MEX - SJO

$147 Find Cheap Flights from Mexico City to San José - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$255
Typical prices: $255-$374
Viva
Sun 9/16Fri 9/21
MEX - SJO • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$283
Typical prices: $256-$375
Volaris Costa Rica
Mon 10/8Sun 10/14
MEX - SJO • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Aeromexico, Volaris Costa Rica and Avianca. Average duration is 3h 10m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 98% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 7 weeks in advance save around 23% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 15% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $241 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 4h 31m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to San José!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Mexico City to San José (MEX-SJO)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Mexico City to San José

Wed, Sep 16 - Mon, Sep 21
Viva Logo
7:50 am - 12:15 pmMEX  Mexico City Benito Juarez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
28h 25m1 stop Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo
Viva Logo
1:15 pm - 10:00 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MEX Mexico City Benito Juarez
8h 45m1 stop Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo
$255Viva
Wed, Oct 14 - Mon, Oct 19
Viva Logo
7:50 am - 12:15 pmMEX  Mexico City Benito Juarez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
28h 25m1 stop Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo
Viva Logo
1:15 pm - 7:40 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MEX Mexico City Benito Juarez
18h 25m1 stop Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo
$257Viva
Wed, Oct 7 - Mon, Oct 12
Viva Logo
9:25 am - 12:15 pmMEX  Mexico City Benito Juarez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
26h 50m1 stop Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo
Viva Logo
1:15 pm - 8:35 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MEX Mexico City Benito Juarez
19h 20m1 stop Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo
$277Viva
Thu, Oct 8 - Mon, Oct 12
Volaris Costa Rica Logo
6:55 pm - 9:56 pmMEX  Mexico City Benito Juarez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
3h 01mnonstop
Volaris Costa Rica Logo
7:00 am - 10:00 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MEX Mexico City Benito Juarez
3h 00mnonstop
$283Volaris Costa Rica
Thu, Oct 8 - Wed, Oct 14
Volaris Costa Rica Logo
6:55 pm - 9:56 pmMEX  Mexico City Benito Juarez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
3h 01mnonstop
Volaris Costa Rica Logo
7:00 am - 10:00 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MEX Mexico City Benito Juarez
3h 00mnonstop
$283Volaris Costa Rica
Thu, Oct 8 - Sun, Oct 11
Volaris Costa Rica Logo
6:55 pm - 9:56 pmMEX  Mexico City Benito Juarez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
3h 01mnonstop
Volaris Costa Rica Logo
7:00 am - 10:00 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MEX Mexico City Benito Juarez
3h 00mnonstop
$283Volaris Costa Rica
Thu, Sep 17 - Mon, Sep 28
Avianca Logo
5:00 am - 9:10 pmMEX  Mexico City Benito Juarez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
16h 10m1 stop Medellín Jose Maria Cordova Intl
Avianca Logo
9:25 am - 11:00 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MEX Mexico City Benito Juarez
13h 35m1 stop Bogotá El Dorado
$341Avianca
Wed, Feb 10 - Tue, Feb 23
Avianca Logo
4:55 pm - 11:40 pmMEX  Mexico City Benito Juarez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 45m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
Avianca Logo
1:55 am - 6:25 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MEX Mexico City Benito Juarez
16h 30m1 stop Bogotá El Dorado
$354Avianca
Sun, Oct 25 - Sun, Nov 8
Aeromexico Logo
8:50 am - 12:06 pmMEX  Mexico City Benito Juarez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
3h 16mnonstop
Aeromexico Logo
7:00 am - 10:10 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MEX Mexico City Benito Juarez
3h 10mnonstop
$379Aeromexico
Fri, Sep 25 - Tue, Sep 29
Aeromexico Logo
6:40 pm - 10:03 pmMEX  Mexico City Benito Juarez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
3h 23mnonstop
Aeromexico Logo
7:30 am - 10:40 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MEX Mexico City Benito Juarez
3h 10mnonstop
$387Aeromexico
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Mexico City to San José flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Mexico City to San José with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Mexico City to San José?

Round-trip flights from Mexico City to San José start at $255. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $255 to $374. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $255 on Viva.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Mexico City to San José?

Friday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Mexico City to San José, it is 6% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 16% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Mexico City to San José?

