How to find cheap flights to Costa Rica
Lock in a better price on a flight to Costa Rica by taking off from Sydney, often the most affordable departure option.
Consider flying into Liberia for even more value from your fare.
The cheapest time to visit Costa Rica is generally May.
For a round trip, the lowest price right now is $1,837. One-way fares are available from $1,026.
Not fussed where you land and just want to save? Compare the cheapest places to fly into by adding your departure airport, then entering 'Costa Rica' in the 'To' field.
If you already know your destination city, select 'Add nearby airports.' This lets you compare fares across nearby airports and potentially get better value.
Save yourself the daily search for fares by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an instant notification whenever the price drops on your route.
The sooner you book, the better. You might come across some amazing early bird discounts.
The best time to go to Costa Rica
To find the month or even day with the cheapest flights, use the 'Whole month' tool. If your travel dates are flexible, search for the green prices on the calendar — they show you the lowest fares available.
Organise your trip for March if you'd like to be there when it's busy. This is the most popular month for flights, but also when fares are usually more expensive.
December is the quietest time of year to visit if you want a slower pace. You'll generally find cheaper prices on plane tickets to Costa Rica then.
The weather can influence everything from sightseeing to packing, so travel when the forecast suits your plans. Maximum temperatures average 28ºC (82ºF) in March, making it one of the warmest months in Costa Rica.
January brings cooler conditions, with lows averaging 16ºC (61ºF).
July is typically the rainiest month, while February is the driest.
Also take into account rainy season and peak flooding times when picking your dates. Of course, weather risks depend on where you go and the timing of your trip.
Getting to Costa Rica
You've got a few arrival options when you're ready to book flights to Costa Rica. Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose and Liberia Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in Liberia are where most flights touch down.
The airlines carrying the most traffic into this destination, along with approximate monthly flight counts, are:
Avianca — 610
United — 330
American Airlines — 320
Houston, Atlanta and Dallas are among the major hubs used as stopover points on flights to Costa Rica. Stops vary by route, so it pays to check the connection details for your departure city.
Places to visit in Costa Rica
San Jose
With a population of roughly 340,000 and located in San José Province, this city tops the list of must-visit places.
Make time for popular stops like National Park (Parque Nacional), Central Park (Parque Central) and Precolumbian Gold Museum, as well as other landmarks.
Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) handles most international flights into San Jose. You'll find some excellent flight deals to Costa Rica landing at this major hub.
Ready to choose the perfect place to stay? Explore the full lineup of hotels in San Jose.
Liberia
This Guanacaste Province city of around 45,500 has an appeal all of its own.
Museo de Guanacaste, Mirador de Liberia and Church of La Ermita La Agonia are among the first things worth making time for.
Liberia Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) is the city's main airport.
Check out hotels in Liberia and lock in a stay that lines up with your plans.
Good to know
Entry rules can vary, so check in advance whether you'll need a visa or any other types of documentation before you travel. Your travel agent, airline or the local consulate or embassy should have the most up-to-date information.
ATMs (automatic teller machines) are common in cities of every size, from major hubs to smaller urban areas.
Tipping is expected in Costa Rica. People generally base the tip on the service level, and adding one is simply part of everyday life here.
With moderate Wi-Fi coverage, getting online is possible in busy areas. Access can drop outside them though.
San José is the capital of Costa Rica, which has a population of around 5.1 million.
This destination has one standard time zone of UTC-6.
Costa Rica sits in the Americas within the Central America subregion.
Some of the biggest events on the calendar include Independence Day, the Festival of Light and Palmares Festival. Time your flight to Costa Rica around these occasions for an experience that goes deeper than the highlights.
Complete your trip with hotels and a car hire
Found that cheap ticket to Costa Rica? Now decide where you're going to stay and how you'll travel around. Check out the range of hotels in Costa Rica and filter your search by location, price range and more. Also browse car hire options in Costa Rica and choose from pickup locations in cities or right at the airport.
