Q COSTA RICA — Juan Santamaría International Airport, known as the San José airport (SJO), has introduced new informational resources aimed at U.S. tourists to enhance the safety of those visiting Costa Rica.
This initiative was developed in coordination with the U.S. Embassy, the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT), and other tourism-sector institutions.
The key feature promotes the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free U.S. State Department service that allows U.S. citizens to register their trips abroad and receive relevant information during their stay.
To facilitate access to the program, AERIS—the airport operator—has installed informational materials featuring QR codes at strategic points along the international arrivals route.
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By scanning the code with a mobile phone, travelers are directed to the STEP program website, where they can register for free.
The tool provides information on safety, health, weather conditions, natural disasters, emergency alerts, and travel advisory updates, among other topics relevant to visiting a location outside the United States.
Additionally, registration enables U.S. consular authorities to contact the traveler—or their emergency contact—should a situation arise requiring assistance.
Information provided upon arrival in the country
The initiative aims to leverage the airport as one of the first points of contact between international visitors and Costa Rica.
Ricardo Hernández, Executive Director of AERIS, explained that placing this information within the terminal allows passengers to access preventive tools without needing to complete additional procedures outside the airport.
“As the primary air gateway to Costa Rica, we have the opportunity to bring relevant information to thousands of passengers from the very moment their visit begins,” Hernández noted.
Hernández highlighted that coordination with the U.S. Embassy allows these types of resources to be integrated into the passengers’ standard route through the airport.
The STEP program is voluntary, and registration is up to each individual traveler.
Beach safety recommendations are also included
The project goes beyond simply promoting the traveler registration program.
In the international arrivals immigration area, visitors will also be able to watch a video featuring recommendations on water safety.
The content is aimed specifically at tourists planning to visit beaches or engage in ocean-related activities during their stay. The idea is to provide preventive information before passengers leave the terminal and travel to tourist destinations in various regions of Costa Rica.
In this way, safety recommendations become part of the initial entry process and do not rely solely on information visitors might receive later at hotels, from tour operators, or at other establishments.
The inclusion of this content aims to promote responsible travel practices, particularly among U.S. visitors using Juan Santamaría International Airport, a major entry point for international travelers to Costa Rica.
No word on whether or when the QR code will be installed at Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (LIR).