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Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Costa Rica

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 5 days
San José
San José1 stop$677
Liberia
Liberia1 stop$525
San José
San José1 stop$677
Liberia
Liberia1 stop$525
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for San Francisco to Costa Rica flights

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

Are flights from San Francisco to Costa Rica cheaper or more expensive than last year?

Fares from San Francisco to Costa Rica are running about 4% higher than they were around this time last year, averaging $694 round-trip.

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

The cheapest fares from San Francisco to Costa Rica on KAYAK in the last week were to Liberia (LIR) from $525 round-trip, and to San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) from $677 round-trip.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Costa Rica?

February is the cheapest time of year to fly, with average fares of $555. Prices are highest in December, when average flight costs increase to around $1,011.

When is the best time to book flights from San Francisco to Costa Rica?

Book your flights 9 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data collected over the past 12 months shows that booking in this window can save you around 9% compared to booking last-minute (within 2 weeks of departure).

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

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

• Liberia (LIR) from $691
• San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) from $757

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

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

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

Data from the past 12 months shows it's cheapest to fly to Costa Rica during the afternoon with average prices of $709. The morning is the most expensive time to fly, with average prices of $771.

Key details for San Francisco to Costa Rica flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$208
Beat the crowds with an average 64% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 6% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from San Francisco to San José

Your San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Costa Rica?

    Yes. Fares from San Francisco to Costa Rica are low right now. As a rule of thumb, a round-trip under $581 (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 San Francisco to Costa Rica?

    Over the past 12 months, round-trip fares from San Francisco to Costa Rica have ranged from $581 to $939.

  • What are the main airports serving Costa Rica?

    Costa Rica has 4 airports. The three busiest are San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) (72% of arrivals), Liberia (LIR) (28%) and Limon (LIO) (0%).

  • What airlines fly nonstop from San Francisco to Costa Rica?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, 2 airlines offer nonstop flights on this route:

    • United Airlines
    • Alaska Airlines

  • Where in Costa Rica can I fly nonstop from San Francisco?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, you can fly nonstop from San Francisco to two destinations: San José and Liberia.

  • Is it cheaper to fly with a layover from San Francisco to Costa Rica?

    Yes. Nonstop flights from San Francisco to Costa Rica average $883 over the past 12 months, but flights with a layover can cost less. The most affordable connecting airports are:

    • Orlando (MCO) from $455
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) from $497
    • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) from $599

  • How long is a flight from San Francisco to Costa Rica?

    Nonstop flights take 6h 25m on average. The fastest scheduled flight takes 6h 10m, from San Francisco (SFO) to Liberia (LIR).

  • How often are flights from San Francisco to Costa Rica delayed and what's the average delay?

    14% of flights on this route are delayed by at least 15 minutes. The average delay is 1h 45m.

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

    On flights from San Francisco to Costa Rica you can book Economy Class, Premium Economy Class, Business Class or First 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

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from San Francisco to Costa Rica?

    The earliest nonstop flight from San Francisco to Costa Rica departs at 12:08 am and the latest departs at 11:35 pm. Nonstop flights take about 6h 25m.

  • If I have made plans to travel from San Francisco to Costa Rica, will I need to have a valid passport and do I need to obtain a visa before I make my trip?

    Travelers that are making the trip to Costa Rica will need to have a valid passport and you need to make sure that your passport will be valid for your entire length of stay in Costa Rica. It is also important to remember that your passport needs to have at least one blank page for an entry stamp. While you will not need a visa to stay in Costa Rica for up to 90 days, the immigration service in Costa Rica will expect you to present a return airline ticket upon your arrival.

  • If my flight from San Francisco International Airport will be landing at San José Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), what type of public transportation is available to travel from the airport to downtown San Jose?

    There is a bus service available, operated by TUASA, that will make the trip from the airport to downtown San Jose in around 30min. The fare for this trip is around CRC 642 (USD 1).

  • If I'm looking for a lounge to wait for my flight to Costa Rica, will I find one at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)?

    There are several lounges provided by both United Airlines and American Airlines at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). These lounges are often used by passengers making the trip to Costa Rica from this airport since both airlines offer one-stop service to airports in Costa Rica.

  • If I will be bringing children on my trip to Costa Rica and I plan on renting a car at the airport, what should I know about car seat laws in Costa Rica?

    When traveling with children in a car in Costa Rica, all children under the age of 12 months must ride in a rear-facing car seat and children from 12 months old to four years old must ride in a forward-facing car seat. Children from four years old to six years old must ride in a booster seat and those from six years old to 12 years old must ride on a booster cushion.

