{
  "response": {
    "Key": "BWI-SJO",
    "orig": {
      "code": "BWI",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Baltimore",
      "fullCity": "Baltimore, Maryland",
      "airport": "Thurgood Marshall 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 Baltimore to San José?",
        "answer": "The flight from Baltimore to San José is about 2,070 miles and typically takes 4 hours and 45 minutes nonstop on Southwest, with service on Saturdays and Sundays. The return leg also takes 4 hours and 45 minutes, so there's no meaningful difference between directions.",
        "methodology": "Flight times and distances come 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). The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time across all carriers on the route, computed the same way in both directions so the difference reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in method. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, so the actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Baltimore to San José?",
        "answer": "Yes, Southwest flies nonstop from Baltimore (BWI) to San José (SJO) on Saturdays and Sundays only, with five weekly departures clustered around 8:30–9:05 AM and a typical flight time of about 4 hours 45 minutes. It's the sole carrier offering nonstop service on this route. The shortest connecting option takes around 8½ hours, most often routing through Houston, Miami, or Charlotte on American, United, or Copa.",
        "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. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours. Carrier service, flight times and distances for this route come from our flight-schedule database, which draws on published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data, and observed operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We report the days of the week and the departure times each carrier operates. The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time, given both per carrier and across all carriers on the route; where a schedule does not publish an elapsed time, it is derived from the scheduled departure and arrival times converted to UTC. Outbound and return times are computed by the same method, so the difference between them is directly comparable and reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in derivation. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two specific airports named, so an actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer. Where shown, on-time departure and arrival rates and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, which covers U.S. domestic routes only; where a typical fare is shown, it comes from the U.S. DOT Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B), a quarterly 10% sample of tickets sold. Stop counts, connecting hubs, and per-airline prices are drawn from a large sample of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours. We group those fares by number of stops, by the hub airport a connection routes through, and by operating airline, and report each group's share of the sample alongside its lowest and median price.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines",
          "flight_schedule",
          "route_options"
        ]
      },
      "q2": {
        "question": "Are there visa requirements to travel from Baltimore to San José?",
        "answer": "For United States citizens, no visa is required for a short tourist visit to Costa Rica, including travel from Baltimore to San José. Entry is visa-free, and the permitted length of stay is up to 180 days.\n\nThis is general guidance to help you plan, not official immigration advice — entry rules can change and can depend on your nationality and circumstances, so please confirm the current requirements with the relevant embassy or official government source before you travel.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Costa_Rica",
            "title": "Visa policy of Costa Rica",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/favicon/wikipedia.ico"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica/entry-requirements",
            "title": "Costa Rica entry requirements — GOV.UK",
            "favicon": "https://www.gov.uk/favicon.ico"
          }
        ],
        "preopenedReferences": true,
        "stageOnly": true
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in San José?",
        "answer": "From Juan Santamaría International Airport, licensed taxis are readily available and generally accept both colones and U.S. dollars, with a special orange airport taxi service for licensed airport transfers. A 24-hour bus service runs to downtown San José with departures roughly every 10 minutes during working hours, making it the most-used budget option. There is no rail service to the airport, and ride-share availability is limited, while car rentals are available but less practical for city-center trips. Taxis are the fastest door-to-door option, but the frequent bus is the most commonly used for the short trip into San José.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jos%C3%A9,_Costa_Rica",
            "title": "San José, Costa Rica",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-09-16T18:13:28Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Santamar%C3%ADa_International_Airport",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-09-15T10:14:28Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose,_Costa_Rica",
            "title": "San José, Costa Rica",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-03-10T11:49:05Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Santamaria_International_Airport",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport - Wikipedia",
            "time_published": "2005-03-20T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Baltimore to San José?",
        "answer": "No overnight (red-eye) flights operate from Baltimore (BWI) to San José (SJO) — neither nonstop nor connecting itineraries with a red-eye long leg are available on this route.",
        "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 Baltimore to San José?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines flies nonstop from Baltimore to San José, Costa Rica, with five weekly flights on Saturdays and Sundays, typically departing between 8:30 AM and 9:05 AM. The approximate median fare for Southwest on this route is $613.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies come 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. Where a typical fare is shown for a carrier, it is the median of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Baltimore and San José?",
        "answer": "Common layover cities between Baltimore and San José include Miami, Atlanta, Houston, and Panama City. Miami and Atlanta offer frequent connections and competitive total travel times. Houston provides a central hub with efficient transfers. Panama City features Copa Airlines’ extensive Latin American network and often allows visa‑free transit for many nationalities."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to San José?",
