IAD - SJO

$153 Find Cheap Flights from Washington Dulles Airport to San José - Compare and Save

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Dulles Intl to San José departing on 8/15. 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

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$369
Typical prices: $270-$422
American Airlines
Thu 10/29Mon 11/2
IAD - SJO • 2 stops
Cheapest non-stop
$423
Typical prices: $264-$662
United Airlines
Sat 11/7Sat 11/14
IAD - SJO • Non-stop
Advice from real travelers
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
Avianca Classic fare adds a checked bag, unlike United's standard economy.
United Economy Plus adds legroom; Avianca LifeMiles can offer strong value.
Expert advice
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Top airlines
Cheapest • from $369 (round-trip)
Best reviews • 7.8 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
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Airline reviews
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Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $448 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 6h 56m (one-way)
Insights
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Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 2 weeks in advance save around 32% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
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Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 30% price drop
Most popular
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Flight Deals
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Dulles Intl to San José (IAD-SJO)

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

Thu, Oct 29 - Mon, Nov 2
American Airlines Logo
7:13 pm - 12:00 pm
IAD
-
SJO
18h 47m
2 stops
American Airlines Logo
2:07 pm - 8:54 pm
SJO
-
IAD
29h 47m
1 stop
$369American Airlines
Fri, Nov 6 - Mon, Nov 9
American Airlines Logo
7:09 pm - 2:49 pm
IAD
-
SJO
20h 40m
2 stops
American Airlines Logo
2:07 pm - 6:47 pm
SJO
-
IAD
27h 40m
1 stop
$369American Airlines
Sat, Oct 10 - Sun, Oct 18
Avianca Logo
5:45 am - 11:30 am
IAD
-
SJO
7h 45m
1 stop
Avianca Logo
5:05 am - 3:55 pm
SJO
-
IAD
8h 50m
1 stop
$369Avianca
Sun, Sep 6 - Sat, Sep 12
Avianca Logo
5:35 pm - 11:40 pm
IAD
-
SJO
8h 05m
1 stop
Avianca Logo
7:45 pm - 4:20 am
SJO
-
IAD
6h 35m
1 stop
$369Avianca
Tue, Nov 17 - Tue, Nov 24
Copa Airlines Logo
8:32 am - 9:07 am
IAD
-
SJO
25h 35m
1 stop
Copa Airlines Logo
2:46 pm - 3:15 am
SJO
-
IAD
11h 29m
1 stop
$369Copa Airlines
Sun, Oct 18 - Tue, Oct 27
Copa Airlines Logo
2:25 am - 8:19 am
IAD
-
SJO
7h 54m
1 stop
Copa Airlines Logo
6:05 pm - 4:20 am
SJO
-
IAD
8h 15m
1 stop
$370Copa Airlines
Sat, Nov 7 - Sat, Nov 14
United Airlines Logo
10:25 pm - 11:25 am
IAD
-
SJO
14h 00m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
2:15 pm - 7:59 pm
SJO
-
IAD
4h 44mnonstop
$372United Airlines
Fri, Nov 6 - Sat, Nov 14
United Airlines Logo
10:25 pm - 12:35 pm
IAD
-
SJO
15h 10m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
2:15 pm - 7:59 pm
SJO
-
IAD
4h 44mnonstop
$372United Airlines
Mon, Nov 30 - Thu, Dec 10
Delta Logo
3:00 pm - 10:15 pm
IAD
-
SJO
8h 15m
1 stop
Delta Logo
2:30 pm - 12:39 am
SJO
-
IAD
9h 09m
1 stop
$388Delta
Mon, Jan 25 - Wed, Jan 27
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 12:45 pm
IAD
-
SJO
7h 45m
1 stop
Delta Logo
7:05 am - 6:26 pm
SJO
-
IAD
10h 21m
1 stop
$428Delta
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Dulles Intl to San José flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Dulles Intl 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 Washington, D.C. Dulles 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 Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to San José departing in October.

Flight prices are typical for this route right now.

