Best Flights starting from $387
from$387economy
Phoenix (Any)
Mon, May 4
Roundtrip
San Jose (SJO)
Tue, May 12
from$389economy
Phoenix (Any)
Sun, May 3
Roundtrip
San Jose (SJO)
Mon, May 11
from$391economy
Phoenix (Any)
Sat, May 2
Roundtrip
San Jose (SJO)
Sun, May 10
from$394economy
Phoenix (Any)
Fri, May 1
Roundtrip
San Jose (SJO)
Sat, May 9
from$395economy
Phoenix (Any)
Tue, May 5
Roundtrip
San Jose (SJO)
Wed, May 13
from$395economy
Phoenix (Any)
Wed, May 6
Roundtrip
San Jose (SJO)
Wed, May 13
from$409economy
Phoenix (Any)
Sun, May 3
Roundtrip
San Jose (SJO)
Sun, May 10
from$409economy
Phoenix (Any)
Mon, May 4
Roundtrip
San Jose (SJO)
Mon, May 11
from$415economy
Phoenix (Any)
Fri, May 1
Roundtrip
San Jose (SJO)
Fri, May 8
from$415economy
Phoenix (Any)
Sat, May 2
Roundtrip
San Jose (SJO)
Sat, May 9
Fields updated — click View Prices to search ↑
Other Destinations
Phoenix (Any) to San Antonio (SAT) in May from $74
From $74
Phoenix (Any) to Miami (Any) in May from $117
From $117
Phoenix (Any) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) in May from $190
From $190
Phoenix (Any) to Kalispell (FCA) in May from $237
From $237
Phoenix (Any) to Orlando (MCO) in May from $259
From $259
Phoenix (Any) to Prague (PRG) in May from $423
From $423
Flights from Other Cities
Washington, D.C. (IAD) to San Jose (SJO) in May from $251
From $251
Miami (MIA) to San Jose (SJO) in May from $265
From $265
San Francisco (SFO) to San Jose (SJO) in May from $471
From $471
Charleston (CRW) to San Jose (SJO) in May from $518
From $518
Miami (MIA) to San Jose (SJO) in June from $258
From $258
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to San Jose (SJO) in June from $313
From $313
✈️ Flight Guide: Phoenix (Any) → San Jose (SJO)
Complete travel information for your May journey
Departing from Phoenix (Any) FAQs
The full name is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica. This is the country's largest international airport and the main gateway for international economy and budget flights. If you're searching for cheap flights from SJO, start with price alerts and flexible dates.
To find the cheapest economy fares from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) use fare-comparison tools, enable price alerts, book 2–8 weeks in advance for regional flights and 6–12 weeks for international routes, and search mid-week for lower prices. Consider low-cost carriers, connecting itineraries via major hubs, and flexible travel dates to secure the best deals.
Common transport options include authorized taxis, airport shuttles, private transfers, and rideshare services to and from downtown San José, Alajuela, and Heredia. Travel time varies: downtown San José is usually 20–30 minutes away depending on traffic, so plan earlier during rush hours for economy flights to avoid missed departures.
Yes. December (peak holiday travel) usually sees longer check-in and security lines at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), especially between December 15 and January 5. For economy passengers, arrive at least 3 hours before international departures and 2 hours for domestic or regional connections to reduce stress during the busy season.
From Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) travelers commonly access San José city center, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, La Fortuna/Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio/Quepos, and Liberia/Guanacaste (as a region). These destinations are frequently searched by economy travelers seeking beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, and city stays.
Yes. Both legacy carriers (Avianca, Copa, American, United, Delta) and low-cost carriers (Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue on some routes) operate from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). Amenities vary: economy basics include carry-on allowance and in-flight snacks on legacy carriers, while low-cost airlines may charge extra for seat selection, checked bags, and onboard purchases.
Arriving at San Jose (SJO) FAQs
The arrival descriptor 'Cheapest Economy Fare (ECONOMY)' refers to searching for the lowest-cost economy-class tickets rather than a physical airport code. When you see ECONOMY in searches, it's signaling the travel class and price focus. For route planning, pair Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) with a target city and search economy fares with flexible dates for the best results.
When hunting for cheap economy fares from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), travelers commonly target cities such as San José (the capital), Liberia (Guanacaste for beaches), Managua, Panama City, Mexico City, Miami, and various U.S. hub cities. Searching multiple nearby airports and flexible dates often uncovers the lowest economy prices.
