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SAP → SJO
Which side of the plane to sit from Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (San Pedro Sula) to Juan Santamaria International Airport (San Jose)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the massive Lake Nicaragua and the iconic Ometepe Island volcanoes, followed by a scenic approach into the Central Valley of Costa Rica.
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Sula Valley
Aerial views of the fertile agricultural heartland of Honduras immediately after departure from SAP.
Lake Nicaragua
The largest lake in Central America dominates the view for a significant portion of the flight over Nicaragua.
Ometepe Island
Look for the stunning twin volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, rising directly out of the fresh waters of Lake Nicaragua.
San Juan River
The historic river that marks the border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, winding through dense rainforest.
San José Skyline
A panoramic view of the Costa Rican capital and the surrounding mountains during the descent into SJO.
Morning flights are highly recommended to avoid the frequent convective cloud cover that develops over the mountains by mid-afternoon. Sit several rows ahead of the wing to get an unobstructed view of Ometepe, which is the highlight of this route.
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Lake Managua
Also known as Xolotlán, this lake provides a backdrop to the city of Managua and the Momotombo volcano.
Maribios Volcanic Chain
A dramatic line of active volcanoes in Nicaragua, including San Cristóbal and Telica.
Arenal Volcano
On clear days, the perfectly conical Arenal Volcano can be spotted in the distance to the west as you enter Costa Rican airspace.
Poás Volcano
One of the world's largest active craters is often visible on the right during the final approach into Juan Santamaria.
Nicoya Peninsula
The distant Pacific coastline and the rugged terrain of the Guanacaste province are visible on the horizon.
If you are flying during the golden hour, the right side offers spectacular sunset views over the Pacific horizon. Keep your camera ready during the final 10 minutes of flight for a close-up look at the Poás Volcano crater if the flight path approaches from the west.
Book Hotels in San JoseDistance: 728 km (452 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 13 min
Departure: SAP (15.4526, -87.923599)
Arrival: SJO (9.993860244750977, -84.20880126953125)
Route Type: International
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