Planning a trip to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is growing in popularity as a top destination for individuals and families looking for nature and adventure on their next vacation.
In fact, it is drawing so much attention that several world airlines are now offering non-stop flights to Costa Rica. This is especially true during the peak tourist seasons between December and May, and June through August.
Believe it or not, Costa Rica’s a really small country. Yet despite its tiny size, it has a huge amount of natural diversity.
There’s everything from tall mountains and volcanoes, rainforests and cloud forests, grasslands and mangrove swamps, and miles and miles of beautiful beaches and coastline.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, where to fly into?
How many international airports are in Costa Rica?
There are two international airports in Costa Rica. The Juan Santamaria International Airport is the biggest port of entry. It serves the majority of visitors entering and exiting the country
The Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport is growing in popularity for international arrivals. Its location in the north makes it a good option for visitors wishing to visit the beaches and attractions nearby.
Can you fly direct to Costa Rica? Yes! Several international airlines fly direct to Costa Rica from Europe, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The Juan Santamaría International Airport is also known as the San Jose International Airport (SJO). It is located in the Central Valley in the city and province of Alajuela. San Jose, the capital city, is actually about a 20-minute drive from the airport.
Most travelers choose SJO because of its central location and proximity to hotels, museums, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. The city has been growing in popularity and today, many visitors set aside a day of their trip to explore San José and the greater Metropolitan Area.
Adobe Car Rental near the Juan Santamaria International Airport
Adobe is Costa Rica’s largest and oldest car rental agency. We have 14 Adobe offices strategically positioned across the country.
Our SJO airport office is less than five minutes from the airport gates. We offer free shuttle transportation to and from the airport and our Adobe office. Make sure to email an agent with your flight and arrival information when you book your Costa Rica car rental.
Once you land, we’ll make sure there’s an Adobe shuttle available to bring you to our office.
The Daniel Oduber International Airport is also known as the Liberia International Airport (LIR). It is located in the north near the city of Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste Province.
The LIR airport is growing in popularity because of its proximity to the beaches, national parks, and other attractions of the northern zone.
Recent improvements to the major highways makes driving to and from popular destinations in the region easier and cuts down on travel time.
Adobe Rent a Car near the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport
Our Adobe Liberia Airport office is located about 7 km southwest of the airport gates. We also offer free shuttle transportation to and from the LIR airport and our Liberia airport office.
To contact an Adobe representative in Liberia with your international flight arrival and departure times – and for any special needs or requirements you might have – send an email to: opsgte@adobecar.com.
Domestic Airports and in-country flights
The SJO airport is also the hub of the country’s biggest domestic airport, the Costa Rica Regional Airport. Dozens of domestic airport connections and many privately owned and chartered airlines operate out of the Regional Airport.
Another domestic airport is located just a few kilometers away. The Tobías Bolaños International Airport is located in Pavas and offers charter flights within Costa Rica. Small craft international flights to nearby Panama and Nicaragua can also be arranged.
In-country flights also operate out of the Liberia International Airport in Guanacaste.
What airport do you fly into, Costa Rica?
Most people decide which airport to fly to by considering two important factors:
- Where they plan to visit when in Costa Rica.
- Flight prices and flexibility.
Some international airlines offer triangle routes. Since Costa Rica is so small and most visitors want to see as much as possible while they’re here triangle flights are a great option.
What’s a triangle route and who offers it? Triangle flights (or routes) are when an airline offers the option of arriving and/or departing from a different airport for no additional cost.
For example, the Dutch carrier KLM and Canadian Air Transat often offer triangle flight services to both of Costa Rica’s international airports.
Where should I fly into?
As you plan your itinerary it will be easier to decide which Costa Rica airport is best. If possible, you should fly into San Jose if you’re going to visit the Osa Peninsula, the Caribbean Coast, or any of the Central Pacific beaches. These include the favorite beach towns: Manuel Antonio, Jaco, Dominical, Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, and Manzanillo.
If possible, you should fly into Liberia if you’re going to visit any of the Northwest Pacific Coast beaches, the Nicoya Peninsula, or the north-central volcano national parks. Some of the most frequented beach towns include Tamarindo, the Gulf of Papagayo, Flamingo, Samara, and Nosara.
Popular National Parks near Liberia are the Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio, and Miravalles Volcanoes National Parks. While famous destinations like La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano or Monteverde are about equidistant from both international airport.
Best airfare prices?
As a rule of thumb, the easiest way to get the best airfare price to Costa Rica is to reserve at least three months ahead of time. We also recommend that you browse several different airlines and discount flight websites before purchasing. That way you’ll know the going price and what airline offers the best deals.
Another way to save money is to visit Costa Rica during the Green Season when flights are generally cheaper. The green season runs from May to June and September through November. Most airlines offer more affordable rates during these months.
What if my flights and airports are different than my itinerary?
Don’t worry! As we said before, Costa Rica is a small country so it’s easy to get around by car.
You can also combine driving with domestic flights to save time. There are at least 12 domestic airports in the country and more are being added in the near future. Often times they aren’t much larger than a landing strip and a small office yet they serve several flights a day.
We know how important it is to get your vacation to Costa Rica perfect. If there isn’t an Adobe office near your in-country flight destination, no problem.
We’ll gladly have a car waiting for you when you land. Speak with one of our bilingual Adobe agents to make arrangements. Additional fees apply.
To arrange for your vehicle to be dropped off at a location outside of the Adobe office, please choose one of the following contact methods: Reservations: +506 2542 4800 ext. 3 or Email: reservas@adobecar.com.
