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.
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. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- 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 tells us that drinking water fountains are available. (December 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. These options are open 24 hours:
» Landside (Lobby Mezzanine): Cafe Lavazza
» Airside: Bar Imperial ▪ Brioche Dorée
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
There are power outlets throughout the terminal, under seating and in cafes.
Showers
Unfortunately, there are no showers available to freshen up. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at San Jose Airport. Connect to the “Free SJO Wi-Fi by Samsung” network. This connection is available for three hours and includes commercials. You can upgrade to a premium service with Premium Wi-Fi by Sitsifi.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside, Main lobby & Baggage Claim.
Banking Services – There is a BAC branch where withdrawals can be made in colones, US Dollars and Euros. Location: Main lobby. Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Currency Exchange – Exchange services are available at the following locations: Global Exchange (Airport Lobby, Boarding Area, Baggage Claim) • BAC San Jose (Airport Lobby). Hours: all locations, except the BAC location, are open 24 hours.
Duty-Free & Shopping – IMAS Duty-Free is available alongside a variety of other shops selling souvenirs, food and beverages.
Information Desk – Available Airside, across from Gate 8. Hours: unknown.
Luggage Porter – Sky Cap provides a porter service. Request via one of the Airport Courtesy Phones.
Luggage Wrapping – Secure Wrap offers a luggage wrapping service. Rates: From $20 for a standard suitcase. Location: Landside, Departures, near Doors A and B. Hours: 3:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Medical Services – Medical services are provided at the Red Cross Station near Gate 5. Hours: 24 hours a day.
Pharmacy – Sky Pharmacy is located Airside at Gates 4 and 10. Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
SIM Cards – A reader tells us, “there is a Claro (name of the phone company) stand left of baggage claim 5 where you can purchase a SIM card. It is open from 6 AM to 9 PM and sometimes to 11 PM on weekends. He’ll help you insert the SIM card and set up your phone to use it.
They offer a plan for 10,000 CRC (~$16 USD) that includes 5 GB of data, unlimited Whatsapp, 700 mb of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Waze and Pinterest and 45 minutes call.” (August 2022)
Smoking – Smoking is prohibited anywhere inside the airport.
Spa Services – Spa Mioderma offers massages, facials, pedicures, and more. Locations: Airside, Gate 5 • Airside, Gate 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: 2024-08-26
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.