  • February is the cheapest month to fly from Mexico City to San José at $253 round-trip.
  • December ($358) and July ($334) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 41% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Mexico City to San José the cheapest?

Flights from Mexico City to San José are cheapest 7 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 23% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Mexico City to San José

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Daniel Scheffler

Daniel Scheffler

Expert on Volaris Costa Rica

Daniel Scheffler is a travel writer, podcaster, and producer. Born in Africa, bred in Europe and now living in America he has traveled to 140 countries (and all 50 U.S. states). Plus he has stayed at over 2500 hotels across the globe. His original shows Everywhere and Without Maps (available on Spotify) showcase his beliefs, travel is about humanity and sharing that beauty. And thus it reminds you that you shouldn’t believe everything you think.

Mark Chesnut

Mark Chesnut

Expert on Avianca and SJO

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer and public speaker with more than 30 years of experience. The 2019 winner of the NLGJA Excellence in Travel Writing Award, Mark is the author of the book “Prepare for Departure” and has covered air travel for multiple top consumer and trade media outlets.

Marisa Garcia

Marisa Garcia

Expert on Aeromexico and MEX

Marisa knows planes inside and out, spending 16 years working on aircraft in hangars at airports around the world. She is an aviation industry expert, specialized in airline interiors and regulations. Ten years ago, she pivoted to journalism. She shares her insights in leading aviation, travel, and business publications and on her site FlightChic.

Key details for Mexico City to San José flights

Low season

May

Cheapest flight

$147
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 2% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 10% lower on average.
Flight from Mexico City to San José

When to book flights from Mexico City to San José

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Mexico City to San José based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Mexico City to San José flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Can I carry liquids to the cabin of my flight?

    In case you’d like to bring some liquids with you to the cabin of your flight to SJO, you can do so, irrespective of the airline you travel with, so long as the liquids are in containers that don’t exceed 3.4 ounces (100 ml). Bigger containers, even when partly full, won’t be permitted. The containers must be placed in a quart-size plastic bag that’s resealable and see-through.

  • How heavy can my checked baggage be when traveling with Avianca?

    On Avianca flights, the maximum checked baggage weight for Economy Class travelers is 50 lbs and 70 lbs for Business Class travelers holding XXL fare tickers. The dimensions of your baggage cannot exceed 62 inches. However, the airline can accommodate luggage up to 91 inches at an additional cost.

  • What is the carry-on baggage policy for Volaris?

    The number of items you can carry on to the cabin of your Volaris flight will depend on your fare. You can bring one personal item if you hold a Zero v.club fare, one personal item, and one carry-on bag if you hold a Basic or Plus fare. Your carry-on bag’s dimensions should not exceed 22 x 16 x 10 inches. The combined weight of your items shouldn’t exceed 44 lb.

  • Which towns can I easily get to from San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport?

    SJO is connected to several destinations other than San Jose. From this airport, you can make your way to towns such as Upala, Liberia, Pocosol, Santa Cruz, Tilaran, Sardinal, Juntas, Belen, and Bagaces.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Mexico City to San José flights?

    Among airlines operating Mexico City to San José flights:

    • Volaris Costa Rica: offers free seat selection
    • Avianca: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Aeromexico: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • What airlines are available from Mexico City to San José?

    3 airlines operate flights between Mexico City and San José. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • Aeromexico
    • Volaris Costa Rica
    • Avianca

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Mexico City to San José?

    Flights from Mexico City to San José usually depart from Mexico City Benito Juarez (MEX) and arrive at San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Mexico City to San José flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Volaris Costa Rica: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Avianca: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Aeromexico: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so travelers should check the fare details before booking.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Mexico City to San José?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from Mexico City to San José:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Mexico City to San José?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $241 round-trip via Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo (MTY), compared to $299 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Mexico City to San José?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $31–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Mexico City to San José?

    The Airbus A320neo family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Avianca and Volaris Costa Rica. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737 MAX 8 variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Mexico City to San José pass through?

    One-stop flights from Mexico City to San José most commonly connect through:

    • Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo (MTY) - 41% of one-stop connections
    • San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) - 41% of one-stop connections
    • Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA) - 9% of one-stop connections
    • Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) - 5% of one-stop connections

    Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo (MTY) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Mexico City to San José?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 20% on the Mexico City to San José route. Friday is the cheapest departure day at $281 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $348, a difference of $67. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from Mexico City to San José?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Mexico City to San José route, 9% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1 hour 50 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from Mexico City to San José spread across the day?

