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FON → SJO
Which side of the plane to sit from Arenal Airport (La Fortuna/San Carlos) to Juan Santamaria International Airport (San Jose)?
Left Side of the Plane
While both sides provide incredible vistas of the tropical landscape, the left side offers the most consistent views of the Central Volcanic Range, including Poás and Barva volcanoes, during the descent into the Central Valley.
Search flights from FON to SJO
Poás Volcano
Unobstructed views of the massive active crater and the surrounding cloud forest of the national park.
San Carlos Lowlands
Lush green pasture lands and agricultural patterns characteristic of the northern plains.
Barva Volcano
The densely forested, extinct volcanic peaks of Braulio Carrillo National Park.
Heredia Province
A bird's-eye view of the sprawling urban areas and colorful rooftops as the plane enters the Central Valley.
Sit on the left to capture the most dramatic shots of the Central Volcanic Range. Book an early morning flight (before 9:00 AM) to maximize your chances of seeing the volcanoes before they are engulfed in daily cloud cover. The approach into SJO often passes directly north of the volcanic line, making this the prime side for geology enthusiasts.
Get eSIMs for Costa Rica
Get eSIMs for Costa RicaArenal Volcano
A stunning view of the iconic conical volcano immediately following takeoff from La Fortuna.
Lake Arenal
View of the largest landlocked body of water in Costa Rica, framed by the Tilarán mountain range.
Monteverde Ridge
Distant views of the famous cloud forest continental divide and wind farms in the Tilarán area.
Alajuela Coffee Farms
Intricate patterns of coffee plantations that carpet the slopes leading into the Juan Santamaría airport.
The right side is superior for the first five minutes of flight to see the Arenal Volcano and the lake. If the pilot banks toward the south, you may even catch a glimpse of the Nicoya Peninsula on the horizon on exceptionally clear days. This side is better if you are particularly interested in the lake and the western mountains.
Book Hotels in San JoseDistance: 71 km (44 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 7 min
Departure: FON (10.478, -84.634499)
Arrival: SJO (9.993860244750977, -84.20880126953125)
Route Type: Domestic
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