Southwest Airlines International Routes & 15 Destinations

Southwest Airlines flies to 16 destinations across Mexico, Central America, and foreign Caribbean markets, while its broader tropical network also includes San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2026, Southwest also added St. Maarten, making older lists of its international and Caribbean destinations worth revisiting.

There is an important distinction behind these numbers. San Juan and St. Thomas are Caribbean destinations, but they are U.S. territories, so flights from the U.S. mainland are domestic rather than international. By contrast, Aruba, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Southwest’s other foreign destinations require international travel procedures.

Southwest’s own international page currently groups its tropical network into the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. This guide covers the 16 foreign destinations, then separately explains San Juan and St. Thomas so travelers have a complete picture of Southwest’s Caribbean network.

Where Does Southwest Fly Internationally?

Southwest’s foreign network remains concentrated relatively close to the U.S., with service to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean rather than long-haul flights operated by Southwest aircraft.

As of 2026, these are the relevant destinations:

Region	Destination	Airport	Code
Caribbean	Aruba	Queen Beatrix International Airport	AUA
Caribbean	Grand Cayman	Owen Roberts International Airport	GCM
Caribbean	Havana, Cuba	José Martí International Airport	HAV
Caribbean	Montego Bay, Jamaica	Sangster International Airport	MBJ
Caribbean	Nassau, Bahamas	Lynden Pindling International Airport	NAS
Caribbean	Punta Cana, Dominican Republic	Punta Cana International Airport	PUJ
Caribbean	St. Maarten	Princess Juliana International Airport	SXM
Caribbean	Turks and Caicos	Providenciales International Airport	PLS
Mexico	Cancún	Cancún International Airport	CUN
Mexico	Cozumel	Cozumel International Airport	CZM
Mexico	Los Cabos	Los Cabos International Airport	SJD
Mexico	Puerto Vallarta	Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport	PVR
Central America	Belize City, Belize	Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport	BZE
Central America	Liberia, Costa Rica	Guanacaste Airport	LIR
Central America	San José, Costa Rica	Juan Santamaría International Airport	SJO
Central America	—	—	—

Important 2026 note: Southwest’s live international landing page currently highlights 15 foreign destinations rather than a clean 16-destination list because network schedules and marketed destinations can change. Its country sitemap also includes St. Maarten, while active booking pages confirm Southwest flights there. Travelers should therefore verify their exact dates on Southwest before treating any fixed destination count as permanent.

The airline’s network is continually changing, so the destinations themselves are more useful than relying only on the headline number.

Southwest Caribbean Destinations

The Caribbean represents the largest part of Southwest’s near-international leisure network.

Its foreign Caribbean destinations currently include Aruba, Grand Cayman, Havana, Montego Bay, Nassau, Punta Cana, St. Maarten, and Turks and Caicos. Southwest additionally serves San Juan and St. Thomas, although those 2 are U.S. destinations for immigration purposes.

1. Aruba — AUA

Southwest flies to Aruba through Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), providing access to one of the southern Caribbean’s most popular beach destinations. Current Southwest booking pages continue to show flights to Aruba in 2026.

Aruba is known for:

• Palm Beach
• Eagle Beach
• Oranjestad
• Snorkeling and diving
• Arikok National Park
• Consistently warm weather

One feature that distinguishes Aruba from many international destinations is U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance. Eligible U.S.-bound travelers complete U.S. immigration and customs procedures before departing Aruba, rather than after arriving in the United States.

Travelers should allow sufficient airport time because of these additional departure procedures.

2. Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands — GCM

Southwest serves Grand Cayman through Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM). Its current schedule shows Grand Cayman remaining part of the airline’s Caribbean network.

Grand Cayman is the largest of the Cayman Islands and is particularly well known for:

• Seven Mile Beach
• Stingray City
• Snorkeling
• Scuba diving
• George Town
• Waterfront restaurants

Southwest’s current airport information lists its operations at the main terminal at GCM. Flight frequency can vary by season and departure city.

3. Havana, Cuba — HAV

Southwest continues to serve Havana through José Martí International Airport (HAV) in 2026.

Havana differs considerably from Southwest’s other Caribbean destinations because U.S. travelers must comply with specific U.S. rules governing travel to Cuba.

A Southwest ticket by itself does not establish that a traveler is legally authorized to visit Cuba.

