www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I will be in SJ in mid-January. My sweet little amiga has never flown in an airplane. What would be a good day trip. Would leave in morning hrs and be back about dark. I want a place for a good lunch and a short look around etc; without much walking. Any ideas appreciated.

I'm not sure where you'd go, but definitely take Nature Air instead of Sansa. They are a much smoother flight because of the twin engines. The Sansa gets bounced around like a ping pong ball.

Since it's her first time, she'll be scared enough without the twisting and turning.

www.natureair.com

I figured her terror and the look on her face will be priceless!

I usually fly Sansa because it is easier for me to go out of the main airport. I had not heard that Nature Air was smoother because of the twin engines. That may be the case. I have not been uncomfortable with Sansa.

I personally am not a big fan of Tamarindo, but it probably best fits the description of what you are looking for.

There are a lot of great activities up in La Fortuna, but you should probably be thinking in terms of an overnight stay.

Qupos is another option, but it is not much of a town IHO. You do have the option of going to Manuel Antonio park. I think it is probably a $5 cab ride from the airport and that would make for a nice day trip. Get there early though. It gets crowed early and they only allow 800 visitors per day.

You might want to consider an over-nighter. Flying Sansa or Nature Air is the way to go, but you've got to look at their flight schedules. I don't remember exactly, but their last flight of the day usually leaves (to head back to SJO) around 14:30 or 15:00. Don't know how much "sightseeing" you'd be able to get in before you had to head back to the airport.

Also, don't forget the price. You will end up paying around $85 - $90 per person / ONE WAY for a flight. That's around $350 round trip for both of you. It's not cheap.

IMHO, You might want to think about this one.....

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

MG makes a good point.

I do know for example that there is a 6 AM flight to Quepos. The last return flight is 2:30 PM I believe (but check on that). I am pretty sure that is the most affordable at around $50 each way. That would be enough time to visit the park and have lunch and make your way back by evening.

I've seen flights as low as $57 p/p - one way, but that's usually a very early morning flight. The afternoon flights seem to be in the $80 range. Then you add in your cost for taxi's on both ends, and food / drinks, and souvenirs, etc. (she's DEFINITELY gonna want you to buy her SOMETHING).

Either way, you'll end up spending a good chunk of change for both of you to get there and back. I can think of better ways to spend $300 - $400, but what the hell... we only go around once! Besides that, what's membership to the "Mile High Club" worth to you ?!?!?!

MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Quepos, I think is a good option. I flew there in Feb. 07 - I think on Sansa. The flight is only about 25 minutes and is about $100 each way per person. We left SJO at about 10:00am. I believe the last flight back to SJO was around 5:00pm. The airline provided van service to the Manual Antonio park area for the bargain price of $20 per person. We rode a cab back to the airport for about $6.

The park cost something like $13-$20 to get in - I don't remember. We saw some monkeys, sloths, and lots of sun worshippers. You can also go to the beach without paying to get into the park. There is a short strip along the beach near the entrance to the park that has street vendors on the water side of the road and various shops and restuarants/bars on the land side of the road.

The sand is bright and clean. The beach is a lot nicer than the rocky shore with brown sand in Jaco.

By evening I had seen everything I wanted to see and was ready to go anyway. I'm not a big fan of just sitting around on a beach so for me 1/2 day there was plenty.

Thanks for all the info. After reading this info i think just going to the little airport and renting an airplane and pilot like a Cessna 172 and then buzzing her place(really just a fly over) in Heridia might be the ticket.

Booked a 5 day/4 night all inclusive air-hotel-food package for 2 to San Andres from San Jose for end of Sept for total of $625.

PM me if you want further info..

Peace
PIDD

The look of her puking all over you might be priceless too might want to prepare her with some dramamine if it's a windy day and she has any history of motion sickness. Not too much though or she might sleep through the whole trip.

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Forget all this! You just simply tell her that a recent article in the New England Journal Of Medicine stated that a BBBJ at 10,000 feet is the best cure for motion sickness. Ya never know... maybe she'll buy it ?!?!?!

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Thanks for all the tips. I have given great thought in regards to the hurling and blowing chunks scenarios. Don't want that! Just wanting to do something she hasn't had an opportunity to.

you are such a nice guy.

I took a day trip to Quepos by flying Sansa(Nature Air was sold out) Got there about 11 am and had lunch at Si Como No. Went to beach at Manuel Antonio and also to brothel in Quepos. There were about 30 Nicas with there eyes right on me(felt like a piece of meat) The price was extremely high( 150 per una hour) and the quality was below ZB. Flew back to SJO and landed at 6pm. The pilot was an attractive chica(about 25) After we landed she confided in me that it was her first flight. It was a nice way to spend the day and still be back in SJO for the night time activities.