Loading map...
FON → XQP
Which side of the plane to sit from Arenal Airport (La Fortuna/San Carlos) to Quepos Managua Airport (Quepos)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side is the premier choice, offering a front-row seat to the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal before transitioning to breathtaking views of the Pacific coastline and the Gulf of Nicoya.
Search flights from FON to XQP
Arenal Volcano
Unrivaled views of the nearly perfect cone and its historical lava fields immediately upon departure.
Lake Arenal
Costa Rica's largest lake, appearing as a vast turquoise mirror nestled among the rolling green mountains.
Gulf of Nicoya
A sprawling view of the Pacific inlet, featuring numerous islands like Chira and San Lucas against the horizon.
Tárcoles River
Look for the wide river mouth where it meets the sea, famous for its dense population of American crocodiles.
Jacó & Playa Hermosa
The long, continuous stretch of dark sand beaches and rolling Pacific swells popular with the surfing community.
The right side is the 'scenic side' for this route. Sit behind the wing for the best photo angles of the volcano. Use a fast shutter speed to capture the Tárcoles River mouth, and watch for the change in water color where the river silt meets the ocean. Polarized sunglasses are highly recommended to cut the glare from the Pacific reflection.
Book Hotels in Quepos
Tilarán Mountain Range
The rugged, verdant spine of the country, featuring steep valleys and dramatic elevation changes.
Cloud Forest Ridges
Distant views of the high-altitude mists hanging over the Monteverde and San Ramón biological reserves.
Central Valley Vistas
On clear days, see the distant peaks of the volcanic range that borders the country's main urban plateau.
Manuel Antonio Foothills
Dense tropical secondary forest and palm plantations as the plane descends into the Quepos region.
Choose the left side if you prefer inland mountain scenery and want to avoid the direct afternoon sun. Early flights are essential as clouds typically move in from the Caribbean by noon, obscuring the mountain peaks.
Get eSIMs for Costa Rica
Get eSIMs for Costa RicaDistance: 128 km (80 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 13 min
Departure: FON (10.478, -84.634499)
Arrival: XQP (9.443160057067873, -84.12979888916016)
Route Type: Domestic
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.