Juan Santamaría Int'l Airport · SJO

Car Rental at
San José Airport
Costa Rica

Pick up your car at Juan Santamaría International Airport and start exploring Costa Rica your way — free shuttle, no hidden fees, full insurance included.

Free airport shuttleFull insurance optionsNo hidden feesFree cancellation
+506 7300-4767

Reserve Your Car at SJO

Juan Santamaría Airport — San José, Costa Rica

Free cancellation · No credit card required to search
10+
Vehicle categories
4.7★
Average rating
24/7
Roadside assistance
0
Hidden fees
ICT
Certified operator
Why Payless at SJO

The easiest rental experience
at Juan Santamaría Airport

Free Airport Shuttle

Call us on arrival and our shuttle picks you up at the terminal — usually within 10–15 minutes. Drop-off is at our counter 5 minutes from SJO.

Full Insurance Coverage

Choose from basic CDW to zero-deductible plans. Drive with peace of mind anywhere in Costa Rica — including unpaved roads.

GPS & Extras Available

Add GPS navigation, infant seats, booster seats, or a WiFi hotspot. Everything you need for a smooth Costa Rica road trip.

Transparent Pricing

The rate you see is the rate you pay. We itemize every charge before you sign — no surprise fees at pickup, guaranteed.

24/7 Roadside Assistance

Breakdown or flat tire anywhere in the country? Our team responds around the clock so you're never stranded.

English-Speaking Team

Our bilingual staff speaks English and Spanish. From booking to return, we ensure you fully understand every step.

About the Airport

What to expect at
Juan Santamaría (SJO)

Juan Santamaría International Airport is Costa Rica's main international gateway, located in Alajuela — just 20 km northwest of San José. With over 4 million passengers annually, SJO connects Costa Rica to major North American and European hubs.

Our rental counter is located off-airport (5-minute free shuttle), which allows us to offer faster service and better rates than on-site concessions.

After collecting your luggage, exit through Customs into the arrivals hall and call +506 7300-4767. Our white shuttle van picks you up at the main arrivals exit — typically within 10–15 minutes. The counter is a 5-minute drive from SJO.
Our SJO counter is open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. For flights arriving outside these hours, please contact us in advance. Emergency roadside assistance is available 24/7.
  • Caribbean Coast (Cahuita, Puerto Viejo) — ~4 hrs via Ruta 32
  • Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna — ~3.5 hrs via Ruta 1
  • Manuel Antonio — ~2.5 hrs via Costanera Sur
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest — ~3 hrs via Ruta 1
  • Guanacaste / Liberia — ~3.5 hrs via Interamericana Norte
For Manuel Antonio, Arenal, and the Caribbean coast a standard sedan works fine. For Monteverde, Corcovado, river crossings, or rural lodges — especially during rainy season (May–November) — a 4x4 is strongly recommended.
Yes. Our off-airport facility has a private, guarded parking lot. On return, our shuttle takes you back to SJO departures at no extra charge.

✈️ SJO Quick Facts

Airport Code
IATA: SJO · ICAO: MROC
Full Name
Juan Santamaría Int'l Airport
Location
Alajuela, 20 km from San José
Annual Passengers
4+ million
Major Airlines
American, United, Delta, Copa, Avianca, Air Canada
Counter Type
Off-airport · 5-min free shuttle
Shuttle Phone
+506 7300-4767
Hours
Daily 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Explore Costa Rica

Top destinations from
San José Airport

2.5 hrs
🌴

Manuel Antonio

~135 km south via Costanera Sur

National park with white-sand beaches, monkeys, and sloths. Fully paved all the way.

Economy or compact car is sufficient.
3.5 hrs
🌋

Arenal Volcano

~140 km northwest via Ruta 1

Costa Rica's most iconic volcano — surrounded by hot springs, zip-lines, and Arenal Lake.

SUV or 4×4 recommended for rural lodge access.
3 hrs
☁️

Monteverde

~170 km northwest via Ruta 1

One of the world's most biodiverse cloud forests. Final stretch involves mountain roads.

4×4 strongly recommended May–November.
4 hrs
🌊

Caribbean Coast

~200 km east via Ruta 32

Cahuita and Puerto Viejo offer a laid-back Caribbean vibe, colorful reefs, and unique cuisine.

Standard sedan works — Ruta 32 is fully paved.
3.5 hrs
🏖️

Guanacaste / Liberia

~230 km northwest via Interamericana

Pacific dry forest and stunning beaches. Consider flying into LIR for shorter drives.

