Tues.
Just couldn't get up for a 6 AM flight ,( 1 hour time difference) so did the 1:15 PM out of STL. via DFW to SJO (8 . NEver could get a seating assignment. Ended up being for the second leg it was what ever plane was available. Oh and the woman with the 3 little boys running around the DFW airport, guess where the youngest child from hell sat.
Arrived at the airport customs took about 1/2 hour. 3 sets of forms had to be filled out. I'll mention this now since there is a notice at customs. There is a departure fee of $26 PP and you can pay it at your hotel. Cab ride is approx $18 to centro San Jose. Cabs are metered but the meter is in Colones. You can pay the driver in $. There are money exchanges in the airport BUT you can get a better rate in town , the hotel offers this service ( 560 colones to a $) Cab driver was helpful on what to do and not do. Told the wife no jewelry this trip ,cab driver reenforced me . And a crash course in Spanish is helpful ( like the one I took).
The hotel I booked is the El Presidente, , paid $81 + 6% tax a night for a nice room. it is in the " US ex pat area " of San Jose. Lots of ex pilots hang here ( remember Contra) so English is spoken too.
On a sad note. Can't find any Heineken. Did a Bavaria, it was so so, so tomorrow I think I will try 1 Imperial. Walked out of the hotel, heard music ( wanted to soak up some local culture)so we followed the music to a restaurant and bar across the street, sat down at the bar and the band finished the last song for the night. Anyhow was looking at the menue and it had Yuka on it so we will be back ( wife loves it and can't get at home). Drink and food prices are the same as in the US. Long day so we called it a night.
SXM??? Wendell
