$93 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 2/16. 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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Good to know

Low season

September

High season

December

Cheapest flight

$93
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 26% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 37% increase in price.
Flight from Washington Dulles Airport 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 long is the flight to Costa Rica from Washington, D.C.?

    Flights to San José5h 13m
    Flights to Liberia0h 00m
  • What is the cheapest flight to Costa Rica from Washington, D.C.?

    The cheapest ticket to Costa Rica from Washington, D.C. found in the last 72 hours was $93 one-way, and $192 round-trip. The most popular route is from Washington, D.C. to San José, and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $93.

  • Which airlines fly to Costa Rica?

    Avianca flies most frequently to San José from Washington, D.C..

  • 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.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Costa Rica

  • Book at least 1 week before departure in order to get a below-average price.
  • High season is considered to be May, June and July. The cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. is September.
  • On average*, there is no price difference when choosing to fly in the morning or the evening on this flight route.
  • 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.
See more tips
*Average of the lowest prices shown in KAYAK’s search results for departures within the next 30 days

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.
8.0
DeltaOverall score based on 8601 reviews
8.0Comfort
8.6Crew
8.2Boarding
7.3Food
7.9Entertainment
Airline reviews

I was with one of the last zones to board. It was kind of annoying to finally get called to board and my whole section was already on the plane. Clearly they boarded with previous zones. So by the time I got on board, there were no spaces for my luggage above my head. I had to put my luggage 4+ rows behind me, which meant that I had to wait even longer to get off the plane, since I had to wait for those rows to clear the aisle before I could retrieve my luggage and exit the plane. This also held up the plane cleaners, as they couldn't service my row until I cleared it, so they were all standing there waiting for me, while I'm standing there waiting for the other passengers to clear the aisle. Anyways, I wasn't in a rush this time, so I just waited, but I could see that being a problem in the future. Now, I could have checked my luggage, of course, but coincidentally, a friend of mine on the same flight got their luggage damaged (wheel completely knocked off) and was told by the Baggage Attendant in the airport that Delta doesn't "cover wheel damage" on luggage. This was disappointing to hear. I'm glad I didn't check mine through. If it were my luggage, I'd be highly frustrated to hear that. It makes me not want to check my luggage in the future.

8.0 ExcellentMelodii, Dec 2024ATL - MSY
Read more Delta reviews

I was with one of the last zones to board. It was kind of annoying to finally get called to board and my whole section was already on the plane. Clearly they boarded with previous zones. So by the time I got on board, there were no spaces for my luggage above my head. I had to put my luggage 4+ rows behind me, which meant that I had to wait even longer to get off the plane, since I had to wait for those rows to clear the aisle before I could retrieve my luggage and exit the plane. This also held up the plane cleaners, as they couldn't service my row until I cleared it, so they were all standing there waiting for me, while I'm standing there waiting for the other passengers to clear the aisle. Anyways, I wasn't in a rush this time, so I just waited, but I could see that being a problem in the future. Now, I could have checked my luggage, of course, but coincidentally, a friend of mine on the same flight got their luggage damaged (wheel completely knocked off) and was told by the Baggage Attendant in the airport that Delta doesn't "cover wheel damage" on luggage. This was disappointing to hear. I'm glad I didn't check mine through. If it were my luggage, I'd be highly frustrated to hear that. It makes me not want to check my luggage in the future.

The dear was very limited in space. I could put my water bottle in seat basket. Also, there was no inflight entertainment in the delta app?

Typically I give delta excellent reviews. Our flight was delayed 2hrs, I was one of the fortunate ones who were able to get to my connecting flight. Also, annoying that on the connecting flight boarding personnel make me put away a small bag into my carryon. It small enough to put in back pocket seat, why hold me and the line up to just push it into my carryon.

Logan airport construction meant that boarding was chaotic crowded and delayed

Everything was great. Great service, excellent communication, and early arrival

We were forced to wait nearly 50 additional minutes before leaving the terminal.

Free Wi-Fi is good. That’s all - food mediocre, unfriendly crew, poor communication after trying to file a claim for my lost bag, which Delta didn’t even know was lost until I told them.

Delta flight attendants poorly managed the boarding process and overhead storage. My bag was checked last minute and no claim ticket was provided. My bag is now lost. Complete incompetence by all flight crew involved.

Inexpensive, got an exit row aisle aeat with no middle passenger, bought a great breakfast sandwich, flight comfortable & arrived ahead of schedule.

Customer service at the gate in the flight was exceptional. On time. Aircraft and seat was decent. Thanks Delta. 💗

It was first time fling in copa airline. In general I am satisfied except bag size. I got a email from copa with 17-10-6 for carry on bag. In airport the check in show 22-14-10 . However that mistake means $100,00 in over cost.

Not being in the back row and having to pay for a better seat

Have veg meal going forward . Other than e everything was excellent !!!

I would like a glass of wine or some kind of alcoholic drink.

