San Jose International Airport (Juan Santamaria International Airport) is the largest and busiest airport in Costa Rica. It is the base for most international flights coming into and leaving Costa Rica. Courtyard by Marriot is one of the closest and most convenient accommodation options. It offers free shuttles to and from the airport.
We had our wedding in Costa Rica in May, where we have regularly travelled for the last ten years. We hosted some friends who travelled from the United States at the Courtyard by Marriot. They gave positive feedback about the hotel, so I have decided to review it in this article.
Key Takeaways
Alajuela City is the home of San Jose International Airport and the second-largest city after San Jose. Courtyard By Marriot is in Alajuela City, a few minutes from San Jose airport. Here are my key takeaways on Courtyard By Marriot.
- Courtyard By Marriott is one of the nearest hotels to San Jose airport and offers free shuttle services to and from. They can take you to the airport as early as 4 AM or make arrangements if you need to go earlier.
- The hotel has 127 spacious, clean rooms with separate sitting and sleeping areas and private bathrooms.
- An onsite restaurant serves breakfast as early as 4 AM and offers room service.
- There are various attractions near the hotel, such as Central Park, Juan Santamaria Historical Museum, and La Paz Waterfall Garden.
Getting To Courtyard By Marriott From The Airport
One way to get to Courtyard By Marriott is to book our complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. The hotel is less than 5 kilometres from the airport. To book the complimentary shuttle, you only have to check the box in the booking form before the payment page.
Courtyard By Marriot offers free shuttles as early as 4 AM, and you can make arrangements if you have a flight earlier than that.
However, the hotel offers free parking onsite if you want to come with your car. You can drive to Radial Francisco J. Orlich, Plaza Los Mangos. The building is one mile from Alajuela Center. There is enough security and space in the parking lot. So you can come and go as you wish.
You can hire a rental car from the many agencies at the airport. That way, you can set your schedule without waiting for anyone. Alternatively, there are taxis at the airport that can take you directly to Courtyard by Marriott.
Staying At Courtyard By Marriot
Check-in time: Any time after 3 p.m.
Check-out Time: Any time before noon.
The hotel, which has six floors and was built in 2012, is near public facilities in the Rio Segunda area. Central Park is one of the major tourist attractions near the hotel.
Accommodation
Courtyard by Marriot has 127 spacious, bright rooms with separate sleeping and living areas. Each room has a private bathroom. There are four types of rooms at Courtyard by Marriott.
- Superior Guest Room: The room has one king bed and a sofa bed. Maximum occupancy for the room is three people, and you can request a crib if traveling with a small child. Its size is 38 sq m (409 sq ft).
- One-bedroom larger suite: It is approximately 62 sq m (667 sq ft). The only difference from the other rooms, apart from the size, is the inclusion of a microwave and instant shower. Maximum occupancy is three, with one king-size bed and a sofa bed.
- Double room with two queen beds: This room has an approximate space of 32.98 sqm (355 sqft) and a city view. It has two queen beds.
- Standard room: The smallest room has 30 sq m (322.92 sq ft) of space and one king-size bed.
Rollaway beds cannot fit inside the rooms. The restaurant offers room service as late as possible, which is convenient if you arrive late. Housekeeping is daily, and you can request connecting or adjoining rooms.
Amenities available in all the rooms include.
| Amenities in Courtyard’s rooms | ||
| High-speed free Wi-Fi and wired internet | Ergonomic workstations | Mini fridge |
| Flat-panel TV | Crisp linens and fluffy pillows | Hair dryers |
| Plush bedding | Sofa | Two phones |
| Free toiletries | Air conditioning | Safe |
| Coffee/tea maker | Iron and ironing board | Laundry |
| Concierge | ||
Dining
Courtyard By Marriot has an onsite restaurant and bar known as Centro. The restaurant has a bar/lounge and offers room service (only during specific hours). You can order local Costa Rican dishes or choose from the various international cuisines.
You can pay for breakfast separately or include it in the room rate. I recommend including breakfast in the room rate to avoid having to look for restaurants in the morning, which can make you late for your adventures. The restaurant serves breakfast at 4 AM if you have to leave early.
The breakfast spread includes an omelette station with an appealing selection of hot and cold meals. There is even a buffet of fresh fruits to choose from. I recommend banana bread if you want a heavy breakfast that will last you longer. Feel free to order a traditional Costa Rican breakfast before you start your day.
