Country Guide » Travel To & Around
Costa Rica has two main international airports that normally get flights from different parts of the world.
In 1930, during the administration of president Cleto González Víquez , the first international airport was inaugurated in La Sabana Metropolitan Park, in San Jose. This airport worked for the next 44 years getting flights mainly from Central America until “El Coco” Airport was inaugurated in 1958. “El Coco” later became the “Juan Santamaría International Airport”, named after the Costa Rican hero who died in 1856 defending his country.
The other international airport in the country is Liberia (LIR) – although the airport was inaugurated back in 1995, its demand increased considerably until 2006. The airport was named after former Costa Rican president Daniel Oduber Quiros.
Both airports receive international flights from South, Central and North America as well as from Europe. The San Jose Airport, being the largest, ranks second in the region, only after Tocumen, Panama. Here is a list of the main airlines that fly to Costa Rica:
| Airline | Airport | Flights from |
|---|---|---|
| Aeromexico | SJO | Mexico DF |
| Air Canada | SJO/LIR | Toronto / Montreal |
| American Airlines | SJO/LIR | Miami / Dallas / NYC |
| Continental /United | SJO/LIR | Houston / Newark |
| Copa | SJO/LIR | Panama |
| Central America | ||
| South America | ||
| Orlando | ||
| Delta | SJO/LIR | Atlanta |
| Frontier | SJO/LIR | Phoenix |
| Iberia | SJO | Madrid |
| Jet Blue | SJO/LIR | Orlando/NYC |
| Spirit Airlines | SJO | Ft. Lauderdale |
| TACA | SJO/LIR | Miami |
| Los Angeles | ||
| NYC | ||
| Toronto | ||
| Montreal | ||
| Chicago | ||
| Dallas | ||
| San Francisco | ||
| Central and South America | ||
| US Airways | SJO/LIR | Phoenix / Charlotte |
Seasonal flights:
Most airlines offer flights on a seasonal basis to Liberia. One example is Frontier which offers flights to Liberia from Phoenix only between November and April. You will have to check directly with the airlines about fares, specific days of operation, etc. etc.
Another important thing to keep in mind are prices – high season in Costa Rica lasts between December 15 and April 30; airline tickets usually become more expensive during this time, specifically over Christmas week. Low season lasts between May 1 and December 14th, and even though tickets are considerably less expensive, the frequency of the flights also decreases.
One recommendation is to check on weekday arrivals if you are looking to save some money, or keep an eye open for weekend specials, usually available depending on the demand of a specific flight.
