Car Rental at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport)
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 02:00 on 2021-01-25. 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
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 $65 per day
- Medium cars - from $46 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $110 per day
- Small cars - from $40 per day
- SUVs - from $77 per day
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
- Name: Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)
- Size: Medium Airport
- Aircraft movements (per year): 87,771
- Passengers (per year): 4,595,355
- Working hours: 24 hours a day
Top 6 Locations near Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport)
-
Car Rental San Jose Belen from $27.25 per day
-
Car Rental San Jose-Hotel Ramada Herradura from $27.25 per day1.3 km / 0.8 miles away
-
Car Rental San Jose La Uruca from $40.10 per day7.5 km / 4.6 miles away
-
Car Rental at Quepos La Managua Airport from $49.50 per day61.2 km / 38.0 miles away
-
Car Rental at Liberia Airport from $17.42 per day165.0 km / 102.6 miles away
-
Car Rental at Tamarindo Airport from $45.00 per day183.9 km / 114.3 miles away
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 $33.24. 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 $64.21 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
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.
Popularity by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy rent a car | Nissan X-Trail 4x4 | 4 | 3 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Toyota RAV4 | 4 | 3 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Toyota RAV4 | 4 | 4 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Hyundai Creta | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Hyundai Accent | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Economy rent a car | Hyundai i10 | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Economy rent a car | Hyundai Creta | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Hyundai Tucson | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| GreenMotion | Daihatsu Bego | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| GreenMotion | Toyota RAV4 | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
FAQ
Can I enter Nicaragua from Costa Rica for a day?
No, it is not possible to take a rental car from Costa Rica to Nicaragua. No rental company in Costa Rica allows this.
Top 17 Suppliers at Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) in 2021
+50670418324 / +50621053400 / +50621053466
3, Rio Segundo, Provincia de Alajuela, Alajuela, 20109
$20 - $137
Working hours
Mon:06:00-22:00
Tue:06:00-22:00
Wed:06:00-22:00
Thu:06:00-22:00
Fri:06:00-22:00
Sat:06:00-22:00
Sun:06:00-22:00
+50624314200 / +50624406918
Shuttle Bus
$45 - $99
National
+50622427911
Llegadas internaciones, Aeropuerto Juan Santamaría, Provincia de Alajuela, Alajuela
$32 - $641
Adobe Rent a Car
+50625424848 / +50624422422 / +50624412219
1.4 Km al Este Alajuela 20109, Alajuela, Río Segundo
$47 - $109
Alamo
+50622427907
500 Meters East And 200 Meters South Of Hotel Costa Rica Marriott, San Jose
$27 - $163
Enterprise
22427800
SAN JOSE INTL AIRPORT,
+50624313803
Oficentro Plaza aeropuerto C3
$40 - $73
Europcar
+50625199308 / +50608005425527
Europcar,Carretera al Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría, Provincia de Alajuela, Río Segundo, 20109
Working hours
Mon:06:00-22:00
Tue:06:00-22:00
Wed:06:00-22:00
Thu:06:00-22:00
Fri:06:00-22:00
Sat:06:00-22:00
Sun:06:00-22:00
Keddy
+50624409990
Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Working hours
Mon:06:00-22:00
Tue:06:00-22:00
Wed:06:00-22:00
Thu:06:00-22:00
Fri:06:00-22:00
Sat:06:00-22:00
Sun:06:00-22:00
+50622992000
Arrivals, Alajuela Province, Alajuela
$49 - $67
Working hours
Mon:00:01-23:59
Tue:00:01-23:59
Wed:00:01-23:59
Thu:00:01-23:59
Fri:00:01-23:59
Sat:00:01-23:59
Sun:00:01-23:59
Avis
+50622932222
Juan Santamaria Intl Apo Alajuela Centro
$36 - $75
Working hours
Mon:05:00-22:30
Tue:05:00-22:30
Wed:05:00-22:30
Thu:05:00-22:30
Fri:05:00-22:30
Sat:05:00-22:30
Sun:05:00-22:30
Budget
+50624362010
Juan Santamaría International Airport, Alajuela CR 20101, Alajuela Province, Río Segundo
$79 - $158
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
Alamo
22427733
San Jose Intl Airport
Working hours
Mon:05:00-23:45
Tue:05:00-23:45
Wed:05:00-23:45
Thu:05:00-23:45
Fri:05:00-23:45
Sat:11:45-23:45
Sun:05:00-12:00
+50624426000
Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica
$26 - $80
RightCars
+50621053466 / 50624407838
Office is located across from
$30 - $495
Working hours
Mon:08:00-22:00
Tue:08:00-22:00
Wed:08:00-22:00
Thu:08:00-22:00
Fri:08:00-22:00
Sat:08:00-22:00
Sun:08:00-22:00
MEX RENT A CAR
+50625424848 / +50624422422
Del Hotel Holiday Inn Express, 1.4 Km al Este Alajuela 20109, Alajuela, Río Segundo
Working hours
Mon:05:00-22:00
Tue:05:00-22:00
Wed:05:00-22:00
Thu:05:00-22:00
Fri:05:00-22:00
Sat:05:00-22:00
Sun:05:00-22:00