Costa Rica

$106+ Cheap flights from Houston 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 5/17. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
HOU — SJO
Jun 3 — Jun 101
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

Find cheap flights from Houston to Costa Rica with Cheapflights

1. Tell us where you want to go

Enter your travel information like dates, passengers, trip type (one-way or round trip), and preferred cabin class then click “Find deals”

2. Select your favorite providers

We find the providers serving your travel needs. Choose up to four travel providers to compare side-by-side for flights, hotels, or car rentals.

3. Compare prices and book

Review each provider’s pricing and select the best option for you! Book through your favorite provider’s website for a seamless experience.

Cheap flight deals from Houston to Costa Rica

Cheapest flights from Houston to Costa Rica
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Houston to Costa Rica. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on May 4, 2026.

This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/30. 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.
Sun 8/235:00 am
IAH
-
LIR
1 stop9h 38m
American Airlines
Thu 8/2712:35 pm
LIR
-
IAH
2 stops19h 57m
American Airlines
Deal found 4/30$355
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/1. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 5/105:45 am
IAH
-
SJO
1 stop7h 00m
Spirit Airlines
Sun 5/311:00 pm
SJO
-
IAH
1 stop9h 36m
Spirit Airlines
Deal found 5/1$359
This Viva deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/1. 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 Viva is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 7/1011:10 pm
IAH
-
SJO
1 stop27h 05m
Viva
Fri 7/172:20 am
SJO
-
IAH
1 stop12h 15m
Viva
Deal found 5/1$361
This KAYAK deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/1. 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 KAYAK is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 7/136:00 am
IAH
-
SJO
1 stop7h 15m
Spirit Airlines
Sun 7/191:21 pm
SJO
-
IAH
1 stop18h 25m
Spirit Airlines
Deal found 5/1$362
This Viva deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/1. 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 Viva is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 11/2210:10 pm
IAH
-
SJO
1 stop27h 05m
Viva
Fri 11/272:20 am
SJO
-
IAH
1 stop12h 20m
Viva
Deal found 5/1$363
This Viva deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/30. 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 Viva is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 5/89:35 am
IAH
-
SJO
1 stop16h 45m
Viva
Fri 5/222:20 am
SJO
-
IAH
1 stop29h 05m
Viva
Deal found 4/30$365
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/29. 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 Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 8/216:00 am
IAH
-
SJO
1 stop7h 15m
Spirit Airlines
Fri 8/281:21 pm
SJO
-
IAH
1 stop8h 22m
Spirit Airlines
Deal found 4/29$367
This Volaris deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/3. 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 Volaris is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 9/312:05 pm
IAH
-
SJO
1 stop12h 54m
Multiple Airlines
Tue 9/87:00 am
SJO
-
IAH
1 stop11h 25m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/3$370
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/30. 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 5/1711:05 pm
IAH
-
SJO
1 stop27h 15m
Multiple Airlines
Fri 5/291:00 pm
SJO
-
IAH
2 stops17h 34m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 4/30$371
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/30. 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 5/1011:05 pm
IAH
-
SJO
1 stop27h 15m
Multiple Airlines
Thu 5/211:00 pm
SJO
-
IAH
1 stop9h 36m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 4/30$372
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/30. 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 Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 7/126:00 am
IAH
-
SJO
1 stop7h 15m
Spirit Airlines
Sat 7/181:21 pm
SJO
-
IAH
1 stop18h 25m
Spirit Airlines
Deal found 4/30$373
This eDestinos deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/1. 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 eDestinos is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 5/1912:05 pm
IAH
-
SJO
1 stop12h 54m
Multiple Airlines
Tue 6/24:15 pm
SJO
-
IAH
1 stop17h 11m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/1$376

Find flight deals from Houston to Costa Rica

Keep the following information in mind while searching for Houston to Costa Rica flight deals. Data was last updated May 4, 2026.

Round-trip from

$355
(American Airlines)

One-way from

$106
(Viva)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

October

Average price

$492
From Houston to Costa Rica
One-way flight from Houston to Costa Rica
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 12% potential increase in price ($71 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease ($20 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Average for round-trip flights in May 2026

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Houston 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 May 4, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Houston to Costa Rica that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

HoustonSan José

IAH - SJO

IAHSJO

Houston George Bush Intcntl

Fri 7/17

11:10 pm-1:15 am

1 stop27h 05m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Mon 7/27

2:20 am-10:00 pm

1 stop18h 40m

$418

HoustonSan José

IAH - SJO

IAHSJO

Houston George Bush Intcntl

Tue 5/26

12:05 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop12h 54m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Tue 6/23

