Costa Rica is a peninsular country in North America surrounded by turquoise-blue water and natural beauty. This makes it an ideal destination for all types of travellers. Several airports in Costa Rica make this place accessible to the world.

So, if you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, this guide covers all the basics of air transportation in the country. Read on to know more!

Here is a list of airports in Costa Rica to help you navigate better.

Note: The services and other factors keep changing frequently. So, please verify all information before planning your trip.

1. Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), Liberia

This airport is officially known as Guanacaste Airport, and it is located in Liberia city of Costa Rica, 11 km from the city. As one of the major airports in Costa Rica, it hosts international flights to different parts of the US, Canada, Germany, and the UK.

• Address: Blvd. Aeropuerto S/N, Provincia de Guanacaste, Liberia, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MRLB
• IATA Code: LIR
• Category: International Airport
• Operator: Coriport S.A
• Number of Terminals: The airport is equipped with a single passenger terminal with a total of 8 gates serving the various airlines.
• Services & Amenities Available
  • Souvenir shops
  • Jewellery store
  • Bakery
  • Bar
  • Duty-Free Store

2. Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), Alajuela

Established in 1958, this is the primary among the several airports in Costa Rica, as it serves the capital city of San Jose. It is the busiest airport in this nation and serves as the hub for several airlines. Built 20 km away from the city, San Jose has flights to major parts of Western countries like Spain, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, France, Canada, and the US.

• Address:  XQXW+43V, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MROC
• IATA Code: SJO
• Category: International Airport
• Operator: Aeris Holdings Costa Rica under CCR S.A.
• Number of Terminals: There are two operational terminals in this airport.
  • The main terminal handles international flights. 
  • The domestic terminal caters to all domestic arrivals and departures.
• Services & Amenities Available
  • Lost and Found items
  • Wheelchair rental service
  • Duty-Free Stores
  • Medical services

3. Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ), San José

Established in 1975, Tobías Bolaños is the secondary international airport to Juan Santamaría Airport. Located about 7.4 km downtown of San Jose, it mostly operates domestic flights to different parts of Costa Rica. Apart from operating as a civil aviation airport, this one also hosts multiple aviation schools within its premises.

• Address:  Aeropuerto, San José Province, San José, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MRPV
• IATA Code: SYQ
• Category: International Airport
• Operator: Dirección General de Aviación Civil
• Number of Terminals: This airport is equipped with a single-passenger terminal.
• Services & Amenities Available: N/A

4. Limón Airport (LIO), Limon

While it started as an international airport, Limón is now counted among the domestic airports in Costa Rica. The airport is located at a distance of 5.7 km from the centre of Limón. It serves the eastern part of the nation, which is on the Caribbean Ocean. Sansa Airlines primarily operates from an 1800 metre long runway at this airport.

• Address:  XX7F+6VX, Limón Province, Limon, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MRLM
• IATA Code: LIO
• Location: Limón
• Category: Domestic Airport
• Operator: Dirección General de Aviación Civil
• Number of Terminals: This airport is equipped with a single-passenger terminal.
• Services & Amenities Available
  • Public lounge

5. Barra del Colorado Airport (BCL), Pococí

This airport is located on the Colorado River in the Limón province of Costa Rica. Among all the airports in Costa Rica, this airport is the only connecting point to the urban parts of the nation. Rather than commercial passenger aircraft, this airport is used for charter flights to connect Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge to mainland Costa Rica.

• Address:  QC97+6R7, Barra del Colorado Sur, Pococí, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MRBC
• IATA Code: BCL
• Category: Domestic Airport
• Operator: DGAC (Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil)
• Number of Terminals: This airport consists of a single-passenger terminal.
• Services & Amenities Available
  • Passenger Lounge
  • Bars
  • Duty-Free Store

6. Playa Sámara - Carrillo Airport (PLD), Sámara

This airport is located 5 km away from the city,  on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, and has a grass runway measuring 1050 metres. There are no scheduled commercial flights from this location. However, charter flights can be availed on demand.

• Address:  VCXX+VV7, Nicoya Peninsula, Sámara, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MRCR
• IATA Code: PLD
• Category: Domestic Airport
• Operator: DGAC (Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil)
• Number of Terminals: This airport has a single-passenger terminal.
• Services & Amenities Available
  • Customs
  • Runways
  • Slots
  • Air ambulance flights

7. Coto 47 Airport (OTR), Corredores

The Coto 47 domestic airport is located at a mere 16 km distance from the Panama border. Of all the airports in Costa Rica, this one is renowned for hosting charter flights only. It is adjacent to Corcovado National Park and gives easy access to the various beaches nearby. It is also close to Drake Bay, where one can enjoy various water sports activities.

• Address:  J22J+PGR, Puntarenas Province, Corredores, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MRCC
• IATA Code: OTR
• Category: Domestic Airport
• Operator: N/A
• Number of Terminals: There is a single passenger terminal in this airport
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Baggage lost and found

8. Drake Bay Airport (DRK), Drake Bay

Drake Bay is among the Costa Rica domestic airports that are adjacent to the Bahía Drake district.  It has a 770 metres long asphalt runway and serves two following airlines Aerobell Airlines and Sansa Airlines.

• Address: P996+GGW, Provincia de Puntarenas, Drake, 60503, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MRDK
• IATA Code: DRK
• Category: Domestic
• Operator:  Directorate General of Civil Aviation
• Number of Terminals: NA
• Services and Amenities Available: NA

9. Quepos La Managua Airport (XQP), Quepos

This airport is located within 5.8 km of the coastal city of Quepos, which is on the western side of Costa Rica. The asphalt runway on this airport is 1340 metres long, making it capable of hosting most passenger aircraft. The following domestic airlines serve this airport – Aerobell Airlines, Costa Rica Green Airways, and Sansa Airlines.

• Address: Ruta 34 Quepos, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MRQP
• IATA Code: XQP
• Category: Domestic
• Operator:  Directorate General of Civil Aviation
• Number of Terminals: It has a single-passenger terminal.
• Services and Amenities Available: NA

10. Golfito Airport (GLF), Golfito

This airport is located at a distance of 9.7 km from the centre of Golfito town, which is towards the southern part of Costa Rica. The asphalt runway is measured at 1395 metres. Sansa Airlines fly to Cote 47 and Juan Santamaría from this location.

• Address: MR2C+6RF, Provincia de Puntarenas, Golfito, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MRGF
• IATA Code: GLF
• Category: Domestic
• Operator:  Directorate General of Civil Aviation
• Number of Terminals: The airport is home to a single-passenger terminal.
• Services and Amenities Available:
  • Meet and greet zone
  • Terminal for VIPs
  • Immediate assistance to concerned individuals

11. Guápiles Airport (GPL), Guápiles

Guápiles Airport is located in the Limón Province of Costa Rica, about 1.5 km away from the centre of Guápiles. This airport has a single concrete runway measuring 1135 metres.

• Address: 657X+7XF, Av. Central, Limón, Guápiles, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MRGP
• IATA Code: GPL
• Category: Domestic
• Operator:  Directorate General of Civil Aviation
• Number of Terminals: NA
• Services and Amenities Available: NA

12. Arenal Airport (FON), La Fortuna

It is located in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica, almost 8.6 km from the centre of La Fortuna. It is a private airport with an 800 metre long asphalt runway. This airport is capable of handling charter flights to different parts of Costa Rica.

• Address: FC9C+MC9, Av 0, Provincia de Alajuela, Cd Quesada, Costa Rica
• ICAO Code: MRAN
• IATA Code: FON
• Category: Private Airstrip
• Operator: NA
• Number of Terminals: NA
• Services and Amenities Available: NA