# Costa Rica-US aviation connectivity expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/costa-rica-us-aviation-connectivity-expansion
> Updated: 2026-10-05T20:22:43.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Costa Rica is increasing its air connectivity with the United States through the introduction of new direct flight routes.

Southwest Airlines has announced two new direct connections to Guanacaste Airport for the 2027 season. These routes will connect the airport to Austin, Texas, on Saturdays and Sundays from June 5 to August 1, 2027, and to Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturdays from June 5 to July 31, 2027. The Austin service specifically marks the return of non-stop flights between those locations. Both routes will utilize Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Additionally, Breeze Airways has launched a new nonstop service connecting Tampa, Florida, to Juan Santamaría International Airport near San José. Operating twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, this route utilizes Airbus A220 aircraft and restores a direct link between Tampa and Costa Rica that had been absent for over 25 years.

The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) and the Tamarindo Chamber of Commerce and Tourism have noted that these direct connections are vital, as the United States remains the largest market for Costa Rican tourism.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-05: Southwest Airlines to launch direct flights to Guanacaste in 2027

Southwest Airlines will launch new direct flights from Austin and Nashville to Guanacaste, Costa Rica, in 2027, using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to boost regional tourism connectivity.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southwest-airlines-to-launch-direct-flights-to-guanacaste-in-2027

### 2026-10-02: Costa Rica expands US flight connectivity with new direct routes

Costa Rica is increasing US connectivity with new direct flights from Southwest Airlines to Guanacaste and Breeze Airways to San José from Tampa, Florida.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/costa-rica-expands-us-flight-connectivity-with-new-direct-routes

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Cite as: Costa Rica-US aviation connectivity expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/costa-rica-us-aviation-connectivity-expansion