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SJO → PTY
Which side of the plane to sit from Juan Santamaria International Airport (San Jose) to Tocumen International Airport (Panama City)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior perspective of the Costa Rican volcanic ranges and, most importantly, the iconic Panama Canal and Panama City skyline during the approach into Tocumen.
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Irazú and Turrialba Volcanoes
Shortly after takeoff from SJO, look north to see the massive craters of these active volcanoes looming over the Central Valley.
Cordillera de Talamanca
Breathtaking views of Costa Rica's highest mountain range, including the 3,820-meter summit of Cerro Chirripó.
Panama Canal Locks
During descent, you frequently get a clear view of the Gatun Lake and the massive engineering marvel of the canal locks.
Panama City Skyline
A stunning view of the 'Miami of Central America' with its gleaming skyscrapers along the Avenida Balboa.
Casco Viejo
The historic colonial heart of Panama City is clearly visible as the plane turns for its final approach to PTY.
Choose the left side (Port) for the best views of the Panama Canal. Aim for a morning flight (before 10:00 AM) to avoid the typical afternoon cloud buildup over the Talamanca mountains. On the approach to PTY, planes often fly past the city before looping back, giving the left side a front-row seat to the skyscrapers and the Pacific entrance of the Canal.
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Manuel Antonio Coastline
View the white sand beaches and lush rainforests of one of Costa Rica's most famous national parks.
Osa Peninsula
Look for the deep green canopy of Corcovado National Park and the turquoise waters of the Golfo Dulce.
Archipiélago de las Perlas
The 'Pearl Islands' appear as emerald dots in the blue Gulf of Panama shortly before landing.
Gulf of Panama
Observe the massive fleet of cargo ships anchored in the Pacific, waiting for their turn to transit the Canal.
Bridge of the Americas
As the plane descends, you can often spot the bridge that connects the two landmasses of the Americas over the Canal.
The right side (Starboard) is perfect for coastal geography lovers. It offers a continuous view of the Pacific coastline and the rugged Osa Peninsula. During the dry season (December to April), visibility is exceptional. This side is also better for spotting the vast array of container ships lined up in the Gulf of Panama near the end of the flight.
Book Hotels in Panama CityDistance: 539 km (335 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 54 min
Departure: SJO (9.993860244750977, -84.20880126953125)
Arrival: PTY (9.0713596344, -79.3834991455)
Route Type: International
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