The Guatemala City to San José (Alajuela) route connects La Aurora Airport (GUA) in GT with Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in CR. This short-haul flight covers approximately 532 miles (856 km) with a typical flight time of 1h 5m. This route is served by 11 airlines: Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia Airlines, Volga-Dnepr Airlines, Avianca Costa Rica and others. AirportRoutes has tracked 20 daily flights on this route.
Okay, I will research the flight route from La Aurora Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City, GT to Juan Santamaria Int'l (SJO) in San Jose, CR, and provide the information in four sections as requested.
Here's the information about the flight route from Guatemala City to San Jose, Costa Rica, structured into four sections:
The flight route from La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica, is a popular connection for both business and leisure travelers. This route serves as a vital link between Central American capitals, facilitating tourism, commerce, and cultural exchange. The average flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 34-36 minutes. Travelers often choose this connection for its convenience and efficiency, providing a direct and relatively quick way to travel between the two countries. The flight distance is about 530-531 miles (855-860 km). There are no notable historical facts, but the flight can offer scenic views of Central America's landscapes, depending on the flight path and weather conditions.
To secure good prices, it's generally advisable to book flights in advance, and to be flexible with your travel dates. For navigating La Aurora Airport (GUA), arrive at least 3 hours before your flight. Inside the airport, transportation such as pre-paid taxis or Ubers is available. Once through immigration, ATMs and SIM cards are available. At Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), be prepared for potential lines at immigration and customs, with wait times varying. It is also important not to confuse SJO with San Jose, California (SJC) or San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU). Consider bringing your own food, especially for early morning flights. Check in for your flight online 24 hours in advance.
San José, Costa Rica, is a vibrant capital city with numerous attractions. Top attractions include the National Theater (Teatro Nacional), a stunning architectural gem, the Jade Museum (Museo del Jade), which houses the world's largest collection of American jade, and the Central Market (Mercado Central), where you can experience local life and cuisine. La Sabana Metropolitan Park is a must-visit for any visitor to the capital. The best neighborhoods to visit are downtown San Jose, Barrio Escalante and Barrio Amon. Try traditional Costa Rican food at the Central Market or local "sodas" (small restaurants).
The best time to visit San José is during the dry season, from December to April, offering sunny skies and ideal conditions for outdoor activities. Avoid peak travel times such as Holy Week (late March/early April), when many locals head to the beaches. For a balance of good weather and lower prices, consider May through July, when the landscapes are lush and the crowds are fewer. Independence Day (September 15th) features colorful parades. Christmas and New Year's Eve are also celebrated with festive lights.
MGGTGUAJuan Santamaría International Airport
MROCSJO11
Operators20
Daily Flights532
Miles1h 5m
Flight Duration
| Airline | ICAO | IATA |
|---|---|---|
| Avianca |
AVA
|
AV
|
| Volaris Costa Rica |
VOC
|
Q6
|
| Avianca Costa Rica |
LRC
|
LR
|
| Copa Airlines |
CMP
|
CM
|
| Avianca El Salvador |
TAI
|
TA
|
| LATAM Cargo Colombia |
LAE
|
L7
|
| Volaris |
VOI
|
Y4
|
| AeroUnion |
TNO
|
6R
|
| Avianca Cargo |
TPA
|
QT
|
| JOS |
JOS
|
L3
|
| Wingo |
WWP
|
-
|
| Day | Flights Observed | Frequency | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 48 | 11% |
|
| Tuesday | 48 | 11% |
|
| Wednesday | 65 | 15% |
|
| Thursday | 79 | 19% |
|
| Friday | 70 | 17% |
|
| Saturday | 60 | 14% |
|
| Sunday | 51 | 12% |
|
Pattern Analysis
| Airline | Flight Numbers | Aircraft Type | Typical Time | Days Active | Last Seen | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AeroUnion
TNO
/ 6R
|
TNO4269 | A333 | 17:12 5:12 PM (Representative) |
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
Feb 11, 2026 | Active |
|
Avianca
AVA
/ AV
|
AVA655 AVA651 AVA631 AVA641 AVA653 | A20N | 06:10 6:10 AM (Representative) |
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
Feb 13, 2026 | Active |
|
Avianca Cargo
TPA
/ QT
|
- | A332 | - |
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
Aug 23, 2025 | Active |
|
Avianca Costa Rica
LRC
/ LR
|
LRC655 LRC651 LRC631 LRC641 LRC653 | A20N | 06:10 6:10 AM (Representative) |
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
Feb 13, 2026 | Active |
|
Avianca El Salvador
TAI
/ TA
|
TAI641 TAI651 TAI655 | A20N | 21:40 9:40 PM (Representative) |
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
Feb 5, 2026 | Active |
|
Copa Airlines
CMP
/ CM
|
CMP392 | B738 | 06:24 6:24 AM (Representative) |
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
Feb 13, 2026 | Active |
|
JOS
JOS
/ L3
|
- | B752 | - |
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
Nov 20, 2025 | Active |
|
LATAM Cargo Colombia
LAE
/ L7
|
LAE1803 LAE1801 | B763 | 12:30 12:30 PM (Representative) |
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
Jan 25, 2026 | Active |
|
Volaris
VOI
/ Y4
|
- | A320 | - |
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
Sep 26, 2025 | Active |
|
Volaris Costa Rica
VOC
/ Q6
|
VOC4061 VOC4069 | A20N | 05:45 5:45 AM (Representative) |
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
Feb 13, 2026 | Active |
|
Wingo
WWP
|
- | B738 | - |
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
Nov 20, 2025 | Active |
| Departure Time | Operator | ICAO | IATA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05:45 5:45 AM | Volaris Costa Rica |
VOC
|
Q6
|
| 06:10 6:10 AM | Avianca |
AVA
|
AV
|
| 06:10 6:10 AM | Avianca Costa Rica |
LRC
|
LR
|
| 06:24 6:24 AM | Copa Airlines |
CMP
|
CM
|
| 12:30 12:30 PM | LATAM Cargo Colombia |
LAE
|
L7
|
| 17:12 5:12 PM | AeroUnion |
TNO
|
6R
|
| 21:40 9:40 PM | Avianca El Salvador |
TAI
|
TA
|
Time Information
Times are shown in the departure airport's local timezone (MGGT - America/Guatemala).