Car Rental Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 14:29 on 2020-02-04. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
Spanish,
English
English
Currency
CRC
Country code
506
Average car rental length
10 days
Economy car rental price
$814.46 / per day
Traffic direction
Right-hand
Speed limit out of town
40 - 60 km/h
25 - 37 mi/h
Speed limit within town
40 km/h
25 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.02%
Airport Car Rental
Get your rental car at San José Airport! Then drive downtown, park your car, and take a self-guided walking tour of San José’s varied architecture—a mix of European and Latin American styles, which reflect Costa Rica’s rich history. Visits to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, the Jade Museum, and the Children’s Museum are also a must.
With a rental car, it’s easy to hook up with a tour at the nearby Poas and Irazú volcanoes, go on a rafting trip, or visit a coffee or butterfly farm. Back in San José choose a smaller restaurant outside the city center for some authentic Costa Rican cuisine.
San José is a great place to visit, but why not get a longer term car rental to keep exploring? You can see more of Costa Rica, swim in the Atlantic one day and the Pacific the next, and even visit neighboring Panama or Nicaragua. Picking up your rental car at San José Airport and dropping it off at a different location is easy. Start planning your adventure today!
San Jose Airport is also known as Juan Santamaría International Airport and Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría.
Top international routes
- Panama City
- Houston
- Miami
- San Salvador
- Mexico City
- Fort Lauderdale
Main airlines
Nature Air, Sansa Airlines, Volaris Costa Rica, Avianca Costa Rica, American Airlines, and Copa Airlines
Terminals
Main Terminal (M) serves all international flights while Domestic Terminal, also known as Sansa Terminal, serves local flights. You can walk between them in less than fives minutes.
Location
San Jose Airport is actually in the city of Alajuela, a suburb of San Jose. The airport is about 20 km (12 mi) west of San Jose city center. Radial Francisco J. Orlich and Route 1 are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.
Most popular types of rental car
- Large cars - from $186 per day
- Medium cars - from $163 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $332 per day
- Small cars - from $178 per day
- SUVs - from $2574 per day
Top car rental companies
- Target Car Rental (Tel: +50624314200 / +50624406918)
- Thrifty (Tel: +50624428585)
- National (Tel: +50622427911)
- Adobe Rent a Car (Tel: +50625424848 / +50624422422 / +50624412219)
- Alamo (Tel: +50622427907)
- Enterprise (Tel: 22427900)
- SIXT (Tel: +50624313803)
- Europcar (Tel: +50625199308)
- Keddy (Tel: +50624409990)
- Economy rent a car (Tel: +50622992000)
- Avis (Tel: +50622932222)
- Budget (Tel: +50624362010)
- Dollar (Tel: +50624432950)
- EasyCar (Tel: +50625424848 / +50624422422 / +50624412219)
- EasyCar (Tel: +50625424848 / +50624422422 / +50624412219)
- Payless Car Rental (Tel: +50624304647)
- Dollar (Tel: +50624432950)
- Thrifty (Tel: +50624428585)
- Thrifty (Tel: +50624428585)
- Payless Car Rental (Tel: +50624304647)
Car rental desks
Most are located in the international arrivals area.
Services and facilities
You’ll find many shops, six duty-free outlets, as well as restaurants and bars. There are also ATMs, two currency exchange offices, a Red Cross Station offering medical help, a pharmacy, and spa. There is no luggage storage service.
Nearest gas station
Delta gas station, located near the corner of Route 1/Pan American Highway and Route 3, can be reached in about 12 minutes and is open 24/7. It’s on the way to the city center. There are many other gas stations near San Jose Airport and in San Jose.
Popular one-way rentals
- Malpais (154 km / 95 mi)
- Liberia (199 km / 123 mi)
- Puerto Viejo (83 km / 51 mi)
- Guapiles (82 km / 50 mi)
- Managua (411 km / 255 mi)
- Rivas (310 km / 192 mi)
Airport info
Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)
- IATA: SJO
- ICAO: MROC
- Airport name: Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)
- Airport type: Public / Civil
- Airport Size: Medium Airport
- Elevation AMSL: 921 m / 3022 ft
- Runway Surface: Asphalt
- Aircraft movements (per year): 87,771
- Passengers (per year): 4,595,355
- Airport Hours: 24 hours a day
Top Locations near Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport)
-
Car Rental at San Jose, Downtown from $141.30 per day
Map of Car Rental Locations
When are car rental prices cheapest at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport)?
The cost of renting a car at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) depends on the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best deal.
Average Rental Price at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport)
The cheapest time of the year to rent a vehicle at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) is April when prices for an Economy class start from $29.79. You can see that this is 26% cheaper than the yearly average and 48% cheaper than renting a car in July (when rental prices start at $57.54 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price. But remember that these are average numbers. The exact cost of your rental will depend on your rental length and on how far in advance you book the car. Enter your travel dates at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers!
What’s the most popular rental length at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport)?
Travel length differs from one month to another: in December the average rental period is 11 days, while in October, the average rental period is only 6 days.
