Sleeping in San Juan Airport

If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at San Juan airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in San Juan airport provides essential information for seasoned airport sleepers and newbies to help travellers arrive prepared for the experience.

We keep this guide up-to-date with the help of airport sleepers who have generously shared their experiences and airport reviews. If you have any tips or photos to contribute, please take a moment to write a review. Your feedback will help us stay informed about the latest advice for future sleepy travellers.

Sleeping in San Juan Airport Overnight

The San Juan Airport is open 24 hours, but once security checkpoints close at night, all travellers must relocate to the landside/public areas of the terminals. You’ll have to process through security in the early morning.

Locations & Seating

During the day, Terminals A and B may offer the most comfortable sleep spots, particularly the hallway connecting them, which is quiet. Terminal C was recently renovated, so it’s worth a check. Seating is somewhat limited, but keep your eyes peeled for an occasional bench. If you’re spending the night, you’ll have to stick to the landside areas, where your likeliest option will be the floor. Bring a sleep mat, blanket, or sleeping bag to provide much-needed cushion and warmth.

Rest Zones

At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.

Hotels

Prefer some privacy and comfort? If you would like a good, solid sleep without leaving the airport grounds, the San Juan Airport Hotel is located directly at the main terminal. A couple more hotels are situated within a quick drive of the airport. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at San Juan Airport.

Lounges

While San Juan Airport has a pay-to-use lounge, it does not have designated sleep rooms or rest areas. If you only want to relax in a comfortable seat for a few hours before your flight, see our San Juan Airport Guide for details.

Airport Conditions

If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Temperature – Temperatures seem to run from chilly to freezing. Arrive prepared with a blanket or even a sleeping bag. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
Lighting – At the time of this update, we have not received reports from travellers related to terminal brightness. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
Noise – Daytime sleepers can expect to hear frequent announcements, music and TV blaring, and chatter from nearby travellers and airport workers. The airport quiets down considerably at night, but you’ll have to stay in the landside areas. If there are many other travellers, it may get a bit noisy. Come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.

Food & Drink

We cannot confirm whether any 24-hour food concessions are available, so stock up on food and water before eateries and convenience stores close for the night.

Showers

Unfortunately, there are no showers available to freshen up.

Security & Safety

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at San Juan Airport. However, 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.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.