Flying from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO): What you need to know
When planning your flight from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), there's a good selection of airports you can start your trip from. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are Washington DC's main options.
San Jose is two hours behind Washington DC. Juan Santamaria International Airport is located in San Jose, which runs on the UTC-6 timezone.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your flight from Washington DC to SJO.
Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow some extra breathing room. The recommendation for peak periods? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
We make it easy to book cheap flights from Washington DC to SJO with a stopover. To explore all your options leaving from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Some popular stopovers between DCA and SJO include:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Travelling from central Washington DC to DCA takes around 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 8 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a convenient hotel close to Ronald Reagan National Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
Of all flights leaving Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% arrive on time at their destination.
DCA is located at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Consider starting your journey from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). You can book a direct Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) plane ticket with departures from here.
From IAD, direct flights from Washington DC to SJO are offered by AVIANCA.
AVIANCA is the top choice for travellers flying from IAD to SJO.
Flights between Washington Dulles International Airport and Juan Santamaria International Airport are more likely to arrive on time with AVIANCA than with any other carrier.
Break up your flight from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport with a stop so you can stretch your legs or tick another place off your list. Some popular stopovers between Washington Dulles International Airport and SJO include:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
El Salvador International Airport (SAL)
La Aurora International Airport (GUA)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Washington DC to IAD in around 1 hour 10 minutes. The terminal is roughly 56 kilometres away, and making the journey by car will take approximately 50 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your Washington DC to SJO flight, unwind in one of these hotels near Washington Dulles International Airport:
Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 74.39%. This figure provides insight into how often flights departing from this airport arrive at their destination on time.
IAD is located at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
One flight, zero drama. You can take a direct flight from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport departing from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Set off from BWI with Southwest Airlines. This well-known airline offers direct Washington DC to SJO plane tickets.
Southwest Airlines is the most frequently booked airline offering flights from BWI to SJO.
The carrier with the most reliable on-time arrival rate on this route is Southwest Airlines.
Searching for a plane ticket from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) with a stop or two can give you more departure time choices and access to better fares. When jetting off from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), here are a few places you can make a pit stop at on the way to SJO:
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
BWI is around 48 kilometres from central Washington DC. Driving from the city centre to the airport takes about 50 minutes. If you're thinking about using public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Make catching an early Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport flight the easiest part of your journey. Book a room at one of these hotels near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and get to your gate with time to spare:
Flights that depart from BWI make it to their destination on schedule 77.13% of the time.
About Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
Have a late flight from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport? Don't let it rob you of real rest. Check in to one of these hotels near SJO and hit the lights earlier:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Juan Santamaria International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from NextCar, Europcar or Dollar and experience the lesser-explored corners of San Jose and beyond.
Get the best deal by reserving your ride around three weeks before your Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport flight.
Getting from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to central San Jose
Central San Jose is roughly 14 kilometres from Juan Santamaria International Airport. Travel times by car hire or cab will vary based on traffic conditions and time of day, so do some research before you go.
Travelling on public transport will take you around 2 hours 20 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
Currently, 64 € is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is 165 €. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Get cheap flights from Washington DC to SJO by booking 11 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
The best month for scoring cheap Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport tickets is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates that offer the lowest fares.
Be the first to know about deals for plane tickets from Washington DC to SJO by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport.
The best time to fly from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
May is the quietest month for flights from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), while July is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to San Jose based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in San Jose is March, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Book your Washington DC to SJO plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport in January when temperatures are between 12ºC (54ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF).
More about San Jose
Start your San Jose trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Washington DC to Juan Santamaria International Airport, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
Your San Jose visit wouldn't be complete without a bit of sightseeing. Big-name attractions worth exploring include National Park (Parque Nacional), Jurassic World and Central Park (Parque Central).
Explore more of Costa Rica
Limon is just one of the many places in Costa Rica waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of San Jose. Around 129 kilometres away to the east, popular attractions include Veragua Rainforest Park, Playa Bonita and Playa Los Baños.
Liberia is another must-experience destination in Costa Rica and is around 153 kilometres north-west of San Jose. No journey is complete without a visit to Ponderosa Adventure Park, Ecologico Park and Museo de Guanacaste.
