No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeAirportsCosta Rica airport restricts liquids in carry-ons

Costa Rica airport restricts liquids in carry-ons

Starting April 19, the Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) will enforce the same airport restrictions on liquids, aerosols or gels in carry-on luggage as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. The new rules will apply to all passengers departing or in transit through Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).

Passengers are restricted to 3.4 ounce or 100 milliliter containers of liquid products in their carry-ons, and the items must be placed inside a transparent, closeable plastic bag.

Civil Aviation Authority director general Ennio Cubillo warned that SJO’s airport security officers will confiscate all products that fail to comply with the new restrictions.

Airlines representatives agreed to inform their customers about new airport restrictions starting this week.

AERIS officials pledged to display information at strategic points in the terminal and broadcast periodic audio announcements to remind travelers of the restrictions.

The measures were initially implemented at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste and have now been extended to Juan Santamaría airport, the country’s largest terminal.

Cubillo said the new airport restrictions are being adopted to comply with security measures that are part of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Convention.

The group introduced restrictions in 2006 on carrying liquids, aerosols and gels following an attempted terrorist attack using homemade explosives at London-Heathrow Airport.

The list of restricted liquids, aerosols and gels includes the following:

  • Water and other drinks, soups, syrups, jams, stews, sauces and pastes.
  • Foods in sauces or containing a high liquid content.
  • Creams, lotions, cosmetics and oils; perfumes, sprays, gels, including hair and shower gels.
  • Mascara, lip gloss or lip balm, and any other item of similar consistency at room temperature.
  • Contents of pressurized containers, including shaving foam, other foam and deodorants.
  • Pastes, including toothpaste, liquid-solid mixtures.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Installs First Sun Meter to Cut Skin Cancer Risk

The College of Physicians and Surgeons installed the country’s first solmáforo at its Sabana Sur headquarters as a pilot project to promote daily protection...

Zverev Grinds Out Three-Set Thriller Over Nakashima at Indian Wells

Alexander Zverev was tested to the limit but found a way through on Sunday at the BNP Paribas Open, outlasting a determined Brandon Nakashima...

Celso Gamboa Admits He Met DEA Undercover Agents and Informants

Former Public Security Minister and Supreme Court magistrate Celso Gamboa Sánchez admitted he held at least two meetings with undercover agents and DEA informants....

JetBlue Sale Has Cheap Fares and Hotel Bundles for Spring Trips to Costa Rica

JetBlue has started a limited-time sale that cuts costs for travelers heading to Costa Rica this spring. The airline targets U.S. departures with one-way...

U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica Starts WhatsApp Channel

The U.S. Embassy in San José has established a dedicated WhatsApp channel to provide U.S. citizens with timely safety and security information while in...

Costa Rica Records Another Month of Negative Inflation

Costa Rica recorded negative annual inflation for another month in February 2026, with overall prices down 2.73 percent from the same period a year...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica