YVR - SJO

$287 Find Cheap Flights from Vancouver 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 Vancouver to San José departing on 10/25. 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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver to San José, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$579
Typical prices: $646-$556
Avianca
Sat 9/12Fri 9/18
YVR - SJO • 2 stops
Cheapest one-way
$287
Typical prices: $289-$323
Multiple Airlines
Sun 10/25
YVR - SJO • 2 stops
Top airlines
Cheapest • from $579 (round-trip)
Best reviews • 7.4 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
Nonstop flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Vancouver and San José. You'll need at least 1 connection.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $497 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 10h 00m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 14% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
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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
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Vancouver to San José (YVR-SJO)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Vancouver 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 Vancouver to San José

Sat, Sep 12 - Fri, Sep 18
Avianca Logo
7:00 pm - 8:45 am
YVR
-
SJO
12h 45m
2 stops
Avianca Logo
9:40 am - 10:46 pm
SJO
-
YVR
14h 06m
2 stops
$579Avianca
Wed, May 27 - Mon, Jun 1
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:15 pm - 11:30 am
YVR
-
SJO
35h 15m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
1:50 am - 9:55 pm
SJO
-
YVR
21h 05m
2 stops
$594Multiple Airlines
Wed, Jul 8 - Thu, Jul 23
United Airlines Logo
9:47 am - 10:11 am
YVR
-
SJO
23h 24m
2 stops
United Airlines Logo
12:30 am - 10:46 pm
SJO
-
YVR
23h 16m
1 stop
$617United Airlines
Wed, Jul 8 - Sun, Jul 19
United Airlines Logo
9:47 am - 10:11 am
YVR
-
SJO
23h 24m
2 stops
United Airlines Logo
6:40 am - 10:56 pm
SJO
-
YVR
17h 16m
1 stop
$618United Airlines
Wed, Jul 1 - Wed, Jul 15
United Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 7:15 am
YVR
-
SJO
23h 15m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
11:13 am - 10:46 pm
SJO
-
YVR
12h 33m
1 stop
$619United Airlines
Wed, Jun 17 - Tue, Jun 23
United Airlines Logo
11:58 pm - 10:39 pm
YVR
-
SJO
21h 41m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
12:30 am - 11:22 pm
SJO
-
YVR
23h 52m
2 stops
$620United Airlines
Tue, Jun 2 - Tue, Jun 9
United Airlines Logo
11:58 pm - 10:39 pm
YVR
-
SJO
21h 41m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
12:30 am - 10:56 pm
SJO
-
YVR
23h 26m
2 stops
$621United Airlines
Wed, May 27 - Tue, Jun 16
United Airlines Logo
5:32 pm - 7:15 am
YVR
-
SJO
12h 43m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
12:30 am - 10:56 pm
SJO
-
YVR
23h 26m
2 stops
$622United Airlines
Tue, Jun 16 - Tue, Jun 23
United Airlines Logo
11:58 pm - 7:37 pm
YVR
-
SJO
18h 39m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
12:30 am - 6:18 pm
SJO
-
YVR
18h 48m
2 stops
$625United Airlines
Tue, Jun 16 - Tue, Jun 23
United Airlines Logo
11:58 pm - 12:21 pm
YVR
-
SJO
11h 23m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
12:30 am - 6:18 pm
SJO
-
YVR
18h 48m
2 stops
$626United Airlines
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Vancouver to San José flights

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

How much is a round-trip flight from Vancouver Intl Airport 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 Vancouver Intl Airport to San José departing in September.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Vancouver Intl Airport to San José?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Vancouver Intl Airport 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 Vancouver Intl Airport to San José is October, where tickets cost $562 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and March, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $938 and $715 respectively.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Vancouver Intl Airport 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 Vancouver Intl Airport 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 Vancouver Intl Airport to San José, you should book around 1 week before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 14 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonSeptember
Cheapest flight$287
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 12% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 2% lower on average.
Flight from Vancouver to San José

When to book flights from Vancouver to San José

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Vancouver 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 Vancouver to San José flights

  • Where can I exchange currency at the airport in Costa Rica?

    If you wish to purchase local Costa Rican currency upon arrival, head to Global Exchange which provides this service and has a few locations throughout the airport. Global Exchange can be found in the airport lobby, the general boarding area, the gated area next to Gate 9 and the baggage claim area. Most locations are open 24h a day. Please note that US Dollars are also accepted in most tourist areas within Costa Rica.

  • How much is a taxi from the airport?

    There are 3 official taxi companies that operate from the airport. These are Gorila Airport Taxi, Taxi Unidos and Coopetranstura. Their cars are recognizable by their orange colour and taxis are available 24h a day from outside the terminal building. They can get you to any destination within Costa Rica. A taxi ride to the San Jose downtown area should cost around ₡16,000 (about C$ 35).

  • Can I rent a car from San José Juan Santamaria International Airport?

    If you are looking to rent a car upon arrival, you will find the car rental desks located in the main arrivals hall after you go through customs. You will find most of the major international companies at the airport such as Budget, Alamo, NU Car Rentals, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National, and most operate from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.

  • Are there any on-site airport hotels at San José Juan Santamaria International Airport?

    If you wish to stay close to the airport after your flight from Vancouver to San José, you will find 3 accommodation options located nearby. The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton San José Airport, Holiday Inn Express San José Costa Rica Airport and Courtyard San José Airport Alajuela are all within 5min from the terminal, and they all offer a free airport shuttle any time of the day.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Vancouver Intl Airport to San José?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Vancouver Intl Airport to San José was $287 for a one-way ticket and $579 for a round-trip.

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

    Yes

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

    Vancouver airport is called Vancouver Intl and the only airport in San José is San José Juan Santamaria Intl.

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

    We unfortunately don’t have that data for this specific route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Vancouver to San José?

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

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Vancouver to San José, United Airlines or Air Canada?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Vancouver to San José are United Airlines and Air Canada. With an average price for the route of $629 and an overall rating of 7.4, United Airlines is the most popular choice. Air Canada is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $902 and an overall rating of 7.1.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Vancouver 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 Vancouver to San José.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San José from Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver with another airline. Booking your flights between Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver Intl Airport to San José

  • Travellers who arrive hungry after long flights from Vancouver to San José will find multiple food options throughout San José Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). In particular, Café Lavazza, in the public area of the airport, and Bar Imperial and Brioche Doree, in the gated area, are open 24h a day.
  • Treat yourself to a massage upon arrival at Spa Mioderma, which has locations next to Gate 5 and Gate 10 of San José Juan Santamaria International Airport. Both locations are open from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm and offer massages, facials and nail treatments.
  • If you would like to use public transportation to get to your accommodation from San José Juan Santamaria International Airport, you will find the bus stop located a few minutes’ walk from the terminal. There are buses to the downtown areas of Alajuela, San José and Heredia, with a single bus fare costing ₡660 (about C$ 1.50).
  • Those who would like to freshen up before their flight can do so at one of the airport lounges in the gated area of Vancouver International Airport (YVR), or at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, which is located in the public area of the airport and offers access to their showers, spa and sauna for a fee.
  • If you’re looking for a way to pass the time before your flight from Vancouver to San José, head to levels 3 and 4 of Vancouver International Airport’s international terminal. There you can check out 2 large aquariums that are home to many local and indigenous sea creatures and jellyfish.

Reviews of the top airlines flying from Vancouver to San José

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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.
7.4
United AirlinesOverall score based on 9683 reviews
8.1Crew
7.1Entertainment
7.7Boarding
7.3Comfort
6.6Food
Airline reviews

Seats very comfortable; service efficient and pleasant; flight was on-time; boarding organized.

10.0 ExcellentEirene, May 2026
YYZ - EWR
Read more United Airlines reviews

Seats very comfortable; service efficient and pleasant; flight was on-time; boarding organized.

Starlink is great Crew was polite Business class didn’t get a welcome drink just water and snacks were ok

very average service no complimentary alcoholics drinks unlike other airlines such as Porter airlines No decent seats available during check-in time the day before

Good but airlines getting smaller. I didn't like the meal but the service was fine. Flight was fine and luggage arrived. So good.

They were fast and I like how they used to entertainment system to play video about the safety.

Flight delayed. Connecting to night flight was stressful but made it. Jusr in time. Ran.88Flight was fine.

Hopped on time for the flight only to get deplaned and delayed another 2.5 hours.

