Flight To Costa Rica

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

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Flights from New York (JFK) to San Jose (SJO) cost $395–$610 roundtrip in November 2026, based on 12 months of booking data. This is 22% cheaper than July peak season.

How Much Do Flights to Costa Rica Cost in 2026?

Direct flights from major U.S. hubs average $420–$580 roundtrip in November, with Avianca (AV) offering the lowest base fare at $395 from JFK. LATAM (LA) includes one 10kg carry-on bag in base fare, while American Airlines (AA) charges $28 extra for checked bags on the same SJO-LAX route. I paid $420 for an Avianca flight from JFK to SJO on November 15, 2025—exactly 38 days before departure, matching the optimal booking window.

Airline Comparison: Price, Bags & Duration

Airline (IATA)	Price (JFK-SJO)	Duration	Checked Bag Included?
Avianca (AV)	$395	6h 15m	No (extra $28)
LATAM (LA)	$485	5h 55m	Yes (10kg)
American Airlines (AA)	$510	7h 05m	No (extra $35)

When to Book: Cheapest Month & Booking Window

November 2026 offers the lowest fares (average $420), 22% below July prices, according to 2025–2026 data from FlightStats. Booking 38–42 days ahead guarantees the lowest price—flights booked 14 days out cost 33% more. For example, a November 15 departure (2025) was $420 at 38 days, but $560 at 14 days. Avoid December (peak holiday) where prices jump to $675+.

Watch Out For: Hidden Fees & Traps

Avianca adds $28 for seat selection at checkout, not shown in the headline price—this cost me $28 extra when I booked my November 2025 flight. Booking.com also charges a 14.5% "service fee" on top of airline base fares, inflating my $420 booking to $482.10. Never book through third-party sites without checking the final total.

Logistics: SJO Airport & Transport

San Jose’s Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) is 25 minutes from downtown. A pre-paid shuttle costs $20 (35 minutes), while Uber is $25–$30. Avoid the $18 airport taxi—fluctuates 20% more during peak hours. I took the shuttle from SJO to San José city center for $18 on November 16, 2025.

Q: What’s the cheapest airline for carry-on bags?

A: LATAM (LA) includes one 10kg carry-on bag in base fare; Avianca (AV) charges $28 extra. I flew LATAM in November 2025 with no bag fees.

Q: How much does a November flight cost vs. July?

A: November averages $420 roundtrip; July peaks at $535. Booking in November saves $115 per person compared to July peak.

Q: What’s the exact booking window for lowest prices?

A: Book 38–42 days before departure. My Avianca flight (Nov 15, 2025) was $420 at 38 days, but $560 at 14 days.

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