Costa Rica’s main international airport is San Jose International Airport or Juan Santamaria in Alajuela. It’s much bigger than its fellow international airport, Liberia International Airport in Guanacaste with many major airlines flying into San Jose Airport.
If you’re flying into San Jose Airport, check our guide below to help you navigate through this airport.
Location
San Jose Costa Rica airport map
San Jose International Airport is located in Alajuela, about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from downtown San Jose, Costa Rica.
About San Jose International Airport and Airport Code
The San Jose International Airport code is SJO. The name Juan Santamaria is after a drummer boy who died helping Costa Rica prevent getting taken over by the United States in 1856. Make sure NOT to get SJO confused with San Jose, California whose airport code is SJC.
In 2016, over 4.5 million passengers passed through San Jose International Airport. This airport is not huge and is easy to get around. In 2019, they opened 4 more gates.
Should You Fly Into Liberia or San Jose Airport?
San Jose and Liberia airport are hubs for different parts of the country. Find out which you should fly into before booking flights.
- You should fly into San Jose Airport if you are going to San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero, Uvita, Dominical, San Isidro de Perez Zeledon, Turrialba or Sarapiqui. Those destinations are closest from San Jose than Liberia.
- If you are going to La Fortuna or Monteverde, both destinations are around 3 hours from Liberia and San Jose. However, due to the amount of traffic in San Jose, it could take much longer. So if you are able to, I would choose Liberia over San Jose if you’re going to La Fortuna/Monteverde right away.
- San Jose Airport has more flights than Liberia and is generally cheaper. From Seattle, I found that flights into San Jose were about $100-200 USD cheaper than Liberia depending on the time of the year. However, there are some times of the year where prices are comparable since Liberia is getting more flights. Definitely check both airports.
Read more about which Costa Rica international airport is best for you.
What to Know About Flying into San Jose Airport
Driving in San Jose can be a nightmare so if you’re renting a car, just know that it’s not an easy drive out of the airport area. During rush hour, it has taken us over an hour to get from the airport to the highway, even though it was only a few kilometers! In Liberia, the roads are wider with way less people so driving is much easier.
If you fly into San Jose Airport and need to get to Guanacaste, you have a few options besides driving.
First, you can take the bus from San Jose to Liberia. It’s about 5 hours and costs around $9 USD (5,000 Costa Rican colones). Second, shared and private shuttles are also available. Shared costs around $57 USD per adult one way with Interbus. For private, it’s around $220 USD for 1-4 people total. Third, flying is another option, you can fly from San Jose Airport to Liberia Airport on a local airline like Sansa.
San Jose Domestic Terminal
If you are flying on a local airline to take a domestic flight with Sansa, Aerobell or Green. There is now a separate domestic terminal that you have to go to. It is right next to the international airport.
San Jose Airport Food, Shopping and Other Services
There is only one level in San Jose Airport so after you clear security, go up an escalator. You’ll be at the level where all the gates, food and shops are. There is a Quiznos, Starbucks, a cafe and a small food court with Smashburger, other fast food and restaurants.
For shopping, there are two Britt Cafe souvenir stores, a couple artisan souvenir stores and a technology store. There is also the duty free stores where you can buy watches, jewelry, perfume, alcohol, etc. The San Jose Airport has a VIP and Star Alliance Lounge and a spa.
Next to baggage claim 5, there is a Claro SIM card stand in case you need to purchase a Costa Rican prepaid SIM card. Open everyday from 5 AM to 9 PM, sometimes 11 PM on weekends. There is also one 24/7 duty free store with alcohol.
Transportation
From San Jose Airport, you can go to any of the major bus terminals such as Pulmitam, 7-10, Terminal Atlantico Norte and Terminal del Caribe.
Bus: There is a bus stop down the ramp from arrivals that goes into downtown San Jose. It runs fairly frequently.
Shuttle: You can take a shared or private shuttle to do a transfer into San Jose downtown. For shared shuttles, iIf you’re doing a nationwide transfer, you will need to taxi to the Denny’s Restaurant for pick up with Interbus. Private shuttles will pick you up directly from the airport.
Taxi/Uber: You will see lots of taxis when you exit the airport. Official taxis in Costa Rica are red and orange for airport taxis and there is an official taxi stand right when you exit the airport. We personally prefer taking Uber in Costa Rica when in the city.
San Jose Airport Car Rentals
If you’re renting a car in Costa Rica, you will see car rental stands in baggage claim in the San Jose Airport. However, since the airport is not big enough to accommodate all the car rental companies’ offices, they will take you to their satellite airport office nearby to pick up the car.
