Overview
Costa Rica packs rainforest, volcanoes, cloud forest and two coastlines into a country roughly the size of Wales, which makes it one of Central America's most rewarding long-haul trips for UK travellers. Whether you are chasing sloths near Arenal, surfing in Guanacaste or watching turtles nest on the Caribbean coast, this hub covers the routes, airports and seasons that matter when you book flights to Costa Rica from the UK. The live fare data on this page shows how prices are moving right now.
Best time to fly to Costa Rica
The dry season, roughly December to April, is the most popular time to visit, with reliable Pacific sunshine and the busiest, priciest flights around Christmas, February half-term and Easter. The green season from May to November brings afternoon downpours but lush scenery, fewer crowds and lower fares; September and October are often the driest months on the Caribbean coast around Tortuguero. For the best balance of weather and value, target the shoulder weeks in May and November, and check the When to book chart above to see how fares shift across the year.
Main gateway cities & airports
Most UK travellers arrive into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near the capital, San José, the best base for Arenal, Monteverde and the central highlands. The second gateway is Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, in the north-west, much closer to the Guanacaste beaches such as Tamarindo, Nosara and the Papagayo peninsula. Picking the right airport can save you a four- or five-hour road transfer.
Airlines and routes
Direct flights from the UK are limited and seasonal — British Airways has operated a peak-winter service from London Gatwick to San José, with a flight time of around 11 hours. Otherwise, and from airports such as Manchester and Edinburgh, you will usually connect once: Iberia via Madrid, KLM via Amsterdam or Air France via Paris, or a US hub with American, United or Delta. Connecting journeys from London typically run 14–18 hours including the layover; from Manchester allow 16 hours or more.
Popular places to visit in Costa Rica
- Arenal & La Fortuna: a classic volcanic cone with natural hot springs and rainforest hanging-bridge trails.
- Monteverde Cloud Forest: misty highland reserves full of birdlife, plus zip-lines and canopy walkways.
- Manuel Antonio National Park: jungle-backed beaches where sloths, monkeys and iguanas are easy to spot.
- Guanacaste beaches: the dry, sunny Pacific north-west with great surf, minutes from Liberia airport.
- Tortuguero National Park: a boat-only maze of Caribbean canals known for nesting green turtles.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Costa Rica
- Compare connecting routes through both Europe and the US; the price charts on this page often show a clear seasonal winner.
- Travel in the green season (May to November) and steer clear of the school holidays for the lowest fares.
- Stay flexible by a day or two — midweek departures usually beat weekend flights.
- Consider flying into San José and out of Liberia, or vice versa, to avoid backtracking across the country.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism stays of up to 90 days, but your passport must be valid for the length of your stay and you should be able to show an onward or return ticket. If your route connects through the United States, you will need an approved ESTA before you travel. The currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC), though US dollars are widely accepted for tours and hotels and cards are common. For the best value, book roughly two to four months ahead and use the When to book chart above to time your purchase.