Yes; the cheapest economy fares often have stricter rules: carry-on only or no free checked bag, no seat selection, and limited or no changes allowed. Read fare rules during booking and consider adding baggage or seat options if needed, or compare slightly higher fare classes for better value.
In March, which is spring-break/high-season, book 6–10 weeks ahead and search mid-week departures. Use multi-city and multi-airport searches (e.g., SJO → MIA or SJO → PTY) and check connecting carriers like Copa and Avianca for competitive economy fares. Be flexible on travel dates and consider early-morning or red-eye flights to lower prices.
Verify refundable vs. non-refundable conditions, confirm baggage allowances, review change/cancel policies, and book via reputable sites or directly with airlines. Cheap economy fares can save money up front but may add cost for extras—factor these into the total price before purchase.
1.0.2603.04
Events & Festivals Near Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) — Travel Timing for Economy Seekers
Events and festivals near Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) can drive demand and increase economy fares. Key events: Fiestas Palmares (January) and its festival in Alajuela (near SJO), International Arts Festival in San José (varies), Easter/Holy Week (April) which spikes domestic and international travel, and the National Day/Independence Day (September 15) with local festivities. For the cheapest economy fares, avoid travel during major festivals or book well in advance. CTA: Check event calendars before you search economy fares from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to avoid surprise price increases.
Best Time to Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) for Cheap Economy Fares
The best time to fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) for cheap economy fares is during the shoulder and low seasons—typically May, September, and October—when demand softens and airlines offer discounts. Avoid peak holiday windows (mid-December to early January and Easter week) if you're seeking the cheapest economy tickets. For booking windows: domestic/regional economy fares often yield best prices 2–8 weeks before travel; international economy fares are best booked 6–12 weeks ahead. Use flexible-date calendars and fare alerts to capture the optimal booking moment.
Direct vs. Connecting Flights from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) — Economy Traveler Guide
Choosing between direct and connecting flights from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) depends on priorities: direct flights save time and reduce missed-connection risk but often cost more in economy class. Connecting itineraries through hubs like Panama City (PTY) or Miami (MIA) can substantially lower ticket prices, especially for long-haul routes, but increase total travel time. For the cheapest economy fares, compare both options: if savings exceed the cost of extra time or potential overnight layovers, a connecting flight is often best. CTA: Run a side-by-side search for direct and one-stop economy itineraries from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to find the best trade-off.
Airline Comparison for Economy Travel from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Legacy carriers like Avianca, Copa, American, United, and Delta usually include basic onboard services in economy fares but may charge for checked bags on lower fare buckets. Low-cost airlines (Spirit, Frontier, and some JetBlue routes) often advertise the cheapest base fares from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) but add fees for baggage, seat selection, and refreshments. For cheapest, no-frills travel, low-cost carriers can be the best option; for predictable total cost and comfort, legacy carriers may offer better bundled value. Always compare final price including fees. CTA: Compare airlines side-by-side for your SJO economy route to reveal true cheapest options.
Seasonal Travel Tips for Economy Travelers Departing Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Dry season (December–April) is peak time—book early if you need cheap economy seats. Rainy season (May–November), especially September and October, usually offers the lowest prices for economy travel; pack light rain gear, flexible plans, and confirm transport connections in advance. For holiday months, arrive earlier at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) due to longer security lines. If you want to chase the cheapest economy fares, target shoulder months (May and November) and set fare alerts. CTA: Review seasonal packing and booking tips and start a price watch for the cheapest economy fares from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).
Flight Times and Schedules from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Average nonstop flight times from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) include: San José (local connections) — N/A (departure), Liberia (LIR) — around 40–50 minutes (domestic), Panama City (PTY) — roughly 1 hour 20 minutes, Miami (MIA) — about 3 hours 45 minutes, Mexico City (MEX) — around 3 hours 15 minutes, and U.S. East Coast hubs 4–6 hours depending on directness. Schedules vary seasonally; economy travelers should check for early-morning and late-evening flights which sometimes have lower prices. For optimal economy fares, compare nonstop vs connecting itineraries and verify total travel time plus layovers before booking.
How to Find Cheap Flights from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) — Economy Class Strategies
To find cheap economy flights from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), use flexible-date searches, compare multiple nearby airports (including Liberia for coastal access), and set price alerts on at least two platforms. Search mid-week, consider red-eye or early-morning departures, and be open to connecting itineraries through hub cities like Panama City (PTY) or Miami (MIA) to lower costs. Include seasonal modifiers in your search (e.g., 'SJO September deals') and subscribe to airline newsletters for flash sales. CTA: Start a fare alert now to capture the next economy-class price drop from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).