Cheap Flights to Costa Rica: When to Book and How to Save

The cheapest flights to Costa Rica usually come in the green (rainy) season: May and June, and September through mid-November, outside holiday weeks. The most expensive times are mid-December through April, Easter week and July. To save, compare both international airports, San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR), fly midweek, set fare alerts early, and count bag fees before you choose a budget airline.

This guide is for travelers from North America and Europe planning a Costa Rica trip. It covers when fares drop, which airport to fly into, which airlines fly there, how far ahead to book and the extra costs that can wipe out a cheap fare. It doesn’t list prices, because fares change daily; it shows you how to find the low ones yourself.

Cheap flights to Costa Rica	At a glance
Cheapest months	May–June and September–mid-November, outside holidays
Most expensive	Mid-December to April, Easter week, July
Airports	San José (SJO) for most of the country; Liberia (LIR) for Guanacaste beaches
Best tools	Google Flights, Kayak, Skyscanner or Expedia, with price alerts
When to book	Start watching 3–6 months out; earlier for Christmas, New Year and Easter
Budget airlines	Low fares, but bags and seats cost extra
Departure tax	$29, usually included in the ticket

Timing

Cheapest Time to Fly to Costa Rica

Airfare follows Costa Rica’s seasons and North American school calendars.

Period	Fares	Why
Mid-December–early January	Highest	Christmas and New Year, dry season starts
January–April	High	Dry season; spring break and Easter week
May–June	Low	Green season starts, mostly afternoon rain
July–August	Medium to high	Summer vacation in North America and Europe
September–mid-November	Lowest	Wettest months on the Pacific side

September and October usually bring the lowest fares, but they’re also the rainiest months on most of the Pacific coast. They’re a good time for the Caribbean side, which is often sunniest then. May, June and November offer a good balance of lower prices and manageable rain. See our guides to the Costa Rica rainy season and the best time to visit by region.

Airports

San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR): Which Is Cheaper?

Costa Rica has two main international airports, and fares to each can differ by a lot on the same dates. Search both, then factor in the ground trip from the airport.

• Juan Santamaría International (SJO), near San José: the bigger airport, with the most airlines and routes. Best for the Central Valley, Arenal and La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, the South Pacific and the Caribbean.
• Daniel Oduber Quirós International (LIR), in Liberia: best for Guanacaste beaches such as Tamarindo, Playas del Coco and Conchal, and for Rincón de la Vieja. Many of its routes are seasonal, from December to April.
• Open-jaw tickets: flying into one airport and out of the other can save hours of backtracking, and sometimes costs about the same as a round trip.

A cheaper flight into the wrong airport can cost you a day and a long transfer. See our Costa Rica airport guide, plus our guides to private transfers, the public bus and domestic flights.

Airlines

Which Airlines Fly to Costa Rica?

Routes change every season, so treat this as a starting list and check which airlines fly nonstop from your nearest hub.

• U.S. airlines: American, United and Delta fly from their hubs, and JetBlue, Southwest, Frontier and Breeze add low-cost options from several cities. Spirit, once a common budget choice, shut down in May 2026.
• Canada: Air Canada, WestJet, Porter and Air Transat, with many flights in the winter season only.
• Europe: nonstop flights include British Airways from London and Lufthansa from Frankfurt, plus Spanish and other European carriers, several of them seasonal.
• Latin America: Copa (through Panama City) and Avianca (through Bogotá and San Salvador) often have good connecting fares, especially from smaller U.S. and Latin American cities.

Nonstop flights save time but often cost more. A one-stop itinerary through Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Panama City or Bogotá can be much cheaper.

Booking

How Far in Advance to Book Flights to Costa Rica

• Dry season (December–April): start watching fares about 6 months ahead, and book once you see a fare you’re happy with.
• Christmas, New Year and Easter: book as early as you can; the best seats go first.
• Green season (May–November): 2–4 months ahead is usually enough, and last-minute deals are more likely.

Set alerts on Google Flights or Kayak for your exact route and both airports, and you’ll see when prices drop instead of guessing.

Save money

12 Ways to Find Cheap Flights to Costa Rica

1. Search both SJO and LIR every time.
2. Use flexible-date search to see the cheapest days in a month.
3. Check midweek and Saturday departures, which are often cheaper than Friday and Sunday.
4. Check nearby departure airports, such as Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami, or Newark instead of JFK.
5. Consider a positioning flight to a hub with cheap nonstops to Costa Rica, if the savings beat the extra hassle.
6. Price an open-jaw (into SJO, out of LIR, or the reverse).
7. Compare one-stop itineraries through Panama City, Bogotá or U.S. hubs.
8. Set price alerts as soon as you know your rough dates.
9. Book directly with the airline once you find a fare; changes and refunds are easier.
10. Use points and miles; the major U.S. airlines and their partners all fly to Costa Rica.
11. Look at flight-and-hotel packages, which sometimes beat booking separately. Compare Costa Rica packages on Expedia.
12. Travel in the green season, especially May, June and November.

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Hidden costs

Hidden Costs That Make Cheap Flights Expensive

• Bags and seats: basic economy and budget fares often charge for carry-ons, checked bags and seat choice. Add them up before you compare.
• Departure tax: Costa Rica’s $29 exit tax is usually included in the ticket. If it isn’t, you pay it at the airport before check-in.
• Ground transfers: a shuttle or private transfer from the “wrong” airport can cost more than the airfare you saved.
• Arrival times: late-night arrivals often mean an extra hotel night near the airport.
• Onward ticket: airlines and Costa Rican immigration can ask for proof you’re leaving the country. See our guide to entering Costa Rica without a return ticket.

Avoid these

Common Mistakes

• Booking the cheapest fare into LIR when most of the trip is near San José, or the reverse.
• Waiting for a last-minute deal over Christmas or Easter; they rarely come.
• Choosing a budget fare without pricing bags.
• Booking a tight connection on a separate ticket, with no protection if you miss it.
• Forgetting that your passport must be valid for your whole stay; see our passport tips.

For more ways to cut costs once you land, see how to save money on a Costa Rica trip and our Costa Rica travel checklist. If an airline cancels on you, travel insurance can cover the extra costs.

FAQ

Cheap Flights to Costa Rica: FAQ