Last Updated: May 20, 2024
If you are departing from Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and wondering what the experience will be like, this post is for you. Here, we will cover how the airport is set up, shops and restaurants at the departure gate, and some other information to help you plan.
Overview
Costa Rica has two international airports. LIR is in Liberia, in the Guanacaste region, and SJO is near the capital city of San Jose. In this post, we are covering SJO, which is Costa Rica’s largest and busiest airport.
Even as the country’s largest airport, SJO is still fairly small. There are only about 20 departure gates. The airport continues to expand to accommodate more flights, and new gates will be added over the years.
The airport is highly accessible, with features like ramps, elevators, escalators, handicap bathrooms, and more.
SJO Airport has free Wi-Fi with a strong signal in all areas.
Drop Off & Parking
The departure area at SJO Airport is located on the upper level. When arriving at the airport, follow signs for departures/salidas. Your ride, shuttle, or taxi will be able to go up the ramp and drop you off right near the entrance doors.
If you are driving yourself, 24-hour parking is available in the lot across from the entrance doors (also on the upper level) for $2.50 per hour, $35 per day, or $200 per week.
Luggage handlers are available right near the entrance doors. Luggage wrapping is available just inside the entrance.
Check In
Once you enter the airport, you’ll see all the different airlines along the back wall, like you would normally see at any airport. Each one has its own set of kiosks with roped off waiting areas.
Most airlines suggest arriving at the airport three hours in advance for international flights.
Be sure to remember to check in for your flight online beforehand. You can usually do this 24 hours in advance. We have been bumped off flights because we hadn’t done this, even when showing up several hours early.
Departure Tax (Exit Tax)
Costa Rica’s departure tax ($29) is now included in most airline ticket prices, so you no longer have to wait in line to pay it. If for some reason your tickets do not include the departure tax, there is a desk near the back right corner, where it can be paid.
Amenities in Check-in Area
In the main entrance/check-in area, there are several bathrooms, a money exchange, and a BAC bank and ATM.
For food and drinks, there is a small cafeteria up the escalator.
Security Check
After receiving your boarding pass, you’ll walk to the left and enter the security checkpoint. Sometimes there is a line, but it usually goes fairly quickly.
Boarding Gates
After security, you will walk up a short ramp into the boarding gate waiting areas. Before you get there, you’ll pass through a larger mezzanine with several big shops. There are two large souvenir stores with clothing, stuffed animals, wood carvings, chocolates, coffee, and much more.
There is also a toy store, cell-phone accessory store, and jewelry shop.
After passing through the shopping area, you will be at gates 8 & 9. To the left are gates 1-7 and to the right are gates 10-20.
Amenities at Each Gate
Each gate has plenty of seating and usually a cell-phone charging station (free). Bathrooms are located between gates, but if you walk to the left or right, you’ll be able to find one within a few minutes. Remember, it’s a small airport.
There are several duty-free shops scattered throughout the different gates. These offer alcohol, perfume, and sometimes things like jewelry and watches, all tax free.
Like we mentioned before, free Wi-Fi is available throughout SJO Airport.
Restaurants and Shops at Each Gate
As of our last departure, these were the shops and restaurants at each gate. They may change over time, so feel free to leave us a comment below if you find something different.
Gates 1-2
Small pharmacy
Duty free shop
Medium-sized gift shop
45 Gastro Pub – Serves sandwiches and craft beer on tap (sit-down restaurant with a small bar)
Gates 5-7
Starbucks Coffee
California Pizza Kitchen
Toro Gourmet Burgers
Britt Cafe & Bakery
Mini Market
Money/currency exchange
Gates 8-9
Very small food court and sitting area. Food options are burgers, make your own bowl, and sandwiches/bakery.
Off this area is where the larger shops are that you walk past to enter the gates.
Gates 10-11
Malinche Restaurant – Typical Costa Rican food (sit down). Has been around for years. Good option.
Gates 12-14
These gates are located downstairs and don’t have any shops or restaurants.
Gates 15-16
Duty-free shop
Gates 17-20
Britt Cafe & Bakery
Smaller gift shops
Bar Imperial (small bar with a few seats)
Where to Pass the Time?
If you have a long wait, and who doesn’t when showing up three hours early, a couple of good spots to pass the time are Malinche Restaurant (Gates 10-11) or 45 Gastro Pub (Gates 1-2). Both have sitting areas where you can have a meal or drink and hang out a bit.
The food courts (Gates 5-7 and 8-9) are also good, but a little noisier and busy.
If you get lucky, there may even be some free entertainment near gates 8 and 9. Sometimes there is a person playing typical Costa Rican music on a large xylophone.
Conclusion
We hope that this post has given you a better idea of what to expect when departing Costa Rica’s SJO Airport. While it is always sad to leave, remember that most people end up coming back again and again. So, until next time, Pura Vida!
Last Updated: May 20, 2024
Have a question about departing from SJO? Leave us a comment below.
Looking for more information to help you plan? Check out these posts:
Best Hotels Near SJO Airport – This post offers some great options that are located near the airport but still have a warm feel. Many include a free airport shuttle.
1-2 Days in San Jose – Looking to spend a couple of nights in the city before you go? See what sites we recommend in this post.
Living in Costa Rica – You don’t have to leave! Read posts about our life here in paradise and plan your own adventure.
