Flying into a new country for the first time can feel a little intimidating — where do I go, what will they ask me, and how long does it all take? The good news: arriving in Costa Rica is simple and friendly, and once you know what to expect, you'll breeze right through. Here's your plain-English guide to landing at either of Costa Rica's international airports, getting through immigration and customs, and stepping out into paradise.
Costa Rica's two international airports
Costa Rica has two main international airports, and which one you fly into depends on where you're headed:
- San José — Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), just outside the capital in the Central Valley. It's the busiest and best-connected airport, and the one most travelers use — including guests heading to Bella Vista Private Resort, about 1 hour 20 minutes away.
- Liberia — Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), up in the Guanacaste region to the northwest. It's the closest airport to the popular northern Pacific beaches like Tamarindo and the Papagayo peninsula.
Both are clean, modern, and easy to get through. Here's a look at each — including videos we filmed walking through them ourselves.
Landing at San José (SJO) — what to expect
When you land at San José, you'll walk off the plane and follow the crowd (and the signs) to immigration — Migración. You'll wait in line, hand the officer your passport, answer a couple of quick questions (more on those below), and get your entry stamp. From there you'll head to baggage claim to collect your luggage, then pass through customs — Aduana — where you may be asked to run your bags through a scanner. Then you step out into the arrivals hall, where you'll be greeted by a lively crowd of taxi and tour drivers holding signs. If you've arranged a pickup ahead of time, your driver will be right there with your name.
Landing at Liberia (LIR) — what to expect
Liberia's airport is smaller, more relaxed, and often has a breezy, open-air feel — many travelers are pleasantly surprised by how quick and easy it is. The process is the same: follow the signs to immigration, get your passport stamped, collect your bags, clear customs, and walk out to the arrivals area where drivers and rental-car counters are waiting. Here's our walkthrough of getting through the Liberia airport:
Going through immigration & customs: what they'll ask
This is the part first-time visitors wonder about most — and it's easier than you think. The officer will usually ask you three simple things, so come ready with the answers:
- Where you're staying. You'll need to tell the customs officer where you're headed, so make sure you know the name and general location of your accommodation. For example, if you're staying with us, you'd simply say: “I'm staying at Bella Vista Private Resort, between San Ramón and Esparza.” It helps to have it written down or saved on your phone.
- How long you're staying. They'll usually ask how many days or weeks you'll be in the country. Most visitors are granted a stay of up to 90 days as tourists.
- Whether you have a return ticket. Sometimes they'll ask to see proof of a return or onward flight, so keep that handy just in case.
How long does it take? Immigration and customs can take anywhere from about 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the line. It mostly comes down to timing — how many other flights landed right before yours. Arrive patient, and more often than not it moves faster than you expect.
After you clear customs — getting to your stay
Once you walk out, you'll find official taxis, rental-car counters, and plenty of tour and shuttle drivers. The easiest, least stressful option is a pre-arranged pickup: your driver is already waiting with your name when you step out — no haggling, no guessing, no figuring out directions in a new country. For our guests, we help arrange airport pickup and transportation so the very first part of your trip is completely handled.
A quick note: entry requirements can change from time to time, so it's always smart to check Costa Rica's current requirements before you fly. But the arrival experience itself is exactly what you see in the videos above — friendly, straightforward, and the beginning of a wonderful trip.