How much time to allow for customs at SJO?
 

Any idea how much time to allow for customs at SJO? We have been through it once before but I can not remember how long it takes and am sure that it varies. One of our flights has been changed and I am worried that it is a bit close, but we are going to try to take only carry on to hopefully speed things along.

We were out of there in 30 minutes (or less), carry on only. That was on a Friday. I was thrilled! However, the rental car process was a little slow, so we lost time there. Always a toss up! Just hate standing in those lines though! Once I'm outside looking around, I'm okay! :) Definitely will speed things up to have carry on only! We packed very lightly.

Taking only carry-on will help, but sometimes the lines at passport control can be truly awful. It is so variable, and there's never any way to predict. I've had the whole process take an hour, but I've breezed through it all and been out the door in 15 minutes too. Most of the time, it's fair to say, that it's just a slow-moving airport. :(

Thank you so much you two. While getting everything together today and double checking everything I figured out that we will have an extra hour on the other end. We should have plenty of time to get to Sansa. We may even have time to get a bite to eat.

Here is another question: If we check in early at Sansa, do we become one of the first to board?

Sansa planes are usually 19 seaters. They hand you some sort of a card when you check in which serves as your boarding pass. Then when the aircraft pulls up to the area and is ready for boarding they just call your destination and everyone rushes to the door, goes out the door onto the tarmac and on to the plane together. Its not a very sophisticated boarding process.

As for your first question - I have been out of customs in as little as 5 minutes, but also it has taken as long as 1.5 hours. it all depends on what has landed just before you - how many flights, how full they were etc. They have in the past year or so instituted the one long snakey line and directing people to the next available agent. So at least that way - you won't always get stuck in the slowest line.

raquel

Thank you Raquel! Such good information. It really helps to know what we might be in for. We flew Sansa a few years ago but I do not remember much about boarding or customs. I do remember being very focused on my daughter and trying to make it an easier more comfortable experience. It was a long day for travel for us.
Thanks Again!
Gem

Sparklegem, they have improved the process by adding those bars and ropes so that everyone stays in one line, more or less, until it is time to approach one or another of the migracion desks. We thought it was more efficient.

That is super. I do remember being very impressed with the airport. We thought that it was really nice, easy to navigate and nice shopping.

One thing I noticed when we went through immigration is that there are two windows on the same side of the aisle so agents can be two deep. They were not very visible and sometimes the staff person trying to guide people to open agents didn't see them either.

Thank you, kay. Good to know.