The San Jose International Airport is the first destination most Gringos (American, Canadian, European visitors) will have in Costa Rica (unless you’re flying into Liberia).  This is a true international hub, most likely there will be someone else in the airport that either grew up in your same town or went to the same University as you no matter where you are from.  The airport is modern and in good condition, complete with souvenir shops and a food court.  The waiting area for departures is always overcrowded, hopefully you don’t mind sitting on the floor. 

Going through customs while exiting the airport is extremely fast, eventhough the line may look long.  Be sure to have already filled out your immigration form the flight attendant gave to you, also have your passport ready to be checked.  while waiting in line there are flat screen tvs playing footage of many Costa Rican hot spots (most likey you’ll get a sneak preview of where you going to be in a matter of hours).  After getting your passport stamped you head down a flight of stairs where you will pick up you luggage then wait in another very short line to have your bags go through the inspection machine one last time before entering the country.  You are now one hallway from Costa Rica.  Hopefully you have arranged for a private transfer before you left because outside the airport is a madhouse.  It you haven’t arranged for transportation get an official airport taxi, the representative for the official taxi has a both inside the airport near the exit, speaks English and will charge you a legitimate preset fare, many of the third party cabs will try to rip you off.  From here on enjoy the country.

When you return to the airport be sure to get there 2 hours before your flight, the check-in line can be long.  Remember to have $26 American dollars Cashon you for the customs fee to get out of the country, I have seen people in the airport who did not know this and had to desperately beg people in the airport for the money to catch their flight.

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Filed under: Travel on August 2nd, 2007