The length of a journey by air between Houston, Texas, and Liberia, Costa Rica, is influenced by a number of components. These embody the chosen airline, the presence of layovers, particular routes, wind situations, and air visitors. Continuous flights typically supply the quickest journey possibility, whereas flights involving a number of stops naturally lengthen the general journey length. Vacationers could discover vital variations in total journey time relying on the particular 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 below tight schedules and leisure vacationers aiming to maximise their trip time. Traditionally, developments in aviation expertise and evolving flight routes have influenced journey instances between these two locations.
Additional exploration of this matter may embody 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 characterize a major issue influencing the general journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Selecting a continuous possibility typically minimizes journey length in comparison with itineraries involving connecting flights and layovers. Analyzing the specifics of continuous flight choices gives helpful insights for vacationers prioritizing time effectivity.
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Scheduled Flight Period
Continuous flights sometimes vary between three and a half to 4 hours. This represents the quickest journey possibility, excluding time spent in airports for check-in, safety, and baggage declare. Precise flight instances could differ barely relying on the airline and particular flight path.
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Airline Availability
A number of airways supply continuous service between Houston (IAH, sometimes) 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 Concerns
Continuous flights generally command a premium worth 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 value 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 components like value and airline desire play a task, understanding the time-saving benefits of continuous service empowers vacationers to prioritize their wants and make knowledgeable selections.
2. Connecting Flights
Connecting flights characterize a major issue influencing total journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Whereas they typically current a extra economical different to continuous routes, connecting flights introduce further complexities and issues relating to whole journey length. 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 differ significantly, starting from transient connections of below an hour to prolonged stays exceeding a number of hours. Every layover provides to the general journey time, requiring vacationers to think about potential delays, airport navigation time, and any vital procedures like baggage re-checking. For instance, a flight routing by Atlanta may contain a two-hour layover, extending the whole journey time considerably in comparison with a continuous possibility. Moreover, connecting flights introduce the opportunity of missed connections attributable to unexpected delays. A delayed preliminary flight may result in a missed connecting flight, necessitating rebooking and doubtlessly including substantial delays to arrival in Liberia.
Selecting a connecting flight typically necessitates a trade-off between value financial savings and journey time. Airways providing connecting itineraries sometimes current decrease fares. This value benefit, nevertheless, comes on the expense of elevated journey length attributable to layovers and the potential for delays. Vacationers should fastidiously weigh these competing components 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 real looking journey expectations. Finally, successfully evaluating these components empowers vacationers to make decisions aligned with their particular person priorities, whether or not prioritizing time effectivity or value financial savings.
3. Layover Durations
Layover durations characterize a pivotal part inside the total journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica, significantly for itineraries involving connecting flights. The length of layovers instantly impacts the whole time spent in transit, influencing scheduling selections and total journey expertise. A brief layover, for instance, may contain a fast switch between gates inside the identical airport, including minimal time to the journey. Conversely, an prolonged layover may necessitate navigating a unique airport, doubtlessly involving floor transportation, including a number of hours to the general journey time. As an illustration, a connecting flight by Miami with a six-hour layover considerably extends the journey in comparison with a shorter layover or a continuous flight.
The strategic number of layovers can serve varied functions. A quick layover prioritizes minimizing journey time, albeit with the next danger of missed connections attributable to potential delays. Longer layovers, whereas growing total journey time, supply alternatives to relaxation, discover the layover metropolis, or deal with important duties. Moreover, layover length issues typically correlate with ticket pricing. Flights with shorter layovers incessantly command increased costs attributable to their time-saving benefits, whereas longer layovers generally 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 whole journey time permits for real looking planning and expectation administration. Factoring in potential delays, airport switch instances, and layover actions gives a complete understanding of the general journey timeline. This consciousness equips vacationers to make knowledgeable selections about flight choice, minimizing potential journey disruptions and optimizing the general journey expertise.
4. Airline Variations
Airline variations characterize a notable issue influencing flight durations between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Completely different airways make use of various plane varieties, route configurations, and operational procedures, all of which contribute to discrepancies in total journey time. Understanding these variations permits vacationers to make knowledgeable selections aligned with their scheduling wants.
Plane sort considerably impacts flight velocity. Some airways make the most of newer, extra fuel-efficient plane able to increased cruising speeds, doubtlessly decreasing journey time. Conversely, different airways may 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 may 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, reminiscent of floor dealing with effectivity and adherence to schedules, can additional affect flight instances. Airways with streamlined processes have a tendency to reduce delays and keep tighter schedules, contributing to extra predictable journey instances.
