Costa Rica: Getting There

Airports San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) is Costa Rica’s primary gateway, but Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in the northwestern city of Liberia also handles some flights from the U.S. and Canada.

Airlines Both San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) are served by Continental, Delta, American, and US Airways from their respective U.S. hubs. San Jose is also served by Spirit (from Fort Lauderdale) and Frontier (from Denver). Liberia is also served by United (seasonal) and Northwest (from Minneapolis). Costa Rican national carrier Lacsa flies non-stop between San Jose and New York (JFK), Miami, and Los Angeles.

Flight Times Just under 3 hours non-stop from Miami; about 4 hours from Houston or Dallas; 5.5 hours from both New York or Los Angeles (the two U.S. cities are just about equidistant from San Jose).