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Tobías Bolaños International Airport
San Jose, Costa Rica
Tobías Bolaños International Airport
Costa Rica's gateway for domestic and regional aviation.
- ›Named after Costa Rican aviation pioneer Tobías Bolaños Palma.
- ›Located in the Pavas district, closer to San José's city center than Juan Santamaría International Airport.
- ›Serves as the main base for Sansa Airlines, Costa Rica's primary domestic carrier.
- ›Handles significant general aviation and charter traffic alongside scheduled services.
- ›Its runway length limits operations to smaller propeller and turboprop aircraft.
Tobías Bolaños International Airport, located in Pavas just west of San José, serves as Costa Rica's primary hub for domestic flights and general aviation. Named after a pioneering Costa Rican aviator, the airport handles regional carriers and charter operations that connect the capital to remote coastal and jungle destinations. Its modest size and proximity to the city centre make it a convenient alternative to the larger Juan Santamaría International Airport for travellers heading to domestic destinations.
- Main Terminal — A single compact terminal handling domestic and regional departures, arrivals, and general aviation operations.
- Taxi services available at the terminal entrance
- Ride-hailing apps (Uber and InDriver) operational in the Pavas area
- Public bus routes connecting Pavas to downtown San José
- Private shuttle services bookable through hotels and tour operators
- Car rental desks available at or near the terminal
- Marriott Costa Rica Hotel (San Antonio de Belén)
- Hotel Balmoral San José
- Tryp by Wyndham San José Momentum
- Hotel Presidente San José
- Sleep Inn San José Airport
Dining options inside the terminal are limited to a small café offering coffee, snacks, and light meals suited for short pre-flight waits. The surrounding Pavas neighbourhood and nearby Escazú district offer a wide variety of sodas, casual restaurants, and international cuisine within a short taxi ride. Travellers are advised to eat before arriving if they have specific dietary preferences.
- Arrive at least 60–90 minutes before domestic flights as security and check-in can occasionally experience short queues.
- Confirm your departure airport in advance — many tourists confuse SYQ with the international Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) located in Alajuela.
- Pavas traffic can be heavy during morning and evening rush hours, so allow extra travel time from downtown San José.
- Carry local currency (colones) for taxis, as not all drivers accept credit cards.
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Tobías Bolaños International Airport is one of the four international airports in Costa Rica, and the secondary airport serving the city of San José, after Juan Santamaría International Airport. It is located in downtown San José, in Pavas District, San José Canton. The airport is named for Costa Rican pilot Tobias Bolaños Palma (1892-1953).
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