Article and most photos by Dylan Clements of Clements Travel
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo looks more complicated to reach on paper than it is. For many travelers, there is no direct flight to the resort, which can make Baja California, Puerto Vallarta or Cancun seem easier. Tamarindo does require a little more planning, but it is worth the extra effort. In our view, it is the best resort in Mexico.
For most guests, the first airport to check is Manzanillo-Costalegre International Airport (ZLO). If the flights do not work, Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) is the main alternative.
There are also options through Mexico City, Guadalajara and Colima, plus AeroTamarindo and private aviation.
Clements Travel is a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, and our Guest Experience desk can help with flights, airport transfers and AeroTamarindo arrangements for Four Seasons Tamarindo. This is a complimentary service to all our clients.
What is the closest airport to Four Seasons Tamarindo?
Manzanillo-Costalegre International Airport (ZLO) is the closest commercial airport to Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo.
The resort is 44.7 km / 27.8 miles from the airport, with a drive time of around 50 minutes.
Manzanillo is a small airport, which is one of its advantages. Immigration, baggage collection and the general arrival process are usually straightforward.
Depending on the season, nonstop flights operate from Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix and Calgary, along with regular service from Mexico City.
Four Seasons can arrange a private airport transfer. The current published rate is MXN 4,600 each way per SUV for up to five people. We confirm the latest rate when preparing your quote, as prices can change.
For guests staying in many of the larger Premium Suites, villas and residences, return airport transportation is included, so check before paying for a separate transfer. We confirm exactly what is included with your accommodation when quoting your stay.
If there is a good nonstop flight into Manzanillo on your dates, this is usually the easiest way to reach Four Seasons Tamarindo.
Mexico City to Manzanillo
There are regular flights between Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and Manzanillo. The good thing about Mexico City Airport is it is serviced by flights all over the USA and Europe.
The flight takes around 1 hour 25 minutes.
Mexico City Airport can be a little complicated, but Four Seasons can arrange airport assistance. This can include:
- Meet and greet on arrival
- Help with your connection
- VIP lounge access during the layover
- Escort to your departure gate
There is also service from Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) to Manzanillo. MEX and AIFA are separate airports, so check this carefully before booking.
If you want to stop in Mexico City, Four Seasons currently has a Beach to City: Best of Mexico offer.
For selected dates from September 19, 2026 through April 30, 2028, you can receive up to 30% off the Room Rate when combining:
- At least 2 nights at Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City
- At least 1 night at Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo
Breakfast for two is included at both hotels as well as other benefits such as upgrades, creidts and early check-in or late checkout.
Puerto Vallarta to Four Seasons Tamarindo
Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) has considerably more international service than Manzanillo, so it can be a useful gateway when it gives you a better nonstop flight from home. This is the option that most of our clients have been doing a the moment in conjunction with AeroTamarindo and its worked very well.
There are several ways to travel from Puerto Vallarta to Four Seasons Tamarindo.
By road
Four Seasons can arrange a private SUV directly from Puerto Vallarta Airport to the resort.
- Travel time: approximately 3 hours 50 minutes
- Price: MXN 11,500 (approximately USD 670) each way
- Capacity: up to five guests
- Tip: included
For guests staying in certain Premium Suites, ground transportation from PVR may already be included. We can confirm this when quoting your accommodation.
AeroTamarindo
AeroTamarindo is the much faster alternative to making the entire journey by road.
The service flies from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Chamela Airstrip (CHM). Chamela is a small local airstrip rather than another commercial airport terminal, and Four Seasons meets guests on arrival for the onward transfer to the resort.
- Flight time: approximately 25 minutes
- Complete journey: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
- Aircraft: up to six passengers
- Price: USD 2,990 per aircraft each way
- Roundtrip: USD 5,980 per aircraft
- Chamela to Four Seasons transfer: included
- Tip: included
The price is per aircraft rather than per passenger, so it can work particularly well for families and small groups traveling together.
Four Seasons also offers an Air & Suite package on selected dates and accommodation categories. This combines the accommodation, roundtrip AeroTamarindo flights and the transfers between Chamela and the resort. Depending on the dates and room category, this can work out less than booking everything separately.