Travelers should verify:

• Their permitted category of travel
• Current Cuban entry requirements
• Required documentation
• Applicable visa requirements
• U.S. government restrictions
• Health insurance requirements, where applicable

Southwest itself directs travelers to verify current U.S. government guidance before booking Cuba travel.

Online check-in also differs for Havana. Southwest says customers traveling to or from Havana cannot check in online.

4. Montego Bay, Jamaica — MBJ

Southwest serves Montego Bay through Sangster International Airport (MBJ), one of Jamaica’s principal tourism gateways. Southwest continues to list Montego Bay among its Caribbean destinations.

Montego Bay provides convenient access to:

• Montego Bay resorts
• Doctor’s Cave Beach
• Negril
• Ocho Rios connections
• Jamaica’s north-coast resort areas

Travelers staying outside Montego Bay should consider ground-transfer time when selecting a hotel. A resort advertised as being in the broader Montego Bay tourism region may still require a substantial drive from MBJ.

5. Nassau, Bahamas — NAS

Southwest flies to Nassau through Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), the primary international gateway to New Providence in the Bahamas.

Nassau is useful for travelers interested in:

• Paradise Island
• Cable Beach
• Downtown Nassau
• Resorts
• Beaches
• Cruises and boat excursions

Like Aruba, Nassau has U.S. preclearance facilities, so travelers returning to the U.S. may complete immigration and customs formalities before boarding their U.S.-bound flight.

6. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic — PUJ

Punta Cana is Southwest’s destination in the Dominican Republic, with flights arriving at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).

The area is especially popular for:

• All-inclusive resorts
• Bávaro Beach
• Family vacations
• Honeymoons
• Golf
• Resort-based leisure trips

Southwest notes an important check-in restriction for Punta Cana: customers traveling to or from Punta Cana cannot currently check in online.
Allow additional time at the airport and confirm current entry and departure requirements before traveling.

7. St. Maarten — SXM

St. Maarten became a new Southwest international destination on April 7, 2026. Southwest operates to Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM).

The island is unusual because it is divided between 2 jurisdictions:

• Dutch Sint Maarten
• French Saint-Martin

Princess Juliana International Airport is on the Dutch side.

Travelers can use the island as a base for beaches, restaurants, water activities, and trips between the Dutch and French sides.

St. Maarten was particularly significant for Southwest because the airline described it as its first new international destination since 2021.

8. Turks and Caicos — PLS

Southwest serves Turks and Caicos through Providenciales International Airport (PLS).

Providenciales—often shortened to Provo—is the tourism center of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Popular experiences include:

• Grace Bay Beach
• Snorkeling
• Diving
• Boat excursions
• Luxury resorts
• Clear-water beaches

Southwest continues to list Turks and Caicos within its Caribbean network.
Service frequency may vary by travel season, so travelers should search their exact departure airport and dates.

Southwest Destinations in Mexico

Southwest currently markets flights to Cancún, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta on its primary international destination page.
Mexico is an important part of Southwest’s leisure network, particularly for travelers heading to beach resorts from U.S. cities.

9. Cancún — CUN

Southwest flies to Cancún International Airport (CUN), one of Mexico’s busiest gateways for leisure travelers.

Cancún is not only a destination itself. CUN can also be used for trips to:

• Playa del Carmen
• Riviera Maya
• Isla Mujeres
• Tulum and surrounding areas
• Cancún’s Hotel Zone

Southwest currently operates from Terminal 4 at Cancún, although gates can change. The airline recommends an approximate airport arrival time of 180 minutes for CUN.
Travelers should confirm their terminal shortly before departure because airport operating arrangements can change.

10. Cozumel — CZM

Cozumel has historically been part of Southwest’s Mexico network, serving travelers through Cozumel International Airport (CZM), but travelers should verify current availability for their dates.

Cozumel is an island off the Yucatán Peninsula, particularly popular for:

• Scuba diving
• Snorkeling
• Beaches
• Cruise tourism
• Reef excursions

This is a good example of why fixed airline-destination lists age quickly. Southwest’s current primary international landing page highlights Cancún, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta rather than Cozumel.

Travelers specifically planning a Cozumel trip should search Southwest’s live schedule before relying on older route lists.

11. Los Cabos — SJD

Southwest serves Los Cabos through Los Cabos International Airport (SJD).

