$72 Find Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica departing on 12/31. 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.
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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours
San José
San José1 stop$232
Liberia
Liberia2 stops$265
San José
San José1 stop$232
Liberia
Liberia2 stops$265

Book Cheap Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica Plane Tickets

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica 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 Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica

Thu, Jan 15 - Tue, Jan 20
Spirit Airlines Logo
6:20 am - 12:22 pmBWI-SJO
7h 02m1 stop
Spirit Airlines Logo
1:30 pm - 11:31 pmSJO-BWI
9h 01m1 stop
$232Spirit Airlines
Find Deal
Wed, Jan 14 - Wed, Jan 28
Spirit Airlines Logo
6:20 am - 12:22 pmBWI-SJO
7h 02m1 stop
Spirit Airlines Logo
1:30 pm - 11:31 pmSJO-BWI
9h 01m1 stop
$234Spirit Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, Feb 3 - Fri, Feb 13
American Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 12:38 pmBWI-SJO
7h 38m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
12:23 am - 2:32 pmSJO-BWI
13h 09m1 stop
$236American Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Jan 17 - Thu, Jan 22
Spirit Airlines Logo
6:20 am - 12:22 pmBWI-SJO
7h 02m1 stop
Spirit Airlines Logo
1:30 pm - 11:31 pmSJO-BWI
9h 01m1 stop
$238Spirit Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, Feb 3 - Fri, Feb 13
American Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 12:38 pmBWI-SJO
7h 38m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
12:23 am - 4:21 pmSJO-BWI
14h 58m2 stops
$240American Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Dec 6 - Fri, Dec 12
Avianca Logo
11:55 pm - 3:50 amIAD-SJO
4h 55mnonstop
Avianca Logo
4:30 pm - 3:10 amSJO-IAD
9h 40m1 stop
$241Avianca
Find Deal
Wed, Jan 21 - Mon, Jan 26
United Airlines Logo
5:18 pm - 12:56 pmBWI-SJO
20h 38m1 stop
United Airlines Logo
6:30 am - 4:06 pmSJO-BWI
8h 36m1 stop
$242United Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Jan 24 - Mon, Jan 26
Avianca Logo
11:55 pm - 3:50 amIAD-SJO
4h 55mnonstop
Avianca Logo
5:10 pm - 10:35 pmSJO-IAD
4h 25mnonstop
$246Avianca
Find Deal
Sat, Jan 24 - Thu, Jan 29
United Airlines Logo
6:45 pm - 6:25 amIAD-SJO
12h 40m1 stop
United Airlines Logo
2:00 pm - 11:18 pmSJO-IAD
8h 18m1 stop
$251United Airlines
Find Deal
Fri, Jan 9 - Thu, Jan 15
Delta Logo
8:35 pm - 12:50 pmDCA-LIR
17h 15m1 stop
Delta Logo
2:05 pm - 10:33 pmLIR-DCA
7h 28m1 stop
$305Delta
Find Deal
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica flight route?

Data is based on round-trip flight searches on KAYAK over the past month.

The cheapest ticket to Costa Rica from Washington, D.C. found in the last 72 hours was to San José, at $247 round-trip. The most popular route is from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport (IAD) to San José (SJO), and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $247.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica?

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.

No, with an average price for the route of $367, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica, 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. to Costa Rica is October, when tickets cost $277 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and April, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $613 and $534 respectively.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to Costa Rica on a Tuesday and more expensive on a Saturday. On your return trip to Washington, D.C., you should consider flying back on a Friday, and avoid Sundays for better deals.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica?

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. to Costa Rica, 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. to Costa Rica, you should book around 1 week before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 3 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonSeptember
Cheapest flight$72
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 31% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 38% increase in price.
Flight from Baltimore to San José

FAQs - booking Costa Rica flights

  • Can I rent a car at the Liberia International Airport (LIR)?

    You can make a rental car reservation with several companies that service LIR, including Budget, Enterprise, Avis, and Hertz, among others. All rental car companies that serve LIR have free shuttles to their nearby offices. Keep in mind that you need to purchase Costa Rican car insurance, which you can do at these rental car counters.

  • Can I find a non-stop flight from the Washington, D.C. area to San Jose, Costa Rica?

    From Washington Dulles International Airport, Avianca operates non-stop flights to San Jose. However, you are unlikely to find a non-stop flight that departs from Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. However, Spirit flies from BWI to SJO with one stop in Orlando, Delta with one stop in Atlanta, and American Airlines with one stop in Miami.

  • How much baggage can I take on a flight from Washington, D.C. to Liberia, Costa Rica?

    You should be able to find a cheap flight from Washington, D.C. to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport that allows one carry-on for the cheapest fares available. Some examples are a Delta flight with one stop in Atlanta or an American Airlines flight that connects in Dallas or Charlotte.

