Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our San Jose Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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We asked several employees where the chapel was and they looked at us like we were crazy to think there was a chapel in the airport. – Suzanne & Brian
SJO Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at San Jose Juan Santamaría International Airport.
What to Expect
Costa Rica’s San Jose Airport (code: SJO) operates a singular terminal with about two dozen eateries and shops, primarily on the airside. WiFi is available, and there are plenty of outlets for charging mobile devices. Additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s first-class lounges.
Sleeping in San Jose Airport
As a relatively small terminal, there is limited seating, though there are reportedly a few areas with some couches. The Alajuela Zone has green couches and long enough benches to sleep on. A reader tells us they are comfy, but it gets full quickly. The airport is said to be clean enough that floor sleeping is another acceptable option. Cold air conditioning and a noisy public address system were cited as sleep hindrances, so consider an extra layer or travel blanket and earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones if you intend to spend the night at this airport. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our San Jose Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
San Jose Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near San Jose Airport that provide free airport shuttles:
- Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton San Jose Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Express San Jose Costa Rica Airport » Check Rates
- Courtyard San Jose Airport Alajuela » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near San Jose Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.
- Santamaria VIP Lounge – Location: Airside, Gate 5, Upper Level. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs. Hours: 4:30 AM – 8:00 PM.
- VIP Lounge Costa Rica – Location: Airside, Gates 19-20, Upper Level. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
Drinking Water
A reader reports that drinking water fountains are available (December 2024).
Food & Drinks
Food concessions operate on varying schedules, and overnight options are limited. These options are open 24 hours:
» Landside (Lobby Mezzanine): Cafe Lavazza
» Airside: Bar Imperial ▪ Brioche Dorée
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Luggage storage and lockers are not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Power outlets are available throughout the terminal, including under some seating areas and inside cafés. Availability near seating can be limited during busy periods.
Showers
There are no public showers available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available. Connect to the “Free SJO Wi-Fi by Samsung” network. The free session lasts up to three hours and includes advertisements. A paid upgrade is available through Sitsifi for extended access.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limits before travelling. Locations include the main lobby and baggage claim areas.
Banking Services – A BAC branch is available for withdrawals in colones, U.S. dollars, and euros. Location: Main lobby. Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Currency Exchange – Currency exchange services are available through Global Exchange and BAC. Most exchange counters operate 24 hours, except the BAC location, which follows bank hours.
Duty-Free & Shopping – IMAS Duty‑Free is available, along with a selection of shops selling souvenirs, food, and beverages.
Information Desk – An information desk is located airside, across from Gate 8.
Luggage Porter – Porter services are provided by Sky Cap and can be requested using airport courtesy phones.
Luggage Wrapping – Secure Wrap offers luggage wrapping services. Location: Landside, Departures, near Doors A and B. Hours: 3:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Medical Services – Medical assistance is available at the Costa Rican Red Cross station near Gate 5. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Pharmacy – Sky Pharmacy locations are airside near Gates 4 and 10. Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
SIM Cards – A reader reports that a Claro SIM card stand is located near baggage claim. Staff can assist with SIM installation and setup. Hours and pricing may vary. (Reader report, August 2022)
Smoking – Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the terminal.
Spa Services – Spa Mioderma offers massage and spa treatments. Locations: Airside, near Gates 5 and 10. Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Bus
Buses drop off and pick up passengers at the airport bus stand, less than a block from the airport terminal exit. Departures are every 5-10 minutes to Downtown Alajuela (15 min travel time, USD 1.00); Downtown San José (35 min travel time; USD 1.20); and Downtown Heredia (40 min travel time: USD 0.95). If you are travelling by bus from the airport to one of the beaches, take a bus to Downtown Alajuela or Downtown San José and transfer to a bus going to your beach destination.
Car Rentals
Passengers who need to rent a car or have a prebooked rental will find car rental agencies on-site in the main passenger terminal, just past Customs. Once a rental is booked or a reservation is checked in, a representative from the agency will escort the renter to the rental car court, located just outside of the terminal. On-site agencies include: Alamo • Budget/Apex • Dollar • Economy • Enterprise • Hertz/Firefly • National • Payless • Solid/Nu.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Holiday Inn Express San Jose Airport • Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton San Jose Airport • Courtyard San Jose Airport Alajuela.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
Six taxi companies are authorized to provide services at SJO airport. Taxis are available 24 hours a day and can be pre-booked or found directly at the airport.
Last updated: 2026-01-29
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.