Guanacaste Airport (LIR) is set to expand its connectivity with North America this winter. The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) announced a brand-new direct route connecting Costa Rica’s sun-drenched Pacific coast to Ottawa, Canada. Starting December 20, 2026, travelers will have a seamless direct option between Canada's capital city and the beaches of Guanacaste.

Key Details of the New Service

The new non-stop connection will be operated by WestJet, further strengthening the airline’s presence in Costa Rica.

Feature	Details
Route	Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (YOW) ✈️ Guanacaste International (LIR)
Airline	WestJet
Frequency	Weekly (Every Sunday)
Seasonality	December 20, 2026 – April 4, 2027 (Peak Season)
Aircraft Type	Boeing 737 MAX 8
Capacity	174 Passengers per flight

WestJet’s Growing Footprint in Guanacaste

Ottawa marks the sixth Canadian destination served by WestJet out of Guanacaste Airport. This addition expands WestJet’s existing Canadian flight network to the region, which already includes direct flights from:

• Toronto (YYZ)
• Calgary (YYC)
• Vancouver (YVR)
• Montreal (YUL)
• Winnipeg (YWG)
• Ottawa (YOW) (New)

“This new connection reflects the sustained demand from Canadian travelers seeking eco-adventure and beach destinations during the North American winter season.” — Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT)

Rapid Growth in Canadian Tourism

The new flight comes on the heels of impressive performance metrics for Canadian arrivals.

During the first half of 2026 alone, Canadian passenger traffic to Costa Rica exceeded 207,000 tourists—with an impressive 66% of those visitors choosing to enter through Guanacaste Airport.

Highlights of Canadian Travel Growth:

• +28% YoY Increase: Passenger numbers from Canada grew by 28% compared to the same period in 2025.
• Top Performing Market: Canada has officially become the fastest-growing international tourist market for Guanacaste Airport.

With peak season around the corner, this new weekly route promises to bring even more travelers directly to the heart of Costa Rica’s popular Gold Coast.

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