PTY - SJO

$128 Find Cheap Flights from Panama City to San José

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Panama City to San José departing on 4/25. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San José

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Panama City to San José, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Panama City to San José, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$180
Typical prices: $220-$256
Avianca
Wed 3/4Wed 3/11
PTY - SJO • Non-stop
Cheapest one-way
$128
Typical prices: $117-$196
Avianca
Sat 4/25
PTY - SJO • Non-stop
Our travelers' advice
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
Avianca's Classic fare includes a carry-on and checked bag.
Copa's Showpass offers digital entertainment onboard.
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Video guide: How to find cheap flights to San José
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Top airlines
Avianca
Cheapest • from $180 (round-trip)
Copa Airlines
Best reviews • 7.5 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
When to book
2 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 2 weeks in advance save around 3% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
May
Cheapest • 9% price drop
December
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Start a new search
KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to San José!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Panama City to San José (PTY-SJO)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Panama City to San José that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

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

Wed, Mar 4 - Wed, Mar 11
Avianca Logo
11:25 am - 11:45 am
PTY
-
SJO
1h 20mnonstop
Avianca Logo
12:40 pm - 2:55 pm
SJO
-
PTY
1h 15mnonstop
$180Avianca
Thu, Mar 5 - Sun, Mar 8
Avianca Logo
11:25 am - 11:45 am
PTY
-
SJO
1h 20mnonstop
Avianca Logo
12:40 pm - 2:55 pm
SJO
-
PTY
1h 15mnonstop
$181Avianca
Thu, Mar 12 - Thu, Mar 19
Avianca Logo
11:25 am - 11:45 am
PTY
-
SJO
1h 20mnonstop
Avianca Logo
12:40 pm - 2:55 pm
SJO
-
PTY
1h 15mnonstop
$191Avianca
Thu, Mar 5 - Sun, Mar 8
Avianca Logo
11:25 am - 11:45 am
PTY
-
SJO
1h 20mnonstop
Avianca Logo
7:50 pm - 10:30 am
SJO
-
PTY
13h 40m
1 stop
$193Avianca
Thu, Mar 5 - Sun, Mar 8
Avianca Logo
11:25 am - 11:45 am
PTY
-
SJO
1h 20mnonstop
Avianca Logo
4:15 pm - 1:00 am
SJO
-
PTY
7h 45m
1 stop
$194Avianca
Wed, Mar 4 - Sun, Mar 8
Copa Airlines Logo
4:12 pm - 4:38 pm
PTY
-
SJO
1h 26mnonstop
Copa Airlines Logo
11:01 am - 1:25 pm
SJO
-
PTY
1h 24mnonstop
$200Copa Airlines
Tue, Mar 17 - Mon, Mar 23
Avianca Logo
11:25 am - 11:45 am
PTY
-
SJO
1h 20mnonstop
Avianca Logo
12:40 pm - 2:55 pm
SJO
-
PTY
1h 15mnonstop
$202Avianca
Fri, Mar 13 - Mon, Mar 16
Avianca Logo
11:25 am - 11:45 am
PTY
-
SJO
1h 20mnonstop
Avianca Logo
5:00 am - 10:30 am
SJO
-
PTY
4h 30m
1 stop
$204Avianca
Fri, Feb 20 - Mon, Feb 23
Avianca Logo
5:50 pm - 12:15 am
PTY
-
SJO
7h 25m
1 stop
Avianca Logo
12:40 pm - 2:55 pm
SJO
-
PTY
1h 15mnonstop
$205Avianca
Sat, Feb 21 - Mon, Feb 23
Avianca Logo
9:45 am - 12:15 am
PTY
-
SJO
15h 30m
1 stop
Avianca Logo
4:15 pm - 12:40 am
SJO
-
PTY
7h 25m
1 stop
$206Avianca
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Panama City to San José flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Panama City to San José to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

Find cheap flights to San José
Find cheap flights to San José

Planning a trip from Panama City to San José? KAYAK’s data-powered insights will help you find cheap flights. Learn the best time to fly, how early to book your ticket, and other tips to secure great prices.

