Flying from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Rio De Janeiro: what you need to know
Rio De Janeiro is three hours ahead of San Jose, where Juan Santamaria International Airport is located. Rio De Janeiro follows the UTC-3 timezone.
Leave plenty of time to get on your SJO to Rio De Janeiro flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Heading off during a peak period like a bank holiday? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
We make it a breeze to book plane tickets from SJO to Rio De Janeiro with a stopover. To see all the options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight with a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Miami International Airport (MIA)
El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Located around 14 kilometres from central San Jose, SJO can be reached in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 2 hours 20 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near SJO. Whether you've booked an early flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Rio De Janeiro or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels put convenience first:
When it comes to Juan Santamaria International Airport's on-time performance, 79.83% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Rio De Janeiro
181 € is currently the lowest price for a one-way Juan Santamaria International Airport to Rio De Janeiro flight. A return plane ticket starts at 339 €. These fares can change depending on availability and demand.
Booking in advance is often the key to locking in a cheap flight from SJO to Rio De Janeiro. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the nearer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Rio De Janeiro across every month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
Save time looking for cheap flights from SJO to Rio De Janeiro by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Tailor your trip with filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Rio De Janeiro.
Airports in Rio De Janeiro
Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG)
Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) to the centre of Rio De Janeiro takes around 20 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 18 kilometres away.
It takes around 1 hour 5 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
Look into staying at a hotel near GIG if you're coming in on a late flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Rio De Janeiro. Check in to one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and explore beyond Rio De Janeiro's main sights.
Reserving your ride from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport about four weeks ahead of your flight from SJO to Rio De Janeiro can help you lock in the lowest rate.
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
After your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Rio De Janeiro has arrived, you can get to the city centre in around 5 minutes by car. Central Rio De Janeiro is roughly 2 kilometres from Santos Dumont Airport (SDU).
The journey will take roughly 15 minutes on public transport.
After stepping off your SJO to Rio De Janeiro flight, unwind at a hotel near SDU. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Foco, Localiza and Movida make picking up a Santos Dumont Airport rental car easy and quick. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Lock in the best price by reserving your ride from SDU three weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater selection of vehicles.
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) is around 32 kilometres from central Rio De Janeiro. It'll take you about 40 minutes to reach the city centre in a ride-share or cab once you've hopped off your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Rio De Janeiro.
Public transport will take you there in around 1 hour 25 minutes.
Enjoy a more relaxed start to your trip by staying at a hotel near RRJ after your SJO to Rio De Janeiro flight. Take a load off after a long travel day or just give yourself time to get your footing in a new city at:
No squeezing into small cabs, no navigating public transport — with a Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport rental car, you're literally in the driver's seat. Explore the types of wheels available here at Localiza.
Booking at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Rio De Janeiro is a smart move. As well as better prices, you'll be able to choose the vehicle make and model you prefer at RRJ.
Best time to go to Rio De Janeiro
Visit Rio De Janeiro during high season if you want a lively atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are generally higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Rio De Janeiro during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
Lock in a Juan Santamaria International Airport to Rio De Janeiro plane ticket with a departure in February if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 22ºC (72ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
July sees average temperatures of between 17ºC (63ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from SJO to Rio De Janeiro around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Rio De Janeiro
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Rio De Janeiro right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Rio De Janeiro:
Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer are just the start of the popular attractions to add to your Rio De Janeiro to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Copacabana Beach.
Explore more of Brazil
You've done Rio De Janeiro, now it's time to explore other parts of Brazil. Journey around 354 kilometres west to Sao Paulo to check off its leading sights. From Sao Paulo Museum of Art to Ibirapuera Park and Avenida Paulista, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Around 338 kilometres north of Rio De Janeiro, Belo Horizonte is another essential stop in Brazil. Start your sightseeing at Abilio Barreto Historical Museum, Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro.