    Evening is the busiest departure period on Mexico City to San José flights, with 50% of flights leaving in that window. Morning departures account for 25%, afternoon flights for 25%, and night flights for 0%.

  • What popular places can I visit in San José?

    Some of the most popular sights in San José are Parque Metropolitano La Sabana, Barrio Amón and Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica. These are among the most viewed places in San José on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Mexico City to San José?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Mexico City to San José:

    • Earliest: departs at 7:55 am and lands at 11:05 am
    • Latest: departs at 7:00 pm and lands at 10:10 pm.

    The flight takes about 3h 10m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Mexico City to San José flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 17% above the route average of $298. Book 7 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Mexico City to San José?

    A nonstop flight from Mexico City to San José takes 3h 10m, covering 1,186 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Mexico City to San José?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • Have flight prices from Mexico City to San José changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $255 to $2,109. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Mexico City to San José looking right now?

    One-way fares from Mexico City to San José are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $172, which is 14% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does Avianca’s on-time performance compare to other airlines on Mexico City to San José flights?

    Avianca is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while Aeromexico has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on Mexico City to San José flights are:

    • Avianca: 98% on time
    • Aeromexico: 92% on time
    • Volaris: 80% on time

    Overall, flights on this route are on time 91% of the time on average.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Mexico City to San José?

    Afternoon flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Mexico City to San José?

    Flying via Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 4h 31m, compared with 6h 27m via San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) and 6h 34m via Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY).

  • What car rental options are available at San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO)?

    San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $1 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · Budget
    · Avis
    · Priceless
    · Routes Car & Truck Rentals
    · Payless

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Mexico City to San José flight?

    Round-trip flights from Mexico City to San José range from $255 to $374, with an average of $298 over the past 12 months. Anything below $255 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Mexico City to San José flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Friday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Friday flights average $281 - about $67 less than Sunday (19% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 7 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 23% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Mexico City to San José trip for February. Fares historically average $253 round-trip in that month - typically $105 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Avianca is the strongest pick on this route. 98% of Avianca flights from Mexico City to San José arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 91%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 1 hour 50 minutes, so choosing a carrier with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo Airport (MTY) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $241 round-trip on this route - about $57 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you plan to make the trip from Mexico City to San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) via a one-stop flight, note that the destination of your stopover will be determined by the airline you travel with. It will be at San Salvador (SAL) if you travel with Avianca, Guatemala City (GUA) if you journey with Volaris Costa Rica, and Panama City (PTY) if you fly with Copa Airlines.
  • Volaris is committed to minimizing its carbon footprint. To achieve this goal, it has replaced its old planes with new fuel-efficient aircraft, engaged in several strategic partnerships for the environment, increased its paper-saving and recycling initiatives, and continually funded several conservation effects. This being the case, if you’d like to travel with an eco-friendly partner from Mexico City to San Jose, consider traveling with this airline.
  • In Mexico City, you can board your flight to SJO at Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) or Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU). For the best boarding experience, book a flight that departs from NLU. This is because this airport experiences less passenger traffic than MEX, so it boasts shorter queues at the security checkpoints, check-in counters, and boarding gates.
  • Suppose you want to fly with your baby to SJO from Mexico City. If so, consider traveling with Avianca Airlines. When traveling with this airline, you can carry your baby on your lap for free for the entire journey. If your baby is over two years but below eleven, you will purchase him a seat while enjoying a 25% discount.
  • MEX features two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. You can use the airport’s AirTrain to travel freely between these terminals. In Terminal 1, its boarding station is at Gate 6, while in Terminal 2, it is boarded at Gate 4. Daily, this service operates from 5:00 am to 1:00 am.

Prefer to fly direct from Mexico City to San José?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Mexico City Benito Juarez Airport to San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Mexico City Benito Juarez to San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Monday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Tuesday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Wednesday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Thursday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Friday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Saturday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Sunday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San José Juan Santamaria Intl to Mexico City Benito Juarez

Monday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Tuesday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Wednesday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Thursday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Friday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Saturday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

Sunday

Aeromexico,Avianca,Volaris Costa Rica

Aeromexico,Avianca, +1 more

See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from Mexico City to San José

Information on your arrival and departure airports