pakitty

My airline changed my return flight to an earlier time. I have 2 hours and 35 minutes before my flight from San Jose CR, if I take the Gray Line shuttle that day. Is that enough time?

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Maybe, maybe not. Time of day? Day of week? Is this Grayline's dedicated airport shuttle, or is it shuttle transport coming from somewhere else? If it's the latter, I don't think the shuttles go into the airport itself. They let you off at the complex of hotels across the highway from the airport the Hampton Inn for example. You'd need to catch a taxi to get to the airport, and that would take longer. (It's not possible or safe to walk across the highway.)

Where are you coming from? If you're coming from somewhere northwest of San Jose, the airport will be he first place you encounter as you come into the metro area, and you should be the first to be dropped off. If it's from anywhere else, the shuttle could make this long circuitous route to drop other passengers off before you, in which case, your arrival time would be later than what's stated. They're always estimated times.

Remember, if you're flying to the U.S., you must be checked in at the one-hour mark. That means boarding passes in hand and checked luggage dropped off. 59 minutes is too late.

volcanogirl

You never know. We always allow three hours just in case. Sometimes it's packed and sometimes it isn't.

chapla

I would check the route of the shuttle and reconsider taking a taxi-cheap enough!
My flights usually leave around 8-9AM and there's never been a problem.I used to arrive 2 hrs before departure but now have cut it down to 1 hr.
Now that the departure tax will be included in the fare it means even less time will be needed to check in.
The first security check moves very quickly.The second security check is annoying. What a horrible job to open up every piece of luggage before boarding the plane but it's on their time!

volcanogirl

chapla, how do you do that if you have to be checked in one hour before your flight?

chapla

I just do it!Never had a problem-at the end of my last visit this past November I so surprised- at the first security check-she waved me through to by-pass the passport control desk! I didn't get an exit stamp in my passport! Go figure

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Checking in at one hour is very risky and you run a good chance of being stranded. If the 60 minutes so much as turns into 59, you don't get on the plane. Good for you if it's worked in the past; I'd say you've been very lucky. With all due respect, no one should take that advice if they're flying to the U.S.

The system of folding the taxes into the price of the ticket is not up and running for most airlines, and won't be for a few months yet. For now, that is one more step you have to make in the check-in process. The changed was announced with great fanfare, and I posted about it here. True to form in Costa Rica, it will be delayed. I should have known.

Costa Rica has not given exit stamps in passports for air passengers in years. That's primarily an identity check, much like the first step with the TSA in the U.S.

chapla

I just checked my passport and I do have exit stamps! for some of my visits.This last visit however I was waved on and went to luggage check.After my initial departures and sitting around for what seems like forever I have cut down my arrival at the airport and maybe I've been lucky the past 6 times! I use Us Airways or American airlines.
The people who hold up the check in process are usually the ones who have not filled out the form you get after paying the departure tax!I did see that now there's a person that checks before these folks get to the counter!Then they have to backout w/luggage and search for a pen.....

volcanogirl

chapla, you are a risk taker. I think you have been very lucky!

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Just remember: If you don't have boarding pass in hand and checked bags deposited at the 60-minute mark, you won't fly. 59 minutes isn't good enough.

I still say no one should take advice to get there an hour ahead of time.

pakitty

Thanks for the responses. I'm taking the Grayline shuttle from Manuel Antonio. My flight departs at 1:45 pm on a Monday. I only have 7 full days in MA, and don't need or want to spend time in San Jose, so I'd rather take the shuttle that morning.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

If you are coming from Manuel Antonio, then your approach will not be on the highway that goes past the airport. If other passengers are staying at hotels W and SW of the city, they will be dropped off before you. Your arrival time will be approximate, and there's no way to know this in advance. The order of dropping people off will be what's most convenient and the shortest route for the driver.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Plus, as I mentioned above, your drop-off point will not be the airport itself (do ask, though) but likely the Hampton Inn or one of the hotels across the highway. You'll have to catch a taxi to the airport.