        "answer": "December to April is dry season, with sunny skies and comfortable temperatures, though it's the busiest period. For fewer crowds and still mostly dry weather, May and November are good transitional months."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Baltimore to San José?",
        "answer": "Bring a passport valid for at least six months, proof of onward or return travel, a payment method for baggage, and check if you need a visa or any vaccination certificates."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in San José?",
        "answer": "San José has one main airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport, which serves all commercial flights to the city."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to Thurgood Marshall Intl Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Baltimore, the most popular and economical way to reach BWI Marshall Airport is the MTA Light Rail, which runs directly to the terminal from the city center and costs just $2 each way. The airport also offers free courtesy shuttles connecting the terminal to the nearby Amtrak/MARC rail station, where travelers can catch frequent regional trains from Baltimore's Penn Station. Taxis and app-based ride services like Uber and Lyft are available at the terminal, with taxi stands located just outside baggage claim on the arrivals level, though they tend to be more expensive than rail. Driving and parking are straightforward, with several on-airport lots including Daily, Express, and Long-Term options served by free 10-15 minute shuttles, making driving a convenient choice for those who prefer flexibility.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://bwiairport.com/to-from-bwi/transportation/",
            "title": "Transportation | BWI Airport",
            "favicon": "https://bwiairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo1.png",
            "time_published": "2024-10-25T17:56:17Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://bwiairport.com/to-from-bwi/transportation/taxis",
            "title": "Taxis | BWI Airport",
            "favicon": "https://bwiairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo1.png",
            "time_published": "2026-04-17T17:52:19Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://bwiairport.com/to-from-bwi/transportation/shuttles/bwi-courtesy-shuttles",
            "title": "BWI Courtesy Shuttles | BWI Airport",
            "favicon": "https://bwiairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo1.png",
            "time_published": "2025-10-16T18:55:30Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BWI_Marshall_Airport_Shuttle",
            "title": "BWI Marshall Airport Shuttle",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2025-05-30T22:29:49Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://bwiairport.com/to-from-bwi/transportation/transit/mta-light-rail/",
            "title": "MTA Light Rail | BWI Airport",
            "favicon": "https://bwiairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo1.png",
            "time_published": "2023-10-26T19:28:37Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at San José airport?",
        "answer": "San José Airport has no directly connected on-site hotel, but several nearby hotels offer free airport shuttles, including the Courtyard San Jose Airport Alajuela and Fairfield by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela, both about 0.4 miles away. The Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall is 0.6 miles away, and the Holiday Inn Express San Jose Costa Rica Airport and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton San Jose Airport are each about 0.7 miles away. For those staying in the terminal overnight, seating is limited with some couches in the Alajuela Zone, though cold air conditioning and noise are common complaints.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.hilton.com/en/locations/costa-rica/san-jose/sjo-juan-santamaria-international-airport/",
            "title": "Hotels near Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José, Costa Rica - Find Hotels - Hilton",
            "time_published": "2025-08-21T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://sleepinginairports.net/guides/san-jose-airport-guide-cr.htm",
            "title": "San Jose Airport Guide (SJO) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "favicon": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/nitropack_static/oBWrHkPujHTPIaVWqdDSDhClXUyrYhhb/assets/images/optimized/rev-b853180/www.sleepinginairports.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cropped-sia-logo-180x180.png",
            "time_published": "2018-10-02T00:00:18Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sjoxc-city-express-san-jose-costa-rica/overview/",
            "title": "City Express San José Costa Rica: Hotel 7.4 km from Airport",
            "time_published": "2024-10-11T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/reviews/sjo-san-jose-airport-reviews.htm",
            "title": "San Jose (Costa Rica) Airport Reviews (SJO) – Sleeping in Airports",
            "favicon": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cropped-sia-logo-180x180.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/costa-rica/alajuela/activities/costa_rica_sjo_airport_to_san_jos%C3%A9_hotels_nearby_private_shuttle-XF7A2K?property=SJOAP",
            "title": "Costa Rica SJO Airport to San José Hotels nearby Private Shuttle",
            "time_published": "2026-05-04T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q15": {
        "question": "Are there currency exchange offices, prayer rooms and Wi‑Fi at Juan Santamaría Intl Airport?",
        "answer": "Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) offers currency exchange offices and free Wi‑Fi throughout the terminal, with exchange services primarily located in the arrivals hall and near the main check-in area. Prayer rooms or chapels are available at the airport, typically situated in the departures level near the international gates. The free Wi‑Fi network covers the public areas of the terminal, including lounges and boarding gates.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Santamar%C3%ADa_International_Airport",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-09-15T10:14:28Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan%20Santamar%C3%ADa%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-30T22:20:36Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose_de_Costa_Rica",
            "title": "San José, Costa Rica",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2003-05-01T16:48:34Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q16": {
        "question": "Are there accessible services or children's facilities at the Baltimore and San José airports?",