Private aircraft
Private flights can also be arranged if the AeroTamarindo schedule does not work with your international flights or you would prefer an aircraft exclusively for your party.
- Private aircraft options are available
- Pricing depends on aircraft type and number of passengers
- Scheduling can be arranged around your international flights
- Four Seasons can coordinate the onward transfer from the airstrip
We obtain current pricing from Four Seasons based on your dates and party size.
Helicopter
Helicopter transfers are not currently published by Four Seasons as a standard transfer option from Puerto Vallarta.
If you would prefer to arrive by helicopter, we can ask the resort whether a private charter can be arranged and obtain current pricing and timings.
For most guests arriving into Puerto Vallarta, the main choice is therefore between the private road transfer at approximately USD 670 each way or AeroTamarindo at USD 2,990 per aircraft each way, which reduces the complete journey to around 1 hour 30 minutes. However as per the below you can do a package for AeroTamarindo which offets a lot of this cost.
Four Seasons Tamarindo Air & Suite Package
If you are staying in one of the resort's Cliffside or Beachfront suites, check the Arrive in Style: Air & Suite Package before booking transportation separately.
The offer is currently valid for selected dates from September 19, 2026 through December 31, 2028 and requires a minimum stay of four nights.
It includes:
- Round-trip AeroTamarindo flights between Puerto Vallarta International Airport and Chamela Airstrip
- Round-trip transportation between Chamela Airstrip and Four Seasons Tamarindo
The package includes one checked bag per booking and one carry-on per person.
Extra, overweight or oversized luggage, including golf clubs and surf equipment, may incur additional ground transportation charges.
Once the reservation is confirmed, the Four Seasons Air team contacts the guest to arrange the arrival and departure flights.
Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits
The Air & Suite Package can also include Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits when booked through Clements Travel.
Benefits at Four Seasons Tamarindo include:
- Daily full breakfast for two people per bedroom
- USD 100 resort credit for guest rooms
- USD 200 resort credit for suites and Specialty Suites
- USD 200 resort credit per bedroom for qualifying Villa & Residence Rentals
- One-category upgrade at check-in, subject to availability
- Preferred Partner recognition from Four Seasons
Usual exclusions apply to upgrades on Specialty Suites, villas and Villa & Residence Rentals.
Some Four Seasons Tamarindo suites include airport transfers
The Air & Suite Package is not the only way transportation can be included.Guests staying in designated Premium Suites can receive complimentary luxury ground transportation from Manzanillo or Puerto Vallarta.
If you are booking one of the larger suites or villas at Four Seasons Tamarindo, check what is included before paying separately for an airport transfer.
Guadalajara to Four Seasons Tamarindo
Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) is another option, particularly if you are already in Mexico or find a considerably better flight into Guadalajara.
- Drive time: approximately 5 hours
- Private transfer: Four Seasons can arrange this in advance
- Small aircraft: flights can also be arranged from Guadalajara to the Tamarindo area
Given the driving time, Guadalajara normally makes the most sense when the flight schedule is significantly better than flying into Manzanillo or Puerto Vallarta.
If you are considering the small-aircraft option, we can compare the total travel time and cost with flying through Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo.
Colima Airport to Four Seasons Tamarindo
Colima Airport (CLQ) is a smaller domestic airport and can be useful if you are already traveling within Mexico.
- Drive time: approximately 2 hours 40 minutes
- Best for: domestic connections within Mexico
- Transfers: private transportation can be arranged in advance
For most international travelers, Manzanillo or Puerto Vallarta will be more practical. Colima is worth checking when the domestic flight schedule lines up particularly well.
Private Aviation
Private aircraft can use Manzanillo International Airport (ZLO) and Chamela Airstrip (CHM), with Chamela being considerably closer to Four Seasons.
Four Seasons can also coordinate smaller aircraft from:
- Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
- Guadalajara (GDL)
- Other airports on request, depending on aircraft and routing
For a family or larger group, it is worth comparing the total cost of a private aircraft with multiple commercial tickets and the required ground transfers. We can obtain current aircraft options and pricing from Four Seasons for your dates.
