LaFinca Ballooning. Our magic way to fly
Take Off: It's noisy and confusing and the roar of the burners is a bit scary -- pure adrenaline. Then suddenly it's surreal, quiet, weightless, timeless.
Your personal dragon, lifting you above mere mortals.
Up here we're free -- to dip and swoop into the treetops, to climb above the clouds and greet sunrise and puffing Arenal Volcano.
To dip down, into the rivers -- let the gentle current carry our basket downstream for a few minutes
Well, That was the Original Plan
The reality is, the pilot (Esteban, once again) crashed his motorcycle and won't be flying anything but crutches until December 2016. Don't feel sorry for him -- it's Monica and the kids who deserve sympathy.
Options and Pricing - when we're back in the air again
Reserving a Flight - Important Details
Weather and Minimum Weight Because the balloon requires a MINIMUM WEIGHT as well as a MAXIMUM WEIGHT, the flight will be cancelled if fewer than 4 people confirm. We will advise you the evening prior to the flight. Please CALL US 4001-1305 before 8 PM to learn about weather and minimum passenger load.
What to Wear: Strong shoes, long pants, long sleeve shirt (when we land there's likely to be tall grass and rough ground. Long sleeves and pants protect skin against insects.) Baseball cap - works way better against the rising sun than sunglasses. Temperature aloft is almost the same as on the surface -- only when we are descending do you feel any breeze, so no need for a jacket.
When and Where to Meet: Balloons are stable only for a few hours after sunrise, so we try to take off not long after sunrise. That means being in the launch field between 5:00 and 5:30 AM. When you reserve we will tell you exactly when to get to the launch field. We take off from Hotel Tilajari, 30 minutes east of La Fortuna (see MAPS page).
Missed The Flight?If you reserve and do not arrive in time to fly, sorry, we cannot refund your payment.
If we need to cancel the evening prior or the morning of the flight (for weather and safety) we will refund 100% of your payment.
Private Charter
For up to six passengers. To give more protection to smaller bodies (small kids or kids under 12) an adult with experience in ballooning must be dedicated to helping each child on the landing. If parents are not experienced in landing a balloon, LaFinca will add a crew member onboard to help, but that crew member occupies one of the six places.
Charter, for from 1 to 6 people, $900
Join a Group Flight
We take off with up to 6 passengers. Adults and children over 12 only.
Per adult or children 12 and older AND more than 1.2 m/4 ft tall, $175 per person.