$244 Cheap Flights from San José (SJO) to Lima (LIM)

San Jose (SJO) to Lima (LIM) at a glance

Travel between San Jose (SJO) and Lima (LIM) with a selection of airlines catering to this international long-haul route. Explore your options among full-service carriers to discover an itinerary that aligns with your budget, schedule, and travel goals while you experience the vibrant sights and neighborhoods of Lima. Here, you can find essential information about flights departing from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM).

• Fastest flight duration: around 3h 45m non-stop
• Route distance: roughly 1,600 miles (2,570 km)
• Flights per week: around 9 departures on average
• Typical fares (one-way): economy tickets often range from $155–$370, depending on seasonality and how far ahead you book

Flights from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)

According to recent traveler bookings, here are the top airlines favored for flights from San Jose to Lima, offering both non-stop and one-stop options. Many travelers often choose routes with popular layovers at Tocumen International Airport (PTY), El Dorado International Airport (BOG), and El Salvador International Airport (SAL), with layover times of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, 1 hour 30 minutes, and 1 hour, respectively. These choices allow you to customize your travel experience by balancing price, total travel time, and cabin class to create the ideal itinerary.

• Copa: This full-service airline provides comprehensive one-stop options, with one-way ticket prices generally falling between $160 and $390. Copa operates nearly 50% of the flights on this route, featuring an in-flight duration of 5 hours and a total travel time of approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes, including layovers.
• LATAM Airlines Group: Offering non-stop flights, LATAM is a full-service carrier with one-way fares usually ranging from $155 to $390. This airline accounts for around 43% of the departures along this route, with a total journey duration of 3 hours and 45 minutes.
• Avianca: A full-service airline providing one-stop flights, Avianca's one-way fares typically range from $175 to $505. It constitutes about 7% of the departures on this route, with an in-flight time of 5 hours and an overall travel time of roughly 6 hours and 30 minutes, including layovers.

Travelers flying from San Jose to Lima have the option to enhance their experience with an upgrade. Copa Airlines offers a comfortable business class, while LATAM Airlines Group provides a premium economy service.

Best time to fly from San Jose (SJO) to Lima (LIM)

The most popular months for travelers flying from San Jose to Lima are January, March, and April, when peak temperatures in Lima reach up to 72.9°F in March. If you prefer quieter travel, consider August, the least busy and relatively cheaper time to visit with fewer crowds and temperatures around 62.8°F. For better deals, October usually offers the lowest average one-way fare around $195. Flight availability peaks in January, February, July, August, October, and December, with approximately 10 flights per week, making it easier to find convenient departure times. September has the fewest flights, with approximately 8 flights per week.

• Cheapest time to fly: October usually offers good deals with average one-way fare around $195, roughly 18% cheaper than the yearly average.
• Another budget-friendly time to fly: September typically offers an average one-way fare of around $216.
• Most flight options: January, February, July, August, October, and December have the highest number of flights from San Jose to Lima, with approximately 10 flights per week, giving you more flexibility in scheduling your trip.

*Average one-way fare is based on Expedia flight booking data from January 2025 to April 2026 for the specified route and travel class and may change depending on availability, dates, and demand.

Alternative route from San Jose (SJO) to Lima (LIM)

• San José to Lima (SYQ-LIM): Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) is located approximately 5 miles from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), providing convenient access for travelers.

How to find the best prices for flights from San Jose (SJO) to Lima (LIM)

Getting some of the best deals on flights from San Jose to Lima is all about timing and flexibility. Here are some key tips to help you save:

1. Best times to book and fly: cheaper fares are usually found when booking 2-8 weeks in advance, which coincides with when most travelers make their reservations. Evening departures (6 PM-12 AM) often offer lower prices, although afternoon flights (12 PM-6 PM) are more popular. Additionally, flying on Monday provides both affordable fares and is the most sought-after travel day.
2. Set up price alerts: stay updated on price changes by using Expedia's Price Tracker. Receive alerts when fares drop for your selected route.
3. Bundle and save: bundle your flight and hotel to save on Expedia, or unlock a hotel deal after booking your flight.*
4. Compare flight options: use Expedia's search tool to compare airlines, routes, direct vs. non-direct flights, and flight times. You can also sort by price to find the most affordable options.
5. Stay flexible with dates: being open to different travel days can sometimes help you find better prices on flights and hotels.
6. Think about luggage: nowadays, it's important to check the airline's baggage policies to find the best value. That may be paying for an additional carry-on bag or booking a ticket with checked luggage included. Either way, double-check your allowance before confirming your booking to avoid excess baggage fees at the airport.

*Members only. Savings vary and are not available on all bundles. Select hotels.

Arriving at Jorge Chávez International Airport from Juan Santamaría International Airport

Lima welcomes travelers from San Jose with a range of transport options based on price, convenience, and proximity. For departures, Juan Santamaría International Airport is roughly a 20-minute drive (covering about 13 miles) from central San Jose. Lima city center is approximately a less than 5 minutes' drive (covering about 0.9 mile) from Jorge Chávez International Airport, depending on traffic. Here's how to reach Lima efficiently:

• Hotel transfer: Transfers offer a convenient way to reach your hotel in Lima, with private rides that can be arranged in advance.
• Car rental: Renting a car from Jorge Chávez International Airport is a great option if you plan to explore and sightsee beyond the city. Browse cheap car rentals at Jorge Chávez International Airport on Expedia.
• Taxi/ride-hailing: Taxis and ride-hailing services may be available from designated pickup areas outside the terminal, check locally on arrival.
• Public transportation: From Jorge Chávez International Airport, several key transport links are conveniently located nearby. Callao Seaport and Gran Terminal Terrestre, both a seaport and a bus station respectively, are each about 4.2 miles from the airport by car, while Presbítero Maestro Station, a train station, is approximately 8 miles away by car.

San José to Lima Flights

The cheapest times to fly from San José to Lima

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from San José to Lima are during the month of December. You can find some of the cheapest flights from San José to Lima with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from San José to Lima

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from San José to Lima: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from San José to Lima

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from San José to Lima in 2026. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $244 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap San José to Lima flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your San José to Lima airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

*Terms apply.

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