If you are travelling through the Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, airport lounges offer a serene sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of terminals. These havens of comfort and convenience provide a respite from long queues and hectic airport environments, promising a tranquil space to relax before your flight.
In our frequent travels, Tim and i have come to value the quiet and amenities that airport lounges offer. Knowing I can escape to a comfortable environment with access to refreshments and essential services has significantly enhanced my travel experience. Before any journey, I make it a point to research airport lounges available at my destination, ensuring a seamless transition and a pleasant wait for my flight.
In this article, I’ll guide you through the best airport lounges at San Jose Costa Rica Airport, detailing their locations, amenities, and how to access them. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first international trip, understanding the offerings of these lounges can transform your airport experience into a relaxing prelude to your journey ahead.
Key Takeaways
The San Jose Airport lounges open early and close late to accommodate clients. You can apply for an annual membership or pay for a day pass. Here are my key takeaways from the San Jose Costa Rica Airport Lounge.
- The VIP Lounge BAC Credomatic at San Jose Airport opens as early as 4.00 AM. It’s in the main terminal, which accommodates international flights.
- While all the lounges at San Jose Airport have flight monitors, I recommend setting an alarm for your flight around 30 minutes before departure.
- All four San Jose Airport lounges open daily and close at 8 PM.
Airport Lounges At San Jose Airport, Costa Rica
Airport lounges are often at the international and domestic terminals in a quieter airport section. Some provide a five-star hotel service to its customers. They have free restaurants and cafes within the lounges. Airport lounges are places where passengers can rest while waiting for their flights.
To access an airport lounge, you should have a premium flight ticket, certain credit cards in your wallet, or a certain status level. Alternatively, you can subscribe for one year or a day. You only need to show your access material to the attendant at the lounge entrance for admission.
The San Jose Airport in Costa Rica has four main lounges.
Mastercard Black Lounge
Operating Hours: 5:00 AM-8 PM daily.
The lounge is at the main terminal inside security, near Terminal Four. It is inside a separate area of the VIP Lounge in Costa Rica. The lounge is only accessible to MasterCard Black Cardholders with cards issued by any airport in Central America.
| Amenities at the Mastercard Black Lounge | |
| Flight Monitors | TV |
| Snacks | Newspapers and magazines |
| WiFi | Non-smoking area |
You can also get premium food, spirits, wine, beer, and liquor at an additional fee.
Santamaria VIP Lounge
Operating Hours: 4:30 AM-8 PM daily.
The lounge is in the main terminal inside security next to gate 5 on level 2. At no additional cost, you will get the following amenities.
- Flight monitors
- Premium foods
- WiFi
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Internet terminals
- Telephones
You can get beer, spirits, wines, and liquor at an additional cost.
VIP Lounge BAC Credomatic
Operating Hours: 4:00 AM-8 PM daily.
The lounge is in the main terminal inside security near gate 17 on the second floor.
| Amenities at the VIP Lounge BAC Credomatic | |
| Premium Food (Breakfast/lunch) | Wi-Fi |
| Snacks | Flight Monitors |
| Beer & Wine | Newspapers & Magazines |
| TVs | Children’s Area |
| Non-Smoking | Worktables, |
You can get spirits and liquor at an additional fee.
VIP Lounge Costa Rica (Copa Club)
Operating Hours: 4:30 AM-8 PM daily.
The lounge is in the main terminal inside security. Just after passing passport control, turn right and continue boarding Gate 18. The VIP lounge is on the upper level. You can get the following amenities at no additional fee.
| Amenities at the VIP Lounge Costa Rica (Copa Club) | |
| Snacks | Internet Terminals |
| Wi-Fi | TVs |
| Showers | Printers & Copiers |
| Flight Monitors | Telephones |
| Newspapers & Magazines | Non-Smoking |
You can get premium food, beer, wine, liquor, and spirits at an additional fee.
Benefits of An Airport Lounge
Airports are full of commotion and can become overwhelming if you have to spend a few hours there. Fortunately, airport lounges usually have comfy seats where you can sit while waiting for your flight. Some lounges also have showers, which are ideal for a long layover.
Most airport eateries overprice their meals and drinks. Airport lounges usually offer free snacks, meals, and beverages at no additional cost or a small fee. Hence, an airport lounge is the most price-friendly place for a meal before your flight.
Business travelers will appreciate airport lounges even more. Some lounges have conference rooms where you can hold private meetings. Most lounges offer free WiFi, power outlets, workstations, printers, and copiers.
Some premium lounges also offer saunas, massages, gyms, or spa treatments to allow their guests to relax. Most also have entertainment facilities such as gaming consoles, magazines, newspapers, and televisions.
Tips to Getting The Best of An Airport Lounge
Depending on the fare type and the airport, you might have access to more than one lounge. San Jose Airport has four main lounges. Hence, because you might only have time to visit some of the lounges, you need to know beforehand which is the best overall. But to have the best time in the airport lounges, you should do the following.
- If you want to visit the lounge, plan your check-in time well. You need to have enough time to experience the lounge services without being in a hurry.
- Upon arrival, tour the lounge and identify where everything is. That way, you can spot the most comfortable seating area.
- It’s important to note that not all airport lounges make boarding announcements. Time can sometimes go fast, so setting an alarm for your boarding time before entering the lounge is essential to ensure you get on the flight.
- If you have kids, watch out for them constantly. Please note that the main section of the lounge is not a playground, and some passengers might not appreciate kids running around.
- Please remember airport lounges are still public places. Hence, only take up the necessary space and don’t be noisy.
If you’re planning a convenient and luxurious stay near San Jose, you should check out our recommendations for the Best All-Inclusive Resorts Near San Jose Airport.
Conclusion
My experience with airport lounges has been good so far. I highly recommend the lounges at San Jose Airport. They are clean and comfortable, and the service is commendable. Kindly enquire how to access one airport lounge when you fly into Costa Rica.
Which was your favorite lounge at the San Jose Airport? Please share your experience.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
