$1,430 Find Cheap Flights to Costa Rica

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from New Zealand to Costa Rica departing on 10/1. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy

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Flight Deals

Book Cheap Costa Rica Plane Tickets

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights to Costa Rica that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to Costa Rica

Tue, 10 Mar - Fri, 13 Mar
American Airlines Logo
13:20 - 11:00AKL-SJO
40h 40m2 stops
American Airlines Logo
06:00 - 08:10SJO-AKL
55h 10m2 stops
$2,321American Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, 10 Mar - Fri, 13 Mar
American Airlines Logo
13:20 - 11:00AKL-SJO
40h 40m2 stops
American Airlines Logo
06:00 - 08:10SJO-AKL
55h 10m2 stops
$2,328American Airlines
Find Deal
Mon, 22 Dec - Fri, 9 Jan
American Airlines Logo
13:20 - 10:32AKL-SJO
40h 12m2 stops
American Airlines Logo
07:09 - 09:10SJO-AKL
55h 01m2 stops
$2,598American Airlines
Find Deal
Sun, 21 Dec - Fri, 9 Jan
American Airlines Logo
13:20 - 21:00AKL-SJO
26h 40m2 stops
American Airlines Logo
07:09 - 09:10SJO-AKL
55h 01m2 stops
$2,628American Airlines
Find Deal
Fri, 26 Dec - Sun, 4 Jan
American Airlines Logo
13:20 - 10:32AKL-SJO
40h 12m2 stops
American Airlines Logo
15:16 - 09:10SJO-AKL
22h 54m1 stop
$2,846American Airlines
Find Deal
Mon, 22 Dec - Fri, 9 Jan
American Airlines Logo
13:20 - 10:32AKL-SJO
40h 12m2 stops
American Airlines Logo
07:09 - 09:10SJO-AKL
55h 01m2 stops
$2,870American Airlines
Find Deal
Sun, 21 Dec - Fri, 9 Jan
American Airlines Logo
13:20 - 22:45AKL-SJO
28h 25m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
13:38 - 09:10SJO-AKL
48h 32m2 stops
$2,873American Airlines
Find Deal
Sun, 21 Dec - Fri, 9 Jan
American Airlines Logo
13:20 - 10:32AKL-SJO
40h 12m2 stops
American Airlines Logo
07:09 - 09:10SJO-AKL
55h 01m2 stops
$2,901American Airlines
Find Deal
Fri, 26 Dec - Sun, 4 Jan
United Airlines Logo
15:50 - 22:00AKL-SJO
49h 10m2 stops
United Airlines Logo
06:40 - 09:10SJO-AKL
55h 30m2 stops
$4,301United Airlines
Find Deal
Fri, 26 Dec - Sun, 4 Jan
United Airlines Logo
19:45 - 12:56AKL-SJO
36h 11m2 stops
United Airlines Logo
06:40 - 09:10SJO-AKL
55h 30m2 stops
$4,404United Airlines
Find Deal
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for flights to Costa Rica

Get data-powered insights and trends for flights to Costa Rica to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

How many airports are there in Costa Rica?

There are 12 airports in Costa Rica. The busiest airport is Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO), with 63% of all flights arriving there.

How long is the flight to Costa Rica?

An average direct flight from New Zealand to Costa Rica takes 42h 10m, covering a distance of 18885 km. The shortest route is Auckland (AKL) to San José (SJO) with an average flight time of 33h 15m.

What is the most popular destination in Costa Rica?

Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is San José (100% of total searches to Costa Rica).

Good to know

Low seasonFebruary
Cheapest flight$1,430
Best time to beat the crowds (41% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 19% lower on average.
Flight from Auckland to San José

FAQs - booking Costa Rica flights

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from New Zealand to Costa Rica?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from New Zealand to Costa Rica.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from New Zealand to Costa Rica?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from New Zealand to Costa Rica is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from New Zealand to Costa Rica?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly from New Zealand to Costa Rica with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from New Zealand to Costa Rica?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying from New Zealand to Costa Rica up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to Costa Rica?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to Costa Rica is Friday when return tickets can be as cheap as $3,004. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Tuesday, when return prices are $4,611 on average.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Costa Rica?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to Costa Rica is generally in the afternoon, when retur flights cost $3,048 on average. Morning departures are around 17% cheaper than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to Costa Rica is generally at night, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $4,163.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Costa Rica

  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Costa Rica flight deals.

