Costa Rica

$170+ 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 2/23. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — SJO
Mar 7 — Mar 141
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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 February 5, 2026.

This Gurufare deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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 Gurufare is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 3/45:24 am
DSM
-
SJO
1 stop16h 38m
LATAM Airlines
Fri 3/62:25 pm
SJO
-
DSM
1 stop8h 03m
LATAM Airlines
Deal found 2/2$383
This Gurufare deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/3. 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 Gurufare is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 3/46:19 am
DSM
-
SJO
2 stops15h 43m
LATAM Airlines
Thu 3/121:20 pm
SJO
-
DSM
2 stops19h 26m
LATAM Airlines
Deal found 2/3$399
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/4. 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.
Sat 3/76:49 pm
DSM
-
SJO
1 stop17h 07m
United Airlines
Tue 3/105:30 am
SJO
-
DSM
1 stop16h 14m
United Airlines
Deal found 2/4$417
This Gurufare deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/3. 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 Gurufare is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 3/56:19 am
DSM
-
SJO
2 stops15h 43m
LATAM Airlines
Thu 3/121:20 pm
SJO
-
DSM
2 stops19h 26m
LATAM Airlines
Deal found 2/3$419
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/3. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 3/87:00 am
DSM
-
SJO
2 stops53h 22m
Multiple Airlines
Fri 3/1311:38 am
SJO
-
DSM
1 stop21h 23m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 2/3$428
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/3. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 2/267:27 pm
DSM
-
SJO
2 stops16h 13m
Multiple Airlines
Thu 3/51:31 pm
SJO
-
DSM
1 stop9h 20m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 2/3$440
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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 3/410:04 am
DSM
-
SJO
1 stop10h 08m
American Airlines
Fri 3/67:00 am
SJO
-
DSM
1 stop16h 40m
American Airlines
Deal found 2/2$470
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/3. 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 3/411:17 am
DSM
-
SJO
1 stop11h 26m
American Airlines
Thu 3/126:00 am
SJO
-
DSM
1 stop15h 34m
American Airlines
Deal found 2/3$481
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/4. 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.
Sat 4/258:03 pm
DSM
-
SJO
2 stops16h 04m
American Airlines
Wed 4/2911:35 pm
SJO
-
DSM
2 stops13h 11m
American Airlines
Deal found 2/4$486
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/3. 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.
Thu 2/267:52 am
DSM
-
SJO
1 stop12h 47m
United Airlines
Thu 3/52:20 pm
SJO
-
DSM
1 stop8h 24m
United Airlines
Deal found 2/3$490
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/4. 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.
Sat 9/266:34 pm
DSM
-
LIR
2 stops19h 35m
American Airlines
Fri 10/22:00 pm
LIR
-
DSM
2 stops17h 07m
American Airlines
Deal found 2/4$601
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/3. 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 3/46:55 pm
DSM
-
LIR
1 stop18h 00m
United Airlines
Sun 3/87:35 am
LIR
-
DSM
1 stop14h 09m
United Airlines
Deal found 2/3$616

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 February 5, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$383
(Gurufare)

One-way from

$170
(Kiwi.com)

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

January

Average price

$777
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. 3% potential increase in price ($21 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($11 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Average for round-trip flights in February 2026

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 February 5, 2026.
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 3/4

6:19 am-10:02 pm

2 stops15h 43m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 3/12

1:20 pm-9:46 am

2 stops19h 26m

$399

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Sat 3/7

6:49 pm-11:56 am

1 stop17h 07m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Tue 3/10

5:30 am-10:44 pm

1 stop16h 14m

$417

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Sun 3/8

7:00 am-11:22 am

2 stops53h 22m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Fri 3/13

11:38 am-10:01 am

1 stop21h 23m

$428

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Thu 2/26

7:27 pm-11:40 am

2 stops16h 13m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 3/5

1:31 pm-10:51 pm

1 stop9h 20m

$440

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Wed 3/4

10:04 am-8:12 pm

1 stop10h 08m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Fri 3/6

7:00 am-11:40 pm

1 stop16h 40m

$470

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Wed 3/4

10:04 am-8:12 pm

1 stop10h 08m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 3/12

11:35 pm-10:34 am

1 stop9h 59m

$481

Des MoinesSan José

DSM - SJO

DSMSJO

Des Moines

Sat 4/25

8:03 pm-11:07 am

2 stops16h 04m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Wed 4/29

11:35 pm-2:47 pm

1 stop14h 12m

$486

Des MoinesLiberia

DSM - LIR

DSMLIR

Des Moines

Thu 3/19

5:00 am-12:18 pm

1 stop8h 18m

Liberia

Thu 3/26

12:21 pm-11:56 pm

1 stop10h 35m

$601

Des MoinesLiberia

DSM - LIR

DSMLIR

Des Moines

Wed 3/4

6:55 pm-12:55 pm

1 stop18h 00m

Liberia

Sun 3/8

7:35 am-10:44 pm

1 stop14h 09m

$616

Des MoinesLiberia

DSM - LIR

DSMLIR

Des Moines

Thu 3/19

7:15 am-5:37 pm

1 stop11h 22m

Liberia

Thu 3/26

11:35 am-10:44 pm

1 stop10h 09m

$616

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 2/4

Showing 1-10 of 32 results
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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.

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 February 5, 2026.
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.

Entertainment

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

7.9

Crew

8.5

Comfort

7.9

Food

7.2

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.

Entertainment

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

7.9

Crew

8.5

Comfort

7.9

Food

7.2

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.

Entertainment

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

7.9

Crew

8.5

Comfort

7.9

Food

7.2

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.

Entertainment

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

7.9

Crew

8.5

Comfort

7.9

Food

7.2

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 $601, LATAM Airlines can have you in Costa Rica from Des Moines in 8h 18m. The distance between Des Moines and Costa Rica is about 2193 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

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

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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 February 5, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
DeltaCheapest$289Average$641FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
United AirlinesCheapest$431Average$692FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
American AirlinesCheapest$489Average$697FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%

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