Costa Rica Adventures (plus NYC, Boston, San Francisco & LA)

[v1nce007]

Cliff notes:

• Departing this Wednesday, May 3
• MEL-SYD-LAX on QF in J
• 2 nights in LA
• 2 nights Boston
• First class train to NYC (and return)
• 2 nights in NYC
• Another night in Boston
• 9 nights in Costa Rica - lots of traveling around and activities:
  • white water rafting (class 3 and 4 rapids)
  • snorkelling
  • kayaking
  • hiking
• 3 nights in San Francisco
• Lots of multi-sector flights, almost all in AA domestic "F"
• Return to Aus on AA in J

 

[Milboo]

Looking forward to this as currently contemplating Costa Rica.

Can I ask how you researched/ planned your time there. I'm struggling to find a good place to start!

 

[v1nce007]

This is the most disorganised holiday I've ever arranged, mainly due to booking things over a period of several months with no real plan in mind. As a result there is a bit of backtracking (for instance passing through SFO several times overnighting at an airport hotel). Had I planned everything before starting to make bookings I could have been much more efficient, however I love flying and the extra Status Credits are always welcome.

I started this months ago when QF ran a 24 hour flash sale on J flights to LAX. I got a very good deal, flying over on QF11 in the A380, and returning on AA in the B777. I'm looking forward to being able to compare the 2 products. No doubt the AA hard product is superior but we'll see how the service and food compares.

While I love big cities, checking out restaurants and people watching, I also love adventure travelling and didn't want to spend all my time in the US, so I looked into some tour options in Central America. I settled on a Costa Rica trip with Intrepid (I have done several trips with Intrepid before and have enjoyed them). This tour looks really great with lots of included activities, starting and finishing in San Jose. Costa Rica has some of the best white water rafting in the world, and this trip includes 2 separate rafting trips on class 3 and 4 rapids - class 4 rapids are serious enough that I had to purchase additional travel insurance. The trip also includes a stay at an eco lodge, hiking, snorkelling, plus a kayaking trip thorough the jungle.

For the rest of the trip, I've planned to check out 4 US cities; LA, Boston, New York and San Francisco. I've been to New York before (and couldn't resist squeezing in a few days there), but the rest will all be new to me.

I'll try to write this report as live as possible.

I will no doubt have plenty of pictures to share here, some of which I will also post on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/v1nce007/

 

[v1nce007]

Looking forward to this as currently contemplating Costa Rica.

Can I ask how you researched/ planned your time there. I'm struggling to find a good place to start!

Short answer: booked a group tour. I know not everyone likes doing it that way but for me I enjoy it as I get to see and do things I wouldn't on my own.

 

[mmchow]

Though it's 3 days away, I am buckle in and looking forward to more!!
Nonetheless enjoy the holiday!!

 

[LadyC]

Sounds like a great trip. I did a central america tour with intrepid and really enjoyed. A good way to see a few sights in a short period.

 

[v1nce007]

Bags packed and ready for a very early start tomorrow.

 

[v1nce007]

Checked in and ready for the first leg MEL-SYD.
Good run to the airport this morning from South Yarra, just 35 minutes in the Uber.

Late equipment change on the next next leg SYD-LAX, now a B747.

 

[drron]

Hate those equipment changes.We had an A380 subbed out for an old B747 whose next flight after LAX was a short one to Mojave.
No duty free loaded.Very little food.And it was to be our first A380 flight and we had an upgrade to F.QF said sorry but no compensation.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

We were in Costa Rica in February of this year but I haven't yet got around to doing a TR. I guess most of your trip is sorted on the tour but if you need an airport hotel in San Jose (SJO) then I can recommend the Pura Vida Hotel in Alajuela Tuetal Sur. There's a few things called Pura Vida as the phrase in Costa Rica means 'pure life' and is a bit like the saying 'hang loose' in Hawaii.

San Jose Airport Hotel - Alajuela, Costa Rica

We booked an Uber from the Pura Vida Hotel to Juan Santamaria International Airport which was approx USD10.00. There are about 6 different rooms you can book and the property has a large lush garden so you wouldn't think you were surrounded by houses with razorwire nearby. It's owned by Bernie and Nhi who is an excellent cook. They don't cook every night but it's easy to get an Uber to nearby Alajuela and eat at a restaurant there.

We ate in house the first night then ate at a Mexican restaurant the next night.

 

[v1nce007]

Hate those equipment changes.We had an A380 subbed out for an old B747 whose next flight after LAX was a short one to Mojave.
No duty free loaded.Very little food.And it was to be our first A380 flight and we had an upgrade to F.QF said sorry but no compensation.

