JAP · small airport

Chacarita Airport

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Airports

JAPsmall airport

Chacarita Airport

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

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MRCH

ICAO

7 ft

Elevation

TravelerPulse profile

Small regional airstrip serving Costa Rica's Puntarenas province.

Location

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Chacarita Airport (IATA: JAP, ICAO: MRCH) is a small general aviation and regional airport located in Chacarita, in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. It serves as a gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula and surrounding coastal areas, primarily handling light aircraft and charter flights. The airport plays a supporting role in Costa Rica's domestic air network, connecting remote communities along the Pacific coast with larger urban centers. It is not a major commercial hub but provides essential air access to a region where road travel can be lengthy due to geographic constraints.

Getting to & from

Ground access to nearby communities is available via local roads, with taxi and private vehicle being the primary transport options.

Airlines here

The airport primarily serves small regional and charter operators rather than major scheduled airlines.

Notable facts

›Serves as an air access point to the Nicoya Peninsula region.
›Primarily handles light aircraft, general aviation, and charter operations.
›Located in Chacarita, a district of the Puntarenas province on Costa Rica's Pacific coast.
›Road travel to the Nicoya Peninsula involves ferry crossings, making air access a practical alternative.
›Managed within Costa Rica's network of smaller domestic airstrips.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Gateway to Costa Rica's Pacific Coast through Puntarenas skies

Chacarita Airport is a small general aviation airstrip serving the Puntarenas region on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. It functions primarily as a domestic feeder airport, supporting light aircraft operations and connecting coastal communities to the broader national network. Its location near the Gulf of Nicoya makes it a practical access point for travelers heading to the Nicoya Peninsula and surrounding areas.

Terminals

Main Terminal — A modest single-building facility handling light domestic and charter flight arrivals and departures.

Ground Transport

Taxis available at the terminal entrance
Car rental agencies in nearby Puntarenas city
Local buses connecting Puntarenas city center
Ferry connections to Nicoya Peninsula from nearby Puntarenas dock

Nearby Hotels

Hotel Tioga Puntarenas
Doubletree Resort by Hilton Puntarenas
Hotel Las Brisas Puntarenas
Hotel Colonial Puntarenas

Dining

The airport itself offers minimal food facilities given its small scale, so travelers are advised to eat before arriving or shortly after reaching Puntarenas city. The nearby seaside strip in Puntarenas town features numerous sodas and restaurants serving fresh ceviche, fried fish, and traditional Costa Rican casados. Street food vendors near the ferry terminal are popular with locals and visitors alike.

Traveller Tips

Confirm your flight details directly with the charter or domestic carrier, as schedules at small airstrips can be flexible.
Arrive with local colones for taxis, as card payment options may be limited at this small facility.
If heading to the Nicoya Peninsula, coordinate your flight arrival with ferry departure times from Puntarenas dock.
Light aircraft weight limits apply — check baggage allowances carefully with your operator before travel.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

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Encyclopaedia

Chacarita Airport is an airport serving the town of Chacarita in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica. Chacarita is on the Pacific coast at the base of the Puntarenas peninsula, just east of Puntarenas city.

Read full article on Wikipedia

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