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Winnipeg Costa Rica

✈️ Direct Flights from Winnipeg to Costa Rica: Your Winter Escape Just Got Easier

Big news for winter-weary Winnipeggers: Starting December 19, 2025, WestJet will offer a new weekly direct flight from Winnipeg to Liberia, Costa Rica — opening the door to one of the world’s most beautiful and biodiverse destinations, just in time for the 2025–2026 travel season.

For the first time ever, travellers in Manitoba can enjoy a non-stop link between Winnipeg and Central America, thanks to this new WestJet route. Whether you're craving a sun-soaked beach, lush rainforests, or thrilling eco-adventures, Costa Rica is now only 6.5 hours away — no layovers, no connections, just pura vida from YWG to LIR.

🌴 Why This Direct Flight Is a Game Changer

WestJet’s announcement marks a milestone for Winnipeg’s travel scene. Until now, travellers from Manitoba needed to connect through cities like Toronto, Calgary, or the U.S. to reach Costa Rica. With the new non-stop weekly service every Friday through April 25, 2026, it’s easier, faster, and more affordable to swap snowbanks for palm trees.

The route departs Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) and lands in Liberia, Guanacaste (LIR) — a key gateway to Costa Rica’s most famous beach towns, volcanoes, and eco-resorts.

☀️ What Awaits You in Liberia, Costa Rica

Located in Costa Rica’s northwest Guanacaste province, Liberia is the perfect starting point for a memorable tropical getaway. Known as “The White City” due to its sun-bleached colonial buildings, Liberia combines culture, convenience, and access to some of Costa Rica’s most iconic experiences:

🏖️ Beaches Near Liberia

  • Playa Hermosa – Calm waters and golden sands, great for families and snorkeling

  • Tamarindo – A vibrant surf town full of nightlife, restaurants, and adventure

  • Playa Flamingo – Luxury resorts and white sand beaches

  • Playa del Coco – Lively, walkable, and popular with locals and expats alike

🌋 Day Trips & Nature

  • Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park – Hike through hot springs, waterfalls, and volcanic terrain

  • Palo Verde National Park – Wildlife boat tours through tropical wetlands

  • Rio Celeste – A magical turquoise river and waterfall hidden in Tenorio Volcano National Park

💸 How Much Does the Flight Cost?

As of the initial announcement, a one-way flight on the Dec. 19, 2025, inaugural trip to Liberia was priced at $545 CAD (subject to change). This competitive pricing is great news for travellers looking for value — especially during high-demand holiday and winter break periods.

With weekly flights every Friday, travellers can easily plan 7-day, 14-day, or even long-term escapes during Manitoba’s coldest months.

🧳 Who Should Consider Booking?

This route isn’t just for beachgoers. It’s ideal for:

  • Families planning winter break or holiday trips

  • Adventure seekers chasing waterfalls, ziplining, or surfing

  • Snowbirds or retirees escaping for a longer seasonal stay

  • Remote workers embracing the “work from paradise” lifestyle

  • Eco-conscious travellers exploring Costa Rica’s national parks and conservation efforts

🔎 Search Trends & Why Interest in Costa Rica Is Rising in Manitoba

In recent years, search traffic for “Costa Rica vacations from Winnipeg”, “direct flights Winnipeg to Costa Rica”, and “all-inclusive Costa Rica from Manitoba” has steadily increased. This new WestJet route capitalizes on that demand and is likely to fuel even more interest.

Travelers are increasingly seeking:

  • Eco-tourism destinations with low environmental impact

  • Healthier, nature-based holidays

  • Safe, stable countries with welcoming locals and tourist infrastructure

Costa Rica ticks all of those boxes — and now it’s easier than ever to get there from Winnipeg.

📅 Flight Details at a Glance

FeatureDetailsAirlineWestJetRouteWinnipeg (YWG) → Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR)Start DateDecember 19, 2025FrequencyEvery Friday until April 25, 2026Flight TimeApprox. 6.5 hours (non-stop)AircraftBoeing 737 (subject to change)Initial PriceFrom $545 CAD (one-way, as of July 2025 search)

🛫 Booking Tips for Travellers from Winnipeg

  • Book early – Flights will fill up fast, especially around Christmas, New Year, and school breaks

  • Check bundle options – WestJet Vacations may offer packages with resorts near Liberia

  • Bring sunscreen and bug spray – Costa Rica is tropical year-round

  • Have valid travel insurance – Especially for eco or adventure travel

  • Don’t overpack – You’ll be in shorts, swimsuits, and sandals most of the time

📍 Why Costa Rica? Why Now?

Costa Rica is more than just a pretty beach destination. It’s a global leader in sustainability, biodiversity, and peaceful living. With no military, a literacy rate over 97%, and over 25% of its land protected as parks or reserves, it’s a place where nature and well-being go hand-in-hand.

And now, with weekly direct flights from Winnipeg, it’s finally within easy reach.

🌐 Conclusion: Your Winter Just Got Warmer

The launch of WestJet’s first-ever direct connection from Winnipeg to Central America is big news — and a huge opportunity for travellers craving sun, surf, and serenity without the stress of multiple connections.

Costa Rica isn’t just a destination. It’s an experience. And starting December 2025, you can step into that experience with just one easy flight from Winnipeg.

So what are you waiting for? Pura vida is calling.

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