From the plane to your hotel, step by step — immigration, customs, SIM cards, money, and how to get out of the airport without stress. Written by drivers who pick travelers up at SJO every week.
Follow the crowd from the gate to immigration. You'll need your passport and may be asked for proof of onward travel (your return ticket on your phone is fine). Lines take 15–60 minutes — early-morning and evening arrivals are usually quick; midday, when several US flights land together, is the slow window. The officer typically stamps you in for up to 180 days.
Baggage claim is right after immigration (carts are free). Customs is refreshingly simple: your bags go through a scanner on the way out, and that's it for most travelers. Nothing to declare? You're through in a minute.
When you step out of customs you enter a covered outdoor walkway with a railing and a lot of people: families, tour reps, official drivers with name signs — and unofficial "taxi" drivers who will approach you offering rides. They're not regulated, often charge double, and this is where most arrival scams happen. The rule is simple: never go with someone who approaches you. Walk with purpose to the transport you've already arranged.
| Option | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked private transfer | Driver tracks your flight and waits with a name sign; door-to-door to any destination | Fixed price per vehicle, taxes included; no lines, no haggling. Check your route's price |
| Official airport taxi (orange) | Ranked outside arrivals, 24h | Fine for short hops (downtown San José ≈ $25–30); price rises fast for long distances |
| Shared shuttle | Scheduled van with other travelers, hotel drop-offs | Typically $54–75 per person; fixed timetables, multiple stops |
| Rental car | Free shuttle from the terminal to off-site rental lots | Add 45–90 min for paperwork; think twice about driving unknown roads after a long flight — see do you need a car? |
| Uber | Can't pick up in the airport zone — you'd walk out to the public road | Works mainly around San José; not practical with luggage or for long distances |
Surprise: SJO isn't in San José — it's in Alajuela, about 20–30 minutes from downtown. Real-world drive times from the airport: La Fortuna / Arenal ~3 h · Manuel Antonio ~3 h · Monteverde ~3 h · Jacó ~1.5 h · Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) ~4.5 h. If you land after 3 pm and your destination is 3+ hours away, consider a night near the airport and a fresh morning transfer — rural roads are best enjoyed in daylight.
SJO runs late arrivals daily and official taxis operate 24h. If you've pre-booked a transfer, your driver is tracking the flight — a delay costs you nothing. Book a hotel with 24h reception, keep your first night simple, and start the adventure rested.
The airport has free WiFi — enough to message your driver or family on arrival.
A few cafés and fast options — but your first casado tastes better at a real soda on the road. (Courtesy food/restroom stops are included on our transfers — just ask the driver.)
If your trip is all Guanacaste beaches, LIR may be the better airport. Compare both in SJO vs LIR.
Name sign, flight tracking, door-to-door. Your driver is waiting before you land.
