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Aerial view of the forested Manuel Antonio headland between two crescent beaches and turquoise Pacific water, Costa Rica

Flights to Costa Rica from the UK

Routes, airlines, airports and the best time to fly in 2026 — plus tailor-made, ATOL-protected Costa Rica trips built around you.

Getting to Costa Rica from the UK is easier than ever. British Airways flies direct from London to San José in around 11 hours, and a handful of one-stop routes through Europe and the US connect you year-round. The harder part is everything that comes after you land — and that is where it pays to plan with people who know the country.

Costa Rica is a small, in-demand destination. The best eco-lodges, boutique beach hotels and private guides are limited and book up months ahead, especially over the dry season and UK holidays. We secure them early, pair the right airport with the right region, and handle the internal connections — so your trip runs smoothly from the moment you arrive.

The smarter way to book? Let us package your flights, hand-picked hotels, transfers and guided experiences into one tailor-made, ATOL-protected holiday. You get our on-the-ground expertise and one point of contact — not a pile of separate bookings to juggle.

Costa Rica Holidays with Flights Included

Every Costa Rica holiday we arrange is tailor-made and fully ATOL-protected, with return flights from the UK, hand-picked hotels and lodges, private transfers and guided experiences all included. Tell us your dates, your pace and your budget, and we build the itinerary around you — there is no fixed price because no two trips are the same.

See all our trips on the Costa Rica destination page, or let us tailor one to your dates.

Not sure where to start?

Tell us your dates, budget and what you want from Costa Rica — beaches, wildlife, adventure or a bit of everything — and our specialists will craft an itinerary around you. No pressure, no obligation.

Plan Your Costa Rica Trip
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Flights to Costa Rica from the UK: Routes & Airlines

Direct: British Airways, London Heathrow → San José

  • Route: London Heathrow (LHR) → San José (SJO), non-stop

  • Schedule: British Airways is moving its Costa Rica service from Gatwick to Heathrow from October 2026, increasing to around 5 flights a week (Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun) through the winter 2026/27 season (Oct–Mar).

  • Flight time: Around 11 hours non-stop

  • Good to know: The direct flight is winter-seasonal. Outside those months you will connect through Europe or the US — which we arrange as part of your package.

One-stop routes (year-round)

  • Via Madrid: Iberia flies Madrid to both San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR).

  • Via the US: American (Miami), United (Houston) and Delta (Atlanta) all connect to San José and Liberia. Note: UK travellers need an ESTA to transit a US airport, even without leaving the terminal.

  • Via Amsterdam: KLM flies Amsterdam to San José.

  • Via Paris: Air France flies Paris to San José.

Typical total journey time: around 11–12 hours direct, 14–18 hours one-stop via Europe, or 16–20+ hours via the US.

Which airport: San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR)?

  • San José (SJO): best for the Central Valley, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde cloud forest, Manuel Antonio and the southern Pacific, plus overland access to the Caribbean coast.

  • Liberia (LIR): the gateway to the Guanacaste beach resorts — Papagayo, Tamarindo, Flamingo, Nosara — and the north-west.

A tailor-made advantage: we often fly clients into one airport and home from the other (an "open-jaw" itinerary), so you explore in one direction instead of doubling back. See our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit.

Flight details are correct as of 2026 and schedules change seasonally — we confirm exact routings when we quote your trip.

How Much Are Flights — and When Should You Book?

As a rough guide for 2026, return economy flights from London to Costa Rica tend to run around £550–£750 in quieter, shoulder periods, £750–£950 for most of the year, and £900–£1,200+ over peak dates. Liberia and San José price in much the same band.

  • Cheapest months: June, September, October and early December — often in the low £600s.

  • Most expensive: Easter, May, July–August and Christmas–New Year.

Costa Rica's green season (May–November) is the value sweet spot: lower flight prices, far fewer crowds, gloriously lush landscapes and prime wildlife viewing, with rain that usually comes in short afternoon bursts. When we package your flights and hotels together, we time the booking to land the best combined value rather than chasing a cheap fare in isolation.

Costa Rica: A World Leader in Eco-Travel

Few countries do sustainability like Costa Rica. It generates close to 99% of its electricity from renewable sources, protects more than a quarter of its land in national parks and reserves, and shelters around 5% of the planet's known species on a sliver of the Earth's surface. Its national tourism board runs the respected Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) programme, which grades hotels and operators on their environmental and social impact.

We build trips that lean into that: CST-certified and locally-owned lodges, small-group wildlife guiding, and itineraries that put money into the communities and conservation projects protecting the places you have come to see. Travelling well here is not a compromise — it is the best version of the trip.

Before You Fly: Travel Essentials

Heading to the airport? It is also worth sorting airport parking or a pre-flight hotel for the early long-haul departure, a travel eSIM so you land connected, and lounge access to start the trip in comfort. For official entry requirements (UK passport holders can currently visit Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days), always check the UK government travel advice for Costa Rica before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions — Flights to Costa Rica

Yes — British Airways flies non-stop from London to San José (SJO) in around 11 hours. From October 2026 this service moves from Gatwick to Heathrow and runs about 5 times a week through the winter season (October–March). Outside those months, you connect through Europe or the US, which we arrange for you.

Let Us Plan Your Costa Rica Holiday

From the right flights and airports to hand-picked eco-lodges and the experiences that make the trip — our specialists build a complete, ATOL-protected Costa Rica holiday around you. One price, everything handled.

Plan Your Costa Rica Holiday
We typically respond within 24 hours