Your guide to booking San Francisco to Costa Rica flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If you can plan ahead, the sweet spot for booking your flight is 9 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data shows fares in this window are around 9% lower than last-minute bookings (made within 2 weeks of departure). Not ready to commit? Set a Price Alert and we'll let you know when prices change.
  • If your travel dates are flexible, book your trip for February when flights are typically cheapest and avoid December when prices are at their highest.
  • Flying on Monday is usually the cheapest. Flights on Saturday cost about 12% more on average, so being flexible with your travel dates could help you save.
  • If you're looking to save, Liberia (LIR) is the cheapest airport to fly into from San Francisco. 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 want the shortest trip, choose the San Francisco to Costa Rica nonstop route. If you'd rather save money, the route via Orlando (MCO) is usually the cheapest.
  • A good way to get from downtown San Francisco to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is via the train service offered by Bay Area Rapid Transit, which makes the trip to the airport in around 30min for a cost of about $9.
  • If you are going to be driving yourself to the airport before your flight to Costa Rica, San Francisco International Airport has two different international garages that are just a few steps from the terminal building. For the ultimate convenience, the airport also offers a valet parking service.
  • If you are bringing kids along with you on your trip to Costa Rica, San Francisco International Airport has Kids' Spots play areas in terminals 1, 2, and 3 of the airport.
  • For any travelers with disabilities that will be bringing a service animal along with them to San Francisco International Airport, you'll be glad to hear that there are several animal relief areas located throughout the terminals, including one in the International Terminal near the A Gates.
  • If you want the most convenient way to travel out of San Francisco International Airport, you might consider using the airport's Airport Butler service that provides travelers with a dedicated staff member to guide them through every step of their journey through the airport.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from San Francisco to Costa Rica

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from San Francisco 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
Alaska AirlinesOverall score based on 13037 reviews
8.1Boarding
7.8Comfort
7.0Food
8.5Crew
7.0Entertainment
Airline reviews

Our flight was experience was great. The captain announced what to expect on the flight. The weather was stormy in Florida our destination and he explained we would be going thru some turbulence but all would be good. He took time to announce when we flew over notable areas of the country. Flight crew was good. The snacks need to step up. One Biscoff for a five hour flight on a $650.00 ticket is slack.

10.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Oct 2026
Read more Alaska Airlines reviews

Our flight was experience was great. The captain announced what to expect on the flight. The weather was stormy in Florida our destination and he explained we would be going thru some turbulence but all would be good. He took time to announce when we flew over notable areas of the country. Flight crew was good. The snacks need to step up. One Biscoff for a five hour flight on a $650.00 ticket is slack.

Sort flight, helpful staff. A special thank you for allowing me to board early, I'm almost ninety and I have problems lifting , was able to get done. Thank You

Boarding was well organized, seats comfortable & it was a very pleasant flight

Low cost, but I think I really wanted an aisle seat, and I could not easily get one. The return leg might be easier.

Trip from SNA to SFO and back was riddled with DELAYS.

Flight there was massively delayed but never updated on the app. Flight home was massively delayed but also never reported until after we arrived at the airport.

Gate agent and flight crew were amazing! Only issue was landing and waiting on the run way for 30 mins to deplane.

It was all a wonderful experience. I hate to fly and I hate to travel yet. This was a very pleasurable event. Thank you.

Flight cancelled originally with no email informing me of the change. Rebooked for the next day and that flight was delayed with no update on the app.

Sat next to toilet after booking with kayak. Last seat last row

We where skipped for this flight will not head to Panama until tonight..

It would have been better if they don't separate families in seating. We were seated in the aile row in the middle of a family of four. It would have been better if they they seat the family of four together than separated.

It was good, plane is a bit older so seats are somewhat flat

Very good flight and crew Food was a surprise on a short flight

Biggest issue was that they only had two restrooms in the back of the aircraft. Too many people for only two restrooms. The trash was overflowing and there was paper on the floor too. Long lines in the isle to use it. Food was also a bit meh. They don’t offer snacks with drinks, so you might want to buy a snack to hold you off on a longer trip, since the meals are very small.

Everything was smooth and crew was very polite and friendly.

I like that they served a mail, I’m not sure about the in-flight entertainment. I didn’t really check. staff helped me with my luggage. Smooth boarding smooth takeoff smooth flight

The seats had plenty of leg room and the staff were very nice.

