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Find cheap flights from Washington Dulles Airport to Costa Rica from $88

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Dulles Intl to Costa Rica departing on 8/20. 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
0 bags
sáb. 6/29
sáb. 7/6

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Best Costa Rica Flight Deals

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

San José
San Josénonstop$213
Liberia
Liberia2 stops$289

Good to know

Low season

April

High season

December

Cheapest flight

$88
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 12% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 52% increase in price.
Flight from Washington Dulles Airport to San José

FAQs - booking Costa Rica flights

  • How do I get to Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve?

    Costa Rica is known for many nature attractions, including Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. If you’re traveling to this site, you should plan to fly to La Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON), which is approximately 15 miles away from the reserve, but it can also be reached by flying to LIR airport, approximately 44 miles away, or SJO airport, approximately 36 miles away.

  • How can I make my trip from Washington to Costa Rica more sustainable?

    The airline you fly makes a big difference in sustainability. For example, Avianca has introduced a fleet renewal program to improve it carbon footprint. By adding over 88 new A320 NEO aircraft to its fleet, Avianca has achieved a fuel savings of 20% and reduced its CO2 emissions compared its previous fleet.

  • How many bags can I bring when I fly from Washington to Costa Rica?

    Delta, United, American, and Avianca all allow passengers to bring one personal item and one carry-on bag each into the cabin. These airlines charge fees to check bags, and the fees may vary based on class or airline status.

  • What are some typical layovers between Washington and Costa Rica?

    When not flying direct, Avianca has layovers at La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala and El Salvador International Airport (SAL). Flights between IAD and LIR airports may have layovers in Texas at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Texas (DFW), or at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Washington Dulles Airport 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 Washington Dulles Airport to Costa Rica.

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

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

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Washington Dulles Airport to Costa Rica?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Costa Rica with an airline and back to Washington Dulles Airport with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Washington Dulles Airport 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 to Costa Rica from Washington Dulles Airport up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Costa Rica

  • Morning departure is around 18% more expensive than an evening flight, on average*.
  • Travelers seeking flights from Washington, DC, to Costa Rica will find plenty of options from Dulles International Airport (IAD) to destinations throughout Costa Rica. First-time visitors will want to start their trips in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, located in the center of the country.
  • Passengers seeking the shortest flight times between Dulles International Airport (I (IAD) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), San Jose’s main airport, can find direct flights on Colombia-based airline Avianca and United Airlines. Direct flights between IAD and SJO take around five to seven hours. Flights with layovers can vary from about six to 18 hours, depending on the layover schedule, location, and direction of the flight.
  • Dulles International Airport (IAD) airport is a hub for United Airlines and also a major travel center for domestic and international flights throughout the world. SJO is a hub for Avianca Costa Rica and is the second busiest airport in Latin America.
  • Another popular destination in Costa Rica is Liberia airport, also called Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), located in northwestern Costa Rica. Travelers can find options of flights from IAD to LIR on Delta Air Lines, United, and American Airlines. Flights between IAD and LIR will typically each have one layover.
  • Travelers who want a relaxing experience before takeoff can take advantage of lounges at IAD airport. IAD offers United Club, Capital One Lounge, and USO Lounge, along with many other airline lounges. SJO airport offers Mastercard Black Lounge, available for Mastercard holders, Santamaria VIP Lounge, and VIP Lounge Costa Rica (Copa Club), which are available via payment to enter.
See more tips
*Average of the lowest prices shown in KAYAK’s search results for departures within the next 30 days

Top 5 airlines serving from Dulles Intl to Costa Rica

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Dulles Intl 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.
8.0
DeltaOverall score based on 10457 reviews
8.6Crew
8.2Boarding
8.0Entertainment
7.9Comfort
7.4Food
Airline reviews

I've flown many many times on Northwest and then Delta. The crew on this flight were absolutely the best I've had the pleasure of being looked after by.

10.0 ExcellentAnonymous, May 2024MSP - YVR
Read more about Delta reviews

I've flown many many times on Northwest and then Delta. The crew on this flight were absolutely the best I've had the pleasure of being looked after by.

Flew first class so everything was great. But maybe because the flights were red eye, no meals were served, just chips. I flew Alaska Air 1st class at 9PM (2 hour flight) and they served beef short rib sliders!

