San Isidro is the centre of the southern Costa Rican network: the only origin from which the four main points of that half of the country sit half an hour of flying away.
The destinations, by distance
| Destination | Distance |
|---|---|
| Quepos | 25.4 NM |
| Palmar Sur | 27.9 NM |
| Drake Bay | 38.0 NM |
| Tobías Bolaños (Pavas) | 44.4 NM |
| San José | 48.5 NM |
| Golfito | 52.2 NM |
It is closer to Quepos than to San José. And none of the six exceeds fifty-three nautical miles.
The south closes as a network of its own
With these destinations, an itinerary of Chirripó, Manuel Antonio, Osa and the Golfo Dulce never needs the Central Valley.
It is the first region of the country the catalogue can say that about, and San Isidro is the hub. Half an hour of flying between any two.
By road that same network demands the Cerro de la Muerte to the north and three and a half hours of valley to the south. The flight does not save kilometres: it removes the pass and the monotony.
Two different problems with the same solution: to the north a road that can close, to the south one that never closes but eats half a day.
The specific aircraft is assigned on confirmation, based on passenger count, baggage and the destination field.
What has to be planned: fuel
San Isidro has no refuelling, and sits at six hundred and forty metres — the highest field in the Costa Rican catalogue. We confirm the effect of field elevation on performance in the quote, because it changes with the date and the operation.
On a return trip from the Central Valley it rarely matters. On a chained itinerary it does: fuel has to be planned around a third field, and that can add a positioning leg to the quote.
Say so when you ask for the quote if you plan to chain several southern destinations. The specific aircraft is assigned on confirmation, based on passenger count, baggage and the destination field.
And the date, if you are heading to Chirripó
The park requires an advance booking on a limited quota, managed by SINAC. We do not handle it. Access requires an authorisation handled by the area’s administration or your local operator, on their own timescales.
That means the flight's date is fixed after the park's, and if the descent runs a day late, the flight moves with it.
It is the reverse of a normal booking. Worth knowing before anything else is paid for, and worth asking for the flight with a day of slack.
Where each destination leads
Quepos opens Manuel Antonio and the central coast. Palmar Sur is the large way into Osa, with 1,400 × 12 m. Drake Bay is Corcovado from the north, with a 1,000 × 18 m runway. Golfito is the Golfo Dulce and, 47.1 nautical miles from there, David in Panama.
Four destinations, four different trip profiles, and none more than half an hour away.
Frequently asked questions
What destinations run from San Isidro?
Quepos at 25.4 nautical miles, Palmar Sur at 27.9, Drake Bay at 38.0, San José at 48.5 and Golfito at 52.2.
Is it really closer to Quepos than to San José?
Yes: 25.4 nautical miles against 48.5.
Do I have to return to the Central Valley between destinations?
No. With this network the Costa Rican south can be travelled entirely without touching it.
Is there refuelling?
No, and the field sits at 640 metres. On a chained itinerary, fuel must be planned around a third field. We confirm the effect of field elevation on performance in the quote, because it changes with the date and the operation.
When do I fix the date for Chirripó?
After the park's. We do not handle the quota. Access requires an authorisation handled by the area’s administration or your local operator, on their own timescales.
How long is the road to the Central Valley?
A good three hours over the Cerro de la Muerte, above three thousand metres. In fog, indeterminate.
Can I continue to Panama?
Via Golfito, 52.2 nautical miles from here and 47.1 from David.