The domestic airline in Costa Rica, SANSA Regional, is announcing the finalization of its super cheap airfares within the country.  SANSA has a special US$35 airfare that will expire on Saturday February 28th, 2009.

The special airfare is good for flying from San Jose to Liberia and Tamarindo in Guanacaste, Quepos and Tambor in Puntarenas and Puerto Jimenez in the Osa Peninsula.  Costa Rica hotels at these destinations are available for all types of budgets, preferences and lifestyles.

The destinations in the Northern and Central Pacific Coast in Costa Rica are quite popular as this region offers great opportunities for adventure tours, surf, scuba diving, snorkeling and simply relaxing while soaking up the sun.

The Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia is a great starting point for experiencing the best of national parks, volcanoes, adventure tours as well as beaches and water sport activities.  The Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin is a great option for those seeking adventure tours such as zip lining, canyoning or canyoneering, white water tubing, horse back riding, hiking and many more.

Tamarindo is a preferred location for surfers and a younger crowd due to its night life and activities.  Tambor is the beach town where the all-inclusive Barcelo Playa Tambor Beach Hotel is located.

For those who prefer a more pristine coastal surrounding and nature, the Puerto Jimenez airport is the appropriate arrival point.  The Osa Peninsula in the South Pacific has been called the most biodiversity intense place on the planet by important anthropology magazines and experts.

SANSA’s special deal ends this weekend so if you are traveling to any of these destinations make sure you take advantage of this special deal.  Please check with the airline for restrictions as well as additional fees.

Despite the economic downturn that is currently affecting many United States citizens as well as world wide individuals, tourism influx in Guanacaste, Costa Rica has increased.

Caturgua

The Guanacaste Chamber of Tourism (CATURGUA) has announced that the amount of passengers that flew in to the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia (LIR) in 2008, increased in 3.5% in relation to 2007.

For members of CATURGUA as well as local hotels, restaurants and tour operators, this shows that Guanacaste still remains a strong attraction for many tourists as well as investors.  From the 420,000 passengers that passed through the Daniel Oduber International Airport in 2008, the busiest month registered was March.

Several airlines offer direct flights to Liberia from major U.S airports such as Miami, Atlanta and Houston. The flight is roughly around the two hour mark and will get you straight into the heart of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast.

All major beaches in Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast are within an hour’s drive from the airport.  But before heading out to the beach, the Rincon de la Vieja National Park is a great option to visit and is located at just 30 minutes from the airport.  The Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin offers great accommodations for a reasonable price as well as adventure-packed tours in the area.

In addition, the executive director for CATURGUA, Mauricio Céspedes, stated that although the increase is small, it is still significant due to the financial crisis.  Cespedes mentioned that this increase proves that Guanacaste has great potential for tourism as well as real estate and investment.

The North American Airline Company Continental Airlines has announced that starting March 2009 it will be increasing its flight frequency between San Jose and Liberia in Costa Rica to Houston and Newark in the United States.

The flight increase is in response to the demand on behalf of passengers between these destinations. Airline officials have stated that starting March 2009, Continental will be operating 3 daily flights on Saturdays between the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose and Newark in the U.S.

As for the airline’s flight frequency to the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste, officials have announced that they will also be increasing up to three flights from Liberia and Houston, Texas.

Demand increase is attributed to the strong promotion the Costa Rican Bureau of Tourism is carrying out in the United States.  The Costa Rican tourism authority has set out to counteract the financial crisis with strongly promoting Costa Rica as a tourist destination.

The hard work has paid off and the increase of flight frequencies between Costa Rica and the United States shows it.  Costa Rica offers tourists a great alternative for a reasonably low rate.  The dollar is still strong in Costa Rica, airfare is low, flights are under 3 hours and travelers have a plethora of attractions to choose from.

Costa Rica hotels are abundant throughout the country and cater to all types of travelers.  Adventure tours are Costa Rica’s specialty with activities such as white water rafting in the world class Pacuare River, zip lining through the dense tree canopy in Monteverde, rappelling down waterfalls in Rincon de la Vieja and exploring the primitive caves of Cavernas