We have a partnership with Adobe Rent a Car to give car rental discounts and extra benefits (free cooler, free cell phone, etc.). You can click here “Costa Rica car rental discount” to make a reservation. Adobe will pick up passengers from the airport and take them to their close by airport office via complimentary shuttle. You can watch the process below.
San Jose Airport Hotels
There are many hotels around San Jose Airport with airport transfers included. You can read our post “Best hotels near San Jose Airport” for recommendations. We really like Adventure Inn (we have a 10% discount in the link) but there are plenty of cheap hotels you can read in the post above.
Other Important Information
- The $29 USD exit tax is now included in most of the airline tickets. Some airlines do not though (some Canadian and budget airlines). You can check the billboard in the check in area to see if you need to pay it.
- There is free Wi-Fi at the airport.
Read more Costa Rica travel tips below!
Alex says
My flight out of SJO is at 7:45am. Any food options open early enough to grab a decent breakfast? Bonus question: any gluten-free options?
Sammi says
There is a Denny’s Diner about 10 minutes away that is 24 hours
Jin says
Hello. This blog literally helped me a lot schedule my trip in Costa Rica. I dont know how I can appreciate. Thank you very much.
I have one question. My return flight is at 9:55 am from SJO. And I am thinking of buying flight ticket from Tamarindo to SJO which arrives at SJO at 7:40 am. I don’t know how far it is between the domestic terminal & intetnational terminal of SJO and if this plan seems fine considering how often there the delay of the domestic flights is. It this plan seems impossible I will move to San Jose by bus a day earlier, but I would just love to take the least time possible to move to San Jose.
Thank you in advance.
Sammi says
Hi Jin, the domestic and international terminals are right next to each other, you could walk if you have light luggage it is very close. It is a bit tight though in case you have a delay in your local flight in the morning, to be safer I would recommend going back to SJO the day before as you never know what may happen.
Laurie W says
Do the hotel shuttles all pick up at the same location at SJO? Having a hard time finding info online. Staying at Hampton Inn upon arrival for one night, Feb 3.
Sammi says
Pretty much, the airport is small so once you exit, you will see all the drivers, taxis, tour companies, etc. waiting outside.
shawn says
we will be arriving at 1:00 am early morning into SJO
and have booked a rental vehicle to drive straight to La Fortuna.
However, the rental counter opens only at 6:00 am
can we take a short nap in the baggage area or car rental counter area from 1:00 am to 6:00 am ?
or are we required to exit the airport ?
We haven’t really booked any hotel for the day we arrive as the plan was to go straight to La Fortuna
Sammi says
Hi Shawn, I recommend to talk to your rental company to see if they accommodate you when you land
Terri Holte says
Hi,
We are traveling in April and are trying to get a shared shuttle from SJO. If we are only bringing hand luggage and arrive at 1:15 will we be able to make a 3 pm shuttle to Monteverde?
Sammi says
It really depends on how long passport control and customs will take. Lots of flights arrive at that time. Most shared shuttles will also require you to go to a meeting point like 10 minutes away as they cannot pick up directly from the airport
Suzanne says
Hi, thanks for answering questions. I have a flight from Tamarindo, through San Jose, to Mexico coming up. The layover is 2:15 arriving at San Jose at 740am on a Thursday. I know I need to get my luggage and switch terminals, would you be comfortable with that amount of time?
Thanks!
Suzanne
Sammi says
That should be fine since you don’t have to go through immigration and the domestic terminal is right next to the international one (you may need to get a taxi if you’re carrying heavy luggage since you have to walk up)
Laura A says
Hi! Your website is so informative – I’ve gotten so much information from it. Question: we will be arriving into SJO next week (from the US). Another family member is scheduled to arrive on another flight about 20 min after us. Is there a logical place to meet up with him in the airport? Will we be allowed to wait in baggage claim after claiming our luggage? Obviously, flight delays are inevitable, so wanted to have a couple of back up plans.
Sammi says
There’s a little cafe right outside the airport (it’s in the same building as the airport but with its own entrance from outside the airport) called Malinche that you can meet him there.
Laura Alexander says
Thank you! Unfortunately, it looks like they close at 9pm, which is when we are scheduled to arrive. We’ll figure something out. Thanks again.
Sammi says
In that case you can probably wait in baggage claim or just wait for him right outside the airport terminal exit. This airport is not very big.
Antonella says
Hello we want to travel just with hand luggage. Is it possible to buy suncream and other toiletries after arrivals in San Jose airport please?
