{
  "response": {
    "Key": "MCO-SJO",
    "orig": {
      "code": "MCO",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Orlando",
      "fullCity": "Orlando, Florida",
      "airport": "Orlando Intl Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "SJO",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "San José",
      "fullCity": "San José, Costa Rica",
      "airport": "Juan Santamaría Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "A nonstop flight from Orlando (MCO) to San José (SJO) typically takes about 3 hours 10 minutes. The return nonstop flight often takes slightly longer, around 3 hours 25 minutes, due to prevailing winds. With a layover, common connecting cities include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Panama City, and total travel time usually ranges from 5 to 8 hours depending on the layover duration. Airlines like JetBlue, Spirit, and Copa offer nonstop or one-stop service, with nonstop being the fastest option."
      },
      "q2": {
        "question": "Are there visa requirements to travel from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Yes, visa requirements apply for travel from Orlando, Florida to San José, Costa Rica. If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 180 days, but you must have a valid passport and proof of onward travel. If you are a Costa Rican citizen, you may need a U.S. visa to enter the United States on the return trip unless you hold a valid U.S. visa or are otherwise exempt. Travelers of other nationalities should check both U.S. and Costa Rican entry requirements based on their citizenship."
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in San José?",
        "answer": "From San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), you can reach the city center via official orange airport taxis, which are safe and reliable, taking about twenty to thirty minutes depending on traffic. Public buses are the cheapest option, with stops just outside the terminal, but they can be slow and crowded, taking forty-five minutes to an hour. Ride-share services like Uber operate in the area, though they may face some local restrictions and cannot always pick up directly at the terminal exit. Car rentals are available at the airport and useful for exploring beyond the city, but driving in San José can be challenging due to congestion and limited parking. Most visitors use official taxis for their convenience and fixed rates."
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Based on historical price data, the cheapest months to fly from Orlando to San José are April (average $384), March ($385), and May ($401), with the broader low season spanning March through June. The most expensive months are December (average $714), January ($588), and February ($545), with the high season including November through February.",
        "methodology": "This 'good deal' estimate shows a representative best price for each departure date across roughly a 12-month window (about 3 months back and 9 months forward). It is built from real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, accumulated into a price history for each departure date. Rather than weighting all of that history equally, we apply exponential time decay so recent prices dominate — a price seen yesterday counts almost in full, one from about a month ago roughly a third, and prices from a few months back very little — giving a figure that tracks today's market instead of a stale long-run average. Clear price outliers are removed before any calculation, departure dates with no observations are filled in from nearby dates, and the resulting curve is lightly smoothed so it reads as a clean seasonal trend rather than day-to-day noise.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "seasonal_prices"
        ]
      },
      "q5": {
        "question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "For flights from Orlando to San José, the best fares typically appear when booking 6 to 9 weeks ahead, with an average price around $470. The absolute lowest observed fare was $465 at 25 days out, but last‑minute bookings can cost over $600. During summer and holiday peaks, booking even earlier—roughly 8 to 12 weeks out—is advisable, as prices tend to rise more steeply close to departure.",
        "methodology": "This booking-window guidance is built from the same real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, re-grouped by how many days before departure each price was seen (from the departure day out to about 180 days ahead) across the route's price history. At each booking lead time we report the 25th-percentile price — the cheaper end of what travelers were quoted, rather than the rock-bottom minimum (which can be a fluke) or the average (which is pulled up by expensive last-minute fares). The buy-or-wait advice then applies a risk premium that grows as departure approaches, since seat availability shrinks and prices become less predictable; using that adjusted curve we flag windows where waiting is likely to save a meaningful amount (at least $20 or 5%) versus windows where booking now is the better call. Isolated single-day recommendations are filtered out, so the advice only reflects a window that holds for several days in a row.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "booking_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "There are no nonstop red-eye flights from Orlando (MCO) to San José (SJO). However, connecting itineraries with an overnight leg do exist — for example, Avianca operates a red-eye from Orlando to Bogotá departing around 11:40 PM and arriving at 2:45 AM, with a connection onward to San José.",
        "methodology": "Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "redeye_flights"
        ]
      },
      "q7": {
        "question": "Which airlines usually operate this route from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Nonstop flights from Orlando (MCO) to San José (SJO) are available on JetBlue (B6), Southwest (WN), Volaris Costa Rica (Q6), and Frontier (F9), according to the schedule data. JetBlue offers the most frequent service with multiple daily departures, followed by Southwest and Volaris Costa Rica, while Frontier operates a single weekly flight on Saturdays.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Orlando and San José?",
        "answer": "Common layover cities between Orlando and San José include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Panama City. Miami and Fort Lauderdale offer frequent, short flights with efficient connections, while Panama City provides a central hub with Copa Airlines and seamless transfers without requiring a U.S. transit visa for most onward passengers."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time departures on this route from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "On-time performance is generally reliable, but afternoon thunderstorms in Orlando can cause delays. Early morning departures, especially on JetBlue and Southwest, tend to have better punctuality."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to San José?",
        "answer": "December to April is the dry season with sunny days and comfortable temperatures, plus fewer crowds than the peak holiday weeks."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Bring a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay, proof of onward or return travel, a payment method for baggage, and any required vaccination or insurance documents. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in San José?",
        "answer": "San José has one main international airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport, located about 20 minutes from downtown. It serves all international flights and major airlines, including United, American, Delta, and Copa. There is also a smaller domestic airport, Tobías Bolaños, which handles local flights and charters but is not used for commercial international arrivals."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to Orlando Intl Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Orlando to MCO, the Lynx bus 11 or 51 is the cheapest but takes 40–50 min. Rideshares and taxis take about 20–30 min and are more popular. Shuttles are available; parking is plentiful but costly."
