Juan Santamaría International Airport

Juan Santamaria International Airport is the primary international gateway serving San José, Costa Rica, and is located in the nearby city of Alajuela. It functions as a central hub for several airlines, providing connections to numerous domestic and international destinations, particularly within North and South America, as well as the Caribbean. The immigration and customs processes were notably lengthy, especially during peak hours. Compared to previous years, the check-in procedures have significantly improved, and security lines now progress more efficiently. The airport also features a variety of retail shops and dining establishments within the terminal. However, the prices at these establishments are considerably higher than outside the airport, making it advisable to purchase souvenirs and snacks elsewhere before your trip.

Landing was easy and welcoming. Not many in customs so it took about 30 minutes to make it outside without checked bag or carry on, in October. Leaving is even bigger and with ATMs , a few shops, kid area, charging area, plenty of screens and seats. Licor tastings as well as water sources so being your empty bottle! They even had water for pets. Definitely not a bad experience.

Other than the loud speaker reminding travelers of Laws and regulations every two minutes constantly, this is the friendliest,cleanest, easiest, but hardest to sleep at airport I have ever been on stand by at in my life. It could use some more 24 hour food services in the main terminal and maybe even convert a small area to be a hostile so long waiting passengers can lay down their belongings in a secured area and lay down in a quiet part of the building and get some shut eye for a few hours or days ! just a suggestion but all airports should offer a Free place to get out if the way in a quiet place so one can get some rest area for airline customers only. please think about it no cots would need to be bought just a piece of floor with maybe lockers for personal carry on luggage.

San Jose is a really good airport. It’s small enough to get around easily but has lots of good restaurants and gift shops. The car rental area is inside right before you leave. If you’re renting a car, my advice is do not do an advance you’ll get a better rate if you do it when you land because all of the car rental companies are within a few meters of each other so you can walk around and negotiate. I reserved a car in advance the very first time I got here, but never again.

Gorgeous airport, live music, fantastic shops and coffee and chocolate samples. Lots of sales people. Great food options, plenty are vegan. Very clean, looks brand new!

Very small international airport. Wide variety of local products but they are all overpriced. I don’t know how they sell like this. Unaesthetic… Very limited food restaurants. Pack your meals before get here :) Easy check out process

The airport is relatively small and quite expensive. For example, a coffee costs $5, a hamburger is $24, pizza is $18, and even a simple magnet is priced at $10–11. I recommend making any purchases outside the airport to save money. If you need to rent a trolley for your luggage, it will cost you $5. However, one benefit of staying inside the airport is the air conditioning, which provides a much more pleasant environment, especially in hot and humid weather.

Small but nice airport, friendly staff with the "Pura vida" slogan present but pricy, first the question of what we bring in out bags and carry on as souvenirs, specially coffe as you cannot pass I think more than 250gms of it, "it's not allowed for safety reasons......." big BS as you can buy any size coffe packages once inside. 250, 500 or a kilo at a very high price, a magnet, sticker $5 to $9, food also expensive...a typical breakfast anywhere in CR $15, there $30.