Canadian carrier Porter Airlines will begin direct seasonal service between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Juan Santamaría International Airport on December 2, 2026, opening a second nonstop link between Costa Rica’s capital region and its second-largest tourism market.
The route will operate four times per week through April 30, 2027, aligning with the high season for Canadian travelers escaping winter. Porter will fly the route with its Embraer E195-E2 jet, a 132-seat aircraft configured without middle seats and outfitted with free Wi-Fi, complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, and premium snacks.
The San José announcement is part of a broader Porter expansion unveiled this week that adds Aruba, Montego Bay, Los Cabos and the Costa Rican capital to the airline’s sun network — a 150% increase in southern routes one year after the carrier first ventured beyond U.S. and Mexican leisure markets.
“Our network is growing by two new countries, four cities and 15 routes through this announcement,” said Andrew Pierce, Porter’s vice president of network planning and reporting. “Six airports across Canada are benefiting from this service, giving travellers many new and competitive options for choosing their winter getaways.”
The new SJO service is subject to regulatory approval, according to Porter.
Building on Guanacaste momentum
The San José launch follows the rapid success of Porter’s first Costa Rican route. The airline began flying Toronto to Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in December 2025 — its first foray into Central America — and added Ottawa–Liberia service shortly after. Demand prompted Porter to scale Toronto–Liberia frequencies from two flights per week to six within months.
For Costa Rica, the second route opens up the Central Valley and both coasts to Canadian travelers who previously had to route through Liberia or connect via U.S. hubs. Canada generated 273,000 air arrivals to Costa Rica in 2024, making it the country’s second-largest source market after the United States.
Tourism Minister William Rodríguez has previously identified Canadian visitor growth as a strategic priority, citing a 5% annual increase target. Canadian travelers tend to favor outdoor activities, nature, adventure and wellness experiences — a profile Costa Rican tourism authorities consider closely aligned with the country’s product mix.
What it means for travelers
Toronto–San José is already among the busier international corridors into Costa Rica, served by Air Canada, WestJet, Copa and others. Porter’s entry adds a fourth direct option for Canadian travelers and is likely to put downward pressure on winter fares during peak season.
Bookings on the new route are expected to open through flyporter.com once regulatory clearances are finalized.
