Costa Rica Airports
There are currently two international airports in Costa Rica. The largest, Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) in Alajuela, is located within the Central Valley region north of San José. The other airport, Daniel Oduber Airport (LIR) in Liberia, facilitates access to destinations in the northwestern Guanacaste region.
Additionally, many destinations in Costa Rica can be reached by short domestic flights. Familiarizing yourself with the regional geography of Costa Rica's airports can help you take the stress out of planning your late night arrival or early morning departure. By following the destination links below, you can find lodging, activities, and transportation in the areas surrounding these Costa Rican airports.
What are the international airports in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has two main international airports: Juan Santamaría International (SJO) in Alajuela, on the edge of the Central Valley just outside San José, and Daniel Oduber Quirós International (LIR), marketed as Guanacaste Airport, near Liberia in the dry northwest. Nearly every long-haul flight from North America and Europe lands at one of the two.
SJO also has a domestic terminal, where SANSA and Costa Rica Green Airways operate short flights to beach, rainforest and volcano airstrips such as Quepos (Manuel Antonio), La Fortuna (Arenal), Tortuguero, Tamarindo and Puerto Jiménez. That makes it easy to arrive internationally and connect straight to a regional flight. Explore the areas around SJO and Alajuela and Liberia.
Should I fly into San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR)?
Fly into the airport closest to where you'll spend most of your time. Liberia (LIR) is the easy choice for Guanacaste beaches: in our private transfers it is about 30 minutes to the Papagayo Gulf, 1 to 1.5 hours to Tamarindo or Playa Conchal, 2 hours to Rincón de la Vieja or Sámara and 3 hours to Nosara. San José (SJO) is better placed for almost everything else: about 2.5 hours to Jacó, 3 hours to Arenal or Manuel Antonio, 3.5 to 4 hours to Monteverde and 4.5 hours to the Caribbean coast at Puerto Viejo.
Many of our Costa Rica Insiders' itineraries fly into one airport and out of the other, for example arriving at SJO for Arenal and Monteverde and leaving from LIR after a beach finish, so you never drive the same road twice.
What happens when you land at a Costa Rica airport?
After landing you pass immigration, where the officer stamps your passport with the length of stay you're granted, then collect your bags and go through customs, where luggage is X-rayed before you exit to the arrivals hall. How long it takes depends mostly on how many international flights land together; midday peaks at SJO are the busiest. SJO sells an SJO Fast Track service, and the biometric eGates that opened in September 2026 are for eligible Costa Rican passport holders only for now.
Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details handy, as officers may ask. Outside, use only a pre-booked driver or an official orange airport taxi. When we arrange your arrival, your driver waits in the arrivals area with your name, and your Costa Rica Insider tracks the flight if it's delayed.
7 Costa Rica Airports
The places our local insiders recommend most come first.
San Jose
"Chepe," as the city is referred to by locals, is the capital city of Costa Rica and a hub for modern Costa Rican culture. It's also where most visitors depart for tours of central Costa Rica's volcanoes and coffee plantations. Before you leave, take a fun-filled tour of the city's monuments and parks, and maybe sample the burgeoning craft beer scene.
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Destination
Alajuela & SJO Airport
Alajuela, nicknamed City of the Mangoes, is one of the most important cities in Costa Rica. It is the capital city of the providence bearing its name and is located just 11 miles northwest (17 km) of San Jose. Just outside of town is where you'll find the Juan Santamaria International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaria), Costa Rica's principal airport.
Destination
Liberia
Due to excellent facilities and its close proximity to scores of attractions, Liberia is an ideal stopover for many visitors. With the recent opening of the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, the once sleepy cowboy town of Liberia is undergoing comprehensive metamorphosis as it transitions from old colonial town to modern-day tourism hub.
Destination
La Fortuna Airport
La Fortuna Airport also known as Aeropuerto Arenal is located in El Tanque. The modest airstrip is located 10 minutes from the town of La Fortuna. Most resorts around the Arenal Volcano are outside of La Fortuna so driving time from the airport to most of the resorts closer to 20-30 minutes.
Destination
Limon
Puerto Limón, or simply Limón, is the heart and soul of the Caribbean coastal province of Limón. This is the region's largest city, with a population of approximately 85,000, including the surrounding districts. The inhabitants are mostly comprised of Afro-Caribbean ancestry, giving the city a completely unique appeal in a country that is over 90 percent mestizo. Although not considered a very touristy city, Puerto Limón is not without its charm.
