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EWR → SJO
Which side of the plane to sit from Newark Liberty International Airport (Newark) to Juan Santamaria International Airport (San Jose)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides a superior geographic experience, featuring the dense urban corridor of the US East Coast, the entire length of the Florida peninsula, and a dramatic descent past Costa Rica's iconic volcanoes.
East Coast Megalopolis
Stunning views of the Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. urban centers during the initial climb.
Florida Peninsula
A full-length view of Florida’s Atlantic beaches, including Cape Canaveral and the Miami skyline.
Havana & Western Cuba
Aerial perspectives of the historic Cuban capital and the agricultural plains of the Pinar del Río region.
Poás Volcano
A dramatic view of the massive active crater and steam vents during the final descent into the Central Valley.
Coffee Highlands
The patchwork of emerald-green coffee plantations and misty ridges surrounding San Jose.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights, offering potential sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific. During the descent into SJO, keep your camera ready as the plane often banks near the Poás Volcano; the crater is best viewed from this side if the typical afternoon clouds haven't rolled in yet.
Atlantic Coastline
Bird's-eye views of the Jersey Shore, the Delmarva Peninsula, and the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay shortly after takeoff.
Bahamian Cays
Vivid turquoise waters and the scattered coral islands of the northern Bahamas during the mid-flight cruise.
Eastern Cuba
The rugged mountains of the Sierra Maestra and the deep blue coastline of eastern Cuba.
Tortuguero National Park
The intricate network of rainforest canals and the dark sand beaches of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast.
Choose the left side for morning departures to avoid the harsh glare of the southern sun. This side is particularly rewarding as you enter Costa Rican airspace, offering a clear view of the remote Caribbean wetlands and the distinct sediment plumes where rivers meet the sea.
Distance: 3,554 km (2,208 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 11 min
Departure: EWR (40.69250106811523, -74.168701171875)
Arrival: SJO (9.993860244750977, -84.20880126953125)
Route Type: International
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