Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), located in Alajuela near San José, is Costa Rica’s largest airport. It offers nonstop flights to and from North, Central and South America, as well as a handful of European cities. Compared to many capital city airports in Latin America, the San José airport is a manageable size and requires less walking than larger facilities, which makes it an easy-to-navigate option for connecting flights, as well.
The airport serves as a major operating base for Avianca, following the airline’s restructuring of its hub operations, and you may find yourself connecting on other carriers as well (especially for domestic flights to smaller destinations within Costa Rica).
Navigating Juan Santamaría International Airport
Juan Santamaria International Airport has two terminals. The International Terminal is the main terminal and serves international flights. The Domestic Terminal, the much-smaller facility, handles domestic flights.
International Terminal
The International Terminal has about 45 self-check-in kiosks, and it’s easy to get your boarding pass (unless you’ve already gotten it through your airline’s app, which is even better). If you need to check baggage or speak with an airline representative, you may need to stand in line at a counter for a bit. I’ve found security screening line length to vary, so be sure to arrive at the airport early. The airport offers free (and generally reliable) WiFi.
You’ll find a variety of options for food, drinks and shopping here. For a traditional Costa Rican meal, stop at Deli Malinche, located in the Arrivals area outside the security zone, or Restaurante Malinche at gate 10. If you’re craving a caffeine fix, there’s a Starbucks near gate five and another at gate 15, but I’d recommend trying a local brew.
You can also buy Costa Rican coffee to take home at airport stores like the Britt Shop, Casa Tica and Rumbo Pura Vida, which also stock local chocolate and other goodies.
For authentic souvenirs, check out The Green Trails Store who pride themselves on the fact that none of its products are made outside of the country.
Lounges and other places to relax
There are three VIP lounges at the airport, and one-time admission fees are reasonable when compared to many other international airports. You can access lounges by purchasing a membership, carrying certain credit cards, or purchasing a day pass.
The VIP Lounge near gate 19 is accessible to certain elite flyers on Copa and Star Alliance, as well as Priority Pass members. It offers free breakfast, lunch, snacks and nonalcoholic drinks. For an extra charge ($10 for showers), you can order from an expanded menu or use the shower facility.
Also near gate 19 is the BAC Credomatic VIP Lounge, which offers free breakfast, lunch, beer and house wine. It even has a children’s playroom, but access is available to Dragon Pass and AmEx Centurion (Central America) holders. BAC cardholders can enter for $22.60 and other bank cardholders for $33.90 per person.
The best bet if you don’t have automatic access to a lounge is the VIP Santamaría Lounge near gate five. It offers free breakfast, lunch, snacks, nonalcoholic drinks, wine and domestic beer. It also has an a-la-carte menu for an extra charge. You can get in with Priority Pass, Visa Airport Companion or a reasonably priced day pass (around $33), with children under 10 admitted free.
If you’re looking for a quiet place to relax before or in between flights and you don’t want to visit a lounge, wander toward the departure gates at the far ends of the airport. They tend to be less crowded.
Connecting from an international to a domestic flight
If you’re connecting from an international arrival in the International Terminal to a domestic flight in the Domestic Terminal, you’ll need to go through customs and immigration, then head outside. The Domestic Terminal is a short walk to the left when you exit the International Terminal.
Domestic Terminal
Flying from the Domestic Terminal often means faster check-in and security. Keep in mind that most domestic flights in Costa Rica use small propeller aircraft, so check your airline’s specific baggage weight limits.
The domestic terminal is served by smaller airlines like Costa Rica Green Airways and SANSA. The facility is modern and comfortable, but since it’s smaller, there are fewer services. You can still grab a light meal at the restaurant and do some last-minute shopping at the Terra Tica gift shop.
Getting from the airport to San José and beyond
Juan Santamaria International Airport is in Alajuela, about 20 minutes by car from downtown San José. Many travelers stay at hotels in other parts of the area, so your ground travel time can vary.
I usually arrange my ground transportation in advance through my hotel or a local tour operator to make leaving the airport smoother. I’ve found that hotels in Costa Rica are a great resource for this, and some even offer their own free or discounted shuttle service.
Taking a taxi
You can reserve a taxi before arrival with companies including Coopetranstura and Taxis Unidos. If you haven’t made a reservation, just head to the taxi kiosk outside the customs exit. Taxis traveling within the San José metropolitan area charge based on the metered fare, but if you’re headed outside of the area, you’ll pay a flat rate.
Exercise caution with rideshare apps at the airport, as policies may vary. It’s best to stick with approved taxis and other ground transportation options.
Rental cars at the airport
Rental car counters are located in the International Arrivals Customs area. Depending on the company, you might need to visit a counter inside first or follow your rental company’s specific procedures. A word to the wise when comparing prices: mandatory insurance (Third-Party Liability and often Collision Damage Waiver) probably isn’t included in the initial quoted rates.
Buses and shuttles
Shuttle buses are a popular and budget-friendly way to get from the airport to major tourist destinations. They’re cheaper than a taxi or rental car, though you’ll likely share the ride and make a few stops along the way.
The public bus stop is located directly in front of the main terminal, beyond the parking structure. If you book ahead, your provider will give you an exact meeting spot, which is often near the El Malinche restaurant. Companies like Tropical Tours Shuttles and Costa Rica Shuttle offer this service, and many even have free WiFi on board.
Arriving at SJO
If you’re making a connection to another international flight, you can proceed directly to the next gate. If you’re connecting to a domestic flight, you’ll need to pass through immigration and customs and leave the building to head to the Domestic Terminal next door.
If San José is your final destination, follow the signs to immigration and customs. I’ve found the lines to be excessive at times, so be prepared to spend some time waiting.
Departing from the San José airport
Taxis Unidos, the exclusive official taxi service authorized by the airport, will drop you off right in front of the terminal. If you’re returning a rental car, take note of the returns lot. You’ll likely drop off the car and take a free shuttle back to the terminal.
If you’re driving your own car, you’ll find parking conveniently close, thanks to the compact airport size. The onsite lot is expensive if you leave it there for long periods of time, but offsite lots are cheaper.
Currency exchange
Global Exchange counters are located at the international arrivals area and near the baggage claim; there are also exchange services outside the secure area. I always check the exchange rates before I travel to compare. Honestly, I often find it more convenient to use the ATM near the baggage claim.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
