The Closest Airport to Santa Teresa (And Which One I’d Fly Into)
The closest airport to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica is Cobano (ACO), a tiny airstrip about 10 km from town. That’s a 15 to 20 minute taxi ride, and it’s the one most people fly into. There are two other small airports nearby (Tambor and a private strip in Manzanillo), but none of them take international flights. So the real question is usually: do you land in San José or Liberia first?
I landed in San José in June 2026 with my board, and I’ve helped a friend fly in and out of Cobano, so here’s the honest breakdown. If you’re still planning the trip, my Santa Teresa surf guide covers the waves, and my step-by-step getting-there guide covers buses, ferries and shuttles.
Closest Airport to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: Quick Answer
| Airport | Distance to Santa Teresa | Who flies there | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobano (ACO) | ~10 km, 15–20 min by taxi | Green Airways, Sansa | Most people, and usually the best deals |
| Manzanillo (private) | ~10 min to the northern beaches | CarmonAir charters | Splurging, or groups splitting a charter |
| Tambor (TMU) | 45–60 min by road | Check first, most flights now go to Cobano | Staying in Montezuma or Cabuya |
| San José (SJO) | 35 min flight, or 5–6 hrs by road + ferry | International airlines | The cheapest international flights |
| Liberia (LIR) | 30 min flight to Cobano, or 4.5–5.5 hrs by road | International airlines | Coming from the north |
Heads up: some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 🤙
The 3 Airports Near Santa Teresa
Cobano Airport (ACO): The One I’d Fly Into
Cobano is the go-to. It’s the closest airport to Santa Teresa, flights take about 35 minutes from San José and 30 from Liberia, and both Green Airways and Sansa fly there. Fares on Green Airways start around $131 one way.
My friend flew from Cobano to San José, and later flew back in with her mom. Her verdict: a very small plane, but comfortable, and everything was on time. Her mom brought about 30 kg of luggage, so she paid a bit extra, but it fit within the airline’s fare packages. No drama.
From the airstrip you’ll need a taxi to Santa Teresa. Expect to pay around $50, give or take. Cobano town itself is small and there’s not much to see, but if you’ve got a car, the supermarkets there are a bit cheaper than in Santa Teresa. Good spot to stock up.
Surfers, read this: on Green Airways, only the Premium fare includes a surfboard, and it has to be 7 ft or shorter. I break down every fare in my Santa Teresa travel guide.
Manzanillo Airstrip: The Fancy Option
If you want to land basically on the beach, CarmonAir flies private charters from San José to its own airstrip in Playa Manzanillo. It’s about 10 minutes from Santa Teresa’s northern beaches, and the flight takes around 30 minutes.
This is the splurge option. There are no fixed fares, so you message them for a quote. It makes the most sense for groups who can split the plane. Each passenger gets 40 lb (18 kg) of checked luggage, 10 lb of hand luggage and one surfboard up to 7 ft.
Tambor Airport (TMU): Best for Montezuma and Cabuya
Tambor used to be the airport for this area. It’s 45 to 60 minutes from Santa Teresa by road, but much closer to Montezuma and Cabuya. If you’re staying on that side of the peninsula, it’s still the handiest.
The catch: most scheduled flights have moved to the new Cobano airstrip. Green Airways now lands its old Tambor flights in Cobano, and Sansa lists Cobano instead of Tambor. So before you plan around Tambor, check that your airline still flies there.
A note on that airport. I couldn’t verify on an official site whether this airport is still active, but it seems most domestic flights land in Cobano, while private charters still use this airstrip.
Santa Teresa Costa Rica Airport: Land in San José or Liberia?
None of the airports near Santa Teresa take international flights, so you’ll land in San José or Liberia first. Here’s the simple rule:
- Flying in from the US, Europe or most other places? Land in San José. Flights are usually cheaper, and you can hop on a 35-minute domestic flight to Cobano.
- Coming from the north, like Nicaragua or El Salvador? Liberia might be easier, because it’s closer to the border, and Sansa flies from there to Cobano in about 30 minutes.
✈️ Quick quiz
Which airport should you land in?
Are you coming from the north?
Like Nicaragua, El Salvador or northern Costa Rica
Is your surfboard longer than 7 ft?
No board? Hit no.
Are you short on time?
Want to be in the water today, not tonight?
Is budget your main worry?
Happy to trade time for money?
Land in Liberia (LIR)
You’re closer to Liberia than San José. From there, Sansa flies to Cobano in about 30 minutes (one flight a day, starting November 16, 2026), or it’s 4.5 to 5.5 hours by road with no ferry.
Land in San José, then go by road
Small planes only take boards up to 7 ft, so skip the flight. Book a shuttle or a private transfer, or do the bus and ferry like I did.
Land in San José, then fly to Cobano
It’s a 35-minute flight with Green Airways or Sansa, from about $131, plus a taxi of around $50. Bringing a board? Book Green Airways’ Premium fare.
