The unprecedented operation between the São Paulo international airport and the Costa Rican capital will begin on November 12, 2024, with departure at 1:55 p.m. and arrival at 6:25 p.m. (local time) – three hours behind Brasilia time. The return flight is scheduled to take off from Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José at 8:40 p.m. and land in São Paulo at 7:10 a.m. There will be three weekly frequencies.
San José is the gateway to various tourist attractions in the Central American country, rich in a diversity of beaches that attract surfers from all over the world, various national parks and forest reserves, countless waterfalls, dozens of volcanoes and a wide hotel network that satisfies the different needs of travelers.
More than 120 thousand tourists from South America visited Costa Rica in 2023, and Brazil plays an important role in this figure. GOL hopes to help boost tourism in both countries and bring these destinations, people and cultures closer together. The more than 5 million Costa Ricans will be able to visit Brazil with quick connections to our greatest tourist and cultural attractions, such as the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Florianópolis, Recife, Foz do Iguaçu, Fortaleza, Belém, among others.
“GOL currently serves 12 international destinations throughout the Americas and, optimistically, continues to strengthen its presence outside the country: at the end of March, we began operations in Colombia and recently announced Aruba as our new exclusive destination in the Caribbean. The incorporation of Costa The richness of our air network fills us with joy and reiterates the company’s focus on continuous international expansion. The unprecedented destination of San José will also be exclusive, operated with non-stop flights from Brazil only by GOL. more to our societies, contributing to the development of tourism and business travel in both countries,” says Rafael Araújo, Director of Air Network Planning at GOL.
For the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, “the new route is essential to create more connectivity with Latin America, an important initiative for the development of tourism and the generation of employment and income.”
“The Ministry of Tourism has among its priorities to increase Brazil’s connectivity with the world. Therefore, the news that we will have an unprecedented flight that will link Brazil to Costa Rica means one more gateway for foreigners who wish to visit our country. and, without a doubt, will bring benefits for Brazilian tourism, such as the creation of new employment opportunities and the generation of income for our population,” highlights the Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino.
“Brazil is one of the emerging markets with great potential that we have wanted to enter for a few years, and having a direct air connection was a priority. Thanks to intense negotiations, GOL will offer this direct flight starting in November. Now we have the option to travel directly from São Paulo to Costa Rica to enjoy our natural beauties, feel the experience of our traditions and, with this, contribute to the social progress of our tourist communities,” says William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism of Costa Rica.
“For AERIS, a member of the CCR Aeropuertos group and operator of the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), the start of direct flights between São Paulo and San José de Costa Rica, starting on November 12, 2024, marks the culmination of the joint efforts between the public and private sectors. The notable, effective and close collaboration with the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) has played a key role in attracting new routes and improving the connectivity of our country. not only promotes new business and tourism opportunities, but also strengthens our cultural and economic ties with Brazil,” says Ricardo Hernández, Executive Director of AERIS.
The flights between Guarulhos and San José will be operated in Boeing 737 MAX 8 models, the most sustainable aircraft in the GOL fleet, which in its international configuration has capacity for 176 passengers.
Brazilian travelers entering Costa Rica do not need a visa, as long as their stay in the country is up to 90 days. However, it is necessary to present an international yellow fever certificate, with the vaccine administered at least 10 days before the date of shipment.
