San José Airport Arrivals (SJO)

Flight Arrivals at San José Airport

When you arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport, pick up your baggage and other personal things at the appropriate baggage claim areas on the ground level of the building.

Please note that SJO has four baggage claim areas. Your bags will generally arrive very quickly. If you have not collected your baggage upon arrival, you must notify your airline, which will help you locate it.

Please bring all personal items with you. For lost items at Juan Santamaría International Airport, please contact Aeris Operations and Security Office at + 305 2437-2610, which is functional from Monday-Friday, 8 am to 4:00 pm.

Important Note:

Juan Santamaría International Airport was ranked second after Tocumen International Airport in Panamá as the busiest airport in Central America.

Avianca Costa Rica, Costa Rica Green Airways, Sansa Airlines, and Volaris Costa Rica use the airport as a hub, and Copa Airlines operates it as a focus city. Costa Rica has two international airports, one in San Jose.

When you arrive, please present your valid national ID card or passport at the Juan Santamaría International Airport for a security check.

Domestic passengers bypass the security lines and proceed directly to the boarding area at Juan Santamaría International Airport.

For more information on immigration requirements, go to the Immigration Office website at http://www.migracion.go.cr/ or call +506 2441-6029.

For animals' arrivals, please contact SENASA at +506 2587-1714 or +506 2587-1710. Also, their website is www.senasa.go.cr, and email them at info@senasa.go.cr.

There are also accessible and CCTV-secured parking areas in the terminal for passengers and visitors.

Rental Car Service at Juan Santamaría International Airport

Several automobile rental agencies are within the airport, most of which are well-known brands such as Hertz and Dollar. If you have made the arrangements online, the person who will pick you up should be waiting outside the airport with a sign with your name. See and compare all rental car companies at Juan Santamaria International Airport.

You have a few ways if you rent a car in Costa Rica and want to return it. You can return the vehicle to the rental company. You may also return the car to the hotel where you are staying the night before departure. Lastly, you may leave your car in the airport's short-term parking lot.

Please don’t forget to check with your rental car company to ensure that these will work for them.

You can make arrangements through their official phone number or approach their counter at the airport.

The rental fee depends on the vehicle and car rental agency. Rental Car providers are open from 5 am to 11 pm.

Rideshares​ at Juan Santamaría International Airport

Rideshares are available at Juan Santamaría International Airport as they are present in the parking lot and near the bus stop outside the airport.

Taxis at Juan Santamaría International Airport

Taxi providers are available 24 hours a day at the Juan Santamaria International Airport.

The Costa Rican State regulates the rates for the services provided, and each unit has a taximeter that displays the amount to be paid. See more information about taxis at Juan Santamaria International Airport.

The service can be contacted at the Terminal building after customs, where representatives from authorized taxi companies will offer transportation from the airport to any location in Costa Rica.

You can also book a service by contacting each company directly.

You can buy your official ticket right before you leave the airport. This is the most secure option for taxis.

Trains at Juan Santamaría International Airport

Even though the rail line connecting downtown Alajuela to San José's Atlantic Station is close to the airport, SJO has no station or rail service. More information about train services near Juan Santamaria International Airport.

Buses at Juan Santamaría International Airport

SJO can be reached by bus, only following the same route as taking the public line Montezuma-San José from the airport. The trip takes about 20 minutes, and one-way tickets are less than $1.

Buses and shuttle services to Puntarenas, Guanacaste, and other Costa Rican destinations are also available from the airport and downtown San José.

More information about buses to and from Juan Santamaria International Airport.

Hotel Shuttle Services at Juan Santamaría International Airport

Shared shuttles from nearby hotels are to the right as you exit the airport. You'll walk about 75 feet to your request, and the buses will stop directly in front of the cafe. There is no sign indicating their presence.

You can book a stay and inquire with the hotel staff about the many housing choices, including hotels, guest rooms, and other details.

