Flights to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is well served by international airlines, with direct flights from the US, Canada, Europe, and Latin America. The country has two main international airports — choosing the right one can save you hours of driving.
Which airport should I fly into — SJO or LIR?
It depends on where you're headed. Juan Santamaría (SJO) near San José is Costa Rica's main hub and is the right choice if you're visiting the Central Valley, Caribbean coast, Manuel Antonio, or the Osa Peninsula. Daniel Oduber (LIR) in Liberia serves the Guanacaste province and gives you direct access to beaches like Tamarindo, Nosara, Playa Flamingo, and Rincon de la Vieja — cutting out a 4–5 hour drive from San José.
If your itinerary keeps you in Guanacaste, LIR is almost always the smarter choice even if the flight costs slightly more.
The Two International Airports
Juan Santamaría (SJO)
Located in Alajuela, about 18 km northwest of San José. Costa Rica's busiest airport and the main hub for international and domestic connections. Best for: San José, Manuel Antonio, Arenal, Monteverde, the Caribbean coast, and the Osa Peninsula.
Ground transport: Official orange taxis, Uber (outside the terminal), shared shuttles, and rental car desks in the terminal.
Daniel Oduber (LIR)
Located near Liberia in Guanacaste province, about 230 km northwest of San José. Smaller and easier to navigate than SJO. Best for: Tamarindo, Nosara, Playa Flamingo, Samara, Rincon de la Vieja, and any northern Guanacaste beach.
Ground transport: Taxis, rental cars, and pre-arranged shuttles. Fewer Uber drivers than SJO — arrange transport in advance.
Unofficial Taxi Touts at SJO
When you exit customs at SJO, you will be approached by men offering taxi rides. Do not take unofficial taxis. Only use the official orange taxis with the TAXI sticker from the authorized TAXIS AEROPUERTO stand inside the terminal, or exit the building and request an Uber. Unlicensed "pirate" taxis have been known to overcharge and in rare cases pose safety risks.
Airlines Flying to Costa Rica
Both SJO and LIR receive direct flights from North America and Europe. LIR has fewer routes but growing seasonal service from the US and Canada.
| Airline | Type | Hub Cities | Airport(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Full-service | Dallas, Miami, New York JFK, Charlotte | SJO, LIR |
| United Airlines | Full-service | Houston, Newark, Chicago, Denver | SJO, LIR |
| Delta Air Lines | Full-service | Atlanta, New York JFK, Los Angeles | SJO, LIR |
| Southwest Airlines | Low-cost | Baltimore, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles | SJO, LIR |
| JetBlue | Low-cost | New York JFK, Fort Lauderdale, Boston | SJO |
| Spirit Airlines | Ultra low-cost | Fort Lauderdale, Orlando | SJO |
| Frontier Airlines | Ultra low-cost | Denver, Miami, Orlando | SJO |
| Volaris | Low-cost | Mexico City, Guadalajara | SJO |
| Air Canada | Full-service | Toronto, Montreal | SJO, LIR |
| WestJet | Low-cost | Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver | SJO, LIR |
| Iberia | Full-service | Madrid | SJO |
| Lufthansa / Condor | Full-service / charter | Frankfurt, Munich | SJO |
| Copa Airlines | Full-service | Panama City (PTY) | SJO |
| Avianca | Full-service | Bogotá, Medellín, Lima | SJO |
When to Book & Seasonal Pricing
High Season (Dec – Apr)
Peak demand coincides with dry season in the Pacific and Central Valley. Flights fill up fast — especially around Christmas, New Year, and spring break. Book 3–6 months in advance for the best fares. Prices from the US typically range $400–$700+ roundtrip.
Green Season Deals (May – Nov)
The rainy season (called "green season" locally) brings significantly lower airfares, often $250–$450 roundtrip from the US. Rain usually comes in afternoon downpours, leaving mornings clear. Fewer crowds, lower accommodation prices, and lush scenery make this an underrated time to visit.
Best Booking Window
For high season travel, start searching 4–6 months out and set price alerts. For green season, 6–10 weeks out often yields great deals. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically cheaper than Friday–Sunday. Flexibility of even 1–2 days can save $100+.
Flight Search Tools
Google Flights is excellent for date-grid searches to spot cheapest days. Skyscanner aggregates budget carriers that Google sometimes misses. Set fare alerts on both. For positioning flights from Europe, consider routing via Panama City (PTY with Copa) or Mexico City (MEX with Volaris/Aeromexico).
Baggage Tips
Checked Bag Fees on Budget Airlines
Spirit, Frontier, and Volaris charge separately for checked bags and sometimes even carry-ons. Always calculate the total cost including bags before assuming a budget carrier is cheaper than a full-service airline. On a two-week trip with a surfboard or dive gear, the fees add up fast.
