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SJO → IAH
Which side of the plane to sit from Juan Santamaria International Airport (San Jose) to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers spectacular views of the Pacific coastline of Central America, several active volcanic chains in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and a scenic approach over the Texas coastline near Galveston.
Poás Volcano
Visible shortly after takeoff, this active volcano features a massive crater and often a turquoise lagoon.
Pacific Coastline
Detailed views of the Nicoya Peninsula and the rugged shores of Guanacaste as you head north.
Sierra Madre
Stunning vistas of the high altitude mountain ranges stretching through Guatemala and Southern Mexico.
Galveston Island
Clear views of the Texas barrier islands and the Gulf of Mexico as the plane begins its final descent.
Port of Houston
The intricate waterways and industrial landscape of one of the world's busiest ports just before landing.
Choose a morning flight to avoid the afternoon cloud buildup typical in the tropics, which can obscure volcano views. On the approach to IAH, the left side usually provides a better view of the Houston metro area and the Gulf coastline.
Irazú & Turrialba
To the east of San Jose, these massive volcanoes dominate the skyline during the initial climb.
Lake Nicaragua
Look for the twin volcanoes of Ometepe Island rising directly out of the massive freshwater lake.
Yucatán Peninsula
If the flight path trends east, you can catch the turquoise waters and white sands of the Mexican Caribbean.
Houston Ship Channel
Aerial views of the massive infrastructure and shipping lanes leading into the city.
The right side is excellent for seeing the 'Great Lake' of Nicaragua and the twin peaks of Ometepe. If you are flying during midday, the sun will be on the left, making the right side better for glare-free photography of the Caribbean coast.
Distance: 2,505 km (1,557 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 20 min
Departure: SJO (9.993860244750977, -84.20880126953125)
Arrival: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Route Type: International
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