Costa Rica plans to invest about $40 million to rebuild and expand Limón Airport, with the long-term goal of bringing international flights directly to the Caribbean. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) said the project will include a new passenger terminal, improvements to the runway and additional facilities needed to handle larger commercial aircraft.
The government hopes the upgraded airport could eventually receive nonstop flights from cities such as Miami and Mexico City. However, no airline has announced plans to operate either route. The first stage calls for construction of a new terminal in a different part of the airport. The existing building is vulnerable to flooding during heavy rain, one of several problems that have limited the airport’s growth.
Other planned work includes fire and security facilities, fuel infrastructure, improved access roads, parking and protection from the nearby sea. The government also plans to build a separate parking area for private and commercial aircraft. A later phase would repair and extend the runway by about 600 meters, or nearly 2,000 feet. Officials say the longer runway would allow the airport to receive smaller international passenger jets.
The airport currently has a short runway and limited facilities. Although it is officially classified as an international airport, it mainly serves small domestic and regional aircraft. Most travelers visiting Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Tortuguero and other Caribbean destinations arrive through Juan Santamaría International Airport near San José but they must then travel several hours by road or take a domestic flight.
Direct international service to Limón could shorten those trips and help bring more visitors and investment to Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. It could also benefit hotels, tour companies, restaurants and transportation businesses across the province. Still, rebuilding an airport does not guarantee that airlines will use it. Carriers normally consider passenger demand, operating costs, immigration and customs services, aircraft requirements and the profitability of a route before beginning service.
MOPT Minister Efraím Zeledón said the government wants the airport to accommodate narrow-body commercial aircraft. He mentioned Miami and Mexico City as examples of destinations that could become possible after the improvements. No U.S. or Mexican airline has announced Limón service, and the government has not identified any carrier currently negotiating a route.
Once the state completes the initial improvements, officials are considering offering Limón Airport to a private operator as part of the same contract as Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia. Liberia’s airport already operates under a private concession and receives scheduled flights from the United States, Canada and other international markets. Its current concession expires in 2030.
By combining Liberia and Limón in one contract, the government believes it could make the smaller Caribbean airport more attractive to private investors. No possible operator has been named and the latest government estimate says bidding for parts of the Limón project could begin in 2027 but that does not necessarily mean major construction will begin that year.
Earlier this year, officials said the main expansion might not start until 2029 because technical studies and a final airport master plan were still needed. Studies of tides, waves and wind have since been completed, but the government has not released a firm construction schedule.
The airport project forms part of a larger plan to increase investment in Limón. The government is also supporting a proposed marina and cruise terminal that could bring hotels, shops, restaurants and other tourism businesses to the city’s waterfront. For now, you should not expect any immediate changes. The airport still needs detailed designs, bidding, construction and airline commitments before international passenger service can become a reality.
