Things to do near Juan Santamaría airport (SJO)

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), near Alajuela, is the main gateway for reaching La Fortuna, and the road transfer takes about 3 hours to cover roughly 125 kilometres of winding, mountainous terrain. That drive is not a quick hop between activities: it belongs to arrival day, not to a sightseeing itinerary.

Shared shuttles run USD 15 to 50 per person, while a private transfer costs USD 90 to 160 for the vehicle. Renting a car adds insurance costs that often surprise first-time visitors at the counter.

Landing in the afternoon usually means arriving in La Fortuna after dark, so travellers who want a fuller first day should consider an early flight or a one-night stop near the airport before continuing north.