Surfboards & Oversized Items
Most airlines allow surfboards as checked baggage for an oversized fee ($50–$150 each way depending on the carrier). American and United tend to have the most reasonable surf fees. Alternatively, many surf schools and rental shops in popular areas like Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, and Jacó rent quality boards affordably — consider traveling light and renting on arrival.
Carry-On vs. Checked
For short trips, traveling carry-on only speeds up airport arrival significantly — customs lines at SJO can be long, and the baggage carousel wait adds 20–40 minutes. For longer stays or adventure gear-heavy trips, one checked bag is worth it. Pack any valuables and medications in your carry-on.
Arriving at SJO: What to Expect
The arrival process at Juan Santamaría is straightforward but can be slow during peak periods. Budget 60–90 minutes from landing to exiting the terminal.
- 1
Immigration
Join the queue for passport control. Expect 20–45 minutes during peak times. Have your passport, return ticket (or onward travel proof), and accommodation address ready. Officers may ask how long you plan to stay and where you're going.
- 2
Baggage Claim
Collect your checked bags from the carousel. Check the monitor boards for your flight's carousel number.
- 3
Customs — Red/Green Light System
Costa Rica uses a random selection system. After declaring your items, you press a button. A green light means you walk through without inspection. A red light means your bags will be X-rayed and inspected. The vast majority of travelers get green. Declare any items over your duty-free allowance (typically $500 in goods, 3L of spirits, 400 cigarettes).
- 4
Exiting the Terminal
You'll emerge into the arrivals hall where meeters, taxi drivers, and tour operators wait. Head past this crowd to find the official orange taxi stand, or walk further outside to request an Uber. Rental car desks are located in the terminal building — follow signage for your company.
Ground Transport from SJO
| Option | Cost to San José | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Official Orange Taxi | $20–$30 | Metered, safe, and reliable. Use the TAXIS AEROPUERTO stand inside the terminal only. |
| Uber | $12–$20 | Exit the terminal building and request via app. Wait in the designated rideshare zone. Not available inside the terminal. |
| Shared Shuttle | $15–$25/person | Pre-book for popular destinations. Great value if traveling alone. Interbus, Tropical, and Gray Line offer airport pickups. |
| Rental Car | Included in rental | Desks in the terminal. Read car rental tips before booking — CR insurance rules are different. See our driving guide. |
| Public Bus | ~$0.75 | The Alajuela–San José bus stops near the airport. Very cheap but slow and not practical with large luggage. |
| Private Transfer | $40–$80 | Pre-booked through your hotel or a transfer company. Best for groups or late-night arrivals. |
Domestic Flights Within Costa Rica
Costa Rica is small but its mountainous terrain and poor road conditions make domestic flights a worthwhile option for reaching remote destinations quickly. A drive that takes 6+ hours can become a 45-minute flight.
Book Domestic Flights Early
SANSA and other domestic carriers have limited seats on small aircraft (typically Cessna 208 Caravans seating 12–14 passengers). During high season, popular routes like SJO–Quepos (for Manuel Antonio), SJO–Puerto Jiménez (for the Osa), and SJO–Tamarindo sell out weeks in advance. Book as soon as your dates are confirmed.
| Route | Approx. Flight Time | Price Range | Carrier(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SJO → Quepos (MQZ) | 25 min | $80–$130 | SANSA |
| SJO → Liberia (LIR) | 45 min | $100–$160 | SANSA |
| SJO → Puerto Jiménez (PJM) | 55 min | $120–$180 | SANSA |
| SJO → Tamarindo (TNO) | 50 min | $110–$170 | SANSA |
| SJO → Nosara (NOB) | 50 min | $100–$160 | SANSA |
| SJO → Tortuguero (TTQ) | 30 min | $90–$150 | SANSA |
| SJO → Drake Bay (DRK) | 55 min | $110–$170 | SANSA |
Small Plane Luggage Limits
SANSA and charter operators typically enforce strict luggage limits on small aircraft — often 12–14 kg total (checked + carry-on combined), and bags must be soft-sided. Oversized or hard-shell luggage may be refused. Check with your carrier before departure and pack accordingly.
Flight Booking Pro Tips
Use Positioning Flights
If you live in a smaller city with no direct service to CR, consider positioning to a major hub (Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Dallas) the day before your international flight. This buffers against missed connections and often opens up better fare combinations.
Copa via Panama City
For travelers from Europe or South America, Copa Airlines has excellent connections through Panama City (PTY) to both SJO and LIR. PTY is a modern, efficient hub with relatively short connection times.
Check Both SJO and LIR
Always compare fares to both airports, even if SJO seems like the default. If you're visiting Guanacaste, the time saved by flying into LIR is often worth paying $50–$100 more on the flight.
Price Alerts
Set fare alerts on Google Flights and Hopper for your route. Prices fluctuate significantly — sometimes by $200+ within a few days. Being flexible on departure date by even 1–2 days can dramatically cut costs.