Where Costa Rica’s Tourists Actually Land: 2025 Flight Data Insights

The overlooked gateway behind Costa Rica’s hotel boom

When planning a trip to Costa Rica, many travellers assume they’ll land in the capital city’s airport and begin their journey from there. But the 2025 arrival data paints a more nuanced story — and understanding it could mean the difference between a rushed transfer or a relaxed start to your vacation. More importantly, it provides a strategic lens into which regions of the country are seeing the most heat for hotel bookings and growth.
In this article, we’ll dive into where tourists are actually arriving in Costa Rica, which airlines and routes are leading the influx, and why this matters for hotel searchers and bookings on hotels.cr.

1. Flight Arrivals Snapshot: SJO vs LIR

Key takeaway: While SJO remains the busier airport by volume, LIR is growing faster in 2025 — signalling more beach-focused tourism and shorter transfers for many hotel guests.

2. Top International Routes Bringing Tourists

Why this matters:
Major North American cities lead the inbound traffic growth. Beach destinations near LIR are benefitting from increased Canadian and U.S. direct access — which bodes well for hotels in Guanacaste.

UK Direct Flights: A Key Link for European Visitors

• According to schedule data, British Airways operates a non-stop flight between London Gatwick (LGW) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica.
  

• The route runs three times per week (typically Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday during the UK winter/early spring season) and takes about 11 hours 40 minutes. 

• Note: While this direct London-to-Costa Rica service exists, the frequency is relatively limited and primarily seasonal (Nov–Mar). Outside those months, many UK travellers must connect via the U.S. or Europe. 

• At present, there appear to be no non-stop flights from the UK to the north-Pacific gateway Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) serving Guanacaste.

3. Airlines Dominating Costa Rica 2025

• American Airlines – largest share of U.S. inbound traffic.

• Air Canada – growing Canadian direct flights to LIR and SJO.

• Copa Airlines – key connector from Latin America, funneling regional traffic.

• WestJet – expanding Canadian routes into Guanacaste.

These airlines’ growth is shaping which hotels get chosen first — especially those near beach hubs served by LIR.

4. Hotel Demand Insights by Arrival Point

• LIR arrivals correlate with higher occupancy and ADR in Guanacaste’s beach resorts — less road transfer time means more time at the property.

• SJO arrivals skew toward Central Valley, Arenal, Monteverde and the South Pacific — great for visitors looking for volcanoes, rainforest and culture.

• For bookings on hotels.cn:

  • If arriving at LIR, use filters for Beachfront / Guanacaste.

  • If arriving at SJO, consider Central Valley, La Fortuna, or Southern Pacific Coast listings.

5. Travel Behavior & Seasonality Clues

• Peak arrival months still Dec-Mar (dry season); secondary spike Jul–Aug (summer holidays in N. America).

• Travelers using direct Canadian-LIR routes tend to stay longer (8–12 nights) than those flying via SJO.

• Beach resorts near LIR show zero-to-30-minute transfers, boosting booking conversion vs. 2-4 hour transfers from SJO.

6. What This Means for Your Booking Strategy

✅ For maximum convenience: Fly into LIR if your stay is in Guanacaste.
📎 For cultural/ecotourism focus: Fly into SJO and book lodgings around the Central Valley, Arenal or South Pacific.
🔍 Use hotels.cr to filter by “Closest Airport”, then ensure transfer time is < 60 minutes for optimal comfort and value.

Closing Thought & Call-to-Action

Airport choice isn’t just the first leg of your journey — it’s a strategic cue for the rest of your stay in Costa Rica. Whether you land in SJO or LIR, the destinations you select, the hotel you book, and the ease of your transfer all link back to where you touched down. Visit hotels.cr to explore top-rated accommodations near both airports — optimized for the data-driven traveler who wants time, comfort and value.

FAQ

Which airport is best to fly into for Costa Rica?
It depends on your destination: Choose LIR for the northwestern beaches and SJO for the central valley and south-Pacific/Caribbean zones.

Does Liberia Airport get international flights?
Yes —LIR receives direct international flights from the U.S., Canada and Latin America, and is increasing in traffic. 

What airlines fly direct to Costa Rica?
Major carriers such as American Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, Copa, Delta and United operate direct flights to Costa Rica’s two main international airports.