Flights

Flights to Costa Rica

From its sprawling rainforests to its vast wetlands and dense cities, Costa Rica has a line-up of adventures waiting. Packed between relatively compact borders – you can drive from one side of the country to the other in under 10 hours – is a region of intense biodiversity. A vast canvas of national parks, volcanoes and waterfall-strewn forests teeming with flora and fauna captures the country’s motto ‘pura vida’ – pure life.  

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Our cheapest flights to Costa Rica

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Get to the heart of this biodiverse region

Fly to Costa Rica with British Airways and you’re on the doorstep of some truly unmissable nature.

Start in the country’s largest city, San José. As Costa Rica’s cultural capital, you can expect historic neighbourhoods like Barrio Amón, where centuries-old buildings have been converted into art galleries.

Then there’s Barrio Escalante, a collection of streets filled with restaurants and bars, which is perfect for keen foodies. Move on to must-visit natural wonders like Arenal Volcano, a mighty mountain looming over the town of La Fortuna, and Manuel Antonio National Park, where you can see sloths and toucans.

The cloud forests of Santa Elena and Monteverde have some of Costa Rica’s best zip-line canopy courses, ideal for thrill-seekers. Book your holiday to Costa Rica today. 

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Flight time

11 hours

Time Zone

GMT -6

Currency

Costa Rica Colon

Costa Rica flight FAQs

A flight from London Heathrow, London Gatwick or London City airports to Juan Santamaria International Airport takes around 11 hours.

The most popular time to visit is during the country’s summer months, December to April, when you can get stuck into outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking and wildlife watching. You can often find cheaper flights during rainy season, when the weather, while still humid, is less predictable. 

Costa Rica can be affordable in lots of ways. There are accommodation options at a range of prices, including hostels and budget hotels. Choose public bus routes instead of cars to travel around for less and take advantage of free or low-cost activities like wildlife watching, hiking or surfing. Enjoy budget-friendly eats from local markets, like gallo pinto – a bean and rice mix, usually served with eggs, cheese or sour cream – or buy snacks from the street markets, including mango and other fresh fruits. 

Once you touch down at Juan Santamaria International Airport, you’re only a 30-minute taxi ride from the capital, San José. It’s a popular base to settle in before figuring out your next move. The cheapest way to travel there is by bus, but shuttle, train or taxi are other options. 

You can hire a car with British Airways if you want to get out the city and see more of what Costa Rica has to offer. You’ll receive great benefits, with all mandatory charges included and 24-hour customer support, plus you’ll collect Avios points every rental. 

‘Pura vida’ is central to Costa Rica’s essence, from its natural beauty to its distinct seasonal cycle sustaining wildlife and encouraging regrowth. Spend your days visiting national parks – there are 28 here in total – or following hiking trails, before stopping for lunch along the beachfront. Keep the natural theme going with an evening trip to Nicoya or Osa Peninsula and experience bioluminescent kayaking. For a few hours of escapism, visit a hot spring or mud pot – La Fortuna is known for its beautiful candlelit views and warmer temperatures.

You can book a hand baggage-only ticket or make the most of our generous baggage allowance. If you choose economy standard or one of our British Airways Holidays’ packages, each passenger can check in a bag weighing up to 23kg – in addition to a handbag, laptop case or other small bag. Families travelling in any cabin with younger children can also check in one car seat and one fully collapsible pushchair. Read more about baggage allowances for children.

If you’re flying in our business cabin, you can check in two bags weighing up to 32kg each. Read our baggage guide for full details.

Citizens of the UK and Ireland and EU passport holders do not need a visa to visit Costa Rica. If you hold a passport from a country or territory outside of these areas, you may need to apply for a visa before travel. You can find out more about visa requirements for all the countries we fly to at the IATA Travel Centre.

Discover outstanding service from the moment you book. Fly with just hand baggage and you can carry two bags free of charge. Choose our checked baggage option and you can travel with hand baggage and a 23kg bag checked into the hold, plus enjoy free seat selection 24 hours before you fly. On board you’ll find HEPA-filtered air, quality on-board catering and a warm, uniquely British welcome. 

Simply relax and let us take care of you, every step of the way. 

Our cabins

All our cabins offer an excellent – and uniquely British – experience. Choose your perfect way to fly, from economy to First.

Economy

Our World Traveller cabin offers all the touches you need to enjoy your flight at an affordable price.

World Traveller

Premium economy

Discover our World Traveller Plus cabin and treat yourself to a wider seat and more legroom in a separate, quieter cabin.

World Traveller Plus

Business

Work or relax in our Club World cabin and enjoy lounge access, a dedicated check-in area and fully flat beds for a restful sleep.

Club World

First

Choose First to enjoy a range of comforts, from fine dining to your own private suite and access to our elegant departure lounges.

First

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Terms and Conditions

  • Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
  • Package holiday prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
  • Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
  • Each–way fares displayed are the lowest adult each-way prices in the cabin specified based on the lowest adult return prices for a 7 day travel period, including all taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
  • One-way fares displayed are the lowest adult prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
  • Package holiday prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in GBP per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
  • Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
  • Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
  • Combine and save on Holidays: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ holiday including more than one hotel and / or car.
  • Package holidays are protected under British Airways Holidays Ltd by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 5985.
  • Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply