In my post Are frequent flyer miles becoming worthless? I’ve mentioned that I tend to apply for mileage bonuses (US-based programs) without a specific goal in mind. The idea is, even if they devalue, I should still get 1 cent apiece at some point in the future. At least that’s the hope. Naturally, it’s not […]

Recently I’ve wrapped up my three-part trip report on visiting Costa Rica with kids over Labor Day. In the introduction I’ve promised to do a deep dive into hidden $ costs of our adventure, and I’m not talking about out-of-pocket expenses, like food and sightseeing. This was a classic case of a “free” trip, where […]

Costa Rica with kids: Using Hyatt points on Andaz and Rio Perdido resorts Andaz Costa Rica Resort: the good, the bad and the terrifying  Update: this property no longer partners with Hyatt, but can be booked with Hilton points and certificates instead. In my recent post about our trip to the island of Saba I’ve […]

Costa Rica with kids: Using Hyatt points on Andaz and Rio Perdido resorts  Andaz Costa Rica Resort: the good, the bad and the terrifying (this post) How do you critique a resort that is almost perfect? Because Andaz Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo  is that kind of a place. So, before I start nitpicking, let […]

I fell in love with Costa Rica last year when my husband and I visited the country for the first time. I can honestly see why so many Americans choose to retire there. Beautiful landscapes, varied wildlife and most importantly, super friendly people. I’ve never felt so welcome as a visitor and no, it wasn’t […]

Forget everything you’ve heard about the Caribbean. Saba island is different. This isn’t good or bad, it’s just the way it is. There are no true beaches to speak of, and it looks more like Kauai than a nearby island of St. Maarten. Reportedly, Saba was the inspiration behind Skull island from 1933 “King Kong” […]