  • Do I need a visa in order to fly from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica?

    Americans traveling from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica for purposes of tourism do not need a visa for a visit that lasts less than 180 days. However, when you enter Costa Rica, you need to show proof of return or onward travel. Your passport needs to be valid for the length of your stay in Costa Rica.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica?

    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, D.C. to Costa Rica.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica 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, D.C. to Costa Rica?

    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 from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica?

    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 from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Costa Rica?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to Costa Rica is generally in the afternoon, when round-trip flights cost $335 on average. Morning departures are around 103% more expensive than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to Costa Rica is generally in the morning, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $787.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Costa Rica

  • When you fly from the Washington, D.C. greater metropolitan area to Costa Rica, you might depart from either Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Washington Dulles International Airport is located on the northwestern outskirts of Washington, D.C., while Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is on the southern outskirts of Baltimore, towards Washington, D.C.
  • Washington Dulles International Airport serves as a hub for United airlines and SkyWest airlines, among others. Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is a hub for Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways, and others.
  • San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, tends to be the most popular Costa Rica destination for travelers from the Washington, D.C. area. When you fly into San Jose, you'll be landing at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). This airport is a hub for Sansa Airlines, Volaris Costa Rica, and Avianca Costa Rica.
  • When you book your airline ticket to the capital city of Costa Rica, make sure you are going to the correct San Jose. The airport in San Jose, Costa Rica has the airport code SJO. The airport in San Jose, California, which is named San Jose Mineta International Airport, has the airport code SJC. Be careful not to mix them up.
  • If you want to fly into the north of Costa Rica, closer to the beaches on the west coast, Liberia in the Guanacaste Province makes an ideal destination. You will be landing at the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR). Also called the Liberia International Airport, which is situated about 7 miles west of Downtown Liberia.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Washington, D.C. 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
DeltaOverall score based on 8002 reviews
8.1Boarding
7.9Comfort
8.5Crew
7.9Entertainment
7.3Food
Airline reviews

Our flight from SFO to MSP was right on time on 11/15/2025. No delays. As we approached MSP at about 8 pm, we circled in the air until 8:40 pm so I don't call that efficient for MSP. I think the captain should announce the delay and why. (as if we all don't know that we are just circling around the area, slowing down, speeding up, slowing down.) Thank you. Marilyn Fischer

8.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Nov 2025SFO - MSP
Read more Delta reviews

Our flight from SFO to MSP was right on time on 11/15/2025. No delays. As we approached MSP at about 8 pm, we circled in the air until 8:40 pm so I don't call that efficient for MSP. I think the captain should announce the delay and why. (as if we all don't know that we are just circling around the area, slowing down, speeding up, slowing down.) Thank you. Marilyn Fischer

Service in business class was not impressive. I ordered coffee with dinner and then watched other people get 2 refills before I got my 1 cup of coffee, and only after I pressed the attendant button overhead. Furthermore, the seats in the forward cabin need maintenance on this 737-800: the upholstery is detaching from the seat frame, at least on the backs of seats 1C, 1D.

Plenty of leg room, temperature was great and staff was excellent. Would do it more often.

The ticket agents in West Palm Beach on Friday afternoon Nov. 7th were incredible in getting us on an earlier plane to Atlanta during the government shutdown. Had the taken our original flight we would have missed our connection. She did this on her own, We didn't even have to ask, and she did it all with a smile and showing genuine concern that we would be taken care of. We are very grateful and thankful. We fly often, and now we will be sure to fly Delta.

Flight delayed then cancelled. Misplaced luggage. Still do not have. Rented car 1100 mile drive. I had to buy some overnight Hotels clothes toiletries gas food at my expense. Still not home. Not sure where luggage is. Over 4 hours on hold to Felta

I truly love flying with Delta. They have always treated me with the upmost respect

Our flight attendant in FIRST CLASS was one of the worst I’ve ever had. She was not at all pleasant, nor particularly good at her service.

Everything went well and was good. Nothing exceptional, but no complaints either. Cheap seats are pretty comfortable.

Staff were friendly and happy. Delta could make sure passengers that don't have the app know of changes. Without Kayak I would not have known about the change of gate or the delay. Kayak was faster to notify me.

They ended up paying for the bag twice, but the counter wouldn't take my baggage receipt. Left it to me to resolve. Not sure how to resolve the issue.

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

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

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

They were super friendly bumped me up to exit row free of charge, All flight legs were on time

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)

We paid extra with copa for seats near one another The plane was changed and we lost our seats We were all Separated. We have not received a refund for our seats despite emailing and calling.

