FBOs at Juan Santamaría International MROC SJO

Airport security

San José operates under a U.S. State Department Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) advisory, driven primarily by crime risk.

The city's central districts present elevated street crime exposure, including petty theft, armed robbery, and opportunistic violence, with tourists and foreign nationals among those affected.

A sharply increasing threat of virtual kidnapping targeting foreign business owners and individuals with visible online profiles has been flagged by Costa Rican federal law enforcement, representing an emerging and fast-growing risk category.

Terrorism and civil unrest risks remain low, consistent with Costa Rica's long record of political stability.

Juan Santamaría International Airport is the primary international commercial hub serving Costa Rica and the Central American region, handling high volumes of international passenger traffic.

No publicly available classification or tier designation governing access control and screening standards specific to this airport was identified in authoritative sources; however, major international hub airports in Costa Rica operate under the oversight of the national civil aviation authority and are subject to ICAO standards, with published assessments indicating that air travel at this facility is generally reliable and free of significant security delays.

Travelers should expect standard international commercial airport security processes consistent with an ICAO-member state operating a high-traffic gateway airport.

Customs, immigration and regulatory

Hours: H24 full CIQ available at the main commercial terminal; GAT CIQ standard hours 0600–2100 LCL with overtime available outside those hours at additional cost Passengers using the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) complete CIQ within that facility; operators using the main commercial terminal are subject to standard commercial passenger queuing with no priority lane guarantee

Ground corridor

Ground transport risk in the San José metro area is characterised primarily by opportunistic petty crime — including theft targeting arriving passengers at or near the terminal exit — and by general road safety concerns on routes between the airport and city centre; the immediate airport zone and the main corridor toward central San José warrant heightened situational awareness, particularly at night or during periods of low pedestrian traffic.

Independent street-hail vehicles at the terminal curbside present a moderate risk of overcharging or safety shortfalls; only vehicles dispatched through the official airport taxi concession — identifiable by orange livery — are authorised to operate from the terminal forecourt, and non-concession vehicles are formally excluded from the immediate pickup area.

Pre-arranged transport with professional drivers confirmed through a vetted ground support team is strongly advised for corporate or security-conscious travellers, particularly for late-night or early-morning arrivals.

Costa Rica is not subject to any comprehensive travel embargo, but both the U.S. State Department (Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution, April 2026) and FCDO (no advisory against travel, May 2026) note that petty crime is common countrywide and that violent crime, including armed robbery, does affect visitors in urban environments.

City threat summary

San José operates under a U.S. State Department Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) advisory, driven primarily by crime risk.

The city's central districts present elevated street crime exposure, including petty theft, armed robbery, and opportunistic violence, with tourists and foreign nationals among those affected.

A sharply increasing threat of virtual kidnapping targeting foreign business owners and individuals with visible online profiles has been flagged by Costa Rican federal law enforcement, representing an emerging and fast-growing risk category.

Terrorism and civil unrest risks remain low, consistent with Costa Rica's long record of political stability.

Country overview

Costa Rica maintains a stable democratic environment and carries no active terrorism or armed conflict designation from any official advisory reviewed, but the U.S. Department of State rates it Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, citing crime as the primary risk category.

Violent crime, including armed robbery and targeted break-ins at short-term rentals occupied by foreigners, has risen in salience even as overall homicide figures are tracking downward in 2026.

Virtual kidnappings targeting foreign business owners and job seekers have surged sharply in 2026 per OIJ data, representing the most rapidly escalating threat vector for the international community.

Higher-risk locations nearby

• Liberia MRLB ELEVATED
• San José MROC ELEVATED