Flying from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Mexico City: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City and you'll be in the air for an average of 3 hours 5 minutes.
Mexico City's timezone is UTC-6, which is the same as San Jose (the location of Juan Santamaria International Airport).
Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) is the most popular route, with 27 flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from SJO to MEX is with Volaris Costa Rica at 16:48. Go for the first departure with Aeromexico at 06:18 if you want to fly out earlier.
To avoid missing your SJO to Mexico City flight, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Heading away during a peak period like school or public holidays? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. To give yourself peace of mind, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
You can book a direct Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City ticket. Begin your trip at SJO and land at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX).
Choose from a variety of carriers that offer direct flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City. Book your ticket with one of these:
We make it easy to book flight tickets from SJO to Mexico City with a stopover. To see your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
The journey from central San Jose to SJO takes around 2 hours 20 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a hotel near SJO? If you're boarding an early flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City, these accommodation options will get you from your pillow to the plane in no time:
Of the departures from Juan Santamaria International Airport, 79.83% land on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Mexico City
Rs31,410 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City flight. A round-trip ticket right now is Rs71,696. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares could change.
Get cheap flights from SJO to Mexico City by booking one month ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
The best month for scoring cheap Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City tickets is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
Save time looking for cheap flights from SJO to Mexico City by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Find an affordable flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Mexico City
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX)
The distance from Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) to central Mexico City is roughly 8 kilometres. It takes around 25 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling by public transport takes about 55 minutes.
Book a hotel close to MEX if you're coming in on a late flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Benito Juarez International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from INFINITY RENT, MEX or America and explore beyond Mexico City's main sights.
Reserving your ride from Benito Juarez International Airport around four weeks in advance of your flight from SJO to Mexico City can help you get the lowest rate.
Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU)
After your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City has hit the tarmac, you can reach the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Mexico City is roughly 40 kilometres from Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU).
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 45 minutes.
You'll find some fantastic places to lay your head within a quick drive of NLU. Switch to relaxation mode at Verticca Hotel after your SJO to Mexico City flight.
No need to worry about public transport schedules or waiting forever for a cab. Grab a Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Compare offers from Europcar, MEX and Keddy By Europcar.
Snap up a deal by reserving your ride from NLU one week in advance. You'll also have access to a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Mexico City
Travel to Mexico City during the high season if you prefer a lively atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices tend to be higher. Alternatively, book flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City in the low season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
The warmest month in Mexico City is April, with temperatures ranging between 10ºC and 28ºC. Lock in your Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City flight ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
Look for cheap tickets from SJO to Mexico City in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 6ºC and 23ºC on average.
More about Mexico City
After booking your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Mexico City, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Mexico City:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Chapultepec Park, Zocalo and National Museum of Anthropology are major attractions which should feature on any well-planned Mexico City itinerary.
Explore more of Mexico
Mexico City has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Mexico you should also see. Around 467 kilometres west of Mexico City, a visit to Guadalajara will fill your itinerary to the brim. Check out popular attractions like Teatro Degollado, Portales Tlaquepaque Park and Zoologico Guadalajara.
Puebla is another must-experience destination in Mexico and is around 105 kilometres south-east of Mexico City. No trip is complete without dropping by Mirador de Los Fuertes, Cuexcomate and Street of Candies.
