The period of a journey by air between Houston, Texas, and Liberia, Costa Rica, is influenced by a number of elements. These embrace the chosen airline, the presence of layovers, particular routes, wind situations, and air site visitors. Continuous flights typically provide the quickest journey choice, whereas flights involving a number of stops naturally lengthen the general journey period. Vacationers might discover vital variations in general journey time relying on the precise itinerary chosen.
Understanding the standard vary of durations for this route permits vacationers to successfully plan their journeys. Correct time estimations allow higher coordination of floor transportation, resort check-ins, and different logistical preparations. This info is essential for each enterprise vacationers working beneath tight schedules and leisure vacationers aiming to maximise their trip time. Traditionally, developments in aviation expertise and evolving flight routes have influenced journey occasions between these two locations.
Additional exploration of this matter would possibly embrace inspecting differences due to the season in flight schedules and durations, evaluating completely different airways’ choices for this route, and delving into the impression of present occasions on journey logistics. Moreover, investigating journey choices to and from airports serving each cities can present a extra complete image of the general journey expertise.
1. Continuous Flights
Continuous flights signify a big issue influencing the general journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Selecting a continuous choice typically minimizes journey period in comparison with itineraries involving connecting flights and layovers. Inspecting the specifics of continuous flight choices gives priceless insights for vacationers prioritizing time effectivity.
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Scheduled Flight Period
Continuous flights usually vary between three and a half to 4 hours. This represents the quickest journey choice, excluding time spent in airports for check-in, safety, and baggage declare. Precise flight occasions might range barely relying on the airline and particular flight path.
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Airline Availability
A number of airways provide continuous service between Houston (IAH, usually) and Liberia (LIR). United Airways is a outstanding instance. Researching obtainable airways permits vacationers to check schedules, pricing, and facilities to pick the best option.
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Price Issues
Continuous flights typically command a premium value in comparison with connecting flights. This displays the comfort and time financial savings supplied by eliminating layovers. Vacationers ought to weigh the worth of time saved in opposition to potential price variations when choosing a flight.
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Airport Expertise
Choosing a continuous flight streamlines the airport expertise. Vacationers keep away from navigating connecting airports, transferring baggage, and enduring a number of safety checks. This simplification can considerably cut back travel-related stress and fatigue.
Contemplating the advantages of continuous flights, significantly the minimized journey time, turns into an important factor of environment friendly journey planning between Houston and Liberia. Whereas different elements like price and airline desire play a task, understanding the time-saving benefits of continuous service empowers vacationers to prioritize their wants and make knowledgeable choices.
2. Connecting Flights
Connecting flights signify a big issue influencing general journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Whereas they typically current a extra economical various to continuous routes, connecting flights introduce extra complexities and issues relating to complete journey period. Understanding these nuances is essential for efficient journey planning.
The first impression of connecting flights lies within the added time spent throughout layovers. Layover durations can range significantly, starting from temporary connections of beneath an hour to prolonged stays exceeding a number of hours. Every layover provides to the general journey time, requiring vacationers to consider potential delays, airport navigation time, and any needed procedures like baggage re-checking. For instance, a flight routing via Atlanta would possibly contain a two-hour layover, extending the whole journey time considerably in comparison with a continuous choice. Moreover, connecting flights introduce the potential of missed connections attributable to unexpected delays. A delayed preliminary flight may result in a missed connecting flight, necessitating rebooking and probably including substantial delays to arrival in Liberia.
Selecting a connecting flight typically necessitates a trade-off between price financial savings and journey time. Airways providing connecting itineraries usually current decrease fares. This price benefit, nonetheless, comes on the expense of elevated journey period attributable to layovers and the potential for delays. Vacationers should fastidiously weigh these competing elements when choosing a flight. Understanding the logistical implications of connecting flights, together with layover durations and potential delays, facilitates knowledgeable decision-making and contributes to extra sensible journey expectations. Finally, successfully evaluating these elements empowers vacationers to make decisions aligned with their particular person priorities, whether or not prioritizing time effectivity or price financial savings.
