$210 Find Cheap Flights from Oakland to Costa Rica - Compare and Save

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Cheap Flights from Oakland to Costa Rica

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 5 days
San José
San José2 stops$534
Liberia
Liberia2 stops$646
San José
San José2 stops$534
Liberia
Liberia2 stops$646

Price, demand and travel trends for Oakland to Costa Rica flights

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

What are the cheapest fares from Oakland to Costa Rica right now?

The cheapest fares from Oakland to Costa Rica on KAYAK in the last week were to San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) from $534 round-trip, and to Liberia (LIR) from $646 round-trip.

Which airport in Costa Rica is the cheapest to fly to from Oakland?

Based on KAYAK data from the past 12 months, the cheapest airports to fly into Costa Rica are:

• San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) from $638
• Liberia (LIR) from $824

What’s the cheapest day to fly from Oakland to Costa Rica?

Sunday tends to be the cheapest day to fly from Oakland to Costa Rica, while Saturday is the most expensive. Fares run about 40% higher that day, based on the past 12 months of KAYAK data.

What's the cheapest time of day to fly from Oakland to Costa Rica?

Data from the past 12 months shows it's cheapest to fly to Costa Rica during the morning with average prices of $582. The evening is the most expensive time to fly, with average prices of $824.

Key details for Oakland to Costa Rica flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$210
One-way flight from Oakland to San José

Your Oakland to Costa Rica flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • Is now a good time to book a flight from Oakland to Costa Rica?

    Yes. Fares from Oakland to Costa Rica are low right now. As a rule of thumb, a round-trip under $547 (cheaper than most fares this year) is a good deal, so if you spot one at or below that, it's a good time to book.

  • How much should I budget for a flight from Oakland to Costa Rica?

    Over the past 12 months, round-trip fares from Oakland to Costa Rica have ranged from $547 to $824.

  • What are the main airports serving Costa Rica?

    Flights to Costa Rica use two main airports, San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) and Liberia (LIR).

  • What airlines fly nonstop from Oakland to Costa Rica?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, no airline regularly operates nonstop flights from Oakland to Costa Rica. However, Southwest offers a one-stop option.

  • Which cabin classes are available on flights from Oakland to Costa Rica?

    On flights from Oakland to Costa Rica you can only book Economy Class.

  • What are some popular landmarks in Costa Rica?

    KAYAK travelers' favorite landmarks in Costa Rica include:

    • Parque Metropolitano La Sabana
    • Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica
    • Museo de Oro
    • Morazan Park

  • I’m headed to Costa Rica’s Central Valley. Where should I fly to?

    The Central Valley region of Costa Rica is known for its jungles, volcanos, and small towns. To get there from the Oakland Airport, consider flights to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), just outside the capital city of San Jose. Avianca offers a one-stop layover that goes to El Salvador International Airport (SAL), while Delta’s layover goes to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Additionally, Spirit Airlines has a two-stop layover that goes to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

  • What airport should I fly to when visiting Guanacaste in Costa Rica?

    The Guanacaste region in northwestern Costa Rica is known for its cooler temperatures and tropical rainforests. If you’re getting there from Oakland Airport, consider booking layovers to Liberia International Airport (LIR) near the town of Liberia. Delta Air Lines offers a one-stop layover that goes to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), as well as a two-stop layover that goes to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

  • Where should I fly to if I’m visiting the South Pacific region?

    Although there are no airports in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica, you can fly to the Juan Santamaría Airport and drive south. Southwest Airlines provides a one-way layover that stops at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Alternatively, you can fly to Enrique Malek International Airport - David (DAV) in the bordering country of Panama. Americans don’t require a visa, and it’s about an hour drive north to the border. Avianca and Copa Airlines have a two-stop layover going to El Salvador International Airport (SAL) and Tocumen International Airport Panama (PTY).

  • How much luggage can I bring from Oakland to Costa Rica?

    Baggage allowances vary depending on airline and ticket class. However, there’s a lot of overlap for economy passengers on flights from Oakland Airport to Costa Rica. For carry-on, both Delta and Avianca allow passengers to bring a small personal item and a larger carry-on that’s to be stored under the seat or overhead. Additionally, you’re allowed to purchase checked bags measuring up to 62 linear and weighing up to 50 lbs. each.

