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.

  Tempo:

  roughly 30-60 minutes

  Costo tipico:

  typically USD 25-35

• Autobus

  Public Bus

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

  Tempo:

  roughly 45-70 minutes

  Costo tipico:

  typically USD 1-2

• Servizi di ride-hailing

  Rideshare (Uber)

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

  Tempo:

  roughly 30-60 minutes

  Costo tipico:

  typically USD 15-25

• Noleggio auto

  Car Rental

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

  Tempo:

  roughly 30-60 minutes to city centre

  Costo tipico:

  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

Numero di emergenza locale: 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.

• Controlla la validità del passaporto e qualsiasi visto, ETA o dichiarazione di ingresso richiesta.
• Conferma il terminal di partenza sulla tua carta d'imbarco il giorno prima.
• Attiva una eSIM da viaggio per essere online appena atterri.
• Scarica mappe offline e fai uno screenshot dell'indirizzo del tuo hotel e del riferimento della prenotazione.
• Comunica alla tua banca che sei in viaggio e porta con te una carta di pagamento di riserva.
• Salva il numero di emergenza locale e il contatto della tua ambasciata nel telefono.
• Fotografa il passaporto e memorizza la copia in un luogo accessibile offline.
• Controlla la franchigia bagaglio e gli articoli soggetti a restrizioni per la tua destinazione.

Le operazioni aeroportuali cambiano. Conferma sempre terminal, tariffe e orari con le fonti ufficiali qui sotto prima di viaggiare.

• Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría - Official SiteFonte ufficiale dell'aeroporto
• Dirección General de Migración y ExtranjeríaFonte governativa
• Ministerio de Hacienda - Servicio Nacional de AduanasFonte governativa
• Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1 Costa RicaFonte governativa
• Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)Fonte governativa