SAL - SJO

C$ 457 Find Cheap Flights from San Salvador to San José – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
C$ 530
Typical prices: C$ 262-C$ 406
Avianca
Mon 17/12Mon 24/12
SAL - SJO • Direct
Cheapest one-way flights
C$ 452
Typical prices: C$ 151-C$ 259
Avianca
Fri 2/11
SAL - SJO • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with Avianca. Average duration is 1h 16m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 95% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 26 weeks in advance save around 13% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 17% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg C$ 373 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 5h 57m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to San José!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Salvador to San José (SAL-SJO)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Salvador to San José

Thu, 17 Dec - Thu, 24 Dec
Avianca Logo
5:35 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.SAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 15mdirect
Avianca Logo
7:45 p.m. - 9:05 p.m.SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
1h 20mdirect
C$ 530Avianca
Mon, 12 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct
Avianca Logo
10:10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.SAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 20mdirect
Avianca Logo
3:10 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
1h 20mdirect
C$ 530Avianca
Thu, 17 Dec - Thu, 24 Dec
Avianca Logo
5:35 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.SAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 15mdirect
Avianca Logo
5:35 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
5h 15m1 stop Guatemala City La Aurora
C$ 533Avianca
Mon, 12 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct
Avianca Logo
7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.SAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 15mdirect
Avianca Logo
4:35 p.m. - 9:05 p.m.SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
4h 30m1 stop Guatemala City La Aurora
C$ 533Avianca
Sun, 31 Jan - Thu, 4 Feb
Avianca Logo
7:35 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.SAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 15mdirect
Avianca Logo
3:10 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
1h 20mdirect
C$ 544Avianca
Sun, 31 Jan - Thu, 4 Feb
Avianca Logo
5:35 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.SAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 15mdirect
Avianca Logo
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
6h 30m1 stop Guatemala City La Aurora
C$ 547Avianca
Tue, 1 Dec - Wed, 9 Dec
Copa Airlines Logo
4:54 a.m. - 1:52 p.m.SAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
8h 58m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
8:46 a.m. - 8:37 p.m.SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
11h 51m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
C$ 560Copa Airlines
Tue, 3 Nov - Sun, 8 Nov
Copa Airlines Logo
4:56 a.m. - 10:59 a.m.SAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 03m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
8:06 a.m. - 11:35 p.m.SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
15h 29m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
C$ 560Copa Airlines
Thu, 19 Nov - Sun, 22 Nov
Copa Airlines Logo
1:55 p.m. - 10:59 a.m.SAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
21h 04m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
3:59 a.m. - 12:40 p.m.SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
8h 41m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
C$ 560Copa Airlines
Mon, 26 Oct - Sat, 31 Oct
Copa Airlines Logo
1:59 p.m. - 8:19 a.m.SAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
18h 20m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
3:59 a.m. - 11:35 p.m.SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
19h 36m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
C$ 560Copa Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for San Salvador to San José flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from San Salvador to San José?

Round-trip flights from San Salvador to San José typically range from C$ 262 to C$ 406. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was C$ 530, on Avianca.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Salvador to San José?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Sunday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Salvador to San José. It’s 4% cheaper than the average day, while Tuesday is the most expensive, with prices 5% higher.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Salvador to San José?

•February is the cheapest month to fly from San Salvador to San José at C$ 251 round-trip.
•July (C$ 477) and June (C$ 430) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 89% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San Salvador to San José the cheapest?

Flights from San Salvador to San José are cheapest 26 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 13% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for San Salvador to San José flights

Low season

June

Cheapest flight

C$ 452
Beat the crowds with an average 52% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 30% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way flight from San Salvador to San José

When to book flights from San Salvador to San José

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Salvador to San José based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your San Salvador to San José flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from San Salvador to San José?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from San Salvador to San José:

    • Earliest: departs at 7:30 am and lands at 8:46 am
    • Latest: departs at 10:25 pm and lands at 11:41 pm.

    The flight takes about 1h 16m.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from San Salvador to San José?

    Only Economy Class is available on flights from San Salvador to San José.

  • How long does a flight from San Salvador to San José take?

    A direct flight from San Salvador to San José takes 1h 16m, covering 1,049 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from San Salvador to San José?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a San Salvador to San José flight?

    Round-trip flights from San Salvador to San José range from C$ 262 to C$ 406, with an average of C$ 303 over the past 12 months. Anything below C$ 262 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute San Salvador to San José flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 7% above the C$ 303 route average. Book 26 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from San Salvador to San José?

    On this route, direct flights are cheaper than layover options on average. Direct fares average C$ 293 round-trip, compared to C$ 373 via a layover through Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA).

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from San Salvador to San José?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge C$ 97–C$ 142 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from San Salvador to San José?

    The Airbus A320-100/200 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Avianca. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320neo variants.

  • How are flight departures from San Salvador to San José spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on San Salvador to San José flights, with 50% leaving in that window. Evening departures account for 25%, Night flights for 25%, and Afternoon flights for 0%.

  • Have flight prices from San Salvador to San José changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about C$ 530 to C$ 4,109. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from San Salvador to San José looking right now?

    One-way fares from San Salvador to San José are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about C$ 464, which is 146% above the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO)?

    San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around C$ 2 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Budget
    • Avis
    • Priceless
    • Routes Car & Truck Rentals
    • Payless

  • Which airports can I use when flying from San Salvador to San José?

