If you are visiting Costa Rica by air, chances are high that you will be flying in and/or out of the San Jose airport. Even if your Costa Rica itinerary takes you to all the remote and exotic places, you will probably spend a night or two in the city, after your arrive or before you depart. To help you pick the hotel that best suits your needs, we have compiled this list of 10 best hotels near San Jose Costa Rica Airport, SJO.
Juan Santamaria International Airport or the San Jose (SJO) International Airport is the busiest and the largest airport of Costa Rica. However, the SJO airport is located in the city of San Jose, but instead 20 km (12 miles) west of downtown San Jose, in the city of Alajuela.
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Plan your Costa Rica trip:
- Costa Rica Packing List
- Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Activities: Things to Do
- Costa Rica Itinerary (from San Jose airport)
The second largest airport of Costa Rica, LIB or Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, is located in the city of Liberia, in the Guanacaste province. If you are flying in and out of this airport, you may want to check this 10 day Costa Rica itinerary from Liberia.
Hotels Near SJO Airport: Things to Consider before Booking
When you are looking for a hotel to stay near the airport, there are certain factors which help the decision making. For example, does the hotel provide shuttle transfer to the airport? How far is the airport from the hotel? Does the hotel provide a complimentary breakfast?
We have considered all those factors, as well as the price ranges to curate this list of best hotels near the San Jose airport, in Costa Rica.
Important: While searching for the hotels near the San Jose Airport, make sure you look at ‘San Jose, Costa Rica’ and NOT ‘San Jose, California, US’. It is a fairly common mistake that lots of people make!
This is the Google Maps location of Juan Santa Maria Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica.
Distance to the Airport
As we mentioned earlier, the SJO airport is located in the city of Alajuela and not exactly in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Since it is linked to your flight timings, it is important how far you are going to stay from the airport.
You may not want to stay in ‘San Jose’ and rather stay close to the airport, particularly if it is time-sensitive.
Availability of Shuttles
Most of the hotels offer shuttles for free or for a fee, private or shared. But, either way it is important that it is available.
Pricing & Additional Amenities
You will find stays ranging from beds in dormitories to large suites. Also, there are options suitable for all types of travelers from US$ 20 to $ 400+ based on amenities.
If you plan to stay for a little longer than just considering the stay as a night’s stop, you can base your decision on additional amenities like breakfast, on-site restaurant, swimming pool, concierge services to name a few.
Quick Snapshot of Hotels near the SJO Airport, Costa Rica
If you want a quick look at the list of hotels, before getting into the details, here are few recommendations.
- Boutique Hotel – suitable for Families, Singles: Hotel Robledal
- Mid-Range Hotels – suitable for Families, Couples: Berlor Airport Inn | Hotel Aeropuerto
- High-end Hotels – suitable for Families, Couples: Hotel Buena Vista Chic Hotel | Xandari Resort & Spa
- Budget Hotels & Hostels – suitable for backpackers: Toucan Hostel | Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel | Airport Traveler’s Home
- Hotel Chains: Hampton by Hilton | Courtyard by Marriott | Fairfield by Marriott
Here is a Google Maps view of our recommended hotels near San Jose Costa Rica airport, SJO. You can use the +/- signs to zoom in or zoom out the view. For details about each of the hotels, continue reading.
Hotels near SJO Airport, Costa Rica: Boutique or High-End
Hotel Robledal
Hotel Robledal has spacious rooms and an on-site restaurant and a swimming pool. It has lush gardens that attract tropical birds. So if you are staying longer, you can be treated to some birding experience inside the property or make the most of their garden-facing balconies.
Related reading: Wildlife in Costa Rica
Amenities: Swimming Pool, Garden, Patio, WiFi, TV, AC, Coffee Machine
- Distance from the airport: 6.3 km (4 miles)
- Shuttle: Free
- From the airport: 5 am to 11 pm (Let them know your flight timings)
- From the hotel to airport: 5 am to 12 pm (Confirm during check-in)
- Pricing: Single to Family Room ranging between US$ 115 – US$ 200
Click here to check prices and availability at Hotel Robledal
Book Your Stay at Hotel RobledalBuena Vista Chic Hotel
If you wish to experience nature and tranquility while staying reasonably close to the airport, you can pick Hotel Buena Vista. As the name suggests, it offers beautiful valley and mountain views. The hotel, set on a coffee plantation and perched on a hill, has stays ranging from deluxe rooms to luxury villas. The rooms boast plush interiors and all the modern amenities including coffee machines.
Amenities: Swimming Pool, WiFi, TV, Coffee Machine, Premium Decor, Natural Bath Products
- Distance from the airport: 9.7 km (6 miles)
- Shuttle: Free
- Pricing: Deluxe Rooms to Luxury Villas ranging between US$ 150 – US$ 280
Click here to check prices and availability at Buena Vista Chic Hotel
Book Your Stay at Buena Vista Chic HotelXandari Resort & Spa
If you are looking for a tropical forest and coffee plantation experience but not too far from the airport, the Xandari Resort & Spa is a wonderful choice. Apart from large rooms with rustic decor and panoramic views of mountains and the central valley, the resort has access to walking trails and waterfalls. You can take advantage of their Spa, dine at their restaurant with amazing views or relax at their 125 ft. long swimming pool.
