Aerial view of Nosara's wild beach and river mouth on the Nicoya Peninsula

We're here to help.

Real people, based right here in Costa Rica. Whether you're booking a first flight, moving a reservation or planning a charter, our reservations team is a call, message or email away — seven days a week.

Reach us

Four ways to talk to a human.

Pick whatever's easiest. Our reservations desk answers in Spanish and English, and can help with new bookings, changes, baggage, group travel and charters.

Phone

Reservations & flight changes. Toll charges may apply from outside Costa Rica.

Email

For quotes, invoices and detailed requests. We reply within one business day.

WhatsApp

Fastest for quick questions — send us your booking code and we'll take it from there.

Hours

Mon–Sun · 6am–8pm

Central Standard Time (CST, UTC−6). Airport counters open 90 minutes before the first departure.

Write to us

Send a message.

Tell us what you need and, if it helps, your booking reference. A real person from the reservations team will get back to you — usually the same day, always within one business day.

Avg. reply: under 4 hours

Changing a flight in the next 24 hours? Please call — it's faster than email for anything time-sensitive.

Message sent — pura vida!

Thanks, we've got it. Someone from reservations will reply to your email shortly — usually within a few hours.

Come see us

Two doors, one warm welcome.

Our reservations office sits just outside San José, and our staffed counter greets you inside the country's main airport before every departure.

Reservations office

SANSA Reservations

La Uruca, San José, Costa Rica — 300 m east of the Juan Pablo II bridge, Route 1 (General Cañas).
Open Mon–Sun, 6am–8pm CST.
Airport counter

SJO — Juan Santamaría

Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (SJO), Alajuela — domestic terminal, SANSA check-in counter.
Every SANSA departure leaves from SJO — our hub since 1978.
Counter opens 90 minutes before the day's first flight. Arrive at least 60 minutes ahead.
Good to know

Questions, answered.

The things travellers ask us most — baggage, changes, weather, kids, pets and check-in. Still stuck? Call, message or email us above.

How much baggage can I bring, and what does it weigh?

Every fare includes one carry-on and one checked bag up to 30 lb (about 14 kg) at no extra cost, plus a small personal item. Because our Cessna 208B Grand Caravan is a small aircraft, total baggage is limited by weight and space — extra or overweight bags are accepted for a per-pound fee when there's room, but can't be guaranteed on a full flight. If you're travelling with a lot of gear (surfboards, dive kit, luggage for a long trip), tell us in advance so we can plan the load.

Can I change or cancel my flight?

Yes. Standard fares can be changed for a small change fee plus any difference in the new fare, as long as you make the change before your original departure. Cancellations follow the rules of your fare type — flexible fares can be refunded, while promotional fares are usually held as travel credit valid for twelve months. The fastest way to change a flight is to call us at +506 2290 4100 or manage it online through your booking.

What happens if my flight is cancelled for weather?

Costa Rica's mountains and coasts make their own weather, and safety always comes first — so on rare occasions low cloud, storms or wind at a jungle or beach airstrip mean we delay or cancel a flight. When that happens there's never a penalty to you: we rebook you on the next available flight at no charge, and if we can't get you there the same day you can choose a full refund or travel credit. Because conditions change fast, we'll contact you by phone, WhatsApp or email as soon as we know, so please keep your contact details up to date.

Can I fly with children or infants?

Absolutely — kids love the window seat as much as anyone. Infants under two travel on an adult's lap at a reduced fare and still count toward the cabin weight, so please add them to your booking rather than bringing them as a surprise. Children two and over need their own paid seat. We don't provide car seats on board, but you're welcome to bring your own if it fits the seat. Every passenger, regardless of age, needs valid ID or a passport for the flight.

Can I bring my pet on board?

Small pets are welcome in the cabin when space allows — they must travel inside a soft carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat, and the pet plus carrier counts toward your baggage weight. Because seats and total load are limited on a 12-seat aircraft, pet space is first-come and must be arranged in advance: add it when you book or call us before you travel. Trained service animals travel free and don't count toward baggage; just let us know ahead of time so we can seat you comfortably.

How early should I check in and arrive at the airport?

For flights from San José (SJO), please arrive at least 60 minutes before departure so we have time to check you in, weigh your bags and complete the load plan. From smaller regional airstrips, 45 minutes is usually enough. Online check-in isn't required — because we weigh passengers and bags at the counter, check-in for our flights is done in person. Getting there early also gives you first pick of the window seats.

Why do you weigh passengers, and is that normal?

Yes — it's completely standard for small aircraft everywhere in the world. On a 12-seat Grand Caravan, the pilot has to know the exact weight and where it sits to balance the plane safely, so at check-in we discreetly weigh each passenger together with their carry-on. It takes a few seconds, the number is used only for the flight's load calculation, and it's part of what keeps small-plane flying so safe. Nothing to worry about — pura vida.

How do refunds and travel credits work?

It depends on your fare. Flexible fares are refundable to your original payment method, usually within 7–10 business days once processed. Promotional fares aren't refundable in cash but convert to travel credit valid for twelve months on any SANSA route. If we cancel a flight (for weather or operational reasons) you're always entitled to a full refund with no fee. To request a refund, reply to your booking confirmation or email reservations@sansa.example with your booking reference.

Do you handle group bookings?

We do — and we love them. For parties of six or more (weddings, retreats, corporate trips, dive and surf groups) our reservations team can hold seats, arrange a group fare and coordinate baggage across the whole party. If your group is larger than a single Caravan, we can add a second aircraft or arrange a private charter to the same airstrip. Email reservations@sansa.example with your dates, route and headcount and we'll put together a quote — usually within one business day.

What ID or documents do I need to fly?

For domestic flights within Costa Rica, every passenger needs a valid government-issued photo ID — a cédula for residents, or your passport if you're a visitor. Children and infants need ID or a passport too, and the name on your ticket should match your ID exactly, so book using the name on the document you'll travel with. There are no international immigration formalities on domestic hops, but do carry your passport if you're connecting to or from an international flight the same day.

How far in advance should I book?

With only twelve seats per flight, our planes fill up — especially in dry season (December to April) and around holidays, when popular routes to Tamarindo, Nosara and the Osa Peninsula can sell out weeks ahead. For peak travel we'd book two to four weeks in advance; in the green season you'll often find seats a few days out. Booking early also gets you the best fares, since promotional prices are released first and disappear as a flight fills.

Can you arrange a private charter?

Yes — beyond our scheduled network, we fly private charters to airstrips all over the country and can tailor departure times to your plans. It's ideal for tight itineraries, remote lodges, film and survey work, or simply flying on your own schedule. Tell us your route, dates and group size and we'll build a quote; you can start on our charter page or email reservations@sansa.example. All charters fly on the same 12-seat Grand Caravans with the same pilots and safety standards as our scheduled service.

Still have a question?

Talk to a real person, seven days a week.

Our reservations team in Costa Rica answers in Spanish and English from 6am to 8pm CST, every day of the year.