Sights & Sounds

Airports in Costa Rica: Your Complete Travel Guide

Feb 5, 2025 | 0 comments

Costa Rica has two main international airports that put you close to different parts of the country. You’ll find Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela near the capital city, while Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia gets you straight to the beaches of Guanacaste. Which airport you pick will affect your travel time and shape your route through Costa Rica.

From SJO in the Central Valley near San José, you can quickly reach Manuel Antonio, Jacó, and the southern Pacific coast. If you’re heading to beach towns like Tamarindo or Playas del Coco, flying into LIR cuts your drive time from 5 hours to just 1 hour. Most European flights land at SJO, while LIR sees more traffic from the US and Canada, especially during high season.

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You can also hop on SANSA Airlines from either airport to reach smaller spots around Costa Rica. Their planes fly to places like Nosara, Quepos, and La Fortuna – turning long car rides into quick flights. These local flights make it easier to see more of Costa Rica, letting you spend less time on the road and more time exploring.

Map of Costa Rica showing the relative locations of the international airports.

SJO – Juan Santamaria International Airport

Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) brings you right into center of Costa Rica. It’s only about a 20 minute drive to central San Jose. This airport handles about 5 million passengers each year and has direct flights from cities in North America and Europe. You’ll find food shops, money exchange, rental cars, and tour operators right in the terminal.

The airport is right between the beach towns of the Central Pacific and the Caribbean coast. It’s a great option for trips to either coast. Most flights land in the morning or early afternoon, so you’ll have time to depart for your destination before it gets dark.

Why Fly Into SJO

Flying into SJO puts you closer to many of Costa Rica’s popular spots. You can reach the surf town of Jaco in about 2 hours. A bit farther, you can reach Manuel Antonio in 3 hours. The Caribbean coast towns of Puerto Viejo and Cahuita are 4 hours east, all on well maintained highways.

The roads from SJO spread out in all directions, so you’ll also be able to drive south to the region of Perez Zeledon or north to La Fortuna. If you’re planning to visit multiple areas during your trip, starting at SJO lets you make a loop through the country without backtracking.

Accommodation Options Nearby

The areas around SJO have hotels for every budget, from $30 rooms to luxury resorts. Escazu is a town 15 minutes from the airport, and has high-end options like the Marriott and InterContinental, plus great restaurants and the boutique shopping center – Multiplaza.

Right next to the airport, you’ll find cheaper places to stay in La Garita and Alajuela. These spots work well for late arrivals or early departures. Many include breakfast and have restaurants within walking distance. One option that I enjoy staying at is a 5 minute drive from the airport, featured in this video:

Flights from Europe

SJO gets daily flights from major European cities like London, Paris, Madrid, and Frankfurt. These flights usually land in the afternoon, making connections to other parts of Costa Rica easy to plan. The airport has special immigration lines for international arrivals, speeding up the entry process during peak times.

The European routes to SJO run year-round, unlike some seasonal flights to LIR. This consistent schedule makes SJO more reliable for planning trips, especially during shoulder season. Most European carriers partner with local airlines, letting you book your whole trip, including domestic flights, on one ticket.

I use this sling backpack when I'm travelling in Costa Rica. It has a zipper lock to secure your stuff. I like the sling as I can flip the bag to the front for easy access.

LIR – Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport

Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in Liberia connects you directly to Guanacaste’s beach destinations. This modern airport expanded in 2012 to handle more international flights. It has comfortable facilities with air conditioning, duty-free shopping and several food options.

The terminal design is simple enough and usually pretty quick. It’s a straight walk from your plane through immigration to baggage claim and customs. Many hotels in Guanacaste arrange shuttle service directly from LIR. All the major rental car companies have desks in the terminal and offices nearby the airport.

Why Fly Into LIR

Flying into LIR puts you within an hour from popular beach towns like Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, and Playas del Coco. The roads from Liberia are well maintained and clearly marked. This makes it easy to navigate to your destinations at the beach. You can also reach the cloud forests in Monteverde in about 3 hours.

La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano are also about 3 hours from LIR on well maintained and rarely busy highways. While SJO is slightly closer to these attractions, LIR works well if you’re combining Arenal with beach time in Guanacaste.

Accommodation Options

You can find several hotels within 5 minutes of LIR, perfect for late arrivals or early departures. The Hilton Garden Inn is right beside the terminal, while budget options in Liberia town are just 15 minutes away.

Many of these airport hotels offer free shuttles and have restaurants on site. The city of Liberia is close by, giving you access to restaurants, supermarkets, and medical facilities if needed. Here’s a video tour featuring my favorite budget spot in Liberia:

Seasonal Flights

Liberia sees a big jump in flights during high season (December to April) when airlines add routes from Canada and the US. Airlines like United, American, and Air Canada increase their service during this time. Some others like Air Tranat only fly to Liberia during these peak months.

