Juan Santamaría International Airport
& Airport Area Hotels

 

About the Airport

Juan Santamaría International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría) is located in Alajuela about 23 km west of Costa Rica's capital city, San José. It is named after national hero Juan Santamaría, a corageous young man who died in 1856 defending his nation against forces led by American filibuster William Walker. Juan Santamaría is Costa rica's primary airport and serves a great number of tourists from United States, Canada and Europe. It is the second busiest airport in Central America, after Panama's Tocumen International Airport.
The airport has been operated by Alterra Partners since 2001 as part of a plan to improve the airport by the Costa Rican government. As of July 1, 2009, the Houston based company ADC & HAS and the Brazilian company, Andrade Gutierrez Concessoes (AGC) took over the operations and administration of Alterra Partners. Alterra Partners changed its name to AERIS Holdings S.A. and the new administrators of the concession installed a new and very experienced management to make it a world class airport.

Inside Juan Santamaría

Costa Rica’s primary airport has the usual assortment of duty-free shops, crafts and goods stores such as 'Tico Corner' and 'Britt Shop Costa Rica', where visitors may purchase Costa Rican coffee, cigars, art work and other souvenirs. Unlike other airports, arriving foreigners and citizens can shop for goods to bring back into Costa Rica. There's also a food court with major fast-food chains, including Burger King, Schlotzsky's and Cinnabon.

The 'VIP Lounge Costa Rica' is a business lounge located in the lower level of the main terminal. It's the only lounge of this kind in the Juan Santamaria International Airport, and is exclusively for business/first class passengers of selected airlines, travel companies, banks and Priority Pass program members.

Juan Santamaría has 10 gates, 8 of them with jetbridges and it's capable of housing up to 17 commercial airplanes at the same time. There are also 3 waiting rooms built on the first floor of the airport for domestic flights.

Airlines and Destinations

The major operator in the airport is TACA/LACSA followed by Copa, Continental and American Airlines. The airlines that have scheduled services to Juan Santamaría International Airport are the following:

Airlines	Destinations
Aeroméxico	Mexico City
Air Canada	Toronto-Pearson
Air Panama	David
Air Transat	Montreal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson
American Airlines	Dallas/Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York-JFK
Avianca operated by SAM	Bogotá
Condor	Frankfurt
Continental Airlines	Houston-Intercontinental, Newark
Copa Airlines	Guatemala City, Managua, Panama City, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa
Cubana de Aviacion	Guatemala City, Havana
Delta Air Lines	Atlanta
Frontier Airlines	Denver
Iberia	Madrid
JetBlue Airways	Orlando
Mexicana	Cancún, Mexico City
Spirit Airlines	Fort Lauderdale
TACA	Guatemala City, Mexico City, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa
TACA Costa Rica	Bogotá, Caracas, David, Guayaquil, Havana, Los Angeles, Managua, Medellín, Miami, New York-JFK, Panama City, Quito, San Salvador, Santo Domingo
TACA Peru	Lima
US Airways	Charlotte, Philadelphia, Phoenix

 

Charter Airlines	Destinations
Aeroméxico Connect	Mexico City
TACA operated by Lacsa	Cancún, Medellin, San Andres Island, San Juan [scheduled charters]
Jetairfly	Brussels

Domestic flights depart from the Sansa terminal to 16 different destinations: Barra del Colorado, Bocas del Toro, Coto 47, Drake Bay, Golfito, Liberia (Costa Rica), Limon, Managua, Nosara, Palmar Sur, Puerto Jimenez, Punta Islita, Quepos, Tamarindo, Tambor and Tortuguero.

Ground Transportation

The airport offers secure, licensed taxi service to any part of the country. Fees are paid in advance at the airport and taxi drivers will assist visitors with their luggage at no extra cost.

Public transportation is also available, with licensed taxis and buses that can be taken right outside the airport.

 

Juan Santamaría Airport Boulevard Hotels

Holiday Inn Express

The Holiday Inn Express has an unsurpassable convenient location only 2 minutes away from Costa Rica's main airport, catering to all travelers' needs with its modern convenience and excellent service. This well-situated hotel has easy access to the Inter-American Highway and it's only 2 blocks away from the rental car return center, making it the perfect stop for travelers exploring Costa Rica's beaches and national parks, as well as for those doing business at the nearby free trade areas.

This fully renovated Express offers the following amenities:

• 24 Hour Airport Shuttle
• Unlimited International Calls
• Free Wireless Internet
• On-screen travel information and tips
• 'Baggage Allowance' scale
• Departure taxes for sale at $29
• Complimentary Express Start Breakfast Bar
• Swimming Pool
• Cable TV
• Fitness Room
• On-site Guest Self-Laundry Facilities
  
• Tour Desk
• Gift Shop
• Business Center
• Free parking
• Convenient Car Rental Return
• Nearby Entertainment (including the Fiesta Casino and a Denny's Restaurant)

This 100-room hotel is continuously improving its facilities and services. Some of the hotel's amenities are currently being modified by adding LCD screens, new air conditioning and high quality mattresses to every room.

