Airport
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Juan Santamaría International Airport is the main gateway to San José and Costa Rica's Central Valley, with easy onward access to the Pacific coast and northern destinations. Compare transfer options to downtown San José, Alajuela, La Fortuna, Jacó, Manuel Antonio and nearby areas to plan your journey with ease.
Passengers
Luggage
About Juan Santamaría International Airport
Juan Santamaría International Airport is the primary international airport serving San José, the capital of Costa Rica, and the surrounding Central Valley. Located in Alajuela Province, about 20 km northwest of downtown San José, it is the country's main gateway for international and domestic air travel.
The airport is named after Costa Rica's national hero, Juan Santamaría. It connects the country with destinations across North, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Europe, and serves as a hub for several local airlines.
Passenger services operate through a main international terminal and a smaller domestic terminal next to it, with domestic flights run mainly by Sansa Airlines and Costa Rica Green Airways. The compact layout makes it relatively easy to move between the two terminal buildings.
Transport links include buses, taxis, private transfers, shuttle services and car rental, providing onward connections to San José, Alajuela and popular destinations such as La Fortuna, Jacó and other regions of the country.
Terminal Overview
Terminals
Juan Santamaría International Airport has two passenger terminals: a main international terminal serving international flights and a smaller domestic terminal next to it. The domestic terminal primarily handles flights operated by Sansa Airlines and Costa Rica Green Airways, and the two buildings are within a short walking distance.
Ground Transportation Services to and from Juan Santamaría International Airport
Transfers
Book private transfers from Juan Santamaría International Airport to hotels, downtown San José, Alajuela and other destinations across Costa Rica.
Hourly Chauffeur
Arrange a professional chauffeur by the hour for flexible travel from the airport, business meetings, events or trips around San José and the Central Valley.
Car Rental
Rent a car from Juan Santamaría International Airport for independent travel around Costa Rica and onward journeys to coastal and mountain destinations.
Bus & Group Transfers
Organize minibuses or charter buses for groups travelling between SJO, hotels, event venues and destinations such as La Fortuna, Jacó and Manuel Antonio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Destinations
View all
San José
Costa Rica's capital, San José, spreads across the Central Valley, where neoclassical buildings, vibrant markets, museums and coffee culture meet a busy commercial core.
Puntarenas
Puntarenas, a historic Pacific port in Costa Rica, blends a lively seafood culture and seafront promenade with ferry links to the Nicoya Peninsula.
Limón
Limón, Costa Rica's principal Caribbean port, blends Afro-Caribbean culture, historic architecture and lush tropical surroundings with a relaxed yet vibrant coastal atmosphere.
Heredia
Heredia, a historic coffee city in Costa Rica's Central Valley, mixes colonial landmarks and a vibrant university scene with a growing business sector and easy access to nearby natural areas.