3. Layover Durations
Layover durations signify a pivotal part inside the general journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica, significantly for itineraries involving connecting flights. The period of layovers straight impacts the whole time spent in transit, influencing scheduling choices and general journey expertise. A brief layover, for instance, would possibly contain a fast switch between gates inside the identical airport, including minimal time to the journey. Conversely, an prolonged layover may necessitate navigating a distinct airport, probably involving floor transportation, including a number of hours to the general journey time. As an example, a connecting flight via Miami with a six-hour layover considerably extends the journey in comparison with a shorter layover or a continuous flight.
The strategic choice of layovers can serve varied functions. A quick layover prioritizes minimizing journey time, albeit with a better threat of missed connections attributable to potential delays. Longer layovers, whereas rising general journey time, provide alternatives to relaxation, discover the layover metropolis, or deal with important duties. Moreover, layover period issues typically correlate with ticket pricing. Flights with shorter layovers regularly command larger costs attributable to their time-saving benefits, whereas longer layovers typically coincide with extra economical fares. Successfully evaluating these trade-offs empowers vacationers to pick itineraries aligned with particular person priorities.
Understanding the affect of layover durations on complete journey time permits for sensible planning and expectation administration. Factoring in potential delays, airport switch occasions, and layover actions gives a complete understanding of the general journey timeline. This consciousness equips vacationers to make knowledgeable choices about flight choice, minimizing potential journey disruptions and optimizing the general journey expertise.
4. Airline Variations
Airline variations signify a notable issue influencing flight durations between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Totally different airways make use of various plane varieties, route configurations, and operational procedures, all of which contribute to discrepancies in general journey time. Understanding these variations permits vacationers to make knowledgeable choices aligned with their scheduling wants.
Plane sort considerably impacts flight pace. Some airways make the most of newer, extra fuel-efficient plane able to larger cruising speeds, probably decreasing journey time. Conversely, different airways would possibly function older plane or these designed for shorter routes, leading to longer flight durations. Route choice additionally performs a task. Some airways go for direct routes, minimizing journey time, whereas others would possibly incorporate intermediate stops or much less environment friendly flight paths attributable to operational constraints or community configurations. These route variations can add appreciable time to the general journey. Operational procedures, resembling floor dealing with effectivity and adherence to schedules, can additional affect flight occasions. Airways with streamlined processes have a tendency to reduce delays and keep tighter schedules, contributing to extra predictable journey occasions.
As an example, Airline A would possibly function a continuous flight utilizing a contemporary, fuel-efficient plane, leading to a flight period of roughly 3.5 hours. In distinction, Airline B, providing a connecting flight with an older plane and a much less direct route, would possibly require a complete journey time exceeding 6 hours, together with layover. Recognizing these variations empowers vacationers to pick airways providing flight choices finest suited to their particular person journey preferences and schedule constraints. Cautious consideration of airline-specific factorsaircraft sort, route configuration, and operational proceduresenables vacationers to anticipate potential variations in flight durations and plan accordingly, minimizing potential journey disruptions and optimizing the general journey.
5. Seasonal Modifications
Seasonal modifications exert a substantial affect on flight schedules and availability between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Peak journey seasons usually witness elevated demand, impacting each flight frequency and pricing. Conversely, the low season typically presents fewer flight choices and probably decrease fares. Understanding these seasonal fluctuations is essential for efficient journey planning.
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Peak Season (Dry Season – December to April)
Throughout Costa Rica’s dry season, which coincides with North American winter, Liberia experiences a surge in tourism. This elevated demand typically ends in larger airfares and diminished availability of continuous flights. Reserving properly prematurely is very really helpful throughout this era to safe desired itineraries.
