If you’re looking for a fascinating and exotic family holiday destination, which can also provide you with an interesting variety of airline traffic to see and photograph, then San José, Costa Rica is the place to visit and Juan Santamaria International is its airport. Juan Santamaria is situated near the city of Alajuela, 20km northwest of downtown San José. It is the second busiest airport in Central America and the main, and by far the busiest, airport in Costa Rica. It handled 82,835 movements and 5.5 million passengers in 2019.

The airport handles an interesting variety of traffic from around the region. It includes Air Panama, Albatros from Venezuela, Copa 737s and E190s, Avianca A319/A320/A321s and ATR 72s, 737s of Aeromexico and Wingo,  and A320 ofVolaris. The airport is also the hub for local carrier SANSA with Cessna 208 Caravans which are likely to make several local trips during the course of a day. Most major US and Canadian carriers also put in an appearance, and from Europe, Air France, British Airways, KLM, Iberia and Condor show up on a regular basis. Cargo operators include ABX Air, Avianca Cargo, DHL, Fedex, LAN Cargo and UPS.

Costa Rica has no air force, but the police operate a few aircraft of interest including a couple of recently delivered Harbin Y12s, a present from the People’s Republic of China. A few bizjets are also likely to visit on most days.

Written by Cristian Quijano. Last change: February 2023 (Spot 5 updated)

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Airline Variety
Photo Locations
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Airport Information
Runways
07/25	3.043m (9.882ft)
Terminals
Main	All major operators
Domestic	Sansa, Green Airways, Skyway
Spotting Information
Ladder	Needed at a few locations, see detailed description. Don’t put the ladder directly to the fence as security will ask you to move.
Car/Public Transport	A car is needed to get to spots 3-7. Otherwise you can walk to spots 1-2 and 8 from the terminal/hotels but be careful when crossing the highway!
Restrooms	In the terminal building.
Drinks/Food	Refreshments are available in the terminal building or some restaurants next to the hotels. There is also a new restaurant near Spot #5 called Hangar 67.
Hotels	There are several hotels close to the airport. The Holiday Inn Express and the Hampton Inn & Suites are probably the most convenient.
Season	It’s best to visit during the dry season between December and April. Although the temperature is fairly constant throughout the year, it can get quite wet and sticky during the rainy season from May to November.
Runway Usage
07/25	The prevailing winds are north-easterly and therefore Runway 07 is usually in use. There also appears to be a preference for using Runway 07 even when there is a slight tailwind. All 25 departures going to use taxiway Kilo for the line up!

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	Spot #1 – Mound overlook – Taxiway Kilo, 25 Arrivals and Departures
WHERE	A little far from the terminal but easily accessible from the new street bordering the airport. It is recommended to park by the spot vendors are located on and walk the few meters to the mound. You can search for your prefered position between the parking and the mound. Walking from the terminal is possible but with caution!
WHAT	25 arrivals. Front and profile shots of traffic rolling to RW25 on the new taxiway Kilo. Also, heavy RW07 arrivals may use taxiway Kilo and then backtrack to the cargo area.
TIME	During winter for RW25 arrivals and departures. Towards sunset backlit worsens
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Don’t put a ladder to the fence.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-250mm for arrivals; 50-150mm for departures.

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	Spot #2 – Fence on sidewalk by DHL – 25 Arrivals, taxiway Kilo
WHERE	A newly build DHL building across the 25 threshold is a popular location for local spotters. Right in front there is a sidwalk with a handrail where you can climb up to clear the fence. Otherwise you can go down to the fence and take the picture through the mesh. Limited parking is available down by the road. Walking from the terminal is possible but with caution!
WHAT	Profile shots of all traffic rolling to RW25 on taxiway Kilo, and RW25 arrivals.
TIME	Almost all day, the light becomes backlit towards sunset. Avoid summer evenings.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Don’t put a ladder against the fence! I
FOCAL LENGTH	Air Canada A330 = 100mm; Wamos A330 = 130mm

