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.
We love all the information your blog has for travelers to Costa Rica. On our last 2 trips we stayed at Hotel Robledal (also mentioned in another comment) near airport on arrival late at night. It’s a family run place in what seems like a run down area about 10 minutes drive from SJO but once you enter their property you are in an oasis with gardens, birds, a pool and comfortable rooms with varying prices. Breakfast and shuttle from/to airport included except after 10 PM. Lovely people, highly recommend.
Hi, Seven of us are traveling to CR in late January 2025 for a week in Manuel Antonio. We arrive late at SJO, so I booked a one night stay at Studio Hotel Boutique in San Jose, any thoughts? We will then be driving to the Shana by the Beach resort in a rental through Adobe, will the roads be paved?
Hi Jim, We have stayed at the Studio Hotel many times. It’s nice, but not really in the airport zone. It’s located in Santa Ana about a half-hour from the airport. If you’re getting in late, you may be better off booking somewhere closer.
Yes, all the roads from San Jose to Manuel Antonio are paved and well maintained. It’s a fairly easy drive.
Hello. I am looking for a reasonably priced option somewhat close to the airport, but fairly quiet. Many of the listings above have lots of reviews including road and talking noise. Not sure it’s possible. Thanks!
Hi Dave, We try to find quiet places too. Of the options in this post, the best for noise is Hotel Terrazas de Golf. We have stayed several times. Airplane noise is not an issue and it’s always quiet as far as other guests go. They only have a handful of rooms and it’s on a very quiet road.
A higher priced option some might want to consider just 20 minutes from the airport on a hill overlooking Alajuela and the airport is Xandari Resort, in a rainforest with 5 waterfalls, a farm, some of the most beautiful gardens, and lots of original art in the Frank Lloyd Wright style architecture with gorgeous vistas, spa, lots of birds and butterflies to photograph and gourmet food in the restaurant! You will like it so well, one night is not enough! 🙂
Hi Charlie, Yes, Xandari is another great option for something more high end. Thanks for the suggestion.
We love Hotel La Riviera. Shuttle service and great restaurant.
La Riviera looks great. Thanks for the tip!
La Riviera is great! Everyone is friendly and welcoming. Feels like a private oasis and safe area to walk around. A fancy supermarket is across the street.
Hello- do you know what airport hotels allow you to leave a car for 5 nights?
Hi Cindy, We have heard that Holiday Inn Express SJO will let you leave your car.
We just stayed at Xandari Hotel for 2 nights and it was fantastic. About 20 minutes to the airport when no traffic and way above the City overlooking the lights. Gorgeous gardens, hiking trails to waterfalls, long swimming pools and amazing architecture. Outdoor dining area has fantastic views of the City and the airport runway from quite a distance. Very quiet.
Hi Amy, The Xandari is a great hotel too – very beautiful and unique. Thanks for adding another option to our list!
Hola! We stayed at La Sabana Hotel Suites & Apartments on Calle 48 off of Avenida 3 near the large Central Park. It was clean, comfortable and close to the museums and Mercado Central. The Hotel staff were all cheerful and helpful. The table service Breakfast (included) offered guests five nice choices. We highly recommend La Sabana Hotel.
Good day from Canada. Every year I spend the winter in Costa Rica just outside of Quepos. I always start and end my new experiences by staying at a B & B in Alajuela called Margarita’s Guest House in La Giralda. The prices also include top notch meals. It is also only 10 minutes from the airport. Margarita is a Tica with perfect command of English and has a wealth of information for travelers.
Hi Dannie, Thanks so much for the recommendation. Margarita’s Guest House looks like a great option for people, especially those interested in staying with locals. Thanks for the tip!
Have you ever tried the Pura Vida Hotel? That was recommended to us as a great hotel near SJO.
Hi Anita, We haven’t stayed at Pura Vida Hotel ourselves, but have heard from people that it’s a nice option. It’s in a good location too, close to the airport (just a short drive), but not too close.
i am loving your site and your 2 week itinerary book. ( bedtime travel porn) we are planning on coming second half of july next year, yes we are braving the rainy season. My thoughts are 1 night san jose, 2 nights tortuguero, pick up hire car in Guilapes, then 3 nights arenal area, 2 nights bijagua, 2 nights monteverde , 4 nights manuel antonio. i am slightly concerned we are doing a bit too much travelling, and wonder whether we should drop either the bijagua or monteverde parts and do extra day san jose at end and extra day just chilling manuel antonia. we have long 12 hour international flights at each end of trip. 2 adults 2 kids 15 and 11.
