I’ve been avoiding Hawaii, we used to go often because airfares were super cheap, hotels and car rentals were reasonable, but not anymore. So glad we did go quite a bit before the pandemic, we even stayed one month In Honolulu, got it out of our system. Now I want to travel to where I haven’t been for a fraction of the price to Hawaii, I want new experience.
However, my daughter who lives and works in the Bay Area is planning a trip there soon, this is her second trip to Hawaii since 2020.
A lady in my American mahjong club said her son and his wife have been to Hawaii 6 times since Oct, there must be something alluring to Californians, we’re in SoCal and the weather is nice, but the beaches are not the same though.
DW and I just returned from several days in Puerto Rico as we had a few tix that were going to expire soon and given proximity, etc PR made sense. While we had a good time and PR is worth a visit if you have traveled extensively, it definitely ranks as a place I would not go twice.
The island is gorgeous and has loads of potential but is very run down and, in our opinion, overpriced. We felt the same way a few years ago in Costa Rica about it being overpriced when compared to alternative locations around the world. I guess being close to the US mainland makes a difference. In all fairness, I think there are parts outside of San Juan that might change my opinion but for various reasons we did not explore the island.
I am sure some on this site will appreciate that for the most part restaurants are pretty diligent about checking your vaccine cards for indoor dining. It was nice to not have to worry about covid testing to/fro. Also, masking is not required when outside.
Interesting. My youngest and DIL just closed on a piece of land in PR yesterday and love it there. It was fun listening to them on the phone sharing their news. They aren’t in San Juan, but where they are is less developed. They’re super excited.
Humans are definitely incredibly different with their likes/dislikes.
PR doesn’t appeal to us oldsters as a “move to” island TBH, but that’s because I’ve no interest in learning Spanish as the primary language. I could handle French, but H can’t, so we’re limiting our options to English speaking areas. DIL speaks Spanish. DS is happily learning and is super gifted with languages, so not a problem on their end.
PR definitely has loads of potential and we enjoyed our trip for sure.
I am sure it is different o/s of San Juan, but we had no difficulties at all speaking English only. We have traveled to 40 countries and once you learn to cut down on the number of words you use, speak a bit more slowly, etc., communicating in English is rarely a problem. It also helps that DW speaks 3 languages ))
We’ve been to Vieques a couple of times. We love it there. We were surprised to discover many people from NC are there. They own restaurants and lots of 20 somethings spend a season going to the beach during the day and working at night. Medical care there is not good, so living there would not be something I would choose.
Zach Ephron’s Netflix series on environmental issues visited Puerto Rico and showed how many areas have not yet recovered from the hurricane. There are still people living without utilities with blue tarps covering their damages roofs.
I was disappointed to see that Hawaii might get rid of the safe travels thing. I went to Maui last month and was really pleased that people had to get vaccinated or tested to fly there. It made me feel safer and it seems like such a good thing for the people who live there to reduce the threat of tourists bringing more infections with them. Now that they’ve got it set up, I wish they would stick with it for longer, even if they gave up other measures like masks or checking vaccine cards for indoor dining.
Back on the home ground. Had a fantastic time in Maui. Plan to go back very soon.
Given our activities, all outdoors, I’m ambivalent about the Safe Travels program. Saw lots of people at the airport with chin straps, face gators, and masks in hand. I’d worn an N95 on the flight to Maui. Tried to do the same on the way home. But, I couldn’t even leave it on my face for a short period of time…between the little bit of sun I’d gotten and the heat and humidity at the airport … it was horribly uncomfortable. So, just donned a surgical one.
Our flight had all of 40 people on it. Everyone could have their very own row. Sat towards the front. One of the pilots had a face gator which was down below the nose when they came to use the rest room. Fine by me…wouldn’t want the cockpit crew to be anything but comfortable.
The flight attendants - who had little to do - congregated towards the back and would slide down their masks.
I see the Caymans are opening up…slowly. Have to test on day 2,5,7 once there in addition to pre-departure testing. Tahiti still has it’s somewhat complicated testing requirements in place.
Given our experience in Maui I’m heavily leaning towards just staying domestic for the time being. Just not worth the hassles to jump thru ever changing hoops.
We recently came back from a short trip to Oahu. Our experience was a bit different. Masks, mostly KN95, were worn properly by pax on the plane (which was full). Alaska Air FAs wore their masks diligently and promptly reminded the guy behind us to put his mask back up (the guy was kinda loopy, so he would forget after finishing his meal or snack, but he would apologize). Proper masking at the airport, too - I would give our fellow pax a solid A minus. Our IDs and vaxx cards were checked at every restaurant. I would go back if I had more vacation days and if it weren’t so expensive.
On Oahu, where I live, I’ve been dining outdoors. Pretty much everyone I see wears masks correctly indoors—95% or more. They restaurants I go to check ID and VAX cards even for outside diners. The theater similarly checked and issued wristbands after confirmed folks were vaxed and card matched ids.
My kids from LA and DC say HI people are so good at following rules and masking compared to where they live. I said most of us have vulnerable people in our lives and don’t want to get anyone ill.
Just booked Costa Rica for May. This morning I woke up in a panic and think we are crazy. I know it is a level 4 CDC country but hoping it will drop by May. We tried to book domestic vacations and while the airfare has been reasonable to some destinations, the hotel rates have been insane. I almost booked a coastal road trip in California last week but when I went to book the hotels and car rental, I realized it was going to blow our budget. I also saw that some of our hotel choices were completely sold out on weekends, leaving us 4 days to squeeze in lodging for an 8 day trip.
Has anyone been to Costa Rica during the pandemic? We booked the Westin Conchal all-inclusive in Guanacaste. We figure it will have everything we need without wandering out. If things get better, we would love to wander out and do some tours. Nothing like ziplining but just to see the beautiful nature the country offers. I am most afraid of the return PCR test than anything else. We are vaccinated with boosters.
D went to Costa Rica last fall break and really liked how cheap it was. Why are you assuming a PCR test is needed to return? All you need is a rapid test.
We went on October. We went to rainforest first and then to Guanacaste. Besides being outdoors they take Covid very seriously there. AT the time there was masking everywhere , temperature taking (this was pre Omicron), and hand washing stations everywhere.
Only needed a rapid test to return. We loved it!
Thank you. I guess I just meant the return Covid test. Didn’t know if it was PCR or rapid. I just don’t want to get stuck. I am hoping cases come down by May. Good to see it has gone well for those who have travelled there.
I’ll let you know how our late-March trip goes! I’ve never been to Costa Rica and wouldn’t normally have considered it right now. But, our friends were going to an all-inclusive for Spring Break, and this is the last Spring Break we’ll have with both kids (D22 is a HS senior and S26 starts HS in the fall, so their schedules won’t line up again). We used to travel with our kids a lot until about 5 years ago when life got hectic, then the pandemic put a pause on whatever travel we had planned. I had this overwhelming feeling like we have to take this chance and enjoy our time as a family, celebrate D turning 18 and graduating and having wonderful colleges to consider, and we get to enjoy an all-inclusive with our best friends. From what we’ve read, the only concern is the hospital capacity. CR is 75-80% vaccinated. We’re not planning to travel around, so if we end up spending all of our time at the resort that’s ok. We’ll have a beach. We’ll have good weather, good friends, cocktails, and downtime. I haven’t been on a plane in over 3 years, so I’m not sure how that will feel but I’m not worried.
My sister-in-law is there now. She feels comfortable with the level of Covid and they spend a lot of time outside. Her bungalow also has a lot of windows with nice breezes. They are in an area with long stay vacation rentals not at a hotel.
We did have a neighbor who went down at Christmas and his daughter tested positive at the airport before the return flight. The father and her girlfriend tested negative. Friend flew home and he quarantined in a hotel with his daughter. It’s a risk you take.
You’ll like the W next door better but still a good experience. Armed guards at resort entrance but don’t be worried about getting out and about. Be sure and use the in room safe for valuables. Beach is good but lots of local vendors to dodge.
And if you go on any excursions, don’t use their convenient (and locked) lockers to store ANYTHING valuable. We did that while snorkeling in Mexico, and there was cash missing out of my husband’s wallet when we retrieved it. Lesson learned!