Flights to San José from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport usually cost between $304 and $480 in October.
The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $369 on Avianca (Oct 22-Oct 25).

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington Dulles Airport to San José?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to San José clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

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

What is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. Dulles 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 Washington, D.C. Dulles 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 Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to San José is October, where tickets cost $270 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and June, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $460 and $450 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport 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 2 stops layover the cheapest option at $374 on average.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Washington, D.C. Dulles 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 Washington, D.C. Dulles 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 Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to San José, you should book around 2 weeks before departure, which saves you about 32% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 8 weeks before departure.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Dulles Intl 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
Mark Chesnut

Mark Chesnut

Expert on Avianca 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.

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines and IAD

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Good to know

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$153
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 21% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 13% increase in price.
Flight from Washington Dulles Airport to San José

When to book flights from Dulles Intl to San José

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Dulles Intl 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 Washington Dulles Airport to San José flights

  • Which other nearby cities are served by the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)?

    Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) primarily serves the capital city of Costa Rica, San José. However, it is also the main international gateway for travelers visiting various other cities and destinations within Costa Rica. They include Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, and Jaco.

  • What are the most popular connecting routes between Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)?

    Many travelers between Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) connect through major US hubs such as Miami (MIA) or Dallas (DFW). These hubs offer multiple daily flights to SJO, providing convenient options for connecting passengers. Some connect through other Central American cities, such as Panama (PTY) or San Salvador (SAL).

  • What are the most eco-friendly airlines offering flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Juan Santamaría International (SJO)?

    Consider Delta, American Airlines, or Copa Airlines if you want to travel sustainably from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Juan Santamaría International (SJO). Delta has taken steps to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. They've invested in modernizing their fleet, including more fuel-efficient aircraft. They also have a carbon offset program and initiatives to minimize waste.

  • Do airlines offer family services on trips between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Juan Santamaría International (SJO)?

    American Airlines, Copa Airlines, and Avianca are parents’ favorites between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). They offer in-flight entertainment options that often include a selection of family-friendly movies, TV shows, and games to keep children entertained during the journey.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to San José?

    In the last 5 days, the lowest price for a flight from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to San José was $153 for a one-way ticket and $369 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Washington Dulles Airport and San José?

    Yes, you'll most likely have to show a valid passport before boarding the plane in Washington Dulles Airport and on arrival in San José.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Washington Dulles Airport to San José?

    Washington Dulles Airport and San José are both served by 1 main airport. You will leave Washington Dulles Airport from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl and will be arriving at San José Juan Santamaria Intl.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Washington Dulles Airport to San José?

    Only JetBlue offers inflight Wi-Fi service on the Washington Dulles Airport to San José flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Washington Dulles Airport to San José?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Washington Dulles Airport to San José flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Washington Dulles Airport to San José?

    SkyTeam, oneworld, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between Washington Dulles Airport and San José, with SkyTeam being the most commonly used for this route.

  • What is the most popular layover when flying to San José from Washington Dulles Airport?

    San Salvador is the most popular layover city among KAYAK users traveling from Washington Dulles Airport to San José.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Washington, D.C. to San José, Delta or Copa Airlines?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Washington, D.C. to San José are Delta and Copa Airlines. With an average price for the route of $532 and an overall rating of 7.8, Delta is the most popular choice. Copa Airlines is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $386 and an overall rating of 7.6.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Washington Dulles Airport 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 Washington Dulles Airport to San José.

