridge the road has to skirt.
And the last leg is not ours either
From Drake airfield to the lodges there is a run by sea or track. Ground transfer is not included in the fare: your accommodation or a local operator arranges it.
Added to the two park quotas, that is three third-party links in one trip. Ask for dates with margin.
Frequently asked questions
What makes this itinerary difficult?
Two parks with separate quotas: Chirripó and Corcovado. Both are booked before the flight and we do not handle them. Access requires an authorisation handled by the area’s administration or your local operator, on their own timescales.
What is the main risk?
That the Chirripó descent runs late and the Corcovado quota does not move with it. Leave a day of slack.
Can I fly direct with a large group?
Drake restricts with an eleven-metre-wide runway. With a group, the stop at Palmar Sur costs only seven nautical miles more. The specific aircraft is assigned on confirmation, based on passenger count, baggage and the destination field.
Why Palmar and not Quepos?
Via Palmar it is 45.2 nautical miles; via Quepos, 77.6.
How long does it take overland?
A long day: down to the Costanera, on to Sierpe and then by boat.
Is the transfer to the lodge included?
No. From the airfield to the lodges there is a run we do not operate. Ground transfer is not included in the fare: your accommodation or a local operator arranges it.