Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Mexico City to San Jose. Left seats capture the dramatic volcanic departure from Mexico City and the mountainous approach into Costa Rica's Central Valley. The route itself crosses significant topography—the Sierra Madre Oriental, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and the volcanic highlands of Guatemala and Honduras—all more visible from the left side during the southeasterly flight path.

During takeoff from Licenciado Benito Juarez International (MEX), sit on the Right side for the best views. MEX typically departs eastbound (Runways 05L/05R). Right-side seats face south toward the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Valley of Mexico's southern rim, offering dramatic volcanic peaks and the city's sprawl. Left seats look north over flat terrain toward Querétaro. Notable sights include: Popocatépetl volcano (snow-capped, 55 miles southeast on horizon), Iztaccíhuatl volcano (parallel to Popocatépetl, slightly north), Lake Texcoco remnants (shallow water bodies within Mexico City grid), Sierra Madre Oriental ridgeline (southern and eastern horizon).

When landing at Juan Santamaria International (SJO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SJO approaches from the northwest (Runway 32). Left-side seats descend toward the Central Valley with views of the Cordillera Central mountain range and the Meseta Central plateau. Right seats see only the Caribbean slope and less dramatic terrain. Notable sights include: Cordillera Central (main ridge running northwest-southeast, dominant feature), Meseta Central plateau (broad elevated plain), Poás Volcano (visible as a rounded peak on clear days, northwest of approach), Central Valley towns and patchwork agriculture (green and brown fields).

The flight from Licenciado Benito Juarez International (MEX) to Juan Santamaria International (SJO) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (narrowest point between Pacific and Atlantic, visible as a low-lying landmass around 1 hour into flight), then passes east of Guatemala's volcanic highlands (including Tajumulco and San Pedro volcanoes visible on clear days), continues over Honduras and Nicaragua's mountainous terrain, and approaches Costa Rica's Cordillera Central from the northwest. The Pacific coast is visible to the left (west) throughout much of the southern portion of the flight.