Flying to Costa Rica is the easiest and the fastest way to get to this amazing country that is home to more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity.

Lush forests, stunning volcanoes, a wide range of animals and plants call this tiny country their home, and all these natural wonders wait to be discovered.

Rich Coast as the name translates into English is located in Central America and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the southwest, the Caribbean Sea on the northeast as well as Panama and Nicaragua on the south and north part.

The country is famous for its amazing scenery, high human development reported to the country’s income as well as eco-friendly policies.

The country is considered to be a stable environment for developing a new business with moderate inflation and proper conditions for foreign companies.

COVID-19 pandemic caused the closing of the borders for a while, but at the moment things are going back to normal, the borders are open again and certain rules and regulations should be followed in order to get your visa.

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Flying to Costa Rica entry requirements

At the moment the aerial and maritime borders are open for visitors from all over the world, but certain regulations are applied.

In order to enter Costa Rica you need to follow the above steps:

• complete the health pass online within 72 hours prior to departure
• buy medical insurance that covers you for any sickness including COVID-19 with a 50.000 USD limit and 2.000 USD for accommodation in the event of quarantine

Stay safe while you travel

• buy the returning ticket
• apply for the visa if necessary to enter Costa Rica

The travel insurance you will buy should be valid for the entire period when you plan to visit Costa Rica and should cover the medical conditions related to COVID within the above limits.

In order to be valid, the international insurance certificate issued by an insurance company should contain the following information:

• the full name of the person who travels to Costa Rica
• the validity dates have to be equal to or larger than the travel dates to Costa Rica
• coverage of 50.000 USD for medical expenses including COVID-19
• coverage of 2.000 USD for lodging expenses in the event of COVID-19 quarantine

Flying to Costa Rica

If you plan to travel to Costa Rica by air you should know that most airline companies operate flights to and from both international airports from the country.

International flights

Both airports, San Jose International airport (Juan Santamaria International Airport) and Liberia Airport (Daniel Oduber International Airport- LIR).

Most airline companies operate regular flights to Costa Rica from countries like the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, and some of the European Countries.

From the United States: United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, and Alaska Airlines

From South America: Aero Mexico and Copa Airlines ( Panama)

From Europe: Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, British Airways, and Edelweiss

Domestic flights

Costa Rica tourism is back on track again so all domestic airports are open and both domestic airline companies, Skyway and Sansa Regional operate at full capacity.

Both airlines have their main hub in San Jose and operate regular flights all across the country, connecting different regions within an hour of flight.

Most of the domestic flights are operated with small aircraft with single or double propellers that are easier to land on smaller and remote airports.

Pros and cons for flying to Costa Rica, domestic flights

The main advantage of flying with domestic airlines is the fact that you gain a lot of time, a precious resource in our days.

In 45 minutes or one hour, you get from San Jose to the rest of the country, the same trip that would take you hours of driving.

The ticket prices are quite reasonable and the view of the cloud forests and the volcano national parks from the plane is something that you won’t easily forget.

The biggest disadvantage of flying across Costa Rica is that you are not allowed to carry heavy luggage with you as the aircraft are small and have limited space.

So, if you are among those who like to pack the whole house when going on holiday, domestic flights are not suitable for you.

The maximum luggage weight allowed to carry with you depends on the aircraft and generally is somewhere between 25 to 45 pounds per person ( 11 to 20 kilograms).

Another thing that you should take into consideration when flying to Costa Rica from one part of the country to another is that most of the flights pass through San Jose.

So, if you plan to get from north to south of Costa Rica you most probably will have a stop in San Jose and change the plane.

Cheap flights to Costa Rica

After Panama, San Jose International airport is the second busiest airport from Central America; thousands of tourists come to visit this magnificent country every year.

As you might guess, flying is the best way to reach this exotic land and the good news is that many international carriers operate flights to this country.

Here are some useful advice for getting the best price for your flight ticket:

• start searching for plane tickets at least 2 months in advance
• hunt airline promotions for international carriers and limited-time deals
• keep your mind open and buy tickets with uncomfortable arrival and departure hours

Is Costa Rica open for travel

The simple answer to this question is yes, Costa Rica is open for travel for tourists from all over the world.

All you need to do is to follow their regulations and to have with you all the documents mentioned above to ensure a smooth entry process.

American citizens do not need COVID-19 testing before travelling to Costa Rica but it is advisable to be fully vaccinated before going abroad.

Is it safe to travel to Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a safe country with a pretty high standard of living, where costa Ricans follow the guidance and regulations impose by the state regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and national safety.

You are safe roaming on the streets but pickpocketing and petty theft are quite often especially in crowded places or when outside is dark.

Conclusion

Flying to Costa Rica is the most comfortable and fastest way to get from your home country to this exotic paradise.

Amazing waterfalls, breathtaking sceneries, and a wide range of plants and animals are waiting to be discovered.

Once you will get to this magnificent land you will easily understand the meaning of Pura Vida, their famous word that refers to their pure way of living.

Book your flight in advance to secure the best price, fill in the documents requested by authorities and let yourself lost in the Costa Rican wilderness.

 

Some of the following links are affiliate links. When you buy something using the retail links in our article, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost for you. You can read our full disclosure disclaimer and privacy policy.