Costa Rica’s main international gateway, San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport is set to become home to Central America’s and the country’s first airport hotel with direct terminal access.
Construction is progressing on the Moxy by Marriott at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), a $20 million project that will allow guests to walk from the hotel to the terminal via a covered pedestrian bridge without stepping outside.
The 173-room hotel is expected to welcome its first guests in mid-2027, according to developer Expandd. That represents a slight delay from the original target of early 2027 announced when the project was unveiled in late 2024.
The development is being delivered by Expandd Development and managed by AZ Hospitality Group. Architectural design is by Saballos Arquitectos, while Remington Hospitality will operate the hotel under the Marriott Moxy brand.
Located opposite the airport in Alajuela, the property will span about 6,500 square meters and is designed to serve both international travelers and airline crews.
One of the hotel’s standout features will be integrated airport services. Guests will be able to check in for their flights and print baggage tags from official airport kiosks inside the hotel before making the short walk across the bridge to the departures terminal.
The concept is aimed at simplifying the travel experience, particularly for passengers with early morning departures, long layovers, delayed flights or overnight connections.
The hotel has been designed with modern travelers in mind, particularly younger guests looking for flexible, social spaces rather than a traditional airport hotel experience. Instead of a conventional front desk, guests will check in at a bar, reflecting Marriott’s lifestyle-focused Moxy brand.
Public areas will include lounges, coworking spaces, a library, games area, meeting rooms, a fitness center, grab-and-go dining and a restaurant operating around the clock.
Airport operator Aeris, part of Grupo CCR, is overseeing the project as part of its wider strategy to enhance passenger services at Juan Santamaría International Airport.
Aeris Executive Director Ricardo Hernández said the hotel represents more than an additional accommodation option. It forms part of the airport’s long-term vision to transform the gateway into a more comprehensive travel hub while strengthening Costa Rica’s tourism offering. In 2025, San Jose international airport welcomed 6.71 million passengers, up 3.2% over 2024. Some 30 airlines fly to San Jose linking the Costa Rica capital to 55 destinations in the Americas and Europe.