Had to change aircraft due to a faulty door. Surprisingly it only caused about an hour and a half of delay. Delta handled this situation as well as can be expected.

Awful. Flight was continuously getting delayed and gates kept changing without any reason. Flight was delayed for more then 3 hours

Paid premium for Delta only to be on safe but tired old 767 with ancient cabin in mediocre condition. Poor wifi and horrible inflight entertainment. Hardly a premium experience. Should have flown SW and had fun flight crew and no pretense

Our flight to Zurich was delayed by almost 3 hours, so we missed our next flight. There was no indication it would be delayed this much. We were told the gate had changed and then it apparently took over 2 hours to load the "catering" on the plane. We were not compensated in any way for the trouble.

Rated entertainment as Mediocre as there were major problems with the Infotainment system that took probably a half hour for them to fix.

Your crew could maybe answer the call bell at least one of the times I pressed it. I pressed it first time with 2.5 hours left in our flight bc my partner was hungry and wanted a sandwich. We finally got the sandwich with 40 mins left in the flight.

Half the bathrooms assigned to economy were out of action

Delta crushed it. Flight attendant in first was attentive and just never stopped. Honestly one of the best domestic flights I’ve been on.

The seats had plenty of leg room and the staff were very nice.

Copa performed as expected for the amount of money I was willing to spend for the flight; it wasn’t exceptional but it was not bad in any way either. The crew was good; friendly and straightforward. The food was airplane food, so no expectations there and the entertainment was lacking but that was my fault for owning an IPhone with a charging port that’s not compatible with the rest of the world. I’d fly Copa again.

Left my bags in origin city on a business class ticket , spent about 2-3 days in the same clothes plus the flight .

the planes are not modern there are no phone chargers

As usual, the flight with normal legroom was not very comfortable, but the second flight was much better because we had paid for extra legroom. It was very nice to check our bags without an extra fee.

LOCKED MY BAG WITHOUT CONSENT. Had to have my zippers cut upon arrival in Costa Rica.

Pros: "The seats in economy were confortable. The best thing was Copa gave us seats in the second line and my family traveled together."
Cons: "Coffe service could better the experience"
Pros: "The crew was very interested on help and attentive with the passengers. But the seat wasn't comfortable. The design of the cushion is not the best to be seating"
Pros: "You were on time, that is the most important thing in a fly"
Cons: "You could improve your entertainment, you are not a cheap company"
Pros: "That there was seltzer"
Cons: "The management of preparing the flight and plane so that it was ready for the trip!!"

No water for a 5 hour flight entertainment not working seats with little room for knees when person in front of me reclined kept bumping my knees.

I don't think anyone actually reads these comments, so I won't spend much time on this submission. If you want to talk, you know how to reach me. The D/FW manager of Avianca (self-identified), Juan Calderon, insisted I buy an onward ticket from San Salvador even though I have diplomatic status in El Salvador and live here. It cost me $1,393 and Mr Calderon would not let me make the ticked flexible so I could get a refund. He went out of his way to be rude to me. He gave me seat 32K -- windowless window seat in the last row and did not offer to let me upgrade even though there were plenty of seats. I have flown well over a million miles in my life and this is the worst experience I have ever had. I would like a refund on the ticket I was forced to buy. Just awful!

This is the Spirit of Latino travel. And don’t even get me started on customer service.

Awful. I checked in online and there was no option to pay for baggage, at the airport when I checked in my baggage was received and Iwas not charged. When I got to LA during the boarding process I was told I didn't pay for baggage, the crew resolved I was let in the plane. When I got to my final destination my baggage was not there. It took me two days to receive my baggage. Bad service ever!

There was no food or drink service, couldn’t even get a glass of water for free. It was a long and expensive flight to not offer food or beverage on the plane.

It is better at the jfk than my home country. It was very easy and everything was on time.

There is no food. There is no in-inflight entertainment. The seats are cardboard. The airline is a living hellscape.

My experience was amazing! They helped my elderly mother board on early through a wheelchair and were accommodating to have us sit together since our seats were in different locations. When landing at the airport in GUA they were very helpful with full of hospitality.

