$75 Cheap Flights to Arenal

Popular airlines to Arenal

How much is the cheapest flight to Arenal?

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $75 for one-way flights and $183 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Spirit Airlines
United
Volaris El Salvador
American Airlines
Volaris Costa Rica

Find the cheapest month to fly from Columbus (CMH) to San José (SJO)

May is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $223 - $444 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Tips to find the cheapest flights to Arenal

The cheapest day to fly

Get started finding a cheap flight to Arenal on Expedia by either choosing a deal on this page or entering into the search bar your travel dates, origin airport, and whether you want roundtrip or one-way airfare. You can filter for flexibility, number of stops, airline, and departure/arrival times to find the best flight for you.

The cheapest month to fly

August is the cheapest month to fly to Arenal. This coincides with the low season when fewer people travel. Whichever month you travel in, though, be sure to book at least a month in advance if you want to score cheap tickets to Arenal. ARC's data shows that domestic flights booked 28 days or more before departure are typically 24% cheaper than those booked last minute.

The most affordable time to book a flight

Typically, a Sunday can be the cheapest time to book a flight to Arenal, according to ARC’s data. On average, you could save between 6% and 13% by booking on a Sunday instead of a Friday, which is the most expensive day to make a reservation.

The cheapest round-trip tickets to Arenal

The lowest price for round-trip flights to Arenal in 2025 starts from from $183, while one-way tickets start from from $75. Expedia's effective search tool is one of the best ways to find a budget airfare. Simply enter your dates, and within seconds, it'll show you a vast selection of the cheapest flights to Arenal. If you have a preferred departure time or airline, you can use the handy filters to customize your search.

The cheapest airlines flying to Arenal

Spirit Airlines, Volaris El Salvador, American Airlines, Arajet, Southwest Airlines, United, Volaris Costa Rica are just some of the airlines that can typically offer cheap tickets to Arenal. You can find their most affordable flights by using the “airline” search filter and then sorting prices from low to high. As a trusted partner of the world's leading airlines, Expedia offers you some of the best airfare deals to Arenal and countless more destinations worldwide.

The most affordable airports to fly into

To view the cheapest airports to fly into for Arenal, simply order your search results from lowest to highest price. Expedia's search tool compares flight prices for all airports close to your destination, so you don't have to manually search them one by one to find the cheapest flight to Arenal. If you have a preferred place to fly into, take advantage of the “arrival airport” filter to narrow down your search on Expedia.

Save with a package

With Expedia's amazing package deals, you could save hundreds of dollars by booking your Arenal plane tickets together with your accommodations, car rental, or activities. Just select the search wizard's “package” option to view some of the cheapest deals. Look out for the green savings label to see how much you're saving.

Date flexibility for the cheapest flights to Arenal

If you can be flexible with your travel dates, it's a good idea to broaden your search by comparing prices on different days. This will open up more options, meaning you could uncover a less expensive flight to Arenal.

Stopover savings

The cheapest tickets to Arenal are sometimes those with a stopover. Book one of these flights, and you'll change planes at an airport en route to Arenal. While the overall travel time might be longer than a non-stop flight, you may decide it's worth it for the money saved.

Get Expedia's Price Drop Protection

Price Drop Protection means that if your flight gets cheaper after booking, you'll be credited the difference*. This gives you peace of mind that you're getting one of the cheapest flights to Arenal for your chosen departure. Expedia's Price Drop Protection is available for a small fee but is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

*Terms apply.

Use our Price Tracking feature

Expedia's Price Tracking feature is another great tool that removes the guesswork from finding cheap flights to Arenal. Simply download the free Expedia app to your smart device and activate Arenal flight price alerts for your travel dates. There's even a price predictor tool that uses historical data to indicate the best time to book, giving you peace of mind that you'll nab the lowest prices.