Facilities
Apart from dining and accommodations, Courtyard by Marriott offers other facilities to make your stay comfortable. Hence, you can make this hotel your base as you explore the great city of San Jose.
- 24-hour business centre: The hotel has three meeting rooms holding a capacity of 192 people.
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- 24-hour reception: You can get help or answers to any inquiries and buy newspapers or souvenirs. At the front desk, there is a convenience store. Though it doesn’t have much, you can buy snacks, t-shirts, and toiletries if you are in a rush and have no time to visit Walmart, which is next door.
- Outdoor pool
- 24-hour fitness center
Attractions Near Courtyard By Marriot
Several shopping places are near the Courtyard, including Plaza Real Alajuela, City Mall, and Mango Plaza. City Mall is the largest shopping mall in Central America. It will take you 15 minutes to drive to downtown San Jose.
Poás Volcano National Park
It is one of the most famous volcano parks in Costa Rica. The trip will only take you at most two hours from San Jose. But you get to see one of Costa Rica’s active volcanoes and all the wonders surrounding it. The park opens at 8 AM and closes at 4 p.m.
The attractive features of Poás Volcano National Park include:
- Lake Botos has several cloud forest birds, such as flycatchers, toucanets, hummingbirds, and clay-colored robins.
- Poas Crater Lake has a stunning teal color.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
It is about a 45-minute drive from San Jose Airport. The garden is a nature park with trails where you can watch various bird species and butterflies. There are several stunning waterfalls in the garden, too. The garden opens every day at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.
An animal rescue centre within the garden has over 100 species, such as sloths, pumas, frogs, snakes, jaguars, and monkeys. You’ll need at least two hours to see everything in the garden.
The garden has five waterfalls, a historic house museum, and a trout lake. Take advantage of one of the best buffet lunches, featuring traditional Costa Rican dishes.
Doka Estate Coffee Tour
If you’re a coffee lover like me, you should visit Doka Estate. You will learn more about the growth and production of Costa Rican coffee. Not only that, but you also get to taste some of Costa Ricas specialty coffee brands. The estate is 30 minutes drive from San Jose.
On the estate are some beautiful butterfly and hummingbird gardens.
Sarchi Artisan Village
I call it the home of souvenirs. The village has more than 200 stores, plus woodwork and leather workshops. It is 46 km from San Jose, and you will pass through some of the largest sugarcane and coffee plantations in Costa Rica.
You’ll find elegantly crafted souvenirs from ceramics, textiles, leather, natural hardwoods, and papers. Their wood furniture is top-notch, and you can buy and have them ship it via FedEx. My friends told me that they got charming souvenirs from this village.
Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto
20 km from San Jose is what is widely known as Costa Rica’s Cathedral of Football. The stadium is in the El Llano neighbourhood of Alajuela. Its name comes from the famous Manuela player Alejandro Morera Soto, who later played for F.C. Barcelona in Spain in 1933.
The stadium is the third largest in Costa Rica and has a seating capacity of 16,200 people. Due to its good facilities and international standards, Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto has held two FIFA World Cups. The stadium is the home of the Liga Deportiva Alajuelense (La Liga) multisports club.
Central Park
It is also known as Mango Park because of the various mango trees. There are several benches under the trees, providing shade for many people. The park usually has a lot of people seated on the benches with their ice cream and watching local musicians perform at the park.
The park is also home to several banks, shops, and restaurants where you can try local dishes. At the centre are a giant waterfall and a dome where several concerts happen. Central Park is the best place to mingle with the tikos.
Juan Santamaria Historical Museum
Open: 10 AM to 5:30 PM Tuesday through Sunday
Charges: Free
One block north of Central Park is the Juan Santamaria Historical Museum. It is a tribute to the national hero, Juan Santamaria. There is usually a massive parade in April, with a national holiday on the 11th, and many festivities celebrate Juan.
The museum is a great place to learn about the history of Costa Rica.
For more accommodation options in Costa Rica, you should also consider the Holiday Inn Express San Jose Costa Rica Airport.
Conclusion
I always recommend Courtyard By Marriot to anyone landing in San Jose Airport and needing a clean, comfortable, and quiet hotel. It offers a free airport shuttle on request, which is the best way to avoid missing flights. Whether you arrive or want to leave, the hotel staff will make every effort to accommodate you.
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!