Given I (and I’m assuming most people) have both carry in and a personal item included in their fare, I find it very unfair that on neither of my flights I was able to use the overhead for my small backpack because they were completely rammed with luggage, people personal items, jackets, hats and other items. So the only item I brought in had to be stuffed under my seat while they had their leg room and sat comfortable with all of their items in the overhead. This has to stop because I was uncomfortable on both flights when I only had one smaller item that could not be checked due to its contents (medication etc). Plenty of people could have checked theirs but chose not to and then took up the space allotment for 2 people.

Flight attendants had a little attitude. Food tastes no good.

From pre boarding to flight attendant, crew and baggage handler, excellent. Didn’t lost my luggage like West jet.

Very tight seats - no legroom at all, very tight to the person in front of you. If you have basic fare, you are loading zone 6 regardless of where you are sitting in the plane - meaning even as a middle aisle person at the front of the plane, I had to get people to get up and let me in as they had boarded earlier. Having to pay for a carry on is criminal. I am a frequent flyer, and air Canada has now joined the list of other terrible North American Airlines.

Flight departed significantly late with no announcements being made. Woman behind me would not allow me to recline my seat so I was unable to comfortably sleep. Flight attendant not very responsive. Slow to pick up garbage after meal. Not a good experience at all. I felt like cattle rather than like a valued customer

Got denied my flight was told on Google that Air Canada was supposed to book me a flight back home because I never was able to go to my destination. They did not help me whatsoever. I had to book a whole new flight for that reason I would write this is zero

The plane was delayed an hour. Heard from other passengers that the Vancouver connection to SFO was never on-time.

Our original flight was cancelled due to mechanical reasons. This cancellation caused us to miss our connection and we were not able to get another flight for 3 days and then needed to make an extra connection to get there. Air Canada did not rebook our flight for us, it took several hours of talking with staff in the airport and making phone calls to get the flights rebooked. We never received a voucher for our hotel and meals while we were waiting for our next flight and it was only after talking to several staff that we were provided some general information about how we could be reimbursed. We tried entering our ticket information in the website provided, but it did not recognize our flight information. When we asked someone on the phone about this they said we'd need to contact the customer relations department, but that it's not possible to reach them on the phone. I don't understand what company would have a customer relations department that you can't talk to. We spent about $1,000 for hotels and meals for our family while waiting for a flight home and I'm not confident we will ever get reimbursed for this. I understand that mechanical issues can happen to any airline, but this is the 4th time that this has happened to my wife and I on Air Canada and we have only flown Air Canada about 8 times, so this is not a good track record. Also, when we did finally get a flight home (which was also delayed due to mechanical problems), we were told we couldn't bring a standard carry on even though the information on our ticket clearly indicated that we could bring a carry on bag. The staff at the gate were not understanding about this situation.

Hoping for small compasation for having to rebook my trip back cause i had to miss 6 hrs work

Extremely disappointing. My original Denver–Vancouver–Bangkok itinerary was cancelled due to a mechanical issue. I was not proactively supported and had to drive back home after already reaching the airport. Communication was poor throughout, and attempts to contact customer service resulted in being on hold for nearly three hours without reaching anyone. Instead of being rebooked on the same direct routing the following day, I was rerouted onto a much longer itinerary via multiple cities and airlines, which resulted in arriving approximately 30 hours later than scheduled. At Denver airport, there was no visible Air Canada representative available to properly assist. Ground staff offered no real support beyond directing passengers to a phone number. There was no clear communication, no ownership, and no meaningful customer care during a major disruption. The final journey involved three flights instead of the original two, significantly increasing travel time and stress. Overall, the handling of the cancellation and lack of customer support was unacceptable. What could have been better? Clear communication during the cancellation Accessible customer service (phone support that actually answers) Proper in-person assistance at the airport Rebooking onto a comparable routing rather than a significantly longer one

Mechanical issue caused me to be stuck in Vancouver for 2 days

I explained this tragedy already with Jazz It was terrible starting with Jazz delayed 3 times so that I missed my direct flight to Mexico City and the only option was a 19 hour trip to Toronto and then down to Mexico City I was delayed by a day I had to sleep in tbe Airport on a hard bench I was given vouchers which were not honored I had no place to eat until 0545 and then catch my flight which was boarding I went to the AC counter to c/o and that was to no avail I then had the experience of my suitcase being lost and no clothes gor 2 days

Short flight, you can't do much. On nice days, announce the islands they're flying over.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Vancouver to San José

Information on your arrival and departure airports