Flights to Santa Cruz, Nariño from

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you prepare well enough. We've put together a list of handy travel tips that will get your Santa Cruz escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a great experience if you've got all the right stuff. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a clean pair of socks and a few magazines. Secondly, find room in your bag for your laptop, a charger, any vital medications and maybe a blow-up neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, don't forget to take your passport, travel docs and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) won't be allowed on. Sharp or pointed objects, like your treasured Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosols and fireworks, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and choose shoes that are roomy, flat and easy to remove.
• The result of prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers during long flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your feet and legs moving and wearing compression socks or tights.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be organized before you get to the airport security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Santa Cruz in no time flat. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a flying start:

• Airport security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and travel documents before anything else. Have them ready to show.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items such as your jacket, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic gadgets will also need to go through the scanner.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item 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-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several valuable minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed on board.