This Is How I Find Cheap Flights to Costa Rica

Flying over the mountains of Costa Rica

Finding Cheap Flights to Costa Rica Is Not as Hard as you Think

The flight planning stage of any trip can be stressful, especially if you’re vacationing on a budget. But getting a good deal on a flight doesn’t have to mean constantly monitoring prices on a dozen different airline sites.

When you know which tools to use, booking a cheap flight to Costa Rica or anywhere else in the world can be painless. I know because I’ve done it myself, and I aim to make the process just as easy for you too.

Copa Airlines taking off at the San José Intl. Airport

Starting the Search for Cheap Flights to Costa Rica

A trip to Costa Rica starts with booking your flight. As an experienced traveler, I’ve learned the ins and outs of how to get the best prices on flights.

Playa Grande sunset & surf

Why Choose Costa Rica?

Offering everything from rainforest hiking tours to scenic beachside escapes, Costa Rica is one of my favorite places to travel, with activities and destinations that appeal to just about anyone.

Spending anywhere from a few days to a week or longer in this tropical paradise is surprisingly affordable compared to similar destinations in Central America, especially when you know how to book cheap flights.

Using Google Flights for Initial Research

Google Flights is the most user-friendly resource for finding flights, especially if you’re still in the early planning stage. Its tools let you compare flights from multiple departure airports and across a few days to see when the cheapest flights are available.

Start out by inputting information about your preferred flight, including the number of travelers, seating class, and your origin and destination points. You can see results for 6 different airports at a time, or search by country.

The departure date box shows a drop-down for two months of departures from your chosen date, with the cheapest days to fly highlighted in green text. Once you choose a date, Google Flights will show you their picks for the best flights with information about the number of stops - including nonstop flights - flight length, and the airline, alongside the cost.

The only major U.S. airport not included in results is Southwest Airlines, which does not display flight information on any flight search engine outside of its own site.

You can then select a flight and a corresponding return flight and see booking options. It’s my go-to tool if I’m short on time. But if possible, I’d also suggest checking out a more advanced tool before confirming anything.

Flying over Costa Rica with Avianca

Advanced Tools for Finding Cheap Flights to Costa Rica

Google Flights is a great starting point, but if you’re looking to get the best possible deal, you’ll want to use more in-depth flight planning tools. My favorite option, and one I’ve used many times, is Going.com.

Going.com

If I’m planning a trip well in advance, there’s no better resource than Going.com, previously called Scott’s Cheap Flights. I can select information about my departure airport and get flight alerts for great deals via email.

I save time I would have spent trawling dozens of airline websites, and Going.com serves deals and booking links right to my inbox. Even if I’m not planning a trip, I can share these deals with you via the newsletter!

Going.com offers three different tiers. The Limited tier is free and grants access to periodic deals on domestic and international economic flights.

There’s also a Premium paid tier, with more frequent deal alerts and the ability to set a destination watchlist, plus an Elite tier with extra features for those who prefer to fly in business or first class.

Avianca with the mountains behind at the San José Intl Airport

How Going.com Finds You Deals

Monitoring flight prices is time-intensive, but with Going.com, you skip the hassle. The site monitors rates from various airlines and online travel agencies, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and more.

Once you sign up, any deals for flights out of your preferred airports are sent straight to your inbox!

I can’t overstate just how much I’ve saved with Going.com. A few years ago I used it to find a direct flight from LAX in Los Angeles to SJO for just $215 round trip per person in February. This was by far the cheapest flight I have ever purchased to get to Costa Rica, so I’m always happy to recommend the service!

Airplane at terminal at the San José Intl Airport in Costa Rica

Practical Tips and Tricks for Finding Cheap Flights to Costa Rica

Tools like Google Flights and Going.com are invaluable for any traveler, but it’s also important to know the ins and outs of finding cheap flights. Here are a few tips for nabbing the best deals.

Timing Your Purchase

The cost of a Costa Rican vacation varies by season. If you visit during the off season, you’ll get cheaper rates on not just airfare, but hotels and destinations too.

The heaviest tourism lines up with winter in the United States - specifically, January is the busiest month. The Costa Rican off-season is the rainy or green season, which lasts from May to November. Many people believe the dry season is the best time to visit, but there are plenty of activities and adventures available during the rainy season too.

Even if you’re visiting during a busier time, you can still find low fares by booking your flight tickets at the right time. In general, the average flight ticket tends to be cheapest when booked about 2-3 months before your flight, excluding last-minute deals.

Flexible Travel Dates and Destinations

Being flexible in your travel dates lets you take advantage of the best deals. I typically suggest booking your flight before you book any activities or hotels, or carefully noting cancellation policies, as this allows you to take advantage of any surprise deals and adjust your itinerary accordingly.

It’s just as good an idea to be flexible about your arrival airport too. Costa Rica has two international airports, these being San José International Airport (SJO) and Guanacaste Airport (LIR). Sometimes one airport will have significantly cheaper flights than the other, so it can be more cost-effective to fly into one and then take a domestic flight closer to your preferred region.