Land in San José, then take the bus + ferry
That’s my route: about $25 with a board, but it takes all day. Totally worth it if you’re patient.
Land in San José, then take a shuttle
Shared shuttles cost about $110 per person and take 5 to 6 hours, door to door, ferry included. With a group, a private transfer can work out about the same.
Land in San José (SJO) If You're Flying Internationally
This is what I did. In June 2026, I flew from Los Angeles (LAX) with Volaris, a Mexican budget airline. The base ticket was about $210 with no luggage, so I added only a surfboard (about $70 with fees) and shoved all my stuff in the board bag with the board. Total: $280 one way. Budget-surfer hack, haha.
Immigration and customs took about 30 to 40 minutes. I had an onward ticket ready, but they never asked for it. They just asked how long I was staying, I answered honestly, and they stamped me in for six months, which is what my visa allows. Entry rules depend on your passport, so check yours before you fly.
My flight landed at 2am. My hostel in San José (Costa Rica Backpackers) arranged a taxi for about $40, straight from the airport to their door. If you land late, do the same. Taxis on the spot cost more (if there even are any), public transport isn't reliable at that hour, and hanging around outside the airport in the middle of the night isn't a great idea. If you need a bed for the night, here are hostels in San José.
From San José, you can fly to Cobano, take a shuttle, or do the cheap bus and ferry like I did. If you'd rather not think about it after a long flight, book a private transfer:
✈️ Just landed and fried?
Private transfer: San José Airport → Santa Teresa. Your driver meets you at SJO and drops you at your door, ferry and all. After a long flight (or a 2am landing, been there), it's worth every colón.
Land in Liberia (LIR) If You're Coming From the North
Liberia is in northern Costa Rica, close to the Nicaragua border. If you're travelling down through Central America, landing there (or crossing by bus) can save you a trip to San José. When I backpacked Central America five years ago, I went between Costa Rica and Nicaragua by bus and passed right through Liberia.
Want to skip the drive? Sansa flies from Liberia to Cobano in about 30 minutes. It's one flight a day on a small 11-seat plane (the schedule starts November 16, 2026), so book early and check the times on their site.
Rather stay on the ground? From Liberia it's about 210 km to Santa Teresa by road, through Nicoya and down the peninsula, with no ferry. Expect 4.5 to 5.5 hours. You can book a private transfer from Liberia to Santa Teresa (from around $72) or take a shared shuttle. Or rent a car at the airport and take your time. Just don't drive the last stretch in the dark.
Which Airport Would I Fly Into?
Next time I come to Santa Teresa, I'm flying, and I'm landing in Cobano. It's the closest airport, it usually has the best deals, and the taxi from there is short. Tambor means a longer (and pricier) taxi, and Manzanillo is lovely but it's charter money.
Quick math: a Green Airways flight from about $171 (If you count the board), plus around $50 for the taxi, gets you from San José to Santa Teresa in about an hour. My bus-and-ferry route cost $25 but took all day. Both are valid. It just depends on whether you're spending money or time.
Before You Fly: Quick Tips
- Measure your board. Small planes usually take boards up to 7 ft. Anything longer, take a shuttle or the ferry.
- Weigh your bags. Domestic airlines have tight limits, and extra kilos cost extra or can get denied. This is not your normal plane; an extra 10 kilos might mean the plane won't take off, haha.
- Get an eSIM before you land. A Costa Rica eSIM from Airalo means you can message your taxi the second you're off the plane.
- Landing late? Book your first night near the airport and get your hotel or hostel to send a taxi.
- Check flight times and fares on the airline's site. They change with the season.
Conclusion: The Closest Airport to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
So, the closest airport to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica is Cobano, just 15 to 20 minutes from town, and it's the one I'd fly into. Land in San José if you're coming from far away (it's usually cheaper), or Liberia if you're coming from the north. Then hop on the short flight or make the drive.
Once your flights are sorted, the fun part starts: figuring out where to surf. My Santa Teresa surfing guide has the best breaks, when to go, and where to paddle out on day one. See you in the water! 🤙
FAQs
Does Santa Teresa, Costa Rica have its own airport?
Not in town itself. The closest airport is Cobano (ACO), about 10 km away, or 15 to 20 minutes by taxi. There's also a private charter strip in Manzanillo, about 10 minutes from the northern beaches.
What is the closest airport to Santa Teresa?
Cobano (ACO) is the closest airport with scheduled flights. Green Airways and Sansa fly there from San José in about 35 minutes.
Is there an airport near Santa Teresa, Costa Rica with international flights?
No. You'll land in San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) first, then catch a short flight to Cobano (about 35 minutes from San José, 30 from Liberia) or go by road. San José is usually cheaper for international flights, and Liberia can be easier if you're coming from the north.
Can I bring my surfboard on the small plane?
Usually, yes, if it's 7 ft or shorter. On Green Airways it's included in the Premium fare, and CarmonAir allows one board up to 7 ft per passenger. Always check with the airline before you book.
Photo credits: header photo of Tambor airport by Vlad Podvorny (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
