If you’ve been wondering how to visit Costa Rica on points and miles, this is one of the easiest trips to put together using points, especially for families.
We recently visited Costa Rica (for the second time), flying into Liberia and splitting our stay between the Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo and Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, both booked on points.
Overall, this trip would have easily cost thousands, but points and miles made it much more affordable.
This itinerary made it easy to combine beach time with rainforest, hot springs, and some of the best experiences Costa Rica has to offer, without breaking the bank.
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How to book flights to Costa Rica on points and miles
How to book flights to Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) using Atmos Points
Traveling to Costa Rica using points and miles is one of the best ways to experience luxury for less. For our recent trip, we flew from San Francisco to Liberia (LIR), which is the most convenient airport for those heading to the Guanacaste province to stay at resorts like the Andaz Papagayo.
We flew with Alaska Airlines and utilized one of the most powerful tools in the points and miles world: the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare. By using two companion fares, we were able to save significantly on a family trip that would have otherwise been quite pricey.
The way Alaska Airlines Companion Fare works is simple: you pay the full fare for the first passenger, and the second passenger flies for just $99 plus taxes and fees (which start around $23 but can be higher for international).
You can get this annual perk through the following credit cards:
- Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card (Personal)
- Atmos™ Rewards Visa® Business Card
Pro Tip: To earn the Alaska Airlines companion fare on your account anniversary each year, you need to meet a minimum spend requirement (currently $6,000) in the prior anniversary year.
If you aren’t using an Alaska Airlines companion pass, you can redeem Atmos points (the rewards currency for Alaska Airlines) to book your flights to Costa Rica.
Redeem on Alaska Airlines flights: You can book Alaska Airlines flights directly using your points.
Redeem on Partners: Since Alaska is part of the oneworld® Alliance, you can also use Atmos points to book flights on partner airlines. For example, you could use your points to fly American Airlines from Miami to Liberia.
How to Earn: The easiest way to earn Atmos rewards is by opening an Atmos Rewards credit card, like the Ascent or the Business card, which often come with significant welcome bonuses.
How to book Southwest Airlines flight to Costa Rica on points and miles
Southwest is arguably the most family-friendly airline for Costa Rica travel, serving both Liberia (LIR) and San José (SJO).
- Companion Pass Power: If you hold the Southwest Companion Pass, your companion flies for just the taxes (~$80 round-trip).
- How to Get the Points: Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer 1:1 to Southwest. This is one of the easiest ways to book if you have a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Ink Business Preferred®.
How to book a United Airlines flight to Costa Rica on points and miles
Sometimes, the best way to book a United flight is actually through Air Canada’s loyalty program, Aeroplan.
- The “Points Hack”: Aeroplan often requires fewer miles for United-operated flights to Costa Rica than United’s own MileagePlus program would charge.
- Great Availability: You can find solid award space to both LIR and SJO hubs.
- How to Get the Points: Aeroplan is a transfer partner for Chase, Amex, and Capital One.
How to book an American Airlines flight for Costa Rica on points and miles
If you live near an American Airlines hub like Miami (MIA) or Dallas (DFW), this is your most direct option.
- Direct Access: American offers several daily flights into both major Costa Rican airports.
- Web Specials: Keep an eye out for “Web Special” awards, which can sometimes be found for as low as 7,500 to 10,000 miles one-way.
How to book Costa Rica Hotels on points and miles
World of Hyatt: How to book Andaz Papagayo on points
The Andaz Papagayo is widely considered the crown jewel of Hyatt’s portfolio in Central America. Tucked into the cliffs of the exclusive Peninsula Papagayo, it feels like a luxury treehouse.
- Amenities: We loved the balance here; there is a dedicated family pool and a stunning kids’ club (Cambi), as well as a quiet adult pool for when you need a break. The resort offers a complimentary boat shuttle to the Andaz Beach House, where you can enjoy water sports, a private beach, and delicious local cuisine.
- The Hyatt Suite Upgrade: For this stay, we used a Hyatt Suite Upgrade Award (SUA). This allowed us to confirm an Andaz Suite at the time of booking. Having the extra space with a separate living area and a balcony made the trip much more comfortable for our family of four.
- How many points: As a Category 8 Hyatt property, it costs between 35,000 and 45,000 points per night.
- How to book: You can transfer points 1:1 from Chase Ultimate Rewards or earn them directly via Hyatt credit cards. You can also apply your Suite Upgrade Awards to stays of up to seven nights.