Skyway Dual Prop Airplane at San Jose International Airport

Navigating Challenges for Finding Cheap Flights to Costa Rica

Finding the cheapest flights isn’t always smooth sailing, especially if you live outside the United States. Here are some potential speedbumps to avoid in your search.

Limitations and Considerations

Many flight planning tools and online travel agencies operate with a United States focus. This is true of sites like Going.com, which only offers information for flights departing from the United States. As a result, anyone flying from another country may have a more difficult time booking an affordable flight.

Alternative Strategies for Non-U.S. Travelers

While traveling to Costa Rica from somewhere other than the United States can be tricky, there are some ways around this for international flyers. Google Flights compiles airline information from all around the world, making it a useful tool no matter where your departure airport is.

Navigating into San Jose International airport in the rain

Destination-Specific Advice for Costa Rica

Since I’ve been all over Costa Rica, I’ve flown into both of its international airports before. When planning a trip, the first travel arrangement you’ll need to make is whether you’re heading to SJO or LIR.

SJO, Juan Santamaría International Airport, is the most popular choice for international travelers coming to vacation in Costa Rica. Touching down here puts you right in the center of San José, Costa Rica’s capital and its largest city.

LIR is also known as Daniel Oduber International Airport, though you may also see it called Liberia International Airport or Liberia Airport.

Modern terminal in Daniel Oduber Intl. Airport, Liberia

Flying into Liberia Vs. San José

Whether you choose to fly into SJO or LIR usually depends on where you’re planning to spend the rest of your vacation.

LIR is in the northwest, closer to destinations like the Guanacaste region, North Puntarenas, and the beach town of Tamarindo. SJO is in central Costa Rica, making it a better starting point for vacations to South Puntarenas, Cartago, and San José.

On the other hand, you may find a better flight deal for one airport or the other. SJO tends to have cheaper flights, but there may be times when Going.com puts up an unbeatable deal for a flight to LIR. Even if you’re planning on staying further south, it can be more cost-effective to book the flight to LIR and then hop on a connecting flight to reach your destination.

Regional Insights

Costa Rica’s different regions each offer something special to visitors. If you’re looking to experience what multiple regions have to offer during your stay, or just planning to travel a few hours out from the international airport, it’s best to book a domestic flight to another Costa Rica airport.

While it’s possible to drive between different destinations in Costa Rica, travel time from the airport is typically long, so I prefer to get around with domestic flights instead. Luckily, domestic flights are cheap and widely available. Sansa Airlines is the largest airline, but there’s also Costa Rica Green Airways.

American Airlines at Liberia Intl Airport

Finding Cheap Flights Beyond Costa Rica

I’ve used the cheap flight strategies outlined in this article to book plane rides all around the world. While some tips I’ve shared are specific to Costa Rica, many of them can be applied when booking flights anywhere to find affordable options for international travel.

Applying These Strategies Globally

Tools like Google Flights and Going.com are useful for hundreds of destinations around the world. Signing up for a service like Going.com’s email updates is an excellent way to broaden your travel horizons, as you never know when a cheap flight will provide the perfect opportunity to visit a new part of the world.

Additionally, Costa Rica isn’t the only destination with cheaper flights during the off season. Researching the cheapest times to visit will benefit you when flying anywhere, as will booking your flight during the window when flight prices are lowest. As a rule of thumb, this tends to be 1-3 months before the trip no matter where you’re going.

Beach in front of Hotel Tamarindo Diría Beach Resort

Key Takeaways on How to Find Cheap Flight to Costa Rica

Never overpay for a flight again when you use the tips outlined in this article, whether you’re flying to Costa Rica or elsewhere. Sites like Google Flights and Going.com make it easy to fly on a budget.

I’m passionate about helping my readers find cheap flights because travel has been such an instrumental part of my life. I’ve had incredible experiences in Costa Rica and at destinations around the world.

I believe that everyone deserves to travel and to experience different regions and their cultures. Using these strategies for affordable flights ensures anyone, regardless of means, can share in these experiences.

Loving this hike at Selvatura Hanging Bridges

What’s Next?

Have any more tips on finding cheap flights? What about the best deals you’ve gotten? Share them with me!

And don’t forget to take advantage of these resources when booking your next vacation.

Sign Up for the Newsletter

If you haven’t yet already, sign up for my newsletter. It’s the best way to start planning your next trip to Costa Rica, and I often share tips on any deals for cheap flights that I find.

Try Out Going.com

As a service I’ve used myself for many years, I recommend Going.com to anyone I know who has the travel bug like me. Our affiliate Going.com is an invaluable tool for booking flights, whether you sign up for the free or paid tier.

The Free Tier

Going.com’s basic services are available at no cost when you sign up for a free account. The free version includes flight alerts for your departure airport of choice delivered directly to your inbox.

The Paid Tier

Going.com’s premium tier includes a number of bonus features that make it a worthwhile investment for frequent flyers. These include the ability to select up to 5 destinations for custom deal alerts, including weekend getaway options and mistake pricing.

The tier also includes more frequent deals delivered even faster, so you can take advantage of the best prices.