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

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

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $278 or less one-way and $426 or less round-trip.
  • United Airlines is the primary carrier that operates the most flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). United Airlines has a major hub at IAD, and it offers a wide range of domestic and international flights from this airport, including to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). Choosing this carrier lets you enjoy accelerated services and excellent amenities at IAD.
  • Several airlines that operate flights between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica, offer seat upgrades. These airlines might include major carriers like United Airlines and American Airlines, which allow passengers to move from the economy to business or first class cabins.
  • Major airlines operating between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), such as United Airlines and American Airlines, have put policies and services in place to assist passengers with disabilities. These services include wheelchair assistance, priority boarding, and special seating.
  • Although Ronald Reagan Airport (DCA) and Baltimore Airport (BWI) serve Washington, D.C., Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is a major gateway for international travel. It offers a wider range of international flights and connections to various destinations around the world compared to BWI and DCA. Still, the facility is known for its spacious terminals and modern facilities, providing a comfortable travel experience for passengers.
  • Passengers traveling in business and first class between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) experience more spacious and comfortable seating arrangements, with more legroom and wider seats that often recline fully into lie-flat beds. In addition, passengers will enjoy gourmet dining options tailored to their preferences. Meals may be served on demand, and some airlines offer the opportunity to pre-select your meal before the flight.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Dulles Intl to San José

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Washington, D.C. 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 Dulles Intl 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.
7.8
DeltaOverall score based on 8493 reviews
8.5Crew
8.1Boarding
7.8Comfort
7.8Entertainment
7.2Food
Airline reviews

Flight was delayed for about an hour but overall good experience

8.0 ExcellentNana, Jul 2026
DCA - ATL
Read more Delta reviews

Flight was delayed for about an hour but overall good experience

The gentleman at the gate I think his name is RIE was exceptional

This flight was no comparison to our prior flight. I'm thinking it all has to do with the age of the aircraft.

2 of the seats in row 31 the entertainment system was not working, and one seat the tray table did not go all the way down. Flight arrived early and departed on time which was great.

Waited at the usual crowded gate at DCA where one ends up standing up because there aren't enough seats.

Great. Seamless. Check in agent at kiosk international was amazing and extremely helpful.

Delayed take-off. Very small plane so very scary with lots of bumps during the flight. Would never fly Delta on short flights in small 80 seaters plane again! Felt relieved when landed.

Inexpensive, got an exit row aisle aeat with no middle passenger, bought a great breakfast sandwich, flight comfortable & arrived ahead of schedule.

I wouldn't say I liked being forced to check my small roller bag at the gate; too many people had bags and were in a higher boarding group.

Delta planes have the WORST seat comfort of any plane in history. It's the opposite of ergonomic, in every sense. They also recline minimally, are covered in a vinyl and have no feet rests. Then the disembarking process is chaotic and time consuming (because of the way they load the plane and deal with luggage). Overall, somewhat frustrating but we arrived safely :)

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

There should be a warning regarding the quality of the aircraft on the website as we reserve the tickets. There was no TV or any type of screen onboard. The wifi they offer is good for nothing. Traveling 9 hours straight with kids and no type of entetainment was horrible. I wish I had been informed prior so I could buy a ticket with another airline. The food was a joke too. A very tiny portion per passenger. They also charged $100 per checked bag. With United I used to pay $60. So, fair to say that I wont be flying Copa anymore. Their aircraft was super old, outdated, no entertainment, with nearly no onboard food.

Very strict carry on rules meant most of the plane had to gate check their luggage. As is often the case had things that were broken because of this, but I appreciated not being charged to gate check. Otherwise good flight and great crew once on the plane

I liked the meatloaf the chicken was awful but the plane was on time and got there and the staff was nice.

Boarding was quick & efficient; they gave boarding groups due priority; staff & air crew were very cordial and helpful, pleasant flight.

Very happy with my flight. I would definitely recommend it.

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

There was no individual at the front check in when I arrived. I waited for at least 15 minutes and walked around asking security/janitors if they could help and they did not have a solution. So I had to take my checked bag through security and they threw away some of my items. I ended up making it to the gate only a few minutes before it closed due to my waiting for an agent at check in.

Check in person said there would be lunch. We were first class passengers and lunch was chips.

Boarding groups were called up in Spanish only. Luckily I know some of the language. They gave out grilled cheese sandwiches and a cup of fruit. I was very disappointed. I could only eat the cup of fruit because the only other option was vanilla pudding. The entertainment system and seating were great though.