Boarding groups were called up in Spanish only. Luckily I know some of the language. They gave out grilled cheese sandwiches and a cup of fruit. I was very disappointed. I could only eat the cup of fruit because the only other option was vanilla pudding. The entertainment system and seating were great though.

Everything was smooth and crew was very polite and friendly.

The flight was 6 hours delayed due to equipment problems, I had to spend my night in the airport terminal in tight quarters. A bag of chips was all they offered, Then I missed my connecting flight and waited another 2 hours. All in all that trip took me almost one day.

I like that they served a mail, I’m not sure about the in-flight entertainment. I didn’t really check. staff helped me with my luggage. Smooth boarding smooth takeoff smooth flight

Copa definitely offers better service and price than other airlines.

I was supposed to have a lay flat seat but they switched planes and there was only a chair

The flying experience was great. The flight was on time with no boarding issues during a peak travel period. The short cut baggage drop and process was not smooth and efficient at Dulles.

Fast checkin with the self serve terminal, good communication at the boarding gate.

Very friendly staff. The flight was on time. Need a bit heavy covers/blankets. It can get colder with a thin blanket.

The plane was clean. The staff was excellent. The flight attendants were very good. Enjoyable flight. Overall. The seats in the back are too small but, will always be.

This was a 5 hour flight with no entertainment and with a snack being provided (pretzels and fruit bar), which are both high in carbs and sugar. Nuts would have been a better choice.

Never nice, United Express partners always do an amazing job.

Everything was perfect except the pad at the top of the seat back. It pushes my head forward in a very uncomfortable position and it is not removable.

Good plane, crew, and flight. Boarding was a bit chaotic. Bathrooms were unacceptable. United DESPERATELY needs a new terminal at IAD.

United Airlines changed my flight 5 hours before I arrived at the airport. This messed up my entire day that I arrived in Japan.

Being stick waiting for gate at ORD cause me to almost miss my connecting flight…being deaf United made no no effort to keep me updated as I couldn’t hear the PA

Other than being delayed 5.5 hours and having to get a hotel because I missed my connecting flight, it was an okay flight. No in-flight Wi-Fi or entertainment.

Flight areas delayed 3 hours , train in the airport didn’t work

Flight attendant walked away once they landed and we were forced to wait another hour after an already 3hr delay.

No overhead space so all carryons were checked. No internet.

Check bag location is full of rude employees who are unwilling to assist with issues after talking to AA on the phone and relaying messages. The boarding was good. While on the flight it got really hot. Asked flight attendant if there’s a way to drop the temp and make it more comfortable as we are flying from DC to Miami so flying from cold to hot weather. No changes made. Stayed hot and uncomfortable on the plane. When asked again about the AC being down the flight attendant said no the WiFi was down but not the AC. I mentioned it was still hot. No changes.

No food, no entertainment. But the flight was really short so maybe they had to skip drinks. I was able to board early ONLY because I am old and decrepit and they let me pre-board. I RESENT your dumping us into category 9 if we do not pay up. And when I paid for a seat I was STILL given 9. The pre-boarding helps. THIS flight was exceptionally smooth, please congratulate the pilots.

On time (actually a little early). Was a good and short flight!

Great - quick boarding and landed early with an available gate.

On time, smooth, luggage was out fast at the end of the flight. About perfect.

Flight departed on time and arrived a bit early. Can’t go wrong with that! And makes a travel experience go so well

We were not aware carry-on bags cost extra until we arrived at the airport so, we were charged $240.00 for two small carry- on bags! There was a substantial fee for drinks and snacks. No wifi, or other entertainment was available. Waiting areas were crowded and uncomfortable.

I enjoyed it! In that case, I should have been offered this choice. On my first trip to Miami, I was asked to pay $320 for my luggage just for getting it totally broken. I cannot accept this situation at all!!!!

They charged me $120 to check one bag and then charged me another $120 for a carryon. Ridiculous!

I was surprised that they didn’t offer drinks at least even though it was an international flight.

$120 for a carry on bag !!!!!! Insane. Back-breaking seats. Do not recline. Food service is a disgrace. They give only water and a salty snack. Everything else has a price.

Our flight from BOS - BOG was delayed 10 hours because they were waiting for a Flight attendant to fly from Miami. They lied and said they would give us food and hotel. That was a straight Lie! It never came! We were in the airport for 13 hours with Two babies. We were on the plane 7 more Hours. When we asked to get diapers from our checked luggage, Jorge in Boston told my wife she should have planned better. Meanwhile, the 10 Avianca Employees Sat there and did nothing for 13 hours. Yes, we planned for 10 hours with the wait and the flight, not 20 hours JORGE! If this was an American company we would have got a refund! But they are not up to American standards. The kicker is they apparently needed the 3rd stewardess to serve the food. Guess what? It was 4AM when they tried to serve the FOOD! Everybody was asleep by then! Ridiculous! Never Again!

My fly was cancelled so i run to the airport and fight for my fly Thank god at the end was good

Terrible. Flight was delayed without explanation, airplane was in poor condition (old, dirty) and crew was not in a good mood.

