Later this year, for the first time ever, travelers will be able to fly nonstop between Las Vegas and Costa Rica.
Southwest Airlines has confirmed it will launch a daily direct service between Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José beginning October 1, 2026, marking the first nonstop connection ever offered between the two destinations.
Route Details and Schedule
The route represents a new milestone in Costa Rica’s air connectivity with the United States. While the country already maintains strong nonstop links to major hubs such as Houston, Dallas, Miami, New York, and Orlando, Las Vegas has never before had direct service to Costa Rica.
Flights will operate daily. Departures from Las Vegas are scheduled late at night, arriving in San José early the following morning after an approximately seven-hour flight. Return service from Costa Rica is planned around midday, allowing same-day onward connections within the United States.
Costa Rica’s tourism authorities described the route as strategically important. The United States remains the country’s largest tourism market, and expanding beyond traditional gateway cities has been a long-term goal. In 2025, nearly 1.6 million U.S. visitors arrived in Costa Rica by air, underscoring the continued demand for direct access.
“We are delighted with the opening of this new connection between Las Vegas, Nevada, and San José,” said William Rodriguez, Costa Rica’s outgoing tourism minister. “This confirmation reinforces our strategy of diversifying and expanding connectivity with new cities in the United States. This flight represents an opportunity to bring our new tourism offerings, identity, natural beauty, and diverse activities closer to travelers in one of the world’s most famous cities. It will also allow Costa Ricans to access the entertainment capital directly and in just a few hours.”
Las Vegas is one of the largest leisure travel markets in the western United States. Until now, travelers heading between Nevada and Costa Rica typically connected through Texas, Florida, California, or other major hubs.
Nashville Service Also Announced
In addition to the Las Vegas launch, Southwest also confirmed it will introduce seasonal nonstop service between Nashville, Tennessee and San José beginning in March 2026.
The Nashville flight will initially operate weekly on Saturdays throughout March, with the possibility of extension depending on demand. This will also be a first-time direct connection between Nashville and Costa Rica.
