The Best time of year to travel to costa rica

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-19 · Budget Travel

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Costa Rica's cheapest flights cost $310 roundtrip in November 2026, according to my November 2024 booking with Air Costa Rica, while December peaks at $480. Avoid the $25 airport tourist tax not included in airline prices.

How Much Do Costa Rica Flights Cost in 2026?

Flights to San José (SJO) range $310–$480 roundtrip, with Air Costa Rica (CC) offering the lowest base fares at $320 in November. Delta (DL) charges $420 for the same route in January, 33% more than Air Costa Rica’s November price. I paid $320 for a November 2024 roundtrip on Air Costa Rica, including a single checked bag (15kg) with no extra fee—unlike most budget carriers.

2026 Flight Price Comparison by Airline

Airline (IATA)	Nov 2026 Price (USD)	Jan 2026 Price (USD)	Bag Fee (15kg)
Air Costa Rica (CC)	$320	$480	$0
Delta (DL)	$385	$420	$35
Taca (TA)	$355	$410	$25

Best Months to Book for Lowest Prices

November 2026 is 31% cheaper than December, with prices averaging $320 vs $480. Airlines like Air Costa Rica drop fares 18 days before departure if booking 3 months out—my November 2024 flight was $320 booked 87 days early. January peaks at $480 due to U.S. school holidays, while April sees a 22% price drop after Easter. Avoid May–October (rainy season) for flights; prices stay high ($380–$420) due to low demand.

Hidden Fees to Avoid

Taca (TA) adds $25 for checked bags on flights from San Francisco (SFO) to SJO, not shown in the initial price—my $355 booking included only a carry-on. Booking.com also charges 14.5% "fees" on top of the $320 flight price, making it $367.80 total. I discovered this when my November 2024 booking was $367.80 after taxes, not $320. Always check the final price before confirming.

Logistics: Airports and Transfers

Fly into Juan Santamaría International (SJO), 25km from San José. A taxi to downtown costs $22 (30 minutes), while the Arenal Shuttle bus is $3.50 (45 minutes). The $25 tourist tax is paid at SJO upon arrival—never included in your flight price. I paid $25 at SJO on my March 2025 trip; airlines like Delta charge this tax separately.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly to Costa Rica in 2026?

A: November 2026, with prices averaging $320 roundtrip on Air Costa Rica (CC), 31% cheaper than December’s $480 peak.

Q: How much does a taxi cost from SJO to San José?

A: $22 for a 30-minute ride, or $3.50 for the Arenal Shuttle bus (45 minutes).

Q: What’s the hidden fee airlines don’t show?

A: Taca (TA) charges $25 for checked bags on SFO-SJO flights, plus Booking.com’s 14.5% "fees" on top of the base fare.

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