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

This analysis is based on the cheapest round-trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from Panama City to San José departing in March.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Panama City to San José?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Panama City to San José clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

If you are looking for a flight deal from Panama City to San José, look for departures on Thursdays and avoid leaving on a Monday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from San José, Thursday is the cheapest day to fly and Sunday is the most expensive.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Panama City to San José, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Panama City to San José is May, where tickets cost $201 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are March and August, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $238 and $229 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Panama City to San José?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

Yes, flying with a layover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop layover the cheapest option at $200 on average.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Panama City to San José?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Panama City to San José, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Panama City to San José, you should book around 2 weeks before departure, which saves you about 3% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 4 weeks before departure.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Panama City to San José

 
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Ramsey Qubein

Ramsey Qubein

Expert on Copa Airlines

An avid traveler and aviation expert who has visited 173 countries, all 50 states and seven continents, Ramsey Qubein flies nearly 400,000 miles a year. As a North Carolina-based freelance journalist for publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, USA Today and Bloomberg among others, he explores the latest trends in aviation, hospitality, cruises and business.

Mark Chesnut

Mark Chesnut

Expert on Avianca, PTY 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.

Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight$128
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 2% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 3% lower on average.
Flight from Panama City to San José

When to book flights from Panama City to San José

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Panama 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
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Panama City to San José

  • What are the protocols established by major airlines regarding the transportation of animals from Panama City to San José?

    Leading airlines such as Avianca, Copa Airlines, and Aeromexico have implemented pet-friendly policies for flights between Panama City and San José. As long as the weight of an individual animal does not exceed 40 lbs, these airlines allow passengers to fly with small domesticated animals in the cabin.

  • Which flight route option from Panama City to San José is the most cost effective?

    To access more cost-effective ticket options, customers are advised to consider choosing connecting flights instead of nonstop flights when booking their flights from Panama City to San José. Customers can explore indirect flight options offered by airlines such as Aeromexico, which have layovers in Mexico City, or Avianca Airlines, which have layovers in El Salvador or Colombia.

  • Which airline operates the flights between Panama City and San José with the best luggage policies?

    If you intend to travel with multiple bags on your flight from Panama City to San José, it is advisable to select an airline that offers a more lenient policy regarding carry-on luggage. Copa Airlines, Avianca, and Volaris Costa Rica are among the carriers operating on this route that have the most accommodating rules when it comes to carry-on baggage restrictions.

  • How do I travel from the downtown Panama City to the PTY Airport?

    You can take the Metro Bus or Metro train to reach the area near the airport and then transfer to a local bus or taxi for the final leg of the journey. You can also use taxis, which are readily available throughout downtown Panama City. It's advisable to use registered taxis with official identification.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Panama City to San José?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Panama City to San José was $128 for a one-way ticket and $180 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Panama City and San José?

    Yes

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Panama City to San José?

    Panama City and San José are both served by 1 main airport. You will leave Panama City from Panama City Tocumen Intl and will be arriving at San José Juan Santamaria Intl.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Panama City to San José?

    Iberia, and Air France offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the Panama City to San José flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Panama City to San José?

    The Boeing 737-800 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Panama City to San José flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Panama City to San José?

    Star Alliance is the only airline alliance operating flights between Panama City and San José.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Panama City to San José?

    There are nonstop flights from Panama City to San José on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Panama City to San José, Copa Airlines or Avianca?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Panama City to San José are Copa Airlines and Avianca. With an average price for the route of $231 and an overall rating of 7.5, Copa Airlines is the most popular choice. Avianca is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $216 and an overall rating of 6.6.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Panama City to San José?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Panama City to San José.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Panama City to San José?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San José from Panama City is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Panama City to San José?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to San José with an airline and back to Panama City with another airline. Booking your flights between Panama City and SJO can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Panama City to San José?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to San José from Panama City up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Panama City to San José

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $129 or less one-way and $192 or less round-trip.
  • The majority of travelers flying from Panama City to San José choose to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) instead of other nearby airports. This preference is primarily due to the fact that San José, being the capital city of Costa Rica, is home to a considerable number of the country's major companies’ headquarters.
  • By picking Avianca or Aeromexico, parents taking kids on a flight from Panama City to San José can improve their flight experience. These airlines provide free Wi-Fi access throughout the aircraft. Kids can listen to their favorite music, watch TV shows, or even enjoy cartoon networks if they have access to internet services during the flight.
  • Copa Airlines offers passengers flying from Panama City to San José the opportunity to upgrade to the first-class cabin at a discounted rate, regardless of whether they are traveling in business or economy class. Passengers can submit a bid specifying the price they are willing to pay for the upgrade. However, it's important to note that to be eligible for an upgrade, passengers must first pay for any changes to their itinerary.
  • When traveling from Panama City to San José, the majority of travelers choose to depart from Tocumen International Airport (PTY). This preference is primarily driven by the fact that PTY Airport serves as a major hub for numerous airlines, including Copa Airlines and Avianca, which operate flights between PTY and SJO. Due to the competitive pricing among airlines operating on this route, there is a higher likelihood of finding affordable tickets for this journey.
  • Upon arrival at SJO Airport, you have the freedom to select your preferred mode of transportation to explore the neighboring cities of San José, including Calle Blancos, Alajuelita, and San Juan. You have several options available to travel from SJO airport to these locations, including taking a bus or tax or renting a car.

