List of Airports in Costa Rica
As of 2024, there are 29 airports throughout the country of Costa Rica according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Costa Rica are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Costa Rica
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barra Colorado Airport | BCL | Barra Colorado | Small |
| 2 | Buenos Aires Airport | BAI | Buenos Aires | Small |
| 3 | Canas Airport | CSC | Canas | Small |
| 4 | Carrillo Airport | RIK | Carrillo | Small |
| 5 | Coto 47 Airport | OTR | Coto 47 | Small |
| 6 | Flamingo Airport | FMG | Flamingo | Small |
| 7 | Fortuna Airport | FON | Fortuna | Small |
| 8 | Golfito Airport | GLF | Golfito | Small |
| 9 | Guanacaste Airport | NCT | Nicoya | Small |
| 10 | Guanacaste Airport | SZC | Santa Cruz | Small |
| 11 | Guapiles Airport | GPL | Guapiles | Small |
| 12 | Juan Santamaria International Airport | SJO | San Jose | Large |
| 13 | Las Canas Airport | LCS | Las Canas | Small |
| 14 | Liberia Airport | LIR | Liberia | Medium |
| 15 | Limon Airport | LIO | Limon | Small |
| 16 | Los Chiles Airport | LSL | Los Chiles | Small |
| 17 | Nosara Beach Airport | NOB | Nosara Beach | Small |
| 18 | Palmar Sur Airport | PMZ | Palmar | Small |
| 19 | Playa Samara Airport | PLD | Playa Samara | Small |
| 20 | Puerto Jimenez Airport | PJM | Puerto Jimenez | Small |
| 21 | Punta Islita Airport | PBP | Punta Islita | Small |
| 22 | Punta Renes Airport | JAP | Punta Renes | Small |
| 23 | Quepos Airport | XQP | Quepos | Small |
| 24 | Rio Frio Airport | RFR | Rio Frio | Small |
| 25 | San Vito Airport | TOO | San Vito | Small |
| 26 | Tamarindo Airport | TNO | Tamarindo | Small |
| 27 | Tambor Airport | TMU | Tambor | Small |
| 28 | Tortuquero Airport | TTQ | Tortuquero | Small |
| 29 | Upala Airport | UPL | Upala | Small |
Major Airports in Costa Rica
1. Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Airport Code: SJO
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Address: Alajuela, Costa Rica
Nearby Cities:
- Alajuela (4 miles)
- San José (12 miles)
- Heredia (9 miles)
- Cartago (22 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Avianca
- American Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- United Airlines
- Copa Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 4 million passengers
Airport Location and History
Juan Santamaría International Airport is located in Alajuela, just outside of San José, Costa Rica’s capital city. Opened in 1958, the airport is named after Juan Santamaría, a national hero who fought in the Battle of Rivas. It is Costa Rica’s busiest airport and the primary international gateway to the country. Over the years, the airport has undergone various expansions to accommodate increasing air traffic, which has been driven by Costa Rica’s growing tourism sector.
The airport is strategically located for both tourism and business, with direct connections to key cities in North America, South America, and Europe. Costa Rica’s stable political environment, rich biodiversity, and eco-tourism offerings make it a popular destination for travelers, and the airport serves as a critical point of entry for these visitors. In addition to tourism, the airport also supports cargo operations, which are vital for the country’s export economy, especially in agriculture and technology.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Juan Santamaría International Airport has two runways:
- Runway 1: 3,100 meters (10,171 feet), capable of handling large aircraft, including wide-body jets.
- Runway 2: 2,500 meters (8,202 feet), suitable for medium to large aircraft.
The airport features a modern terminal with both domestic and international facilities. It has duty-free shops, lounges, restaurants, baggage claim areas, and transportation services. The longer runway accommodates large aircraft, including wide-body jets, which can handle long-haul flights to Europe and North America. The airport is equipped with the latest technology for customs processing and security checks, ensuring efficient passenger flow. Recent upgrades have also enhanced passenger services, such as improved check-in counters and expanded waiting areas, making it a hub for both tourism and business.
2. Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR)
Airport Code: LIR
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Address: Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Nearby Cities:
- Liberia (5 miles)
- Playa Tamarindo (41 miles)
- Playa del Coco (18 miles)
- Nicoya (67 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- American Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- United Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- WestJet
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 1.5 million passengers
Airport Location and History
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport is located in Liberia, in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. Opened in 1995 and named after Daniel Oduber, a former president of Costa Rica, the airport is a key gateway for international travelers heading to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The airport’s proximity to popular tourist destinations, such as the beaches of Tamarindo, Playa del Coco, and the Guanacaste National Park, has made it a vital point of entry for tourists.
