Member's Home Forums General Discussion Central America Central America Aeronautical & Regulatory Costa Rica - how to avoid so-called "handlers"?

I flew from Panama to Managua Nicaragua yesterday in a C182. Since my onward flight was planned for Guatemala and since there hasn't been Avgas available outside Gelabert in Panama for basically ever, I thought I'd cleverly avoid the $12/gallon avgas in Managua by doing a technical stop in Liberia, Costa Rica. This was a big mistake.

Flight plan filed at Gelabert (easy) and exit customs and immigration check done (also easy) we were on our way.

Upon landing at the nice-looking airport, I was greeted by the usual drug enforcement people and immigration folks. All very nice, professional and courteous. They duly inspected us and reviewed that everything was in order which it was. Lurking behind them was what appeared to be ground people from the airport. One of them approached me and asked if I wanted "handling". I declined, which seemed to confuse her. I said I just need fuel and to point me to the AIS office where I can file my onward flight plan.

This is where the fundamental misunderstanding of how Costa Rica treats general aviation reared its ugly head. Myself and my Spanish native speaking flying companion, himself a major airline 737 captain who flies many international flights, tried to reason with these people that all we wanted was to get fuel and go. They insisted on a $100 charge for getting us access to these services. We said we decline this because we know exactly how to fuel a Cessna 182 and how to file a flight plan.

A standoff ensued. Papers were shown. Arguments were made. The price got raised to $150 and it was getting dark. Finally, we backed down and it took another hour for them to even deliver the fuel truck to the plane, let alone file the flight plan. We spent two frustrating hours with these people, all with the looming $10/hour parking fees on the horizon if it got dark.

Two hours lost, $150 wasted and a terrible perception of aviation in Costa Rica. For a comparison, we had an unplanned technical stop in El Salvador at Ilopanga and they were nothing but friendly, helpful and courteous and didn't rip us off in any way.

I'm on the return from this flight right now and I would like to ask if I should bother ever going back to Costa Rica. Is this how they operate in the whole country or just at Liberia? How do people avoid the ridiculous parking fees in this country if they wanted to actually visit something? You know, like a tourism-related country might reasonably want to encourage???

I have the Caribbean Sky Tours book by the way and it's great but there should be a giant red "AVOID" warning on Costa Rica from my limited experience so far.

Dear Hawkman,

Thank you for posting on our forum and bringing this issue to our attention.

We have checked on your case with MRLB authorities and would like to share our findings with you as well as with our Members and users of our website in order to alert the GA community. We have requested the official notice published in 2015 where Costa Rica Civil Aviation authorities establish the requirement for a written notification for all international flights landing in Costa Rica and mandatory Handling in MRLB and MROC. We have been informed that the only international airport where handling is not YET mandatory is MRPV. The reason this procedure has been implemented is so that only customers who have an account with civil aviation be able to make payment for local fees. Authorities can no longer receive payments directly. Therefore, all payments for fees need to be made through the handler who have an established account to make these payments. If an aircraft lands without having made arrangements for a local handler, then one will be assigned to the arriving aircraft. The fee charged will vary according to the rate structure of the company assigned to provide the service. If an aircraft arrives without having submitted prior notification to Costa Rica’s civil aviation authorities, the user can expect delays and additional security screenings. The recommendation is to provide notification so that all services are available at the time of arrival including that of the antidrug police. For a technical stop, the use of a handler should ensure a quick turnaround. The first hour of parking is free. Parking fees at all international airports in Costa Rica are steep: US$9.80 per hour during the day and a 50% lower rate during the night. At MRLB you can expect to pay a parking fee of US$178.00 per day. The only way around this is by repositioning to a domestic airport (non AOE). However, in that case, an entry permit will be required and the use of a handler to obtain and make payment for the permit will be necessary as well. All of these requirements are increasing the cost and complexity of flying to Costa Rica, as is the case with many Latin American countries. We agree with you, not GA friendly and especially not welcoming for light GA.

The last edition of the CST Pilot’s Guide is 2013-2015. At that time GA procedures for Costa Rica did not require prior notification nor the use of a handler; fees could still be paid directly by the user to the Costa Rican authorities and parking fees were based on the MTOW of the aircraft. We will make sure to update this information in our next edition. In the meantime, we will alert the GA community and members of our Pilots Association to avoid more unpleasant surprises. Please note that the purchase of our 2013-2015 edition of our Pilot’s Guide includes a 1 year free membership to our Pilots Association in which we do update information on country procedures and forms.

