George Bush Intercontinental to Juan Santamaría
1557 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 3h 32m with 5 airlines operating direct service from George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) to Juan Santamaría (SJO). Cheapest fares are usually in January (around $169 return), with peak prices in August (around $507). Departures on a Tuesday tend to undercut weekend prices on this corridor.
Flying from George Bush Intercontinental
Houston George Bush Intercontinental is United Airlines' second-largest hub after Newark, with five terminals and a Skytrain people mover connecting them. METRO's bus 102 runs from the airport to downtown Houston in around 50 minutes; light rail does not extend to IAH. International long-haul through Houston is heaviest to Latin America (over 30 destinations) and Europe, with Lufthansa, KLM, Air France and British Airways all operating daily and growing Middle East service via Qatar, Emirates and Turkish.
Arriving in San José
Juan Santamaría International serves San José, Costa Rica's capital, 17 km west of the centre. Tuasa bus runs to downtown San José for 690 CRC; taxis cost $25–$30. Fares from US Pacific and Texas hubs peak December–April (US winter demand) with cheaper rates in the May–November green season. SJO is the gateway for Manuel Antonio, Arenal and the Pacific coast resorts; LIR (Liberia) is closer to Guanacaste's Pacific beaches.
Who flies IAH to SJO?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| United Airlines | UA | 3h 32m | Economy |
| American Airlines | AA | 3h 32m | Economy |
| Spirit Airlines | NK | 3h 32m | Economy |
| Frontier Airlines | F9 | 3h 32m | Economy |
| Delta Air Lines | DL | 3h 32m | Economy |
5 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Best time to fly IAH→SJO
Synthesised from 12-month price aggregates. Cheapest months in green, peak in red.
Estimated baseline. Prices update on a 30-day cadence as Travelpayouts data refreshes. Cheapest day-of-week typically Tuesday.
Houston to San José FAQs
Direct flights from George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) to Juan Santamaría (SJO) take approximately 3h 32m for the 1557-mile journey, plus 30–60 minutes of taxi, climb and descent. Total airport-to-airport time depends on cruise winds and air-traffic queueing on approach.
January is typically the cheapest month on this route, with one-way fares from $169. August is the peak — expect prices 2–3× higher. Book 4–8 weeks ahead for best fares; last-minute prices on this corridor rise sharply inside two weeks of departure.
5 carriers operate direct service from George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) to Juan Santamaría (SJO): United Airlines, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — United Airlines typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
Visa-free for US passport holders up to 90 days. Always check travel.state.gov for the latest entry requirements before booking.
Juan Santamaría (SJO) is the primary international airport for San José. Allow 30–60 minutes for the ground transfer by train, express bus, taxi or rideshare depending on traffic and time of day. See the airport's official website for current train and shuttle timetables.