        "answer": "At Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), travelers with disabilities can use the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, ReBokeh All Access support, TSA Cares and passenger support specialists, wheelchair assistance via Prospect Airport Services (410-859-8010) or Prosegur for American Airlines passengers, Aira for the visually impaired, adult changing stations, family restrooms, and a children's play area in the D/E Connector that also houses a Mamava lactation station. Travelers should arrange mobility assistance through their airline at least 48 hours before the flight to ensure support at both ends of the journey.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://bwiairport.com/flying-with-us/accessibility",
            "title": "Accessibility | BWI Airport",
            "favicon": "https://bwiairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo1.png",
            "time_published": "2026-05-08T21:01:17Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://bwiairport.com/at-bwi/resources/",
            "title": "Passenger Resources | BWI Airport",
            "favicon": "https://bwiairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo1.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-24T15:52:42Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://bwiairport.com/at-bwi/resources/customer-service",
            "title": "Customer Service | BWI Airport",
            "favicon": "https://bwiairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo1.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-24T15:58:29Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://bwiairport.com/",
            "title": "Your Gateway to the Baltimore-Washington Region | BWI Airport",
            "favicon": "https://bwiairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo1.png",
            "time_published": "2026-09-02T19:43:54Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://bwiairport.com/flying-with-us/about-bwi",
            "title": "About BWI | BWI Airport",
            "favicon": "https://bwiairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo1.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-16T14:30:47Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Santamar%C3%ADa_International_Airport",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-09-15T10:14:28Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan%20Santamar%C3%ADa%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-30T22:20:36Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Santamaría",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría",
            "time_published": "2026-07-15T19:46:26Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Baltimore to San José?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines operates the nonstop route from Baltimore to San José using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. No other carriers or aircraft types are listed for this route.",
        "methodology": "Aircraft types come 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). For U.S. routes the type is grounded in the tail number that actually operated the flight; elsewhere it comes from the airline's filed equipment code. Where the source does not commit to a specific variant we name the aircraft family (for example Airbus A320 family) rather than guess, and where no reliable type is on file the aircraft is omitted rather than estimated. Types describe typical scheduled equipment and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q18": {
        "question": "Which airline alliances serve flights from Baltimore to San José?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines is the only carrier with nonstop service from Baltimore to San José, and Southwest does not belong to any global alliance. Other alliances may offer connecting itineraries on this route, but no SkyTeam, Star Alliance, or oneworld member flies 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. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Baltimore?",
        "answer": "The best lounge option when departing from Baltimore is The Club BWI, a shared-use lounge in Concourse D near Gate 10 that is open to all passengers regardless of airline or ticket class. It offers complimentary premium alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, snacks, Wi-Fi, and reading materials across zones for relaxing, resting, working, and replenishing. Access is available by purchasing a day pass online or at the lounge, and it also welcomes Priority Pass, Lounge Key, and Lounge Club members. Minute Suites in Concourse C provides rest and sleep pod options rather than a traditional lounge experience.",
        "toolsUsed": [
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        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://bwiairport.com/at-bwi/places-to-go/the-club-bwi",
            "title": "The Club BWI | BWI Airport",
            "favicon": "https://bwiairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo1.png",
            "time_published": "2026-04-16T16:31:23Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/baltimore-washington-international-thurgood-marshall",
            "title": "Baltimore-Washington International/Thurgood Marshall Airport BWI Lounges - BWI Airport Guide and lounges. | Priority Pass",
            "favicon": "https://prioritypass.com/icon.png?icon.1k7202wk2zqql.png?dpl=1f82db4e-b1f8-481b-b911-c24ef915cc46",
            "time_published": "2026-08-18T11:40:12Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/BWI",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport | Amex US",
            "favicon": "https://www.americanexpress.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-hk/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/BWI",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport | Amex HK",
            "favicon": "https://www.americanexpress.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://my.prioritypass.com:443/ko-KR/lounges/united-states-of-america/baltimore-washington-international-thurgood-marshall",
            "title": "Baltimore-Washington International/Thurgood Marshall Airport BWI Lounges - BWI Airport Guide and lounges. | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Baltimore to San José?",
        "answer": "Baggage allowance depends on the airline and fare class. Basic economy fares may not include a checked bag, while standard economy typically includes one checked bag and a carry-on. Premium cabins offer more generous allowances."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Baltimore to San José?",
        "answer": "Typical cabin options include Economy and flat-bed Business class, with Premium Economy available on select flights."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies vary by airline and fare type; flexible tickets and premium cabins often allow same‑day changes or standby, while basic economy typically does not."
      }
    }
  }
}