Direct (nonstop) flights from San Jose to Medellin

2 airlines fly nonstop from Juan Santamaria International (SJO) to Jose Maria Cordova (MDE). It's 656 miles (1,055 km), about 2h 5m in the air. Operated by AVIANCA, Wingo.

SJO
Juan Santamaria International
🇨🇷 San Jose, Costa Rica
MDE
Jose Maria Cordova
🇨🇴 Medellin, Colombia
Flight Time
2h 5m
Distance
656 mi
1,055 km
CO₂/pax
121 kg
−28 kg vs. layover
Airlines
2
AVIANCA +1
Time Diff
+1h
Operated by AVIANCA AVIANCA Wingo Wingo

Route data last updated: May 29, 2026

Airlines with non-stop flights

AVIANCA AV AVIANCA
Route
SJO → MDE
Flight Time
2h 5m
Distance
656 mi
Wingo P5 Wingo
Route
SJO → MDE
Flight Time
2h 5m
Distance
656 mi

Alternative Routes

Other ways to fly from San Jose to Medellin with one stop · direct emits 121 kg CO₂ per passenger

SJO PTY (Panama City) MDE
Leg 1: 1h 24m (334 mi) Leg 2: 1h 25m (336 mi) Total: ~2h 49m 🍃 149 kg CO₂ (+23% vs. direct)
Leg 1
SJO → PTY
1h 24m · 334 mi
View SJO to PTY flights →
Leg 2
PTY → MDE
1h 25m · 336 mi
View PTY to MDE flights →
SJO CTG (Cartagena) MDE
Leg 1: 1h 45m (592 mi) Leg 2: 1h 15m (293 mi) Total: ~3h 🍃 189 kg CO₂ (+56% vs. direct)
Leg 1
SJO → CTG
1h 45m · 592 mi
View SJO to CTG flights →
Leg 2
CTG → MDE
1h 15m · 293 mi
View CTG to MDE flights →
SJO BOG (Bogota) MDE
Leg 1: 2h 15m (780 mi) Leg 2: 1h (134 mi) Total: ~3h 15m 🍃 194 kg CO₂ (+60% vs. direct)
Leg 1
SJO → BOG
2h 15m · 780 mi
View SJO to BOG flights →
Leg 2
BOG → MDE
1h · 134 mi
View BOG to MDE flights →
SJO UIO (Quito) MDE
Leg 1: 2h 20m (803 mi) Leg 2: 1h 30m (477 mi) Total: ~3h 50m 🍃 262 kg CO₂ (+117% vs. direct)
Leg 1
SJO → UIO
2h 20m · 803 mi
View SJO to UIO flights →
Leg 2
UIO → MDE
1h 30m · 477 mi
View UIO to MDE flights →
SJO SAL (San Salvador) MDE
Leg 1: 1h 20m (405 mi) Leg 2: 2h 50m (1,054 mi) Total: ~4h 10m 🍃 278 kg CO₂ (+130% vs. direct)
Leg 1
SJO → SAL
1h 20m · 405 mi
View SJO to SAL flights →
Leg 2
SAL → MDE
2h 50m · 1,054 mi
View SAL to MDE flights →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the direct flight from San Jose to Medellin?

A nonstop flight from San Jose (SJO) to Medellin (MDE) takes approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. The distance is 656 miles (1,055 km).

Which airlines fly nonstop from San Jose to Medellin?

2 airlines: AVIANCA, Wingo.

Is there a nonstop flight from San Jose to Medellin?

Yes. 2 airlines: AVIANCA, Wingo.

How far is San Jose from Medellin?

The flight distance from San Jose to Medellin is 656 miles (1,055 km), measured as the great-circle (shortest air) distance. That's roughly the same distance as the length of Italy.

What is the time difference between San Jose and Medellin?

Medellin is 1 hour ahead of San Jose. (America/Costa_Rica vs America/Bogota.)

What type of aircraft flies from San Jose to Medellin?

At 2h 5m, this route typically uses narrow-body or mid-range jets — Boeing 737 MAX or Airbus A320neo. Varies by airline.

Do I need a visa to travel from Costa Rica to Colombia?

Depends on your passport. Check with the Colombia embassy or an official visa portal before booking — requirements change.

What is the carbon footprint of a flight from San Jose to Medellin?

Roughly 121 kg CO2 per passenger one-way. That's about the same as driving 605 km.

Is the return flight from Medellin to San Jose also nonstop?

Yes — nonstop flights run both ways. Flight time may differ slightly due to wind patterns.

When is the cheapest time to fly from San Jose to Medellin?

Midweek flights (Tue/Wed) outside holiday peaks are usually cheapest. For long-haul, booking 2-3 months out tends to help. Use "Check Prices" above to compare.

How early should I arrive at Juan Santamaria International for this flight?

3 hours before departure for international flights. You need time for check-in, security, and immigration.