SW fares came down enough over $300 if I adjusted my outbound date by 1 day for me to pull the trigger.
I explored Copa but in early July not seeing where I can fly direct from AUS to PTY, everything went through IAH. I do see the next week (thank you Naranja) where Copa apparently starting up from AUS! Will be great alternative for later trips however if I end up flying even that distance further south and another 1 hr. back up to SJO I might as well go to Colombia!
I paid $720ish RT HOU-SJO from 2-9 July which isn't the lowest but I don't have much flexibility in dates right now.
I will drive to HOU for the flight versus 3 hours layover on the way down and a 4 hour layover coming back.
All set for July trip now researching and quickly my MDW trip. CR and CO too far for me to justify so proly back to MEX somewhere close but not TJ. TJ prices going up (I not paying $100 for a SW) and Adelita's bar and hotel got shut down last month.
