Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)

San José (Alajuela), CR 🇨🇷 Large International Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

MROC

IATA

SJO

Elevation

3021 ft

Region

CR-A

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: MROC

Local Code: Not available

Location: 9.99386° N, -84.208801° E

Continent: NA

Type: Large International Airport

Arrivals

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Departures

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External Links

Official Website Wikipedia Live Flights

Nearby Points of Interest

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What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) generally receives positive reviews from recent travelers, often described as a modern, clean, and efficient hub that has significantly improved over the years. It's recognized as one of the most reliable and passenger-friendly airports in Central America. However, some key areas continue to be points of frustration for visitors.

What Travelers Love

Modern and Clean Facilities: The airport is frequently praised for its modern design and cleanliness, contributing to an overall pleasant environment.
Efficient Immigration and Baggage Claim (Outside Peak Hours): While peak times can be challenging, immigration and customs are often described as smooth and quick during off-peak hours, and baggage claim is generally very efficient.
Free Wi-Fi and Good Amenities: Travelers appreciate the availability of free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, along with a decent selection of shops, including duty-free, souvenir stores, and various dining establishments.
Ongoing Improvements and Expansion: The airport is undergoing a significant expansion, including a new west terminal, advanced baggage handling systems, a larger customs area, and the introduction of self-check-in and self-bag drop kiosks, aiming to further enhance efficiency for 2024-2025.

Common Complaints

Exorbitantly Expensive Food and Drinks: A recurring and significant complaint is the "criminal price" of food and beverages within the terminal, with items often costing much more than outside the airport.
Long Immigration and Security Lines: During peak arrival times (around noon) and early morning departures (6:00-7:30 AM), immigration lines can stretch up to two hours, and security wait times can also be considerable.
High Parking Costs and Security Concerns: On-site parking is available but is expensive, costing up to $35 per day or $200 per week. There have also been reports of car break-ins and theft from personal belongings at security.
Unreliable Public Transportation and Poor Money Exchange Rates: While official orange taxis are generally safe, public buses are considered unreliable and prone to pickpockets. Additionally, the exchange rates offered at the airport's money exchange are often unfavorable.

Overall, Juan Santamaría International Airport is a growing and generally well-regarded airport with modern amenities and a commitment to improvement. Travelers should be prepared for potentially long waits during peak periods, high prices for food and parking, and consider alternative transportation and currency exchange options.

Generated False weeks ago

This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)

Newly Discovered

Popular Flight Routes

Building Route Index: We are building our route index for commercial airports. Currently 60 routes are indexed for Juan Santamaría International Airport. For real-time updates, admin access is required.

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Top Airlines

Operating at Juan Santamaría International Airport

Airlines by Flight Activity

Based on observed flight operations and route network

Airline	Routes	Flights	Destinations	Last Activity
SANSA Airlines `LRS` / `RZ`	12	132	12	Dec 8, 2025
Avianca `AVA` / `AV`	8	38	8	Nov 25, 2025
CARGOMASTER `CRG` / `GW`	4	21	4	Aug 24, 2025
Avianca Costa Rica `LRC` / `LR`	5	21	5	Oct 12, 2025
Copa Airlines `CMP` / `CM`	1	16	1	Oct 12, 2025
American Airlines `AAL` / `AA`	4	16	4	Nov 25, 2025
Volaris Costa Rica `VOC` / `Q6`	1	10	1	Oct 12, 2025
United `UAL` / `UA`	2	9	2	Aug 19, 2025
JetBlue `JBU` / `B6`	3	7	3	Nov 25, 2025
Air Canada `ACA` / `AC`	2	6	2	Aug 19, 2025

Showing top 10 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.

For Pilots

Designation	Length	Width	Surface	Status
`07/25`	9882 ft	151 ft	ASP	Active Lighted

Type	Description	Frequency
ACC	COCO CON	`119.6 MHz`
APP	COCO APP	`120.5 MHz`
CLD	CLNC	`121.3 MHz`
GND	GND	`121.9 MHz`
RDO	COCO RDO	`126.8 MHz`
TWR	COCO TWR	`118.6 MHz`

Ident	Name	Type	Frequency
`HOR`	Horcones	NDB	`260 kHz`
`TIO`	El Coco	VOR-DME	`115700 kHz`

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Taxis

Official, metered airport taxis (orange-colored) are available directly outside the arrivals terminal. These are the only authorized taxis and provide regulated fares. Ride-sharing services like Uber and DiDi also operate, though drivers may ask you to meet them at the departures level upstairs or a short walk away from the main exit.

Rental Cars

Many major international and local car rental companies have service desks inside the arrivals hall, just after you clear customs. Brands include Alamo, National, Hertz, Sixt, Enterprise, and local agencies like Adobe and Vamos. After checking in at the desk, a company shuttle will transport you to their nearby off-site lot to pick up your vehicle.

Public Transportation

Public buses are the most economical option. The bus stops are not directly at the terminal but are a short 5-minute walk out to the main highway. Buses run frequently to downtown San José (look for TUASA buses) and the nearby city of Alajuela. This is a good option for budget travelers with light luggage.

Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.