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Shoulder Seasons (Could-June & September-October)
Shoulder seasons provide a stability between nice climate, manageable crowds, and probably extra favorable flight choices. These durations can current alternatives for securing extra reasonably priced fares and experiencing Liberia with fewer vacationers in comparison with the height season.
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Inexperienced Season (Wet Season – July to August & November)
The inexperienced season, characterised by elevated rainfall, usually witnesses decrease demand for flights to Liberia. This era typically presents alternatives for price financial savings on airfare, although vacationers needs to be ready for potential weather-related disruptions and think about the impression of rainfall on out of doors actions.
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Hurricane Season (June to November)
Whereas Liberia is just not straight within the hurricane belt, the broader area is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes throughout this era. Vacationers ought to monitor climate forecasts carefully and think about journey insurance coverage to mitigate potential disruptions. Flight availability and schedules is likely to be affected by extreme climate occasions.
Contemplating differences due to the season when planning journey to Liberia from Houston is important for managing expectations relating to flight availability, pricing, and potential weather-related disruptions. Aligning journey dates with private preferences for climate, crowds, and funds requires a complete understanding of those seasonal nuances. This consciousness facilitates knowledgeable decision-making and contributes to a smoother, extra pleasing journey expertise.
6. Airport Decisions
Airport decisions play a big position in figuring out the general journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Deciding on essentially the most acceptable departure and arrival airports can considerably impression each flight availability and complete journey period. Cautious consideration of airport choices is important for optimizing journey logistics and minimizing potential transit time.
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Departure Airports (Houston)
Whereas George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) serves as the first worldwide airport in Houston, providing essentially the most direct flights to Liberia, various airports like William P. Interest Airport (HOU) would possibly present connecting flight choices. Evaluating potential departure airports based mostly on flight availability, price, and comfort is essential. Departing from a smaller regional airport would possibly necessitate extra connecting flights, probably extending the general journey.
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Arrival Airports (Costa Rica)
Daniel Oduber Quirs Worldwide Airport (LIR) serves Liberia, Costa Rica. Nevertheless, relying on the chosen airline and route, some itineraries would possibly contain connecting flights via Juan Santamara Worldwide Airport (SJO) in San Jos. Whereas SJO provides a wider vary of worldwide connections, arriving there necessitates extra floor transportation to Liberia, including vital time to the general journey. Direct flights to LIR typically provide essentially the most time-efficient journey choice.
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Connecting Airport Issues
For itineraries involving connecting flights, the selection of connecting airport can considerably affect layover period and general journey time. Some connecting airports provide extra environment friendly switch processes and shorter minimal connection occasions, whereas others would possibly require prolonged layovers attributable to airport format or flight schedules. Evaluating connecting airport choices based mostly on layover period, switch effectivity, and potential for delays is important for optimizing journey time.
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Floor Transportation
Contemplating floor transportation choices to and from chosen airports is essential. Journey time to and from airports in Houston and the ultimate vacation spot in Costa Rica needs to be factored into general journey planning. The supply and effectivity of floor transportation optionssuch as taxis, ride-sharing companies, or rental carscan considerably impression complete journey period.
Strategic airport choice is subsequently integral to environment friendly journey planning between Houston and Liberia. Evaluating obtainable choices based mostly on flight availability, connecting airport effectivity, floor transportation logistics, and potential layovers empowers vacationers to optimize their itineraries and reduce general journey time. A complete understanding of those elements contributes to a extra seamless and time-effective journey expertise.
7. Time Zone Distinction
The time zone distinction between Houston, Texas, and Liberia, Costa Rica, performs an important position in precisely calculating and understanding general journey time. Whereas the precise flight period stays fixed no matter time zones, the departure and arrival occasions displayed on itineraries replicate native occasions, necessitating cautious consideration of this distinction to keep away from scheduling conflicts and guarantee correct planning.