Placed us in the last rear row of the plane so could not recline seats because of the rear wall, and also made it more of a tight space when the passenger in front reclined their seat. While understand seat assignments, every passenger should be afforded a reclining seat. The odor control scent from the restrooms was overwhelming strong. My wife and I could not deal with it, and she suffered a terrible headache as a result. I kept getting hit by the crew since I was on the ilse seat. No apologies, nothing. They made me feel like I was supposed to take the beating for a 3 hr flight.

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.

Starlink wifi on the Embraer E175 is an excellent experience. I was able to connect and work from IAD all the way to approach into BTV.

7 hours delayed due to operational issues on United’s end. Basically laziness.

Short flight but an "eager to help" crew made the journey more enjoyable!

During booking, I kept trying submitting my payment from the Mexican website and it didn't work. After I had the idea to change it to the Canadian website, it worked but I had to be charged the equivalent of 50 CAD more. I received the clear instruction that I would only be able to check-in at the airport and that it was impossible to select a seat 24 hours before departure, that I had to pay 144 CAD to do so, although not only was I able to check-in 24 hours before departure, but I could have selected my seats for free then. All in all, I almost threw $200 out the window due to misleading information. Besides, the app kept crashing, the information to get to the gate on the app was inaccurate, my gate was switched and I was only informed once in the air (luckily I had noticed the departure pannel), I was not addressed in my language beforehand and even if I tried I was immediately answered in English (which meant the crew understood but didn't want to answer accordingly), there was only one snack & beverage service on my medium haul flight and no beverage service on my short haul flight. To be fair, the planes were comfortable, the crew apart from the language issue was helpful, dynamic and engaging, the plane was clean and the directions were clear and direct. United has a lot of potential to be one of my favourite airlines, but the devil is in the details and a lot of them missed the target.

Better WiFi. I cannot understand that in 2025, United is so behind on a technology that is now a necessity and still painfully unreliable, slow and keeps disconnecting.

Great service on board. Boarding a bit slow due to process. Food was pretty average.

Very small cramped plane for an international flight. Everything else was good, but it was maybe the smallest comfort-wise I've ever been on for longer than 3-4 hours and the trip was 7.5

Flight was delayed 3 hours. No food and drink vouchers was provided. They offered a mini pretzel bag and water .

Staff was rude. Didn’t give water for 2 hours. Worst service

Was on time until within 1 hour of flight-how does that happen? Staff very friendly.

We were told the flight was delayed 5 times, then it was moved to the next day.

More choices on snacks. Built-in video screen to enjoy entertainment choices.

we landed at cmh ten minutes early but had to sit on tarmac for twenty minutes because a plane was at our gate despite the fact that 3 other gates were open.

The experience with American Airlines was good, although the Philippines Airlines flight was much better (better seats, better food, better entertainment options, overall better). Again, the MIA to LAX flight was fine, but nothing in comparison to the comfort and accommodations of the Philippines Airlines flight from LAX to MNL.

Flight delay was communicated before leaving for airport which caused it to be a non-event. Great flight and crew!

The flight attendant, a black woman with curly hair who sat near Row 21, was wonderful and kind.

It took way too long to diagnose and solve the problem of a broken crew member cabin seat. Though compensation for the volunteer who left the flight was very kind.

We fly American Airlines quite a bit. And we always fly business class when traveling internationally. We were a bit disappointed with the comfort of this particular plane as well as the entertainment options.

The AA staff person who checked our bags was curt and almost rude. The FA also seemed unhappy doing her job. Overall it was like riding the school bus back in grade school.

They are still charging me after taking 466 and 833 for round trip from AR to to Bradley airport from 19 to 21. Then poor experience. Am hurt and I will say it on social media. Please stay away from this airline. I see in my bank account they are still taking 644. Am trying to stop it. I used to fly United airlines and I suggest that if you don't want extra charges and good service you go back there. American airlines delayed my flight again and I was late for my meeting, no recompensation but charging me over and over.

Not even water is offered on the flight. You cannot lean back on the seats and the seats are so narrow you can’t avoid rubbing elbows with the person next to you.

I couldnt recline the seat. Other than that crew was very attentive and helpful. Thsnk you

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.

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.

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

The usb plugs for charging your phone didn’t work, the seats were coarse and hard. Not very comfortable. No inflight WiFi

The seats were uncomfortable and barely reclined at all. Very little leg room despite being business class. The crew was friendly and the food was good. Had to use my own phone for in-flight entertainment.

The check in is the only positive thing in Avianca. The seat is the most uncomfortable I have traveled, the distance is minimal.

why did we have to go through security mid flight

Everything you need to know for your flight from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica

Cabin class types available on flights to Costa Rica

Cabin classes available on flights to Costa Rica. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.