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SJO → GUA
Which side of the plane to sit from Juan Santamaria International Airport (San Jose) to La Aurora Airport (Guatemala City)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a front-row seat to the dramatic Central American Volcanic Arc, including the massive Lake Nicaragua and the iconic peaks of El Salvador and Guatemala.
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Arenal Volcano
Costa Rica's most famous perfectly conical volcano, often visible shortly after departure from SJO.
Lake Nicaragua
A massive inland sea featuring the twin volcanic peaks of Ometepe Island (Concepción and Maderas).
Momotombo & Lake Managua
The smoking Momotombo volcano standing guard over the northern shores of Lake Managua in Nicaragua.
El Salvador Volcanoes
A rapid succession of peaks including Santa Ana (Ilamatepec) and the 'Lighthouse of the Pacific', Izalco.
Guatemalan Giants
Spectacular views of Volcán de Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango as the plane descends into Guatemala City.
Choose a window seat on the right side and fly in the morning (before 10 AM) to avoid the cloud cover that typically develops over the volcanic peaks by midday. This side is essential for seeing Ometepe Island. In the rainy season (May-Oct), the landscape is lush green, but turbulence is more common near the mountains.
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Guanacaste Coastline
Stunning views of the Nicoya Peninsula and the rugged Pacific beaches of northern Costa Rica.
Gulf of Fonseca
A unique tri-national body of water where the borders of Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador meet.
Salvadoran Surf Coast
Aerial perspectives of the famous black sand beaches and world-class surf breaks along the Pacific.
Pacific Horizon
An unobstructed view of the sun setting over the ocean on late afternoon or evening flights.
Sit on the left for the best lighting during sunset flights heading northwest. It is also the side to choose if you prefer marine landscapes over volcanic terrain. During the approach into GUA, look for the Pacific lowlands transitioning into the highlands.
Get eSIMs for Costa Rica
Get eSIMs for GuatemalaDistance: 855 km (531 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 26 min
Departure: SJO (9.993860244750977, -84.20880126953125)
Arrival: GUA (14.5833, -90.527496)
Route Type: International
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