Reviews of the top airline flying to Costa Rica

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from New Zealand to Costa Rica? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.4
United AirlinesOverall score based on 8982 reviews
8.1Crew
7.7Boarding
7.1Entertainment
6.6Food
7.3Comfort
Airline reviews

During booking, I kept trying submitting my payment from the Mexican website and it didn't work. After I had the idea to change it to the Canadian website, it worked but I had to be charged the equivalent of 50 CAD more. I received the clear instruction that I would only be able to check-in at the airport and that it was impossible to select a seat 24 hours before departure, that I had to pay 144 CAD to do so, although not only was I able to check-in 24 hours before departure, but I could have selected my seats for free then. All in all, I almost threw $200 out the window due to misleading information. Besides, the app kept crashing, the information to get to the gate on the app was inaccurate, my gate was switched and I was only informed once in the air (luckily I had noticed the departure pannel), I was not addressed in my language beforehand and even if I tried I was immediately answered in English (which meant the crew understood but didn't want to answer accordingly), there was only one snack & beverage service on my medium haul flight and no beverage service on my short haul flight. To be fair, the planes were comfortable, the crew apart from the language issue was helpful, dynamic and engaging, the plane was clean and the directions were clear and direct. United has a lot of potential to be one of my favourite airlines, but the devil is in the details and a lot of them missed the target.

8.0 ExcellentMonsieur, Oct 2025IAD - EWR
Read more United Airlines reviews

During booking, I kept trying submitting my payment from the Mexican website and it didn't work. After I had the idea to change it to the Canadian website, it worked but I had to be charged the equivalent of 50 CAD more. I received the clear instruction that I would only be able to check-in at the airport and that it was impossible to select a seat 24 hours before departure, that I had to pay 144 CAD to do so, although not only was I able to check-in 24 hours before departure, but I could have selected my seats for free then. All in all, I almost threw $200 out the window due to misleading information. Besides, the app kept crashing, the information to get to the gate on the app was inaccurate, my gate was switched and I was only informed once in the air (luckily I had noticed the departure pannel), I was not addressed in my language beforehand and even if I tried I was immediately answered in English (which meant the crew understood but didn't want to answer accordingly), there was only one snack & beverage service on my medium haul flight and no beverage service on my short haul flight. To be fair, the planes were comfortable, the crew apart from the language issue was helpful, dynamic and engaging, the plane was clean and the directions were clear and direct. United has a lot of potential to be one of my favourite airlines, but the devil is in the details and a lot of them missed the target.

Food was poorly timed and not good.. Hand held snacks, really. I kept asking for water and never got any. Service was rushed for a 7-hour flight.

This was a very average flight. The seat was out of alignment so more uncomfortable than usual. The cabin felt not well maintained. But I safely got where I needed to go.

We were in business class. the angled seats in that class do not have a real window view & the placement of the controls are bad. But we knew that. But the food options were mediocre. The taste was fine, but the size was for a child. It’s just really feels like United is skimping on everything. Even when we were in the Polaris lounge they did not have diet sodas. They said they were out no Coke zero no Diet Coke, etc. I do not think the portion of nuts they serve on the plane could get any smaller. Really a minimal service and offer for what you’re paying for in business.

Flight was good and crew was super polite. However, there were around 5 kids screaming the WHOLE 2 hours. I understand kids have to come but parents need to do something to control their children. They make the experience terrible, especially after finishing 16 hour shifts at the hospital I needed some sleep, which I did not get.

The flight was comfortable with the exit row and great service

Excellent flight. Boarding was efficient and departure was on time. Smooth flight with on time arrival. Deplaning was also efficient.

United could have one single once of customer service. No human United employee would help me with the invalid mileage plus number, they said I had to speak with the computer.

1.It will be better if sandwich is warm. 2.The food is too salty. 3.Breakfast needs some vegetables or fruits.

Although the flight was delayed the crew and the flight itself were very good. Couldn't fault anything and after the disappointment of being abandoned in the US by BA it was a welcome relief to travel with United

Everything you need to know for your flight to Costa Rica

Cabin class types available on flights to Costa Rica

Cabin classes available on flights to Costa Rica. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.

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