SJO - CTG

£140 Find Cheap Flights from San José to Cartagena – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
£217
Typical prices: £193-£265
Copa Airlines
Thu 18/1Sat 20/1
SJO - CTG • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way flight
£140
Typical prices: £98-£138
Avianca
Fri 6/4
SJO - CTG • 1 stop
Direct flights
There are currently no direct flights between San José and Cartagena. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
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Avoid delays
Most punctual • 95% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
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Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 5 weeks in advance save around 16% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 18% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg £241 (return)
Shortest trip • 4h 39m (one-way)
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Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Cartagena!
Flight Deals
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Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San José to Cartagena (SJO-CTG)

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

Recent return flight deals from San José to Cartagena

Mon, 18 Jan - Wed, 20 Jan
Copa Airlines Logo
18:02 - 08:35SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-CTG Cartagena Rafael Nunez
13h 33m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
06:25 - 11:00CTG  Cartagena Rafael Nunez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
5h 35m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
£217Copa Airlines
Wed, 25 Nov - Fri, 27 Nov
Copa Airlines Logo
18:10 - 08:15SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-CTG Cartagena Rafael Nunez
13h 05m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
06:25 - 09:07CTG  Cartagena Rafael Nunez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
3h 42m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
£217Copa Airlines
Sat, 28 Nov - Mon, 30 Nov
Copa Airlines Logo
17:55 - 23:00SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-CTG Cartagena Rafael Nunez
4h 05m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
06:25 - 09:04CTG  Cartagena Rafael Nunez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
3h 39m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
£217Copa Airlines
Sat, 28 Nov - Mon, 30 Nov
Copa Airlines Logo
12:04 - 23:00SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-CTG Cartagena Rafael Nunez
9h 56m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
06:25 - 09:04CTG  Cartagena Rafael Nunez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
3h 39m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
£217Copa Airlines
Fri, 13 Nov - Sun, 15 Nov
Copa Airlines Logo
17:55 - 11:00SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-CTG Cartagena Rafael Nunez
16h 05m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
06:25 - 09:07CTG  Cartagena Rafael Nunez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
3h 42m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
£217Copa Airlines
Fri, 27 Nov - Fri, 4 Dec
Copa Airlines Logo
12:04 - 08:35SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-CTG Cartagena Rafael Nunez
19h 31m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
12:05 - 07:23CTG  Cartagena Rafael Nunez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
20h 18m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
£218Copa Airlines
Tue, 12 Jan - Wed, 20 Jan
Copa Airlines Logo
18:02 - 08:35SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-CTG Cartagena Rafael Nunez
13h 33m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
06:25 - 09:04CTG  Cartagena Rafael Nunez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
3h 39m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
£218Copa Airlines
Thu, 26 Nov - Mon, 30 Nov
Copa Airlines Logo
14:46 - 08:35SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-CTG Cartagena Rafael Nunez
16h 49m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
06:25 - 09:04CTG  Cartagena Rafael Nunez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
3h 39m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
£218Copa Airlines
Thu, 3 Dec - Sun, 6 Dec
Avianca Logo
01:55 - 10:00SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-CTG Cartagena Rafael Nunez
7h 05m1 stop Bogotá El Dorado
Avianca Logo
11:15 - 16:20CTG  Cartagena Rafael Nunez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 05m1 stop Bogotá El Dorado
£229Avianca
Mon, 23 Nov - Wed, 23 Dec
Avianca Logo
17:15 - 06:30SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-CTG Cartagena Rafael Nunez
12h 15m1 stop Bogotá El Dorado
Avianca Logo
11:15 - 16:20CTG  Cartagena Rafael Nunez-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 05m1 stop Bogotá El Dorado
£262Avianca
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for San José to Cartagena flights

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

How much is a return flight from San José to Cartagena?

Return flights from San José to Cartagena typically range from £193 to £265. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was £217 on Copa Airlines.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Monday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San José to Cartagena. It's 6% cheaper than the average day, while Saturday is the most expensive, with prices 5% higher.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San José to Cartagena?

•February is the cheapest month to fly from San José to Cartagena at £188 return.
•December (£262) and September (£246) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 39% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San José to Cartagena the cheapest?

Flights from San José to Cartagena are cheapest 5 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 16% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from San José to Cartagena

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Ramsey Qubein

Ramsey Qubein

Expert on CTG

An avid traveller and aviation expert who has visited 173 countries, all 50 states and seven continents, Ramsey Qubein flies nearly 400,000 miles a year. As a North Carolina-based freelance journalist for publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, USA Today and Bloomberg, among others, he explores the latest trends in aviation, hospitality, cruises and business.

Mark Chesnut

Mark Chesnut

Expert on SJO

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer and public speaker with more than 30 years of experience. The 2019 winner of the NLGJA Excellence in Travel Writing Award, Mark is the author of the book “Prepare for Departure” and has covered air travel for multiple top consumer and trade media outlets.

Key details for San José to Cartagena flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

£140
Beat the crowds with an average 31% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 37% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way flight from San José to Cartagena

When to book flights from San José to Cartagena

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

Your San José to Cartagena flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

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

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

  • How long is a flight from San José to Cartagena?

    A direct flight from San José to Cartagena takes 00m, covering 592 miles.

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

    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.

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

    Return flights from San José to Cartagena range from £193 to £265, with an average of £230 over the past 12 months. Anything below £193 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 7% above the £230 route average. Book 5 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    On this route, direct flights are cheaper than stopover options on average. Direct fares average £208 return, compared with £241 via a stopover through Medellín Jose Maria Cordova Intl (MDE).

