Costa Rica packs beaches, rainforest, and volcanoes into a short flight from the southern US, and the fares are friendlier than most international trips because low-cost carriers compete hard on the route. Here is how to find the cheapest way in.
Where to fly into Costa Rica
| Airport | Best for |
|---|---|
| San Jose (SJO) | Central valley, most flights, cheapest fares |
| Liberia (LIR) | Guanacaste beaches in the northwest |
San Jose usually has the most competition and the lowest fares. Liberia can save a long drive if you are headed straight to the northern beaches, so compare both for your dates.
Compare Costa Rica fares fast
FareFinderAI prices San Jose and Liberia across airlines at once so the cheapest gateway and dates are obvious. Free, no account.
Search Cheap Flights Free →The cheapest time to fly
The green season (May to November) has the lowest fares and lush scenery, with afternoon rains rather than all-day washouts in much of the country. The dry season (December to April) is the peak and the most expensive, especially the winter holidays and spring break. Shoulder months on either edge, like May and November, blend decent weather with lower prices.
How to book it cheap
- Fly from a southern hub like Houston, Miami, or Dallas for the most nonstops.
- Go midweek per the cheapest days to fly.
- Book about 2 to 4 months out; see when to book flights.
- Set an alert on your home airport to SJO; here is how alerts work.
For more warm-weather value, see cheap flights to Mexico and the cheapest Caribbean islands.