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Central Commonplace Time (CST) vs. Costa Rica Commonplace Time (CST)
Houston observes Central Commonplace Time (CST), which is six hours behind Coordinated Common Time (UTC-6) throughout commonplace time and 5 hours behind throughout daylight saving time (CDT). Liberia, however, observes Costa Rica Commonplace Time (CST), which is constantly six hours behind UTC (UTC-6) year-round. Which means that Liberia doesn’t observe daylight saving time.
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Sensible Implications for Journey Planning
A flight departing Houston at 10:00 AM CST throughout commonplace time would arrive in Liberia at 10:00 AM CST, regardless of a flight period of a number of hours. This seemingly instantaneous arrival displays the time zone distinction. Throughout daylight saving time in Houston, a ten:00 AM CDT departure would translate to an 11:00 AM CST arrival in Liberia. Understanding this shift is important for coordinating floor transportation, resort check-ins, and different scheduled actions upon arrival.
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Adjusting to the Time Distinction
The time distinction may impression vacationers’ physiological changes upon arrival. A shorter flight period westward minimizes the preliminary impression of jet lag, whereas longer journeys would possibly require extra time for acclimatization. Planning for relaxation upon arrival or adjusting sleep schedules previous to departure can mitigate the results of the time change.
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Scheduling Issues
The constant time distinction simplifies scheduling issues for vacationers between Houston and Liberia. In contrast to locations with various daylight saving practices, the mounted six-hour distinction facilitates easy time conversions and eliminates the necessity for advanced changes all year long.
Due to this fact, factoring the time zone distinction into journey calculations gives a extra sensible understanding of arrival occasions and facilitates correct scheduling of post-flight actions. This consciousness contributes to a smoother journey expertise by minimizing potential confusion and permitting vacationers to successfully handle their time upon arrival in Liberia.
8. Potential Delays
Potential delays signify a important issue influencing general journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Whereas scheduled flight occasions present a baseline, varied unexpected circumstances can disrupt journey plans, extending the whole journey period. Understanding these potential delays and their implications permits for extra sensible planning and proactive mitigation methods.
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Climate-Associated Disruptions
Climate situations in each Houston and Liberia can considerably impression flight schedules. Inclement climate, resembling thunderstorms, fog, or hurricanes, can result in flight cancellations or delays. As an example, a hurricane impacting Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirs Worldwide Airport may floor flights, stranding vacationers and necessitating rebooking, probably including days to the meant journey time. Equally, extreme winter climate in Houston may delay departures, impacting connecting flights and general arrival occasions in Liberia.
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Air Site visitors Congestion
Air site visitors congestion, significantly at main hub airports, can result in departure delays. A flight scheduled to depart Houston throughout peak hours would possibly expertise delays attributable to air site visitors management restrictions or runway availability. These delays, whereas typically minimal, can have cascading results on connecting flights and general journey time to Liberia. Moreover, congestion on the arrival airport in Liberia, although much less frequent, may contribute to delayed landings and prolonged journey durations.
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Mechanical Points
Mechanical points with plane may cause surprising delays or cancellations. Previous to departure, a mechanical downside would possibly necessitate repairs, delaying the flight or requiring a change of plane. In-flight mechanical points can divert flights to alternate airports, inflicting vital disruptions and increasing the whole journey time to Liberia. Whereas airways try to reduce such disruptions, mechanical points stay an inherent threat in air journey.
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Safety or Customs Delays
Safety or customs procedures at each departure and arrival airports can contribute to unexpected delays. Enhanced safety screenings or surprising customs inspections can lengthen the time spent in airports, impacting departure occasions or delaying entry into Liberia. Whereas these procedures are important for security and safety, they signify a possible supply of journey delays that needs to be factored into planning.
Incorporating potential delays into journey planning permits for the event of contingency plans and mitigates the impression of disruptions on general journey time to Liberia. Methods resembling reserving flights with ample connection occasions, permitting for buffer time in itineraries, and monitoring climate forecasts can reduce disruptions. Whereas unexpected circumstances can not at all times be averted, anticipating potential delays permits for extra sensible expectations and facilitates a smoother, much less demanding journey expertise.