Book with Expedia

As well as Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking, Expedia's close partnership with a vast selection of the world's leading airlines means you're sure to find cheap flights to Arenal. Plus, the One Key rewards program lets you earn real cash rewards on most bookings that you can use to save money on future trips. Best of all, it's free to join, and members often unlock exclusive discounts, too.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

Frequently asked questions

What month is the cheapest to fly to Arenal?
Flights to Arenal are usually the least expensive in August *. You could land a good deal for fares during this time if you keep an eye out. *Cheapest month to fly is based on the month with the cheapest flight found on Expedia.com in the next 330 days.
Which US cities fly direct to Arenal?
Choose from 13 US destinations providing direct flights to Arenal. When you book on Expedia, click on the "Direct flights only" filter to compare nonstop routes. Fly to Arenal from any of these cities:

  • Houston
  • Orlando
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Miami
  • Atlanta

How to find a cheap flight to Arenal?
Book well in advance or look for a cheap flight to Arenal during off-peak months like August and September. Leaving on a Thursday could also save you 16% on average compared to a Sunday departure.* The Expedia app makes it even easier to know when to book. Just turn on the toggle for "Watch prices" and get notified when fares go down.*Best day of the week to book, depart and ideal booking window recommendations based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through August 2023, sourced from Airline Reporting Corporation's (ARC) global airline sales database. Percentages noted are averages.
How to get a cheap last-minute flight to Arenal?
Staying flexible about your plans can help you find last-minute offers on cheap flights to Arenal. To view all the available options, consider looking at different ticket types, changing your Arenal vacation dates, flying out of an alternative airport or going with another airline.
How far in advance should I book a flight to Arenal?
Find the travel dates you want and a price your budget will love by booking your domestic flight to Arenal up to 28 days in advance. Lock in tickets two to four months ahead if you're visiting Arenal from an international destination.**Best day of the week to book, depart and ideal booking window recommendations based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through August 2023, sourced from Airline Reporting Corporation's (ARC) global airline sales database. Percentages noted are averages.
Which day of the week is the cheapest day to buy a plane ticket to Arenal?
You can generally get cheap flights to Arenal on Sundays. You'll save about 8% on average compared to booking on a Friday, which is typically the most expensive day for tickets.**Best day of the week to book, depart and ideal booking window recommendations based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through August 2023, sourced from Airline Reporting Corporation's (ARC) global airline sales database. Percentages noted are averages.
Which airlines fly to Arenal?
Arenal is connected to 40 airports worldwide through 24 airlines, with Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) as its chief entry point. Choose from these well-known airlines to Arenal when planning your journey:

  • Copa Airlines
  • SANSA Regional
  • GetJet Airlines
  • AVIANCA

Where do you fly into Arenal?
Arenal's main gateway is Daniel Oduber Intl. Airport (LIR). If you're looking for some nearby alternatives when flying to Arenal, check out Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO), Canas (CSC) or La Fortuna (FON-Arenal). You can also opt to fly to Arenal through Puntarenas (JAP-Chacarita).
How far is the airport from central Arenal?
If you're jetting into Daniel Oduber Intl. Airport (LIR), you'll be approximately 45 mi west of the center of Arenal.
Can I save money by booking an Arenal trip package?
Bundle your hotel and flight and you could save hundreds of dollars. What's more, you can add extras like tours and car rentals to your Arenal flight and hotel package deal. With Expedia, it's simple to organize all your Arenal travel plans in the same place.
Can I change or cancel my flight to Arenal?
You can usually change or cancel your flight to Arenal within 24 hours of booking. However, keep in mind that some flights are non-refundable. In those cases, you may receive credit for a future flight instead of a direct refund. Make sure you check the airline's terms and conditions in your itinerary for exact details. You can use Expedia's "No cancel fee" or "Changes included" filters when you search to secure cheap flights to Arenal with flexible change policies. For additional information, browse our Customer Service Portal.
Flights to Arenal information
Destination airport
Juan Santamaría Intl.
Destination airport IATA code
SJO
Destination city name
San José
Roundtrip price
$182

Trending flights to Arenal

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $75 for one-way flights and $183 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Spirit Airlines

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*Available to One Key members.