Copa performed as expected for the amount of money I was willing to spend for the flight; it wasn’t exceptional but it was not bad in any way either. The crew was good; friendly and straightforward. The food was airplane food, so no expectations there and the entertainment was lacking but that was my fault for owning an IPhone with a charging port that’s not compatible with the rest of the world. I’d fly Copa again.

Left my bags in origin city on a business class ticket , spent about 2-3 days in the same clothes plus the flight .

Better management of the boarding process. Is there any way you could forward all the window seats first? That's the Way Reno Air used to do it, and they had the fastest boarding in the industry!

overall a very good travel experience - left on time, arrived early. Mostly a smooth flight. Polaris seats were excellent, very good service and nice food with options.

Flight was over two hours late, but they notified us early in the morning. They ended up changing planes the food on board that was extremely mediocre and we were in premier class.

Food was very bad Crew was not so welcoming. Chairs was so uncomfortable

The business class had to wait to board last. Unacceptable

The air hostess was excellent. I have taken so many flight domestic and international, this is the first time the air hostess was so caring. She was a delight

We paid extra to check our bags ($90*2=$180) but our luggage remained in Frankfurt. VERY DISAPPOINTED as we were promised that our luggage would go to our destination. We had to pay 90€ to take a taxi back to the airport in Split the next day to get our bags so we would not miss our next step on our trip. We think we should be reimbursed for our checked bags. How can we coordinate this?

This was an auto-rebook due to being delayed from an earlier UA connecting flight. The boarding was fine, but they sat me in a middle seat when my original booking was a window seat. Overall, the flight was fine as it still got me to my final destination.

Sitting in coach even in the larger leg space is extremely uncomfortable and the staff pay no attention.

My experience on this United Airlines flight was highly uncomfortable, primarily due to two issues: Cabin Temperature: The temperature on the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was unacceptably high, feeling consistently around 80 degrees throughout the flight. This made sleeping impossible and significantly detracted from the experience. Seating Arrangement: Being stuck in a middle seat for a six-and-a-half-hour overnight flight compounded the discomfort. Moving forward, I will always purchase a seat assignment to avoid this situation.

Little communication with passengers after sitting over 1 hour for a maintenance issue Then we had to deplane- no crew communication Poor gate information after deplaned WiFi would not connect AT ALL

Flight attendant made the flight very enjoyable. He was courteous and gave great care to the passengers

Not good. Flight crew, was not friendly and just shoved stuff at us. Not the way I like to travel.

Aside from the little delay, overall was flight good. Made it safely. Thanks!

Over the course of 7 months of travel, I can count on my hand the number of times the flight has departed on time. Majority of the instances have been related to non-weather reasons. Would not recommend flying this Airline

The food was okay and the space in business class was smaller than we had to Singapore.

The plane was spartan, the seats not that comfortable. It was like flying a super low budget airline. They charged for coffee!!! I have never, ever experienced that before.

I had no problems but the changing of planes that I was supposed to be on was confusing. Maybe it would be helpful to let people know your flight changed. Not everyone understands airports or how flying works.

Flight was delayed multiple times without giving any particular reason and the only thing that was communicated was that 'Aircraft is getting ready'. I was stuck at SFO airport for 15 hours and finally took Southwest Airlines flight back home to Dallas.

I was not clear if food was offered or not.

Staff are the rudest in the industry … awful customer service … will never fly Avianca again

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

I had to go to the boarding counter for them to enter my return flight as it’s not with Avianca. There was a long queue as there were lots of people being called to the counter.

Boarding, crew were excellent, food was ok and entertainment need to improve

There isn't much space in-between seats and even water needs to be paid for during the flight.

We were not aware carry-on bags cost extra until we arrived at the airport so, we were charged $240.00 for two small carry- on bags! There was a substantial fee for drinks and snacks. No wifi, or other entertainment was available. Waiting areas were crowded and uncomfortable.

Ok, but these people don’t give you nothing no snack no water

No water for a 5 hour flight entertainment not working seats with little room for knees when person in front of me reclined kept bumping my knees.

Awful. I checked in online and there was no option to pay for baggage, at the airport when I checked in my baggage was received and Iwas not charged. When I got to LA during the boarding process I was told I didn't pay for baggage, the crew resolved I was let in the plane. When I got to my final destination my baggage was not there. It took me two days to receive my baggage. Bad service ever!

Wasn’t able to take the trip and no one could help me with a refund or rescheduling

More options for your flight from San Francisco to Costa Rica

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