I don’t think Hotel Aeropuerto offers 24 hour shuttle took and from the airport. We recently arrived late at night with reservations and were advised by the hotel to take a taxi.
Hi Bob, Thanks for the heads up. Updating our post to take this out now.
Hi, I enjoyed reading the posts; there is some great info here. I am also from the Boston area (Methuen). I have been to CR five times and returning next month for photography.
Jeff
Hello. Thank you for taking time to give people this good information. I am visiting Costa Rica with a group of friends at the end of October. I am flying into SJO a few days early to do some adventuring by myself. Hotel Los Volcanes sounded like the perfect place for me but it is booked up for the dates I need. What other hotels or areas would you recommend staying that would allow me to check out the local culture?
Hi Eric, Downtown San Jose would be a good option. Then you’d be close to a lot of cultural and historical sights like the National Theater, Gold Museum, National Museum, Central Market, etc. It’s mostly locals that live in this area. Check out our How to Spend 1 or 2 Days in San Jose post for activity and hotel recommendations.
Jenn/Matt – thank you for all of the information! Very helpful for first time visitors. Bringing my family of 6 down next month for a 9 day trip. Staying at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose for 2 nights. Planning on heading up to Guanacaste the morning of the 3rd day in a rental car…expecting 4 hours of drive time. Is that reasonable? We’d like to make a day of it and make stops on the way up if possible…any recommendations? Staying up there for 4 nights (JW) and then headed to Herradura (Los Suenos) for a couple more. Our flight out of San Jose is at 2:30 PM…I believe we have plenty of time to stay in Herradura the evening before as long as we leave to the airport by 8-9 AM ish to be safe. Can you see any issues with that plan? We’re a well traveled family with a couple of young adult children and teenagers that love the beach and outdoor adventure. Really excited to see CR. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.
Hi Hank, Yes, it’s about 4-5 hours from SJO to the JW Marriott, depending on traffic. Be careful with making stops on the way. We don’t usually recommend that if you have all your bags, as vehicle break-ins/theft is a common crime here. But there are some places that are more secure. You would probably be fine stopping at Las Pumas Rescue Center. Llanos de Cortez Waterfall has parking attendants to watch your car but we would still take your most valuable possessions with you and then take turns swimming. For your departure, you should be at SJO by 12:30 so can definitely leave Herradura same day. Hope your family has a great time. We stayed at Los Suenos recently and really enjoyed it. Also be sure to check out our Rental Car Discount. We work with a reputable company and our readers get 10% off.
FYI, the Cariari charges extra for parking, for breakfast, and for the airport shuttle. We didn’t learn this until after we booked, as their website is not forthcoming. Plus, the booking function on the site doesn’t work and says all the rooms are booked when they’re actually available on expedia or booking.
Hi Julie, Good points, thanks for mentioning that. They are one of the cheaper nice airport hotels so I guess they make up the difference with those extra charges.
Jenn & Matt,
We (My wife & I – Baby Boomers ) are heading CR last week of Feb to 1st week of March (13 nights). we arrive at SJO 1 night and then we’re heading to Manuel Antonio for 2 nights.. That leaves us with 10 nights to tour CR and relax a bit ! We then want to head to either Arenal or Tamarindo ? We need to be back at SJO on March 8th.
We want to see sloths, wildlife birds Tucans. Macaws etc…. . We want to go on a zip line.
From Parrita MA are we better off taking Ferry to Montezuma area and spending a night or 2 in that area ? or do we drive the entire way to Tamarindo & beyond?
We like to do things last minute and want to know if you think its necessary to book all hotels before we arrive or can we book as we go from town to town ? Love your site & books. Cheers ! John & Dora, former Bay Staters (now Rhode Islanders)
Hi John and Dora, Not sure our reply is in time for your planning (sorry, we have about 50 comments in our queue right now!), but here are some thoughts. For sloths, birds, and other wildlife, Arenal is the better choice over Tamarindo. You will get to see wildlife in the MA area, though, so maybe that will be enough for you? Tamarindo doesn’t have as much for wildlife but it does have really nice beaches and lots going on (good restaurants, shops, etc.). Zip lining can be done in either location but we prefer the experience/views near Arenal.
