What To Expect Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) is located in Alajuela, Costa Rica, 30 minutes away from the city center.
After exiting the plane you will be directed to immigration, where you will have to present your passport, proof of departure (flight reservation for your return home) and your hotel or homestay address. After immigration, head to baggage claim, and once you have all your belongings you will go through customs. This airport has one exit only, which makes finding the CIS On-Site Program Coordinator (OPC) easier. The OPC will be there to pick you up and take you to your accommodations. Please look for your OPC holding a sign that says your university name and/or CIS Abroad.
Flight Delays or Cancellations In case of a flight delay or cancellation please let your program leaders know as soon as possible, and provide your new arrival information (Airline, Flight number, date and time). Arrangements will be made to ensure your pick up and drop-off with the group.
Lost Baggage If your bags decide to take a later flight, don’t panic. If the airline loses your luggage you must file a report with the airline while you are still in the baggage area. It is much more difficult to file this report once you’ve left the baggage claim area. The information you will need to provide on that form include the following:
• YOUR NAME • YOUR PHONE # • ADDRESS (give the address of your homestay or hotel)
The airline baggage claim service will call the phone number provided once your bag has arrived and will deliver it to your accommodations.
How to Connect to WI-FI in the Airport There is free Wi-Fi provided at Juan Santamaria Airport.
What if I'm arriving outside the group pick-up window? Separate arrival instructions will be provided to you prior to departure.