Los Angeles International to Juan Santamaría
2723 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 5h 53m with 8 airlines operating direct service from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Juan Santamaría (SJO). Cheapest fares are usually in Jun (around $289 return), with peak prices in Jun (around $289). Departures on a Tuesday tend to undercut weekend prices on this corridor.
Flying from Los Angeles International
Los Angeles International spreads across nine terminals arranged in a U around the central hub, with the inter-terminal LAX-it shuttle and the new Automated People Mover (opening late 2026) connecting them. Metro Rail does not yet enter the airport directly — the K Line shuttle and FlyAway bus to Union Station are the rail-adjacent options. American, Delta, United, Southwest and Alaska all run major operations here; international long-haul fills T2 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
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 LAX to SJO?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| American Airlines | AA | 5h 53m | Economy |
| Delta Air Lines | DL | 5h 53m | Economy |
| United Airlines | UA | 5h 53m | Economy |
| Southwest Airlines | WN | 5h 53m | Economy |
| Alaska Airlines | AS | 5h 53m | Economy |
| JetBlue Airways | B6 | 5h 53m | Economy |
| Spirit Airlines | NK | 5h 53m | Economy |
| Hawaiian Airlines | HA | 5h 53m | Economy |
8 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Best time to fly LAX→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.
Los Angeles to San José FAQs
Direct flights from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Juan Santamaría (SJO) take approximately 5h 53m for the 2723-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.
Jun is typically the cheapest month on this route, with one-way fares from $289. Jun 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.
8 carriers operate direct service from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Juan Santamaría (SJO): American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and 3 more. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — American 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.