Inevitably, your trip to Costa Rica will come to an end. Ah, I totally feel your pain. Just as you were getting comfortable, too. I hope you loved every minute of your trip and are anxious to plan your return!
Soon you’ll be heading to the airport and flying back to your home. As with any international journey, the basics are about the same. However, here are a few specifics on leaving Costa Rica.
Leaving for the Airport
I know you’ve heard it all before, but it’s really important to get an early start for the airport. Unless you love massive quantities of travel stress, trust me on this one.
One of the major things that has changed drastically over the last few years in Costa Rica is the amount of traffic. The amount of people on the road has gotten out of hand, and it can take a long time to cross even small distances.
Leaving on an early morning flight is one way around this problem. It’s the one time of day you can practically guarantee a smooth ride to the airport. I like to take a 7 am flight out, so I usually leave from Cartago at about 4 am. At that hour it takes only a little over a half hour to get to SJO (from Cartago). If you prefer to fly out later than that, just know that morning rush traffic 5:30-8:30 am or so, can be very heavy. I have flown out of SJO at 2:00 pm and have found it better to wait until after 9:00 am to leave the house. In other words, if your flight leaves in the middle of the day, plan on leaving at least four hours early. Ask the staff at your hotel. They should be familiar with the route and know the heaviest traffic times.
Inside SJO
Even though your early morning commute should be pretty quiet, there will be plenty of people at the airport, even at 4:30 am.
As you arrive at the front of the airport, you’ll see a lot of people being dropped off. Signs say that only ticketed passengers may enter the airport, however, everyone has told me (and I’ve seen it for myself) that guests may enter the main lobby of the airport, and of course, ticketed passengers only will proceed through security.
As you make your way through the entrance, an agent may ask if you need assistance with your bags, and they also offer to plastic wrap your luggage, if that’s something you’re interested in. I’ve never tried it.
Once inside, find your airline and get in line to check your bags, or use the self-serve kiosks. Delta usually asks you to check in via the kiosks, then get in line to finish. American Airlines also requires self-check-in and you’ll need to print out your own luggage tags. I found this to be awkward and stressful. There were a ton of people trying to get in to use the computers, and if you’ve never done this before it can be uncomfortable. If you’re flying American and new to self-check-in, give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and get this sorted out.
In all other areas of the airport, SJO is extremely efficient in moving people along. Five stars for SJO for attentiveness.
The Departure Tax
I know many of you are worried and confused about that pesky departure (or exit) tax that you’ve probably heard about.
Costa Rica charges a $29 departure tax, as of this writing. Back in the day, you had to get in line at the airport and pay this fee before checking in (in many instances it could be paid beforehand at banks or travel agencies). Luckily, most airlines now include this exit tax right in the price of your ticket, so you don’t need to pay it separately. That’s one extra step that’s pretty much part of the past.
The fee should be in the summary of taxes on your receipt when you bought your airline ticket. For example, I fly Delta. On my flight receipt (you should find it right in your confirmation email) it’s listed as the B1 tax. That totals $27.00, and there is a $2.00 baggage inspection fee. Bam–$29.00. You can check this out before you leave on your trip so you won’t have to worry about it.
I know a lot of people worry about this, but if you take a close look at your airfare receipt, you’ll find a lot of bizarre charges. Who knew?!
Getting Through Security
Most of you know the routine, but again, here’s the rundown.
Note: SJO is constantly changing and updating to make things easier. In a lot of areas, they’ve succeeded beautifully. This list is accurate as of January, 2023.
After you’ve checked your bags and have your boarding pass, it’s time to head to security and your gate. Head towards the opposite end of the ticket counters (towards all gates). You will be going through two sets of security before you can get to your gate.
The first is passport/document check and the second is the metal detectors.
Much like when you first arrived in Costa Rica, the security lines can look long and daunting. They usually move very quickly. Hopefully, you’ve arrived early and won’t be in panic mode.
Click here for tips on arriving in Costa Rica
As you approach the customs officials, an attendant will direct you to a line. Step up when called and present your documents. This is another improvement they’ve made. There used to be only two or so agents; now they’ve built cubicles that allow for more staff, getting you through quicker.
You will then head to the metal detectors and be on your way. Again, there will be someone there to direct you to a line.
In Costa Rica, they ask you to please NOT remove your shoes unless you’re specifically asked to. Something to keep in mind! Have your laptop out and your jacket off, and be ready to go. The quicker you move, the quicker it’s over.
Once you’re through, you’ve made it! That wasn’t so bad, was it? Now, onto the fun stuff!
On the Other Side of Security
I love SJO. It’s just such a colorful airport.
After getting through security, the first thing you’ll be bombarded with is souvenir shops. And not to fear! They’re open and ready to serve you no matter how early you arrive.
During my last visit, I was surprised to see that the shops have spread right into the main corridor so you’re pretty much forced to walk through. In fact, you’ll be met head-on by a cool coffee waterfall, part of the Britt store. You literally can’t miss it.
As with any airport, everything is really expensive. But you will be captivated. They’ve got some beautiful souvenirs.
The Britt Shop sells tons of every version of its coffee and coffee candy, plus shirts, jewelry, keychains, stuffed animals (too much cuteness!), books and anything else you could imagine.
