$169 Find Cheap Flights from San José to Cartagena - Compare and Save

Two cabin classes are available on flights from San José to Cartagena:

• Economy Class
• Business Class

A nonstop flight from San José to Cartagena takes 00m, covering 592 miles.

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.

Round-trip flights from San José to Cartagena range from $258 to $353, with an average of $307 over the past 12 months. Anything below $258 counts as a good deal.

Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 7% above the $307 route average. Book 5 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

On this route, nonstop flights are cheaper than layover options on average. Nonstop fares average $278 round-trip, compared to $321 via a layover through Medellín Jose Maria Cordova Intl (MDE).

Avianca is the only airline operating San José to Cartagena flights. 95% of its flights are on time.

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

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 Airbus A320-100/200 variants.

Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $291 to $2,380. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.

One-way fares from San José to Cartagena are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $188, which is 13% above the typical average for this route.

Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $25 for economy cars. Top options include:

• Alamo
• GREEN MOTION
• Localiza
• National
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Flights from San José to Cartagena usually depart from San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) and arrive at Cartagena Rafael Nunez (CTG).

Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon departures tend to have the most.

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 San José to Cartagena route, 5% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1h 24m.

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

• Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) - 83% of one-stop connections
• Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) - 17% of one-stop connections
• Medellín Jose Maria Cordova Intl (MDE) - 0% of one-stop connections
• Lima J Chavez Intl (LIM) - 0% of one-stop connections

Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 11% on flights from San José to Cartagena. Monday is the cheapest departure day at $291 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $325, a difference of $34.

KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

Flying via Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 4h 39m, compared with 5h 48m via Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) and 8h 57m via Medellín Jose Maria Cordova Intl (MDE).

Cartagena is 1 hour ahead of San José (Colombia Time vs Central Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

Some of the most popular sights in Cartagena are Walled City, Torre del Reloj and Playa de Bocagrande. These are among the most viewed places in Cartagena on KAYAK.

Among airlines operating San José to Cartagena flights:

• Avianca: offers free seat selection

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

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

• Avianca: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

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

Depending on the specific flight schedule, Avianca may have layovers in Bogotá or San Salvador. Copa Airlines may have layovers in Panama City, a common hub for their flights. Other airlines like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines may also offer connecting flights with layovers in their respective hub cities, such as Miami or Atlanta.

Aeromexico offers different classes of tickets to accommodate passengers' diverse needs and preferences. The basic fare, also known as Economy Class, offers a standard travel experience with comfortable seating and access to in-flight services. Moving up, there is the Main Cabin Fare, which offers additional flexibility and benefits, such as complimentary snacks and drinks and the ability to earn and redeem miles. Aeromexico's top-tier class is the Premier Class, designed for the utmost luxury and comfort, featuring fully-flat beds, fine dining options, priority check-in, and access to VIP lounges.

Avianca and Copa Airlines offer options for passengers with dietary restrictions, including meals that cater to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and diabetic diets. It's advisable to inform the airline about your dietary restrictions during the booking process or at least 24-48 hours before your flight to ensure they can accommodate your needs appropriately.

Copa Airlines offers complimentary upgrades available on their Boeing 737 MAX9 aircraft. Eligible passengers may be offered complimentary upgrades based on availability and their frequent flyer status. Another option is Mileage Upgrades, where you can use your Copa Airlines ConnectMiles to upgrade to first class. You can redeem your accumulated miles for an upgrade from Economy to Business or Business to First Class, subject to availability and fare rules.