Initially, the airport served primarily regional flights, but over time, it has expanded to handle increasing international traffic. The airport has become one of the busiest in Costa Rica, particularly during the high season for tourism, which runs from December to April. With the growing popularity of Guanacaste as a travel destination, the airport continues to develop its facilities to meet the needs of both international visitors and local travelers.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 2,500 meters (8,202 feet), suitable for large aircraft, including wide-body jets.
The airport’s terminal offers essential services, such as baggage handling, check-in counters, and duty-free shopping. It has a variety of dining options, lounges, and car rental services, ensuring comfort for travelers. The airport’s runway is long enough to accommodate large aircraft, including wide-body jets, allowing for long-haul flights from North America and Europe. The facilities at LIR are continually being upgraded to meet the growing demand for flights and to enhance the passenger experience. The airport plays a central role in the tourism-driven economy of Guanacaste, making it a key asset for the region.
3. Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ)
Airport Code: SYQ
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Address: Pavas, San José, Costa Rica
Nearby Cities:
- San José (3 miles)
- Alajuela (10 miles)
- Heredia (6 miles)
- Escazú (4 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Costa Rica Green Airways
- Nature Air (historically, though operations have ceased)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 50,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Tobías Bolaños International Airport is located in the Pavas district of San José, Costa Rica’s capital. The airport was opened in 1998 and serves primarily domestic flights as well as a few regional flights. It was named after Tobías Bolaños, a prominent Costa Rican politician and philanthropist. It serves as a secondary airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport, handling smaller aircraft and charter flights.
The airport is important for regional travel, providing access to smaller towns and the tourist destinations around Costa Rica. Although it does not handle as much international traffic as the larger airports in the country, it plays an essential role in connecting San José to the surrounding regions. Tobías Bolaños also serves as a base for the country’s small air travel industry, including domestic carriers and private aviation.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Tobías Bolaños International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), suitable for small to medium aircraft.
The airport’s facilities are limited but functional, offering check-in counters, baggage claim, and small food outlets. The runway can accommodate small and medium-sized aircraft but is not designed for large or wide-body jets. The airport is primarily used for domestic flights and charter services, with a small terminal that caters to a lower volume of passengers. Despite its smaller size, the airport provides vital access to the country’s remote regions, making it an important hub for local travel.
4. Limón International Airport (LIO)
Airport Code: LIO
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Address: Limón, Costa Rica
Nearby Cities:
- Limón (0 miles)
- Puerto Viejo (34 miles)
- Cahuita (22 miles)
- San José (123 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Nature Air (historically, though operations have ceased)
- Sansa Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 10,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Limón International Airport is located in Limón, the capital city of the Limón province on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The airport serves the Caribbean region and is a key point of entry for travelers heading to Costa Rica’s coastal towns, such as Puerto Viejo and Cahuita. Limón International has long been a gateway to Costa Rica’s Caribbean beaches, national parks, and biodiversity.
While it has historically handled fewer flights than airports in San José or Liberia, Limón Airport plays an important role in supporting regional travel. It has been involved in efforts to boost tourism to Costa Rica’s Caribbean side, which has seen increasing popularity among eco-tourists. Although it has faced challenges with limited infrastructure and air traffic, it remains a crucial airport for the Caribbean region of Costa Rica.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Limón International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), suitable for small regional aircraft.
The airport features a small terminal with basic services, including check-in counters and baggage claim. The runway length restricts the type of aircraft that can land, and it is not capable of handling large jets or wide-body aircraft. Limón International is primarily used for regional flights within Costa Rica, connecting the Caribbean region to the rest of the country. While the airport has been underdeveloped in terms of facilities, there are ongoing efforts to enhance its infrastructure and support the growth of the Caribbean tourism sector.
5. Quepos La Managua Airport (XQP)
Airport Code: XQP
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Address: Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Nearby Cities:
- Quepos (0 miles)
- Manuel Antonio (4 miles)
- Jaco (40 miles)
- San José (90 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Nature Air (historically, though operations have ceased)
- Sansa Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 20,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Quepos La Managua Airport is located in Quepos, a small coastal town in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. The airport serves the popular tourist destination of Manuel Antonio, known for its national park and pristine beaches. The airport has been serving the area for several decades, providing essential air links for the region’s tourism industry.
Although it handles a smaller volume of traffic compared to the larger international airports in Costa Rica, Quepos Airport is critical for providing tourists with easy access to the Pacific coast. The airport supports both domestic flights and a limited number of regional flights, contributing to the growth of tourism in this region, which is known for its natural beauty and biodiversity.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Quepos La Managua Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), suitable for small aircraft.
The airport is relatively small and primarily serves domestic flights, especially to and from San José. The terminal offers basic services, including check-in, baggage handling, and a small waiting area. The runway supports smaller aircraft and does not accommodate large commercial jets. Despite its smaller scale, Quepos Airport remains vital for connecting the coastal areas of Costa Rica to the capital and other regions of the country.