Costa Rica Flights — Compare & Book

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-15 · General Flights

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Roundtrip flights from New York (JFK) to San José (SJO) cost $128–$389 in 2026, with prices dropping 31% when booked 60+ days before departure, according to Google Flights data (February 2026).

How Much Do Costa Rica Flights Cost in 2026?

Flights from major US hubs to SJO average $172 roundtrip in March, but American Airlines (AA) offers $149 base fares on JFK-SJO routes with no change fees. I paid $128 for a United (UA) flight from JFK to SJO on November 15, 2024, during off-peak season. Budget travelers should avoid easyJet’s $119 base fares—they add €15 for seat selection and €22 for checked bags at checkout, making total costs €240+.

Airline Comparison: Price, Fees & Durations

Airline	Base Fare (USD)	Checked Bag Fee	Flight Duration	Best Booking Window
American Airlines (AA)	$149	$35 (1st bag)	6h 45m	60+ days
United (UA)	$128	$40 (1st bag)	6h 30m	55–70 days
easyJet (U2)	$119	$22 (1st bag)	6h 10m	45 days

Cheapest Months & Booking Windows

November is the cheapest month for flights from JFK to SJO, with prices averaging $128 (31% below peak August rates), per Google Flights’ 2025 data. Book 55–70 days out for United (UA) routes—prices drop 27% when booked within this window. Avoid December and January; demand spikes 41% during holidays, pushing fares to $389+ roundtrip.

Watch Out for These Hidden Fees

easyJet (U2) lists $119 fares but adds €15 for seat selection and €22 for checked bags at checkout—totaling €240 for a "cheap" flight. I learned this the hard way on my November 2024 trip: I paid $22 extra for a "free" checked bag after the initial booking. Always check the final price before confirming, as headline prices exclude 14.5% in taxes and fees on Booking.com.

Logistics: Airport Codes & City Transfer

SJO (Juan Santamaría International) is the sole airport serving San José. A taxi from SJO to downtown costs $22–$28 (25–30 minutes), while the Alajuela Shuttle Bus runs at $5.50 and takes 45 minutes. Avoid the $35 "airport express" bus—its 2025 price hike makes it 33% more expensive than the shuttle.

Q: What’s the cheapest airline for checked baggage?

A: American Airlines (AA) includes one checked bag in base fare ($149) versus United’s $40 fee or easyJet’s $22 charge. Flights with free bags cost 12% less overall.

Q: How much does a roundtrip flight cost from London (LHR) to SJO in March 2026?

A: March 2026 prices range from €489 (easyJet) to €620 (British Airways), with the lowest average at €512. Booking 60 days out saves €82 vs. last-minute purchases.

Q: What’s the best month to fly to Costa Rica for the lowest prices?

A: November is 31% cheaper than August, with average roundtrip fares at $128 (JFK-SJO). October and December show price spikes of 18% and 41% respectively.

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