Green Airways Costa Rica: My Honest Review Before You Fly
Wondering if you should fly Green Airways Costa Rica? I recently spent three incredible weeks making my way across Costa Rica by shuttle, driving, and eventually, teeny-tiny plane.
Believe it or not, even though I fully run a travel blog, I’m an anxious flier (though, for some reason, it bothers me less in business class that I booked on points 😏 ). So when the idea came up to fly on a propeller plane with an airline I’d never heard of, I had my doubts.
I couldn’t find much information about Green Airways online so I’ll admit I was pretty nervous before I booked my flight. But after taking the leap, I ended up loving my experience. If you’re on the fence, I’m here to share everything you need to know for a smooth ride—right here on Inside the Upgrade.
What is Green Airways Costa Rica?
Green Airways Costa Rica is a small, family-owned airline specializing in domestic flights within Costa Rica on small (but safe!) propeller planes.
It was founded in 2018, so the airline is still relatively new, which explains why you won’t find a ton of information about it online. However, it has a strong reputation for reliability and safety, and it’s a solid choice for people wanting to maximize their time in paradise instead of spending hours driving on Costa Rica’s winding roads.
It’s a safe and more “fun” way to travel — they even offer you free beer for the short flights! The experience is definitely different from your standard commercial flight—think no security lines, wooden boarding passes, and a casual, friendly vibe from check-in to landing.
Where Does Green Airways Fly?
One of the biggest advantages of flying Green Airways is cutting down on Costa Rica’s long drive times. A journey that might take five or more hours by car—on roads that often include potholes or the occasional river crossing—can be replaced with a short, unbelievably scenic flight.
Green Airways currently operates flights between:
- San José (SJO) – Nosara (NOB) (for surf towns like Guiones and Playa Pelada)
- San José (SJO) – Quepos (XQP) (for Manuel Antonio National Park)
- San José (SJO) – Cobano (for Santa Teresa and Montezuma)
- San José (SJO) – Puerto Jiménez (PJM) (for the Osa Peninsula & Corcovado National Park)
We flew from Santa Teresa (via Cobano Airport) to San José, a route that takes about 30 minutes in the air versus a five-hour drive that involves bumpy roads and a ferry ride. If you’re tight on time or just don’t want to deal with Costa Rica’s infamous road conditions, flying is 100% the way to go.
What Was The Flight Like?
I arrived at the airport in Cobano about 45 minutes before my flight, which is really all you need when there’s no security. The “airport” was a small waiting room, and a nice attendant in the Green Air Costa Rica office weighed our bags, weighed us (lol), and then handed us solid wood tickets. I even got to meet the pilots before our flight and casually let them know I was more than a little nervous. They were very kind and reassured me it had been a smooth ride over.
We walked out to the plane, the pilots offered us free water or beer (which my boyfriend loved), and we picked our seats. I chose a single spot on the left-hand side of the plane because the pilot tipped me off that it would have the best views.
I haven’t spent much time on planes where you can sit this close to the pilots and it was truly incredible. Honestly, the flight was awesome. Let’s be clear that you feel the movement of the air, but it was a 28-minute, incredibly peaceful flight. I intentionally chose the first flight out of the day, hoping for smooth air, and I think that paid off.
The views are something I’ll never forget. Gorgeous green jungle, beautiful blue water, Costa Rica really is an amazing country. It was a little too cloudy to see Arenal on the day we flew, but I found myself being shocked that I drove from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa for five hours instead of taking this flight. Once we landed, the terminal was across the street from San Jose airport, so we walked our bags over and waited for our next flight to Mexico City!
Green Airways Luggage Requirements
Since Green Airways operates small planes, they have stricter baggage policies than commercial airlines. Here’s what you need to know before you pack:
- Weight Limits: Green Airways allows one checked bag up to 30 lbs (14 kg) per passenger and a small carry-on bag. If your bags are overweight, you’ll be charged ~$1 per pound overage. You can also book a more expensive ticket that allows up to 50 lbs of luggage (this is what I did) .
- Weigh-In Process: Unlike major airlines where only your bags are weighed, you also step on the scale along with your luggage! On a plane this small, they have to make sure the weight is distributed evenly.
- Surfboards and Pets: Sadly I didn’t have either of these with me, but you can take both on a Green Air flight, provided you pay for it when booking your ticket.
If you’re traveling light and just need a quick way to hop between destinations, Green Airways Costa Rica makes the process smooth and easy—just be mindful of the weight limits before heading to the airport.
Green Airways vs Sansa
I’ve only flown Green Airways, but I picked it because there were several complaints online about Sansa customer service and cancellations. My experience with Costa Rica Green Airways was smooth and easy so I would definitely fly them again.
Is Green Airways Costa Rica Safe?
My flight felt incredibly safe. Clearly, we made it, and I watched the pilots do a safety check before we took off. They also have an Argus Gold Certification for high safety standards, which means they “meet or exceed ARGUS’s baseline safety standards, demonstrating a strong commitment to safety and professionalism, and indicating a clean operational history.”
My Favorite Activities in Costa Rica
There are about a million things to do in Costa Rica. It’s a country packed with adventure, and whether you’re here for the beaches, the jungle, or the wildlife, there’s something for everyone. Your experience will depend a lot on where you stay (I went to Uvita, La Fortuna, and Santa Teresa), but these were some of my absolute favorite activities during my trip:
My new animal friends in Costa Rica 
- Visit Hot Springs & Mount Arenal in La Fortuna – Arenal is one of Costa Rica’s most famous volcanoes, and soaking in the nearby hot springs is the ultimate way to unwind after a day of exploring waterfalls or hiking. I have a complete guide to La Fortuna here for you.
- Mistico Hanging Bridges – If you want to feel like you’re walking through clouds of the rainforest, this is the place. The Mistico Hanging Bridges offer stunning views of the rainforest canopy, and you’ll spot everything from sloths to colorful birds along the way.
- Beginner Surfing in Santa Teresa – Santa Teresa is one of Costa Rica’s best surf towns, and even if you’ve never touched a surfboard before, the gentle rolling waves at Playa Carmen are perfect for learning. I am definitely not an expert surfer, but I did manage to stand up!
- Safari Float Tour – If spotting wildlife is on your Costa Rica bucket list, a safari float tour is a really nice way to do it. On our tour, we saw toucans, howler monkeys, crocodiles, and monkeys—all without the need for a strenuous hike.
Costa Rica is the kind of place where every day feels like an adventure, and no matter where you go, you’ll find something incredible to do.
Green Airways Costa Rica Review: Would I Do It Again?
Yep, I would. The flight on Green Airways Costa Rica was smooth, quick, beautiful, and gives you more time to enjoy Costa Rica instead of spending hours on the road. As a nervous flier, I might think twice if it was raining, but I trust them to always choose the safest path in the air.
Cheers to your next adventure and Pura Vida!