Thank you again for bringing this matter to our attention.

CST

For more detail and updates on Procedures to fly to Costa Rica and Central America in general, visit our Member Website

Thanks for the information - it definitely matches what I experienced. I just joined as a member after flying this route so I learned the hard way.

MPMG - MPLB - MNMG - MSSS - MRPV - MPDA - MPMG

The member site is great but let me add some things that I learned:

- NEVER go to MRLB. I don't care how much the fuel costs in MNMG, those people are the worst. I was delayed hours by those "handlers" and had to file IFR for my arrival at MNMG which happened after dark. Avoid avoid avoid.
- MSSS is just about the friendliest airport I've ever been to. Totally and wholeheartedly recommended. You would never guess that it would be this way, given that it's a military base but everyone there is super relaxed, helpful and friendly. It's also very reasonably priced - all fees for landing and overnight parking came to less than $20. I can't say enough good things about MSSS. Fuel service is done by the Aero Club and is friendly and efficient, but be prepared to pay cash.
- There's no fuel anywhere in Panama except MPMG. MPDA used to have fuel but the tanks are "contaminated".
- MPMG is my home airport so I'm used to the somewhat unorthodox approach into it but if you're unfamiliar, I highly recommend advising the tower. You basically land between two hills. If you're in a light aircraft, I recommend staying above the smaller one on final because of turbulence. Be VERY cautious of birds as they tend to flock between those two hills for runway 36, right on your final approach. If tower says "caution birds", take it seriously. Runway 18 requires flying over some built up areas of the city and landing with a hill descending below you. I prefer 36.
- In Panama be careful not to overfly the prohibited airspace over the presidential palace, which is in the old city. If If you avoid overflying anything inside the road encircling the old city, you'll be fine. This is particularly relevant on a downwind leg to 36 or 18.
- Also be careful in Panama not to fly over the US Embassy which is about 5 degrees to the west of the departure for 36. You'll normally be told to "fly runway heading" but if there's a crosswind be careful not to be blown over top of it. You can spot it by the vast array of huge satellite dishes and the big grey government-issue buildings. There's even a swimming pool. This installation is of course just there for issuing visas and passport renewals...
- MRPV is better than MRLB but I'm detecting a theme with Costa Ricans and aviation, the immigration and customs people there are somewhat frustrating although not nearly as bad as MRLB. Fuel service is prompt and efficient, just leave your credit card with the nice ladies at the fuel desk and they'll charge the exact amount when your tanks are full.
- According to people on the ground, MRPV is often very windy. Take this into account, as well as the steep hill leading up to the approach end of the runway when you are landing.
- When I flew the VFR corridor from MRPV to the coast, there were a lot of clouds. I recommend climbing to safe altitude long before entering the corridor.

Thank you for the detailed information on your experience with airports in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua. We are sure that a number of members will find this information very useful. Our personal experience mostly coincides with what you have described. In Costa Rica, MRPV is the airport best geared towards serving GA and we have only had pleasant experiences at this airport. However, being a VFR only airport located in a terrain-rich environment, weather is constantly a factor. It is unfortunate that there are not more GA friendly airports available in Costa Rica. There is a fourth International Airport at Limon (MRLM) but it is not convenient to any of the more popular destinations in Costa Rica and prior notification is recommended as the necessary authorities are rarely ever there when you need them.

Agreed. I called MRLM before my flight back as it would have been a reasonable route via MPBO Bocas del Toro in Panama but they said that they couldn't handle any airplanes for a few days because the meteorology person was in the hospital. Just one person shuts a whole international airport down? Weird place, Costa Rica.

Thanks

Excellent info posted above. I'm headed down to CR later this year, sad to hear about the fees and bureaucracy.
I plan on entering at Liberia and the onward to a small strip on the coast.
Sounds like I have no choice but to pay for handling.
Emcinco

Yes, unfortunately you will have to engage a handler if you enter through MRLB or MROC. We would recommend MRLB as your airport of entry.

Caribbean Sky Tours