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City guide

Costa Rica

Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America. It borders Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, sharing a maritime border with Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island.

Type CountryPopulation 350,000

Why go

  • Country in Central America.
  • Served by Rio Frio / Progreso Airport (RFR).

History

Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America. It borders Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, sharing a maritime border with Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island. It has a population of around five million in a land area of nearly 51,180 km2 (19,760 sq mi); the capital and largest city is San José, home to around 350,000 residents and two million people in the surrounding metropolitan area.

Airports

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) 23 km to the centre
San José (Alajuela), A, CR — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 21 airlines (CAL Cargo Air Lines, LACSA, Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia, Euro Exec Express…) · direct flights to 38 destinations incl. Guatemala City, Panama City, Charlotte, Golfito, La Fortuna/San Carlos… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 21 airlines, 38 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Palmar Sur Airport (PMZ)
Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 3 airlines (CAL Cargo Air Lines, Euro Exec Express, LACSA) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. San Jose (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 3 airlines, 1 direct destination
  • CAL Cargo Air Lines 5C (CNA) · 1 route: San Jose
  • Euro Exec Express RZ (CNA) · 1 route: San Jose
  • LACSA LR (CNA) · 1 route: San Jose*

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) 16 km to the centre
San Jose, SJ, CR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (CAL Cargo Air Lines) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Liberia (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
  • CAL Cargo Air Lines 5C (DHT) · 1 route: Liberia

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Guapiles Airport (GPL) 34 km to the centre
Pococi, L, CR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Aerotortuguero Airport 64 km to the centre
Roxana, L, CR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Barra del Colorado Airport (BCL) 98 km to the centre
Pococi, L, CR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Rio Frio / Progreso Airport (RFR); 33 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: PMZ has direct flights to 1 destination on 3 airlines (incl. San Jose).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Costa Rica. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.