I wasn't too bothered. Happy to get the 747 experience while there are still a few around. There didn't appear to be any catering issues and I got a seat I was happy with. However as everyone's seat selections were lost due to the change there were a few upset passengers who made their displeasure known to the crew.

 

[v1nce007]

We were in Costa Rica in February of this year but I haven't yet got around to doing a TR. I guess most of your trip is sorted on the tour but if you need an airport hotel in San Jose (SJO) then I can recommend the Pura Vida Hotel in Alajuela Tuetal Sur. There's a few things called Pura Vida as the phrase in Costa Rica means 'pure life' and is a bit like the saying 'hang loose' in Hawaii.

San Jose Airport Hotel - Alajuela, Costa Rica

We booked an Uber from the Pura Vida Hotel to Juan Santamaria International Airport which was approx USD10.00. There are about 6 different rooms you can book and the property has a large lush garden so you wouldn't think you were surrounded by houses with razorwire nearby. It's owned by Bernie and Nhi who is an excellent cook. They don't cook every night but it's easy to get an Uber to nearby Alajuela and eat at a restaurant there.

We ate in house the first night then ate at a Mexican restaurant the next night.

Thanks for that. My accomodation is all booked through the tour however I booked into the Raddison in San Jose as an extra day on the end. Seems to be a good central location if I want to continue exploring or they have a nice pool if I just want to chill out.

 

[v1nce007]

Had a really nice flight from SYD to LAX.

A few J passengers were upset by the last minute equipment change to a 747 with its 2-3-2 layout. All the seat allocations were lost at about T24 and replacements were unable to be selected online. I was lucky enough to get an aisle seat in a centre 3, with a couple in the other 2 seats so I had my own private aisle access. For me, I rate private and direct aisle access as the ultimate luxury on a long flight.

A few of the solo passengers who received centre seats made their disappointment know to the crew, including one elderly American lady who said she "didn't want to make a fuss" but clearly did.

The menus and one of the new amenity kits:

 

[v1nce007]

We took off pretty much on time. Once in the air I started with a very strong G&T (not ordered that way!). I will never understand why Qantas can't serve the nuts/pretzels in a small bowl.


For entree I went with the prawn remoulade which was really tasty spread on warm crostini. A nice little starter that went well with a glass of Pino Gris.


For main I had the chermoula lamb rack. It was just slightly over cooked but the flavours were delicious. I really enjoyed it with a glass of Pinot Noir.


Desert was the cheese plate with a desert wine.

 

[v1nce007]

The meal service was really good and not too rushed or slow. The FA looking after me was very attentive without being over the top. Proactive on wine top ups too.

After dinner I relaxed with a beer and watched 'The Accountant' with Ben Affleck (it was ok, I rate it 3/5) then it was time for a nap. I managed a few hours of decent sleep. I really have no issue with the mk2 skybeds except they are a bit tight around the shoulders for those of us who sleep on our backs, and of course the lack of storage space compared to the A330 suites.

After a decent sleep I put the seat into a half reclined mode and watched a few shows with a peppermint tea while waiting for the breakfast service.

I went with the potato rosti and poached eggs. A really tasty and enjoyable breakfast.

 

[v1nce007]

Amazingly got through customs and Immagration at LAX in about 20 minutes. The automated machines worked fine even though it was my first visit on this ESTA. Straight out the door and into the shuttle bus to the car rental joint.

Went out to Santa Monica for lunch and a walk around. A perfect sunny day and not too hot. Checked out the pier of course and then found a nice little bar on the 3rd street promenade for a beer and some sliders.

 

[v1nce007]

Spent today driving around visiting a few spots including the Griffith Observatory and Rodeo Drive. I'm surprised at how much I like LA

 

[v1nce007]

Staying at an absolute gem of a hotel in LA. Hotel Angeleno near Bel Air. It was really reasonably priced compared to hotels in downtown or Santa Monica. You definitely need a car if you're staying here but valet parking is only $28 a night. There is a bit of traffic noise as it's right next to the 405 but it's not too bad.

There is an excellent bar and restaurant on the top floor, a nice outdoor poor, gym, complimentary wine and canapés served from 5.30-6.30pm, free wifi, you can order an Uber and have it charged to your room, and they have a no tipping policy.

I recommend this place and would stay again.

 

[AisleSeat]

I visited Costa Rica 14 years ago and absolutely loved it. Looking forward to your pics!

 

[I love to travel]

Great pics.