Main Airports of Costa Rica. Tips you need to know
When planning an incredible Costa Rica vacation, we are sure you will be wondering a lot of things regarding the airline tickets you need and the Costa Rica airports that you will have to use.
Besides the two international airports that receive flights to Costa Rica from all over the world, there are different airstrips along the country where local airlines operate daily domestic flights to and from the most popular destinations.
Domestic flights reduce the travel time to some tourist destinations and allow you to enjoy the country’s attractions more
From San José Costa Rica, driving to Quepos to experience the wildlife of Manuel Antonio National Park will take approximately 3 hours, while flying takes 25 minutes; moving to Fortuna Costa Rica to relax in the Arenal Volcano hot springs will take 4 hours approximately while flying will take 30 minutes; and going to Tamarindo to spend a sunny weekend at the beach will take 5 hours approximately while flying takes 45 minutes.
As you can see, internal flights are very helpful if you have a short stay while vacationing in Costa Rica and you want to optimize timings or if you don’t like road trips. All airstrips along the country have basic services like bathrooms and some of them have offices of the local airlines with air conditioning and mini shops. Also, in some airstrips, you will have to pay a fee for arriving or departing the destination of not more than $7 per person.
Main Airstrips in Costa Rica.
Here you can find a list of the Top Costa Rica destinations and the details of their respective airstrips:
Destination | Airstrip Code | Flying Time | Airstrip Fee | |
San José – Quepos | XQP | 3 hrs | 25 minutes | $3 per person |
TNO | 3 hrs | 45 minutes | $2 per person | |
San José – Drake Bay | DRK | 8 hrs | 45 minutes | |
San José – Arenal | FON | 3:30 hrs | 25 minutes | $7 per person |
PJM | 8 hrs | 50 minutes | ||
San José – Golfito | GLF | 7 hrs | 50 minutes | |
San José – Punta Islita | PBP | 6 hrs | 35 minutes | |
San José – Nosara | NOB | 5 hrs | 35 minutes | |
San José – Palmar Sur | PMZ | 5 hrs | 40 minutes | |
TTQ | 5 hrs | 25 minutes | ||
San José – Tambor | TMU | 5 hrs | 25 minutes | $2 per person |
The international airport in Costa Rica.
The two major airports in Costa Rica are Juan Santamaría Airport and Guanacaste Aeropuerto. Both receive international flights from most airlines, besides the local flights that also operate to and from both of them.
Most of the Costa Rica vacation packages begin and end in San José because, usually, people buy airline tickets to and from the Juan Santamaría airport, but it is also possible to prepare beautiful packages from Liberia Costa Rica too. If you can find the cheapest flights in Costa Rica or flights that fit better with your travel dates arriving or departing from Guanacaste Aeropuerto, then you can start or finish your Costa Rica travel there. This is a great option if you want to save time for your Costa Rica family vacation and spend it better with your loved ones without the stress of not having enough time in each one of your holiday destinations.
Costa Rica travel tip: A departure tax of USD$29 per person must be paid in both international airports when you are leaving the country. If you are doing just a connection here and you don’t pass the international arrival area you don’t have to pay this fee.
Juan Santamaría International Airport.
AIRPORT CODE: SJO
Located in the city of Alajuela, in the Central Valley region, this is the oldest and largest Costa Rica Airport. Although its code is SJO, it is not specifically located in San José downtown, but it is between 30-45 minutes from the main San José Costa Rica hotels.
According to the Costa Rica Tourism Board, in 2022 Juan Santamaría airport had 4.364.000 international arrivals, being the main port of arrivals of foreigners in the country.
As it is also the busiest airport, it offers some services like restaurants, ATMs, mini shops to buy Costa Rican coffee and handicrafts, a duty-free shop, and a VIP lounge with Wi-Fi and some other business facilities.
Guanacaste Airport. ( Daniel Oduber Quiros Airport or Liberia Airport)
AIRPORT CODE: LIR
Located in Liberia, in the Northern Pacific region of the country, this is the newest international Costa Rica Airport.
The airport is just 30 minutes away from Papagayo Gulf where there are located some of the most important Guanacaste hotels, and Costa Rica resorts in general terms, like the Four Seasons Resort. The list of airlines with flights to Guanacaste Aeropuerto is increasing and according to the Costa Rica Tourism Board, every day more and more people are using this airport in Costa Rica.