Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from St. Louis to San Jose. The landing approach offers superior views of Costa Rica's most distinctive geography—the Cordillera Central volcanic peaks and Central Valley—which are far more visually striking than the departure scenery. The left side captures the dramatic mountain terrain that defines the country's landscape.

During takeoff from Lambert St Louis International (STL), sit on the Right side for the best views. STL typically departs eastbound (Runways 30L/30R). Right-side seats face south across the Mississippi River valley and toward the Ozark Plateau, offering immediate geographic context. Left seats face north toward Illinois farmland with less distinctive features. Notable sights include: Mississippi River (immediate, flowing north-south below), Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis skyline (receding westward), Ozark Plateau foothills (distant southern horizon), Illinois prairie (northern expanse).

When landing at Juan Santamaria International (SJO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SJO typically lands westbound (Runway 32). Left-side seats on approach face south and southwest toward the Central Valley of Costa Rica, the Cordillera Central mountains, and the Pacific-facing terrain. Right seats face north toward the Caribbean slope with less dramatic relief. Notable sights include: Cordillera Central mountain range (dominant, snow-free volcanic peaks), Central Valley of Costa Rica (agricultural patchwork below), Poás Volcano area (northern peaks), Pacific coastal plain (distant southwestern horizon).

The flight from Lambert St Louis International (STL) to Juan Santamaria International (SJO) takes Approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Yucatan Peninsula (visible as low, flat limestone terrain with cenote lakes and sparse vegetation around 2 hours into flight), then continues south over the Caribbean Sea. Around the 2.5-hour mark, the Guatemalan highlands and Belize mountains appear on the left (western) side as distant, hazy ridges. The final 90 minutes approach Costa Rica from the northwest, with the Pacific coast and Nicoya Peninsula visible before turning inland toward the Central Valley.