Soccer Beyond Borders

IMPORTANT: If you are 14 years old or younger at the time of your GLA program, then you will be required to travel as an unaccompanied minor. Read about these specific airline policies here.

Flight Requirements:

  • Fly into and out of the airport in San Jose, Costa Rica (Juan SantamarĂ­a International Airport, airport code: SJO)
  • Arrive between 7:00 (7am) and 17:00 (5pm) on the day your program begins
  • Depart between 6:00 (6am) and 17:00 (5pm) on the day your program ends
  • Please note there is a $29 departure tax when exiting Costa Rica. Many airlines incorporate this into the price of the ticket; however, some do not. Please check with your airline.

HELPFUL HINT: GLA recommends not booking a flight via Hong Kong or with Cathay Pacific Airways due to the recent city-wide strikes that have in the past, caused flights to be cancelled.

Suggested Route:

The suggested route - usually the most direct, least number of stops, and always leaving from a US gateway airport. Often times, multiple students from the same program will be on this flight, simply because it is a popular route to take. We cannot guarantee that other students will be on this flight, but very often, there are. You do not have to take the suggested route, it is just one option. You may take any flight you wish that falls within the flight parameters above.

Suggested Route

Option 1

    • American Airlines - Miami (MIA) to San Jose (SJO)
    • American Airlines - San Jose (SJO) to Miami (MIA)

Option 2

    • Delta Airlines - Atlanta (ATL) to San Jose (SJO)
    • Delta Airlines - San Jose (SJO) to Atlanta (ATL)

Suggested Route for Unaccompanied Minors

Recommended Travel Agency Partner

If you are looking for some guidance in booking flights, GLA has partnered with StudentUniverse in order to simplify the process. Regardless of how you plan on booking your flights, we recommend you speak with our travel agency partner first to ensure that you are getting the best deal and that you are booking the correct itinerary per GLA requirements and airline policy.

StudentUniverse

    • CALL: 888-963-7087
    • EMAIL: GLA@STUDENTUNIVERSE.COM
    • ONLINE: Click Here ** If you are interested in a Delta, KLM, Air France, AeroMexico, Alitalia, Korean Air or Virgin Atlantic flight, please call or email StudentUniverse.
    • HOURS: Monday to Friday 9:00 (9:00am) to 18:00 (6pm) EST **Closed on weekends.
    • SERVICE FEES: Online Bookings USD$7, Bookings made over the phone or via email USD$30


Please do NOT book your flight until your Travel Coordinator has given you the go ahead! This will come either in the email titled, "Welcome Aboard! Save this Email!" or in a subsequent email.