Published on Thursday, July 16, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

United Airlines, a major airline in the United States headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, will launch a new daily nonstop route between Washington, D.C., and Guanacaste Province, marking the first direct air connection between the U.S. capital and the country’s popular Pacific Coast tourism region, according to the Tourism Institute (ICT).

The new service will begin Dec. 17, coinciding with the start of Costa Rica’s peak tourism season. The route will connect Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) with Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Guanacaste.

“This is the first direct flight between Guanacaste Airport and Washington, D.C.,” said ICT Executive President Marcos Borges. “This service will benefit travelers from Washington, Virginia and Maryland while taking advantage of United’s extensive connectivity network throughout the northeastern United States.”

The new route will complement United’s existing service between Washington Dulles and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela Province, increasing the airline’s daily connections between Costa Rica and the U.S. capital.

According to United, flights will depart Washington Dulles daily at 8:55 a.m. Eastern Time and arrive in Guanacaste at 3:20 p.m. local time.

The return flight will depart Daniel Oduber airport at 6 p.m. local time and arrive at Washington Dulles airport at 12:40 a.m. Eastern Time the following day.

The route will be operated with Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft configured to seat 179 passengers.

Additional information on schedules and reservations will be available soon on United Airlines' website.

United is one of several airlines expanding service to Costa Rica. Delta Air Lines recently announced a new route connecting Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport with John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. 

Costa Rica’s tourism sector continues to post strong growth. During the first quarter of 2026, the country generated more than $2 billion in tourism revenue, the first time it has exceeded that milestone during a first quarter.

Guanacaste Airport also reported processing more than 1,400 pets during the first quarter of 2026.

Tourism remains one of Costa Rica’s leading industries. ICT data show that more than 1 million visitors arrived in the country by air during the first quarter of 2026.

In 2025, Costa Rica welcomed more than 2.6 million air travelers.

The ICT is the government agency responsible for promoting tourism and supporting the country's tourism industry.

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