Great news from San Francisco International Airport: There are new nonstop flights coming this fall and winter, hitting vacation spots in Mexico, Costa Rica and Belize. These are offered by United and Alaska airlines, and come right in time for us all to make travel plans for the foggy doldrum months.
The beauty of a nonstop, of course, is that you’re not going to worry about missing your connection or having to spend time in another airport waiting. You board, look at your phone a little, maybe watch in-flight entertainment and—voila!—you’re there, ready to start your vacation in a fresh mood.
In October, watch for United’s nonstop to Monterrey, Mexico, where warm weather and great food await. In December, the airline launches a nonstop to Belize City, Belize, where you can swim in refreshing waters, explore Mayan ruins, eat seafood and go caving.
Also in December, Alaska opens up a nonstop flight to Guanacaste, Costa Rica, a region with a beautiful dry tropical forest, palm trees and sandy beaches. Our favorite hotel in Guanacaste is the W Costa Rica Reserva Conchal, where you can see (and hear—even underwater!) howler monkeys and coati—similar to raccoons—ambling around the grounds, and catch glorious sunsets over Brasilito Bay. Right next door is the less expensive and more family-friendly Westin Reserva Conchal.
Already-existing nonstops from SFO to the warmer climes in Mexico include Cancun, Guadalajara, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta and San Jose del Cabo. The nonstops to Central America include Panama City and San Salvador. Sounds like it’s time to start planning ahead before everyone else does!