Flights to El Tanque, La Fortuna from NT$9,978

Depending on where you're coming from, your trip to El Tanque could be completely painless or it could go on forever. Here are some tips that will help you start your next great adventure on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a hassle-free travel experience is to plan ahead. So, let's start with the basics: passport, travel documents, credit cards and important medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a juicy novel. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of headphones. And of course, don't forget to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) lurking in your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive products, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by wearing layers, and wear flat, slightly roomy footwear like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you get to airport security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to El Tanque in no time at all. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a flying start:

• Be sure to have your passport and travel documents within easy reach. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to show at security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings such as your coat, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• Your electronic gadgets like phones and laptops will also have to go on a tray to be scanned. No need to worry though, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Want to bring along your favorite hand cream? No problem. As long as the volume is no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a zip-lock bag, you're permitted to bring it with you in your carry-on bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp items like knives can't be taken on board. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.