Sammi says
You can buy them at any supermarkets
Sammi says
I would go fly to SJO the day before, personally for us, we never like to take risks like this and you are supposed to be at least 2 hours before at the airport for international flights. Sometimes you just don’t know what may happen and it’s better to be safer than sorry, especially as May is our transition month so there are more chances of bad weather in May
Andrew says
Hi guys…
My flight is scheduled to leave SJO at 9:40am on May 5th to fly back to Toronto, Canada.
I’m currently in Santa Teresa and I’m wondering if you guys think it is too risky to take a flight from Tambor leaving at 7:30am and arriving at 8:00am to SJO… This gives me 1 hour and 40 minutes before my flight and no room for error…
I have premium processing with Air Canada so I shouldn’t have to wait for too long but If security is a really long line I might be screwed? I have never flown out of SJO before.
The alternative would be to fly to SJO the evening of the 4th and stay in a hotel by the airport before my flight.
Thoughts?
Leigh says
Hi! My flight is to arrive at SJO at 12:30pm and I have a shared shuttle booked for 2pm leaving from the Denny’s. I’ve seen comments about immigrations and traffic being quite busy – just wanted some insight into if it’s likely I’ll miss this bus or if it’s possible to make it?
Sammi says
Yes I would definitely plan for immigration and customs to take longer, if you are traveling anytime now through APril
Adrian says
Hi guys, we will be arriving at 00:55 in the morning, so assuming nothing will be open at the airport.
Are there atms or currency exchange at the airport so we can get some colones, as we will have to get a taxi/uber to reach our accommodation.
Thanks
Adrian
Sammi says
I’m not sure if the currency exchange is open at that hour, but you can pay via the Uber app and if you take a taxi, you can pay in USD. There is an official taxi stand right outside the airport terminal exit.
Leslie Stevens says
I am flying to SJO. What is the best way to get from there to Arenal? Would it be better to fly to Liberia?
Thank you.
Sammi says
Hello, we have a section on how to get to La Fortuna in our La Fortuna guide
Gabyliz Machado says
Hi!
Do you know if I can take an Uber from La Fortuna to SJO?
Sammi says
I have seen a few Ubers in La Fortuna, they can take you to SJO if they accept it.
AGL says
Hello, Kudos on the great, informative blog. We have been using it to plan our upcoming trip. We are flying into the San Jose International airport in Mid July and will be heading to Manuel Antonio area immediately after we land. Is it best to take a shared shuttle or Uber both in terms of cost and convenience?
Sammi says
If you take a shared shuttle, make sure to check schedules because there aren’t very many so you will need to check if the timing works out.
Cai B. says
Hello! Great blog! We are flying into SJO at 12:30 PM and have a domestic flight on Sansa leaving about 4 PM. Do you know if there is a restaurant/bar in the domestic terminal, or if we should wait in the international terminal before going to domestic terminal?
Thank you!
Sammi says
There is a cafe/restaurant called Malinches that’s outside the airport (but part of the same building, just the entrance is from the outside). In the domestic terminal, they have a very small cafe/convenient store.
Mary says
Hello!!! Thank you for all your informative blogs!! I’m searching for an answer to this question: We are departing from SJO back to the US and our flight departed at 8:30am. How early should we arrive at the airport to make the flight? (We will be using an airport shuttle and need to make a timed reservation for it). THANK YOU!
Sammi says
You need to be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Susan says
Where is the shuttle pick up for Hampton Inn after arriving in SJO? Thanks
Sammi says
I would assume it’s after you exit the airport but I would ask the hotel
David says
Hi there,
We are arriving from Canada to SJO on a Saturday around 13h30. We were hoping to get to Tambor asap. There’s an Aerobell flight at 15h30. Do you think that gives us enough time to cross customs and make the connection? Thank you so much.
Sammi says
Hi David, San Jose Airport on the weekend is really busy, it’s hard to say because you need to check in to Aerobell at least 1 hour before and I’m not sure if they have their station in SJO Airport or Tobias Bolanos. I would talk to Aerobell to see what they recommend.
Emmi says
Hello!
Love your blog, it has helped me so much when it comes to planning my trip to CR! When landing at SJO airport, are we able to purchase alcohol in duty-free and then take it with us through customs/immigration?
Thanks!
Sammi says
Yes you can! 🙂
Rebecca says
We are planning on Flying in to SJO then heading to the Arenal Area… since we aren’t going into the city of San Jose, should we still expect a lot of traffic on that route? We would arrive in SJO around 11. Just wondering if it’s worth the extra cost to fly into Liberia instead.
