Arrival city · San José province San José, Costa Rica
Costa Rica's capital and largest city, in the Central Valley. On the 10-day route it is the start and the finish: you land at SJO, head north the same day and come back for your flight home.
What to know
SJO, the country's main international airport, is in Alajuela province, about 20 km (12 miles) northwest of downtown San José.
The route is built for a morning arrival, so you reach La Fortuna in daylight. It gets dark around 6 pm all year.
On the way home, plan backward from your flight and reach the airport 3 hours early. Traffic on Ruta 27 can add time.
Quick facts
Getting there
Typical times. In high season (December to April) the roads fill up, so add extra time to every driving day.
Where to stay in San José
Links checked Oct 9, 2026Three places we point first-timers to. These are plain links with no affiliate codes. Check rates, availability and cancellation terms on the booking page.
- Boutique hotel
Hotel Grano de Oro
Between downtown and La Sabana Park. Its restaurant is also on our San José eat list.
- Historic boutique hotel
Hotel Santo Tomás
A 1908 landmark building in Barrio Amón, the historic neighborhood north of downtown.
- City hotel
Hotel Presidente
Listed first for San José hotels on Tripadvisor's Best Value sort on October 9, 2026.
Where to eat in San José
Links checked Oct 9, 2026Five places, picked for a mix of budgets and cuisines. Prices are Tripadvisor's levels: $ is inexpensive and $$$$ is fine dining.
Café Rojo
Bowls and bánh mì with fresh toppings. Mushroom or eggplant options for vegetarians.
El Novillo Alegre Sabana
Known for steak, with a wide variety of cuts. The Sabana location is the one we point to.
La Esquina de Buenos Aires
Cozy, traditional steakhouse near the National Museum, with several cuts and good sides.
Restaurante Grano de Oro
Inside Hotel Grano de Oro. One of the highest-rated restaurants in the city, with good fish and meat dishes.
El Taller de Billy Sazón
Multi-course meal with wine pairings, one reservation per night. Book well ahead.
Hours, menus and prices change. Confirm on the restaurant's page before you go.
Sources
- Juan Santamaría International Airport, Wikipedia
- San José, Costa Rica, Wikipedia
- Driving in Costa Rica: What First-Timers Need to Know, Lapa Trips
Last verified: October 8, 2026. Sources checked Oct 8, 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so check official sources before you travel.