Costa Rica’s International Airports (and the Airlines that Fly to Them)

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Costa Ricas International Airports (and the
Airlines that Fly to Them)
So youre planning a visit to Costa Rica
congratulations! Youre going to have a blast.
But before you get to the fun part, youre
probably focused on how to get here in the first
place. Specifically, on whether you should fly
into the San José airport or the Liberia
airport. First things first (and bonus fun
fact) there is no such thing as a San José
Airport or a Liberia Airport at least, not in
Costa Rica! If were getting technical, we have
the Juan Santamaria International Airport (about
12 miles west of San José, in a city called
Alajuela) and the Daniel Oduber Quirós
International Airport (about 9 miles west of
Liberia).
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So, where should you fly? Thats a great
question. Flights into Liberia historically have
been more expensive, but the airport has grown
over the last few years and thus pulled ticket
costs down. The real answer lies in your
destination Which airport is closest to where
youre headed? Thats where you should fly.
Because, despite its small size, Costa Ricas
drive times can be long. Go for the shorter
drive, every time.
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Inaugurated in 1958, SJO is the countrys oldest
international airport and still the primary
choice for most travelers Juan Santamaría
International Airport welcomed a record 4.6
million travelers in 2016, ranking it the
second-busiest airport in Central America (second
to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City).
The airport is named after national hero Juan
Santamaría, who played a pivotal part in securing
Costa Ricas independence from 1800s-era
filibusters.
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Fly Here if Youre Visiting The Nicoya Peninsula
(Nosara, Malpaís, Montezuma, etc.), Papagayo,
Tamarindo, Playa Conchal, and other points along
the north Pacific coast Daniel Oduber Quirós
International Airport, usually referred to as the
Liberia Airport, is located just outside
Guanacaste provinces capital of Liberia. This is
considered the gateway to Costa Ricas wildly
popular North Pacific, including the Gold Coast.