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from San José to Cartagena?

    Avianca is the only airline operating San José to Cartagena flights. 95% of its flights are on time.

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

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge £75–£75 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 San José to Cartagena?

    The Airbus A320neo family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Avianca and Volaris Costa Rica. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320-100/200 variants.

  • Have flight prices from San José to Cartagena 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 £217 to £1,555. That means the highest observed fare was about 7x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from San José to Cartagena are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about £147, which is 19% above the typical average for this route.

  • Which car hire options are available at Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG)?

    Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around £45 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Alamo
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Localiza
    • National
    • Enterprise Rent-A-Car

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

    Flights from San José to Cartagena usually depart from San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) and arrive at Cartagena Rafael Nunez (CTG).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from San José to Cartagena?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon departures tend to have the most.

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

    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 San José to Cartagena route, 5% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 1h 24m.

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

    One-stop flights from San José to Cartagena most commonly connect through:

    • Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) – 83% of one-stop connections
    • Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) – 17% of one-stop connections
    • Medellín Jose Maria Cordova Intl (MDE) – 0% of one-stop connections
    • Lima J Chavez Intl (LIM) – 0% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 11% on flights from San José to Cartagena. Monday is the cheapest departure day at £218 return on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at £244, a difference of £25.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

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

    Flying via Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 4h 39m, compared to 5h 48m via Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) and 8h 57m via Medellín Jose Maria Cordova Intl (MDE).

  • What is the time difference between San José and Cartagena?

    Cartagena is 1 hour ahead of San José (Colombia Time vs Central Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Cartagena?

    Some of the most popular sights in Cartagena are Plaza de Santo Domingo, Walled City, and Playa de Marbella. These are among the most viewed places in Cartagena on KAYAK.

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

    Among airlines operating San José to Cartagena flights:

    • Avianca: offers free seat selection

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

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

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

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

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

  • Should I expect layovers from San José to Cartagena?

    Depending on the specific flight schedule, Avianca may have layovers in Bogotá or San Salvador. Copa Airlines may have layovers in Panama City, a common hub for their flights. Other airlines like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines may also offer connecting flights with layovers in their respective hub cities, such as Miami or Atlanta.

  • What class tickets are available on Aeromexico?

    Aeromexico offers different classes of tickets to accommodate passengers' diverse needs and preferences. The basic fare, also known as Economy Class, offers a standard travel experience with comfortable seating and access to in-flight services. Moving up, there is the Main Cabin Fare, which offers additional flexibility and benefits, such as complimentary snacks and drinks and the ability to earn and redeem miles. Aeromexico's top-tier class is the Premier Class, designed for the utmost luxury and comfort, featuring fully-flat beds, fine dining options, priority check-in, and access to VIP lounges.

  • What airlines from San José to Cartagena have dietary considerations?

    Avianca and Copa Airlines offer options for passengers with dietary restrictions, including meals that cater to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and diabetic diets. It's advisable to inform the airline about your dietary restrictions during the booking process or at least 24-48 hours before your flight to ensure they can accommodate your needs appropriately.

  • What options are available for upgrades to first class on Copa Airlines?

    Copa Airlines offers complimentary upgrades available on their Boeing 737 MAX9 aircraft. Eligible passengers may be offered complimentary upgrades based on availability and their frequent flyer status. Another option is Mileage Upgrades, where you can use your Copa Airlines ConnectMiles to upgrade to first class. You can redeem your accumulated miles for an upgrade from Economy to Business or Business to First Class, subject to availability and fare rules.

Your guide to booking San José to Cartagena 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 Monday departure and avoid flying on Saturday. On this route, Monday flights average £218, about £25 less than Saturday fares (10% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 5 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 16% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San José to Cartagena trip for February. Fares historically average £188 return in that month – typically £73 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport.

    • Ibis Cartagena Marbella
    • GHL Corales de Indias
    • Hotel Las Americas Casa de Playa
  • When departing from San Jose, the main airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). It serves as a hub for several airlines, including Avianca, Copa Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. From this airport, travelers can fly to various international destinations such as Miami, Houston, Mexico City, San Salvador, and Panama City.
  • Viva Air offers affordable airfare options and operates nonstop flights between San José and Cartagena. They provide a no-frills experience, focusing on providing affordable travel options for budget-conscious travelers. With Viva Air, you can enjoy the convenience of nonstop flights without compromising your budget.
  • Flights to Cartagena will land at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG). It is a hub for several airlines, including Avianca and Copa Airlines. The airport offers connections to various international destinations, including cities in the United States, Canada, Europe, and other parts of Latin America. Some popular international routes from Cartagena include Miami, Bogotá, Panama City, Madrid, and New York City. Its proximity to the main tourist areas and hotels makes it a convenient choice for both leisure and business travelers.
  • Avianca offers an Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service, which ensures the safety and well-being of children between 5 and 14 traveling alone. The service includes assistance from trained staff members who escort the child throughout the journey, providing guidance and support. Avianca's UM service includes dedicated check-in counters, priority boarding, in-flight supervision, and assistance with connecting flights.
  • For business travelers flying from San José (SJO) to Cartagena (CTG), Avianca Costa Rica provides Business Class seating, which includes spacious and comfortable seats with extra legroom. Business Class passengers enjoy priority check-in, access to VIP lounges, and expedited boarding.

More options for your flight from San José to Cartagena

Complete your trip to Cartagena with a hotel stay or car hire