Southwest Airlines announced a new nonstop route between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica. Service on the route begins March 13, 2027, providing a direct link between Central Texas and Costa Rica’s main international airport.
Flight Schedule and Frequency
The airline will operate the new route once weekly on Saturdays. Flights depart Austin at 10:25 a.m., arriving in San José at 2:05 p.m. The return leg leaves San José at 3:05 p.m., reaching Austin at 7:20 p.m. Tickets for the route are currently available through Southwest Airlines.
Southwest’s Austin Operations and Expansion
Southwest has been serving Austin for nearly five
decades, expanding both domestic and international routes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in recent years. The Costa Rica service follows Southwest’s recent launch of nonstop flights from Austin to Grand Cayman, strengthening the airline’s Central Texas international network.
Benefits for Travelers
The Saturday-only schedule allows Austin-area travelers to plan weeklong trips to Costa Rica with departures and returns over consecutive weekends. This provides direct access to one of the region’s prominent nature and beach destinations without the need for connecting flights.
Access to San José Attractions and Accommodations
San José serves as Costa Rica’s primary air gateway and a base for visiting nearby attractions such as Poás Volcano, coffee estates, cloud
forests, and mountain retreats. It also connects travelers to popular destinations including La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, and the beaches of Guanacaste.
Recommended accommodations in San José include the Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton—a historic downtown hotel overlooking Plaza de la Cultura—and Hotel Grano de Oro, a boutique hotel in a converted Victorian mansion near Paseo Colón featuring a notable restaurant. For travelers seeking proximity to the airport, the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belén offers resort-style lodging about three miles from Juan Santamaría International Airport.
Austin’s Growing Role as an International Gateway
Austin’s population growth, strong corporate presence, and increasing leisure travel demand
have driven expansion of international flight options, positioning the city as a gateway to the Caribbean and Central America. Southwest’s new nonstop to San José complements other recent international routes, including Cayman Airways’ service to Grand Cayman, broadening Central Texas’ connectivity to the region.
