www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Chicago has settled into $480 price range for March 2nd. Most airlines except SpiritAir ($422 but add 1 bag and its $422). Using the megasearchers kayak.com, yapta.com, farecompare.com, etc. helps. Using Expedia, Orbiz, & Travelocity will get you in the ballpark, and occasionally find a better trip w/2 stops, but if you have to change your ticket, expect to pay an additional $50 fee.

Airlines like that profitability factor.

I actually booked a flight on AA for 276 from Miami to CR on the 28th of February. It is all depends on the days you are flying and the best time to fly is usually on Tuesday or Wednesdays for it, since those are the days that the fares are lower than other days.

Fares may be higher but all my flights on SB weekend were packed to the gills, so tourism isn't hurting.

Hotels are not making their projected room occupancy numbers and most tour operators are reporting a slow season. Hard to judge tourism numbers by how crowded airplanes are as airlines have downsized equipment or have reduced flight frequency or in some cases have done both. AA for example use to operate 2 A300 & 2 B757 flight daily to SJO from MIA. They now use 1 B757 and 3 B737 on that route. TACA switched from A319 & A320 equipment to EJ190 on the route. That a fairly significant reduction of seats on that route. AA also stopped their FLL/SJO service leaving only Spirit on that route.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine