Military-Style Winter Tents With Wood Stove: Dependable Comfort For Cold-Weather Camping

BY  Subham Saha Oct 11, 2021

The lush wilderness, untouched by the hyper modernization, has a bewitching charm to it. The breathtaking scenery, the heavenly water bodies, and the canopy of rainforest all paint a mesmerizing picture, and they all speak about the splendors of Costa Rica. However, despite the serenity and soulful vibe in the country, the question of “Is Costa Rica safe for traveling?” refuses to go away.   There is no denying that amidst the simplicity of life lies the risks of petty and sometimes severe crimes. In fact, the government of the USA and the Canadian Government have created detailed safety guidelines for traveling to Costa Rica.  Here, I will talk about the major safety concerns in the country and the tips to avoid them.   Is Costa Rica Safe for Traveling?  Is Costa Rica Safe for traveling? As mentioned, keep in mind the intimidating crime rate that is looming in the country. Despite the best efforts of the government and additional safety measures in tourist spots, the homicide rate in Costa Rica has seen around 40% rise in 2023.  As a Latin American country, Costa Rica is also taking proactive measures to fight drug consumption and related activities.   However, it’s great that Rodrigo Chaves, the Costa Rica President, has taken El Salvador as a reference and has introduced strict legislation to fight crime in the country.    Having said that, the tourism industry is getting a major lash due to the rise of crimes in the country. Even the smallest incidents affecting the local communities are making the travelers concerned. They are now skeptical about what to end and where to roam around. So, there are a lot of self-imposed restrictions on the things to do in Costa Rica due to rising criminal activities in the country.   So, the bottom line is that despite being a favorite destination for tourists across the globe, Costa Rica today is struggling to maintain a delightful picture in tourism.   Is Costa Rica Safe for Women?   Yes, Costa Rica is safe for women. Even during rising crimes, the country remains a safe place for women as the crimes occurring there are not gender specific.   In fact, the well-known Solo Female Travelers Club has termed Costa Rica one of the safest countries for women who want to go on a solo trip.   Further, the Costa Rican Tourism Board, along with the National Institute of Women and the National Tourism Security Commission, has started a program to establish “gender equality in the tourism industry.” This program called “RED SOFIA” wants to establish a safe space for women solo travelers in Costa Rica and end violence against women travelers.   Is It Safe to Drink Water in Costa Rica?  Now, it depends. If you are in the city, tap water is safe to drink. However, the more you move towards the Caribbean and are closer to the ocean, the better it is to stick to bottled water.   Tourism is crucial for Costa Rica's economy. So, the government is very particular about ensuring the safety of the tourists. In San Jose and other urban areas, you will get clear water from the taps, and the water is filtered multiple times before it reaches you.   However, if you have a sensitive stomach, you may have problems drinking tap water in some parts of Costa Rica. Water in some areas may be rich in chlorine and minerals. The water here does not have fluoride, and it’s hard.   If you are concerned about the quality of water, it is better to drink bottled water. You will usually get a 300 ml (about 10.14 oz) bottled water for $1 here. Further, if you need to spend a longer span in the country and drink water from the same source every day, you must check the source and buy a water filter when needed.   Some Basic Tips to Remain Safe While Traveling   Some of the major dangers you will face as a tourist in Costa Rica are common muggers, petty thefts, and car breakers. Now, a car is not something you will be traveling with. So, there is no chance of a break.   To avoid theft and muggers, carry simple weapons like pepper spray, and it is best not to travel with any valuables like jewelry or gold. Keep a vigilant look at all your electronics, as you won’t be able to travel without them. Stay safe!  Costa Rica’s dangers regarding nature are earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. But there are very few chances of you experiencing such disasters.   What Should I Avoid in Costa Rica?  Rather than asking, ‘is Costa Rica safe for traveling?’ You should better be prepared with the question asked above.   Again, no valuables.   Don’t visit the braces at night. Crime rates are high with the area and the time.   Do not buy drugs in Costa Rica. Even avoid marijuana.   Swim near the shore to avoid ripping tides.   Avoid a dip in the river to avoid deadly creatures like crocodiles and bull sharks. They are also not the cleanest place.   Don’t stay out in the sun for too long. Your tan will look more like a burn.   What Part of Costa Rica Is Safest?   If you constantly ask, ‘Is Costa Rica safe for traveling,’ you must know about the safer places in the country.   Puerto Viejo, Drake Bay, and Tamarindo are some of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for safety. They have the lowest crime rate.   Bon Voyage!  Is Costa Rica safe for traveling? This question will keep going until the alarming concerns about crime are resolved. However, the initiative of the Costa Rican government to take additional safety measures in the tourist spots and initiatives about introducing stricter legislation look like the silver linings.  Having said that, even if you are smitten by the beauty of Costa Rica and want to explore it, you must follow the safety tips and guidelines mentioned here. I hope you have a safe and satisfying experience there. Happy and safe traveling! Read More: How Safe Is Morocco For Travel In 2021? Is japan Really A Expensive place? 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BY  Sibashree Nov 29, 2024

When it comes to family vacations in the USA, San Francisco will, of course, be among the toppers. The museums, cultural hotspots, and a lot of green space make it ideal for tourists of all ages.  So, naturally, the San Francisco Travel Association is expecting a decent growth in the number of visitors and tourism revenue in 2024. The association expects a footfall of 23.22 million in 2024, which will record a revenue of $9.24 billion. Further, San Francisco is a cool place if you want to go on a family vacation or spend holidays with your little ones. San Francisco is also great as a weekend getaway from other parts of the country.  However, chalking out the perfect travel plan for kids is always difficult. So, I thought of sharing a 48-hour itinerary of things to do in San Francisco with kids.  Things To Do In San Francisco With Kids In 48 Hours  You need a proper plan in place to maximize your 48 hours in San Francisco with kids. Here are the places you can cover during your two days of stay in the city. Day 1: Things To Do In San Francisco With Kids  Take an early flight to San Francisco irrespective of the corner you are traveling from. Union Square has many hotels, and you can take a cab from the airport to reach the place you will be staying.  However, don’t waste much of your time checking in or the formalities. Ideally, you should check in, grab a quick bite, keep your luggage in the hotel room, and get yourselves and the backpack ready for the city exploration. There are a lot of things to see, and these are the things to do in San Francisco on day 1 of your visit.  1. Visit The Union Square Union Square in San Francisco bears a rich history associated with the American Civil War. It is the place where pro-Union rallies used to grace the roads.  The bright lights and big shops have a vibe similar to Times Square in New York. However, it is much more low-key with less crowd. So it is manageable for kids.  Here, you can explore shops like Bloomingdale, Macy’s, and Sak’s Fifth Avenue. Moreover, Union Square gives you easy access to the cable lines of San Francisco.  The Union Square Gets Ready For ChristmasMacy’s 35th Annual Christmas tree lighting at Union Square has announced the arrival of Christmas in San Francisco. The  85-foot-tall artificial Christmas tree has been a big draw to Macy’s signature store and Union Square. “It attracts people to come to San Francisco. The mayor was here and this starts the holiday season, the shopping, it brings families here. It’s a good time where everyone can feel, ‘Hey, Christmas is coming!”Lt. Mariano Elias, Public Information Officer, San Francisco Fire Department 2. Enjoy Cable Car Rides Trying cable car rides is one of the best things to do in San Francisco with kids. Along with the fun, the cable car ride is also a great way to avoid expensive car rentals while exploring the city.  The cable cars move up and down steep hills. So, the ride is thrilling, and the route covers many major attractions in San Francisco.  You can choose from three lines to enjoy a cable car ride in San Francisco. Cable LinePickup FromCalifornia LineMarket Streets or CaliforniaPowell MasonPowell Street Cable Car turnaround off, Market Street, Union SquarePowell HydePowell Street Cable Car turnaround All these lines also cover major attractions in the city like Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Nob Hill, Chinatown, etc.  3. Visit Boudin Museum Your little one and you will need some quick bites after the cable car ride. Boudin Museum and Bakery will be your go-to place.  The sandwiches and soups here are excellent. However, exploring the bakery and the small museum is more fun here. You will watch expert chefs making bread and the crafting of sourdough in the shape of bears and other animals.  5. Visit Fisherman’s Wharf  You can conclude your day 1 in San Francisco with a visit to the Fisherman’s Wharf. It is a fun neighborhood with street performers and activities for your kids.  Some hotspots for children at Fisherman’s Wharf are: Umbrella Alley  Musée Mécanique Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Sea Lion “Sealebrities” PIER 39 Fisherman’s Wharf also has the Madame Tussauds’ Wax Museum. But it has closed its operations since 3rd August, 2024. Further, once your kids are done exploring Fisherman’s Wharf, you can take them to Ben & Jerry’s at the Argonaut to have the best ice cream. It remains open every day from 10 AM to 11 PM, and it will cost you around $5 per serving.  If your kid is more up for something savory, take them to The Codmother Fish & Chips on 496 Beach Street. It welcomes guests from 11:30 AM to 7 PM, except Wednesdays. Here, the pocket-pinch will be around $10-20 per meal.  Day 2: Things To Do In San Francisco With Kids In 48 Hours  You really need to make an early start to your day to make the most of your day 2 in San Francisco. On day 2, our focus is on the Palace of Fine Arts, Presidio, and Alcatraz. 5. A Visit To Alcatraz Your day 2 will begin with an “Early Bird Tour of Alcatraz.” You will start at 8:45 AM from Pier 33.  Alcatraz is the Spanish translation of the word “Pelican,” the first dwellers of the Rocky Island. However, Alcatraz is more famous (notorious) for housing Alcatraz Prison, one of the most notorious in the history of America. So, today, Alcatraz is a popular spot for dark tourism. George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Al Capone are the two most renowned captives of the Alcatraz Prison.  6. A Visit To The Palace of Fine Arts – Presidio The Palace of Fine Arts is one of the most beautiful historical monuments of San Francisco. The Greco-Roman rotunda is a striking feature of the Palace of Fine Arts. You will also love the arches, gigantic columns, and sculptures here.  If you still have time left for your flight and you want to try more things to do in San Francisco with kids, visit the Aquarium of the Bay, the Sea Lions at K-Dock, and the USS Pampanito. Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Top 13+ Famous Wonders Of India That You Must Visit [Updated 2024] Top Tips For Motorbike Rental In Phuket – A Guide To Exploring The Island On Two Wheels.

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 5, 2023

For the longest time, Air Canada and WestJet have been dominating the Canadian airline industry, which has led to the prevalence of high airfare. However, with the emergence of new contenders, things are finally changing. Flair Airlines is one such competitor of the legacy airlines that have a strong hold on the Canadian Airline industry. It is a low-cost carrier that has been expanding its operations during the pandemic to include U.S. travel hotspots like Arizona, Florida, California, and Nevada, continuing to operate on an extensive Canadian route network that covers most major cities in the country. Here is my brief take on the Flair Airlines experience I had. Keep reading because this is going to be very useful. My Experience Of Flair Airlines Image Source: assets.bwbx.io Here is a first-hand experience or a Flair Airlines review of the recent travel I had flying from Toronto to Montreal. Read on to know if it was worth it. Booking Image Source: thepointsguy.global.ssl.fastly.net I booked my flight on Google Flights, searching for the cheapest flight from Toronto to Montreal. On my date of flight, both Flair and Air Canada had early morning flights, and yet Flair was priced at half of the Air Canada ticket. There was, of course, the added benefit of a full-size carry-on bag but even on a standard fee, Air Canada would be charging for seat selection. Flair is a solid selection if you are traveling light, even if it includes seat selection. The Flair Airlines baggage policy is a little icky if you are traveling heavy instead. A one-way flight on December 15 via Flair costs 40. Whereas WestJet’s and Air Canada’s cheapest flights are $135. I had to pay a minimum of $7.90 for seat selection. Check-in Image Source: thepointsguy.global.ssl.fastly.net It was a simple experience checking in at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. All of Flair’s Toronto flights depart from Terminal 3, so that is where I did my check-in. Flair has a few baggage drops and check-in counters located in the center of the terminal. Ground Experience Image Source: thepointsguy.global.ssl.fastly.net My flight was supposed to depart from Gate B38. I cleared my security in under 10 minutes. The airport was mostly empty, given the wee hours we were departing (7:30 a.m.) There were some shops open despite the timings, so I got a coffee and yogurt from Starbucks and sat away from the crowd for some uninterrupted breakfast. Flair does not have its own lounges. Cabins And Seats Image Source: thepointsguy.global.ssl.fastly.net The flight was one of Flair’s three 737-800 (read tiny) aircraft. The airline operates with economy-only cabins suited for its ultra-low-cost carrier. The interiors were nondescript and spotless. It is simply designed without any frills like over or seatback displays. The flight was made with the intention of taking a passenger from point A to point B. The seats were comfy enough at the cost I paid. They did not recline, but they were not as slim as other similar carriers in the U.S. The extra padding on the seats helped ease the other small space. The leg room was commendably larger than its other similarly ranged carriers. It also had a full-size tray that could easily fit a 16-inch Macbook Pro. Spirit Airlines offers only a small drink tray. Flair Airlines Amenities Image Source: thepointsguy.global.ssl.fastly.net There are no inflight amenities or entertainment. There is no wifi, streaming services, or outlets on the 737-800. Keeping that in mind, have your devices on a full charge and make sure to get a window seat to keep yourself entertained for these otherwise short flights. The food and beverage services could get you to pay $2.75 for a soda and $5.50 for a Molson beer. A coffee would cost $2.35. All that after currency conversion. My Verdict Image Source: runwaygirlnetwork.com I did not have much qualms about flying with Flair. It was a regular journey from one place to another. The airline’s internet service is also set to launch soon so that too can be an attraction for travelers. Flair’s rapid expansion is on its way to breaking through the expensive air carrier industry with its budget-friendly approach. Flair Airlines Tripadvisor Reviews Image Source: media.flyflair.com I told you what I felt from my experience. But if you want to know what others are saying about Flair Airlines, here are some of the Flair Airlines reviews left by real flyers on Tripadvisor. In case you are asking yourself, “Is Flair Airlines good” or “Is Flair Airlines safe,” here are all your answers: "My mom and I traveled to edmonton in the beginning of July to a convention, it was my first time on plane and was understandably nervous. The folks when I arrived at the gate was friendly and welcomed us! Everything was on time and found our seats okay, we will definitely upgrade next time but being it was only an hour 1/2 flight it was fine. If you are flying and bringing more than 1 bag and carry on, one thing I recommend to save $ is to purchase a package online and pre book. It's the one thing I wish I knew before hand. Otherwise baggage is pricey. Coming back from Edmonton it was a great experience too! Given the option I will choose Flair again to travel within Canada. Prices are good and the staff are very friendly. Even better, our flights to and from were 10 minutes early. So bonus!" Ashley P "After reading some questionable reviews about Flair i was convinced i was not going to have a good experience. I am blown away by the level of kindness and overall attentiveness of the flight attendants, along with the customer service i had received over the phone. Had bought our seats prior to both flights and we had no problems with keeping those seats unlike some other airlines that tend to mess that up every time. I highly recommend this airline to everyone and will gladly be returning!" Stefanie b "I am tired of people complaining in this industry. Covid changed many things, but I am grateful to travel again. We took a family trip out to Vancouver Island with Flair. Captain Tyler McDermot was wonderful and after the flight, I was invited for a picture with him. The crew were wonderful, check in was quick and our flight on time. Great job Flair!!!" Gail G "Booked online and purchased carryon only. Checked in online to avoid paying checkin fee at airport. Downloaded movies and brought my own snacks. People need to realize that Flair base prices only include your seat. Their website clearly states all extra costs. It would be great if Flair continues their Windsor to BC route throughout the whole year. I booked taking a chance, after reading all of the negative reviews about cancelling, I guess I was one of the lucky ones. It's nice to have a direct flight to BC from Windsor and avoid paying three times more, with other airlines and having connections, at either Pearson or Metro.” monicahumenny Wrapping Up Have you taken a Flair flight recently? How was your experience? Do you like how budget-friendly it is? Or do you feel like they could add something more to their services? If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Read Also: This Is My Experience With Eva Air! This Is What I Felt About Aruba Airlines! Fly In Style: Your Ultimate Guide To Lot Polish Airlines Adventures! Journey To The Skies: Exploring The Legacy Of Northwest Airlines!