Related reading: Wonderful waterfalls of Costa Rica
Amenities: Swimming Pool, Patio, Terrace, WiFi, Coffee Machine, Minibar
- Distance from the airport: 9 km (5.6 miles)
- Shuttle: Private Shuttle for a Fee
- Pricing: Villas ranging between US$ 300 – US$ 500
Click here to check prices and availability at Xandari Resort & Spa
Book Your Stay at Xandari Resort & SpaHotels near SJO Airport, Costa Rica: Mid-Range
Berlor Airport Inn
The hotel is located just 1.6 miles from the airport and offers rooms for single travelers to large groups of 5+ persons. You can enjoy their continental breakfast, swimming pool along with great WiFi.
Amenities: WiFi, TV, AC
- Distance from the airport: 2.6 km (1.6 miles)
- Shuttle: No Shuttle Service
- Pricing: Single to Large Family Room ranging between US$ 75 – US$ 150
Click here to check prices and availability at Berlor Airport Inn.
Book Your Stay at Berlor Airport InnHotel Aeropuerto / Airport Hotel
The hotel is located close to the airport, offers free airport shuttle and has air-conditioned rooms with all the basic facilities. All the features make it perfect for a night-stop. It has single to family rooms along with an onsite restaurant.
Amenities: Swimming Pool, WiFi, TV, AC
- Distance from the airport: 3 miles (5 km)
- Shuttle: Free
- Pricing: Rooms for Couple and Families ranging between US$ 75 – US$ 100
Click here to check prices and availability at Hotel Aeropuerto
Book Your Stay at Airport HotelHotels near SJO Airport, Costa Rica: Chain Hotels
Hampton by Hilton
If you are looking for a hotel within a short range of the San Jose Airport in Costa Rica, then the Hampton Inn is a great choice. The hotel offers a free shuttle to the airport, so you can be at your destination in just 5 minutes.
It also has all the amenities that you need for a comfortable stay, including parking area. It has free parking and has multiple car rental shops just across the street. From an excellent breakfast to a nice pool area, fitness center and restaurant, this hotel has it all for longer stays as well.
- Distance from the airport: 1.6 km (1 mile)
- Shuttle: Free
- Pricing: Single to Family Room ranging between US$ 120 – US$ 150
Click here to check prices and availability at Hampton by Hilton
Book Your Stay at Hampton by HiltonCourtyard by Marriott | Fairfield by Marriott
The Courtyard and Fairfield by Marriott are great hotel options near the airport. The City Mall Alajuela is right across the street, and a Walmart is nearby, in case you need to stock up before commencing the Costa Rica journey. Both properties offer similar amenities, including free airport shuttle.
- Distance from the airport: 1.8 km (1.1 miles)
- Shuttle: Free
- Pricing: Single to Family Room ranging between US$ 150 – US$ 175
Click here to check prices and availability at Courtyard by Marriott
Book Your Stay at Courtyard by MarriottClick here to check prices and availability at Fairfield by Marriott
Book Your Stay at Fairfield by MarriottHotels near SJO Airport, Costa Rica: Budget
Toucan Hostel
Toucan Hostel is a budget-friendly option which a quick drive away from the airport. The hostel has all the basic facilities including good WiFi and a shared kitchen with fridge.
Amenities: Shared Kitchen, WiFi, AC
- Distance from the airport: 1.8 km (1.1 miles)
- Shuttle: No, but you can ask for help with booking a cab
- Pricing: Bed in Dorm Room to Family Room with private bathroom ranging between US$ 16 – US$ 60
Click here to check prices and availability at Toucan Hostel
Book Your Stay at Toucan HostelAirport Traveler’s Home
As the name suggests, the hotel provides the basic facilities to travelers looking for a budget option close to the airport. The hotel has a decent lounge, garden, and terrace. They can accommodate late check-in and check-out, but those need to be coordinated in advance.
Amenities: Shared Lounge, Garden, Terrace, WiFi, Patio
- Distance from the airport: 4 km (2.5 miles)
- Shuttle: No Shuttle Service
- Pricing: Rooms with shared bathroom starting US$ 22
Click here to check prices and availability at Airport Traveler’s Home
Book Your Stay at Airport Traveler’s HomeAlajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel
If you prefer budget accommodation with basic facilities and an airport shuttle, you can choose from the dormitory or private room options of the Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hotel.
Amenities: WiFi, AC
- Distance from the airport: 3.3 km (2 miles)
- Shuttle: Free
- Pricing: Beds in Dormitories to Private Suites ranging between US$ 20 – US$ 70
Click here to check prices and availability at Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel
Book Your Stay at Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel
Hotels Near San Jose Costa Rica Airport: Map Search Box
If you wish to explore more options for finding hotels near SJO Airport, use this map search box:
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Regarding Tourist Cards when flying to Cuba from Canada: Usually the tourist card is included in the price of your flight (or, in my case, the all-inclusive package) and it’s either provided to you on the plane or (less often) must be picked up at a kiosk at the airport.
Hi Jack. Thanks for sharing your experience of getting the Cuba Tourist Card. In our case, we flew with Copa and had to purchase it separately.