If you go to Tamarindo, it’s faster to just drive and skip the ferry. But Montezuma is a fun town and the ferry ride is great and very scenic. So since you have 10 nights, that would be a good way to break up the travel day and see a different area of the country.
As for booking in advance or not, many of the best hotels will fill up since March is the high season, but you will always be able to find something. When we backpacked before having kids, we never booked in advance. Sometimes it made for an adventure arriving to a town without having anything set in stone, but we don’t regret it at all! If you’re planning on doing the 10 nights consecutive in one spot, you might want to book that ahead of time since it will be harder to find that many nights in one place.
We stayed at the Country Inns & Suites which is right next door to the Adventure Inn on one side & the Doubletree by Hilton on the other side. Free parking & free American breakfast buffet. Nice & clean!
Hi Laurie, Country Inn & Suites seems like a great choice! Pool area looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing your experience. Pura vida!
You’re welcome. Nothing fancy but clean and modern! Good value for the money!
We are staying in a rental house in dominical costa rica. They recommended we rent a car. Flying into SJO and then house is about 3 1/2 hours from airport. How is driving and any loopholes I need to know with car rental.
Hi Janeen, They gave you good advice. It is best to have a rental car for most vacation rentals in Dominical. You will find lots of information in our post about driving in Costa Rica and can look up your route in our Road Conditions post (be sure to go Highway 27 to 34 and NOT Highway 2 over the mountains).
As for rental cars, be sure to go with a reputable company that has reliable cars and has all of its fees upfront. Costa Rica has a mandatory insurance that cannot be declined and some companies do not include this in quotes, then surprise you when you get here. We like Adobe Rent a Car but there are other good ones too. Here’s the link to our Rental Car Discount page. We get 10% off and free extra
Hi Guys, love your site – very helpful. Are any of the airport hotels you list pet-friendly? We are flying in with our dogs.
Hi Sally, I think Casa Roland is pet friendly so you could check that.
hey, love your blog! it’s been so helpful in planning my trip to costa rica next week. So we’re planning on using your discount for the adobe rental car and staying at a hotel near the airport the night before our very early flight back home. When we bring the car back would they bring us to the airport? or should we try and drop it off the night before and take the shuttle from the hotel? also, when we arrive in costa rica, will there be someone from adobe to pick us up? we have “reserved” a car but have made no payments. Thanks SO much for making us travelers at ease 🙂
Hi Stefanie, Thanks for renting through our website! I think our Rental Car page should answer all your questions (we updated it recently so it may be different than when you first looked at it). But basically, yes, if you want to drop off the car the day of your flight, Adobe will shuttle you to the airport after. If it is more convenient since you have an early morning flight, you could also drop it off the night before and Adobe will bring you to your hotel for free since it is close to their office/the airport. Just be sure to arrange this in advance with them. And when you arrive, someone will be waiting for you at the airport to pick you up and bring you to the office, as long as you give them your flight details. There is more info on where they will be waiting and how that works on our rental car page. If you still need to give them any of this info, you can do it through email or when you confirm your reservation (see instructions in small print at bottom of email you got from Adobe after making your reservation. You have to call or email with your credit card info). Hope that answers all your questions and you have a great trip!
We are flying to la fortuna and staying at Hotel El Silencio del Campo (02feb-04feb). We will use your discount offer for renting a car and wonder if we need 4wd. Probably only going to/from hotel, tabacon springs, la fortuna and maybe a falls or suspension bridge. We’ll be taking shuttle or van back to SJO- do they pick up at rental office when we drop off car?
We’ve so enjoyed your blog and all the information you provide- thanks.
Hi Laurie, No, you shouldn’t need a 4×4 to go to those places. The roads you’ll drive on are all paved or flat dirt roads.
Not sure if you’re planning to take a shared or private shuttle, but the shared ones usually only do pickups from hotels. What you can do though is find the closest hotel to the Adobe office and select that as your pickup location. Adobe can also pick up the car for you right from your hotel for free if that is easier. Private shuttles will pick you up wherever. If you need a recommendation for a private transfer, just let us know.
