Book Southwest Flights to San Jose Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica is about 3 to 5 hours nonstop on Southwest from cities like Houston, Baltimore, Denver, Orlando, and Nashville. Southwest has been flying to Costa Rica since 2015 and offers free bags and no change fees on all fares. Mundo Trip shows you the best available dates and prices for your trip.

Southwest Airlines Flight Details and Travel Information for Flights to San Jose

Flight Time: 3 to 6 hours (nonstop from select cities); 6 to 10 hours with connections (Nonstop from BWI, DEN, HOU, BNA, MCO; 1-stop from others)

Cheapest Months: May, June, September, October

Departure Airports: Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Denver (DEN), Houston Hobby (HOU), Nashville (BNA), Orlando (MCO)

Cabin Options: Economy (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select)

Time Difference: San Jose runs on Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) year-round. Costa Rica doesn't observe daylight saving. It matches Chicago time in winter, but falls 1 hour behind when the US switches to CDT in March.

US Departure Airports for Southwest Flights to San Jose Costa Rica

<p><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Lexend,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:700"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

Houston Hobby is Southwest's primary hub for Costa Rica service. Daily nonstop flights to San Jose take about 3 hours 30 minutes. Southwest's dedicated international terminal at Hobby makes the check-in and departure process efficient.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)

BWI offers seasonal nonstop Southwest service to San Jose, typically running on Saturdays. Flight time is about 5 hours 15 minutes. A strong option for East Coast travelers who want a direct shot to Costa Rica.

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Denver connects to San Jose with nonstop Southwest service, usually on weekends. The flight takes about 5 hours 30 minutes. It's one of the longer nonstop routes in Southwest's Central American network.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Orlando provides nonstop Southwest flights to San Jose, Costa Rica. Flight time is around 3 hours 15 minutes. Service runs seasonally, making it a solid departure point for Florida-based travelers.

Nashville International Airport (BNA)

Nashville launched nonstop Southwest service to San Jose in March 2026. The weekly Saturday flight takes about 4 hours 30 minutes. It's the first direct connection between Nashville and Costa Rica.

San Jose Airport Arrival Guide for Southwest Flights to San Jose Costa Rica from the USA

Southwest flights arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport, Costa Rica's main international gateway. The airport sits in the town of Alajuela, about 12 miles west of downtown San Jose. It handles the majority of international traffic into the country and serves as the starting point for travelers heading to the Central Valley, Pacific coast, or Caribbean side.

Terminal: Single main terminal with arrival and departure levels
Transport Options: Official orange taxis, Uber, rental cars, hotel shuttles, and shared van services
Visa: US citizens don't need a visa for stays up to 90 days; passport must be valid for at least 1 day beyond your stay
Transfer Time to Downtown San Jose: About 20 to 35 minutes; Jaco Beach about 1 hour 30 minutes

Immigration at Juan Santamaria is fairly quick, usually 15 to 30 minutes. The airport has solid amenities including a food court, duty-free, ATMs, and SIM card vendors right in the arrivals hall. Pre-booking ground transport is recommended, especially for beach destinations.

Best Time to Book Southwest Flights to San Jose Costa Rica

Cheapest Months to Travel

May and June mark the start of the rainy season (locally called "green season"), and fares drop. September and October are even cheaper. Round-trip nonstop fares from Houston can dip below $300 during these months.

Peak Travel Seasons to Avoid

December through April is dry season and peak tourism. Christmas, New Year's, and spring break push fares to their highest. Late January through February is especially popular with US travelers.

Best Time to Book

Book nonstop routes 6 to 10 weeks out. Seasonal Saturday flights from BWI, Denver, and Nashville have limited seats, so they fill up faster than daily Houston departures.

Midweek Advantage

Midweek flights on the Houston route offer lower fares than weekends. Connecting itineraries from other cities also tend to be cheaper on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Time Difference to Keep in Mind

Costa Rica stays on CST (UTC-6) with no daylight saving. It lines up with Chicago in winter but sits 1 hour behind during US daylight saving. East Coast travelers face a 1 to 2 hour difference. Pacific Time is 2 to 3 hours ahead.

What Fare Types Are Available on Southwest Flights to San Jose Costa Rica?

Entry fare for Southwest's Costa Rica routes. Two free checked bags, no change fees, assigned seating. Best choice for travelers with firm dates and a tight budget.

Same-day standby and transferable credits on top of standard perks. A solid upgrade if you're not 100% sure of your travel dates, since Costa Rica trips sometimes shift around weather patterns.

Fully refundable, with priority boarding and same-day changes. Earns strong Rapid Rewards points. Good for travelers who might need to cancel last minute.

Southwest's top tier. Priority boarding (A1-A15), premium drink, and maximum points earning. On a 3 to 5 hour flight, the early boarding is the biggest perk for securing overhead space.

Southwest Flights to San Jose Costa Rica

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Southwest Airlines Flight Details and Travel Information for Flights to San Jose

US Departure Airports for Southwest Flights to San Jose Costa Rica

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Nashville International Airport (BNA)

San Jose Airport Arrival Guide for Southwest Flights to San Jose Costa Rica from the USA

Book Southwest Flights to San Jose Costa Rica

Best Time to Book Southwest Flights to San Jose Costa Rica

What Fare Types Are Available on Southwest Flights to San Jose Costa Rica?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Southwest fly nonstop to San Jose, Costa Rica?

When is the cheapest time to fly Southwest to Costa Rica?

What fare types does Southwest offer to San Jose?

Do US citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?

Does Southwest include free bags on Costa Rica flights?

How do I get the best Southwest fare to San Jose, Costa Rica?