At Juan Santamaria International in San Jose: for takeoff, sit on the Right side; for landing, sit on the Right side. Notable views include: Cordillera Central mountain range (east/right), Central Valley agricultural grid (below/ahead), Poás Volcano region (distant right), Pacific coastal lowlands (left).

When taking off from Juan Santamaria International (SJO), sit on the Right side for the best views. SJO's primary runways (01L/01R and 02L/02R) depart northward. From the right side, you'll see the Central Valley floor drop away beneath you, with the Cordillera Central ridge rising dramatically to your right (east). The left side offers only the Pacific coastal plain and ocean—less dramatic terrain during initial climb. Notable sights include: Cordillera Central mountain range (east/right), Central Valley agricultural grid (below/ahead), Poás Volcano region (distant right), Pacific coastal lowlands (left).

When landing at Juan Santamaria International (SJO), sit on the Right side for the best views. SJO's primary runway (Runway 32) has a northwest heading, meaning final approach comes from the southeast. The right side offers views of the Central Valley floor, the approach path over agricultural land, and the Meseta Central plateau terrain. The left side faces the Caribbean slope and is typically obscured by cloud cover during approach. Notable sights include: Central Valley agricultural grid, Río Torres drainage pattern below, distant Cordillera Central ridge to the north, San José urban sprawl to the west.

The best window seat at Juan Santamaria International (SJO) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around San Jose (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.