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If I have a 12:30 pm flight back to the states on Sunday, what would be the ideal time to get out of there and find a cabbie to the airport? And which type should I look for? I remember the last (first) time I was there, I was sweating all the way to the airport, thinking I cut it too close. I have to make my flight or I will be a bit screwed. I mean I want to do some screwing prior to this, but I can't afford to get screwed at the airport.

Thanks for any help on this.

2 hours is real safe. I think with such an early flight, just get a chica to stay all night the day before. You could always hit New Fantasy or something too

Cujo

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

I missed more flights back than I made. That's one more reason why I finally just stayed.

But that is perfect advice from Jadcujo. A lot of guys try to get a sure thing, repeat girl, to stay the night the last night here. No room for drama on the final night. And it's nice to knock one off just before you leave. Also, if I have an early flight, I usually go down to reception and settle all I can the night before.

I usually leave the Castillo at 12 noon, to be at the airport for a 3:30 pm flight home.....always was there in PLENTY of time to sit around and wait.

My favorite nica chica comes to my hotel room at about 10 am that morning....we have our "goodbye sexo," and then we leave for the airport together in the hotel taxi/van. She lives in the Alajuela area, so she catches the public bus to her house from the airport.

Zebra

I like to print my boarding pass at the Internet cafe so I don't have to stand in the line at the air port. That will save you some time and will guarantee your seat on the plain. Then I leave my luggage at the font desk at the DR, hit the ZB for one last quick one then back to the DR pick up my bags, grab a cab and hit the road.Get the air port about 1 1/2 before my flight. Then start planing my next trip.....

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A car moves your body, a Harley moves your soul.

If your airline offers online check-in, you can do it the night before. If you print your boarding pass, you don't need to be at the airport more than 90 minutes before the flight, 60 if you don't have any bags to check. In that case, you can leave at 10:30. I would just take a regular red taxi, but NOT the ones parked in front of HDR. But tell the guy to run the meter, not charge you a flat $20 or $25, like they like to do. Or what I usually do is to get the name and number of a taxista the night before and arrange a pick-up at a pre-arranged price. Then if the guy doesn't show (unlike the chicas, it's rare), you can just grab a red taxi. It's gonna be tough getting anything that early on a Sunday. The only option is a left-over from Saturday night.

on my first few trips i left 3 hours early ...as you get the feeling it might be as bad as it was coming in...but never is that way...i just waste hours sitting and reading 6.00 usa today newspapers and paying 10.00 for BK food....but really 1 hour before your flight has been plenty but its hard to pull that trigger in the event ...you picked the wrong day to do it !!!

always give myself 2 hours prior would rather be an hour early than 5 minutes late.so pura vida

I always seem to run late. I typically get there about an hour before take-off, and all but a few times that's been ok. One time, the lady gave me a hard time (it was 55 minutes before take off) and wasn't going to check me in. I pleaded and acted sorry, and she finally did it. Thing was, that time the taxi didn't show up and i was not in a place i could easily flag one down, so i had to call another.. and that one didn't show up, finally caught one going by and made it.

The big problem is if you get there at the wrong time and there's a huge security line. That can take 30-45 minutes in some cases. It's only about 20 minutes from downtown to the airport, if traffic isn't too bad, and a sunday afternoon shouldn't be bad.

Yeah same thing happened to me last time. I got there 55 min before the flight and they didn't want to let me board but they give in easily. The one thing that did really suck about that is I like to pick up liquor from the duty free and they need like an hour as well to run it to your flight.

Good way to pass the time waiting at the airport............Play "Spot The Monger."

Aciratsoc:

three hours should give you a very substantial comfort zone. A Sunday morning drive to the airport should be fairly leisurely as there will not be much traffic. That is my usual departure day. I give myself three hours but I am a bit of a paranoid. As for what taxi to take at that time of the morning on Sunday there probably would be several vans available at the Hotel Del Rey. They are not regular taxis but have a relationship with the Hotel and will quote you a price.

Depending on what airline you are taking you may or may not have to stand in line at the check-in counter. Some airlines like Delta who have only one departure will not open their check-in counter till two hours before check-in. Other airlines like American with multiple departures keep their check-in counter open all day so there usually is no line.

Lee

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PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

I hate that paniced feeling of rushing to the airport so I always go early.

- Many guys have given you the good advice to check-in (up to 24 hours) prior to the flight via the computer and print out the boarding passes.

- Get the exit tax at the Banco Costa Rica the day prior to departure.

GO THREE HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TIME

If you have done those two things you will have time on your hands if you get there 2 hours prior. Also consider surface travel time at 45 minute to 1 hour taxi ride to the airport from downtown.

Don’t take the rip off cabs in front of the DR. Walk down the street a little. The cabbies will see you toting a bag and want your fare.

I just got around to getting on line. Thanks for all the feedback. You guys are very helpful. I guess all these hot ticas bring out the good side in us.

You really should allow three hours. When I last flew out, there was a line to go through security that was about 300 yards long. I didn't think I would make it.