โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
International โ Domestic
75
minutes
International โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Two terminals: Terminal M (main/international, 3 levels) and Terminal D (domestic, Sansa flights only). Three VIP lounges: Avianca Club, Copa Club, VIP Lounge BAC Credomatic (Gate 19-20, 4:30 AM-4:30 PM), Star Alliance VIP Lounge (Gate 5, 4:30 AM-8 PM). Free WiFi for 3 hours. Starbucks 24/7, other dining near Gates 5-8.
Walking between the farthest gates takes only about seven minutes, which is one of SJO's quiet strengths for self-managing a connection. The airport also offers free luggage wrapping services and a fast-track security option on the second floor, so experienced travelers can often save time by heading upstairs instead of joining the first screening line they see at ground level.
Under construction: $62.2M west terminal expansion with self-service facilities (2025). 2.6 million tourists (2024). Orange taxis with yellow medallions use meters.
๐ Connection Tips
Immigration and customs processing at SJO can take over an hour during peak tourist seasons (December-April). For ground transportation, use only official orange taxis with yellow medallions, which are metered and available 24/7 Operationally, a pre-arranged pickup or host contact is the useful backup, because the airport is really the handoff into San Josรฉ rather than a place to wait around. The meaningful alternates are Panama City, Barra del Colorado Airport, Tobรญas Bolaรฑos International Airport, which is why the backup plan matters more than the terminal amenities. Scheduled service is carried by Avianca Costa Rica, Copa Airlines, American Airlines, so the first bank of the day is the one to watch. In practice, that means the airport works as San Josรฉ's time-saving link to the rest of Costa Rica.
If connecting between the main terminal (Terminal M) and the domestic Sansa terminal (Terminal D), allow at least 15 minutes for the walk and re-clearing security When delays ripple through the schedule, a pre-arranged pickup or host contact is the useful backup, because the airport is really the handoff into San Josรฉ rather than a place to wait around. The meaningful alternates are Panama City, Barra del Colorado Airport, Tobรญas Bolaรฑos International Airport, which is why the backup plan matters more than the terminal amenities. Scheduled service is carried by Avianca Costa Rica, Copa Airlines, American Airlines, so the first bank of the day is the one to watch. In practice, that means the airport works as San Josรฉ's time-saving link to the rest of Costa Rica.
Uber is available but drivers may ask to meet at the departures level or the bus stop to avoid taxi conflicts At street level, a pre-arranged pickup or host contact is the useful backup, because the airport is really the handoff into San Josรฉ rather than a place to wait around. The meaningful alternates are Panama City, Barra del Colorado Airport, Tobรญas Bolaรฑos International Airport, which is why the backup plan matters more than the terminal amenities. Scheduled service is carried by Avianca Costa Rica, Copa Airlines, American Airlines, so the first bank of the day is the one to watch. In practice, that means the airport works as San Josรฉ's time-saving link to the rest of Costa Rica.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Buenos Aires Airport (BAI) is a small public aerodrome serving the canton of Buenos Aires in southern Costa Rica's Puntarenas Province. Aeronautical references for MRBA describe a short concrete runway, 01/19, just under one kilometer long, which places the airport firmly in the category of light domestic aircraft and charter operations rather than larger turboprop or jet service. Its location near town gives it practical value for local access, but the airport remains a minor field whose importance comes from geography: it provides an aviation option in a part of Costa Rica otherwise reached mainly by road through long mountain and valley corridors.
The terminal environment is correspondingly simple. Travelers should expect only the basic infrastructure needed to receive a small domestic flight: a modest shelter or waiting area, limited administration space, and direct movement between the apron and the public side. There is no reason to expect the amenities found at San Jose's major airports, and anyone using BAI should arrive prepared with cash, onward transport details, and any needed supplies. The airport serves a rural and culturally distinct part of the country, close to communities linked with the General Valley and with indigenous territories in the wider region, so the travel pattern is local and purposeful rather than high-frequency or tourism-heavy.
What makes BAI stand out is its setting between mountains and agricultural lowlands. The airport is not a destination in itself; it is a small access point for government travel, local business, charters, and occasional domestic movements where saving surface-travel time matters. That gives the terminal a stripped-down character that is appropriate to the field's scale. The experience is likely to be fast and informal, with the runway and surrounding terrain shaping operations far more than any terminal service offering.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting to and from Buenos Aires (BAI) primarily involves domestic flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. Domestic carriers like Sansa or various charter operators provide the most reliable links, with the flight taking approximately 45 minutes. If you are connecting to an international flight in San Jose, ensure you allow at least 3-4 hours for baggage collection and a terminal transfer, as regional flights in the Southern Zone can occasionally experience weather-related delays. Ground transportation from BAI is straightforward due to its proximity to the Buenos Aires town center.
Local taxis are the most common way to reach hotels or the main bus stop on the Inter-American Highway (Route 2). Public buses and colectivos frequent the town center, providing affordable links to larger hubs like San Isidro de El General or Palmar Norte. For those visiting indigenous territories such as Terraba or Boruca, pre-arranged private transfers are highly recommended and can be coordinated through local cultural centers like 'El Descanso'.
There are no major car rental desks at the airport, so most travelers arrange vehicles in San Jose or San Isidro. Always carry Costa Rican colones (CRC) for local expenses, as credit card acceptance is limited in smaller rural shops. A unique tip for travelers is to visit the local 'Mano de Tigre' cultural center to learn about the history of the Broran people during your stay.
โ Back to Juan Santamarรญa International Airport