Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)

International arrivals follow a standard sequence through passport control, baggage collection, and customs inspection before entering the public greeting area.

• Disembark the aircraft via jet bridge or bus transfer to reach the international arrivals hall.
• Proceed to passport control, presenting a valid passport, return or onward travel ticket, and your declared accommodation address.
• Collect checked luggage from the designated carousels located directly after immigration.
• Pass all personal belongings and checked luggage through x-ray screening at customs inspection.
• Exit into the public landside arrivals hall, ignoring uncredentialed transport solicitors.

• Taxi

  Official Airport Taxi

  Licensed orange taxis (Taxis Unidos) operate directly outside the arrivals hall with fixed or metered rates.

  Tiempo:

  roughly 30-60 minutes

  Costo habitual:

  typically USD 25-35

• Autobús

  Public Bus

  TUASA and Station buses depart frequently from the main road stop just outside the airport grounds towards central San José.

  Tiempo:

  roughly 45-70 minutes

  Costo habitual:

  typically USD 1-2

• Transporte VTC

  Rideshare (Uber)

  Available via mobile app; pickup generally takes place near the main road or public parking areas outside the terminal curb.

  Tiempo:

  roughly 30-60 minutes

  Costo habitual:

  typically USD 15-25

• Alquiler de coches

  Car Rental

  Rental company desks are located in the arrivals concourse, with courtesy shuttles running to off-site depot lots.

  Tiempo:

  roughly 30-60 minutes to city centre

  Costo habitual:

  varies by vehicle type and insurance

Transferring from international to domestic flights requires clearing immigration, retrieving luggage, and walking to the nearby domestic terminal.

• Clear Costa Rican passport control and customs, bringing all checked baggage with you.
• Exit the main international terminal and turn left to walk roughly 200 metres along the sidewalk to the Domestic Terminal.
• Check in luggage and clear security at the domestic terminal for local onward flights.
• Allow a minimum connection window of 2 to 3 hours between international and domestic flights.

Complimentary wireless internet access is available throughout the main airport terminal.

• Select the network named 'SJO Free WiFi' on your mobile device.
• A captive portal page will launch, requiring acceptance of standard terms and conditions.
• Connection sessions are typically limited in duration but can be renewed upon expiry.
• Speed is sufficient for general messaging, email, and basic web browsing.

Cash machines and currency exchange facilities operate in both arrival and departure zones.

• Automated teller machines (ATMs) dispense both US Dollars (USD) and Costa Rican Colón (CRC).
• US Dollars are widely accepted for major travel expenses, tour bookings, and taxis throughout Costa Rica.
• Currency exchange kiosks are situated near the baggage claim area and in the public arrivals concourse.
• Major credit cards are broadly accepted in urban areas, hotels, and established businesses.

Dining choices are available both before security landside and within the international departure lounges airside.

• Limited grab-and-go options and small cafes are situated in the landside public arrivals area.
• The airside departures concourse features international fast-food chains, local food options, and coffee shops.
• Vending machines providing bottled water and snacks are positioned throughout waiting areas.

Airside VIP lounges offer quiet waiting spaces for eligible international departure passengers.

• VIP Lounge Costa Rica and VIP Santamaria Lounge operate within the airside international departures hall.
• Access is granted through select airline premium class tickets, lounge pass memberships, or single-entry purchase at the door.
• Facilities include comfortable seating, complimentary refreshments, Wi-Fi, and device charging stations.

While there are no terminal-connected hotels, numerous options exist within a short drive of the airport.

• No accommodation is located directly inside the airport terminal building.
• Several international chain hotels and local lodges are located within 2 to 5 kilometres of the airport perimeter.
• Many nearby accommodation providers supply pre-arranged hotel shuttle buses to and from the arrivals area.

Luggage retrieval and assistance services are situated on the ground level of the main terminal.

• Baggage claim carousels are located immediately after passing through passport control.
• Report damaged or uncollected luggage directly to your operating airline's baggage desk near the carousels.
• Luggage protection wrapping services are available landside on the departures check-in level.

Standard facilities exist across the main terminal to support passengers travelling with children.

• Baby-changing tables are integrated into selected accessible restrooms across the terminal facilities.
• Dedicated priority lanes at passport control are frequently offered to travellers with infants or young children.
• A small children's play area is located airside within the main international departures concourse.

• ATMs
• Currency Exchange Kiosks
• Car Rental Desks
• Duty-Free Shops
• Restaurants and Cafes
• VIP Lounges
• Tourist Information Counters

Número de emergencia local: Dial 911 for all national emergency services.

• Dial 911 for emergency assistance including police, ambulance, or fire service nationwide.
• A dedicated first-aid and medical post is available inside the main terminal for urgent healthcare needs.
• In the event of a lost passport, contact your country's embassy or consular representation in San José.

• Verifica la validez de tu pasaporte y cualquier visado, ETA o declaración de entrada requerida.
• Confirma tu terminal de salida en tu tarjeta de embarque el día anterior.
• Activa una travel eSIM para estar conectado nada más aterrizar.
• Descarga mapas sin conexión y haz una captura de pantalla de la dirección de tu hotel y la referencia de tu reserva.
• Informa a tu banco de que vas a viajar y lleva una tarjeta de pago de respaldo.
• Guarda el número de emergencia local y el contacto de tu embajada en tu teléfono.
• Fotografía tu pasaporte y guarda la copia en un lugar al que puedas acceder sin conexión.
• Comprueba la franquicia de equipaje y los artículos restringidos para tu destino.

Las operaciones aeroportuarias cambian. Confirma siempre las terminales, tarifas y horarios con las fuentes oficiales que se indican a continuación antes de viajar.

• Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría - Official SiteFuente oficial del aeropuerto
• Dirección General de Migración y ExtranjeríaFuente gubernamental
• Ministerio de Hacienda - Servicio Nacional de AduanasFuente gubernamental
• Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1 Costa RicaFuente gubernamental
• Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)Fuente gubernamental