PTY - SJO

£107 Find Cheap Flights from Panama City to San José – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
£194
Typical prices: £158-£200
Avianca
Tue 23/10Tue 30/10
PTY - SJO • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
£194
Typical prices: £158-£200
Avianca
Mon 26/11Thu 13/12
PTY - SJO • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with Copa Airlines and Avianca. Average duration is 1h 24m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 97% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 13% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 9% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg £173 (return)
Shortest trip • 6h 27m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to San José!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Panama City to San José (PTY-SJO)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Panama City to San José

Fri, 23 Oct - Fri, 30 Oct
Avianca Logo
10:10 - 15:25PTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 15m1 stop Bogotá El Dorado
Avianca Logo
15:10 - 02:10SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
10h 00m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
£194Avianca
Sat, 28 Nov - Sun, 13 Dec
Avianca Logo
05:30 - 11:25PTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 55m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
Avianca Logo
12:40 - 15:00SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
1h 20mdirect
£195Avianca
Sat, 19 Dec - Fri, 25 Dec
Avianca Logo
05:30 - 08:50PTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
4h 20m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
Avianca Logo
19:45 - 02:10SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
5h 25m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
£196Avianca
Thu, 26 Nov - Sun, 13 Dec
Avianca Logo
05:30 - 08:50PTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
4h 20m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
Avianca Logo
19:45 - 02:10SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
5h 25m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
£196Avianca
Tue, 3 Nov - Thu, 5 Nov
Copa Airlines Logo
10:34 - 10:59PTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 25mdirect
Copa Airlines Logo
03:59 - 06:23SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
1h 24mdirect
£197Copa Airlines
Mon, 22 Feb - Wed, 10 Mar
Avianca Logo
16:10 - 00:30PTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
9h 20m1 stop Bogotá El Dorado
Avianca Logo
17:15 - 01:20SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
7h 05m1 stop Bogotá El Dorado
£201Avianca
Tue, 27 Oct - Tue, 3 Nov
Copa Airlines Logo
08:40 - 09:04PTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 24mdirect
Copa Airlines Logo
12:04 - 14:30SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
1h 26mdirect
£202Copa Airlines
Wed, 30 Dec - Sat, 2 Jan
Copa Airlines Logo
07:00 - 07:23PTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 23mdirect
Copa Airlines Logo
17:52 - 20:20SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
1h 28mdirect
£208Copa Airlines
Sun, 27 Dec - Tue, 29 Dec
Copa Airlines Logo
18:10 - 18:35PTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 25mdirect
Copa Airlines Logo
12:02 - 14:30SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
1h 28mdirect
£249Copa Airlines
Sat, 19 Dec - Fri, 25 Dec
Avianca Logo
11:30 - 11:45PTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 15mdirect
Avianca Logo
19:45 - 02:10SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
5h 25m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
£253Avianca
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Panama City to San José flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Panama City to San José with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from Panama City to San José?

Return flights from Panama City to San José start at £194. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from £158 to £200. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was £194 on Avianca.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Panama City to San José?

Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Panama City to San José and is 3% cheaper than the average day. Wednesday is the most expensive day with flight prices 3% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Panama City to San José?

  • February is the cheapest month to fly from Panama City to San José at £159 return.
  • July (£207) and June (£196) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 30% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Panama City to San José the cheapest?

Flights from Panama City to San José are cheapest 4 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 13% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Panama City to San José flights

Low season

June

Cheapest flight

£107
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 12% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 9% lower on average.
Flights from Panama City to San José

When to book flights from Panama City to San José

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Panama City to San José based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your Panama City to San José flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Panama City to San José flights?

    Among airlines operating Panama City to San José flights:

    • Copa Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Avianca: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines are available on the route from Panama City to San José?

    2 airlines operate flights between Panama City and San José. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • Copa Airlines
    • Avianca

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Panama City to San José?

    Flights from Panama City to San José usually depart from Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) and arrive at San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Panama City to San José flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Copa Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Avianca: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Panama City to San José?

    Only Economy class is available on flights from Panama City to San José.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from Panama City to San José?

    On this route, direct and stopover fares are close on average, with direct at £175 return and stopover options via San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) at £173.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from Panama City to San José?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge £43–£74 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Panama City to San José?

    The Boeing 737-800 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Copa Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737 MAX 9 variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Panama City to San José pass through?

    Connecting flights from Panama City to San José most commonly pass through:

    • Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) – 64% of one-stop connections
    • San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) – 36% of one-stop connections
    Together, these airports account for 100% of one-stop bookings on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Panama City to San José?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 7% on the Panama City to San José route. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at £170 return on average, while Wednesday is the most expensive at £182, a difference of £12. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from Panama City to San José?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Panama City to San José route, 4% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1 hour 27 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from Panama City to San José spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Panama City to San José flights, with 50% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 20%, Evening flights for 20%, and Night flights for 10%.

  • What popular places can I visit in San José?

    Some of the most popular sights in San José are Barrio Amón and Children's Museum. These are among the most viewed places in San José on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Panama City to San José?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Panama City to San José:

    • Earliest: departs at 06:40 and lands at 08:04
    • Latest: departs at 21:50 and lands at 23:14.

    The flight takes about 1h 24m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Panama City to San José flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 5% above the route average of £175. Book 4 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Panama City to San José?

    A direct flight from Panama City to San José takes 1h 24m, covering 335 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Panama City to San José?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • Have flight prices from Panama City to San José changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about £194 to £1,242. That means the highest observed fare was about 6x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Panama City to San José looking right now?

    One-way fares from Panama City to San José are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about £193, which is 75% above the typical average for this route.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Panama City to San José?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Panama City to San José?

    Flying via Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 6h 27m, compared to 6h 57m via San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL).

  • What is the time difference between Panama City and San José?

    San José is 1 hour behind Panama City (Central Time vs Eastern Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • Which car hire options are available at San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO)?

    San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around £1 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · Budget
    · Avis
    · Priceless
    · Routes Car & Truck Rentals
    · Payless

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Panama City to San José flight?

    Return flights from Panama City to San José range from £158 to £200, with an average of £175 over the past 12 months. Anything below £158 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Panama City to San José flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Tuesday departure instead of Wednesday. On this route, Tuesday flights average £170 – about £12 less than Wednesday (7% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 4 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 13% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Panama City to San José trip for February. Fares historically average £159 return in that month – typically £48 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Avianca is the strongest pick on this route. 97% of Avianca flights from Panama City to San José arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 96%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 1 hour27 minutes, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through San Salvador El Salvador Intl Airport (SAL) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages £173 return on this route – about £2 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).

Prefer to fly direct from Panama City to San José?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Panama City Tocumen Intl Airport to San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Panama City Tocumen Intl to San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Monday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Tuesday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Wednesday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Thursday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Friday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Saturday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Sunday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San José Juan Santamaria Intl to Panama City Tocumen Intl

Monday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Tuesday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Wednesday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Thursday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Friday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Saturday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Sunday

Avianca,Copa Airlines

Avianca,Copa Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Panama City to San José

Complete your trip to San José with a hotel stay or car hire