Orlando International to Juan Santamaría
1287 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 2h 59m with 8 airlines operating direct service from Orlando International (MCO) 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 Orlando International
Orlando International is the gateway for Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and Cape Canaveral cruise traffic. Terminal A and Terminal C handle distinct carrier groups, with Brightline rail service to Miami launched in 2023 for $79–$199 one way (3.5 hours). Southwest, Spirit and JetBlue compete heavily on price for incoming theme-park traffic; international long-haul through MCO has grown sharply with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa and Aer Lingus all operating daily.
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 MCO to SJO?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| Southwest Airlines | WN | 2h 59m | Economy |
| Spirit Airlines | NK | 2h 59m | Economy |
| Frontier Airlines | F9 | 2h 59m | Economy |
| JetBlue Airways | B6 | 2h 59m | Economy |
| American Airlines | AA | 2h 59m | Economy |
| Delta Air Lines | DL | 2h 59m | Economy |
| United Airlines | UA | 2h 59m | Economy |
| Allegiant Air | G4 | 2h 59m | Economy |
8 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Best time to fly MCO→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.
Orlando to San José FAQs
Direct flights from Orlando International (MCO) to Juan Santamaría (SJO) take approximately 2h 59m for the 1287-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.
8 carriers operate direct service from Orlando International (MCO) to Juan Santamaría (SJO): Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines and 3 more. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — Southwest 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.