If chasing waterfalls, traversing through lush rainforests, and lounging on the beach is your cup of tea, Costa Rica should be at the top of your bucket list. Fortunately for travellers in Canada, visiting this beautiful country just got a whole lot easier, as WestJet is now offering direct flights from Vancouver to Liberia, Costa Rica.
Winter getaway to white sand beaches
As the largest city in Guanacaste, Liberia is considered the gateway to many of the region’s most treasured white sand beaches, rainforests, volcanoes, and nature reserves, particularly at Rincon de la Vieja and Palo Verde National Parks. It may not be as popular among tourists as the capital city of San José or Manuel Antonio, but Liberia is the perfect place to kick off your Costa Rica adventure.
WestJet recently launched its new direct route from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Liberia International Airport (LIR), with non-stop seasonal flights available throughout the 2025/2026 winter season.
Not only does the new service give Vancouver travellers the chance to catch some sun and learn about a diverse range of cultures, but it also connects more people to travel opportunities across Central America.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the launch of our new non-stop service between Vancouver and Liberia, Costa Rica, connecting more Canadians to the warmth and adventure of Central America,” says Jared Mikoch-Gerke, WestJet’s director of alliances and airport affairs.
“This new route underscores our commitment to enhancing travel and trade opportunities across our network, while providing guests in British Columbia with greater choice and convenience for their winter getaways.”
With the addition of these new flights, YVR now provides non-stop service to 103 global destinations for the 2025/2026 winter season. So there’s never been a better time to book that international trip you’ve been planning.
How often are the direct flights to Costa Rica?
Direct flights with WestJet from Vancouver to Liberia, Costa Rica, operate once a week from now until April 2026. Passengers will depart YVR on Fridays at 12:05 a.m. and arrive in Liberia at 9:21 a.m. local time.
These flights will operate using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 174 seats, according to WestJet.
How much do the flights cost?
Depending on the travel dates you select, non-stop flights from Vancouver to Liberia currently range from $400 to over $1,000 one-way. Right now, the lowest fares (in the $400 range) can be found for the last week of December, select days in January and February, and throughout most of March.
Ready to take off and escape the winter weather? You can book your flight online, and for a limited time, you can get 25 per cent off Plaza Premium Lounge access at YVR, from now until Dec. 26, 2025.
Note that the official language of Liberia is Spanish, so English might not be as widely spoken as in other destinations in Costa Rica. It’s a good idea to brush up on your Spanish or learn a few essential phrases before visiting.
Happy travels!
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