www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Setting up first trip to CR and flights have a sweet fare departing 2am Saturday night (really Sunday morning) from SJO-Houston on United.

Would skip a hotel Saturday night, and instead try for latest possible checkout from room before heading to the airport. Saves $150 in airfare and another $70 on a room vs flying out at a reasonable hour Sunday.

Saving $220 on a trip is tempting, but is it mental to take a 2am out of SJO? Figure at least somebody has done this to keep the airlines flying that route.

Oh yeah, and this is my first post too. Howdy!

You'll be headed to the airport around 11 pm or midnight. Traffic won't be bad. Could hit the mps all day and do 2-4 pops before getting on the plane. Probably ask the front desk if you can check out late or more likely if you can stash your bags some where safe while your out and about Day.

I doubt that any hotel will let you stay until 11pm without an extra charge, but most will store your bag after you check out. Check out and then go to MP's that have a shower. Wear yourself out at the MP's before they close, then go to the SL and have a few drinks. Before you realize it, it will be time to leave for the airport. At that time of night, I would leave the hotel between 11:30 and 12:00. If Houston is your final destination, you should have no problems. The problems arise when you have a layover after that red eye flight. Very difficult to sleep in an airport.

I like taking night flights, sleep on the plane and customs is almost empty usually, get through fast!

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

The red-eye flights are nothing unusual. There are tons of flights that come in and leave at all hours of the night. The airline costs (landing fees, ramp fees, etc) are cheaper off-hours. For the passengers, it's less traffic on the roads and the airport.

As for the hotel, NO hotel will let you stay an extra 10-12 hours past checkout without paying the next night. Yes, like others have said, they will hold your bags for you while you are out banging, but then you go to the airport with that hooker stench on you, since you can't go to your room to shower and change. Before anybody says it, an MP shower is not exactly the same. Small price to pay for me for the feeling of freshness.

Get around the shower problem by taking the last girl from HDR or SL to a cheap hotel with showers , maybe La Officina or Morazan or some where with decent facilities.
Any one suggest a good cheap place ?

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

That's not bad but the motels give you the smallest thinnest towel you have ever seen and don't always have soap. You walk out half wet. At least at Oficina. Maybe the others are better.

Well, if he's saving $150 on airfare, that's great, why not spend the extra $70 he hoped to save on room cost and stay at Morazan or HDR for the 3/4 of a last day? I think they both cost around that, Marazan is possibly cheaper. That way he gets to fully enjoy the last day and early evening of his vacation and get maybe 2 more stuffings out of the way in the privacy of his air conditioned towel filled private room, then check out and head to the airport satisfied, no pressure, no aggravation, no stress, all for around $70, also, it's the last day of his vacation, make the best of it!

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

I've taken that flight back to Houston a couple of times. Both times I kept my room & checked out about midnite. To me it was worth it to pay for the convenience. I had a regular day of vacation & mongering but instead of going to bed at 12:00, I left for the airport. At that time there is no traffic, no line checking in, no line at security, it's a breeze. So I say keep your room & save the $150 by taking that flight.

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"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

Great insights guys, thanks!

The consensus seems to be a 2am flight is okay, just plan your day accordingly: be it keeping a hotel room, or getting a short time hotel, or using an MP for at least a partial shower, rack up the smiles before leaving at 11:30pm for the airport.

My hat is off to those who can still get 2-4 pops on the last day of vacation!

As a first trip the least complex approach is to keep same hotel for another night: avoids baggage drill, makes it easy to play, and can shower with a full size towel before checking out and heading to the airport. Cost is worth it to me.

Truly appreciate the local knowledge, and hope to be able to do the same for others after my own trip.

We'll look forward to a blow by blow description of your travels and encounters.

Remember, never pay upfront, always make it clear what you want, never use a taxi that is a friend of the puta you choose, I recommend avoid all nighters, but be careful if you do, nothing wrong with sending them home after 3 to 4 hours, no street walker pick ups, if they just look too young, skip that one, don't fall in love...and ask questions here when in doubt.. .

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...