Flying from Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO): What you need to know
Start your holiday planning by working out where you'll catch your flight from Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Belfast International Airport (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) are the main airports in Belfast.
San Jose is six hours behind Belfast. Juan Santamaria International Airport is located in San Jose, which is in the UTC-6 timezone.
Leave plenty of time to make your flight from Belfast to SJO. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During high season, expect extended wait times and get there earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and up to four hours for international trips.
Airports in Belfast
Belfast International Airport (BFS)
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to discover a new place or just take a break during your trip. When searching for a cheap flight from Belfast to SJO, uncheck 'Direct flights only' to check out all potential stops. Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is an option when you're setting off from Belfast International Airport (BFS).
The journey from central Belfast to BFS takes around 2 hours by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
In search of a comfortable hotel close to Belfast International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
67.55% of flights that take off from Belfast International Airport touch down at their destination on time.
George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)
Schedule a stopover during your journey at London Gatwick Airport (LGW). It's a key transfer point for flights from Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) out of George Best Belfast City Airport.
You can arrive at BHD from central Belfast in about 10 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 20 minutes to cover the 8 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your Belfast to SJO flight? Relax in a hotel near George Best Belfast City Airport before your trip officially starts. These stays are calling your name:
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, George Best Belfast City Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 68.3%.
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 Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Book one of these accommodation options near SJO instead:
Go where the road takes you with a Juan Santamaria International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from NextCar, Europcar or Dollar and venture far and wide through San Jose and beyond.
To get the best deal, book your ride around three weeks ahead of your Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport flight.
Getting from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to central San Jose
Juan Santamaria International Airport is about 14 kilometres from central San Jose. The time it takes to get to the centre in a cab or car hire will depend on the time of day. Do a little research before your trip.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of around 2 hours 20 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
R 6,402 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport. A return flight starts at R 13,120. These prices can change based on availability.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Belfast to SJO if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird rates.
If you can be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across every month when searching for your Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport ticket.
Save time looking for cheap plane tickets from Belfast to SJO by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when fares go down.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport.
The best time to fly from Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
It's time to work out when to book your flight from Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). July is the busiest month to travel to San Jose. If you prefer a quieter vibe, think about going in May.
Lock in a Belfast to SJO plane ticket departing in March if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in San Jose to range from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
January sees temperatures of between 12ºC (54ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Jose
After booking your flight from Belfast to Juan Santamaria International Airport, find a hotel that puts you in a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Jose:
There are loads of exciting things to do in San Jose when you're ready to get out and sightsee. Head straight for National Park (Parque Nacional) followed by Jurassic World and Central Park (Parque Central).
Explore more of Costa Rica
Limon is just one of the many cities in Costa Rica waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of San Jose. Around 129 kilometres away to the east, check out popular attractions including Veragua Rainforest Park, Playa Bonita and Playa Los Baños.
Liberia is another well-known destination in Costa Rica and is around 153 kilometres north-west of San Jose. No journey is complete without dropping by Ponderosa Adventure Park, Ecologico Park and Museo de Guanacaste.