Last Updated: August 14, 2025
With crazy flight schedules and lengthy drives between most destinations and the airport, sometimes an overnight near Costa Rica’s San Jose Airport (SJO or Juan Santamaria International) is inevitable. But just because you are close to the San Jose Airport doesn’t mean these nights can’t be part of your vacation too. In fact, only a few minutes from the runway are a plethora of charming B&Bs and hotels that will give you a taste of Costa Rica’s welcoming culture and beautiful scenery.
This article is part of our hotel guides, which cover the best accommodation options all around Costa Rica.
Hotels Near San Jose Airport
Below you will find our picks for the best hotels near San Jose Airport. They are all within about a 20-minute drive of SJO so make for a stress-free pit stop when arriving in or leaving Costa Rica.
From budget-conscious options starting around $50 to premium properties, these hotels offer reliable comfort, good service, and value for your money. We’ve stayed in each of them ourselves or toured them with an eye towards our reader’s needs (i.e., quiet neighborhood, comfy beds, good food, etc.). We made sure to note which ones include a free airport shuttle and breakfast.
See the section Getting from SJO to Your Hotel, below, for what to do if your hotel doesn’t include a shuttle.
Buena Vista Chic Hotel ($150-300/night)
Buena Vista Chic Hotel may be only 7 km (4.3 miles) from the airport but couldn’t feel farther removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. Set in the mountains among lush forest, this hotel has gorgeous views of the surrounding valley.
Rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated, many with private balconies to take advantage of the views.
Deluxe rooms are good for couples, while the larger villas are an excellent choice for families.
The property has a small pool.
Airport Shuttle: Included. They have their own shuttle, which runs 24 hours a day. Be sure to coordinate it with the hotel prior to your arrival.
Breakfast: Included (menu with options; fruit and toast also provided)
Cost: $150-300/night. Check Rates and Availability.
Hotel Terrazas de Golf ($95-150/night)
We love staying at Hotel Terrazas de Golf.
Surrounded by beautiful flowering gardens, this charming boutique hotel is located on the golf course in Cariari, a scenic residential area just 10 minutes from the airport. It offers spacious, comfortable rooms for a great price.
Owner Cecilia along with her son Roberto and daughter Irene are super friendly and helpful if you need anything during your stay.
If you want some outdoor space, we highly recommend one of the rooms with a terrace.
Airport Shuttle: Not included. They recommend taking an official taxi from the airport (cost: around $20-30 depending on traffic and time of day) or an Uber. See our tips below on taking taxis from the airport.
Breakfast: Available for $15 per person. There’s also a wonderful restaurant just around the corner called Moose Cafe that has delicious, affordable food.
Cost: $95-150/night. Check Rates and Availability.
Hotel Alameda Cariari ($100-200/night)
Just down the street from Hotel Terrazas de Golf is another good option. Hotel Alameda Cariari offers 10 unique rooms in an opulent, mansion-like building.
We were skeptical of the gleaming photos online, but found that the rooms really are that nice in person. Our family enjoyed our stay here.
Airport Shuttle: Not included. They can help you arrange a shuttle from the airport through a company that they work with (available 24/7).
Breakfast: Available for $11 (a good buffet)
Cost: $100-200/night. Check Rates and Availability.
Hotel La Rosa de America ($70-140/night)
Hotel La Rosa de America is a small family-owned hotel just north of the airport (about 15 minutes) with a lot of local character.
Though conveniently located right off a main road, the hotel is set back so quiet. Nicely landscaped grounds and a pool make it feel like you’re not in the city.
La Rosa has a few different types of rooms available for all budgets (most with A/C but some without). The quadruple rooms and family suites with bunk beds are perfect for larger groups.
There’s a restaurant onsite that’s open for dinner but keep in mind that it closes early if you’re getting in late.
Airport Shuttle: Not included. They can help you arrange transportation from the airport through a company that they work with (available 24/7). The cost is around $25 for up to 4 people.
Breakfast: Included (basic but fairly good)
Cost: $70-140/night. Check Rates and Availability.
Alajuela City Hotel and Guesthouse ($50-105/night)
For those wanting to check out the local culture, there’s Alajuela City Hotel and Guesthouse (formerly Hotel Los Volcanes). We’ve stayed here several times and even wrote about it in our travelogue, Two Weeks in Costa Rica.
