Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Jose to Medellin. Right-side seats win overall because the takeoff views of the volcanic peaks are more visually distinctive and dramatic than the landing approach. The Poás and Barva volcanoes during climb-out offer sharper, more memorable scenery than the urban valley descent.

During takeoff from Juan Santamaria International (SJO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the Central Valley and the volcanic peaks that dominate the San Jose departure corridor. Aircraft departing SJO typically climb northeast or east, and right-side passengers get direct views of Poás and Barva volcanoes as the plane gains altitude. Notable sights include: Poás Volcano (8,884 ft, prominent cone visible during climb), Barva Volcano (9,534 ft, often snow-capped), Central Valley agricultural grid, Heredia city sprawl to the northeast.

When landing at Olaya Herrera (EOH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views during the descent into Olaya Herrera. The approach typically brings aircraft over the Aburrá Valley from the north, and left-side passengers see the Cordillera Central ridge, the Medellín city grid, and the Cauca River valley as the plane descends toward the airport on the valley floor. Notable sights include: Cordillera Central mountain range (eastern wall of Aburrá Valley), Medellín city center and surrounding neighborhoods, Cauca River (visible as a ribbon through the valley), Arví Peak (4,680 ft, distinctive ridge on the eastern valley rim).

The flight from Juan Santamaria International (SJO) to Olaya Herrera (EOH) takes Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Caribbean coastal plains of Costa Rica and enters Colombia over the Chocó region. Notable features include the transition from Costa Rican highlands to lowland rainforest, the Cauca River valley as it enters Colombia, and the approach to the Cordillera Central. The Darién Gap region lies to the southeast of the flight path. At cruise altitude (around 25,000 feet), passengers may see the Serranía del Darién mountains on the eastern horizon during the midpoint of the flight.