Costa Rica has one of Latin America’s strictest smoke-free laws (Ley 9028), and San José’s airport follows it fully: no airside, no indoor smoking, no exceptions. Smoking is only in the open air outside the terminal.
For international travel through Costa Rica, San José (SJO) is the main gateway; Liberia (LIR) serves the Guanacaste resorts.
How Costa Rican Airport Smoking Works
Ley 9028 (2012) bans smoking in all enclosed public buildings and transport terminals with no exceptions:
- No indoor smoking and no airside smoking at San José
- Smoking is only outdoors, outside the terminal building (landside)
- Vaping is treated like smoking — outdoor areas only
- Fines for smoking in banned areas start around ₡180,000; compliance is high
The Hub
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). Costa Rica’s main gateway, near San José. There is no indoor or airside smoking room — Ley 9028 permits no separate smoking areas inside enclosed public buildings. Connecting passengers must clear immigration and exit to smoke, then re-clear security.
Tips for Smokers at Costa Rican Airports
- San José has no airside smoking — plan to smoke before security or accept a no-smoking layover
- Smoke only in the open air outside the terminal, landside
- Costa Rica enforces its smoke-free law — don’t smoke in banned areas (fines apply)
- Vaping is banned indoors and airside too — outdoor only
Costa Rica Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security
| Airport | After security | Indoor room | Outdoor area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) | – | – | Yes |