Prefer to fly direct from Panama City to San José?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Panama City Tocumen Intl to San José Juan Santamaria Intl.
Find which airlines fly direct from Panama City Tocumen Intl Airport to San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Panama City Tocumen Intl to San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Monday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Tuesday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Wednesday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Thursday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Friday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Saturday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Sunday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San José Juan Santamaria Intl to Panama City Tocumen Intl

Monday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Tuesday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Wednesday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Thursday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Friday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Saturday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Sunday

Avianca, Copa Airlines

Avianca, Copa Airlines

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top airlines flying from Panama City to San José

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Panama City to San José. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Panama City to San José? 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.
7.5
Copa AirlinesOverall score based on 1557 reviews
7.8Boarding
7.4Comfort
8.1Crew
6.8Food
6.8Entertainment
Airline reviews

A lot things happened in this trip.The fly should be less stress.

6.0 GoodIrma, Jan 2026
PTY - MIA
Read more Copa Airlines reviews

A lot things happened in this trip.The fly should be less stress.

Horrible. No TV or any type of entertainment on board. Passwnger listening to/watching stuff on their own phone with no headphones making it noise and uncomfortable for everyone else, little/tiny food portions, old seats, useless wifi (cant access anything). Horrible exlerience especially it was a lomg distance flight with kids.

The flight was good overall. Everything went smoothly, although the landing was a bit rough. Still, it was a pleasant experience

Some of the Air hostesses are not that friendly. Need improvement

As always, Copa Airlines is great to fly on. The flights are always on time, the staff are pleasant and helpful and it's always a wonderful flying experience.

We had a great flight just wished they had a tv so we can see a movie that would of made my trip excellent.

horrible service, food was an embarrassment, no charging for cellphones, stay away

Great experience with a crew always thinking in the passenger

Did upgrade, travel in business it was great (more room I could sleep)

Had to go through security at the gate again. Had to take off shoes and go through the whole thing again even though we have global entry. They asked us to check in items bought at duty free during our layover and since we checked our luggage at the original departure airport, they forced us to check in a small backpack. None of this ever happened with other airlines. In addition, no vegetarian food option and no snacks during a 7 hr flight. Luggage limits are unusually small. This is unacceptable. Will NEVER fly Copa again and will tell friends and family to avoid this airline.

Horrible experience with Avianca, they delayed their flight and when we arrived to NYC, AVIANCA took 1 hr y 30 mins to park the airplane and all passenger get off the plane, it made me lost all my trains to get back home and I came back to my place at 3 am instead of 12 am. On the top of that their plane seat are so uncomfortable and is not enough space and killed my legs and knees, Avianca used to be good when it was a Colombian company, now after Brasilian company bought them, their service quality is bad and their flights are delayed and oversold.

It was delayed and I lost my connection flight to Cali and I missed my Mom's funeral

Provide free food and drinks on an international flight. Add updated head rests

Deplaning was a mess, I sat in business (seats are horrible) and the front door had a problem so we had to deplane from the rear exit. The stairs were not tall enough to reach so there was a large step down from the plane to the top of the stairs.

Here we have another airline flying to Guatemala but doesn't have a plus or a less, just in the middle. Why? Well, first we don't have even free water Movie selection is poor Seats don't recline in some places Food selection is carb based Forgot to mention, customer service on the web is the worst. Good things; Very reliable on schedule Kind crew

Last seat of Bussines Class it does recline but passenger seating behind kept pushing since they did not have space once my seat was reclined

We waited for one hour to deboard the plane after landing. That could be better

I handed in my suitcase in perfect condition at SAL Airport. And in MIA Airport I received it with one corner broken and the wheels bent.

This low cost airline looks and fells more like a local bus. In a 6 hour flight not being able to recline a seat is torture. The only thing available with no charge is a glass of water provided by, mostly, rude staff. Our luggage didn’t arrive

Did not fly with Pakistan International Airlines. Have never flown with Pakistan International Airlines.

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports