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Costa RicaBeautiful beaches, rainforests and miles of hiking trails are calling your name. And, thanks to cheap airline tickets from all over the US, you can get there for much less than usual.
This week, flight deal site Thrifty Traveler has emailed its Premium members on discounted round-trip airfares from cities around the United States to the Costa Rican cities of San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR). We’re seeing round-trip fares from just $176 to the Costa Rican capital San Jose from Miami (MIA).
Most of the cheapest fares fall on travel dates during January and February, though some also drop in March 2022. The lowest fares tend to be from American Airlines, though you can find them some cheap fares like JetBlue, Delta, United or Frontier.
Cheaper than average fares can also be found from cities nationwide, including Boston (BOS), Baltimore (BWI), Cleveland (CLE), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Green Bay (GRB), Las Vegas (LAS), Milwaukee (MKE) and Sioux Falls (FSD), among dozens of others. While some routes run straight, others require stops en route to Costa Rica.
While some of these cheap fares are in standard economy class, others are in basic economy class, which means you’ll need to pay extra for perks like checked baggage and seat selection. Make sure you check the specifics of your fare when booking. We recommend booking your tickets directly through the airline or through an online travel agent such as Price path, Expedia or Travel speed.
Remember that even if you feel comfortable traveling right now, Covid-19 restrictions can change at any time. At this time, Costa Rica is allowing fully vaccinated Americans to enter without testing negative for Covid-19. Full entry requirements can be found here here. Also remember that when you are ready to return to the US, you will need to have a negative Covid-19 test within one day of departure.
Here are some examples of cheap Costa Rica tickets that you can book right now.
Costa Rica is full of great hotels. Whether you’re looking for a five-star stay or simply a place to lay your head every night, there’s something for everyone. Consider booking one of these Costa Rica hotels.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort at the Papagayo Peninsula
This hotel is part of the Hyatt chain, which means you can redeem your World of Hyatt points for a free stay – and that’s how your great points are spent. At the hotel, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Culebra Bay and a location just steps from the rainforest. If you’re interested in redeeming points for a free stay, you’ll have to pay 20,000 points per night.
The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Gold Resort & Spa
This attribute has made our list of the best all-inclusive resorts where you can use points and miles for a free vacation – and for good reason. The resort has a tropical forest on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Plus, it has several swimming pools on site as well as numerous restaurants and bars. It’s also a member of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, which means you can redeem between 70,000 and 100,000 Bonvoy points for a free night, depending on the date of your stay.
Blue River Resort & Hot Springs
For a lower rate, consider staying at Blue River Resort & Hot Springs. This property, set in the Rincon de la Vieja rainforest, is ideal for travelers looking for an adventure. The highlight of a stay at this hotel is the natural mineral “green” hot spring pools, but there are plenty of other things around to keep you busy.
If your mind is currently on the idea of going to Costa Rica, make sure you book your flights the right way to maximize what you get for your purchase. For example, there are some credit cards that earn extra rewards or perks when you book travel with them.
Considered by many to be the best card to book flight tickets is Platinum Card® from American Express. You’ll earn 5 points for every dollar you spend on flights booked directly with an airline or through Amex Travel when you use Amex Platinum. So, if you book your $287 round-trip ticket from Nashville to Costa Rica directly with American, you’ll earn 1,435 points from Amex, plus points on American’s AAdvantage program.
Alternatively, you can book these flights with cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve®, earn 3 points for every dollar on travel, including flights, and a total of 5 points on air travel if you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Then, when you’re ready to book your hotel, you can use the same card to earn 3 points on hotel and rental bookings, or a total of 10 points on booking through Ultimate Rewards.
And if you plan to book with an online travel agent like Price path, remember to book flights with a credit card that accumulates for all travel, not just flights booked directly with airlines or through an issuer’s booking portal.
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Want to save money on airline tickets and hotels? Watch CNN Underscored’s list of the best credit cards for travel.
