Flying from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Medellin: what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin is 2 hours.
Juan Santamaria International Airport is located in San Jose. Following the UTC-5 timezone, Medellin is one hour ahead of San Jose.
With 12 flights a week between the two airports, Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) is the busiest route. AVIANCA operates the earliest flight at 06:53. If you're eager to make the most of your day before taking off, the latest flight from SJO to MDE is with Wingo at 22:58.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your SJO to Medellin flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak period like public or school holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Direct Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin tickets are available for booking. Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) is where you'll be touching down.
Keep an eye out for offers from AVIANCA. This airline has direct flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin.
We make it easy to book flight tickets from SJO to Medellin with a stopover. To see your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. The most sought-after stopovers include:
El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB)
SJO is around 14 kilometres from central San Jose. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 2 hours 20 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near SJO. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels put convenience first:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Juan Santamaria International Airport, data shows 79.83% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Medellin
$115 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin flight. A return ticket right now is $343. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares may change.
To score cheap flights from SJO to Medellin, book your journey six months ahead of your departure date.
The best month for finding cheap Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin tickets is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
You don't need to check in daily to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you when there's an updated deal for cheap flights from SJO to Medellin.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin.
Airports in Medellin
Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE)
Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) to central Medellin takes around 35 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 24 kilometres away.
Consider booking a hotel close to MDE if you have a late flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Pick up a Jose Maria Cordova International Airport rental car and explore Medellin and beyond with your own wheels. Localiza, Green Motion and Confort Rent a Car are leading providers you can book with here.
To get the best deal, reserve your ride from Jose Maria Cordova International Airport about one week in advance of your flight from SJO to Medellin.
Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH)
After your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin has landed, you can get to the city centre in about 15 minutes by car. Central Medellin is roughly 6 kilometres from Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH).
If you travel by public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 30 minutes or so.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near EOH. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your SJO to Medellin flight:
Why wait? An Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport rental car lets you get moving right away. Find the perfect playlist and hit the highway with a set of wheels from Confort Rent a Car or Green Motion.
Get the pick of the lot. Securing your ride from EOH one week in advance often means better prices and a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Medellin
Visit Medellin during peak season if you like a busy atmosphere, but remember that prices may be higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin during low season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
Lock in a Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin flight ticket with a departure in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 11ºC (52ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).
July sees average temperatures of between 11ºC (52ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from SJO to Medellin around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Medellin
After booking your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Medellin, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Medellin:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Botero Plaza, Parque Arvi and Pueblito Paisa are must-do's during your Medellin adventure.
Explore more of Colombia
Bogota is just one of the many cities in Colombia waiting to be discovered once you've seen Medellin. Around 241 kilometres away to the south-east, its top attractions include Gold Museum, Usaquen Train Station and Urbanización Villas del Madrigal - Molino del Viento Park.
If you're interested in discovering another great destination in Colombia, head for Cali, about 322 kilometres south of Medellin. Cristo Rey, Gato de Tejada and Caliwood Museo de la Cinematografia are among the biggest draws.