As an illustration, Airline A may function a continuous flight utilizing a contemporary, fuel-efficient plane, leading to a flight length of roughly 3.5 hours. In distinction, Airline B, providing a connecting flight with an older plane and a much less direct route, may 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 Adjustments
Seasonal adjustments exert a substantial affect on flight schedules and availability between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Peak journey seasons sometimes witness elevated demand, impacting each flight frequency and pricing. Conversely, the low season typically presents fewer flight choices and doubtlessly 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 increased airfares and lowered availability of continuous flights. Reserving nicely prematurely is extremely really helpful throughout this era to safe desired itineraries.
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Shoulder Seasons (Might-June & September-October)
Shoulder seasons supply a stability between nice climate, manageable crowds, and doubtlessly extra favorable flight choices. These durations can current alternatives for securing extra inexpensive 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, sometimes witnesses decrease demand for flights to Liberia. This era typically presents alternatives for value financial savings on airfare, although vacationers ought to be ready for potential weather-related disruptions and think about the impression of rainfall on outside actions.
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Hurricane Season (June to November)
Whereas Liberia isn’t instantly within the hurricane belt, the broader area is vulnerable 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 could 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 major function in figuring out the general journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Deciding on essentially the most applicable departure and arrival airports can considerably impression each flight availability and whole journey length. 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, different airports like William P. Pastime Airport (HOU) may present connecting flight choices. Evaluating potential departure airports primarily based on flight availability, value, and comfort is essential. Departing from a smaller regional airport may necessitate further connecting flights, doubtlessly 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 may contain connecting flights by Juan Santamara Worldwide Airport (SJO) in San Jos. Whereas SJO gives a wider vary of worldwide connections, arriving there necessitates further floor transportation to Liberia, including vital time to the general journey. Direct flights to LIR typically supply essentially the most time-efficient journey possibility.
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Connecting Airport Concerns
For itineraries involving connecting flights, the selection of connecting airport can considerably affect layover length and total journey time. Some connecting airports supply extra environment friendly switch processes and shorter minimal connection instances, whereas others may require prolonged layovers attributable to airport structure or flight schedules. Evaluating connecting airport choices primarily based on layover length, 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 ought to be factored into total journey planning. The provision and effectivity of floor transportation optionssuch as taxis, ride-sharing providers, or rental carscan considerably impression whole journey length.
Strategic airport choice is subsequently integral to environment friendly journey planning between Houston and Liberia. Evaluating obtainable choices primarily based on flight availability, connecting airport effectivity, floor transportation logistics, and potential layovers empowers vacationers to optimize their itineraries and decrease total journey time. A complete understanding of those components 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 function in precisely calculating and understanding total journey time. Whereas the precise flight length stays fixed no matter time zones, the departure and arrival instances displayed on itineraries replicate native instances, 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 normal time and 5 hours behind throughout daylight saving time (CDT). Liberia, then again, observes Costa Rica Commonplace Time (CST), which is persistently six hours behind UTC (UTC-6) year-round. Because of this 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 normal time would arrive in Liberia at 10:00 AM CST, regardless of a flight length 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 can even impression vacationers’ physiological changes upon arrival. A shorter flight length westward minimizes the preliminary impression of jet lag, whereas longer journeys may 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 Concerns
The constant time distinction simplifies scheduling issues for vacationers between Houston and Liberia. Not like locations with various daylight saving practices, the fastened six-hour distinction facilitates simple time conversions and eliminates the necessity for advanced changes all year long.
Subsequently, factoring the time zone distinction into journey calculations gives a extra real looking understanding of arrival instances 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 characterize a important issue influencing total journey time between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Whereas scheduled flight instances present a baseline, varied unexpected circumstances can disrupt journey plans, extending the whole journey length. Understanding these potential delays and their implications permits for extra real looking 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, reminiscent of thunderstorms, fog, or hurricanes, can result in flight cancellations or delays. As an illustration, a hurricane impacting Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirs Worldwide Airport may floor flights, stranding vacationers and necessitating rebooking, doubtlessly including days to the meant journey time. Equally, extreme winter climate in Houston may delay departures, impacting connecting flights and total arrival instances in Liberia.
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Air Visitors Congestion
Air visitors congestion, significantly at main hub airports, can result in departure delays. A flight scheduled to depart Houston throughout peak hours may expertise delays attributable to air visitors management restrictions or runway availability. These delays, whereas generally minimal, can have cascading results on connecting flights and total journey time to Liberia. Moreover, congestion on the arrival airport in Liberia, although much less widespread, can even contribute to delayed landings and prolonged journey durations.
