Flying from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO): What you need to know
Los Angeles's main base, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), is where plenty of awesome adventures begin. Explore the departure options from here when searching for a flight from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO).
5 hours 50 minutes is the average duration of a direct Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport flight.
San Jose is two hours ahead of Los Angeles. Juan Santamaria International Airport is located in San Jose, which is in the UTC-6 timezone.
The most popular route is from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Choose from 9 direct services each week. Alaska Airlines operates a 3pm departure between LAX and SJO.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your flight from Los Angeles to SJO. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Hopping on a plane during a peak month like December? Popular periods (like Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break) can add another hour at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a convenient option for travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) can be booked from this terminal.
At LAX, you'll find a variety of airlines that operate direct flights from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport, including:
The majority of travellers choose to fly with Alaska Airlines between LAX and SJO.
Among carriers operating on this route, Delta has the highest percentage of on-time landings.
Consider adding a stopover to find cheap flights from Los Angeles to SJO. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Pause your trip (and maybe pocket some savings) with a stop at one of these popular options:
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
El Salvador International Airport (SAL)
Guatemala City La Aurora Interantional Airport (GUA)
The journey from central Los Angeles to LAX takes about 1 hour by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 29 kms (18 miles) in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want an easy start to your travels? Stay near Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Los Angeles International Airport has a solid on-time record, reducing your chances of a delayed flight. Departures from LAX land at their destination as scheduled 81% of the time.
The address for LAX is One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
With public transport, you can travel from central Los Angeles to VNY in about 1 hour 15 minutes. The airport is roughly 29 kms (18 miles) away, and making the journey by car takes approximately 35 minutes.
Catching the earliest flight? Think about checking in to one of these accommodation options near Van Nuys Airport the day before your Los Angeles to SJO flight:
About Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
Consider booking a hotel near SJO if you have a late flight from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Choose one of these accommodation options and get some sleep sooner:
Travel at your own speed with a Juan Santamaria International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from NextCar, Europcar or Dollar and chase adventure across San Jose and beyond.
To get the best deal, book your vehicle around three weeks in advance of your Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport flight.
Getting from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to central San Jose
From Juan Santamaria International Airport, central San Jose is around 18 kms (11 miles) away. It takes about 25 minutes to get to the city centre by car.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of roughly 1 hour.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
Currently, £106 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is £246. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Los Angeles to SJO if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird discounts.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport tickets throughout the entire month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Snapping up a cheap plane ticket from Los Angeles to SJO is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as a better deal is available.
Filters make it easier to dig up a deal for your flight from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Pick the departure times, airlines and number of stops that match your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the most affordable option fast.
The best time to fly from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
January is the busiest month for flights from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Visit San Jose in October for a more laid-back experience.
The warmest month in San Jose is March, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC and 29ºC. Book your Los Angeles to SJO plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
Search for cheap tickets from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 12ºC and 26ºC.
More about San Jose
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in San Jose right here. Browse these options after you've booked your flight from Los Angeles to Juan Santamaria International Airport:
Your San Jose visit should come with a side of sightseeing. Leading attractions that are worth your time include National Park (Parque Nacional), Jurassic World and Central Park (Parque Central).
Explore more of Costa Rica
Limon is just one of the many places in Costa Rica waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of San Jose. Around 129 kms (80 miles) away to the east, its best attractions include Veragua Rainforest Park, Playa Bonita and Playa Los Baños.
Liberia is another sought-after destination in Costa Rica and is around 153 kms (95 miles) northwest of San Jose. No trip is complete without experiencing Ponderosa Adventure Park, Ecologico Park and Museo de Guanacaste.