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
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Bahรญa Drake Airport (MRDK) serves as the primary aviation gateway to Drake Bay on Costa Rica's spectacular Osa Peninsula, recognized by National Geographic as one of Earth's most biologically diverse places. Located on the northwestern side of the peninsula in Puntarenas Province, the airport operates with a small but essential terminal building and basic runway designed to accommodate Sansa Airlines' Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft carrying up to 14 passengers on the scenic 45-minute flight from San Josรฉ.
The modest terminal facility provides fundamental passenger services including check-in counters, baggage handling, and waiting areas optimized for the steady flow of ecotourists visiting Corcovado National Park, Caรฑo Island Biological Reserve, and the Tรฉrraba-Sierpe National Wetlands. Morning flight arrivals typically occur between 9-11 AM, coordinating with hotel transfers and tour operators who provide complimentary ground transportation to various ecolodges and resorts scattered throughout the pristine Drake Bay region.
As the essential transportation link for one of Costa Rica's premier ecotourism destinations, Drake Bay Airport enables access to world-class biodiversity experiences including daily excursions to Corcovado's Sirena and San Pedrillo stations, diving and snorkeling at Caรฑo Island, and wildlife observation in pristine rainforest environments. The airport's strategic location supports the sustainable tourism economy that has transformed Drake Bay from a quiet fishing village into a renowned destination for nature lovers seeking authentic wilderness experiences in Central America's most biodiverse region.
๐ Connection Tips
Drake Bay Airport (DRK) is the essential aviation gateway to the world-renowned biodiversity of Corcovado National Park on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. For travelers connecting through DRK, the most important tip is its efficiency; the terminal is a small, functional building where you can typically exit the aircraft and reach your ground transport in less than five minutes. Local 4x4 taxis meet every scheduled Sansa flight for the 10-15 minute drive into town, with fares typically ranging from $10 to $15 USD. For a more adventurous connection, many travelers arrive or depart via the 'boat taxi' from Sierpe, a scenic 60-minute journey through the Tรฉrraba-Sierpe mangroves.
A vital tip for boat transfers is to be prepared for a 'wet landing,' where you may need to wade through ankle-deep water to reach the beach. If you are flying from San Josรฉ (SJO), be aware of the strict 30-pound (approx. 14 kg) luggage limit on Sansa's Cessna Caravans; excess baggage is subject to fees and space availability. For those planning to drive to Drake Bay, a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is mandatory, especially during the rainy season (May to November), due to unpaved roads and multiple river crossings.
Arriving at least 45 to 60 minutes before your domestic departure is sufficient. Within the terminal, amenities are basic, so carry your own water and snacks. Lastly, carry sufficient US Dollars or Costa Rican Colones in cash, as credit card acceptance is limited in the immediate airport area and reliable ATMs are sparse in the village.
โ Back to Juan Santamarรญa International Airport