The San Jose (SJO) airport, Juan Santamaria,  is the airport where most of our trips begin. Costa Rica is home to many small airstrips and only three international airports. Only two of these international airports get large planes, San Jose airport and the Liberia airport. The other international airport is in Pavas, San Jose but if this gets an international flight it is usually a Central American charter flight.  

The Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) is located in the Central Valley which is in the middle of the country. The elevation is around 3,000ft surrounded by volcanoes and mountains. The airport itself is actually in the town of Alajuela and 15 miles outside of San Jose.  Many times you don’t even need to pass through San Jose when leaving the airport such as if you are heading to the Pacific Coast or to the Arenal Volcano.

The San Jose airport is called the Juan Santamaria Airport and is a very modern airport with places to eat, gift shops (most of which are owned by Café Britt), and internet access throughout. There is a foodcourt where you can get all the fast food you need at a 5-Star price.  The airport is only one run-way but a number of flights come and go daily most from Europe, US, and other Central American countries.

The airport supplies a taxi service of orange colored taxi’s which is a group that is strictly for the airport. They also supply luggage carriers so you can wheel your bags from the carousel out only as far as the door of the airport then it is up to you to figure out a way to carry your things.

The San Jose airport also offers a parking garage that is sometimes filled but if not is an excellent safe place to leave your car. There is a charge when leaving so do not lose your ticket.  Also in part of this airport you will find that smaller charter companies operate using the same runway but different areas of check-in and drop off. The domestic airline Sansa flies into the San Jose airport of Juan Santamaria and you arrive as a local transfer which means you do not need to show your passport when arriving.

If you need a place to stay or wait just outside the airport you will find a Denny’s and a Hampton Inn which are known as popular meeting spots for tour companies or people waiting for flights. The traffic getting over there is interesting.