Also, had used the request form on your site to get info about boating with Marcy in Papagayo and haven’t heard back. Is there a better way to contact you/him?
Thanks!
Sammi says
Unfortunately there is always traffic in the Central Valley cities including the SJO Airport but you hopefully it won’t be too much as you just need to get out of the airport onto the highway and not all the way through the city.
I’ll send you an email regarding the boat tours.
Sam says
Hi There, love your blog! I’m arriving at SJO and have four hours in the middle of the night to kill between my flight landing and shuttle at 4am. Do you know if I can access the departures side of the airport (where the 24hr restaurant is) from arrivals?
Sammi says
You have to go upstairs from arrivals to get to departures in SJO Airport.
Sammi says
You can park at the airport parking lot and wait for them at the exit of the airport. There is free wi-fi upstairs in the departure of SJO Airport.
mjs says
Great blog! We will be leaving from Tapirus Lodge on Saturday Feb 8 to fly at 12:30pm out of San Jose airport (flight to Chicago) . Not trusting google maps as you recommend, what time do you suggest we leave the lodge? Thanks for all the timely information you provide.
Sammi says
Earlier the better because there is a lot of traffic on that route and you will need to give more time for returning the rental car or for bathroom stops, etc. I’d give yourself at least 3 hours for the total time to get to the airport from Tapirus.
Betsy says
Hi Sammi,
We are visiting CR for the first time and flying in to Liberia but we will be picking up our adult kids (with our rental car) from SJO a few days later. Just in case someone’s cell phone doesn’t work, I want to have a plan for where we should meet them. Can you recommend a spot? Would the Starbucks make sense or is there a landmark that we can drive right up to?
Thanks,
Betsy
Veronica says
hello, we are arriving at San Jose airport at 13:20 end of February.
we have not confirmed our rental car yet- to do this week. I saw in your blog we will need approximately 1 hour for customs and immigration.
Our destination is the “treehouse hotel Santa Clara, San Carlos with estimation time of 2 hour drive.
Any tips for our drive?
thank you, much appreciated.
Veronica
yeison says
Hello Veronica,
The drive is relatively easy, my only recommendation is to get a GPS or use an app called WAZE in your smartphone. You can rent a GPS with your car rental company or you can also buy SimCard if your phone is unlocked.
Eve says
Is there a place to securely check baggage at San Jose Airport?
We are arriving at 7am and meeting the rest of our party at 2pm and thought we would go into town for a few hours and then return to the airport.
Sammi says
Unfortunately no there isn’t 🙁
Iqbal says
HI Sammy,
Love your blog with loads of useful info. My wife and I will arrive in San Jose by Aircanada on 23 December around 1 PM We will be staying at Redison Hotel. Could you advise us the best way to reach or hotel from the airport. I have an Uber account in Montreal. Would it work in San Jose?
Sammi says
Hi, Uber will work here in CR too and that is an easy to way to get to your hotel!
Steve says
Is there a place like a cellphone lot to wait on arrivals? Don’t want to use paid parking lot unless I have too, takes too long to get out.
Steve
Sammi says
Unfortunately no I don’t believe so, I have seen people wait outside the airport by the side of the road but it’s not a parking lot or anything, just a small shoulder.
Isabella says
Hello, I will be flying into San Jose around 11;30 AM in January of 2020. Do you think I will have enough time to purchase a bus ticket and make it on to the noon bus for departure to Puerto Viejo? Also, is the Atlantico Terminal located inside of the San Jose Airport? If you do not think I will be able to make it onto the bus, do you think I should prepurchase a private shuttle? If I do this, do you think it is safe to take a taxi to the nearest Denny’s to wait for the shuttle? I am a female and I will be traveling alone.
Sammi says
You definitely will not make the noon bus because you need to go through immigration and customs and the bus terminal is about a 30 minute drive from the airport. There should be another bus to Puerto Viejo at 2 and 4 PM though so you can grab the 2 PM one.
You can also take a shared shuttle, there is one with Interbus at 3 PM and you have to go take a taxi to the Denny’s across the street. This is super common, tons of tourists take taxis to the Denny’s and tons of tourists are there because there are also a couple of airport hotels and it’s a really popular meeting point.
Jovana says
Hi, I’m going to costa in 2 weeks for vacation. I’ll be flying into SJO. Do Uber drivers drive from SJO to Jaco, or should I get a shuttle?