Throughout the terminal you’ll find shops selling much of the same plus soccer shirts, wood crafts, arts of all types and of course, Salsa Lizano!
Every store that I’ve ever made a purchase in has accepted both dollars and colones. This brings me to another point. In case you haven’t noticed, Costa Rican change weighs a ton! If you’ve accumulated a heavy pocketful of change that you’d like to eliminate, you will find donation boxes in the airport that support local charities. This is an excellent idea! Deposit all that change, and any extra you’d like to donate and you’ll be feeling lighter knowing you supported a good cause.
If you have enough time, it’s fun to walk from one end of SJO to the other. It doesn’t take long and there are some interesting things to see.
Eateries
After you weave your way through the first set of souvenir shops, you’ll be greeted by the Britt Cafe front and center. They make a killer vanilla latte and sell a variety of pastries. If there’s a long line, there’s another one with tables located to the right, all the way down to the end of the corridor.
SJO has plenty of options for food. I continue to be blown away at how quickly new places seem to pop up. As of January 2023, they’ve opened a brand spanking new, ginormous food court where the Smashburger and Cinnabon used to be. There’s plenty of room for everyone to relax and have a bite to eat.
As you head towards the other end of the airport, you’ll find a sit-down restaurant called Terra Tica that features a Costa Rican breakfast. I haven’t tried it yet, but hope to when I have more time.
There’s also the popular Malinche Restaurant, with access inside and outside the airport. It’s located pretty much in the center of the airport.
Bathrooms are found throughout the airport. So are currency exchange desks. Have your passport ready to present along with your money.
There are also small pharmacy kiosks inside the airport in case you need aspirin or something of that nature.
Your Flight Back to the United States
Flying back to the States from Costa Rica is another constantly updating process.
It seems like each time I do it, something has changed.
I will tell you this: don’t throw any of your paperwork away. Keep it in your bag where you know exactly where it is.
I always thought I was pretty well-organized until my last flight back. You know those small stickers they give you that match the labels on your luggage?
Yeah…those.
Well, when I arrived at ATL in March of 2018, and August, 2018, AND April 2019, they asked for those darned things, and I had to root through my bag to find them.
I never paid attention to those tiny stickers because they never ask for them when I pick up luggage at ALB. However, when they asked for them before going through immigration, I wasn’t the only one pawing through my bag trying to locate them. So, just a heads up.
For any newbie travelers, just know that at your first point of entry in the States, whether it’s Atlanta, Miami, New York or wherever, you have to collect your bags. That’s for citizens and visitors alike.
A lot has changed in the last few years. I remember previous flights where everyone on the airplane got a United States immigration form to fill out. Then for a time, only visitors filled out the form. As of March, 2018, no one was asked to fill out any paperwork.
Talk about confusing.
Arrival in the States
Landing at ATL, the busiest airport in the world, is not as frustrating as you might anticipate.
Heading directly to immigration, U.S. Citizens and visitors are separated into two different lines.
Depending on which airport you land at, or the time of day, you may have to use self-check kiosks before seeing an immigration officer, or you may proceed directly to the officers. I’ve used the kiosks plenty of times in Atlanta, but my last few trips were kiosk-free.
Regarding the kiosks, I was nervous and stressed, but it wasn’t bad. You find a kiosk with a green light meaning it’s free. Insert your passport into the slot and follow the directions on the screen. It will also snap a picture of you, so don’t forget to smile. There are employees scattered about to help if you have questions.
After you receive your printout, head over to the next line where you’ll wait to meet an immigration official who may ask you questions about your trip. When that’s over, you’ll head to the baggage claim area to pick up your luggage. This is required for everybody, folks, so don’t skip it.
You will simply hand off your bags to the luggage handler who he or she will put them onto a carousel to find your next flight. In all honesty, I’ve never understood this step. If they’re going to x-ray your bags anyway, I’m not sure why we have to pick them up at all. Maybe they just want to make sure each bag has an owner.
But–hold on–that’s not all.
Before you get to the main terminal, you get to go through security. One. More. Time.
Then, happily, onto your gate and final destination.
Thoughts on Leaving SJO
Leaving SJO creates some intense emotions for me, every time I leave.
Perhaps the only bad thing about sitting inside this beautiful airport is that I feel somehow separated from Costa Rica, even though I’m sitting right there. The airport doesn’t represent what’s outside those doors and away over the mountains. The real culture, the customs, the food, and most of all, the people. But…
“The time passes quickly, and you’ll be back here before you know it”
As you explore the airport and the fun things I described to you, make sure to stop and take a few minutes to look out the windows.
The view is stunning. The mountains of the Cordillera Central protectively sit on either side of SJO. But knowing what’s beyond is what gets me every time.
I know I’ll be returning soon. As they tell me, “The time passes quickly and you’ll be here before you know it.”
Out another window, you’ll see cars and buses passing by, people going about their everyday life. I wonder if they know how lucky they are.
I think they do.
“el tiempo pasa rápido y estarás aquí antes de que te des cuenta”
Y descubri la verdad en esas palabras. El tiempo pasa rápido.