Hotels near Juan Santamaría International Airport - SJO, San José

This was a great place to stay for one night. For a small additional fee, I was picked up at the airport and very early the next morning I was taken to where I had to meet my tour bus. Also, after I left I discovered that I had left my phone charger in the room. I contacted them and they were kind enough to take it to the hotel in San Jose where I would be staying in a few days.

We used Alajuela as a base location to launch the day trip to Sarchi and Zarcero using a rental car, since our next outing was visiting friends south of San Juan. However, the heavy commuter traffic near Alajuela, SJO Airport, and San Juan adds 30-70 minutes (sometimes doubling travel times) at rush hours, plus choking exhaust. Two nights were enough near Alajuela. However, staying in Sarchi or Zarcero overnight instead would have been nicer; or an all-inclusive tour there would be most relaxing. For rides in Alajuela and San Juan, Uber is cheaper than taxi and is made secure by exchanged pin code. FYI: Car rental is surprisingly cheap and was well worthwhile for visiting Arenal and La Fortuna on our own schedule, nice for 5 nights (2.5 hours drive from Alejuela). A private shuttle to Arenal would be more relaxing than renting a car on the twisty mountain roads, but will cost significantly more than driving yourself.

For us La Rivera is a take off and arrival point, so the easy airport access is important. It is an easy walk to a phone store or Pali supermarket for some basics, and the local pista, church and park give you a safe introduction to Costa Rica. There is not much else to do in the immediate area.

Proximity to Airport! This facility standards were substandard. My wife hurt her foot on a dangerous doorstop, sewer gas was overwhelming, no hot water, air conditioner was not hooked up, pumping hot air back into the room. The stairs right from ground level were dangerous. English was non existent with staff. They were courteous and helpful. There were no privacy coverings on the windows. Open hole in Bathroom ceiling.

We spent 30 days in Costa Rica and loved it. Alajuela was only for flying to and from Costa Rica. It has horrible traffic and nothing worth seeing that I know of. But its airport has better flight connections for us than Liberia airport. The airport itself is good, but getting in and out is a hassle!

We did more in San Antonio than we expected to do. The church in the center of town was welcoming, and there are a lot of restaurants with good food and service. The bussing to other areas (San Jose and Heredia) is well marked and has an appropriate schedule. Plus, the area felt safe to walk after sunset. Because of its convivence, we extended our hotel stay to stay in the area, and only bussed to San Jose for the day.