Flights to Manuel Antonio, Quepos from NT$13,146

If you're not prepared, air travel can be overwhelming. But there's no need to panic. Follow these handy hints for a comfortable start to your time in Manuel Antonio. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's simple — first, pack your passport, important documents, bank cards and daily medications. Next, you'll want some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a phone filled with your favorite movies are some terrific options. If you plan to take a quick snooze, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, squeeze in a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll arrive looking fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp or pointed objects hiding in your hand luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive products, such as bleach and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your top priority when choosing what to wear during your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a smart choice, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• Caused by sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers during long-haul flights. Lower your risks by staying hydrated, keeping your lower limbs moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

It's simple — be prepared. We've rounded up some handy tips and tricks for a speedy trip through security. Look out Manuel Antonio, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Items such as your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• Your electronic gadgets like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray for inspection. Don't worry though, you'll be back online in no time.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• There's a possibility that you'll need to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a smart idea.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed on board and will be confiscated.