9. Total Journey Time
Total journey time encompasses extra than simply the flight time from Houston to Liberia, Costa Rica. It represents the whole period from leaving one’s level of origin in Houston to arriving on the ultimate vacation spot in Liberia, factoring in a number of variables that stretch past the time spent within the air. This holistic perspective is essential for correct planning and sensible expectations.
A number of elements contribute to the discrepancy between flight time and general journey time. Pre-flight procedures, resembling airport check-in, safety screenings, and baggage drop-off, can devour a big period of time, significantly throughout peak journey durations. For instance, navigating a busy Houston airport throughout vacation season may simply add two or extra hours to the general journey. Equally, post-flight procedures, together with immigration, baggage declare, and customs clearance in Liberia, contribute to the whole time. Floor transportation to and from airports, whether or not by taxi, ride-sharing service, or rental automotive, additional extends the period. As an example, journey from a Houston suburb to the airport, mixed with transportation from Liberia’s airport to a ultimate vacation spot like Tamarindo, may add a number of hours to the general journey time. Connecting flights introduce extra complexities, with layover durations, potential delays, and airport switch occasions considerably impacting the general journey. A two-hour layover in Miami, whereas seemingly temporary, provides significantly to the whole journey time in comparison with a continuous flight.
Understanding the excellence between flight time and general journey time is important for sensible planning. Focusing solely on the scheduled flight period can result in underestimations and logistical challenges upon arrival. Incorporating pre and post-flight procedures, floor transportation, and potential delays into journey calculations gives a extra correct evaluation of the whole time dedication. This complete understanding empowers vacationers to create sensible itineraries, reduce potential disruptions, and handle expectations successfully, in the end contributing to a smoother and extra pleasing journey expertise.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
This part addresses frequent inquiries relating to journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica, providing concise and informative responses to facilitate efficient journey planning.
Query 1: What’s the shortest potential journey time between Houston and Liberia?
Continuous flights usually provide the quickest journey choice, with scheduled flight occasions starting from roughly three and a half to 4 hours. Nevertheless, general journey time ought to account for airport procedures and floor transportation.
Query 2: How do connecting flights impression general journey time?
Connecting flights introduce layovers, extending the general journey. Layover durations range considerably, including a number of hours to the whole journey time. Potential delays additional complicate scheduling and needs to be thought of.
Query 3: How do seasonal modifications have an effect on flight schedules and availability?
Peak journey seasons, coinciding with Costa Rica’s dry season (December to April), usually see elevated flight frequency but additionally larger fares and diminished availability. The inexperienced (wet) season (Could-June & September-October) and low season would possibly provide decrease fares however with fewer flight choices.
Query 4: What position do airport decisions play in general journey time?
Deciding on departure and arrival airports influences journey logistics. Departing from smaller airports or arriving at airports requiring vital floor transportation to the ultimate vacation spot provides to the general journey time. Direct flights to Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirs Worldwide Airport (LIR) usually provide essentially the most environment friendly choice.
Query 5: How does the time zone distinction have an effect on journey planning?
Liberia observes Costa Rica Commonplace Time (CST, UTC-6) year-round, whereas Houston observes Central Commonplace Time (CST/CDT), leading to a constant time distinction. A flight departing Houston at 10:00 AM CST arrives in Liberia at 10:00 AM CST. Accounting for this distinction is essential for scheduling post-arrival actions.
Query 6: What are frequent causes of flight delays on this route?
Climate situations in Houston or Liberia, air site visitors congestion, mechanical points, and safety or customs delays can all contribute to flight disruptions and lengthen general journey time. Contemplating these potential delays is essential for sensible planning.
