After days of beaches, volcanoes and pura vida adventures, your final night in Costa Rica should not be about stressing over traffic or racing to the airport.
The good news: there are several great towns and neighborhoods close to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) where you can relax, explore a little more, and still reach your flight on time.
This guide covers the best places to stay within about 30 to 60 minutes of SJO, with what each area is like, what to do, and who it is best for.
Why Stay Near SJO Before Flying Out
Traffic around San José can be unpredictable, especially in high season or if there are road works on key routes like the road from the Pacific coast. Staying closer to SJO on your last night helps you:
- Avoid long drives on the morning of your flight
- Reduce the risk of delays caused by traffic or accidents
- Enjoy one more relaxed breakfast, walk or coffee instead of watching the clock
If you are coming from destinations like Jacó, Manuel Antonio or the Central Pacific beaches, it is usually smarter to drive in the day before and sleep closer to the airport.
Alajuela: Coffee Country Comfort Close To SJO
Distance from SJO: about 10 to 15 minutes by car
Alajuela is one of the most convenient bases for your last night in Costa Rica. It combines easy access to the airport with a more local, laid back feel than downtown San José. You will find boutique hotels, small lodges and B&Bs tucked into the hills around town, many with wide views over the Central Valley.
How to spend your last day in Alajuela:
- Visit a coffee or cacao plantation and learn how beans go from farm to cup
- Enjoy a tasting at a local coffee estate and pick up bags to take home
- Drive up toward Fraijanes for cooler mountain air and scenic viewpoints
Suggested experiences:
- Coffee tours at Doka Estate or Espíritu Santo
- Cacao and chocolate workshops near the road to Poás Volcano
- Sunset dinner at a hillside restaurant overlooking the valley
Alajuela is ideal if you want to be very close to SJO but still feel surrounded by nature and coffee fields instead of highways.
San José Centro: Culture, Museums And City Life
Distance from SJO: about 30 to 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic
If you prefer to end your trip with a taste of Costa Rican culture, San José city center is your best bet. The downtown area offers historic architecture, museums, theaters and a growing food scene.
Ideas for an afternoon and evening in San José Centro:
- Tour the Teatro Nacional, a neoclassical theater from 1897
- Visit the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum or the National Museum
- Walk the pedestrian boulevards and people watch in the plazas
- Finish the night in Barrio Escalante or Barrio Amón with craft beer and creative cuisine
Do not miss:
- Teatro Nacional guided visit
- Jade Museum and Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
- Dinner at spots like Café Mundo, Al Mercat or similar farm-to-table restaurants
San José Centro works well for travelers who enjoy city energy, architecture and museums, and who do not mind a slightly longer drive to the airport in exchange for culture and nightlife.
Heredia And Bosque de la Hoja: Nature Near The City
Distance from SJO: about 35 to 45 minutes by car, depending on the specific neighborhood
North of San José, Heredia offers a mix of colonial charm, local markets and green hills. It feels quieter than the capital but is still close enough for an easy airport transfer.
One of the highlights near Heredia is Bosque de la Hoja, a forest park popular with local families on weekends. It has simple walking trails, picnic areas and sweeping views over the Central Valley, making it a peaceful way to say goodbye to Costa Rica.
Things to do around Heredia:
- Pack a picnic and walk the trails at Bosque de la Hoja
- Take a Café Britt style coffee tour if you did not manage one earlier in your trip
- Stroll through Heredia’s colonial center, church and central market
Heredia is a great choice if you want trees, cooler air and a slower pace without being far from SJO.
Atenas And Grecia: Small Town Calm With Big Views
Distance from SJO: around 45 to 60 minutes by car
If you are driving back from the Pacific coast or the central highlands, towns like Atenas and Grecia make a very comfortable last stop before your flight. Both are set in the mountains with cooler temperatures, friendly communities and views that stretch across the valley.
Atenas is often described as having one of the best climates in the world. Expect warm days, cooler nights and a relaxed rural feel. Grecia is known for its distinctive red metal church and pleasant central park, perfect for a slow morning coffee.
Ideas for your final day based in Atenas or Grecia:
- Sip coffee in Grecia’s main square while you watch daily life
- Visit Poás Volcano National Park if conditions allow
- Spend a few hours at La Paz Waterfall Gardens to see waterfalls and wildlife
These towns work especially well if you are driving in from the beaches and want to break up the journey, enjoy mountain views and still be within a reasonable distance of SJO.
Is It A Good Idea To Stay In Jacó Before A Flight From SJO
Many travelers consider spending their last night in Jacó so they can enjoy the beach right up until departure day. While it is possible, it is not always the most relaxing option.
Reasons to think twice about staying in Jacó the night before your flight:
- Traffic between Jacó and San José can be heavy during high season and on weekends
- Road works or accidents can add unexpected delays
- The drive can easily take longer than expected, especially if your flight is in the morning
If your flight is early or you simply prefer less stress, it is usually better to drive inland the day before and stay in one of the towns closer to SJO covered in this guide.
Travel Tips For Your Last Night Near SJO
To keep things smooth on departure day, keep these tips in mind:
- Aim to be within about 30 to 60 minutes of SJO the night before your flight
- Confirm how long the drive will take at the time of day you need to travel you can check on the app waze
- Plan to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before an international flight
- If you are returning a rental car, add extra time for check out, inspection and paperwork
Using Ventu For Easy Drop Off At SJO
Wherever you decide to stay near SJO, having flexible wheels makes everything easier. With Ventu, you can book a car from a verified local Host and skip traditional rental counters completely.
On departure day, you simply drive yourself to Juan Santamaría International Airport, park in the agreed area of the airport parking lot and meet your Host there. After a quick check of the car together, you hand over the keys and walk straight to the terminal. No shuttle, no counter lines, no extra surprise paperwork.
The same works in reverse when you arrive in Costa Rica. Your Host can meet you at the airport parking lot, complete the handover on the spot and you can start your trip immediately instead of waiting at a rental desk.
All payments are processed securely online through Stripe and driver documents are verified in advance, so handover day is fast and simple.
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