The airport provides access to both:

• Cabo San Lucas
• San José del Cabo

Southwest’s airport information currently lists its SJD operations in Terminal 2 and suggests arriving about 180 minutes before departure.
The destination is popular for beaches, resorts, sport fishing, golf, nightlife, and trips along the southern Baja California peninsula.

12. Puerto Vallarta — PVR

Southwest flies to Puerto Vallarta, one of its 3 Mexico destinations currently highlighted on the airline’s international travel page.

Puerto Vallarta combines resort areas with a walkable historic center.

Travelers commonly visit for:

• The Malecón
• Beaches
• Zona Romántica
• Marina Vallarta
• Banderas Bay
• Nearby resort communities

Travelers staying in Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita, or other nearby areas should check transfer times from the airport when choosing accommodations.

Southwest Destinations in Central America

Southwest’s current Central America network includes Belize and 2 Costa Rican destinations: Liberia and San José.

These airports serve very different types of trips, so selecting the right one can reduce ground-travel time considerably.

13. Belize City, Belize — BZE

Southwest serves Belize through Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), the country’s principal international gateway.

BZE is outside central Belize City and can be the starting point for trips to:

• Belize City
• San Pedro
• Caye Caulker
• Belize Barrier Reef
• Inland archaeological sites
• Jungle and wildlife areas

Travelers continuing to the islands may need a domestic flight or ground transportation followed by a water taxi.

Belize remains listed among Southwest’s current Central American destinations.

14. Liberia, Costa Rica — LIR

Southwest flies to Liberia in Costa Rica through Guanacaste Airport (LIR).
For many travelers, LIR is the more convenient Costa Rican airport for vacations in the northwestern part of the country.

It provides access to destinations around:

• Guanacaste
• Papagayo Peninsula
• Tamarindo
• Playa Hermosa
• Playa Flamingo
• Northwestern Pacific beaches

Travelers staying in Guanacaste should compare LIR with San José before booking. Flying into San José simply because it is Costa Rica’s capital can result in a much longer ground journey to a Pacific-coast resort.

15. San José, Costa Rica — SJO

Southwest’s second Costa Rican destination is San Jose, served through Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).

Despite its name, the airport is located near Alajuela rather than in central San José.

SJO can be useful for trips involving:

• San Jose
• Central Valley
• Arenal/La Fortuna
• Coffee-growing regions
• Central and southern Costa Rica

Choosing between SJO and LIR should depend primarily on the traveler’s itinerary rather than airfare alone.

A cheaper flight can lose much of its advantage if it adds several hours of ground transportation.

What About Southwest’s 16th International Destination?

This is where the reference topic requires a 2026 qualification.

Older destination lists can include Cozumel among Southwest’s 16 international destinations, while Southwest’s current primary international page no longer lists Cozumel among its featured Mexico destinations. At the same time, St. Maarten was added in April 2026.

Consequently, a static “16 destinations” headline does not perfectly describe Southwest’s live network at every point in 2026.

The practical approach is to use Southwest’s booking engine for the intended dates because:

• Routes can be discontinued
• New destinations can be introduced
• Seasonal service can return or disappear
• Frequency can change
• Not every origin has nonstop service to every international destination

This guide therefore retains the 16-destination search topic while identifying where the underlying route list has changed.

Does Southwest Fly to Puerto Rico?

Yes. Southwest flies to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), but this is a domestic U.S. destination rather than an international destination for travelers flying from the U.S. mainland.

Southwest nevertheless places San Juan within the Caribbean section of its tropical destination page.

This explains why some lists of “Southwest Caribbean destinations” include San Juan while lists of international destinations may exclude it.
For U.S. citizens traveling directly between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico, the trip does not involve entering a foreign country.

Does Southwest Fly to St. Thomas?

Yes. Southwest began serving St. Thomas (STT) in the U.S. Virgin Islands on February 5, 2026.

St. Thomas became Southwest’s ninth island destination in the Atlantic Basin, joining Aruba, the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Turks and Caicos.

Like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands are a U.S. territory.

That means St. Thomas is a new Caribbean destination for Southwest but should not be described as a foreign international destination for a passenger traveling directly from the mainland United States.

Does Southwest Fly to Europe or Asia?

Southwest does not itself operate long-haul flights to Europe or Asia, but its growing airline partnerships can connect passengers beyond Southwest’s own network.

