If you’re arriving by air, you won’t have to think too long which airport to choose. San Gerardo de Dota has just one – Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO).

Situated 64 kilometres from the downtown area, Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) is your entry point to San Gerardo de Dota.

San Gerardo de Dota is serviced by 25 air carriers from 40 airports across the globe.

Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia fly frequently into San Gerardo de Dota. Hopping on a Copa Airlines flight from Carate is one of the most preferred ways to get there.

Planning an exciting San Gerardo de Dota getaway is a cinch when there are 688 direct flights each week to choose from.

Travelers often set off from Guatemala City, Houston and Liberia airports when flying to San Gerardo de Dota.

If you’re heading to San Gerardo de Dota from Tambor, you’re looking at a flight duration of 27 minutes. Those setting off from Puerto Jiménez can expect to be on the plane for 50 minutes. From Panama City it’s about 1 hour and 26 minutes away.

Don’t leave locking in your flight to San Gerardo de Dota until the very last minute. That’s one move savvy jet-setters use to get the best prices. Booking in advance means more options and less expensive flights. Don’t stop there, though. Do some research and see if there is more than one airport at your destination. Fares often differ depending on which airport you use. Make sure you compare prices across air carriers as well. And finally, remember that the early bird catches the worm. Know what a typical airfare costs and have your credit card ready to reserve your seat as soon as you see an unbeatable bargain. The best deals don’t last long.

If you’re poorly prepared, air travel can be daunting. But don’t hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a trouble-free start to your getaway in San Gerardo de Dota.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a pain-free travel experience is to be prepared. Start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, cash and vital medications. Next, take on board items that’ll help pass the time, like some electronic devices or a good book. It’s also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Finally, don’t forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don’t have sharp or pointed objects lurking in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort really should be your highest priority when selecting what to wear on board. Consider your footwear carefully too, as swelling of the feet and ankles are a common side effect of flying. Roomy, closed-toed shoes work well.
• A serious condition by the name of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation. Walking around the cabin and doing regular leg and foot exercises in your seat is a great way to prevent this occurring. Wearing a good pair of compression socks or tights is also a wise idea.

A little pre-planning before you get to the airport will help make your trip to San Gerardo de Dota easy and painless. Here are some handy hints for a swift journey past security:

• First things first. Your travel ID and boarding pass will need to be shown to airport security personnel. Have them easily accessible so you don’t hold up the line.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other contents of your pockets, like coins, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• Your electronic devices like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray for inspection. Don’t worry though, you’ll be back online in no time.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers usually aren’t.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them safely away in your checked suitcase. They won’t be allowed on board and will be confiscated.