My flight was delayed so bad i missed u it so i just said never mind

Delayed 2 hours while stuck on the aircraft. If the luggage was properly loaded the first time we probably wouldn’t have been delayed at all

1. Everything was satisfactory concerning the flight. 2. Can't think of what could be better right now.

Onboard staff was courteous, helpful, responsive and friendly. The boarding process was disorganized, poorly communicated, and disheveled. Gate agents were yelling instead of using the PA system, didn’t communicate the timing delay of our flight, and created an atmosphere of chaos rather than order and communication. As far as I know, there was no reason for their. I would hate to see how it operated under extreme conditions. I’ve never seen United Airlines operations in such a state.

The flight did not have its customary snacks during the flight. Apparently they were never loaded on the plane.

Worst service- attendants dont want to help and sat us in front of bathroom

We sat on the hot plane for ours with very conflicting messages. Some (most?) of this may be due to the flight control staff, but we were also repeatedly getting "we are leaving"/"we are not" messages. It was very uncomfortable

Staff could’ve been a little more cordial. The men were much more friendlier than the women. My daughter and I also missed the 2nd to last meal as we were sleeping but that is on us.

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.

I had very little time to change planes originally in Denver after my flight from Omaha. I had an hour and a half layover in Denver originally and my flight leaving Omaha was delayed an hour because they had to change a tire, which I can understand. When I reached Denver my other flight was late, fortunately, but I still had only 10 minutes to run about a mile through the airport to get to my flight. Again, fortunately, I am a healthy 71-year-old and was able to accomplish this feat. However, the stress was more than necessary to bear.

Disorganized boarding. Mandatory to gate check bags. Curt flight staff. No space for cabin bag, even when I was in first class.

Patrons with larger bags were asked to check the bags when boarding. Seems like the most effective, and least costly way, way to successfully use the cramped space.

They cancelled our flight two times after rebooking us for a later flight. We never got on the plane. We found another solution by driving.

Mostly great. Only issue was with the WiFi. Halfway through the flight it was spotty and I was unable to work as I planned. This impacted my work products as I am traveling for business and it was an unexpected hindrance which was inconvenient. Flight here was amazing. For a 5 hour flight something more than a Biscoff would be nice but I’m just swinging at windmills I guess…

Delayed boarding because a flight attendant couldn't find the gate...sat on the plane for over an hour at the gate because AA couldn't get one of the planes behind us to move

The seats were extremely cramped, with very little legroom or personal space. There was no room left in the overhead bins for a backpack, and the space under the seat in front was so limited that I could barely fit my bag underneath. Overall, the seating arrangement felt very uncomfortable and overcrowded.

As always, most AA flights that we fly are almost ALWAYS delayed and that too multiple times. Very frustrating

The small flights with Valet Luggage has a poor service

Human interaction. Thought there would be more service-even a smile would have been nice.

A much better flight than our previous. The flight attendant took care of us and regularly checked in to see if we needed anything. Brought us drinks prior to the departure and then a couple more times. Totally makes the difference in how you travel when the crew is checking on their passengers. Great job on this leg of our trip.

We booked seats next to each other. When we got the boarding passes, they were for different rows. The crew were reluctant to help us, so we ended up sitting separately. 1. What’s the point of reserving by seat number if you’re not going to honor that reservation? 2. Even if it gets messed up between reservation and boarding, how is the crew going to deny us the opportunity to arrange to sit together. There were plenty of people flying alone. It could’ve been easily accommodated. Not very customer-friendly at all.

The seats were the worst I have ever flown Too narrow, did not recline and the actual seat was hard as a rock. I will tell all travelers to stay away from Avianca flights.

They should provide water to passengers who ask for it

The worst experience I've ever had because the "people" @ Avianca wouldn't let me fly because they said I needed a round trip ticket

Seating was tight. Seats don't recline. Initial flight was cancelled. Lost two days of vacation.

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

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

I receive a service for what I pay, so it is fair.

They charged me $120 to check one bag and then charged me another $120 for a carryon. Ridiculous!

Voo longo nem mesmo água ou gelo é servido, se quiser tem que pagar. Embarque é péssimo, mau atendimento.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Dulles Intl to San José

Information on your arrival and departure airports