Airport Transfers
Four Seasons can arrange the complete journey from the airport to the resort, including ground transfers and, where appropriate, connecting flights to Chamela.
We recommend arranging transportation before arrival, particularly if using a small aircraft or arriving into Chamela.
Transfer costs vary by airport, vehicle and number of passengers. We confirm the current options, including the tip where applicable, when quoting your stay rather than relying on older published prices.
Can you rent a car?
Yes. Renting a car is straightforward at both Manzanillo (ZLO) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR), although most guests will have little need for their own vehicle once they arrive at Four Seasons Tamarindo.
Car rental at Manzanillo
Manzanillo Airport has several well-known rental companies operating at the terminal, including:
- Hertz
- Thrifty
- Budget / Payless
- Localiza
- America Car Rental
The drive from Manzanillo Airport to Four Seasons Tamarindo takes approximately 50 minutes.
This is the more practical airport if you want to rent a car and drive yourself to the resort.
Car rental at Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta Airport has a much larger selection of rental companies, including:
- Enterprise / National
- Avis
- Budget
- Alamo
- Dollar / Thrifty
Most have desks directly in the airport arrivals area.
The main consideration is the drive. Puerto Vallarta to Four Seasons Tamarindo takes around 3 hours 50 minutes, primarily along Federal Highway 200.
Highway 200 is not an interstate-style freeway for much of this route. There are substantial stretches of two-lane highway with one lane in each direction, along with curves, hills, towns and slower vehicles. The drive is perfectly possible, but it can feel considerably longer than the distance suggests.
For that reason, I would generally avoid planning the PVR drive after a long international flight or late at night. The Four Seasons transfer or the short flight to Chamela is much easier.
Do you need a car at Four Seasons Tamarindo?
Probably not.
Four Seasons Tamarindo is a destination resort within a 3,000-acre private reserve, and most of what you are likely to do during your stay is either at the resort or arranged through Four Seasons.
Once there, you have:
- Restaurants and bars
- Beaches and pools
- Golf
- Spa and fitness facilities
- Hiking and nature activities
- Water sports
- Rancho Lola
- Boat and fishing trips
- Resort transportation within the reserve
A rental car makes more sense if Tamarindo is part of a longer Mexican road trip or you specifically want the freedom to explore the surrounding Costalegre independently.
For a stay where you are flying in specifically for Four Seasons Tamarindo, airport transfers are generally easier than renting a car purely for the journey to and from the resort.
Can you arrive at Four Seasons Tamarindo by yacht?
Yes. Four Seasons Tamarindo has a private pier at Tamarindo Beach and can receive guests arriving by yacht.
Arrival details should be arranged with the resort in advance.
Booking Four Seasons Tamarindo with Clements Travel
Clements Travel is a Four Seasons Preferred Partner.
Our dedicated Guest Experience desk can review the flight options, compare the airports, arrange AeroTamarindo or ground transportation and coordinate your arrival with Four Seasons.
We also check whether your suite or villa already includes transportation before anything is booked.
There is no additional charge for our Guest Experience service, and you pay Four Seasons directly.
Planning a stay at Four Seasons Tamarindo?
We can arrange your Four Seasons Tamarindo stay through Four Seasons Preferred Partner, with the same rates available directly from Four Seasons and additional benefits including:
- Daily breakfast for two per bedroom, including In-Room Dining
- USD 100 resort credit for rooms or USD 200 for suites
- Room upgrade, subject to availability
- Early check-in and late checkout, subject to availability
- Welcome amenity
- Complimentary premium Wi-Fi
We can also coordinate the logistics, including airport transfers, AeroTamarindo flights, private aviation and activities, so everything works around your international flights.
On selected dates, we may also have access to confirmed upgrades or Air & Suite packages that can offer better value than booking the individual components separately.
Send us your dates, number of guests and preferred departure airport and we’ll put together the best available Four Seasons Tamarindo options.
