Air ambulance from Costa Rica

Reviewed by the AirAmbulance.org editorial team · Updated 13 November 2026 · Editorial policy

How patients are flown home or to specialist care from Costa Rica: the options, typical distances and flight times, and what to do first.

Medical flights from Costa Rica

• Costa Rica draws adventure travellers and retirees; injuries from surfing, zip-lining and road accidents are common reasons for medical flights.
• Patients are usually treated first in San José, then flown to the US or Canada.

In an emergency

• Local emergency number in Costa Rica: 911. Call it first for an ambulance; medical flights are arranged once the patient is in hospital.

Distances and flight times

• San José → Miami (USA): about 1,810 km, 2 h 45 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• San José → Houston (USA): about 2,510 km, 3 h 40 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• San José → Dallas (USA): about 2,870 km, 4 h 05 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• San José → Los Angeles (USA): about 4,380 km, 6 h flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• San José → Toronto (Canada): about 3,770 km, 5 h 15 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Liberia (Guanacaste) → Miami (USA): about 1,780 km, 2 h 45 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Liberia (Guanacaste) → Houston (USA): about 2,380 km, 3 h 30 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Liberia (Guanacaste) → Dallas (USA): about 2,740 km, 3 h 55 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Liberia (Guanacaste) → Los Angeles (USA): about 4,230 km, 5 h 45 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Liberia (Guanacaste) → Toronto (Canada): about 3,720 km, 5 h 10 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Times are direct-flight estimates for a medical jet; ground ambulance transfers and permits add time.

How a medical flight is arranged

• The treating doctor confirms the patient is stable enough to fly and writes a medical report.
• If there is travel insurance, call the insurer's 24-hour assistance number first: they usually decide between a commercial flight with an escort and an air ambulance, and arrange it.
• Without insurance, the family requests quotes; a bed at the receiving hospital must be confirmed before take-off.
• Bring passports for the patient and anyone travelling with them; some flights need landing permits, which take time to arrange.

Options from cheapest to most intensive

• Commercial flight with wheelchair assistance, if the patient can sit and needs no care on board.
• A nurse or doctor escort on a commercial flight, seated or on a stretcher.
• An air ambulance with an intensive-care team, for unstable or critically ill patients.
• See air ambulance costs or price the route with our cost calculator.

Route pages

• Air ambulance San José to Miami
• Air ambulance Liberia (Guanacaste) to Miami
• Air ambulance San José to Houston

General information only, not medical, legal or insurance advice. Rules, coverage and prices change; confirm with your provider and insurer.