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VIP Lounge Costa Rica – Location and Access
After a spectacular stay at the Hilton San Jose La Sabana (review), it was time to make my way back home to Toronto. My Air Canada flight departed from Gate 20 at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), and conveniently, just a few meters away is the VIP Lounge Costa Rica, one of the two Priority Pass accessible lounges at SJO.
The lounge is located airside, after passport control. Once through security and immigration, you turn right toward Gate 18 and take either the stairs or elevator to the upper level, where the VIP Lounge is located. Access is permitted up to three hours prior to scheduled departure. It also doubles as the Star Alliance Gold Lounge at SJO, meaning Air Canada Business Class passengers or Star Alliance Gold members would also be directed here when flying internationally.
Elevator to VIP Lounge SJO
I accessed the lounge via my Priority Pass (PP) membership. Upon arrival, there was a line of about 20 passengers ahead of me, unsurprising given the lounge’s popularity with both PP and Star Alliance travellers. Thankfully, the line moved quickly, and after a 10-minute wait, I was checked in.
Lineup to enter the lounge
Across from the VIP Lounge is another facility called Lounge BAC, which had no lineup, but unfortunately does not participate in the Priority Pass program, making the VIP Lounge the default option for most premium travellers.
VIP Lounge Costa Rica – Layout and Amenities
As you enter the VIP Lounge, one of the first sections you notice on the left-hand side is a dedicated room branded as the Mastercard Lounge. This smaller room within the larger lounge is reserved for Mastercard Black cardholders issued in Central America. Although I observed later that access enforcement was lax, and guests entering the VIP Lounge were not revalidated for this space.
Main Reception area
The Mastercard Lounge was an appealing, quiet alternative to the main lounge area. It offered seating for around 30–40 passengers, with white tables and chairs, white couches, and an excellent view of the runway, arguably one of the highlights of this facility. From here, you can watch aircraft take off and taxi, something that never gets old for an aviation enthusiast.
VIP Lounge SJO – Mastercard Room
On the opposite wall from the windows sits the food and beverage station, with a flat-screen TV at the back of the room (muted during my visit). The space was less than half full, making it far more relaxing than the main lounge area.
Continuing deeper into the lounge, just past the Mastercard room, you’ll find a nail spa located on the left-hand side. The spa operates from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, though it was closed during my morning visit.
Nail Spa in lounge
Main Lounge area
Farther ahead, the main food and beverage station anchors the central section of the lounge. Seating in the main area consists of a mix of multicoloured fabric and leather chairs, arranged in clusters to accommodate both solo travellers and small groups. Like the Mastercard Lounge, the main room also overlooks the runway, offering great views of departing and arriving aircraft.
Additional Seating in lounge
Tarmac views from the lounge
There are several flat-screen TVs, though all were muted with closed captions on. The main seating area was at full capacity during my visit, creating a rather busy environment. However, tucked away at the far end, a small kids’ play area provided some respite. Ironically, this section was empty, even as the rest of the lounge overflowed with passengers.
Kids Zone – VIP Lounge SJO
Overall, the lounge layout is practical but compact, and during peak hours, it can feel quite crowded. Still, the natural light and runway views give it a sense of openness, offsetting the congestion somewhat.
VIP Lounge Costa Rica – Food & Drinks
Mastercard Lounge Section
The food station in the Mastercard Lounge mirrors the offerings of the main buffet but benefits from far lighter traffic. During my visit, the hot food options included Scrambled eggs and traditional Costa Rican rice and beans. In contrast, the cold selections featured Cereal, Fresh fruit (including pineapple and papaya), cold cuts, sliced cheeses, and small desserts. Beverage options included coffee, tea, canned local beers, and Coca-Cola products, which were available from self-serve stations.
Food options – Mastercard Room
The cleanliness and upkeep of the buffet in this section were noticeably better than in the main lounge, likely due to the lower number of guests.
Main Lounge Area
The main buffet station offered an almost identical selection, though it suffered from overcrowding and messiness due to the high traffic. The hot food spread again consisted of scrambled eggs and rice with beans, while cold items included fresh fruit and cereal. While the selection was serviceable, it leaned heavily on the basics, with no premium offerings or variety beyond the standard breakfast fare.
Hot food options
Cold food options
Bar and Beverages
Given the busy nature of this lounge, the buffet area could have used more frequent cleaning and restocking. Guests arriving later in the morning may find some items picked over or missing.
Takeaway
Overall, I would rate the VIP Lounge at San José International Airport (SJO) a 6 out of 10. It fulfills its purpose, especially for Priority Pass and Star Alliance passengers seeking a place to relax pre-flight, but it’s also far from exceptional. The main drawbacks are the overcrowding and limited food variety, which, combined with the messy buffet area, detract from the experience. However, the Mastercard Lounge section within the space stood out as a hidden gem, quieter, cleaner, and with equally good runway views. Curiously, no one checked credentials at the door to that room, making it accessible to anyone already admitted to the main lounge.
The runway views were the highlight of my visit. Watching aircraft land and depart against the backdrop of Costa Rica’s rolling hills made the lounge time far more enjoyable. It’s the kind of view that perfectly sets the tone before a flight — a calm visual reminder of why we love travel.
For those flying out of Gate 20 or nearby, the VIP Lounge Costa Rica is a convenient option. However, if you’re flying out from the other side of the terminal, there’s another Priority Pass option, the VIP Santa María Lounge near Gate 5, which may offer a less crowded experience.
Ultimately, while this VIP Lounge didn’t blow me away, it served its purpose. It was a comfortable spot to unwind, refresh, and plane-watch before boarding. And for an aviation enthusiast like me, that window view alone earns it a few extra points.
Bon Voyage. 😊
