Getting to Costa Rica, we went through multiple security check points, airport screening personel, and baggage checks.
Only ticketed passengers were allowed through to the gate, and contraband of any kind would have been confiscated in a heartbeat. When we left
Manual Antonio, we found this wasn't so much the case at the Quepos Airport.
In this day and age of heightened security, it was almost a relief to see that things were a little more laid back in Quepos.
Round 1 of airport security: Pull van up dirt entry way, kid/security guard at gate makes sure chain link fence doesn't scrape van as it pulls through.
Close gate. Pull van into the "Departing Flights Drop-off Zone" -
which also doubles as the Arriving Flight Pick-up Zone, the supply loading zone, fuel truck gate, and maintenance only entrance.
Round 2 of airport security: Lets face it, there is no round 2.
We get out of the van, and walk into the "Main Terminal" (also the only terminal), and luckily our bags got through security too -
(they were taken out of the van and tossed onto the rolling cart seen right). Inside the open air terminal, they had a food
stand, and the various different airlines that used Quepos Airport were posted in kiosks around the edges of the 40ft. x 40ft. building.
The main hanger was especially impressive. Seen here is the pop-up tent & lean to with a fuel tank sitting next to it. Inside the terminal,
there were a couple
of older gentelmen that had a bit much to drink, yet they were still sipping on some Imperial Lagars (could they be our pilots?), and the airport maintenance
crew -the kid that tended the gate when we drove up, some other guy, and his boss. Our Nature Air flight arrived to pick us up; we were assuming it was for us because
we were literally the ONLY other passengers at the airport.
Out hopped this little Costa Rican woman, who was very professionally dressed, and greeted us in very slow, deliberate English. She smiled, "Hello.
My name is (insert name here). I will be your pilot on our flight today. Please watch your head as you climb into the plane. Our flight time will be about 25 minutes
to San Jose. Does anyone have any questions? (pause) Enjoy the flight, and welcome abord."
She fired up the twin engine, we did an about face on the tarmac, skipped up to speed and took off. Our tiny plane was getting bounced around
pretty good as we flew over the mountains, and we got a little nerveous. When we looked up at our cute little pilot (that can't see over the
dashboard) and she's smiling, and talking on the radio as she flips her hair. She really exemplified the people Costa Rica - laid
back, not a care in the world. You just gotta love a place like this.