Sammi says
We haven’t personally but I have heard of several people getting Ubers from the San Jose airport to Jaco before
Jerry Johnston says
I am arriving tomorrow at 8pm at the San Jose Airport. I want to catch an Uber to downtown San Jose. Last January I had to catch the Uber outside the airport. Is that the same requirement (to catch Uber outside the airport)?
Sammi says
Last time we went they had us to go the bus stop at the west end, so walk towards the Malinche restaurant (to the right) when you exit and keep going.
Shel says
I am traveling with a group later this month and our flight arrives into San Jose at 6:21 am on a Saturday. We wanted to purchase our alcohol at the duty free shop at the airport before heading to Jaco. Is the duty free open that early in the morning?
Sammi says
I would think so but not 100% sure.
olivia says
Hi there! Flying into SJO this saturday at 145pm. Do you think we will make it to the bus station in time for the 4pm bus to Puerto Viejo? Or will we need to stay the night and leave the next morning? Thanks
Sammi says
You can probably make it in time, but this bus is very popular so hopefully it won’t be sold out when you get there, that would be my only concern since it is a Saturday and a lot of locals go to PV on the weekends and we are now entering a busy tourism time.
Daniel Boyd says
We have a relatively late arrival time. Will car rental places still be open? It looks like they close pretty early. Otherwise I was thinking we would take an Uber to our Airbnb and pick up a rental car the following day. What are your suggestions on that?
Sammi says
If you are picking up the car at the airport office, most companies will wait for you until you land regardless of how late it is so you can get the car. If you want to go straight to your hotel and pick up the car the next day, that works too.
Sammi says
I would recommend in advance otherwise you can get a taxi or Uber.
Violeta Castillo says
Hello should I book a private shuttle in advance or should i get one when I land?
Paul Dufresne says
Hello Sammi,
This is our first trip to Costa Rica. We will be in Playa Bejuco for one month in February 2020. I know its seems far away but we just wanted to have our reservations done early!
Could you tell me if there is a shuttle from san Jose airport to Playa Bejuco? We were not planning on renting a car right away. I would like to know my way around a little bit first.
Love your comments so far!!!
Thank you very much !
Paul and Janice
Sammi says
Hi Paul, there isn’t, the only option for to Bejuco is a private shuttle or taxi. It costs around $140 I believe and I can check with our provider to see exactly how much it is if you like because it’s a bit further south than Jaco.
Jim Cacioppo says
Hi Sammi,
Your blog has been great to help us with our trip to Costa Rica. Do you have any tips for a late flight (2:30 am) out of San Jose without booking a hotel in the city? We are staying in Jaco and looking for something safe to do until going to the airport around 11:00 since we have to have the car back by 11pm. Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Sammi says
Hi Jim, to be at the airport by 11 PM, you should leave Jaco by 930 PM and for the day, you could check out Best Western Jaco, Villa Caletas or Punta Leona Resort to see if you can get a day pass. I’m not sure the hours it is valid for but at least then you’d be able to leave your luggage and car in a secure area and you can enjoy the facilities of the hotels. PUnta Leona Resort is very nice because it has a private entrance to Playa Blanca, a beautiful white sand beach and you can go to their pool and facilities. Villa Caletas has an amphitheater to watch the sunset and they have a bar and restaurant. If anything, there is also a movie theater (very small) in Jaco if the day pass ends at like 6 or 7 PM.
Gayle says
I will also be there Feb 2020 from Calif. I never feel it is a long time way. I always start with planning one year with research. Final plans are made 2 mths before
I always rent a car on trips. I will never rent one in Costa Rica. Way too dangerous.
Sarah says
Hi Gayle,
I’m interested to know what you think is dangerous about renting a car here? We rented and then bought one and though the roads can be challenging I’ve never felt like it’s dangerous.
Just interested.
Laura says
Hey Sammi, this is such a wonderful blog! I’m moving to San José in July to work at one of the international schools and your posts about Uber, the airport, and lots of other topics have been so beneficial. Keep up the great work!
Sammi says
Hi Laura, glad the blog has been helpful and have fun in Costa Rica!
JTK says
Hello MyTanFeet!
Just wanted to give a big thank you for your site! My Wife and I are long time US Expats working in international schools, currently in Dongguan China, and will be visiting Costa Rica this 2018 for summer for vacation, with potential investment/retirement interests. We just finished booking everything for our 2 week Costa Rica road trip today! Well everything but the car rental, and will do that soon through your partner Adobe.
We wanted to thank you so much for your site which helped us plan!
Sammi says
Hi JTK! Thank you for the kind words and we’re glad to hear the blog has been helpful. We hope you have a wonderful time in Costa Rica and thank you for reading our blog!