Travelling from Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO): What you need to know
Johannesburg's main base, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), is where countless incredible trips begin. Explore the departure options from here when searching for a flight from Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO).
Juan Santamaria International Airport is located in San Jose. The city runs on the UTC-6 timezone and is eight hours behind Johannesburg.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are tried-and-true travel tips. Get to the airport on time to board your flight from Johannesburg to SJO.
Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're travelling during high season, so give yourself some extra wiggle room. The recommendation for peak periods? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for cheap flights from Johannesburg to SJO leaving from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to get ideas for where to visit along the way. Your journey might pause in:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Located around 29 kilometres from central Johannesburg, JNB can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport is roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your break? Stay near O.R. Tambo International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels have you covered:
When it comes to the on-time performance of O.R. Tambo International Airport, 77.1% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Driving from central Johannesburg to HLA usually takes 50 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. The distance from the city centre to the airport is around 48 kilometres.
Flying off with the first light? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Lanseria International Airport the day before your Johannesburg to SJO flight:
About Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Get comfy at one of these accommodation options near SJO instead:
Travel at your own pace with a Juan Santamaria International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from NextCar, Europcar or Dollar and venture far and wide through San Jose and beyond.
For the best deal, reserve your ride around three weeks ahead of your Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport flight.
Getting from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to central San Jose
Central San Jose is roughly 14 kilometres from Juan Santamaria International Airport. Journey times by car hire or cab will vary based on time of day and traffic conditions, so do a little research ahead of time.
It takes around 2 hours 20 minutes if you're using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
At the moment, Rs163,974 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs354,226. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to walk away with cheap flights from Johannesburg to SJO if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird discounts.
Cheap Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport tickets are easier to find when you have flexibility in your schedule. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare fares throughout the month and then pick the cheapest day.
Snapping up a cheap flight ticket from Johannesburg to SJO is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as prices go down.
Lock in a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport by using the search filters. Select your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
May is the quietest month for flights from Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), while July is the busiest. Choose the best time to go to San Jose based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Lock in a Johannesburg to SJO flight ticket departing in March if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in San Jose to range from 12ºC to 29ºC.
January has temperatures of between 12ºC and 26ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about San Jose
Once you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to Juan Santamaria International Airport, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring San Jose:
There are loads of things to do in San Jose when you're ready to see the sights. Kick off your itinerary at National Park (Parque Nacional) followed by Jurassic World and Central Park (Parque Central).
Explore more of Costa Rica
You've done San Jose, now it's time to explore other corners of Costa Rica. Journey about 129 kilometres east to Limon to check off its top attractions. From Veragua Rainforest Park to Playa Bonita and Playa Los Baños, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
If there's time to check out another great destination in Costa Rica, head for Liberia, roughly 153 kilometres north-west of San Jose. Ponderosa Adventure Park, Ecologico Park and Museo de Guanacaste are highlights.