Is a 55 min layover in San Jose long enough?
SJO · Juan Santamaria International · San Jose, Costa Rica
It Depends
Comfortable for domestic connections but still risky for domestic-international transfers requiring check-in again.
Quick Stats
2
15m
20m
Sansa Airlines
Minimum Connection Times
45min
✓60min
✗75min
✗100min
✗AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
Tips for 55 min Connections
If connecting between two international flights, budget extra time since you must fully exit through immigration and customs before rechecking in.
Domestic flights on Sansa depart from a separate small terminal, so confirm which building your onward flight uses and allow time to walk or shuttle over.
Airport signage and staff are helpful, but lines at immigration can back up quickly during mid-morning and early-evening bank waves.
Keep your passport and any transit documentation handy, as you'll present it multiple times during the connection process.
If your bags are checked through, don't assume they'll transfer automatically — for many itineraries you'll need to reclaim and recheck them yourself.
Busyness — Connection Risk
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
Getting Between Concourses
The main terminal handles all international traffic and most domestic flights on larger carriers, while a small separate domestic building (used mainly by Sansa Airlines) sits a short walk or quick shuttle ride away. Because Costa Rica has no international transit facility, arriving international passengers must exit through immigration, retrieve checked bags, clear customs, and then re-enter through check-in and security for their next flight — there is no way to stay airside.
Is 55 minutes enough for a layover at SJO?
Comfortable for domestic connections but still risky for domestic-international transfers requiring check-in again.
Other Layover Durations at SJO
AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER