TravelGuides

(TGA) - hi there, i am looking for flights from San Francisco, california to san jose, Costa Rica for mid march 2010. would you please give me suggestions on what the best and cheapest way is to fly there from SFO on March 2010? when is the best time to look for flights there? am i too early or too late? many thanks and happy holidays.
Edited: 12:05 am, yesterday
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I used to fly at least 3 times a month from SFO to SJO...most of the time I choosed TACA...great service...nice fleet...good deals.

It is about the correct time to book...sometimes American offer some good deals!

Try to book weekdays like monday to monday...it can be cheaper!

Merryxmas

Just buckle up and enjoy the ride in PARADISE!
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we are going to Puerto Viejo. will have to arrive there in the morning so we can catch the 4 hour bus ride to Puerto Viejo to arrive there before sunset. when we fly back, we will have to use a late departure flight due to the 4 hr drive...so hard to find the right flights at reasonable price (~$800 if it fits all requirements)...getting really discouraged. but will take your advise and watch TACA closely. thanks.
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www.kayak.com/buzz SFO SJO

For March Mexicana and Frontier

currently best pricewise from $420 R/T

Might wait till Jan for the price drop

that happens when airlines get desparate...

www.spiritair.com LAX FLL SJO cheap sales sometime

but econoair flight not as great seats do not recline.

www.taca.com good web specials sometimes

www.interbusonline.com to PV best

if you can coordinate the connection times .

Happy Hunting
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To have more flexibility in your flight plans, you can think about spending your first and last night in Alajuela, near the airport. There are nice hotels within 15 minutes of the airport for $40 and up and also some hostels. Of course, taking an overnight flight is ideal for your situation.

Not sure if they fly out of SFO, but Frontier has been having some good sales on flights to Costa Rica.

There are numerous websites to look for flights including expedia, kayak, bing travel, etc and you can also check with the airline directly. You can start by getting a list of the airlines that fly to San Jose, pick a few that fly to SFO and check their websites. Mostly, the best airfares are for Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays but you can try different dates and see what you come up with. Some people say that it is best if you check for flights on the weekend since some airlines have sales at this time. I have flown both Taca and Mexicana more than once with no problem.

I would start looking now and if you find a great deal, take it. Some people say the best prices are about six weeks before your travel date but I have found really good deals as much as three months out.

It is some work to find the right flight at the right price but it is worth it.
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Check alternate airports. We found a great deal on TACA out of LA. Much more expensive out of Sacramento, or SFO. So we'll hop to LA on Southwest, and it was still a good deal.
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Almost always use Taca from Lax, departs around midnight arrives at SJO early morning with plenty of time to get to Caribe Terminal for bus to Puerto Viejo. If you spend night in airport area it could add $200 to your trip.
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Cubanon - that's a great idea about the flight from LA but I have to disagree with you about the $200 added to your trip. Many hotels in Alajuela offer free pickup or pay your taxi from the airport, free breakfast and you can get nice rooms for $40 and up. There are also hostels for less, as I said. If you are not staying at the Hampton Inn, it is easy to do it for $90 or less for the two nights- beginning and end - and gives a lot of flexibility. The original poster will have to see which works out the best financially as far as flights and staying in Alajuela.
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I was thinking he would have to stay around airport for 2 nights and most likely like me, would not stay in a place for less than $75 plus tax, many Taca flights for LAX leave in late afternoon, thus avoiding any airport hotels and extra time in Costa Rica. Sorry for not making myself clear.
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thanks to you all! now i have made our plans more flexible according to all your advices - flying out of SFO 3/11 (thur night) and stay Puerto Viejo for 6 nts, then stay in SJO for 2 nights and fly back on Sat night. will try to search all suggested sites/airlines. happy holidays!
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