janenicole

shelld - reconfirm your flight times if you book Sansa. We got switched just like petite43 did, but didn't find out until we checked in. Most people say that Nature Air is more reliable for flight times, but our flight from San Jose to Arenal was delayed an hour, so you just don't know what might happen with either airline.

plumboy

Yeah, just double check that morning if you can. This past week, one of our Sansa flights was canceled but we didn't know until we showed up at the ticket counter (luckily, we were able to get on an alternate Nature Air flight).

costaricalover

Welcome back, Plumboy! I see you lurking on these posts, and of course, want to know how it went on your trip. Are we to expect a trip report shortly?

plumboy

Thanks! So not happy to be back

I am going to post a little report soon, but we had an amazing time on this 2nd trip to CR. Even better than the last time. Much to tell. As soon as I get caught up here at work, I'll put something together...

janenicole

plumboy - Am so glad you got to go to CR!! Wasn't sure if you were going to be able to make it. Didn't get to find out before we left. Did you love Congo and Bosque? Was the gecko still there? Did you meet Steve and Kathy? Was the family with the two nice boys still there? They were there two years ago when we were there, and they arrived on our last day. We recognized each other right away. Sorry, for all the questions. Anxious to read your report!

plumboy

Congo was beyond my dreams -- honestly, I still can't believe that view was real. No photos could ever do it justice, I don't think. I think it's unhealthy to be so attached to a particular cabin though! I found myself thinking the other cabins -- the ones a bit further below -- probably had more critters running around. I think they all have their pluses.

Were Steve and Kathy the couple staying in Lapa? From Canada? If so, yes, definitely talked with them a bit.

No gecko, unfortunately. We didn't see a gecko until our very last night at Orquideas Inn, believe it or not. We did have a marine toad in our cabin one night though -- that was fun.

Yes, I think the couple with the boys were still there -- didn't get a chance to talk to them much, though. I have to be honest, we're not THE most social people in the world! I know that's blasphemous at a place like BdC, but it just takes us longer to warm up, and we were there only three nights. Next time, we're going to stay a little longer and try to get to know people a bit more. Had some great conversations with Kim and Phil, Gerly, Xinnia -- and a couple I had chatted with on Trip Advisor before leaving. More soon...

petite43

Well, after 4 days of emails and phone calls to a very sweet Sansa reservation agent our flights have been confirmed (again)
First she misunderstood & changed our departure flight to an earlier one, next I was advised our 2:30pm arrival flight had been canceled altogether so I wound up getting the 8:30am flight I wanted after all...without any extra charges. At least that's how it looks today. I'll be sure to check again closer to May. Thanks again for the tip about reconfirming our flights. Since there will be 6 of us I'm sure it would have been a problem if I hadn't taken care of all this now. I'm glad to hear we should be able to check out the grounds at BDC while waiting for our room. It's been 4 years since our whole family has been able to take a vacation together so I'm really looking forward to this trip.

Brian

I've flown Sansa on 4 different trips to CR and had no problems. My flight times changed by about a half hour (earlier) for my last trip this month. The lodge where I stayed had arranged the flights for me and they e-mailed me the flight change information prior to my arrival in Costa Rica. I was later told that Sansa was changing flight times due to high winds that have been a recent problem. I think regardless of the airline you choose, it's always a good idea to regularly check your itinerary.

BTW, the new Sansa terminal at SJO is almost complete and much more comfortable than the old one.

crblogger

The flight time changes for Sansa aren't just delays -- they straight up drop flights if they don't sell enough seats! After having this happen to me twice, both changes to the next scheduled departure change, someone in the terminal explained that to me. Great for their budgeting -- not great when you're trying to make an international connection!

While both may have flight delays due to weather this season at times, Nature Air does not use this sneaky tactic of canceling pre-scheduled flights, even if it's just you and 2 other people on the plane.

hipvirgochick

Crblogger - I've never had problems with Sansa but want to point out it's never a good idea to try and connect a local flight to an Int'l one on the same day.

johnb

Lots of good information here, thanks so much for everyones efforts...My USairways flight is scheduled to land at 1:35pm. There is a 3:30 Sansa flight to Quepos and it is their last flight of the day...after reading all this, sounds like I should drive?? What do you guys think?

There is a Delta flight that arrives 2 hours earlier but is $225 more expensive and I would lose all those flyers miles which puts me over a free trip!! Your opinion counts!!

johnb

hsmithcr

It only takes 5 minutes to get from the main terminal to Sansa so your timing looks good. However, if your USAirways flight is delayed, it might be a problem.

You might consider either renting a car or just taking a shared van shuttle such as Interbus or Grayline. Depends on if you are interested in renting a car for your whole vacation. Of course, you can always hire a private driver for about the cost of flights for two. www.tucanlimoservices.com For shuttle information, www.shuttlebus.co.cr

volcanogirl

I would probably go for it, but we have had our incoming flights delayed several times so there's no guarantee.