Air connectivity between Costa Rica and Spain is set to expand once again. At the end of November 2026, Spanish airline Iberojet will add a third weekly frequency to its Madrid–San José route, giving travelers in both countries more options.

The new flight is scheduled for Thursdays and will complement the flights currently operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays. According to information released by the airline, the additional service will initially strengthen the route during the peak travel season and is expected to become part of the regular schedule throughout 2027 and 2028.

A Third Frequency on the Madrid–San José Route

The new service will bring Iberojet’s total number of weekly flights between the two capitals to three.

The decision comes in response to growing demand, particularly during the Christmas and holiday season. For travelers, increased frequency means greater flexibility when planning departure and return dates, whether for tourism, family visits, or business travel.

The route is operated by Iberojet, part of the Ávoris Group, and provides a direct connection between Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and Juan Santamaría International Airport.

Spain Remains an Important Tourism Market

The increase in flight frequency comes at a time when arrivals from Spain to Costa Rica are growing.

According to statistics from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), air arrivals from Spain increased during the first months of 2026. Between January and March, arrivals of Spanish tourists rose by 32.6% compared with the same period in 2025.

Spain remains one of Costa Rica’s key European tourism markets and has maintained a direct air connection with San José for decades.

The ICT has also highlighted the historic importance of the Madrid–San José route. Iberia was the first airline to establish a direct connection between Costa Rica and Europe through this route four decades ago.

An Important Connection for Tourism

The additional frequency could benefit both Spanish visitors traveling to Costa Rica and Costa Rican travelers heading to Europe.

For Costa Rica, direct connections with major international markets are an important part of its tourism strategy. The ICT continuously monitors air routes, flight frequencies, and available capacity at the country’s international airports.

Spanish travelers also show strong interest in nature-based experiences. According to ICT studies, popular activities among Spanish visitors include wildlife and flora observation, beach activities, volcano visits, and hiking.

Greater Connectivity During the Peak Season

The new Thursday service will begin at the end of November, shortly before one of the busiest international travel periods of the year.

The additional flight will temporarily increase capacity during the Christmas season and is then expected to remain part of the planned schedule for 2027 and 2028.

Increased frequency can also make trip planning easier, particularly for travelers who want to combine Costa Rica with other European destinations or use Spain as their gateway to the continent.

Juan Santamaría Airport as an International Gateway

The new service will further strengthen the role of Juan Santamaría International Airport as one of Costa Rica’s main international air gateways.

The airport handles a significant share of the international routes connecting Costa Rica with destinations across the Americas, Europe, and other markets. For the tourism sector, increased flight frequency creates an opportunity to welcome more international visitors and strengthen commercial and tourism ties with other countries.

The ICT regularly publishes official international flight schedules, including airlines, origin cities, weekly frequencies, and operating days.

A Connection Set to Continue Growing

The addition of a third weekly flight reflects growing demand between Spain and Costa Rica and strengthens a route that has connected the two countries for decades.

If the new service performs as expected, the additional frequency will not be limited to the Christmas season. It is planned to remain part of Iberojet’s regular schedule throughout 2027 and 2028.

For Costa Rica, stronger air connectivity with Europe represents an opportunity to continue diversifying its tourism markets and make it easier for visitors to discover its beaches, forests, volcanoes, wildlife, and communities.

For travelers, the benefit is simple: more days to travel between Madrid and San José and greater flexibility when planning a trip.