Costa Rica

$382+ Cheap flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Costa Rica

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 12/23. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — SJO
Jan 17 — Jan 241
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Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to Costa Rica

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Costa Rica. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on December 18, 2025.

This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/17. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 12/185:07 amDSM - SJO
1 stop17h 38mAmerican Airlines
Sat 1/172:54 pmSJO - DSM
1 stop8h 29mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/17$731
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/16. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/195:34 amDSM - SJO
1 stop7h 32mDelta
Sat 1/177:00 amSJO - DSM
1 stop15h 29mDelta
Deal found 12/16$766
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/16. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/316:00 amDSM - LIR
1 stop8h 13mAmerican Airlines
Wed 1/73:23 pmLIR - DSM
1 stop8h 00mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/16$768
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/16. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/196:35 pmDSM - SJO
2 stops15h 57mAmerican Airlines
Sat 1/176:00 amSJO - DSM
2 stops16h 11mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/16$784
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/17. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 12/235:45 amDSM - SJO
1 stop14h 29mAmerican Airlines
Mon 12/291:31 pmSJO - DSM
1 stop11h 06mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/17$821
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/17. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/248:47 amDSM - SJO
1 stop11h 27mAmerican Airlines
Sun 1/112:54 pmSJO - DSM
1 stop8h 29mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/17$826
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/17. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/315:35 amDSM - LIR
1 stop7h 15mDelta
Wed 1/72:05 pmLIR - DSM
1 stop8h 24mDelta
Deal found 12/17$827
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/16. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/249:00 amDSM - SJO
1 stop13h 00mUnited Airlines
Sun 1/116:30 amSJO - DSM
1 stop16h 00mUnited Airlines
Deal found 12/16$841
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/15. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/195:34 amDSM - SJO
1 stop7h 32mDelta
Wed 12/317:00 amSJO - DSM
1 stop13h 45mDelta
Deal found 12/15$846
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/16. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 12/306:46 pmDSM - LIR
2 stops23h 51mUnited Airlines
Tue 1/68:35 amLIR - DSM
2 stops26h 20mUnited Airlines
Deal found 12/16$857
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/17. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/316:00 amDSM - LIR
1 stop7h 10mUnited Airlines
Tue 1/68:35 amLIR - DSM
1 stop13h 55mUnited Airlines
Deal found 12/17$895
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/17. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/315:07 amDSM - LIR
1 stop7h 09mAmerican Airlines
Tue 1/63:14 pmLIR - DSM
2 stops19h 36mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/17$898

Find flight deals from Des Moines to Costa Rica

Keep the following information in mind while searching for Des Moines to Costa Rica flight deals. Data was last updated December 18, 2025.

Most accurate provider

eDreams
3 stars

Most trusted provider

eDreams
3 stars

Round-trip from

$402
(American Airlines)

One-way from

$382
(American Airlines)

Popular in

June

Cheapest in

August

Average price

$655
Provider with most accurate pricing for Des Moines-San José Juan Santamaria Intl flight deals.
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Des Moines-San José Juan Santamaria Intl flights.
From Des Moines to Costa Rica
One-way flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 9% potential increase in price ($71 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($10 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Average for round-trip flights in December 2025

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated December 18, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

Costa Rica

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Wed 4/15

5:19 am-1:09 pm

1 stop8h 50m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Wed 4/22

2:35 pm-12:14 pm

1 stop20h 39m

$406

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Fri 1/23

8:10 am-8:39 pm

1 stop12h 29m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Wed 1/28

8:45 am-10:30 pm

1 stop13h 45m

$418

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Thu 2/5

11:35 am-11:43 pm

1 stop12h 08m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Fri 2/13

3:04 pm-11:38 pm

1 stop8h 34m

$418

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Fri 1/23

4:00 pm-11:43 pm

1 stop7h 43m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Wed 1/28

8:00 am-11:59 pm

1 stop15h 59m

$418

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Fri 1/30

11:42 am-10:30 pm

1 stop10h 48m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Fri 2/6

8:00 am-10:11 pm

2 stops14h 11m

$422

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Fri 2/6

7:43 am-9:02 pm

2 stops13h 19m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Fri 2/13

12:31 am-5:51 pm

2 stops17h 20m

$442

Des MoinesLiberia

DSM - LIR

DSMLIR

Des Moines

Mon 3/16

7:00 pm-11:13 am

2 stops17h 13m

Liberia

Tue 3/24

12:21 pm-9:33 am

2 stops20h 12m

$579

Des MoinesLiberia

DSM - LIR

DSMLIR

Des Moines

Fri 1/30

5:51 pm-12:30 pm

1 stop18h 39m

Liberia

Fri 2/6

3:23 pm-5:06 pm

1 stop25h 43m

$598

Des MoinesLiberia

DSM - LIR

DSMLIR

Des Moines

Wed 3/4

6:55 pm-12:55 pm

1 stop18h 00m

Liberia

Sun 3/8

1:20 pm-10:30 am

2 stops20h 10m

$599

Des MoinesLiberia

DSM - LIR

DSMLIR

Des Moines

Tue 3/3

6:55 pm-1:10 pm

2 stops18h 15m

Liberia

Sun 3/8

11:35 am-10:30 am

2 stops21h 55m

$599

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 12/16

Showing 1-10 of 14 results
1
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Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Costa Rica from Des Moines with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

Currently, April is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica (average of $289). Flying from Des Moines to Costa Rica in October is currently the most expensive (average of $623). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from DSM to CR?

Find hourly flight availability from Des Moines to Costa Rica. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated December 18, 2025.

One of the essential ways to save on airfare from Des Moines to Costa Rica is to remain as flexible as possible. Flights that are at noon tend to be the most expensive. A flight in the evening could potentially save you up to 16% on airfare.

Reviews of airlines servicing Costa Rica

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Costa Rica. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Costa Rica. Reviews last updated December 18, 2025.
See what other customers who have flown with Delta, United Airlines, and American Airlines from Des Moines to Costa Rica have to say. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Crew

8.5

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.3

Overall

7.9

Entertainment

7.9

Comfort

7.9

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Jim,Nov 2025

AVL - ATL

The exit row seats without a seat in front are great for leg room but don’t have a fold out entertainment console so you’re forced to use the screen several feet in front of you (there is, at least, a remote). Best to bring a tablet loaded with entertainment or a book.

Crew

8.5

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.3

Overall

7.9

Entertainment

7.9

Comfort

7.9

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Jim,Nov 2025

AVL - ATL

The exit row seats without a seat in front are great for leg room but don’t have a fold out entertainment console so you’re forced to use the screen several feet in front of you (there is, at least, a remote). Best to bring a tablet loaded with entertainment or a book.

Crew

8.5

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.3

Overall

7.9

Entertainment

7.9

Comfort

7.9

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Jim,Nov 2025

AVL - ATL

The exit row seats without a seat in front are great for leg room but don’t have a fold out entertainment console so you’re forced to use the screen several feet in front of you (there is, at least, a remote). Best to bring a tablet loaded with entertainment or a book.

Crew

8.5

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.3

Overall

7.9

Entertainment

7.9

Comfort

7.9

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Jim,Nov 2025

AVL - ATL

The exit row seats without a seat in front are great for leg room but don’t have a fold out entertainment console so you’re forced to use the screen several feet in front of you (there is, at least, a remote). Best to bring a tablet loaded with entertainment or a book.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Des Moines to Costa Rica. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
  • What airport do you fly from for flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

    Des Moines (DSM) is the airport you will fly out of if you book a flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica. It is only a 3.6 mi journey to Des Moines (DSM) from Des Moines’s city center.

  • How long is the flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

    For as low as $406, American Airlines can have you in Costa Rica from Des Moines in 8h 50m. The distance between Des Moines and Costa Rica is about 2253 mi. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Des Moines to Costa Rica one-way?

    To fly one-way, consider booking your trip with Delta, which is currently one of the cheapest options available, starting at $259. United Airlines flights start at $285 while deals on American Airlines start at $295 one-way.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Des Moines to Costa Rica flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to Costa Rica by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

    Currently, April is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica (average of $289). Flying from Des Moines to Costa Rica in October is currently the most expensive (average of $623). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

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Top 3 airlines flying from Des Moines to Costa Rica

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated December 18, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
DeltaCheapest$289Average$615FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
American AirlinesCheapest$489Average$672FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$548Average$691FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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