Volcanoes, cloud forests and sloths in the trees, in the middle of the dry season.
Avianca flies from Madrid to San José, Costa Rica, from €437 return, with a short stop in Bogotá. The price holds on every date we checked from February to April 2027, the dry season, and a 10 kg cabin bag is included.
✈️ The Deal
- From: Madrid, Spain
- To: San José, Costa Rica
- Airline: Avianca
- Stops: 1 stop in Bogotá
- Price: €437 return
- When: February - April 2027
Example dates:
05/02/2027 - 20/02/2027
18/02/2027 - 01/03/2027
05/03/2027 - 15/03/2027
12/04/2027 - 26/04/2027
Claim up to €600 for your delayed or cancelled flight →
In February and March, the flight leaves Madrid at 16:20, stops for 2h30 in Bogotá and lands in San José at 00:30, so book a hotel with late check-in. The return stops for 1-3 hours in Bogotá. In April, the flight leaves Madrid at 02:20 and lands at 08:50 the same morning. The Light fare includes a personal item and a 10 kg cabin bag. The Classic fare, with a 23 kg checked bag, costs about €557.
💰 How far does your money go?
A caña on a Madrid terrace costs about €3. In Costa Rica, a casado at a roadside soda (rice, beans, plantain, salad and grilled chicken) costs about €6, a cold Imperial beer €3 in a bar, and a fresh fruit batido €2.50. Costa Rica is not the cheapest country in Central America, but eating local keeps a day well under €50.
☀️ The Weather
February to April is the dry season. San José sits in the highlands at a steady 24-26°C by day and 16-17°C at night. On the Pacific coast and in Guanacaste, expect hot sun and 32-33°C. Around Arenal, expect some passing showers all year, which keep the rainforest green.
🏨 Where to Stay
Most trips head north to Arenal, so here are three bases near the volcano.
Arenal Backpackers Resort · 8.3/10 · From €44/night
A hostel with a pool facing the volcano, with dorms and private rooms, ten minutes on foot from La Fortuna.
Arenal Springs Resort · 8.8/10 · From €155/night
Thermal pools fed by the volcano and bungalows with Arenal in the window.
Nayara Springs · 9.3/10 · From €550/night
Adults-only villas with private plunge pools in the rainforest.
🎯 What to Do
Costa Rica is volcanoes, wildlife and hot springs.
Arenal hanging bridges and waterfall: Suspension bridges through the rainforest canopy, the volcano and the La Fortuna waterfall in one tour.
Arenal Volcano and hot springs from San José: A full day from the capital to the volcano, with lunch and an evening in the hot springs.
Night wildlife walk: Frogs, snakes, sloths and insects in the rainforest after dark, with a guide and a torch.
Coffee and chocolate tour: From the cacao pod and the coffee bean to the cup, on a farm near La Fortuna.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
San José is the hub, not the destination.
La Fortuna and Arenal: The volcano, the hot springs and the hanging bridges, about 3 hours by shuttle.
Monteverde: The cloud forest and its suspension walkways, about 3 hours by road.
Manuel Antonio: A national park with beaches and monkeys on the Pacific, about 3 hours by road.
Tamarindo: Surf and sunsets in Guanacaste, about 50 minutes by air. Search flights
From €437 return, Madrid to Costa Rica in the dry season. Four dates checked, one price.
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