Published on Thursday, July 23, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), located in Alajuela Province, is set to become home to Central America's first on-airport hotel when the property opens in 2027, airport operator AERIS announced.

The hotel will be built adjacent to the airport terminal and connected by an enclosed pedestrian bridge providing direct access from the building's third floor, according to AERIS, a subsidiary of Brazil's CCR Group, which operates SJO.

The property will operate under Marriott International's MOXY Hotels brand and will be managed by Remington Hospitality. It will feature more than 170 guest rooms, integrated public spaces, a restaurant, bar, front desk, social areas, coworking spaces, meeting rooms and a fitness center.

The project represents a $20 million investment and will include approximately 70,000 square feet of construction. AZ Hospitality Group and EXPANDD Development are developing the hotel.

"Our goal is to make the airport more relevant by offering services that allow our passengers and tourists to enjoy a Pura Vida experience from the beginning to the end of their journey, while also strengthening Costa Rica's international image by enhancing tourism, a key driver of the country's development," said Ricardo Hernández, chief executive officer of AERIS.

The MOXY Hotels brand is part of Marriott International, which is expanding its airport hotel portfolio with projects in Mexico City and Tulum, Mexico; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and Medellín, Colombia.

The new MOXY Airport hotel joins Marriott's growing portfolio in Costa Rica. In September 2026, the company opened the JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, its first all-inclusive resort in the country, located in Guanacaste Province.

In other developments, SJO announced this week that Southwest Airlines will launch nonstop service between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Texas and Juan Santamaría International Airport.

The airport also recently unveiled automated border control systems, known as eGates, designed to streamline the immigration process for eligible travelers.

Tourism remains one of Costa Rica's most important economic sectors. More than 1.6 million travelers arrived by air during the first half of 2026, underscoring the industry's continued role as a major contributor to the country's economy.

In 2025, Costa Rica welcomed more than 2.6 million air travelers.

The tourism sector has also reached a significant economic milestone. Costa Rica generated more than $2 billion in tourism revenue during the first quarter of 2026, marking the first time the country has exceeded that benchmark.

------------
Which hotel brand would you like to see open in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com