Boston To Costa Rica: $330

Here’s a pleasantly low fare between Boston and San Jose, Costa Rica: $330. I’d even call it astonishing if I hadn’t seen a fare of $275 just a couple of months ago.

That’s round-trip, with all taxes and fees included, by the way.

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Starwood Hotels Sale Ends March 31

Starwood hotels is offering a sale of up to 25 percent off at almost all its hotels and resorts worldwide for stays through May 31, 2010, but the discount is considerably less in some cases.

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Southwest’s Philadelphia Sale Ends Thursday

Southwest is having a sale on flights to and from Philadelphia, with one-way fares set at $30, $60 and $90, depending on the distance.

The fares apply to travel between April 6 and May 26, 2010 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays only.  You must buy tickets before 11:59 p.m PDT, on Thursday, March 18, 2010. 

The sale doesn’t apply to all of Southwest’s destinations. Most Northeast airports, including Bradley, seem to be excluded. Fares don’t include taxes and fees. A round-trip from San Diego, for example, comes to $220, with everything included.

When comparing fares, remember that Southwest will let you check two bags at no additional cost.

Aer Lingus Europe Sale Ends Monday

If you’re planning a trip to Europe during the peak summer months, have a look at the fares now being offered by Aer Lingus.

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Democracy In The Security Line

Passing through airport security in San Diego recently I saw something that made me wonder about how the principles of democracy are applied in airport screening.

There was a separate line for first-class passengers that allowed them to walk right up to the screeners while hundreds of people waited in the general line.

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Third Song Released In United Breaks Guitars Series

Canadian country singer Dave Carroll has come out with his third and final song on the subject of United Airlines breaking his guitar. His message: I’m not angry at United any more, but lots of other people are.

I liked the first song and video best, especially the scene with the chalk outline around the guitar, but this one is fun.

The Living Desert: Good Fun, Great Price

Bighorn sheep at The Living Desert.

The Living Desert in Palm Springs could charge the $12.50 admission for each of its three attractions: zoo, botanical gardens or model train display.

But you have to pay only once for all three. It’s a pretty good deal and a nice way to round out a trip to swinging Palm Springs.

Besides, it’s only $11 per person with the discount for seniors, AAA members and military personnel. Admission is $7.50 for children 12 and under, and free for children 3 and younger.

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Get Compensated When Hotels Fail To Deliver

Did you ever check into a hotel only to find the pool closed or some other amenity unavailable?

It has happened to me, many times. Usually, if it’s temporary, I just deal with the disappointment. But there are times when it’s appropriate to complain, and even to ask for some kind of compensation.

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Cheap Fun Around Honolulu

View from Diamond Head.

$5.50 – $6 Climb Diamond Head. Admission is $1 per person and you can take the bus for $2.25 each way or pay $5 to park a car. Then you have to climb rather a lot (though I’ve seen grandmothers do it, and small children in flip-flops) for a spectacular view of Honolulu.

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Milwaukee From $168, Round Trip

Got any peeps in Milwaukee? If you have any interest in visiting the city, now might be a good time to book.

If you’re flexible about travel dates, there are round-trip fares from Bradley as low as $128, coming out to $168 with taxes and fees, from Delta, Midwest and American. Many other cities around the Northeast have similar fares.

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