Air Travel to, in, and around Costa Rica

Most direct flights through Miami cost less, however there are flights from your home city to San José by way of Los Angeles, Houston, New Orleans or Panama. The airlines currently offering service from the United States to San José, Costa Rica are Aviateca (800-327-9832), Sasha (800-327-1225), Continental (800-231-0856), Mexicana (531-7921), Grupo Taca (800-535-8780), American (800-433-7300), Delta (800-241-4141), United (800-538-2929) and LACSA Costa Rica's national airline. Lacsa's toll-free number is 800-225-2272 in the U.S.A. and 800-663-2444 in Canada.

Some airline tickets are good for a year but you need permission from the Costa Rican Immigration Department to stay in the country longer than 90 days, unless you are a Costa Rican resident or pensionado. Most airlines offer excursion rates and three-or-four week packages. Others, especially Canadian airlines, offer special group and charter rates. Fares are subject to availability, change and restrictions including advanced purchase requirements, minimum stops or cancellation penalties. Remember, the main tourist season in Costa Rica runs from about Thanksgiving to Easter. This period approximately coincides with local vacations so it is hard to find available space at this time of year. If you are planning to travel to or from Costa Rica during December you may have to buy a ticket months in advance because of the Christmas holidays. However, if you get into a jam you can sometimes find space on a flight via Panama.

If you plan to travel or explore South America from Costa Rica, you can usually save money by flying to Miami and then buying a round-trip ticket to your destination. For instance, a one-way ticket from San José to Buenos Aires, Argentina can cost more than a round trip ticket from Miami to Buenos Aires. Tico Travel (800-493-8426) specializes in trips to Costa Rica. We highly recommend this agency for booking your trip to Costa Rica.

International Airlines Located In San José Costa Rica
American Airlines, La Sabana 257-1266
Avianca/SAM, Ave. 5, Calle 1 233-3066
Aviateca 257-9444
Continental, Juan Santamaria Airport 296-4911
COPA, Ave. 5, Calle 1 222-6640
Delta 257-4141
Grupo Taca 257-9444
Iberia, Ave. 2-4, Calle 1 257-8266
KLM 220-4119
Mexicana 257-6334
Nica 257-9444
Sasha, Ave. 5, Calle 1-3 221-5774
TACA 257-9444
United 220-4844
Domestic Airlines
Smaller domestic airlines like SANSA, Travelair, or chartered, called air taxis are used for flights within the country. The latter can cost up to a few hundred dollars an hour. SANSA, the national airline, is more reasonably priced ($15 to $30, depending on your destination). SANSA flies to the beach cities of Golfito, Quepos, Barra del Colorado, Sámara, Nosara, and Tamarindo. We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance, especially during the heavy tourist season (December to May.) These flights get you to your designation quickly and economically, save you time and give you the thrill of viewing Costa Rica's spectacular landscape from above.

SANSA's office is in the Grupo Taca building diagonal to the northeast corner of the Sabana Park. Telephone 221-9414 or E-mail; info@flysansa.com or see sansa@lacsa.atlas-com for flight times and reservations. Some travel agencies in San José also make reservations.

Travelair offers domestic flights. Call 220-3054 or E-mail: reservations@-costarica.com. Charters are available at Tel: 011-(506) 257-0766 or www.costaricacharters.com. Also look in the yellow pages under "Taxis Aereos."