Hotel Mango Review: The Best Airport Hotel in San José, Costa Rica?
A candid review of Hotel Mango, the best-value airport hotel near SJO, San José, Costa Rica. Details on location, rooms, staff, airport transfers, and the on-site Italian café for travelers.
TL;DR
Hotel Mango is an airport hotel near San José (SJO) that punches above its weight. From the outside, it’s utilitarian. Inside, it’s clean, comfortable, and perfectly suited for travelers needing a safe and easy stopover close to Juan Santamaría International Airport. The Italian café and pool are a bonus.
Hotel Mango San José, Costa Rica: Best Budget Airport Stay with Free Shuttle and Pool
Looking for a safe, affordable hotel near San José airport? Hotel Mango delivers spotless rooms, a lovely pool, a delicious Italian café, and a free taxi shuttle just five minutes from SJO. Save this travel tip for your next Costa Rica trip!
Save this Review on PinterestGeneral Info
- Hotel Mango
- 500 m east from Juan Santamaría Airport, Rio Segundo, Alajuela, Costa Rica
- Check-in: July 17, 2025
- Check-out: July 18, 2025
- 1 Standard Single Room (1 night)
- Room price: $86.40
- Taxes & Fees: $11.15
- Total: $97.55 (after $15.25 savings)
- Booked via Hotels.com / Expedia
- Italian café on premises
- Complimentary airport transfer
- It is a five minute drive to the airport
Review
Looking for the best hotel near SJO airport in Costa Rica? Hotel Mango isn’t trying to win any beauty contests from the street, but for travelers who just want a reliable and restful place to stay near Juan Santamaría International Airport, it’s hard to beat. The location is all function—practical, not picturesque. Arriving by car, the entrance feels a bit tight and the neighborhood is focused on logistics, not leisure.
Step inside, though, and the hotel’s true nature appears. Hotel Mango is well-kept and modern, with welcoming common areas and a backyard pool that helps you forget you’re only 500 meters from the runway. There’s an Italian café on site, making it easy to grab a meal without venturing out.
Rooms are basic but spotless—exactly what you need after a long flight or before an early departure. Linens are clean, everything works (from air conditioning with a remote to the hot water in the shower), and the space is thoughtfully maintained. It’s not a resort, but it’s definitely a step above most airport hotels in San José.
Staff at Hotel Mango are professional and efficient. Check-in is smooth, and the staff proactively ask about flight times, even arranging complimentary transport to SJO so you don’t have to worry about getting to the airport on time. That early-morning transfer was punctual and quick—less than five minutes from door to terminal.
The on-site Italian restaurant deserves mention. The calzone was fresh and tasty, and the casual café seating by the pool made dinner surprisingly relaxing after a day of travel.
Hotel Mango is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a clean, safe, and convenient hotel near San José’s airport. It’s ideal for travelers with an overnight layover, a late arrival, or an early-morning flight out of SJO. While the exterior may not impress, the experience inside is proof that looks aren’t everything when it comes to airport hotels in Costa Rica.
Hotel Mango San José, Costa Rica: Best Budget Airport Stay with Free Shuttle and Pool
Looking for a safe, affordable hotel near San José airport? Hotel Mango delivers spotless rooms, a lovely pool, a delicious Italian café, and a free taxi shuttle just five minutes from SJO. Save this travel tip for your next Costa Rica trip!
Save this Review on Pinterest