Hampton Inn
Minutes from the San José airport, with a pool, a hot breakfast, and a bag to go when your flight leaves early.
4-starView hotel
Alajuela, by the San José Airport
Costa Rica's second city and home of the Juan Santamaría International Airport, with Poás Volcano close by. Most of our clients spend 1 night here.
- Fly into
- SJO
- The airport is in Alajuela
- Stay
- 1 night
- What most of our clients choose
- Best weather
- Dec to May
- Dry season, clear views
- Region
- Central Valley
- Coffee towns and volcanoes
- Day trip
- Poás Volcano
- About 1 hour away
Why go
The easy first or last night
Alajuela is minutes from the airport, which makes it the easy choice when a flight lands late or leaves early. It is also a real Costa Rican town, with Juan Santamaría Park at its centre, a museum to the national hero the airport is named after, and coffee and farming towns like Grecia and San Ramón in the hills around it.
The airportMinutes away, for early flights
Poás VolcanoA crater lake in the clouds
Coffee countryGrecia, San Ramón and the Doka plantation
Hotels we know personally
3-star and above only, chosen by our team in Costa Rica.
When to go
Clear views December to May
The dry season brings the clearest views of the volcanoes. May to November is the green season, with more rain.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Dry season, clear viewsGreen season, more rainSemana Santa, 21 to 28 March 2027: plan early
Minutes from arrivals
From the airport (SJO)about 10 minutesHotel shuttle or private transfer
To San Joséabout 30 minutesPrivate transfer into the capital
To Poás Volcanoabout 1 hourPrivate transfer or a day tour
Good to know
Alajuela questions we answer every week
Should I stay near the airport?
If your flight lands late or leaves early, 1 night here makes the start or the end of the trip easy, and it is what most of our clients choose.
How far is Alajuela from the airport?
The Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is in Alajuela itself. The Hampton Inn, for example, is about 10 minutes away by shuttle.
Can I visit Poás Volcano from Alajuela?
Yes. Poás is about an hour away, and a day tour can add the Doka coffee plantation and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Entry to the national park is booked ahead, and we arrange it for you.
Your Costa Rica, planned by people who live here
Tell us what you love. A Costa Rica Specialist builds a custom itinerary around it, with private transfers, hotels we know and our team on call 24/7 while you travel.
Since 2004 in Costa RicaOver 25,000 clients1,200+ five-star reviewsICT licensed, Declaratoria Turística