Navigating Sansa Airlines Luggage Weight Limits: What You Need to Know

The Ultimate Shortcut to Nosara

If you want to skip the 2.5-hour drive from Liberia (LIR) or the 5-hour drive from San Jose (SJO), booking a 45-minute domestic hopper flight on Sansa Airlines directly into Nosara (NOB) is the ultimate travel hack.

However, because these flights operate on small Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft, they have extremely strict weight limitations. Here is everything you need to know before you pack for your Costa Rica surf and yoga retreat.

1. The Standard Baggage Allowance

Sansa operates on a tiered ticket system, but their standard allowance typically includes:

• 1 Carry-on bag: Maximum weight of 10 lbs (4.5 kg).
• 1 Checked bag: Maximum weight of 30 lbs (14 kg) for Regular fare, or up to 40 lbs for Premium fares.

Important: They will weigh everything, including your carry-on, before you board.

2. Surfboards and Oversized Luggage

This is the most critical detail for our surf camp guests. Sansa does accept surfboards, but they are flown strictly on a space-available basis.

• The maximum length for a surfboard is generally 6.7 feet. Longboards (8ft+) will not fit on the aircraft.
• There is usually an oversized baggage fee of around $30-$50 USD each way for surfboards.
• Pro Tip: If you are traveling with a large surfboard quiver, we highly recommend flying into Liberia (LIR) and taking our private ground transport instead. We provide premium soft-tops and epoxy boards at our retreats, so you might not even need to bring your own!

3. Excess Weight Fees

If your checked bag exceeds the 30 lb limit, you will be charged an overweight fee (usually around $1.50 per excess pound). More importantly, if the flight is fully booked and at its maximum weight capacity, your excess baggage might be delayed and sent on a later flight.

Group vs. Solo Travel Strategy

• Traveling Solo or as a Couple: If you can pack light, taking the Sansa flight into NOB is absolutely the best, fastest, and most scenic way to arrive.
• Traveling with a Group: If you are coming with a large group, or if everyone has massive suitcases and surfboards, flying into Liberia (LIR) and booking our private group shuttle is significantly more cost-effective and stress-free.

No matter how you choose to arrive, the journey to Nosara is always worth it. Pack light, embrace the Pura Vida lifestyle, and we'll see you in the water!