No complimentary snacks food, beverage (not even water), pillow and blanket on a 6 hours long flight (including economy comfort). A low form of nickeling an diming. Lost a recurring passanger over a soda. Avianca never again.

Flight departure late. Got late in Colombia making us take a different flight next day. Avianca airport crew messed up my ticket so when a I got in Brazil I didn’t have a ticket for my destination. Had to buy a new ticket out of my pocket.

We ended up with seats in the very back. So they did not recline. Have no idea why, we reserved and checked in very early. The isles were very narrow and the seats had very little leg room. But they did give us water, and a snack.

Should have video screens Plane audio was poor and without wired connection hard to understand crew. Should serve more than just cups of water and pretzels on six hour flight. Did not see crew rest of flight. Fix charging sockets to retain charging blocks.

Food was terrible Not many options Stewards dont care Delay

The ride was good but no food ot entertainment hence, it was just over an hour flight.

they made me check my carryon. There was space in the overhead bins.

The plane was delayed 2 hours. The wifi did not work. The seat in first class was not comfortable because the bottom felt like it lost all of its padding. And I did not like when the flight attendant made me wait at my seat to use the bathroom and didn't tell me why. If there were too many people using the 1st Class bathroom, she should have told me to go in the back, coach bathrooms. I guess I have to feel fortunate that they found 2 local pilots to still fly the plane tonight after the original pilots ended up at an airport 60 miles away due to high winds.

The crew were really great, but the 4 hour delay in small chunks was the worst.

Every experience was good except for the lack of comfort in those economy seats. I never had knee pain until that flight. Those seats are uncomfortable.

I bought internet for the flight. Don’t waste your money. I wasn’t able to download a 1 Mb file from Google Docs during a 3-4 hr period. You can only use WhatsApp and email if you are willing to wait.

Just a crappy airline. The same every time. You feel you are a cow on a farm. You are being being whipped and pulled.

AA1537 the AC was not working properly. It was very hot and uncomfortable.

Overall the flights pretty good. The snacks we’re good and they were plenty of them. Both boarding and deplaning went quickly.

Delayed abs delayed Gate crew giving poor info - we are definitely leaving at —- Ultimately to cancel flight after 4+ hours of delays Just cancel it earlier

The flight was scheduled to depart DCA at 12:30 pm but was delayed twice on the ground so that we were finally scheduled to depart at around 4:00 pm. Once we boarded, it was announced that takeoff would be delayed again to fix a hydraulic problem which delayed our eventual takeoff until around 5:00 pm. Once we departed, it was a smooth flight back to ORD. We did not get any explanation about what caused the original significant delay. In my experience, this happens frequently with AA.

Lots of weather delays that were poorly communicated and managed. I get there are weather delays but they didn’t make it clear what was happening or comfortable on the plane

Everything was on time; the flight attendants and the gate personnel were very pleasant and helpful.

Our second leg to Jackson WY was unable to land due to weather. We were flown back to Dallas after stopping in SLC. We were given hotel rooms and vouchers. We were told that we would be back on the same plane in the morning. Instead we were given a different flight with different seats. Not a good experience. No one knew what was going on.

Perfect flight. On time departure and early arrival. Smooth flight.

Awful! The flight was delayed and we sat on the plane in DCA for an hour because fuel was out in the wrong part of the plane and would not be accessible during flight. So the plane had to be refueled in correct tank. They also allowed someone to get off of the plane. This delayed my six hour flight by an hour and made me miss my connecting flight. I ran to new gate and American Airlines agents new about the delay and even knew that I was trying to make the connection. They knew thru communication with my friend while in flight that I was in the airport and running to the new gate and they still closed the gate and refused to let me on the new flight despite plane still being at the gate. It was horrible and I had to be rebooked on a flight for 24 hours later. This has been a nightmare and if American Airlines can cause customers to be delayed and then have zero empathy as having an on time flight was more important to them than helping a customer who was delayed by no fault of her own, then it's seems that it's not a company that I want to continue to give my loyalty to. I'm so disgusted.