Urgent Update: Major Hyatt Award Chart Changes Coming May 20, 2026: Hyatt has announced a significant restructuring of the World of Hyatt award chart effective May 20, 2026. This is more than a standard category shuffle; Hyatt is expanding from three redemption levels (Off-Peak, Standard, Peak) to five levels (Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper, and Top). While this adds flexibility, it also means that top-tier Category 8 hotels could now cost up to 75,000 points per night on “Top” dates, a 67% increase from the previous 45,000-point ceiling.
What you need to do before May 20, 2026 (9:00 a.m. EDT):
- Lock in Current Hyatt Rates: Book your upcoming Hyatt stays now. Reservations made before the deadline follow the current award chart. Even if a hotel moves to a higher category or a higher pricing tier, your original price is protected.
- Repricing Warning: Any changes made to your reservation on or after May 20 will trigger a reprice under the new five-tier system.
- Plan Ahead: Since Hyatt allows bookings up to 13 months out, you can secure current rates for stays as far into the future as June 2027, provided you book before the May 20 cutoff.
Hilton Honors: How to book Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa on points
For the second half of our trip, we headed to the Arenal Volcano region to stay at Tabacón Thermal resort. This is a bucket-list property because it sits directly on a natural, gravity-fed thermal river.
How to book: Tabacon Resort is a part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and can be booked directly on the Hilton website using Hilton points. It is also a great use of a Hilton Free Night Reward (earned with cards like the Hilton Aspire or Surpass) because cash rates often exceed $800 during peak season.
Amenities: The highlight is the Thermal Experience. Guests get unlimited, complimentary access to the natural hot springs, which range in temperature from cold plunges to steaming pools (our kids had a blast there).
How many points: Through the Hilton/SLH partnership, nights at Tabacon Resort typically go for 105,000 Hilton Honors points.
5th Night Free: Don’t forget that when booking 4 Award nights (on points) with Hilton, you get a 5th night free.
Hilton Honors: How to book Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique on points
This brand-new ultra-luxury Hilton property is a showstopper. It offers a sophisticated level of service and design, perfect for maximizing the value of your Hilton points (typically 120,000+ points per night).
Hilton Costa Rica Points Hotels (Budget-Friendly)
Finally, for more affordable options or “positioning” nights near the airport to save your big points for the resorts:
- Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport: Located right across from the Liberia (LIR) airport. It’s perfect for a late-night arrival before heading to the Andaz the next morning.
- Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport: A reliable, points-friendly choice for your last night before flying out of SJO.
Marriott Bonvoy: How to book Costa Rica Points hotels on points
Marriott Bonvoy offers the widest variety of properties in the country, from sleek city stopovers to ultra-exclusive enclaves. While Marriott uses dynamic pricing, you can generally expect the following ranges for award nights in 2026:
- Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Peninsula Papagayo): As Marriott’s most exclusive tier, Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties do not follow standard award charts and often require a significant amount of points. Expect rates to start around 140,000 to 200,000 points per night. This resort is the pinnacle of luxury in Costa Rica, offering a highly personalized “rare estate” experience.
- Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort: A favorite for families due to its massive pool complex and proximity to Jaco. Award nights typically range from 40,000 to 60,000 points.
- AC Hotel San Jose Escazu: Perfect for a sophisticated stay in the city’s best shopping and dining district. This property is a great value redemption, usually costing between 20,000 and 35,000 points per night.
Pro Tip: Marriott redemptions can fluctuate based on demand. If you’re looking at the Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, check your account for “Point Savers” or use a “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” benefit to stretch your Bonvoy balance further.
Bottom Line
If you’re planning your trip to Costa Rica, here’s the simplest approach to maximizing your value and booking Costa Rica on points and miles:
- Earn Flexible Points: Focus on earning transferable rewards through programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards. These give you the flexibility to pivot between Southwest, United (via Aeroplan), or Hyatt depending on where the best award availability lands.
- Choose Your Airport Strategically: Decide which gateway fits your itinerary. Liberia (LIR) is a mechanical necessity for luxury beach resorts in Guanacaste, while San José (SJO) is the better choice for the central highlands.
- Book Flights Early: Award space for family travel to Costa Rica is highly competitive during peak seasons. Lock in your seats as soon as the 330-day window opens to ensure you get the best redemption rates.
- Secure Your Hotel Redemptions: Reserve your stay the moment your dates are firm, especially for World of Hyatt properties like the Andaz Papagayo, which are famous for booking up quickly. If you have a Suite Upgrade Award, confirm it at the time of booking to guarantee your family the extra space.
In the end, Costa Rica on points and miles is one of the most rewarding ways to experience luxury for less. With robust flight options from the U.S. and world-class hotel redemptions, it’s a trip that delivers incredible value, especially for families looking for a mix of adventure and high-end relaxation.
