We started our travels as we always do, the night before, with all the rituals of departure- packing, chatting about what to bring, making sure of medications and supplies, and cleaning house. We both love coming back to a clean space and a bottle of cold champagne, so the floors were cleaned, the dishes washed, the trash ready to take out the next day, sheets and towels and laundry all crisp and fresh, bags by the door, and finally we turned in, coffee ready at the push of a button.
Costa Rica doesn’t require a pre flight covid test, and since we’re both vaccinated we woke up ready to go! We left our new place (more on that later!), got in an Uber and made to the airport relatively early, as we weren’t sure how bad the airport would be- things have been picking up since many people have gotten their vaccinations. As it was, it was a slow travel day, so we had time to hit the airport lounge at the A gates in Seattle and have a light breakfast of yogurt, hard boiled egg, coffee and juice. We have status on Alaska Airlines, so we were sitting in 17D and F (exit row with extra legroom), without anyone between us- for the entire flight. First leg was to LAX, thence to Liberia, followed by a 25 minute flight on the same plane to San Jose. There was a 45 minute layover in Liberia, but it wasn’t too bad- any time we get an empty seat for a flight and get to sit next to each other with extra space we count our blessings.
We had decided to rent a car for our trip and see the country, and here’s a bit of advice for you: don’t pre purchase car insurance! We hadn’t, because we rely our Chase Sapphire Reserve insurance, but it turns out Costa Rica requires that you purchase it through the rental agency. The price of the car rental was $5 per day, but the insurance was an additional $235 for the week, and you HAVE to buy it in order to get the car, regardless of whether you purchased insurance through Expedia or any other booking agency. So that was a mild irritant, but it was fixed when we arrived at our first nights hotel- the Hilton San Jose La Sabana. What a gorgeous property! It’s a new hotel, and the tallest building in San Jose. Our room was large and nicely appointed, with a fantastic view of the mountains to the north.
We settled in for the night (honestly, how does one get so tired sitting on an airplane all day?!), ready to wake for our Costa Rican adventure.
Add Some Glamour 