Other Services at Juan Santamaría International Airport

WiFi at Juan Santamaría International Airport

Passengers passing through SJO can use the free WiFi connection for a limited time (3 hours), regardless they are in the public landside zone or the restricted airside area.

WiFi Premium is a network with increased bandwidth that allows for downloading high-demand video, music, and data files. The client determines the cost of an ad-free connection, bandwidth, and connection time.

Courtesy networks for specific clients of sponsoring companies will eventually communicate this service to their clients directly and provide them with an access code.

ATMs at Juan Santamaría International Airport

Automated Teller Machines are available at Juan Santamaria International Airport. You can withdraw colones from the Scotiabank and BAC San José ATMs in the arrivals area.

Currency Exchange at Juan Santamaría International Airport

There is a currency exchange counter available at the Juan Santamaría International Airport. It is Global Exchange, and you can find it in the Lobby of the terminal.

Nursing Stations at Juan Santamaría International Airport

For mothers, SJO offers a nursery. Baby bottles and mother's milk are only permitted in the quantity needed for the flight. The Liquid law might result in more assessments.

Before boarding, food for babies or young children must be stored apart in a transparent bag that has been sealed.

Restrooms at Juan Santamaría International Airport

Restrooms are on all levels of Juan Santamaría International Airport. You may also approach the Information Desk for directions and more information.

Food and Beverages at Juan Santamaría International Airport

Juan Santamaría International Airport has many restaurants where you can eat while waiting at the airport.

Most eateries in Juan Santamaría airport of Costa Rica are in the Departures area after security.

Malinche and Imperial serve traditional Costa Rican dishes. Still, many international franchises, such as Cinnabon, Starbucks, Lavazza Coffee, Teriyaki Express, and Smashburger, also have a presence here.

Shopping at Juan Santamaría International Airport

All terminal levels at SJO have shopping malls. There are shopping centers on every level at Juan Santamaria International Airport. You can visit numerous stores as you wait for the flight schedules. One of them, whoops, along with other Costa Rican shops, is Mac.

Smoking at Juan Santamaría International Airport

Passengers can not smoke inside Juan Santamaria Airport as smoking inside the airport is prohibited.

Ticketing Services at Juan Santamaría International Airport

The ticket counters of the airport for each airline open at 5 am and close at 4 pm from Monday to Sunday.

There are specific check-in schedules for different flights: Flight 358 starts 5:30 am – 7:30 am, Flight 1774 starts 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm, and Flight 1922 every Saturday starts 11:30 pm-1:55 pm.

Juan Santamaría International Airport serves 32 airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Aeroméxico, Air Transat, Delta Air Lines, and Spirit Airlines.

You can find the ticket counters in the Main Terminal of SJO.

Information Desk at Juan Santamaría International Airport

There is a 24-hour information desk at Juan Santamaria International Airport. Send any thoughts or complaints to suggestions@aeris.cr via the form or email.

For confidential complaints concerning AERIS personnel or third parties acting on its behalf that violate the company's internal policies or the laws in effect in the country: Use the confidential route or by contacting +599-9-788- 9931.

Pet Relief at Juan Santamaría International Airport

The Juan Santamaria International Airport has a pet relief area. There is a little patch of grass in front of the airport on your left, around 50 yards distant, where the dogs can relieve themselves as you exit the terminal.

There is also a water faucet on the left side of the grassy area and against the fence. You can fill your dog’s water bowl there too.

Baggage Claim at Juan Santamaría International Airport

The Baggage Claim Area is on the terminal's ground level. There are four baggage claim areas, and your bags will generally arrive quickly. If you have not collected your baggage upon arrival, you must notify your airline, which will help you locate it.

Juan Santamaría International Airport operates from 3:00 am to 6:00 pm on a continuous day every day of the week.

Disabled Passengers at Juan Santamaría International Airport

For physically challenged travelers, Juan Santamaria International Airport provides wheelchair rentals, equipment, and services, as well as elevators and escalators.

Please don't forget to request the service 48 hours before your intended visit to SJO.