Definitely my worst experience. We booked a flight JFK - Cartagena with a layover at Bogota. My partner and I were on time for the boarding at 10:55pm. We were about to enter in the plane, literally, when one of the officer from the airline Avianca, took the passport of my partner to apparently « looked at his luggage reservation ». It made no sense, first the luggage was under my name, and then we went through all the controls at the airport. The person went back to the gate inside the airport, I followed my partner. The employees from the airline were rude and disrespectful. They were not explaining us what’s was going on. After 5 minutes of silence treatment. They told us that my partner was intoxicated (it was absolutely not true, they never conducted tests btw) and he couldn’t board in the plane and he will take the next one. They didn’t late us coordinated the trip, and not even let us say goodbye to each other. I was forced to take the plane to bogota and my partner to stay in NYC. It was traumatic. My partner had to wait 6h in the airport (night time) and he had to pay an additional ticket even tho the employees mentioned he was going to take the next flight. We are going to file a complain. It’s unbelievable. First and last time I will ever use this airline. I do not recommend.

Ok, but these people don’t give you nothing no snack no water

Book cheap flights from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica

Recent round-trip flight deals

3/1Sat
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
9h 53mIAD-SJO
3/9Sun
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
23h 07mSJO-IAD
$192
3/11Tue
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
11h 56mIAD-SJO
3/16Sun
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
23h 07mSJO-IAD
$205
2/24Mon
1 stopAvianca
7h 05mIAD-SJO
3/4Tue
1 stopAvianca
6h 30mSJO-IAD
$234
5/5Mon
1 stopAvianca
8h 15mIAD-SJO
5/13Tue
1 stopAvianca
6h 50mSJO-IAD
$235
1/21Tue
1 stopCopa Airlines
17h 11mIAD-SJO
1/28Tue
1 stopCopa Airlines
11h 07mSJO-IAD
$242
1/23Thu
1 stopCopa Airlines
17h 11mIAD-SJO
1/30Thu
1 stopCopa Airlines
17h 28mSJO-IAD
$251
3/2Sun
1 stopAmerican Airlines
18h 16mBWI-SJO
3/11Tue
1 stopAmerican Airlines
14h 53mSJO-BWI
$252
3/4Tue
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
9h 11mBWI-SJO
3/12Wed
1 stopAmerican Airlines
14h 53mSJO-BWI
$257
1/9Thu
1 stopUnited Airlines
12h 57mIAD-LIR
1/14Tue
1 stopUnited Airlines
10h 50mLIR-IAD
$323
5/3Sat
1 stopUnited Airlines
8h 08mDCA-LIR
5/10Sat
1 stopUnited Airlines
18h 55mLIR-DCA
$351

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Recent one-way flight deals

2/16Sun
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
22h 17mIAD-SJO
$93
4/1Tue
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
20h 52mIAD-SJO
$94
1/20Mon
1 stopAvianca
7h 05mIAD-SJO
$101
1/27Mon
1 stopCopa Airlines
17h 08mBWI-SJO
$105
3/24Mon
1 stopCopa Airlines
17h 00mIAD-SJO
$105
3/4Tue
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
14h 31mBWI-SJO
$107
3/31Mon
1 stopUnited Airlines
14h 05mIAD-SJO
$107
2/24Mon
1 stopAvianca
7h 05mIAD-SJO
$109
2/18Tue
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
17h 04mBWI-SJO
$113
1/18Sat
1 stopUnited Airlines
20h 34mBWI-SJO
$119

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Last minute flights from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

12/24Tue
multi-stopCopa Airlines
7h 25mIAD-SJO
12/29Sun
multi-stopCopa Airlines
9h 02mSJO-IAD
$446
12/24Tue
multi-stopCopa Airlines
19h 29mIAD-SJO
12/28Sat
multi-stopCopa Airlines
22h 14mSJO-IAD
$471
12/24Tue
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
27h 05mDCA-LIR
12/28Sat
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
16h 24mLIR-DCA
$550
12/21Sat
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
8h 00mBWI-SJO
12/31Tue
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
7h 36mSJO-BWI
$627
12/24Tue
nonstopAvianca
4h 50mIAD-SJO
12/26Thu
nonstopAvianca
4h 35mSJO-IAD
$712
12/24Tue
nonstopAvianca
4h 50mIAD-SJO
12/26Thu
multi-stopAvianca
6h 30mSJO-IAD
$745
12/25Wed
multi-stopDelta
7h 52mBWI-LIR
12/31Tue
multi-stopDelta
7h 41mLIR-BWI
$751
12/24Tue
multi-stopUnited Airlines
25h 41mBWI-LIR
12/29Sun
multi-stopUnited Airlines
24h 06mLIR-BWI
$810
12/23Mon
multi-stopUnited Airlines
25h 32mBWI-LIR
12/30Mon
multi-stopUnited Airlines
14h 09mLIR-BWI
$842
12/23Mon
multi-stopDelta
7h 50mBWI-SJO
12/27Fri
multi-stopDelta
7h 31mSJO-BWI
$881

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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.

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