Arrivals guide · Major airport

Meeting someone at San Jose Juan Santamaría Airport.

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO · MROC), Alajuela Province, Costa Rica. Which terminal, how long they'll take to come out, and a greeting board ready for the arrivals hall.

Airport codeSJO
SizeMajor airport
Local timeAmerica/Costa Rica
BorderPassport control for international

Greeting board for San Jose Juan Santamaría Airport

Make a sign for SJO Arrivals. Show it full screen, save it, or create a Greet so they can find you.

Colour
Create a Greet with this board
Welcome to San Jose
Helen Smith
arigreet.com

Which terminal

Juan Santamaría International Airport is one of San Jose's main airports and may have more than one terminal. Check the arrival terminal on their booking or in the airline's app before you set off, and put it in your Greet.

Where to wait

Put the exact spot in your Greet. Your guest sees it on their phone from the moment they land at SJO, even without signal.

  • Inside the arrivals hall, a few metres back from the doors passengers come through.
  • At one landmark you can both name: a numbered exit, a café sign or the information desk.
  • Not right at the barrier, where everyone crowds and nobody can see past the first row.

Passport control and timing

International arrivals go through passport control and customs before the arrivals hall. Domestic flights within Costa Rica are usually much quicker.

San Jose runs on America/Costa Rica time. The clock at the top of this page shows the local time now.

Other airports nearby

If they could be flying into a different airport, check which one first. Within 250 km of SJO: San Jose Tobías Bolaños SYQ (9 km), Quepos XQP (62 km), La Fortuna/San Carlos FON (67 km), Puerto Limon LIO (130 km), Nicoya NOB (158 km).

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before getting started.

Which terminal will they arrive at in San Jose?

Check the arrival terminal on their booking or in the airline's app. Smaller airports like SJO usually have one arrivals area.

How long after landing do passengers come out at SJO?

Usually 20 to 45 minutes, longer with checked bags or passport control. With a Greet they tap I've landed and Collecting my bags, so you know instead of guessing.

What time is it at SJO right now?

San Jose runs on America/Costa Rica time. The live local time is shown at the top of this page.

Can my guest use Arigreet at SJO without the app?

Yes. They open your link in their phone's browser. Airport Wi-Fi is enough.