This B&B-style hotel in downtown Alajuela, less than 10 minutes from the airport, is under new ownership and has undergone some renovations. The converted mansion still has a quaint, old-world feel but with nicer finishes.
One of the best parts of the hotel is still its location. Within walking distance is the vibrant central park and cathedral, market, and many restaurants where you can see the comings and goings of the locals.
For the most comfort, opt for a Superior room with A/C.
Keep in mind that this hotel is right in the city center so can be louder.
Airport Shuttle: Not included, but they can help you arrange a reliable taxi for the short drive.
Breakfast: Included (homemade with banana bread)
Cost: $50-105/night. Check Rates and Availability.
Villa San Ignacio ($80-215/night)
Villa San Ignacio is a boutique hotel on the outskirts of Alajuela, about 20-25 minutes from San Jose Airport.
Good for both couples and families, the rooms are simply decorated yet well appointed.
The hotel has a spacious pool and excellent on-site restaurant that serves gourmet Costa Rican and international offerings. Our family has stayed here a couple of times and enjoyed it.
Villa San Ignacio is also a good jumping off point for visiting the nearby Poas Volcano or going on a coffee tour.
Airport Shuttle: Not included, but they can help you arrange transportation through a taxi for around $25.
Breakfast: Included (you choose from a small menu)
Cost: $80-215/night. Check Rates and Availability.
Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Airport ($130-250/night)
Right behind the airport is the larger Courtyard Marriott. It has clean, comfortable rooms that you would expect from the Marriott chain.
Rooms range from double rooms for families to one-bedroom suites with a kitchenette. The staff is friendly and helpful.
If you need to stock up on groceries or other essentials when you arrive, it’s conveniently located near Walmart and City Mall, a large shopping area.
Airport Shuttle: Included. It runs on a regular schedule (every 30 minutes). Be sure to coordinate it with the hotel prior to your arrival.
Breakfast: Included for some rates. $30 per person if you choose the lowest rate.
Cost: $130-250/night. Check Rates and Availability.
Hilton Cariari DoubleTree ($130-400/night)
We ended up at the Hilton Cariari DoubleTree once when our flight was cancelled and had to spend two nights.
Luckily, the hotel had great amenities for our family. The kids loved swimming in the huge pool.
The rooms themselves are basic and could use updating, but clean and comfortable. The hotel is in a good location about 10 minutes from the airport.
Airport Shuttle: Included. Be sure to coordinate it with the hotel prior to your arrival.
Breakfast: $15 per person (buffet with many choices)
Cost: $130-400/night. Check Rates and Availability.
Hotel Aeropuerto ($100-110/night)
If you’re arriving late and don’t need anything fancy, Hotel Aeropuerto is a good option. Hotel Aeropuerto is about as close to the airport as you can get.
Rooms are a bit dated but clean and comfortable. The property has a pool and nice gardens.
A highlight for some visitors is the restaurant. We have not been since they started the craft beer brewery (Dirigo Fermentory), but hear that the beers are quite good!
Hotel Aeropuerto has obtained the Certification of Sustainability in Costa Rica.
Airport Shuttle: Included. Be sure to coordinate it with the hotel prior to your arrival.
Breakfast: Included for some rates. If you choose the lowest rate, it’s $10 per person. Breakfast consists of eggs, rice and beans, toast, fruit, and cereal.
Cost: $100-110/night. Check Rates and Availability.
Holiday Inn Express San Jose Airport ($110-160/night)
A popular airport hotel is the Holiday Inn Express, just minutes from SJO. This is one of the only airport hotels that has a shuttle running 24 hours a day.
The rooms at the Holiday Inn Express are more basic, but clean and fairly spacious. They come with 2 queen beds or 1 king. Some are in a newer section of the hotel, while others are in an older area.
We’ve stayed here and it was okay. The soundproofing in the rooms was good considering its location on a busy road and proximity to the airport, and the beds were comfortable. We wished that the staff had been more helpful and friendly when we had a couple of minor issues arise.
Airport Shuttle: Included, runs every 15-20 minutes 24 hours a day. Be sure to coordinate it with the hotel prior to your arrival.
Breakfast: Included (buffet with many choices). The breakfast area is a bit small and can get congested during peak hours.