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Mechanical Points
Mechanical points with plane could cause surprising delays or cancellations. Previous to departure, a mechanical downside may 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 attempt to reduce such disruptions, mechanical points stay an inherent danger 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 instances or delaying entry into Liberia. Whereas these procedures are important for security and safety, they characterize a possible supply of journey delays that ought 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 total journey time to Liberia. Methods reminiscent of reserving flights with ample connection instances, permitting for buffer time in itineraries, and monitoring climate forecasts can decrease disruptions. Whereas unexpected circumstances can not at all times be prevented, anticipating potential delays permits for extra real looking expectations and facilitates a smoother, much less tense journey expertise.
9. General Journey Time
General journey time encompasses extra than simply the flight time from Houston to Liberia, Costa Rica. It represents the whole length 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 reach past the time spent within the air. This holistic perspective is essential for correct planning and real looking expectations.
A number of components contribute to the discrepancy between flight time and total journey time. Pre-flight procedures, reminiscent of airport check-in, safety screenings, and baggage drop-off, can devour a major 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 length. As an illustration, 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 further complexities, with layover durations, potential delays, and airport switch instances considerably impacting the general journey. A two-hour layover in Miami, whereas seemingly transient, provides significantly to the whole journey time in comparison with a continuous flight.
Understanding the excellence between flight time and total journey time is important for real looking planning. Focusing solely on the scheduled flight length 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 real looking itineraries, decrease potential disruptions, and handle expectations successfully, finally contributing to a smoother and extra pleasing journey expertise.
Incessantly Requested Questions
This part addresses widespread 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 sometimes supply the quickest journey possibility, with scheduled flight instances starting from roughly three and a half to 4 hours. Nevertheless, total journey time ought to account for airport procedures and floor transportation.
Query 2: How do connecting flights impression total journey time?
Connecting flights introduce layovers, extending the general journey. Layover durations differ considerably, including a number of hours to the whole journey time. Potential delays additional complicate scheduling and ought to be thought of.
Query 3: How do seasonal adjustments have an effect on flight schedules and availability?
Peak journey seasons, coinciding with Costa Rica’s dry season (December to April), sometimes see elevated flight frequency but in addition increased fares and lowered availability. The inexperienced (wet) season (Might-June & September-October) and low season may supply decrease fares however with fewer flight choices.
Query 4: What function do airport decisions play in total 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) sometimes supply essentially the most environment friendly possibility.
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 widespread causes of flight delays on this route?
Climate situations in Houston or Liberia, air visitors congestion, mechanical points, and safety or customs delays can all contribute to flight disruptions and lengthen total journey time. Contemplating these potential delays is essential for real looking planning.
Understanding these key points 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 businesses or contacting airways instantly is really helpful.
Ideas for Planning Journey from Houston to Liberia, Costa Rica
Environment friendly journey planning hinges on understanding key components influencing total journey time. The following tips present helpful insights for optimizing itineraries and guaranteeing a smoother journey between Houston and Liberia.
Tip 1: Guide Flights in Advance, Particularly Throughout Peak Season: Securing flights nicely prematurely, significantly throughout Costa Rica’s dry season (December to April), gives better alternative and doubtlessly higher fares. Final-minute bookings typically lead to restricted availability and premium pricing.
Tip 2: Think about the Commerce-offs Between Non-Cease and Connecting Flights: Whereas continuous flights decrease journey time, connecting flights may supply value financial savings. Evaluating this trade-off primarily based on particular person prioritiestime versus budgetis essential.
Tip 3: Think about Layover Durations Realistically: Ample layover time is important for navigating connecting airports and minimizing the chance of missed connections attributable to potential delays. Overly brief layovers can introduce pointless stress.
Tip 4: Analysis Airline-Particular Flight Durations and Routes: Completely different airways make the most of various plane and routes, impacting flight instances. 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: Think about 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 real looking expectations.
Tip 8: Discover Journey Insurance coverage Choices: Journey insurance coverage can present helpful 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 tips, vacationers can optimize their itineraries, decrease potential disruptions, and guarantee a extra environment friendly and pleasing journey between Houston and Liberia, Costa Rica. Knowledgeable planning and proactive consideration of key components contribute considerably to a constructive journey expertise.
The next conclusion summarizes key takeaways and gives 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 reminiscent of airline decisions, connecting flights, layover durations, differences due to the season, airport alternatives, potential delays, and floor transportation considerably affect total journey time. Continuous flights supply the quickest possibility, sometimes ranging between three and a half to 4 hours, whereas connecting itineraries introduce layovers, doubtlessly extending journey by a number of hours. Peak journey seasons typically coincide with increased fares and lowered 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 visitors, mechanical points, or safety procedures necessitate real looking planning and contingency measures. Lastly, factoring floor transportation to and from airports in each areas gives a complete understanding of total journey time.
Efficient journey planning requires a holistic method, contemplating all contributing components to make sure correct time estimations and decrease potential disruptions. Cautious analysis of those parts empowers vacationers to make knowledgeable selections, 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.
