Southwest Airlines will begin operating a nonstop flight between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, Costa Rica, starting March 13, 2027. The service will run once a week on Saturdays.
The 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 this route are currently available for purchase through Southwest Airlines.
Austin’s Expanding Role as an International Gateway
This new nonstop route connects Central Texas directly with Costa Rica’s main international airport, strengthening Austin’s position as an emerging international
gateway. Southwest has operated in Austin for nearly 50 years and is expanding its portfolio of both domestic and international flights from the city, including recently launched nonstop service to Grand Cayman.
Access to Costa Rica’s Key Destinations
San José is the central hub for air travel in Costa Rica and a starting point for travelers visiting diverse attractions such as the Central Valley’s volcanoes and coffee plantations, the rainforests near Arenal, and the Pacific coast beaches. The nonstop Saturday schedule supports travelers planning weeklong vacations with departures and returns on consecutive weekends.
Accommodation Options in San José
Visitors to San José can stay at several well-known hotels, including the Gran
Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton, located downtown overlooking Plaza de la Cultura and the National Theatre. Hotel Grano de Oro offers a boutique experience in a historic Victorian mansion near Paseo Colón with a notable restaurant. For proximity to the airport, travelers can choose the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belén, a resort-style former coffee plantation about three miles from Juan Santamaría International Airport.
Convenient Travel for Austin-Area Passengers
The nonstop flights eliminate the need for connections, offering a more direct travel option to Costa Rica from Austin. This schedule enables convenient one-week vacation planning for residents of Central Texas, providing easy access
to Costa Rica’s museums, markets, natural parks, and beaches.
Austin’s Growing Market and Southwest’s Network
Austin’s rapid population growth, increasing corporate presence, and rising leisure travel demand support expanding international flight services. Southwest’s addition of Austin to San José flights supplements its recent introduction of Austin to Grand Cayman service, broadening international travel options for Central Texas travelers.
