🇨🇷 Río Segundo, Costa Rica
Fairfield
📍 Calle Mango Plaza, Río Segundo, 20109
Your stay — Fairfield
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Río Segundo.
The Property — Fairfield
The Fairfield is a straightforward, no-fuss 3-star hotel aimed at travellers who need a clean, reliable stopover near the airport. Its lobby feels like a mid-tier business hotel: practical tile floors, a small reception desk, and a breakfast area that does the job. The USP is proximity to SJO airport and a free shuttle, making it a solid choice for transit passengers or anyone on a budget who values efficiency over atmosphere.
Chronicles of Río Segundo
Río Segundo grew up around the Juan Santamaría International Airport, which opened in 1958 and turned a quiet agricultural area into a transport hub. The town was formally founded in the 1970s as airport-related businesses and housing expanded. Today it's a functional collection of hotels, warehouses and car rental lots, with no real historic centre or tourist draw. Culturally, it's a working-class suburb of Alajuela, where most residents commute to airport or service jobs.
Best Time to Visit
Full Río Segundo guide →Best months
January to March are the best months: sunny mornings, minimal rain, and airport traffic is steady but not chaotic.
Peak / festival surge
December and July see peak visitor numbers due to North American winter and summer holidays. Hotel prices at the Fairfield can rise 20-30%, and advance booking is essential. Events are not local but driven by global travel patterns.
Budget shoulder season
April and November offer good rates and tolerable weather: April has the last dry days before rain starts, November sees the rainy season wane with fewer crowds.
Weather & packing
July sits in the rainy season, so expect heavy downpours most afternoons. Pack a waterproof jacket and quick-dry shoes, even if the morning is clear.
Live City Briefing — Río Segundo
- The new terminal expansion at SJO opened in 2024, which has improved passenger flow and reduced taxi wait times.
- In July 2026, the nearby Route 27 highway has ongoing lane widening works between Alajuela and San José, so allow 30 extra minutes for driving.
- A new bus stop has been added on the main road to Alajuela, making local transport slightly easier for hotel guests heading into town.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Fairfield, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the fourth or fifth floor facing the rear of the building (away from Calle Mango). These upper floors will have less street noise and better airflow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Calle Mango Plaza — they will pick up foot traffic, deliveries, and vehicle noise from the plaza. Also skip rooms at the front near the lift lobby, which can be noisy.
Best views
If possible, rooms at the rear on floors 4-5 look over the hotel’s courtyard/pool area or neighbouring low-rise buildings, giving a quieter outlook than the street side. No decent view of San José or the airport from here.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 are the quietest, furthest from street-level activity and above any ground-floor restaurant or bar noise.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is right on Calle Mango Plaza — a commercial strip with vehicle traffic, motorbikes, and occasional buses. Ground floor likely has a restaurant or bar, so evening chatter and kitchen noise until late. The lift can be audible on adjacent rooms, especially on lower floors.
Insider tips
1. Parking is limited — get there before 3pm if you’re driving. 2. Check-in can be slow; ask for a fifth-floor room facing the rear at booking for best chance of quiet.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Fairfield
Free WiFi for all guests, speeds around 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up; no login needed, just accept terms on the splash page
Single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to PressReader via lobby tablet; no physical newspapers
Check-in from 15:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop available at reception. Late check-out fee 20 USD until 14:00, subject to availability.
Free storage at front desk during your stay; no long-term storage
Step-free access from street to lobby via ramp; one ground-floor wheelchair-accessible room available; lift fits a standard wheelchair. No grab rails in all bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for 20 cars, first-come-first-served. Nearest public car park 200 m away (Parqueo El Sol) charges 5 USD per day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT included in rate; no separate city tax
Deposit & card hold: Credit card hold of 50 USD at check-in for incidentals; no advance deposit required
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Fátima (158 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Montserrat (835 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Centro Cristiano Las Puertas de La Ciudad (842 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mango Plaza — 115 m · ~1 min walk
Parque Las Cañas 1-2 — 87 m · ~1 min walk
Casa de la Cultura — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Anfiteatro UTN — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
Juegos de niños — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 99 m · ~1 min walk
FarmaValue — 102 m · ~1 min walk
Super Sague — 226 m · ~3 min walk
Hospital Alajuela — 799 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Use ATMs at Banco Nacional or Banco de Costa Rica in Río Segundo for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist areas—they give poor rates and often charge extra fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets, larger shops, and nicer restaurants; smaller sodas (local eateries) and market stalls are cash-only. Contactless is common in chain stores only.
