Travelling from Montevideo Airport (MVD) to San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO): what you need to know
San Jose is three hours behind Montevideo and is in the UTC-6 timezone.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your MVD to SJO flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid any last-minute rush.
You can expect bigger queues during popular months such as June. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
If you'd like to break up your flight, simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Montevideo Airport to San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport. Here are the most popular stopovers between MVD and SJO:
Miami International Airport
Bogota Airport
Panama City Tocumen International Airport
Handy information about Montevideo Airport (MVD)
Montevideo Airport gets top marks for on-time performance. 86% of flights that depart MVD arrive at their destination on time.
Montevideo Airport is about 23 kilometres from central Montevideo. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
The journey when using public transport typically takes 45 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel close to MVD? If you're boarding an early flight from Montevideo Airport to San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Arriving at San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO)
Reserve a hotel close to SJO if you have a late Montevideo Airport to San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport flight. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer after landing:
Pick up a San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport rental car and discover San Jose and beyond with your own wheels. NextCar, Europcar and Dollar are top outlets to choose from here.
Get the best deal by booking your vehicle from San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport around three weeks before your travel date.
Getting from San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to central San Jose
San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport is roughly 18 kilometres from the centre of San Jose. The drive time takes about 25 minutes.
Getting to the centre by public transport will take you roughly 1 hour.
When to fly to San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO)
It's time to choose your dates for your flight from Montevideo Airport to San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport. April is the busiest month to visit San Jose. If you want a more low-key vibe, go in March.
When reserving your flight from Montevideo Airport to San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. March is the warmest month in San Jose, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from MVD to SJO in January. Temperatures average between 11ºC (52ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF) then.
Explore more of Costa Rica
Limon is just one of the many cities in Costa Rica waiting to be discovered after you've experienced San Jose. Around 113 kilometres away to the east, check out popular attractions including Veragua Rainforest Park, Playa Bonita and Playa Los Baños.