This is a well worn question, and I think I "know" the answer... But thought I'd get some opinions. Our charter flight just called and instead of departing at 7am we leave at 10:20 and arrive at 3 in San Jose.The last Sansa flight is at 4:30. I know there are "what ifs", but how strict are they with the 45 minute rule at Sansa? We are ready to run, and will beg flight attendant to let us off first. Boo Hoo, I dont like changes....

When I exit the airport where all the Taxis wait, do I turn right or left to get to the Sansa terminal? Thanx!(any tips or directions appreciated)

hi faithie! Take a left after you get out of the terminal - keep an eye out for the fire station. I would think Sansa would be a little forgiving on the check-in. They ask for 45 minutes, but you spend 2 minutes checking in and 43 minutes waiting around! I've seen people walk up really late, so I'll cross my fingers and hope you make it!

Thanx Tully!

This website:
http://www.surfschool.net/costa_rica/information.html has directions and photos of the route to the Sansa terminal.

Pach, great pics on that surfer web page. Look at all those red taxis...

Faithie, I seem to remember a parkade arm that an attendant raises to let you in to the parking lot area in front of the Sansa terminal. While the guards are very attentive, there is plenty of room to slip past towing luggage if he is not available as you dash to the check-in counter with your family. Agree with Tully that Sansa is fairly relaxed about the 45 min rule. Best of luck...

Thanx, in past visits we have had more time so stayed in San Jose the first night, or we drove. So this is the first time to try to make a "connection". The children still dont know, packing in secret, hoping they dont find the stash of summer clothes!!!
Mommy is soooo excited!
ps We have decided to wake them Tuesday am as if going to school and at last second take the school backpacks away and replace with the suitcases....SUPRISE!!

If you were my mom, you'd be Mother of the Year for sure! They're gonna be so excited! Can't imagine the thrill! I wish we had done some surprise vacations like that when our kids were young. Now that they are grown, it's impossible!

Thank-You Jill, but I get great satisfaction from it as well! I am near ready to burst!(maritime talk)

We surprised our kids one time. Left on Dec. 21 for South Padre, returning on Christmas Day, I think. Back in 1989 (or maybe it was a year earlier). You can check historical weather events and find that the entire island turned into a solid sheet of ice and lost all electricity. Worst storm of that nature in 100 years. Lost all the grapefruit crop. We were the only persons at the Holiday Inn, cut off from the mainland because the causeway was frozen over. No electricity, only generators. Our kids entertained themselves riding up and down on the elevators and bravely got into the outdoor jacuzzi for maybe 10 minutes. The beaches were frozen over with ice as well. All businesses closed, so no shopping or dining out or theatres. The hotel brought us down to the lobby and served up chili cooked on Bunsen Burners. I think the generators eventually quit.

We laugh now, but that trip was a Christmas gift to the kids. We hadn't bought many gifts. They sure thought they got shortchanged!

Yikes! That was a trip & a 1/2!!!

Hopefully yours will be more what you expect it to be than ours was!