Costa Rica is serviced by numerous major airlines, with service originating from various points in Europe, the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and South America. Airlines with direct flights to Costa Rica include Continental, American, Delta, United, Iberia, KLM, British Airways, Grupo Taca, Copa, Cubana, Avianca, and Mexicana. All of them land at Juan Santamaría International Airport, which is located in Alajuela, just 29 minutes from San José downtown.

At airport you can take a taxi, exchange money at the bank in there, buy at the dutty-free stores, call from the international call center, rent a car from the diferent companies that offer its services there, eat or drink a good coffee cup at the airport's restaurant, as well as buy handcraft, music, send postcard or letters using the airport's post office. Also you can arrange the transfer from this airport to another airport around the country including Daniel Oduber International Airport.