Airports in Costa Rica: The Complete Guide to SJO, LIR & Every Airport Code

Planning a trip to Costa Rica starts with one decision: which airport to fly into. This guide covers every airport in the country — international and domestic — their IATA codes, which one you should actually choose, and everything you need for a smooth arrival.

Quick answer: Costa Rica has 2 international airports — Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near San José, and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia — plus around a dozen smaller domestic airports and airstrips.

Table of Contents

1. How many airports are in Costa Rica?
2. What airports are in Costa Rica? (full list + codes)
3. Costa Rica Airport Codes
4. SJO — The Main Airport in Costa Rica
5. LIR — Liberia Costa Rica Airport
6. SJO vs LIR: What airport should you fly into?
7. Getting between SJO and LIR
8. Entry requirements & arrival tips
9. Practical Tips for Costa Rica Airports
10. FAQ

Costa Rica has 2 major international airports that handle almost all international arrivals, plus roughly a dozen smaller domestic airports and airstrips serving regional destinations.

International airports (main entry points):

• Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) — San José
• Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) — Liberia, Guanacaste

Domestic/regional airports:

• Quepos La Managua Airport (XQP) — gateway to Manuel Antonio
• Nosara Airport (NOB) — Nicoya Peninsula
• Tamarindo Airport (TNO) — surf destination
• La Fortuna Airport — near Arenal Volcano
• Tortuguero Airstrip — only accessible by air or boat
• Palmar Sur, Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, and other Sansa/domestic strips serving the South Pacific and Osa Peninsula

For almost every international visitor, the trip begins at SJO or LIR. Domestic carriers like Sansa Air connect these two hubs to the smaller regional airstrips.

The two codes that matter for booking an international flight to Costa Rica are:

• SJO — Juan Santamaría International Airport, near San José. This is the country's main airport code and the one most international flights use.
• LIR — Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, in Liberia, Guanacaste.

⚠️ Common mix-up: SJO is not the same as SJC (Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, in San José, California). Always double-check the code when booking.

What is the main airport in Costa Rica? It's Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), located in Alajuela, about 16 km northwest of San José. It's the country's largest, busiest, and best-connected airport, and the default entry point for most visitors.

Key facts about SJO:

• IATA Code: SJO
• Location: Alajuela, 16 km from San José
• Annual passengers: 5.7 million (2023, a record year)
• Regional ranking: 3rd best airport in Latin America & the Caribbean
• Airlines: American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Air Canada, Avianca, Iberia, Air France, Aeroméxico, Air Panamá, Iberojet

Amenities: 

Duty-free shops, restaurants and cafés, ATMs and currency exchange, a VIP lounge with Wi-Fi, car rental counters (Hertz, Alamo, Budget), tourist information desks, and shared/private shuttle services.

Best for: 

San José and the Central Valley, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and travelers who want the widest flight selection and most competitive prices.

👉 Need a ride from SJO? Book your SJO airport shuttle here.

If your trip is beach-focused, the Liberia Costa Rica airport — officially Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) — is likely your best entry point. It's the gateway to Guanacaste, Costa Rica's most popular beach region, and the Nicoya Peninsula.

Key facts about LIR:

• IATA Code: LIR
• Location: Liberia, Guanacaste Province
• Annual passengers: Over 1 million international travelers/year
• Regional ranking: 9th busiest airport in Central America
• Airlines: American, Delta, Southwest, Copa, United, Air Canada (seasonal), Frontier (seasonal) — service is strongest December–April

Amenities: 

restaurants and snack bars, car rental services, tourist information desks, a bank branch and ATMs, medical assistance, and baggage handling.

Best for: 

Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa, the Papagayo Peninsula, all-inclusive resorts in Guanacaste, surfers, and travelers heading to the Nicoya Peninsula (Nosara, Sámara, Santa Teresa).

👉 Arriving at LIR? Book your LIR airport shuttle here.

Choose SJO (San José) if:

• You want the widest selection of flights and airlines
• Your trip includes San José, Manuel Antonio, Arenal, or Monteverde
• You're planning a multi-destination road trip
• You're arriving from Europe or South America
• You want the most competitive flight prices

Choose LIR (Liberia) if:

• Your main destination is the Guanacaste coast (Tamarindo, Playa del Coco, Hermosa, Papagayo)
• You're staying at a beach resort in the northwest
• You want to minimize transit time after landing
• You're visiting the Nicoya Peninsula
• A direct flight from your city serves LIR at a comparable price

Pro tip: Use Skyscanner's flexible-dates search with "Costa Rica" as the destination country to compare prices across both airports at once — you might be surprised which one wins.

Tip for multi-region trips: If your itinerary covers both the beach and the Central Valley, fly into one airport and out of the other — it saves a 4–5 hour backtrack.

• Private/shared shuttle: The most comfortable option. Door-to-door shuttle service covers both airports and all major destinations. Travel time is roughly 4–5 hours.
• Domestic flights: Sansa Air connects San José to regional airports; there's no direct SJO–LIR route, but you can connect through regional hubs.
• Public bus: The Liberia–San José Pulmitan service runs several times daily for about $10–15, taking 4–5 hours.
• Rental car: The SJO–LIR drive via the Pan-American Highway (Route 1) is about 230 km / 4 hours in normal conditions.

Related reads:

• How to get to SJO Airport from Liberia (LIR)
• How to get to Liberia (LIR) from San José (SJO)

• Valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity
• US, Canadian, and EU citizens don't need a visa for stays under 90 days (check current rules for your nationality)
• Proof of onward/return travel may be requested
• Have your first accommodation's address ready for the immigration form
• Duty-free allowance: up to two liters of alcohol, a carton of cigarettes, and reasonable personal items
• Departure tax is now typically included in your airline ticket — confirm with your airline

Money: ATMs at both airports dispense colones (CRC) and sometimes USD. Avoid exchanging money at airport kiosks — rates are usually poor.

Connectivity: Local SIM cards (Kölbi, Movistar, Claro) and eSIMs are available at both SJO and LIR.

Getting to your hotel: Pre-book your transfer for a stress-free arrival. Official red taxis ("máquinas") are metered — always confirm the meter is running. Uber operates in most zones from both airports, and shuttle services like Pura Vida Traveling offer fixed-rate shared and private transfers.

Arrival timing: Arrive at least 3 hours before an international departure (2 hours for domestic flights). During peak season (December–April), lean toward the longer end.

Climate: Dry season (December–April) is hot; rainy season (May–November) calls for a light rain layer. Pack sunscreen, bug spray, and comfortable shoes.

Ready to land and go? 

Pura Vida Traveling offers private and shared shuttles from both SJO and LIR to every major destination in the country. Book your airport shuttle here.

You might also like:

• The Ultimate Guide to Shuttle Costa Rica Transportation (2026)
• Costa Rica Airports Hacks: A Traveler's Guide
• Adobe Rent a Car San José Airport: How Does It Work?