Flying from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO): What you need to know
Planning your trip starts with working out where you'll leave from in Orlando. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for booking a flight from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) out of here.
Expect to be travelling for 3 hours 10 minutes. That's the average time for a direct Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport flight.
The timezone in San Jose is UTC-6, which is one hour behind Orlando. Juan Santamaria International Airport is located in San Jose.
You can pick from 22 direct weekly services between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). This is the most popular route when departing from Orlando.
Leave plenty of time to make your flight from Orlando to SJO. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak month like March? Busy periods (like spring break and Thanksgiving) can add another hour at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Airports in Orlando
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando International Airport (MCO) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) take off from this terminal.
A range of airlines at MCO operate direct flights from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Some of the most popular are:
Volaris Costa Rica is the airline with the highest passenger demand for flights from MCO to SJO.
Spirit Airlines is the top-ranked carrier for punctuality on this route.
Consider adding a stopover to find cheap flights from Orlando to SJO. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Orlando International Airport (MCO). Make a stop (and maybe make your fare cheaper) by passing through one of these popular airports:
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
The journey from central Orlando to MCO takes around 1 hour by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near Orlando International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the ideal choice:
Of all flights departing from Orlando International Airport, 77% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
MCO is located at One Airport Boulevard.
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)
SFB is about 40 kilometres from central Orlando. It'll take 35 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your Orlando to SJO flight? Unwind in a hotel near Orlando Sanford International Airport before your break officially begins. These stays are calling your name:
69% of flights departing Orlando Sanford International Airport meet their expected arrival time.
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 Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Stay at one of these accommodation options near SJO instead:
To lock in the lowest price, reserve your vehicle around three weeks in advance of your Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport flight.
Getting from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to central San Jose
From Juan Santamaria International Airport, central San Jose is around 18 kilometres away. It takes about 25 minutes to reach the city centre by car.
Travelling by public transport typically takes 1 hour.
How to find the cheapest flights from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
Currently, R 1,129 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 3,666. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
To snag cheap flights from Orlando to SJO, book your ticket one month before your planned departure.
June is when you're most likely to land a bargain on a Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport ticket. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Never miss a deal on plane tickets from Orlando to SJO by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when prices go down.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport.
The best time to fly from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
December is the quietest month for flights from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), while January is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to go to San Jose based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in San Jose is March, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Lock in your Orlando to SJO plane ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
January has temperatures of between 11ºC (52ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Jose
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in San Jose right here. Browse these hotels after you've booked your flight from Orlando to Juan Santamaria International Airport:
Your trip to San Jose should come with a bit of sightseeing. Leading attractions that belong on your itinerary include National Park (Parque Nacional), Central Park (Parque Central) and Precolumbian Gold Museum.
Explore more of Costa Rica
San Jose has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of Costa Rica just waiting to be discovered. About 129 kilometres east of San Jose, a trip to Limon will fill your itinerary to the brim. Don't miss top attractions like Veragua Rainforest Park, Playa Bonita and Playa Los Baños.
Liberia is another standout destination in Costa Rica and is around 153 kilometres northwest of San Jose. No trip is complete without visiting Museo de Guanacaste, Mirador de Liberia and Catarata oropendola.