During low season, you’ll find fewer direct flight options but often at better prices. Major US hubs like Miami, Houston, and Atlanta maintain year-round service to Liberia. The airport stays quieter than San Jose, meaning you can usually expect a shorter line at immigration.

A cool statue located along the main street going into Liberia.

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Regional Flights

SANSA is a regional airline flies small planes to smaller cities in Costa Rica, from both international airports. They use smaller Cessnas that fly lower than big jets, so you get amazing views of the landscape below. Most flights cost between $100-200 depending on where you’re going and what time of year you book.

As their planes are smaller, you can’t bring as much as you can on a jet. Each person gets one small carry-on and one checked bag. They’ll weigh you and your bags right at check-in. If you show up with too much stuff, you’ll either pay extra or need to leave things behind.

Finding the SANSA terminal is easy. At San Jose airport, it’s right beside the main terminal. In Liberia, it’s a short distance outside the terminal to their separate building. Make sure you get there an hour early. Most flights take off in the morning because the weather’s usually better then.

Nosara

 You can catch a SANSA flight from Liberia to Nosara for about $130. It’s a quick 30 minute flight that will save you from 4 hour drive. The last driving stretch into Nosara is quite bumpy. The Nosara airstrip is right in town, just a few minutes from the beach.

Nosara is a chill surf town with dirt roads and plenty of yoga studios. The beaches here stay quiet because there’s no big development right on the water. That is, except for sunset when all the surfers in town descend on the beach. You’ll find most restaurants and shops in the Guiones area. Here’s a walking tour that shows you around:

Tamarindo

Flights to Tamarindo from San Jose are about $160. The flight takes about 45 minutes, compared to a 4-5 hour drive. The local airport is small and is only about 5 minutes drive from downtown Tamarindo.

Tamarindo is one of the busier beach towns in Guanacaste. It has a main strip along the beach with shops, restaurants, and bars. The waves here work for both beginner and experienced surfers. Check out this walking tour of the town:

Quepos (Manuel Antonio)

San Jose to Quepos costs around $100 and takes about 30 minutes. The Quepos airport is right outside town. If you’re heading to Manuel Antonio, you can grab a taxi which will take 15 minutes.

Quepos is the closest town to Manuel Antonio National Park. The town has a marina, plenty of restaurants, and a busy main street. Most tourists stay up on the hill between Quepos and Manuel Antonio beach. Here’s a tour of the area:

La Fortuna

Flying from Liberia to La Fortuna costs about $190 and takes 40 minutes. You land at a small airport about 10 minutes from downtown La Fortuna.

La Fortuna sits at the base of Arenal Volcano. It’s the main hub for activities like hot springs, waterfall hikes, and volcano tours. The town has plenty of hotels and restaurants right in the center. Here’s a walking tour around La Fortuna:

Pick up a pair of these awesome water shoes. I've been using them all over Costa Rica during my travels. They have vented soles so water drains right out the bottom! 

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FAQ About Costa Rica Airports & Flights

Q: Which Costa Rica airport is better – SJO or LIR?

A: It depends where you’re going. SJO is better for Manuel Antonio, the Caribbean coast, and southern Costa Rica. LIR is better for Guanacaste beaches like Tamarindo and Playas del Coco. For La Fortuna/Arenal, both airports work since it’s about 3 hours from either one.

Q: How long should I allow for immigration at the airports?

A: SJO typically takes 30-45 minutes during peak times. LIR is usually quicker, around 15-20 minutes. Both airports can be much faster in low season or if you arrive when no other flights are landing.

Q: Do I need to arrange airport transportation in advance?

A: Yes, especially if you’re arriving at night. Both airports have official taxi stands, but shuttle services and private transfers often cost the same or less. Most car rental companies have desks at both airports but might close early.

Q: Is it worth taking regional flights within Costa Rica?

A: If you’re short on time or want to avoid long drives on mountain roads, yes. SANSA flights save hours of travel time. But they’re more expensive than driving and have strict baggage limits. For example, a 4-hour drive to Tamarindo becomes a 45-minute flight.

Q: What’s the best time of year to find cheap flights to Costa Rica?

A: Low season (May to November) usually has better deals, especially to LIR. European carriers fly to SJO year-round with consistent pricing. More North American airlines add routes to LIR in high season (December to April), but prices go up.

Q: Can I fly between different regions of Costa Rica?

A: Yes, SANSA connects major tourist spots like Tamarindo, Quepos, and La Fortuna. Flights run mostly in the morning and cost between $100-200. You can’t fly between SJO and LIR though – that’s a 4-5 hour drive.

Q: Do I need to book regional flights in advance?

A: Yes, especially in high season. SANSA uses small planes with only 13 seats, and popular routes often sell out. You’ll also get better prices booking early. If you’re flexible, sometimes you can find last-minute deals in low season.

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For more walking tours at the most popular locations in Costa Rica!

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