Understanding these key features of journey time facilitates knowledgeable decision-making and ensures a smoother journey expertise between Houston and Liberia. Correct planning, incorporating potential delays and logistical issues, contributes to a extra pleasing journey.
For additional info and particular flight particulars, consulting on-line journey companies or contacting airways straight is really helpful.
Suggestions for Planning Journey from Houston to Liberia, Costa Rica
Environment friendly journey planning hinges on understanding key elements influencing general journey time. The following pointers present priceless insights for optimizing itineraries and guaranteeing a smoother journey between Houston and Liberia.
Tip 1: E book Flights in Advance, Particularly Throughout Peak Season: Securing flights properly prematurely, significantly throughout Costa Rica’s dry season (December to April), provides larger selection and probably higher fares. Final-minute bookings typically lead to restricted availability and premium pricing.
Tip 2: Contemplate the Commerce-offs Between Non-Cease and Connecting Flights: Whereas continuous flights reduce journey time, connecting flights would possibly provide price financial savings. Evaluating this trade-off based mostly on particular person prioritiestime versus budgetis essential.
Tip 3: Consider Layover Durations Realistically: Ample layover time is important for navigating connecting airports and minimizing the danger of missed connections attributable to potential delays. Overly quick layovers can introduce pointless stress.
Tip 4: Analysis Airline-Particular Flight Durations and Routes: Totally different airways make the most of various plane and routes, impacting flight occasions. Researching these variations beforehand permits for knowledgeable decisions aligning with schedule preferences.
Tip 5: Account for Time Zone Variations: Liberia observes a constant time distinction from Houston. Factoring this into planning ensures correct scheduling of post-arrival actions and facilitates easy transitions.
Tip 6: Monitor Climate Forecasts and Plan for Potential Delays: Climate situations in each Houston and Liberia can disrupt flights. Staying knowledgeable about climate patterns and incorporating buffer time into itineraries mitigates the impression of potential delays.
Tip 7: Contemplate Floor Transportation Time: Journey time to and from airports in Houston and inside Costa Rica contributes considerably to the general journey. Factoring these durations into planning ensures sensible expectations.
Tip 8: Discover Journey Insurance coverage Choices: Journey insurance coverage can present priceless safety in opposition to unexpected circumstances like flight cancellations, medical emergencies, or misplaced baggage, mitigating potential monetary losses and journey disruptions.
By implementing the following pointers, vacationers can optimize their itineraries, reduce potential disruptions, and guarantee a extra environment friendly and pleasing journey between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Knowledgeable planning and proactive consideration of key elements contribute considerably to a constructive journey expertise.
The next conclusion summarizes key takeaways and provides ultimate suggestions for optimizing journey plans.
Conclusion
Journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica, represents a multifaceted idea encompassing extra than simply scheduled flight durations. Elements resembling airline decisions, connecting flights, layover durations, differences due to the season, airport choices, potential delays, and floor transportation considerably affect general journey time. Continuous flights provide the quickest choice, usually ranging between three and a half to 4 hours, whereas connecting itineraries introduce layovers, probably extending journey by a number of hours. Peak journey seasons typically coincide with larger fares and diminished availability, necessitating advance reserving. Strategic airport decisions, contemplating each departure and arrival areas, can optimize journey logistics. Moreover, understanding the constant time zone distinction between Houston and Liberia is essential for correct scheduling. Potential delays attributable to climate, air site visitors, mechanical points, or safety procedures necessitate sensible planning and contingency measures. Lastly, factoring floor transportation to and from airports in each areas gives a complete understanding of general journey time.
Efficient journey planning requires a holistic method, contemplating all contributing elements to make sure correct time estimations and reduce potential disruptions. Cautious analysis of those components empowers vacationers to make knowledgeable choices, aligning journey decisions with particular person preferences and schedules. Finally, a complete understanding of journey time dynamics facilitates a smoother, extra environment friendly, and pleasing journey between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica.