Restaurants include a 10% service charge automatically in your bill—no extra tip expected, but you can leave small change. Taxis round up to the nearest colón; hotel staff expect nothing, though $1-2 for a porter is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of cafetal (simple Costa Rican coffee) at a local soda or bakery stall costs about 300–500 CRC.
A casado (rice, beans, salad, and a meat/fish) at a local soda costs around 3,000–4,000 CRC.
A main at a neighbourhood restaurant (e.g., pollo a la plancha) is about 5,000–7,000 CRC.
Cheap eats are concentrated around the central market and weekend ferias (informal markets) in the town centre—think empanadas, churros, and grilled corn.
Budget supermarket chains common here are Más x Menos and AutoMercado.
Affordable high-street shopping is typical at the small malls along the Pan-American Highway—think local chains like Ekono or any discount store—and the Saturday feria in the park sells cheap second-hand clothes.
The cheapest way around Río Segundo and to the airport (SJO) is the local bus—about 450 CRC for a short trip, or 1,500 CRC to the airport from the central terminal. A day pass isn't available; just pay per ride.
Eat at sodas instead of tourist restaurants—casados are filling and cheap. Buy fresh fruit and snacks at the feria (Saturday morning). Walk or bike within the town centre; distances are short and parking is rare.
Emergency Contacts
Río SegundoRío Segundo uses the national 911 system for all emergencies. For non-urgent police, call 1124 or 2291-1919. The nearest hospital (Hospital San Rafael, Alajuela) can be reached at 2441-2900.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Río Segundo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Fairfield
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 99 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · FarmaValue — 102 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Río Segundo main stop (near church) → Holiday Inn Express (stop at intersection of Route 1)
💡 Use the 'El Alto' bus from Alajuela—it passes closest to the hotel. Wave the driver down clearly, and ask '¿Para el Holiday Inn?' to confirm. Download the 'Moovit' app for real-time stops.
Alajuela Central Park → Río Segundo (stop near hotel)
💡 Good if staying in Alajuela first. Board at the stop behind the red church – look for 'Río Segundo' on the windscreen. The hotel is 200m from the corner stop. No exact change? The driver usually makes change for small bills.
SJO airport bus stop (outside arrivals) → Holiday Inn Express (drop at corner of Route 1 & Río Segundo)
💡 This bus runs along the main road—you'll need to walk 5 minutes from the bus stop to the hotel. Pay exact coins (₡350) or use a TUC card. Buses can be crowded at rush hour.
SJO Airport bus stop (across from main terminal) → Río Segundo main road (500m walk to hotel)
💡 Hop off at the Río Segundo signpost – the hotel is a short walk east. Buses are crowded during peak hours (6–8 AM, 4–6 PM). Have exact change in colones; no notes over ₡5000 accepted.
SJO Airport (pickup at departures level) → Hampton Inn & Suites, Río Segundo
💡 Uber is cheaper than official taxis but pick up at the departures level upstairs – drivers get fined at arrivals. Confirm the licence plate before getting in; surge pricing doubles after 10 PM.
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → Holiday Inn Express Río Segundo
💡 Uber is cheaper and more reliable than official airport taxis. Pick-up is from the departures level—walk up the ramp outside arrivals to avoid the queue. Official taxis from the stand cost $20–$25.
SJO Airport → Hampton Inn & Suites, Río Segundo
💡 Use orange airport taxis from the official booth just outside arrivals. Avoid unmarked drivers offering 'special rates' – they often charge double. Cash only; ask for a receipt.
