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San Jose

Costa Rica · SJO

Flights to San Jose
from 238 US$

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Cancun → San Jose238 US$Panama City → San Jose271 US$Guatemala City → San Jose328 US$
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Photos: Unsplash

About San Jose

San José, Costa Rica’s capital, mixes theaters and museums with a vibrant food scene and is the gateway to volcanoes, jungles and beaches.

San Jose has nonstop service from 13 cities in our network, plus one-stop connections from many more. The best recent fare departs from Cancun at 238 US$. Live prices by origin city are below.

Cities with a direct flight
13
Best recent fare
238 US$
From Cancun
Airports
SJO

Best time to visit

The dry season (December–April) is best for exploring; from May to November it rains in the afternoons.

Top things to do in San Jose

  1. 01Admire the National Theater
  2. 02Eat in Barrio Escalante
  3. 03Explore the Central Market
  4. 04Day trip to Poás Volcano

From the airport to San Jose

Aeropuerto Internacional Juan SantamaríaSJO

About 18 km from downtown San José, in Alajuela

Getting around: Buses, official orange taxis, apps and rental cars

Before you go

Getting around San Jose

Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) is in Alajuela, about 20 km from downtown, roughly 30–45 minutes by taxi or Uber. The city has cheap buses and official red taxis.

Where to stay in San Jose

  • Barrio Escalante — The dining epicenter with cafés, bars and trendy restaurants.
  • Barrio Amón — Historic neighborhood with coffee-baron houses, boutique hotels and galleries.
  • Escazú — Affluent western suburb with malls and nightlife.
  • La Sabana — Green area around the metropolitan park and the Costa Rican Art Museum.

How much does it cost?

Costa Rica is pricier than its neighbors: a mid-range traveler spends about 50–100 USD per day.

Is it safe?

San José is generally safe; watch for pickpockets downtown and around the Coca-Cola area, and avoid poorly lit streets at night.

Live prices

Flights to San Jose from these cities

13 direct
Best priceCancunCUNDirect238 US$round tripDirect · ~2 hSee →Panama CityPTYGood price271 US$round tripDirect · ~1 hSee →Guatemala CityGUAGood price328 US$round tripDirect · ~2 hSee →BogotaBOGDirect—Direct · ~2 hSee →MedellinMDEDirect—Direct · ~2 hSee →Mexico CityMEXDirect—Direct · ~3 hSee →MonterreyMTYDirect—Direct · ~4 hSee →LimaLIMDirect—Direct · ~4 hSee →GuayaquilGYEDirect—Direct · ~2 hSee →Santo DomingoSDQDirect—Direct · ~3 hSee →CaracasCCSDirect—Direct · ~3 hSee →MadridMADDirect—Direct · ~11 hSee →
1The sticker price is real — but it moves fastLow fares last hours or days. If the number works for you, search it today; waiting rarely improves it.
2Nonstop isn’t always pricierCompare before deciding: sometimes the layover saves little money and costs many hours.
3Flexibility = moneyShifting departure 2–3 days can move the fare by 100+ US$. Use the price calendar when searching.

Keep exploring

All flights to Costa Rica →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about San Jose

When is the best time to fly to San José and how can I save?+

Fly in the dry season (December–April); book 1–3 months ahead and avoid the year-end holidays for better prices.

How long is the flight to San José?+

It is about 1 hour 10 minutes from Panama and around 3 hours from Miami.

Which volcanoes can I visit from San José?+

Poás Volcano is about 1.5 hours away and Arenal about 3 hours; both can be visited on day tours or independently.

How do I find cheap flights to San Jose?+

Compare hundreds of airlines and agencies on Volar and pick the cheapest month to fly to San Jose. We send you to book on the official site, with no hidden fees.

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