7:00 am-7:25 pm

1 stop11h 25m

$449

HoustonLiberia

IAH - LIR

IAHLIR

Houston George Bush Intcntl

Tue 6/2

7:20 am-9:50 am

Nonstop3h 30m

Liberia

Tue 6/9

3:27 pm-8:12 pm

Nonstop3h 45m

$522

HoustonSan José

IAH - SJO

IAHSJO

Houston George Bush Intcntl

Wed 6/17

9:38 am-12:21 pm

Nonstop3h 43m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Tue 6/23

1:25 pm-6:23 pm

Nonstop3h 58m

$534

HoustonLiberia

IAH - LIR

IAHLIR

Houston George Bush Intcntl

Sat 7/25

7:20 am-9:50 am

Nonstop3h 30m

Liberia

Wed 7/29

3:27 pm-8:12 pm

Nonstop3h 45m

$542

HoustonSan José

IAH - SJO

IAHSJO

Houston George Bush Intcntl

Mon 6/1

4:55 pm-7:37 pm

Nonstop3h 42m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Sat 6/6

7:55 am-12:43 pm

Nonstop3h 48m

$554

HoustonSan José

IAH - SJO

IAHSJO

Houston George Bush Intcntl

Wed 5/27

7:57 pm-10:39 pm

Nonstop3h 42m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Sun 5/31

7:55 am-12:43 pm

Nonstop3h 48m

$554

HoustonLiberia

IAH - LIR

IAHLIR

Houston George Bush Intcntl

Fri 9/11

5:55 am-12:00 pm

1 stop7h 05m

Liberia

Wed 9/16

1:25 pm-11:51 pm

1 stop9h 26m

$556

HoustonLiberia

IAH - LIR

IAHLIR

Houston George Bush Intcntl

Mon 9/7

9:39 am-12:10 pm

Nonstop3h 31m

Liberia

Sat 9/12

1:20 pm-5:57 pm

Nonstop3h 37m

$567

HoustonSan José

HOU - SJO

HOUSJO

Houston Hobby

Sat 5/30

6:00 am-11:52 am

1 stop6h 52m

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 6/4

1:20 pm-10:26 pm

1 stop8h 06m

$568

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 4/30

Showing 1-10 of 60 resultsSorted by cheapest first
1
2
3
...
6

Best time to book a flight from Houston to Costa Rica

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Costa Rica from Houston 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 Houston to Costa Rica

How far ahead should I book a flight from Houston to Costa Rica?

Booking 49 days in advance of your planned departure date is, on average, the best time to get cheap flights from Houston to Costa Rica. The general trend is that the closer you book to the departure date, the more expensive your flight will be.

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

Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Houston to Costa Rica (average of $79). Flying from Houston to Costa Rica in April is currently the most expensive (average of $234). 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 HOU to CR?

Find hourly flight availability from Houston 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 May 4, 2026.

Unlike at noon, when flights are generally more expensive, you can save up to 46% on flights from Houston to Costa Rica by exploring options for tickets in the evening.

What is the cheapest day to fly from Houston to Costa Rica?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Houston to Costa Rica. Price data was last updated on May 2, 2026.

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Houston to Costa Rica flight should consider departing on Wednesday mornings when fares are most often at their lowest. Thursday evenings flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Weekly flight availability from Houston to Costa Rica

Explore weekly flight availability from Houston to Costa Rica. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated May 4, 2026.

The most flights from HO1 to CR0 are scheduled on a Monday (1 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Monday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (1 on average).

How often are flights from Houston to Costa Rica delayed?

About 26% of weekly flights between Houston and Costa Rica have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 102 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for Houston to Costa Rica flights?

Historically, flights departing in the morning are less likely to be delayed, whereas flights leaving in the evening tend to experience delays more often.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Tuesday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Sunday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Houston to Costa Rica flights?

Over the last year, Southwest have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 26% of flights being delayed.

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 May 4, 2026.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Southwest,United Airlines, andAmerican Airlines from Houston to Costa Rica by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Overall

7.9

Entertainment

7.5

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Dominic,Mar 2026

MCO - SMF

I had to try and sleep on the floor of the Austin airport. I spent 12 hours there. The airline policies were so poor, that a near violent argument broke out between the people in front of me and the flight attendants - making for a super stressful situation at 30,000 feet. Garbage airline choice by Kayak Garbage idea to book a flight with a layover. Next time I will pay for a quality booking myself, and somehow force the company to reimburse it.

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Overall

7.9

Entertainment

7.5

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Dominic,Mar 2026

MCO - SMF

I had to try and sleep on the floor of the Austin airport. I spent 12 hours there. The airline policies were so poor, that a near violent argument broke out between the people in front of me and the flight attendants - making for a super stressful situation at 30,000 feet. Garbage airline choice by Kayak Garbage idea to book a flight with a layover. Next time I will pay for a quality booking myself, and somehow force the company to reimburse it.