Río Segundo centre → Holiday Inn Express Río Segundo
💡 Haggle the fare before you get in: should be around ₡1,500–2,000 for short hops. Red taxis are metered but drivers often skip the meter for tourists. Stick to your price.
Central Bus Station, Alajuela → La Villa Río Segundo (corner of Route 1)
💡 Buses stop at the main road junction, not at the hotel. Walk 200m east from the stop. Carry colones coins for fare, driver won't accept dollars or large bills.
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → La Villa Río Segundo
💡 Use the official orange airport taxis from the stand outside arrivals. Avoid drivers offering rides inside the terminal, they often quote double.
La Villa Río Segundo → San José city centre
💡 Uber works reliably in this area, but drivers often ask to cancel within app and pay cash. Refuse politely if you want insurance cover. The airport pickup spot is at departures level.
La Villa Río Segundo → Alajuela city centre
💡 Ask the hotel reception to call a red taxi. These are cheaper than orange airport taxis but don't cruise—you must request one by phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Fairfield?
Request a room on the fourth or fifth floor facing the rear of the building (away from Calle Mango). These upper floors will have less street noise and better airflow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Fairfield?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Calle Mango Plaza — they will pick up foot traffic, deliveries, and vehicle noise from the plaza. Also skip rooms at the front near the lift lobby, which can be noisy.
Is Fairfield noisy?
The hotel is right on Calle Mango Plaza — a commercial strip with vehicle traffic, motorbikes, and occasional buses. Ground floor likely has a restaurant or bar, so evening chatter and kitchen noise until late. The lift can be audible on adjacent rooms, especially on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Fairfield?
If possible, rooms at the rear on floors 4-5 look over the hotel’s courtyard/pool area or neighbouring low-rise buildings, giving a quieter outlook than the street side. No decent view of San José or the airport from here.
What are insider tips for staying at Fairfield?
1. Parking is limited — get there before 3pm if you’re driving. 2. Check-in can be slow; ask for a fifth-floor room facing the rear at booking for best chance of quiet.
What time is check-in at Fairfield?
Check-in at Fairfield is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Fairfield have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests, speeds around 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up; no login needed, just accept terms on the splash page
Is there a city or tourist tax at Fairfield?
13% VAT included in rate; no separate city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Fairfield?
A casado (rice, beans, salad, and a meat/fish) at a local soda costs around 3,000–4,000 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Fairfield?
The cheapest way around Río Segundo and to the airport (SJO) is the local bus—about 450 CRC for a short trip, or 1,500 CRC to the airport from the central terminal. A day pass isn't available; just pay per ride.
When is the best time to visit Río Segundo?
January to March are the best months: sunny mornings, minimal rain, and airport traffic is steady but not chaotic.
Top Attractions in Río Segundo
💡 You can enter outside mass times but be respectful. Sunday mass at 10am is a good chance to see local community life.
💡 Check the noticeboard for free community events—sometimes there's Saturday morning coffee and pastries by the parish women's group. Masses are at 7am and 6pm weekdays; avoid then if you want silence.
💡 Go early Saturday morning for the best selection. Bring cash in small denominations. Try the local queso Turrialba.
💡 Arrive by 6am for the best produce before the flies and heat settle. Try the pipa fría (cold coconut water) from Señora Marta's stall—50 cents a coconut. Ends by noon sharp.
💡 Try the 'quesadilla' (a sweet cheese pastry, not a savoury tortilla) for about 800 colones. Best in the morning when things are fresh out of the oven.
💡 Go at sunrise for the best light and fewer crowds. Wear sturdy shoes as the path can be uneven.
💡 Go early (6–8am) before clouds roll in. The trail is muddy after rain—wear trainers with grip. No water source here, so bring a bottle. It's a 15-minute walk uphill from the centre.
💡 Visit on a Sunday evening when the park is liveliest. Bring your own drink and snack as no vendors are nearby.