Southwest Airlines will start a weekly nonstop service from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, Costa Rica, beginning March 13, 2027. This new route expands Austin’s international connectivity and directly links Central Texas with Costa Rica’s main air gateway.
Flight Schedule and Operations
The new Southwest flight will operate once a week on Saturdays. Departure from Austin is scheduled for 10:25 a.m. with arrival in San José at 2:05 p.m. The return flight leaves San José at 3:05 p.m., landing in Austin at 7:20 p.m. Tickets for the route are currently available for booking through Southwest Airlines.
Route and Destination Access
The nonstop
service connects Austin in Central Texas with San José, the capital of Costa Rica, located in the country’s Central Valley. San José serves as the primary hub for international arrivals and a gateway to popular tourist sites including Arenal Volcano, Poás Volcano, coffee plantations, cloud forests, and numerous Pacific coast beaches. The airport also offers connections to Costa Rican destinations such as La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, and Guanacaste’s coastline.
Traveler Benefits and Trip Planning
This Saturday-only schedule supports leisure travelers interested in weeklong vacations. Departure on Saturday from Austin and return on the following Saturday from San José allows visitors to plan week-focused trips.
The nonstop connection improves convenience and access for those seeking nature, wellness, adventure, and beach activities in Costa Rica.
Austin Airport Growth and Southwest’s Role
Southwest Airlines has served Austin-Bergstrom International Airport for nearly five decades and has been expanding its mix of domestic and international flights from this hub. The new Costa Rica route strengthens Austin’s position as an international gateway and follows Southwest’s recent introduction of nonstop service from Austin to Grand Cayman.
Accommodations and Local Attractions in San José
San José offers a range of accommodations suited to travelers arriving via the new nonstop flight. Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a historic downtown hotel overlooking Plaza
de la Cultura and the National Theatre. Hotel Grano de Oro is located near Paseo Colón, housed in a converted Tropical Victorian mansion with a notable restaurant. Close to the airport, the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belén operates on a former coffee plantation approximately three miles from Juan Santamaría International Airport.