How to get there

From San José's international airport, simply take General Cañas highway towards San José. Turn left at the first light onto Aiport Boulevard and you'll find the hotel on the right hand side, in front of the Fiesta Casino.

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton

Only steps away from the Holiday Inn Express, within the Airport Boulevard, you will find the luxurious Hampton Inn & Suites. This elegant hotel is another smart option for those looking for convenience and excellent service.

Hampton Inn & Suites has a 100 rooms, 32 of which are spacious suites, and an entire wing on the third floor that has been fit out for smoking guests. As well, there are 7 rooms specially designed for disabled visitors. The following amenities are avaible in all guestrooms and suites:

• Free Wireless Internet
• Cable television
• Sound-proof windows
• Cloud Nine - The Hampton Bed Experience
• Mini-fridge & microwave
• Plus, A/C, Costa Rican coffee, iron & board, hairdryer, alarm-radio and other amenities.

Other hotel services that makes the Hampton experience relaxing and productive at the same time, are the following:

• 24 hour airport shuttle
• Free international & local calls
• On the House hot breakfast
• On the Run breakfast bags
• Complimentary high-speed internet access
• Free coffee, tea and fruit 24 hours
• Business Center
• Outdoor swimming
• Exercise room
• Meeting rooms
• Free parking
• Suite shop
• Local attractions at Airport Boulevard (restaurants, Fiesta Casino, rental car return and tour desk)

 

Other Hotels & Hostels in the Airport Area

Hotel Aeropuerto

A convenient hotel located 4 km west of Juan Santamaría International Airport. Hotel Aeropuerto is a nicely decorated old building surrounded by natural beauty. It offers many amenities and services to fulfill all guests' needs - 24 comfortable rooms with A/C, cable television, private bathrooms, hot water, pool, steak house, internet access, meeting rooms and more.

 

Green Day Inn

This hostel is a beautiful Inn located in downtown Alajuela (on the corner of 3rd Ave. and 5th St.), close to the International Airport. It was built under the concept of convenience, comfort and low price. The hostel rooms are fully equipped with hot and cold water showers, television and other amenities.

In the heart of Alajuela and near to the International Airport, Hotel Green Day provides visitors, with its Guesthouse style, a great location and a special atmosphere. The property's charmingly decorated rooms have views to the surrounding property garden. The accommodations are located in an antique colonial house dating back 100 years, in the most pleasant, quiet and historical neighborhood of Alajuela. The hostel still retains its original charm and character, accommodating 8 beautiful bedrooms featuring décor and hardwood doors.

 

Hotel Los Volcanes Bed & Breakfast

A friendly hotel located in the heart of Alajuela, 1 block north of the downtown central park (Parque Central), in front of the Juan Santamaria museum. Just 5 minutes from the international airport (3.4 km or 2.1 miles).

Alajuela downtown center is a scaled down version of the busy market areas of San Jose. A more unhurried pace of Costa Rican life than the nearby capital.

Comfortable and beautiful rooms with shared or private bathroom, hot shower, full breakfast included.

 

Alajuela Backpackers Hotel & Boutique Hostel

A convenient hotel located only 3 minutes away from Juan Santamaría International Airport. It's a the huge beige 4-story building in front of the brand new park at the left side of the National Monument Juan Santa Maria in Alajuela.

Alajuela Backpackers offers free shuttle to and from the airport, free high-speed internet access, on the house breakfast, free maps and fully bilingual staff at your service 24/7. Each room has a private bathroom, hot water, air conditioning, orthopedic mattresses, hypoallergenic linens, and black out curtains. Attached to the hotel is a beautiful outdoor balcony that faces a park.

Surroundings of the hotel include a National Monument, a newly constructed park, banks, restaurants, night life, souvenir stores, and supermarkets.

 

Mango Verde Hostel

Mango Verde is a cozy little hostel located in downtown Alajuela, between 2-4 St. and 3rd. Ave. This low-priced hostel has clean rooms with shared bathrooms, nice lounge area with hammocks and a communal kitchen. It also has internet service, a tour desk and it's pet friendly.

 

Juan Santamaría Airport Surroundings

Alajuela is the second largest province in Costa Rica. It offers nearly 10.000 km2 of history, modernity and nature. Juan Santamaría International Airport is located in the urban, modern part of the city, only 3 km from Alajuela downtown. It's surrounded by many restaurants and shops including nearby shopping malls such as 'Mall Internacional', located less than 1 km north of the airport.

Other local businesses in the airport area are the following:

• Fiesta Casino
• Denny's restaurant
• RostiPollos restaurant
• La Candela bar & restaurant