Cost: $110-160/night. Check Rates and Availability.
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When to Book Your SJO Airport Hotel
We recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks in advance so that you have the best choices. During peak season (December-April) and around busy holidays like Christmas/New Years and Easter Week, it’s best to book even further in advance.
Do You Need Air Conditioning?
Since San Jose is in the mountains, temperatures can be cooler at night, averaging around 65 ℉ (18 ℃). So you don’t absolutely need air conditioning to be comfortable. If you aren’t used to the heat, though, it’s never a bad idea. Often, hotel rooms don’t have great air circulation. Our family personally chooses hotels with air conditioning when we stay in San Jose. It also can help with city noise.
Getting from San Jose Airport to Your Hotel
Since many hotels near San Jose Airport don’t include an airport shuttle, here are your local transportation options.
Taxis
Taxis are available right from the airport. Always be sure to take an official airport taxi. These are orange and have a triangular medallion on the door.
You can arrange an airport taxi from the official right before you exit baggage claim. They speak English and many taxi drivers don’t so it’s a good idea to arrange it this way.
Want to brush up on your Spanish before your trip? Our Simple Spanish post has some key phrases to know.
Taxi drivers should run the meter (maria). Ask them to turn it on if they don’t. The price on the meter will be in local colones. You can pay in either colones or US dollars. If you pay in dollars, know that you may not get the correct exchange rate. Our Money Matters post has more information. Credit cards are not accepted in regular taxis in Costa Rica.
Uber
Uber is readily available in the San Jose area and it’s what the locals use since it’s cheaper than traditional taxis.
Since Uber is technically illegal in Costa Rica (though the government has not actively tried to stop it), Ubers cannot pick up directly from San Jose Airport. You need to walk to a nearby bus stop (the app will tell you where to go). If you haven’t enabled your phone for use internationally or purchased a local SIM card, you can use the free Wi-Fi at the airport to request the Uber.
One thing to note: Although there are usually plenty of Uber drivers around the airport, this isn’t always the case elsewhere in the San Jose area. We’ve had to wait for 30+ minutes for an Uber when we were staying at a hotel in Cariari, about 10 minutes away. So yes, you can save money, but in some ways Uber is less convenient than taxis.
Traveling with kids? Keep in mind that taxis and Ubers in Costa Rica don’t have car seats. Car seats are not required by law for short trips like these. The roads around San Jose can be a little crazy so you may want to have your child restrained in a car seat. Here’s a link to our Car Seats post with some more information.
Private Shuttle
Though more expensive, the most convenient and reliable transportation option from San Jose Airport are private shuttles. These are van transfers that you prearrange through a local transportation company. The driver will be outside the airport doors, holding a sign with your name on it. These are a great option with kids as well because they will provide car seats for free.
If you’d like help arranging an airport transfer through the reliable company that we work with, feel free to reach out through the link below. We don’t charge anything extra and booking through us helps support our website!
Rental Car
If you’re renting a car for your trip, your rental car company will shuttle you to their office a few miles down the road to pick up the car. At San Jose Airport, none of the rental companies keep cars right at the airport.
If you’ve had a long travel day, you could also wait to pick up the car until the next morning. Many rental car companies, including the company that we recommend (Adobe Rent a Car), will deliver the car to your airport hotel for free if requested in advance. Here’s a link to our Rental Car Discount page with more information.
Have a favorite hotel near San Jose, Costa Rica’s airport that we didn’t mention? Leave a comment below and share your experience.
Looking for more basics to plan your trip? Check out these posts:
Packing for Costa Rica: The Essentials – What to pack for Costa Rica’s many microclimates as well as some essential gear.
Practical Travel: Learn about the local currency, if you can use your credit card, what to expect for weather, and get more practical tips with these articles.
La Fortuna Hotel Guide: Heading to La Fortuna from San Jose Airport? Be sure to read our recommendations for the best hotels for volcano views, hot springs, and rainforest scenery.
Manuel Antonio Hotel Guide: Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations. We’ve got you covered on the best places to stay for beach access, wildlife viewing, and fun pools.
Best Hotels for Families: Insider Tips – We have two kids of our own in Costa Rica. Read our tips for family-friendly hotels in popular destinations all around the country.