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Overall

7.9

Entertainment

7.5

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Dominic,Mar 2026

MCO - SMF

I had to try and sleep on the floor of the Austin airport. I spent 12 hours there. The airline policies were so poor, that a near violent argument broke out between the people in front of me and the flight attendants - making for a super stressful situation at 30,000 feet. Garbage airline choice by Kayak Garbage idea to book a flight with a layover. Next time I will pay for a quality booking myself, and somehow force the company to reimburse it.

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Overall

7.9

Entertainment

7.5

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Dominic,Mar 2026

MCO - SMF

I had to try and sleep on the floor of the Austin airport. I spent 12 hours there. The airline policies were so poor, that a near violent argument broke out between the people in front of me and the flight attendants - making for a super stressful situation at 30,000 feet. Garbage airline choice by Kayak Garbage idea to book a flight with a layover. Next time I will pay for a quality booking myself, and somehow force the company to reimburse it.

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Overall

7.9

Entertainment

7.5

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Dominic,Mar 2026

MCO - SMF

I had to try and sleep on the floor of the Austin airport. I spent 12 hours there. The airline policies were so poor, that a near violent argument broke out between the people in front of me and the flight attendants - making for a super stressful situation at 30,000 feet. Garbage airline choice by Kayak Garbage idea to book a flight with a layover. Next time I will pay for a quality booking myself, and somehow force the company to reimburse it.

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Overall

7.9

Entertainment

7.5

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Dominic,Mar 2026

MCO - SMF

I had to try and sleep on the floor of the Austin airport. I spent 12 hours there. The airline policies were so poor, that a near violent argument broke out between the people in front of me and the flight attendants - making for a super stressful situation at 30,000 feet. Garbage airline choice by Kayak Garbage idea to book a flight with a layover. Next time I will pay for a quality booking myself, and somehow force the company to reimburse it.

Houston to Costa Rica Travel Guide

Juan Santamaria International Airport sits in Alajuela, which is 12 miles to the west of downtown San Jose. San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica. The airport is a focus city that serves Copa Airlines and a hub for Sansa Airlines. This is the second busiest airport in Central America. It’s been recognized as one of the best airports in Latin America.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Houston 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 airports serve Houston to Costa Rica flights?

    For a trip to Costa Rica from Houston, you’ll get on your plane at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and fly to the airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, Juan Santamaria International Airport. While most of these flights will have one stop on the way, you will find a few direct flights down there.

  • Which airlines fly directly from Houston to Costa Rica?

    There aren’t a lot of options for direct flights, but there are a few. Because there are far fewer of these, they tend to cost more than those with stopovers. The flights are offered by United and they run 3h 38m. There are many more airlines to choose from if you’re going to make a stop somewhere.

  • What are the stopover options between Houston to Costa Rica?

    Spirit Airlines has a stop in Fort Lauderdale. Avianca offers a flight that stops in Salvador for most of a day. Delta has stops in Atlanta that range from 52 minutes to 11 hours. American Airlines also has one-stop flights that land in Dallas or Miami. Stopover times range from about an hour to 11h 35m. Copa stops in Panama City in Florida before going on to San Jose. There are many options to choose from with travel times that range from five hours up to almost 18 hours.

  • Do I need a passport or visa to fly from Houston to Costa Rica?

    You will need your passport to fly this route. It has to be valid for three months after your arrival. You’ll have to have a return ticket or one for going somewhere else. You will not need a visa if you’re staying for less than 90 days.

  • How long is the flight from Houston to Costa Rica?

    A quick flight from Houston to Costa Rica can take about 3h 30m. Viva provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $522. The distance between Houston and Costa Rica is about 1480 mi. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both nonstop flights and flights with stops.

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

    To fly one-way, consider booking your trip with Spirit Airlines, which is currently one of the cheapest options available, starting at $74. American Airlines flights start at $139 while deals on Avianca start at $162 one-way.

  • What are the most popular routes from Houston to Costa Rica?

  • What are the cheapest flights from Houston to Costa Rica?

    Looking at all options, your cheapest flight can be booked for $477. While the most popular route (Houston Hobby - San José Juan Santamaria Intl) can be booked for $312 on average, our data indicates $786 when flying from Houston to Costa Rica.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Houston 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 Houston to Costa Rica?

    Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Houston to Costa Rica (average of $79). Flying from Houston to Costa Rica in April is currently the most expensive (average of $234). 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

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Top 5 airlines flying from Houston to Costa Rica

Discover the top 5 airlines that operate flights from Houston 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 May 4, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Spirit AirlinesCheapest$179Average$272FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time65%
AviancaCheapest$298Average$411FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
SouthwestCheapest$360Average$591FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
American AirlinesCheapest$406Average$907FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$433Average$595FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book with Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.