Tip: pick up SJO, drop off LIR for one-way flexibility.
2.5 hrs
🦜

Tortuguero

~80 km to dock + boat

Drive to Cariari or La Pavona, then take a boat. Sea turtle nesting July–October.

Leave your car at the dock — boat access only.
The Process

Renting a car at SJO in 4 simple steps

1

Book online

Reserve on our website or by phone. Receive instant confirmation with your reservation number.

2

Land & call us

After baggage claim, call +506 7300-4767. Our shuttle picks you up at arrivals within 10–15 minutes.

3

Sign & drive

At our counter we review the contract, inspect the vehicle together, and you're on the road in ~20 minutes.

4

Return & shuttle back

Return to our lot during opening hours. We inspect the car and shuttle you back to SJO departures.

Our Locations

Two airports,
one rental experience

Whether you land in San José or Liberia, Payless Car Rental has you covered. Both locations offer the same fleet, pricing, and service — perfect for one-way rentals across the country.

SJO

Juan Santamaría Int'l Airport

Alajuela · San José Metro

📍 You are here
Counter hours: Daily 7 AM – 10 PM
Free shuttle: 5 min from terminal
Phone: +506 7300-4767
Best for: Caribbean, Pacific, Arenal, Monteverde
LIR

Daniel Oduber Int'l Airport

Liberia · Guanacaste Province

Also available
Counter hours: Daily 7 AM – 10 PM
Free shuttle: 5 min from terminal
Best for: Tamarindo, Flamingo, Nosara, Sámara
One-way: SJO ↔ LIR available
One-Way Rentals Available

Pick up in San José · Drop off in Liberia (or vice versa)

Explore the whole country without backtracking. Ask our team about one-way rates.

More from Payless CR

Everything you need for your
Costa Rica road trip

Insurance & Coverage

Understand CDW, SLI, PAI and zero-deductible options before you arrive — explained in plain language.

Learn about insurance

GPS & Car Extras

Add GPS navigation, child seats, WiFi hotspot, or a roof rack. Book extras when reserving online.

Browse fleet & extras

Group & Family Rentals

Traveling with a group? Our Suzuki XL7 (7 pax) and Hyundai Staria van (8+ pax) are perfect.

See group vehicles

Long-Term Rentals

Staying a month or more? Ask about our monthly rates — significantly lower than daily pricing.

Ask about monthly rates

24/7 Roadside Assistance

Flat tire or breakdown anywhere in Costa Rica — our emergency line is always open.

Contact us

Travel Blog & Road Tips

Road conditions, border crossing guides, and the best hidden beaches — all in our travel blog.

Read the blog
FAQ

Frequently
asked questions

Everything you need to know about renting a car at Juan Santamaría Airport.

Talk to our team directly

+506 7300-4767
Also on WhatsApp · English & Spanish
You need: (1) a valid driver's license, (2) your passport, and (3) a credit card in the main driver's name for the insurance deposit. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
The minimum age is 21 years old with at least 1 year of driving experience. Drivers under 25 may be subject to a young driver surcharge. There is no maximum age limit.
Cross-border driving is not permitted with our standard rental agreement. The vehicle must remain within Costa Rica at all times.
Yes. By Costa Rican law, basic mandatory insurance (SLI — Supplemental Liability Insurance) is included in all rentals and cannot be waived. We offer additional CDW, PAI, and zero-deductible plans.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. Debit cards are not accepted for the security deposit. The deposit is a hold on your card and is released on return.
Yes! We offer one-way rentals between SJO and LIR. One-way fees may apply — contact us at +506 7300-4767 for a quote.
Reservations can be cancelled free of charge up to 48 hours before pickup. Cancellations within 48 hours may be subject to a one-day charge.
Travel Resources

Plan your Costa Rica
road trip the smart way

Road conditions, best beaches, rainy season tips, border crossing guides, and the top drives from San José — all in our travel blog.

Liberia Airport Guide

Ready to explore Costa Rica?
Your car is waiting at SJO.

Reserve online in minutes. Free cancellation. No hidden fees. Pick up your car at Juan Santamaría Airport and start your adventure.

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)

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Address:
600 M East of Casino Fiesta
Telephone:
+506 2430-4647
Business Hours:
Monday6:00 - 22:00Tuesday6:00 - 22:00Wednesday6:00 - 22:00Thursday6:00 - 22:00Friday6:00 - 22:00Saturday6:00 - 22:00Sunday6:00 - 22:00
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