    Flights from San Salvador to San José usually depart from San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) and arrive at San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from San Salvador to San José?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from San Salvador to San José?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the San Salvador to San José route, 5% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 1h 33m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from San Salvador to San José pass through?

    One-stop flights from San Salvador to San José most commonly connect through:

    • Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) – 94% of one-stop connections
    • Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA) – 5% of one-stop connections
    • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – 1% of one-stop connections
    • Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) – 0% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Salvador to San José?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 9% on flights from San Salvador to San José. Sunday is the cheapest departure day at C$ 291 round-trip on average, while Tuesday is the most expensive at C$ 318, a difference of C$ 27.

    Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

  • Which airlines fly from San Salvador to San José?

    Only Avianca operates flights between San Salvador and San José.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport when travelling from San Salvador to San José?

    Flying via Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 5h 57m, compared with 7h 32m via Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA) and 10h 01m via Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH).

  • Which popular places can I visit in San José?

    Some of the most popular sights in San José are Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, Parque Nacional, and Parque Metropolitano La Sabana. These are among the most viewed places in San José on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on San Salvador to San José flights?

    Among airlines operating San Salvador to San José flights:

    • Avianca: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on San Salvador to San José flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Avianca: a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Baggage allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

  • Which airlines fly between San Salvador (SAL) and San José (SJO) and have lenient rules regarding checked baggage?

    Several airlines, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Aeromexico, and Copa Airlines, have eased their baggage regulations for flights from San Salvador to San José. Passengers on these airlines are allowed to bring one carry-on bag free of charge, as long as it does not exceed a weight of 22 pounds. Additionally, these carriers offer discounted rates for checked baggage that weighs under fifty pounds.

  • Which airlines fly between San Salvador (SAL) and San José (SJO)with pets?

    Several airlines, including Copa Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Aeromexico, permit flyers to carry their pets on flights from San Salvador to San José. You must make reservations as soon as you can, though, as there are limits on the overall number of pets that each airline will accept. If the total weight of your pet and its container is less than 20 lbs, it will be considered a carry-on item.

  • Which airline route offers the San Salvador to San José flights at the lowest prices?

    If you're looking to save money, opting for a connecting flight instead of a direct ticket could be a more economical choice when traveling from San Salvador (SAL) to San José (SJO). Several airlines, including United Airlines, Aeromexico, Copa Airlines, and Avianca, offer connecting flights along this route. These airlines have layovers in Bogotá, Panama City, Mexico City, and Newark, respectively.

  • What is the most economical means of transportation for traveling from San Salvador's downtown area to the El Salvador International Airport (SAL)?

    The cheapest way to get from San Salvador's city center to the airport (SAL) is frequently by bus. There are public buses and shuttle services that run between the city's core and the airport. Locals regularly ride public buses like the Route 400 or Route 138 since they are convenient and affordable.

Your guide to booking San Salvador to San José flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Sunday departure and avoid flying on Tuesday. On this route, Sunday flights average C$ 291, about C$ 27 less than Tuesday fares (8% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 26 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 13% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Salvador to San José trip for February. Fares historically average C$ 251 round-trip in that month – typically C$ 226 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with Avianca. Over the past three months, 95% of Avianca flights from San Salvador to San José arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 95%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 1h 33m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • The great majority of business travelers choose to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) when traveling from San Salvador (SAL) to San José. The airport is situated in close proximity to San José, the capital city of Costa Rica, and a significant business hub in Central America. This proximity reduces travel time and allows business travelers to quickly reach their destinations.
  • Flying with American Airlines, United Airlines, or Delta Air Lines can be a good idea if you want to go from San Salvador to San José in style. These airlines provide a unique bidding system that enables you to request an upgrade to a first-class cabin regardless of whether you initially bought a business or economy-class ticket.
  • If you want entertainment while you fly from San Salvador (SAL) to San José (SJO), think about utilizing American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or United Airlines. Customers traveling on any of the aforementioned airlines are welcome to use the complimentary in-flight internet connectivity to watch their preferred television shows, listen to music, and enjoy children's cartoons.
  • Most environmentalists fly through El Salvador International Airport (SAL) from San Salvador to San José. This preference is due to SAL airport's greater reliance on renewable energy sources. The SAL airport has concentrated on building solar power-generating machinery to supply clean electricity. SAL has also built geothermal cooling and heating systems as part of its drive to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
  • If you intend to fly from San Salvador to San José in the morning, think about spending the night close to SAL airport. Due to how readily it can be reached from SAL airport, the Quality Hotel Real Aeropuerto is a convenient choice for overnight lodging.

Prefer to fly direct from San Salvador to San José?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from San Salvador El Salvador Intl Airport to San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Salvador El Salvador Intl to San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Monday

Avianca

Avianca

Tuesday

Avianca

Avianca

Wednesday

Avianca

Avianca

Thursday

Avianca

Avianca

Friday

Avianca

Avianca

Saturday

Avianca

Avianca

Sunday

Avianca

Avianca

See more nonstop flights

Direct returns

San José Juan Santamaria Intl to San Salvador El Salvador Intl

Monday

Avianca

Avianca

Tuesday

Avianca

Avianca

Wednesday

Avianca

Avianca

Thursday

Avianca

Avianca

Friday

Avianca

Avianca

Saturday

Avianca

Avianca

Sunday

Avianca

Avianca

See more nonstop flights

More options for your flight from San Salvador to San José

Complete your trip to San José with a hotel stay or car rental