Help was available but timing was bad in my case

Book cheap flights from Washington, D.C. to Costa Rica

Recent round-trip flight deals

8/31sáb.
nonstopAvianca
4h 30mIAD-SJO
9/14sáb.
1 stopAvianca
6h 55mSJO-IAD
$213
9/2lun.
1 stopAvianca
8h 15mIAD-SJO
9/17mar.
1 stopAvianca
6h 55mSJO-IAD
$215
8/6mar.
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
18h 47mIAD-SJO
8/14mié.
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
20h 37mSJO-IAD
$218
8/13mar.
1 stopAmerican Airlines
8h 33mIAD-SJO
8/20mar.
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
20h 12mSJO-IAD
$219
10/26sáb.
1 stopUnited Airlines
31h 26mIAD-SJO
11/1vie.
1 stopUnited Airlines
10h 16mSJO-IAD
$220
9/10mar.
1 stopUnited Airlines
16h 02mIAD-LIR
9/17mar.
1 stopUnited Airlines
8h 45mLIR-IAD
$292
9/1dom.
1 stopCopa Airlines
7h 22mIAD-SJO
9/6vie.
1 stopCopa Airlines
15h 18mSJO-IAD
$295
10/25vie.
1 stopCopa Airlines
7h 10mIAD-SJO
11/2sáb.
1 stopCopa Airlines
8h 17mSJO-IAD
$308
8/17sáb.
1 stopDelta
6h 23mIAD-LIR
9/4mié.
1 stopDelta
8h 57mLIR-IAD
$398
9/3mar.
1 stopDelta
7h 39mIAD-LIR
9/10mar.
1 stopDelta
8h 54mLIR-IAD
$434

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Recent one-way flight deals

8/20mar.
1 stopUnited Airlines
16h 18mIAD-SJO
$88
8/19lun.
nonstopAvianca
4h 30mIAD-SJO
$90
8/28mié.
1 stopAvianca
8h 15mIAD-SJO
$91
6/5mié.
1 stopUnited Airlines
7h 24mIAD-SJO
$133
8/10sáb.
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
21h 45mIAD-LIR
$148
6/4mar.
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
15h 53mIAD-SJO
$148
7/31mié.
1 stopCopa Airlines
17h 24mIAD-SJO
$167
11/20mié.
1 stopCopa Airlines
17h 18mIAD-SJO
$170
6/6jue.
1 stopDelta
16h 13mIAD-SJO
$197
6/6jue.
1 stopDelta
15h 13mIAD-SJO
$198

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Last minute flights from Dulles Intl to Costa Rica

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

6/4mar.
nonstopAvianca
4h 30mIAD-SJO
6/13jue.
nonstopAvianca
4h 40mSJO-IAD
$259
6/4mar.
nonstopAvianca
4h 30mIAD-SJO
6/13jue.
multi-stopAvianca
6h 50mSJO-IAD
$260
6/4mar.
multi-stopCopa Airlines
17h 15mIAD-SJO
6/11mar.
multi-stopCopa Airlines
15h 16mSJO-IAD
$268
6/3lun.
multi-stopCopa Airlines
7h 14mIAD-SJO
6/9dom.
multi-stopCopa Airlines
8h 06mSJO-IAD
$291
6/2dom.
multi-stopUnited Airlines
17h 59mIAD-SJO
6/7vie.
multi-stopUnited Airlines
16h 29mSJO-IAD
$355
6/2dom.
multi-stopDelta
16h 13mIAD-SJO
6/5mié.
multi-stopDelta
14h 55mSJO-IAD
$359
5/31vie.
multi-stopUnited Airlines
26h 34mIAD-SJO
6/7vie.
multi-stopUnited Airlines
16h 29mSJO-IAD
$365
6/2dom.
multi-stopDelta
16h 13mIAD-SJO
6/6jue.
multi-stopDelta
14h 55mSJO-IAD
$373
6/4mar.
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
15h 53mIAD-SJO
6/11mar.
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
16h 43mSJO-IAD
$429
6/2dom.
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
17h 24mIAD-SJO
6/6jue.
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
18h 08mSJO-IAD
$430

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Washington Dulles Airport - Costa Rica Flights

Departure:

Washington Dulles Airport (IAD)United States

Return flight deals:

Costa Rica - Washington Dulles Airport

Cabin classes:

$1,442
$2,433
$244