Washington to San José, Costa Rica from $303

Bag Type	Dimensions / Weight	Included
👜 Personal Item	Small bag / laptop	✅ Yes
🎒 Cabin Bag	22 lbs	✅ Yes
🧳 Checked Bag	Not included — buy separately	❌ No

🌍 About San José

Most travelers see San José only as the airport before the beaches and volcanoes, but it's worth a day. Head to Barrio Amón, the 1890s coffee-baron quarter where the old families built tropical neo-Victorian wooden houses with deep verandas and iron railings — many are now cafés and small galleries. Eat at the Mercado Central (open since 1880): Soda Tala's talapinto, gallo pinto with egg, plantain and meat wrapped in a banana leaf, runs $2–5, and La Sorbetera de Lolo Mora has sold the same cinnamon-and-nutmeg ice cream since 1901. Order a casado — rice, beans, plantain, salad and a protein — for the everyday plate Ticos actually eat. Come December to April for dry, sunny days; the Central Valley is driest February–April. May–November is the green season — afternoon showers, but cheaper fares and far fewer crowds.