Your guide to booking Oakland to Costa Rica flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your travel dates are flexible, book your trip for May when flights are typically cheapest and avoid December when prices are at their highest.
  • Flying on Sunday is usually the cheapest. Flights on Saturday cost about 40% more on average, so being flexible with your travel dates could help you save.
  • If you're looking to save, San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) is the cheapest airport to fly into from Oakland. If you have onward travel, don't forget to factor in the cost of your journey by train, bus or domestic flight.
  • Start your trip in San José, which is the most popular destination in Costa Rica. From there, it's easy to continue on to other popular destinations such as La Fortuna, Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio.
  • If you have some extra time before departing to Costa Rica, then consider visiting The Escape Lounge at Oakland International Airport (OAK). This lounge is located in Terminal 1 between Gates 8 and 8A, and allows entry through payment at the door.
  • United States citizens traveling from Oakland Airport to destinations in Costa Rica don’t need to apply for a visa before arriving in the country. Instead, with a valid U.S. passport and an onward ticket, you may travel for up to 180 days.
  • If you’re concerned about environmental impact of flights from Oakland to Costa Rica, rest assured that Delta Air Lines aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 partly through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In addition, Avianca and Spirit Airlines are updating their fleets and improving fuel efficiency.
  • If you’re looking for cheap flights from Oakland to Costa Rica, consider booking a layover flight with a budget airline. Spirit Airlines, for example, combines with Avianca to offer a two-stop layover going to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) and El Salvador International Airport (SAL).
  • Families with young kids traveling from Oakland Airport to destinations in Costa Rica that Delta offers special kid-friendly meals, kid-friendly movies as in-flight entertainment, and activity books and games.

Reviews of the top airline flying from Oakland to Costa Rica

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Oakland to Costa Rica? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.9
SouthwestOverall score based on 4221 reviews
8.6Crew
8.1Boarding
7.4Entertainment
7.0Food
8.0Comfort
Airline reviews

Ever since Southwest starting charging for bags, passengers don't want to pay to check their bags, so the gate agents have to beg people to check their roller bags now because there's "not enough space". This was a terrible business move by Southwest.

8.0 ExcellentGreg, Oct 2025
Read more Southwest reviews

Ever since Southwest starting charging for bags, passengers don't want to pay to check their bags, so the gate agents have to beg people to check their roller bags now because there's "not enough space". This was a terrible business move by Southwest.

Delayed flight. Nicest crew member was a SW pilot flying seated next to me who kindly move to seat the final passenger. Flight extra delayed. My cup of refreshment of ginger ale was so packed with ice it was literally 2 sips.

We had a nice flight. Boarding was easy, our seats were comfortable and the on board service was pleasant.

Service was great, boarding and exiting went smoothly, and the flight was very pleasant.

Southwest Airlines is behind the times with a woefully inefficient service animal policy that leads to major inconsistency and stress for passengers and crew alike. Despite so many attempts to share feedback and request better support, they bungled it once again and provoked a panic attack in the process, with no apologies or acknowledgment that their crew was failing to adhere to their own inadequate policies. WiFi didn’t work, flight was delayed by an hour, it was about what I’ve come to expect from Southwest these days.

Flights were full but SWA still managed to get everyone loaded and depart on time. No snack or beverage service on the first leg due to turbulance. Seats were clean but very little cushioning. Reasonable amount of leg room.

Our flight to Oakland was great bc the plane was new but it was delayed by 15min not bad at all. Over all it was an 8/10

Our flight to Vegas was delayed by almost two hours - I appreciated the updates but it was a bummer of a start to a celebratory trip. The delays meant we missed our dinner reservations we made a month ago so that was disappointing. Once we got to the gate, though, the crew did all they could to make up for the lost time and to keep it efficient and enjoyable, so I appreciate their efforts!!

There was a problem that delayed boarding for more than 20 min. and once everyone was on board, the plane did not take off for another 30 min. which then made our arrival in Phoenix 1 hour late.

Our two flights from GRR to MDW and MDW to OAK were both delayed due to weather. Be sure to build in a sufficient buffer in the transfer time to account for this type of problem. SW recommends connections as short as 40 min. Don't do this. We had to change concourses in MDW, a pretty long walk, to make our connection. Rule of thumb I use when traveling on flights with multiple legs is for connections of 80 min or more, unless there is no plane change, in which case it doesn't matter.

More options for your flight from Oakland to Costa Rica

Complete your trip to Costa Rica with a hotel stay or car rental