Destination
El Tanque
El Tanque has a small airstrip 4.5 miles (7.2 km) from downtown La Fortuna, which is right outside of Arenal Volcano National Park. Visitors to La Fortuna often arrive via this airstrip and then take the short drive to their accommodations in La Fortuna.
Destination
Liberia Airport
The Liberia Airport acts as a gateway to exploring the Nicoya Peninsule and northern regions of Costa Rica. There are a number of hotels, restaurants, rental car agencies, and shops around the airport. Staying here before or after a flight makes the travel process smooth and easy.
Destination
Costa Rica Airports itineraries from local insiders
Explore hand-picked Costa Rica Airports itineraries designed by local insiders who know every hidden corner. Each trip is completely flexible, customized to your pace, travel style, and budget.
Pura Vida Adventure Together
We both love nature and hiking so Costa Rica is ideal for both of those. We went during what’s considered the rainy season so you need to be aware of that going in. It rained at some point almost every day we were there but we still had a very enjoyable time. We visited La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio. We enjoyed La Fortuna more. La Fortuna was more jungle whereas Manuel Antonio was more coastal and felt more touristy.
Costa Rica
Adventure Through Costa Rica's Wild Heart
Costa Rica was just magnificent. The people, food, jungles, beaches were all fantastic. Can’t wait until my next trip back.
Costa Rica
Big Multi Family Group Adventure
Embark on a vibrant Costa Rican adventure that juxtaposes bustling urban energy with lush, untouched rainforests, delivering a dynamic escape from everyday routine. From San José’s lively streets you’ll head to Monteverde’s cloud‑forest canopy for sky tram rides and hikes, then dive into Rio Celeste’s turquoise waters and trek El Silencio’s volcanic paths. Friendly locals and knowledgeable guides will immerse you in coffee farms, rainforest sounds, and volcanic vistas, leaving you with lasting memories of Costa Rica’s spirited hospitality and natural wonder.
Costa Rica
Sisters Adventure Together
Incredible tours, hotels, and communities.
Costa Rica
Matt and Fran’s Costa Rica holiday
Costa Rica has a diverse landscape and every area is unique and different. We easily rented a 4 wheel drive vehicle and drove from the Caribbean to the Pacific!
Costa Rica
Family Time in Costa Rica
Michelle and her family embarked on a multi‑generational adventure in Costa Rica, where mist‑cloaked cloud forests meet surf‑kissed Pacific beaches, offering a vibrant contrast of cool heights and warm tides. Your journey weaves through Monteverde’s canopy zip lines and canyoning thrills, the turquoise Tenorio River’s Class III/IV rapids, and La Leona waterfall’s lush river tubing. Guided by local experts and supported by a comfortable van, your family will soak up Pura Vida hospitality, returning home with shared stories of soaring forests and surf‑side sunsets.
Costa Rica
Family Adventure Through Costa Rica
Rachel and her family of four spent a week moving across Costa Rica, from Arenal to the Pacific coast, with every transfer and tour arranged door to door. In Arenal they rode the Sky Adventures aerial tram and ziplines, took on the Balsa River's Class II–III rapids, and walked the EcoGarden trails to find sloths in their actual habitat, not a roadside stop, then the falls at La Fortuna. On the coast at Manuel Antonio they hiked the national park with a local guide, snorkeled the reef, and chased the Mulguri waterfall. As Rachel said, these weren't tours with twenty other tourists trailing the buses. They were the real thing, reachable only through local connections, with the family's days handled start to finish.
Costa Rica
Dream Honeymoon Adventure in Costa Rica
Embark on a honeymoon that swaps city bustle for Costa Rica’s emerald rainforests and sun‑kissed beaches, where romance meets adventure in every sunrise. From Monteverde’s misty cloud forest trails to Arenal’s volcanic hot springs, then Playa Conchal’s Pacific surf and Damas Island’s mangrove kayak tours, you’ll hike, soak, and sail. Friendly local guides and vibrant community flavors will weave unforgettable memories, leaving you with a deeper connection to nature, Costa Rican warmth, and each other.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica Off Season Adventure
We found Costa Rica to be really beautiful. I loved the flowering plants everywhere, but the wildlife is the main reason we went. We didn't see monkeys in every tree or even toucans up close, but we did see them from a distance. We also saw lots of colorful birds in the National Forests that we have never seen before.
Costa Rica
