SANSACosta RicaDomestic Flights
SANSA Airlines (Servicios Aéreos Nacionales S.A.) is Costa Rica's primary domestic carrier, connecting Juan Santamaría (SJO) and the Tobías Bolaños executive terminal (SYQ) in San José with regional airports across the country. For many travelers, SANSA is the introduction to Costa Rica's remarkable domestic aviation network.
SANSA's route network
SANSA serves 14 domestic airports including Liberia (LIR), Quepos/Manuel Antonio (XQP), Nosara (NOB), Tamarindo (TNO), Puerto Jiménez (PJM), Tortuguero (TTQ) and Drake Bay (DRK). Most flights operate from SJO or SYQ in the morning, with return flights in the afternoon — a schedule built around day-trip patterns rather than flexible travel.
What SANSA does well
SANSA's biggest advantage is price: a one-way ticket to Quepos typically costs $60–120 per person, making it accessible for budget-conscious travelers. The Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft used on most routes offers excellent views of the Costa Rican landscape and is well-maintained. SANSA's punctuality has improved significantly in recent years.
The limitations
SANSA operates on fixed schedules with limited flexibility for changes. Baggage is strictly limited to 12kg checked plus a small carry-on. The most popular routes (SJO→XQP, SJO→LIR) sell out weeks in advance during peak season. And if you want to fly between two regional airports — say, Quepos to Tortuguero, or Liberia to Drake Bay — SANSA requires you to return to San José first.