Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
ICAO: MROC
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Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) Arrivals & Departures — check real-time flight status, delays, gate changes, and baggage claim information for all domestic and international flights at SJO.
Overview
Juan Santamaría International Airport (IATA: SJO, ICAO: MROC) is the primary international airport serving San José, the capital of Costa Rica, and the busiest airport in the country. Located about 20 km northwest of San José city centre in the city of Alajuela, SJO is the main hub for Volaris Costa Rica (Q6) and a key base for Copa Airlines (CM), Avianca (AV), and SANSA (RZ).
Opened in 1958 and named after Juan Santamaría, the national hero of Costa Rica, the airport has grown to become the main gateway to the country and the second-busiest airport in Central America. It operates a single, modern main terminal that handles all international arrivals and departures, along with a smaller Domestic Terminal located a short walk away for domestic flights operated by SANSA and Aerobell. The terminal features 31 check-in counters, 10 gates (including 9 with jet bridges), and a duty-free area. The airport also has a dedicated cargo area and is connected to San José and Alajuela by bus, taxi, and ride-hailing services.
SJO connects to over 39 destinations across North America, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe, served by more than 25 airlines. It is a key hub for Volaris Costa Rica (Q6) and a major gateway between Central America and the rest of the world. Popular routes include Miami (MIA), New York (JFK, EWR), Los Angeles (LAX), Mexico City (MEX), Panama City (PTY), Bogotá (BOG), Lima (LIM), and Madrid (MAD).
In 2024, Juan Santamaría International Airport handled approximately 5.7 million passengers, maintaining its position as Costa Rica’s busiest airport and a key driver of the country’s tourism industry. The airport has been recognized as the Best Airport in Latin America and the Caribbean in its category (5–15 million passengers) by the ASQ Airport Service Quality Awards. It also achieved carbon neutrality certifications (Level 3 and 3+) from the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, making it the fifth airport in Latin America to reach this milestone.
Popular Destinations from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Central American and Caribbean routes include Panama City (PTY), Guatemala City (GUA), San Salvador (SAL), Mexico City (MEX), Cancún (CUN), and Liberia (LIR). Airlines serving these routes include Copa Airlines (CM), Avianca (AV), Volaris Costa Rica (Q6), and SANSA (RZ).
South American and European routes include Bogotá (BOG), Lima (LIM), Medellín (MDE), Madrid (MAD), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS), and Zurich (ZRH). Airlines serving these routes include Avianca (AV), Copa Airlines (CM), Iberia (IB), Iberojet (E9), Lufthansa (LH), KLM (KL), and Edelweiss (WK).
The airport connects over 39 destinations across North America, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe, operated by more than 25 airlines.
Terminals
Juan Santamaría International Airport operates two passenger terminals — the Main Terminal and the Domestic Terminal — located a short walk apart.
The Main Terminal handles all international arrivals and departures. It features 31 check-in counters, 10 gates (including 9 with jet bridges), and a duty-free area. The terminal was extensively modernized in recent years, with improvements to infrastructure, technology, and passenger services. It offers a range of passenger amenities including duty-free shops, cafes and restaurants, a business lounge, free Wi-Fi, and a tourist information desk.
The Domestic Terminal is a smaller, separate building located a short walk to the left when exiting the Main Terminal. It serves domestic flights operated by SANSA (RZ) and Aerobell, with connections to popular tourist destinations across Costa Rica, including Liberia (LIR), Quepos (XQP), and Golfito (GLF). A free shuttle bus also runs between the Domestic Terminal and the Main Terminal.
Passengers connecting from an international arrival to a domestic flight must clear customs and immigration first, then exit the Main Terminal and walk to the Domestic Terminal. The walk takes about 5 minutes.
The minimum connection time at SJO is 90 minutes for international-to-domestic transfers and 60 minutes for domestic-to-domestic transfers.
| Terminal | Purpose | Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Main Terminal | International flights | Avianca (AV), Copa Airlines (CM), United Airlines (UA), American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL), Southwest Airlines (WN), Air Canada (AC), Volaris Costa Rica (Q6), Iberia (IB), Lufthansa (LH), KLM (KL) |
| Domestic Terminal | Domestic flights | SANSA (RZ), Aerobell |
Transportation
Juan Santamaría International Airport is well connected to San José city centre and the surrounding region through several transport options. The airport is located about 20 km northwest of San José city centre.
Bus (TUASA and Pulmitan de Liberia)
Public buses connect the airport to San José city centre. TUASA operates a service from the airport to Torre Mercedes in downtown San José every 10 minutes, with a journey time of about 34 minutes and a fare of approximately 600–800 CRC (approximately $1–1.50). Pulmitan de Liberia also operates a route from the airport to San José, with buses running hourly. Buses depart from the stop outside the Main Terminal.
Taxi
Official orange taxis are available 24/7 outside the Arrivals hall. The journey to San José city centre takes about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic and costs approximately $25–35 USD. Only official taxis should be used. Unofficial drivers soliciting inside the terminal should be declined.
Ride-hailing
Uber operates at SJO. Pick-up zones are clearly marked outside the Main Terminal. Prices are usually similar to or slightly cheaper than official taxis, with fares to San José city centre typically $20–30 USD.
Private Transfer
Book a driver in advance for a stress-free arrival. Prices start from $25 USD for a sedan (up to 3 passengers), including meet & greet in the arrivals hall and 60 minutes of free waiting time. Popular with families and business travellers.
Car Rental
Major international and local car rental companies operate at SJO, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, and Enterprise. Pickup counters are located in the Arrivals hall of the Main Terminal.
Car Rental at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Compare live rates from Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, and Enterprise. Pickup counters are located in the Arrivals hall of the Main Terminal. Free cancellation on most bookings.
🚗 Search available cars →Hotels Near Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Choose from 20+ hotels near Juan Santamaría International Airport — from budget options like Hotel Aeropuerto and Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport to premium brands like the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen and the DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari San Jose. Free airport shuttle available at most properties.
🏨 See nearby hotels →Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) Map & Layout
Interactive map showing terminals, parking, taxi stands, ride-hailing pickup zones, and nearby landmarks.