Flights to San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO)

Discover San Jose Juan Santamaria

Costa Rica is rich in natural resources, beachfront vistas, and pre-Columbian culture. Situated in between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, it has much to offer to an adventurous traveler or someone who just wants to relax and be pampered. And most visitors’ trips to Costa Rica begin with flights to San José Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO).

Facilities at San José Juan Santamaria Airport

Booking cheap flights to San José Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) is easy and convenient. Many United States airlines fly to this airport including American Airlines, Delta, Jet Blue, Spirit, United, US Air, and Southwest.

The airport is located near the city of Alajuela, which is located 12 miles from the capital city of San José. The government has authorized only one taxi company, Taxis Unidos, to provide service. The cabs are orange and generally cost less than $25. Buses run from the road outside the airport to downtown for less than $1.

Things to Do Near San José Juan Santamaria Airport

The capital city of Costa Rica is San José, which is located only 20 minutes away from the airport. It has many museums that highlight the rich pre-Columbian culture of the region including the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Jade Museum, Museo Nacional, and Museo de los Niños, which is an excellent children's museum. Travelers can also schedule sightseeing tours around the city that highlight centuries of architecture or simply stroll the Parque La Sabana, an oasis in the middle of the urban city.

If your flight to the San José Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) allows for only a brief journey into Costa Rica, you'll still find plenty to do near the airport. With over 500,000 plant and animal species in the country, nature's diversity is easy to witness in Costa Rica. The Spirogyra Butterfly Farm and the Botanical Garden are tranquil escapes. The Alajuela Cathedral and Iglesia la Agonia (Church of Agony) showcase the religious heritage of the region, and located just 22 miles north of Alajuela is Poás Volcano National Park, a popular attraction that contains one of Costa Rica's active volcanos.

Travel Tips for San José Juan Santamaria Airport

Costa Rica has been a peaceful democracy for decades and doesn’t have an army. It’s one of the safest places to travel in the Americas. It rains year round in Costa Rica, so once you book your cheap flights to San José Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO), make sure to pack a rain jacket. The drier season generally lasts from December through April. The busiest travel times to Costa Rica are around Christmas, New Year, and Easter. Hotels during these times are booked well in advance. It’s recommended that travelers arrive at San José Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) at least three hours prior to their departure time. Costa Rica's unit of currency is the cólon, but they accept U.S. dollars almost everywhere, provided that the bills are small. So, if you plan on using U.S. currency, don’t carry $50s and $100s.