We have been planning a trip to Costa Rica. After a lot of looking around online, we decided to stay at the Holiday Inn Express San Jose Airprt on our last night in CR before we flight back to the US. Have you ever been to that hotel? I know it’s not particularly trendy and isn’t going to provide a nice cultural connection, but is it a good hotel?
Hi Brandi, we haven’t been inside the Holiday Inn Express personally, but have driven by many times. Yes it’s a good hotel. It’s very convenient to the airport and from what we understand, has the same feel as a Holiday Inn Express in the US. Furniture, setup, etc, will all be very similar. They also offer a 24 hour shuttle so it is a good option if you are flying in/out at off hours.
I stay at Vida Tropical B&B in Alajuela where private rooms with a shared bath start at $35. It is a short walking distance to restaurants and banks, and $8-10 for a taxi from the airport. The staff here is very friendly and helpful. I’ve seen many travelers come through here that have been here before.
Thanks for the tip on Vida Tropical, Kendra!
Hi Jenn, hi Matt!
Since SJO Airport is where our journey will start, I’m leaving my comment below this post. We’re going to Costa Rica in about 3 weeks and will be staying for almost 3 weeks. A couple of days ago I googled for any information about Rio Celeste and fortunaley came across your blog. Since then I am sitting here every night and read every single post of your page even though I know we are not going to make it to every destination. However, I LOVE how you provide more and better information than my travel book does and how detailed you have described everything. I wish I had discovered your blog before booking because it just became clear to me that we definitely need more than 2 and half weeks for this amazing country. Anyway, thank you so so so much for helping me plan things on our trip. This is the best travel blog I have ever red about a country! Excellent job!!!!
Muchas gracias y un saludo desde Berlin 🙂
Wow, thanks for the complement, Elisa. It’s always nice to hear from our readers- we work hard on our website, and of course, hope it is helpful. Have a wonderful trip!
Any recommendations for hostels close to the airport? I’ve seen some good flights that don’t get into SJO until 10:30 or 11pm, so something relatively inexpensive and close would be great! We’re thinking June for our trip.
Hi Kelsey, Something in Alajuela is probably your best bet because it’s closer to the airport than San Jose. Here are some ideas:
Lajuela Hostel is one option- This is a nicer hostel with more of a B&B feel. They have dorm beds for around $25 and private double rooms for $55 (includes breakfast but not shuttle from the airport). If you’re just looking for a cheap place to crash, there’s Alajuela Backpackers. They have dorm beds for around $12-20 and this includes airport shuttle. There are some relatively cheap regular hotels too. Take a look at Hotel Old House a little outside of downtown Alajuela ($40 for a private room) and Hotel Santamaria right in the center of town ($45 for a private room).
We stayed at Hotel Bougainvillea in Santo Domingo de Heredia. About 20min’s from the airport. (without traffic) Absolutely loved the views, the grounds (the property looks & feels like a botanical garden/ peaceful sanctuary) and the neighborhood-nice place to walk. For such I high end Hotel I thought the rates were very affordable.
Hi Tammy, Hotel Bougainvillea is great suggestion to add to the list. We haven’t actually stayed there but have eaten at the restaurant (which was very good) and walked through those beautiful gardens. We’ve actually been meaning to get back there, they have a really cool chain carved out of wood in their bar area that we want to get a picture of.
I have stayed in Hotel Bougainvillea twice, in 2 011 and 2022. Enjoyed it both times. It was recommended by several Americans living in Quepos. That was their preferred choice for family when visiting.
Matt, Jenn, You really should check out Hotel Robledal, in Alajuela, near SJO. Rates are $90 US (including tax) for two, breakfast and airport p/up/drp off or rental car area shuttle included. We’ve stayed at La Rosa de America twice and liked it also but Hotel Robledal is a better deal and just as nice and not having to deal with a Taxi makes Robledal much more relaxing.
You two have got to be close to due date… hope all is well.
John & Kathy
Thanks John and Kathy. Hotel Robledal looks like a great option, especially since breakfast and airport shuttle is included. We’ll have to check it out. Due date is fast approaching- less than 8 weeks to go!
I can second the Robledal recommendation. We’ve stayed there twice.
I stay at Hotel Pacande $35-$50.
Hotel Pacande looks great, John. Right in downtown Alajuela. We’ll have to check it out next time Hotel Los Volcanes is full. Thanks for the tip.