New Moxy Hotel SJO Airport
Moxy by Marriott SJO Airport: Costa Rica’s First On-Airport Hotel at Juan Santamaría International Airport
Meta Description:
The Moxy by Marriott SJO Airport will be Costa Rica’s first on-airport hotel, opening in 2027 with 170+ rooms and direct access to Juan Santamaría International Airport.
Introduction
Costa Rica’s main international gateway is preparing for a significant upgrade in traveler infrastructure with the development of the Moxy by Marriott SJO Airport, the first hotel directly connected to an airport in Central America. The project is part of a broader strategy to modernize the passenger experience at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and strengthen Costa Rica’s position as a competitive tourism and business destination.
Scheduled to open in early 2027, the hotel will feature more than 170 rooms and will connect directly to the airport terminal through a pedestrian bridge, allowing passengers to reach the property without leaving the airport complex. The development represents a $20 million tourism infrastructure investment and is expected to transform how international travelers experience arrival and departure in Costa Rica. (Aeris Holding)
Project Overview
Project Name: Moxy by Marriott SJO Airport
Hotel Brand: Moxy Hotels (Marriott International)
Developer: EXPANDD Development
Owner / Hospitality Group: AZ Hospitality Group
Operator: Remington Hospitality
Architect: Saballos Arquitectos
Location: Juan Santamaría International Airport
City: Alajuela
Province: Alajuela
Tourism Region: Central Valley
Property Type: Airport lifestyle hotel
Key Project Facts
Rooms: 170+ guest rooms
Investment: Approximately $20 million
Construction area: Around 6,500 m²
Start of construction: Q1 2026
Opening target: Q1 2027
Direct airport connection: Pedestrian bridge linking hotel to terminal
The hotel will include signature Moxy brand elements such as a bar that doubles as reception, social spaces, coworking areas, meeting rooms, restaurant facilities, and a gym, reflecting the brand’s focus on modern, social, and design-forward hospitality. (Revista Summa)
Location Context
Nearest Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Distance from Airport: Located inside the airport complex with direct pedestrian access
Nearby Destinations
Alajuela city center – ~2 km
San José downtown – ~17 km
Poás Volcano National Park – ~45 km
Central Valley business districts (Belén, Escazú, Santa Ana) – 15–25 minutes
As Costa Rica’s primary international gateway, SJO handles the majority of long-haul flights to North America and Europe. Its location in the Central Valley provides quick access to both urban business hubs and nature destinations, making it a key transit point for tourism across the country.
Tourism Market Impact
The Moxy SJO Airport project represents a strategic shift in Costa Rica’s hospitality infrastructure. Historically, the country has focused heavily on resort development in beach and nature destinations, while airport hospitality infrastructure remained limited.
This new hotel addresses several evolving travel trends:
1. Growing Transit and Short-Stay Demand
International travelers increasingly require overnight stays near the airport due to late arrivals or early departures.
2. Expansion of Lifestyle Hotel Brands
Moxy targets millennial and Gen-Z travelers, offering affordable design-focused accommodations with social spaces and digital-friendly services.
3. Business Travel Growth
The Central Valley is Costa Rica’s primary corporate and technology hub, hosting multinational companies in nearby zones such as Heredia and Belén.
4. Strengthening Costa Rica’s Global Connectivity
With over 25 airlines and dozens of international routes, SJO continues to grow as a regional aviation hub, increasing demand for airport-integrated hospitality services.
Transportation & Accessibility Analysis
Airport Access
The hotel will provide the most convenient airport access in Costa Rica, eliminating the need for ground transportation for arriving passengers.
Typical Transfer Times Without On-Airport Hotels
SJO → Alajuela hotels: 5–10 minutes
SJO → Belén hotels: 10–15 minutes
SJO → San José downtown: 20–30 minutes
With the Moxy hotel, travelers can walk directly from the terminal to the hotel via pedestrian bridge, significantly improving convenience for:
late-night arrivals
early-morning departures
airline crews
business travelers
Ground Transportation Connections
Even though the hotel sits within the airport complex, travelers will still have easy access to:
airport taxis
private transfers
intercity buses
rental car facilities
This positions the hotel as a first-night arrival hub before travelers continue to destinations such as Arenal, Guanacaste, or the Central Pacific.
Strategic Tourism Insight
The development of the Moxy SJO Airport highlights a broader evolution in Costa Rica’s tourism infrastructure.
Airport Ecosystem Development
The project aligns with the airport operator’s strategy to transform the airport into a complete travel ecosystem, integrating hospitality, services, and passenger amenities directly within the airport environment.
Regional First-Mover Advantage
Once completed, the property will be the first airport-connected hotel in Central America, setting a precedent for airport hospitality development across the region.
Gateway Tourism Strategy
Airport hotels increasingly function as arrival and departure hubs for international tourism destinations. For Costa Rica, this allows:
smoother traveler transitions
improved airline crew logistics
stronger business travel infrastructure
As Costa Rica continues expanding international air routes, infrastructure projects like the Moxy SJO Airport help modernize the travel experience and reinforce the country’s reputation as a high-quality tourism destination with globally competitive infrastructure.