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	Spot #3 – Calle la Candela – All movements
WHERE	Continue from the previous spots on Calle la Candela (runs parallel to runway) westwards. Opposite of the Coopesa  hangars there is an empty lot with sufficient elevation to shoot the entire aircraft at runway level. Ladder is recommend to completly clear the fence but not mandatory as there is a small dirt mound. Parking is available directly at the spot.
WHAT	Profile shots of all arriving and departing traffic. When RW25 is active, aircraft might touch right in front and for RW07 departures, some might rotate in front as well.
TIME	Almost all day, the light becomes backlit towards sunset. Avoid summer evenings.
MISC.	There is a double fence installed so no pictures through the mesh are possible.
FOCAL LENGTH	A300 = 120mm, A124 = 60mm

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	Spot #4 – Western Crash Gate – 07 arrivals and departures
WHERE	Continue west along the southern perimeter road, Calle La Candela. The road surface is appalling at this point so take your time! At the point where the road bends to the left there is a crash gate. Park under the tree away from the crash gate otherwise you will be asked to move by the authorities.
WHAT	This spot is suitable for Runway 07 arrivals and departures and some ramp and taxiway shots. It’s only useful if  you fancy a different angle from spot 5. You have to shot through the latch of the crash gate so the view is limited.
TIME	Almost all day, the light becomes backlit towards sunset. Avoid summer evenings.
MISC.	Hangar 67 restaurant is behind you. A big tree spends shade.
FOCAL LENGTH	80-200mm for the runway. Taxiway UPS 757 = 600mm

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	Spot #5 – Fence – 07 arrivals and departures
WHERE	Park at Spot No.4 and walk up past the tree, there is an open empty lot. Ladder is needed and it needs to be placed 1 meter from the fence as per Airport Security. This spot is at the touchdown point for Runway 07, so this is where you’ll get those dramatic smoking tyre shots as aircraft touch down. It is also useful for traffic on the parallel taxiway.
WHAT	You can photograph all arriving and departing traffic from here whichever end of the runway is in use. It’s also the place where the local photographers come. This spot is at the touchdown point for Runway 07, so this is where you’ll get those dramatic smoking tyre shots as aircraft touch down. It is also useful for traffic on the parallel taxiway; this is handy as the Nature Air Let 410s have different schemes on each side.
TIME	Almost all day, the light becomes backlit towards sunset. Avoid summer evenings.
MISC.	Ladder is needed to clear the fence. There is nothing here and no shade, so bring what you need with you. Hangar 67 restaurant is behind you.
FOCAL LENGTH	Hercules = 130mm; Ibera A350 = 90mm; AirTransa A330 = 50mm

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	Spot #6 – Cruce de Río Segundo de Alajuela – 25 arrivals
WHERE	Situated on a road North of “Cruce de Río Segundo de Alajuela”. From the airport/hotels get on the HWY 3 and then turn left into the “Calle La Epacadora”. Spot is net to the Airport Costa Rica B&B.
WHAT	Arrivals on RWY 25 only.
TIME	In the summer months when suns turn around. Starting from the afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	There is nothing nearby. Everything next to the main road.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-300mm

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	Spot #7 – Resodencial La Giralda – 25 arrivals
WHERE	At a fence near “Residencial La Giralda” in Alajuela. Similar to previous spot #6, but on higher level, providing a nice view leveled with the aircraft. Just continue westwards form the previous spot.
WHAT	Same as spot #6, arrivals on RWY 25 but you may get mountains in the background, even other planes circling to the 25. There are some trees so you need to plan ahead where to stand and quickly adjust depending on altitude. Disadvantage to #6 is the longer focal length and the heat distortion.
TIME	In the summer months when suns turn around. Starting from the afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	There is nothing here.
FOCAL LENGTH	300-600mm

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	Spot #8 – Malla Norte (North Fence)
WHERE	Next to the highway 1, there is a huge parking space to the right direction to to the city center. You have to take the pictures through the fence. Don’t use a ladder here.
WHAT	It is the closest spotting point at the airport, overlooking Gate A2. Airport operations, aircraft during pushback, and traffic rolling to RW25 on Alpha and exiting though Bravo. At night, good spot for long exposures.
TIME	In daylight, during winter, when sun is to the north. At nigh, all year.
MISC.	Very close to the terminal with all its amenities.
FOCAL LENGTH	Delta 757 and C17 = 120mm; Air France 777 = 50mm

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