Average Rental Length at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport)
Which is the busiest car rental month at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport)?
Travelers are most likely to rent a car at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) in December, while the fewest number of travelers rent in June.
Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) Car Rental Popularity by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GreenMotion | Daihatsu Bego | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| GreenMotion | Daihatsu Bego | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Toyota RAV4 | 4 | 3 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Nissan X-Trail 4x4 | 4 | 3 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Toyota RAV4 | 4 | 4 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Hyundai Creta | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Ace Rent a car | Suzuki Jimny | 3 | 1 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Hyundai Creta | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Ace Rent a car | Suzuki Jimny | 4 | 4 | SUVs |
| GreenMotion | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
FAQ
What do you need to rent a car at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)?
In most cases, you need a driver’s license, passport or ID card, and a credit card (in the name of the main driver), and the booking voucher to rent a car. Some companies may have additional requirements (be sure to check the rental conditions).
On what side of the road do they drive in Costa Rica?
Drivers must drive on the right side of the road.
Can I rent a car at 18 in Costa Rica?
Yes, you can rent a car at the age of 18.
How old do you have to be to rent a car at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)?
You must be between 18 and 75 years old.
Can you rent automatic cars at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)?
Yes, automatic cars are available from Economy rent a car, SIXT and GreenMotion at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO).
Can I rent a car with a debit card?
Though most companies require a credit card to leave a deposit, some accept debit cards. Check the rental conditions for more information.
Can I rent a car without a credit card?
Most companies require a credit card to pick up the car. Some may accept debit cards or cash. Check the rental conditions for more information.
What car classes can I rent?
Medium cars, SUVs, , Small cars, Large cars and People Carriers/Vans vehicle types are available at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO).
Can I rent a car at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO) with my home country’s driver's license (for example, U.S., U.K., or Australia)?
In most cases, a driver’s license from your home country is acceptable if it uses the Latin alphabet. In some cases, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Check the rental conditions for more information.
If your driver’s license does not use the Latin alphabet, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO).
Do I need an International Driving Permit at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)?
In most cases, if your driver’s license uses the Latin alphabet, you can rent a car in at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO) without an International Driving Permit (IDP). In some cases, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Check the rental conditions for more information.
If your driver’s license does not use the Latin alphabet, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO).
How much does an additional driver cost? Is there an option for a free additional driver?
No rental company at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO) offers a free additional driver.
How much does it cost to rent a car at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)?
A rental car costs $1208 per day, on average. The lowest daily price found in the past 48 hours was $160 at Economy rent a car.
How much is car rental for a week?
The average price for a weekly rental at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO) is $8459. In the past 48 hours, the lowest price for a weekly rental at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO) was $1118.
What car rental companies are located at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)?
Economy rent a car, SIXT and GreenMotion can be found at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO).
What car rental companies are onsite (in terminal) at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)?
Keddy, National, Economy rent a car, Avis and Budget are located onsite at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO).
What car rental companies offer shuttle service at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)?
Alamo, NuCarrentals, Ace Rent a car, SIXT, SIXT and MEX RENT A CAR offer shuttle service to their location at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO).
Which car rental companies offer meet and greet at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)?
GreenMotion offers meet and greet service at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO).
What is the best car rental company at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)?
Ratings and reviews left by our users indicate that the best providers are Target Car Rental (8.6, 6 reviews), Alamo (8.6, 5 reviews) and Payless Car Rental (8.6, 13 reviews).
Top 20 Suppliers for Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) in 2020
Thrifty
+50624428585
From Juan Santamaría Airport, 1 Km E, 50 mts N., San Jose
National
+50622427911
Llegadas internaciones, Aeropuerto Juan Santamaría, Provincia de Alajuela, Alajuela
Adobe Rent a Car
+50625424848 / +50624422422 / +50624412219
1.4 Km al Este Alajuela 20109, Alajuela, Río Segundo
Alamo
+50622427907
500 Meters East And 200 Meters South Of Hotel Costa Rica Marriott, San Jose
Enterprise
22427900
SAN JOSE INTL AIRPORT,
Europcar
+50625199308
MANGO PLAZA 1KM NORTH OF JUAN SANTA
Keddy
+50624409990
Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Avis
+50622932222
Juan Santamaria Intl Apo Alajuela Centro
Budget
+50624362010
Juan Santamaría International Airport, Alajuela CR 20101, Alajuela Province, Río Segundo
Dollar
+50624432950
Alajuela Province, Alajuela
EasyCar
+50625424848 / +50624422422 / +50624412219
1.4 Km al Este Alajuela 20109, Alajuela, Río Segundo
EasyCar
+50625424848 / +50624422422 / +50624412219
1.4 Km al Este Alajuela 20109, Alajuela, Río Segundo
Dollar
+50624432950
Alajuela Province, Alajuela
Thrifty
+50624428585
From Juan Santamaría Airport, 1 Km E, 50 mts N., San Jose
Thrifty
+50624428585
From Juan Santamaría Airport, 1 Km E, 50 mts N., San Jose
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