Date: October 15, 2013
The SleepingInAirports community has voted the following airports as the Best Airports in the Caribbean, Central & South America.
When selecting an airport to declare as the “best”, travellers were asked to consider the four C’s: comfort, conveniences, cleanliness and customer service.
- Comfort: Armrest-free seating and quiet/rest/relaxation zones.
- Conveniences: Free WiFi, 24-hour food, showers, pay-in lounges, and activities to do on a layover.
- Cleanliness: Clean floors, bathrooms and food courts.
- Customer Service: A smile and friendly attitudes go a long way. We are so thankful for the kind airport workers who help us when we are lost and give us blankets and pillows when we’re stranded.
The airports in this region generally don’t have activities to do in transit like other regions may offer. However, as long as our travellers have WiFi and some comfortable seats to stretch out on, they seem pretty happy.
Here are the Top Ten Airports in the Caribbean, Central & South America as selected by SleepingInAirports voters.
1. Lima
Once you can get through security, the waiting area is probably the nicest place I’ve ever been for sleeping. No arms between the seats, so crazy comfortable, carpeting, etc. Also, you can pay for a fancy shower at the spa if you’re desperate.” – giggglius
The zzz Factor: The overnight sleeper awaiting an early morning flight will have to tough it out with their heads on a food court table. However, once they go through security and reach the the gates, they can curl up on a two seater chair.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • 24-hour Food ($) • Free WiFi with purchase at airport vendor ($) • Hotel across from the terminal ($). Visit our Lima Airport Guide for more information.
2. Santiago de Chile
We were each able to find seats to lay down on completely. There was a convenience store that was opened all night long and the other restaurants opened early in the morning.” – epw9412
The zzz Factor: There are always empty gates somewhere at SCL, which makes it easy to curl up on the padded two seater chairs. The TVs at the Domestic Gates can get loud, so bring headphones. The overnight sleeper arriving at night for an early morning flight should bring warm clothes and a sleeping bag, as the public area is not comfortable.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • 24-hour Food ($) • Free WiFi with purchase at airport vendor ($) • Hotel across from the terminal ($). Visit our Santiago de Chile Airport Guide for more information.
3. Buenos Aires Ezeiza
I slept on the ledge on the second floor of terminal A. I had a big blanket that I used as a mat and slept from 2am to 11am and was never bothered. ” – braden
The zzz Factor: There are few options for sleeping comfortably in the public area of the terminal, except for some window ledges and the floor. At the gates you can sleep on some comfortable armrest-free seats. The airport has been implementing uncomfortable armrest seating in the newly renovated Terminal B.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounge ($). Visit our Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport Guide for more information.
4. Guayaquil
A pleasure to sleep in – particularly when you find the comfy couches. There was no hassle and plenty of seating available – including two comfortable couches outside of the restaurant.” – The-Littlest-Hobo
The zzz Factor: Comfortable seating options both before and after security. Food is available 24-hours. Showers are located in the pay-in lounge for a fee.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • 24-hour Food ($) • Luggage Storage • Showers ($). Visit our Guayaquil Airport Guide for more information.
5. Bogota
OK night at the Bogota Airport. On the second floor at one end are 3 rows of wider seats without armrests where you can spread out.” – travelinfoo
The zzz Factor: Not a lot of armrest-free options. You may have to look hard or be prepared to sleep on the floor.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: WiFi • Luggage Storage ($). Visit our Bogota Airport Guide for more information.
6. Panama City
I arrived about 11pm at Terminal 1 and just went to the padded, armless chairs at Gate 31 and had a restful sleep until about 6 am when I awoke.” – dmellinger
The zzz Factor: Transit sleepers are pleased with the padded armrest-free seats.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: airline lounges with day passes ($) • Free WiFi
7. Montevideo
It was a great place to sleep. The best area is on the third (Terrace) floor, where there are plenty of long benches without seat dividers. “ – MuchosViejes
The zzz Factor: Not a lot of options for the airport sleeper, but special sleep spots exist. The airport is a nice modern airport. Food is available 24-hours.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • 24-hour Food ($) • Luggage Storage ($). Visit our Montevideo Airport Guide for more information.
8. San Salvador
I asked them if there was anywhere I could nap for a few hours until buses started in the morning. They checked me out very carefully, asked me where I was coming from, where I was going and what was I doing in El Salvador. They checked my passport, ran my bag through a metal detector and then told me that the main airport was closed but there was an empty hallway behind them that I could sleep in.” – ChannelZ28
The zzz Factor: Be prepared to sleep on the floor.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounge ($). Visit our San Salvador Airport Guide for more information.
9. Quito
Not knowing what the airport would have by way of furniture, I bought two inflatable pool floats and packed them. When we arrived at the airport, and found nothing but metal seats with armrests between, and no open lounges, we blew up our floats, found a private spot under a stopped escalator and slept for 4-5 hours.” -dot
The zzz Factor: Be prepared to sleep on the floor.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • Free WiFi. Visit our Quito Airport Guide for more information.
10. San Jose
Go behind the escalators, there is a nice area on the ground there, slept like a baby.” – mogden92
The zzz Factor: Be prepared to sleep on the floor. The airport has 24-hour food options if you get hungry in the middle of the night.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • 24-hour Food ($). Visit our San Jose Airport Guide for more information.
Have Your Say!
Your votes and feedback are essential to the SleepingInAirports annual Best and Worst Airports survey. Now it is your turn to tell us which airports deserve to be included on the 2014 list. There are a few ways to participate:
- Survey: If you have a bit more time, leave some comments on the Airport Survey so that we know why you like this airport.
- Polls: The easiest way to participate is to vote in the quick poll at the bottom of each regional page. Even if an airport is not listed, write it in the “Other box” and it will be included in the total count.
- Airport Reviews: Your airport reviews are the most important contribution that you can provide to the community. Write an airport review.