Southwest Airlines will launch new nonstop flights from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Texas to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica, beginning March 13, 2027.
The service will operate once weekly on Saturdays. The outbound flight will depart from Austin at 10:25 a.m. and arrive in San José at 2:05 p.m. The return flight will leave San José at 3:05 p.m. and reach Austin at 7:20 p.m. Tickets for this new route are currently available for purchase through Southwest Airlines.
Southwest’s Expanding International Service from Austin
Southwest Airlines has served Austin for nearly 50 years. This new nonstop route enhances its international
offerings from Austin, complementing existing nonstop service such as the Austin to Grand Cayman flight. The introduction of the Costa Rica route reflects Austin’s growing status as an international gateway driven by population growth and increased corporate and leisure travel demand.
Traveler Benefits and Convenience
The Saturday-only schedule facilitates weeklong vacations to Costa Rica with departures and returns set on consecutive weekends, optimizing leisure travel. Austin-area travelers gain a direct nonstop option to Costa Rica, eliminating the need for connecting flights and streamlining travel plans.
Destinations and Attractions Accessible via San José
Juan Santamaría International Airport serves as Costa Rica’s main air hub. From San José, travelers can reach iconic destinations
including the Central Valley’s volcanoes, coffee estates, and cloud forests, as well as farther locations such as La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, and beaches in Guanacaste. Nearby attractions include Poás Volcano and various mountain retreats.
Hotel Accommodations in San José
Prominent lodging options in San José include Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton, a historic hotel located downtown overlooking Plaza de la Cultura and the National Theatre. Hotel Grano de Oro offers boutique accommodations in a former Victorian mansion near Paseo Colón with a renowned restaurant on site. For travelers seeking proximity to the airport, the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belén is
situated approximately three miles from Juan Santamaría International Airport and features a resort-style ambiance.
Southwest’s addition of the Austin to San José nonstop flight continues its strategy to expand connections from Austin to Central America and the Caribbean, building on the recent start of nonstop service to Grand Cayman and reflecting the region’s increasing importance for Austin travelers.
