The first and last days of your surf adventure are considered travel days. The first day officially kicks off around 6:00 pm with a "Welcome Dinner" and the last day ends around noon after a surf session and brunch. We have fun activities planned for both those days, so be sure that you don't arrive too late or leave too early!
Flying To/From Costa Rica
International Airport: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), 17 km outside San Jose, the capitol of Costa Rica.
Airlines: American, Delta, US Air, Continental, America West, LACSA and Taca airlines fly to Costa Rica.
Departure Tax: $26 departure tax is payable at the international airport by all foreign passengers departing on international flights.
To/From Malpais
There are two ways of getting to/from Malpais: a domestic flight or shuttle bus.
Domestic Flight
The closest airport to Malpais is Tambor. Once in Tambor, expect a 1hr taxi ride. Taxis cost approximately $40. We will schedule a taxi to pick you up in Tambor, so look for a sign with your party's name. There are a limited number of flights and seats to Tambor, so make your reservation early. The two airlines that fly from San Jose to Tambor are Sansa and Nature Air. If you are planning on bringing your surfboard, please contact the airline regarding their size restrictions. Flight schedules change periodically, so please check with the airlines for exact times.
NATURE AIR
Flight times from San Jose to Tambor:
Departs: 8:10 am Arrives: 8:40 pm
Departs: 9:40 pm Arrives: 10:10 pm
Flights times from Tambor to San Jose:
Departs: 8:50 am Arrives: 9:20 pm
Departs: 2:50 pm Arrives: 3:20 pm
SANSA AIRLINES
High Season - December 1 - April 30
Flight times from San Jose to Tambor:
Departs: 5:57 am Arrives: 6:32 am
Departs: 8:18 am Arrives: 8:53 am
Departs: 10:34 am Arrives: 11:09 am
Departs: 12:30 pm Arrives: 1:05 pm
Departs: 1:50 pm Arrives: 2:54 pm
Departs: 4:19 pm Arrives: 4:54 pm
Flights from Tambor to San Jose:
Departs: 8:30 am Arrives: 9:04 am
Departs: 9:03 am Arrives: 9:37 am
Departs: 11:19 am Arrives: 11:53 am
Departs: 1:15 pm Arrives: 1:49 pm
Departs: 2:34 pm Arrives: 3:08 pm
Departs: 5:04 pm Arrives: 5:38 pm
Low Season - May 1 - November 30
Flight times from San Jose to Tambor:
Departs: 5:57 am Arrives: 6:32 am
Departs: 8:18 am Arrives: 8:53 am
Departs: 10:34 am Arrives: 11:09 am
Departs: 12:30 pm Arrives: 1:05 pm
Flights from Tambor to San Jose:
Departs: 8:30 am Arrives: 9:04 am
Departs: 9:03 am Arrives: 9:37 am
Departs: 11:19 am Arrives: 11:53 am
Departs: 1:15 pm Arrives: 1:49 pm
Departs: 2:15 pm Arrives: 2:45 pm
Click here for a list of hotels in San Jose
Shuttle Bus
The shuttle bus leaves San Jose daily around 9:00 am and Malpais daily around 8:00 am. We have partnered with Montezuma Expeditions to provide you with shuttle bus services to/from Malpais. The shuttle bus will pick you up at the airport or your hotel. The price is $35/per person each way. We can arrange a special shuttle pick-up for people who can not make the daily shuttle service. The cost is $145 for one or two people, more than two, $45/person. The shuttle ride is an approximate 7-hour drive through Costa Rica's picturesque countryside, including a 90-minute ferry ride on the Golfo de Nicoya. Please contact us regarding shuttle arrangements.