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at San José airport?",
        "answer": "No on-site hotels or sleeping pods exist at San José Airport. The Courtyard by Marriott is directly across the street from the terminal, accessible by a short walk. Other nearby hotels like the Holiday Inn Express offer free shuttle service."
      },
      "q15": {
        "question": "Are there currency exchange offices, prayer rooms and Wi‑Fi at Juan Santamaría Intl Airport?",
        "answer": "Yes, Juan Santamaría International Airport has currency exchange offices in the main terminal, a chapel on the second floor near departures, and free Wi‑Fi throughout the airport."
      },
      "q16": {
        "question": "Are there accessible services or children's facilities at the Orlando and San José airports?",
        "answer": "Orlando International (MCO) offers wheelchair assistance, accessible restrooms, and a children's play area in the main terminal. Request assistance through your airline at least 48 hours in advance. San José Juan Santamaría (SJO) provides wheelchair assistance and accessible facilities; however, dedicated children's play areas are limited. Arrange assistance via your airline 48 hours prior."
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Nonstop flights from Orlando to San José typically use the Airbus A320-100 (JetBlue) or an unspecified aircraft type operated by Southwest, while the most common connecting options rely on the Boeing 737 MAX 8 via Houston (United), Panama City (Copa), or Miami (American), though the exact aircraft can vary by day and airline. Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available on this route.",
        "methodology": "Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_aircraft"
        ]
      },
      "q18": {
        "question": "Which airline alliances serve flights from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "The nonstop airlines on Orlando (MCO) to San José (SJO) are JetBlue, Southwest, Volaris Costa Rica, and Frontier — none of which belong to a major global alliance (JetBlue, Southwest, and Frontier are notable unaligned carriers). Other alliances may serve this route via connecting itineraries, but no alliance member operates it nonstop.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Orlando?",
        "answer": "At Orlando International, the Delta Sky Club in Terminal B (near gate 71) offers hot food, a full bar, and showers. The American Airlines Admirals Club in Terminal B (near gate 55) provides complimentary snacks, drinks, and workspaces. Both lounges are accessible with a same‑day business‑ or first‑class ticket, qualifying elite status, or a day pass. The Club at MCO in Terminal A (near gate 100) is an independent lounge available to Priority Pass members and day‑pass purchasers, featuring a buffet, bar, and quiet seating."
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Baggage allowance on flights from Orlando to San José depends on the airline and fare type. Basic economy tickets are most restrictive, often excluding a free checked bag, though a carry‑on and personal item are usually included. Standard international economy fares typically include one free checked bag, along with a carry‑on and personal item. Premium cabins offer more generous allowances. Always verify your specific fare's terms on the airline's website before traveling."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Flights from Orlando to San José typically offer Economy and occasionally standard recliner Business class. Flat-bed Business and Premium Economy are not common on this route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Same‑day changes and standby depend on the airline and fare class, with flexible and premium tickets offering more generous options while restrictive economy fares may not allow them."
      },
      "q24": {
        "question": "What are the cheapest days and times to fly from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "The cheapest day to fly from Orlando to San José is Thursday, with an average fare of $774 and a minimum of $242, while Sunday is the most expensive day at $860 on average. For departure times, midday flights offer the lowest minimum price at $242, whereas late-night departures are the priciest with a minimum of $959.",
        "methodology": "The cheapest day of the week and time of day to depart are drawn from the same large sample of real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours, grouped by the day of the week and by the time-of-day window of the outbound departure, with the lowest and average price reported for each.",
        "relevant": true,
        "toolsUsed": [
          "departure_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q25": {
        "question": "What is a good price for a flight from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "A great deal on flights from Orlando to San José is anything under $535, while the typical price hovers around $750. Fares generally fall between $400 and $1,200, with the most common range being $600–$800.",
        "methodology": "The typical price, the lowest fare, a 'great deal' threshold, and how fares are spread across price bands are summarized from a large sample of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours, with a small fraction of extreme outlier fares excluded from the range.",
        "relevant": true,
        "toolsUsed": [
          "price_context"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}