Flights to Rodríguez, Alajuela Province from NT$16,995

Depending on where you're coming from, your journey to Rodríguez could be a piece of cake or it could drag on forever. We've compiled some handy tips that will help you start your next big adventure on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a pain-free travel experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, travel docs, cash and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic gadgets or a good read. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, don't forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, such as fuel and matches, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your aim is to be as comfortable as you can. Pick easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, natural fibers and remember to take a jacket in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

The answer is — be prepared. We've pulled together some useful tips for a fuss-free trip through airport security. Look out Rodríguez, here you come:

• First things first. Your boarding pass and travel ID will need to be inspected by airport security. Have them easily accessible so you don't have to dig around for them.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your jacket, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like coins, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, will also need to be scanned separately.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• There's a good chance you'll need to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a wise idea.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, pack them in your checked baggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.