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DFW → SJO
Which side of the plane to sit from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (Dallas-Fort Worth) to Juan Santamaria International Airport (San Jose)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a premier view of the Caribbean's turquoise waters, the Yucatan Peninsula's coastline, and the lush tropical lowlands of Costa Rica during the descent.
Dallas Metroplex
Aerial views of downtown Dallas and the sprawling suburbs of North Texas immediately after takeoff.
Galveston Bay
The transition from the Texas coastline into the deep blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Yucatan Peninsula
The striking contrast of white sand beaches and turquoise waters around Cancun and Cozumel.
Mesoamerican Reef
The world's second-largest coral reef system visible off the coasts of Belize and Honduras.
Tortuguero Coast
Dense, vibrant green rainforests and winding canal systems along Costa Rica's Caribbean shore.
Morning flights are ideal as the sun rises in the east, illuminating the Caribbean reefs without creating harsh glare. Keep your camera ready as you cross the Yucatan Peninsula for the best water colors. During the final approach into San Jose, look for the Poas Volcano crater which is often visible on the left.
South Texas Plains
The arid, rugged landscape of the Brush Country stretching toward the Rio Grande.
Mexican Gulf Coast
Views of the industrial port cities and sweeping curves of the Bay of Campeche.
Lake Nicaragua
The massive freshwater lake featuring the twin volcanic peaks of Ometepe Island.
Central American Volcanic Arc
A dramatic chain of active and dormant volcanic peaks stretching across the horizon.
Cordillera Central
The mist-covered mountain ranges that form the backbone of Costa Rica's interior.
The right side is best for sunset flights, offering dramatic silhouettes of the Nicaraguan volcanoes against a colorful sky. During descent, this side provides a better perspective of the Guanacaste mountains and the Pacific coastline in the distance before the plane turns inland toward the Central Valley.
Distance: 2,866 km (1,781 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 49 min
Departure: DFW (32.896801, -97.038002)
Arrival: SJO (9.993860244750977, -84.20880126953125)
Route Type: International
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