By 2026, Southwest’s partner-airline list included carriers such as:

• Air Premia
• All Nippon Airways
• China Airlines
• Condor
• EVA Air
• Icelandair
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Philippine Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal
• Turkish Airlines

For example, Southwest’s Condor partnership provides connectivity to European destinations through shared U.S. gateways, while partnerships with several Asian carriers extend travel possibilities across the Pacific.

These should not be confused with Southwest-operated international destinations. The long-haul segment is operated by the partner airline.

What Documents Do You Need for a Southwest International Flight?

A valid passport book is required for international air travel on Southwest, including for U.S. citizens and children.

Southwest states that a passport card is not accepted for international air travel.

Depending on the destination and the passenger’s circumstances, travelers may also need:

• A visa
• Entry authorization
• Pre-departure forms
• Health documentation
• Proof of onward or return travel
• Destination-specific documents

Requirements can depend on citizenship rather than simply the passenger’s U.S. departure point.
Check both the destination government’s requirements and the applicable U.S. government guidance before departure.

How Does Southwest International Check-In Work?

International check-in has additional identity-verification requirements.

Southwest allows passengers to enter passport information while booking, later through the reservation, or at the airport. Eligible customers may also scan a passport or U.S. Permanent Resident Card using a mobile device during check-in.

Southwest states that passengers traveling internationally must have their passport verified by an agent or kiosk at the ticket counter at least 60 minutes before scheduled departure.

There are exceptions to normal online check-in.

Southwest currently says customers traveling to or from:

• Aruba
• Havana
• Punta Cana

cannot check in online.
Airport procedures can change, so travelers should review their itinerary before leaving for the airport.

Can You Use Rapid Rewards for Southwest International Flights?

Yes. Rapid Rewards points can be used for eligible Southwest-operated international flights.

Southwest says Rapid Rewards members can use points for available seats on its flights, and points do not expire.The points required for a reward flight vary with the fare and other factors rather than following a fixed award chart.

Travelers should also remember that international government taxes and fees may still apply to reward bookings.

Are Southwest International Routes Available Year-Round?

Not necessarily. International schedules and flight frequencies can vary by destination, season, departure airport, and travel date.

A destination appearing in Southwest’s network does not mean every U.S. city has a nonstop flight there.
Some passengers may need to connect through a larger Southwest gateway, and individual nonstop routes may operate only on selected days.

For that reason, always search the exact:

Origin + destination + travel date

before planning the rest of an international trip around a Southwest flight.

Which Southwest International Destination Should You Fly To?

The most practical destination depends on what type of trip you are planning.

Trip Type	Destinations to Consider
Beach resort vacation	Cancún, Punta Cana, Aruba, Montego Bay
Diving/snorkeling	Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, Aruba
Mexico Pacific coast	Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos
Costa Rica beach trip	Liberia
Costa Rica inland trip	San José
Caribbean island vacation	St. Maarten, Turks and Caicos, Aruba
Culture/history-focused trip	Havana
Bahamas getaway	Nassau
U.S. Caribbean trip	San Juan, St. Thomas

This table is intended to match destinations with broad trip styles rather than rank one place over another.

Tips for Booking Southwest International Flights

International routes can have fewer frequencies than major domestic routes, so planning deserves a little extra attention.

Before booking:

• Compare nonstop and connecting itineraries.
• Check whether the route operates daily or only on selected days.
• Confirm passport validity before purchasing a nonrefundable component of the trip.
• Review visa and entry requirements for your nationality.
• Check destination-specific forms.
• Confirm airport transfer costs.
• Review baggage rules for the fare purchased.
• Recheck the flight schedule before departure.
• Allow extra time for international check-in.
• Check current government guidance for Cuba before booking Havana.

Southwest’s fare structure and baggage policies have changed significantly from its historic model, so travelers should check the current rules attached to the fare they are actually purchasing rather than relying on older assumptions.

Final Thoughts

Southwest’s international network is concentrated in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, making the airline particularly relevant for relatively short leisure trips from the United States. Its destinations range from Cancún and Los Cabos to Aruba, Jamaica, Belize, Costa Rica, Havana, and the newly added St. Maarten.

The important 2026 update is that the familiar “16 international destinations” description is no longer a perfectly static picture of the network. St. Maarten joined Southwest in April 2026, while St. Thomas joined the airlines Caribbean network in February.

Before booking, check Southwest’s live schedule for the exact route and dates, and verify passport, visa, entry, and destination-specific requirements. That is more reliable than assuming an older destination list or seasonal route remains unchanged.

Frequently Asked Questions