solairus aviation blog

Nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, everything slows down a bit when you’re in Costa Rica. The pura vida lifestyle and vistas straight from the pages of National Geographic are what give this small Central American country its unique charm. With tourism on the rise, you won’t have any trouble getting around any luxury hot spot as soon as you land your private charter jet…even if your Español is a bit rusty.

A Word about Getting Around

Unless you’re familiar with the country, it can be a nightmare to drive yourself around Costa Rica after you land in your private charter jet. While the conditions of the roads have greatly improved (hence all the tollbooths along the major highways), the lack of street signs still exist. Plus, Ticos (the nickname for Costa Ricans) still don’t use formal addresses with house numbers and street names. Instead, addresses are, in essence, a set of directions. The best thing to do is to hire a car service to pick you up at the private charter jet airport. Then all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the scenery.

Arenal, Alajuela

Costa Rica has a handful of volcanoes, but the youngest and most active is Volcán Arenal (Arenal Volcano). It’s not uncommon to see steam spewing from the mountain and the red glow of lava at night. The volcanic activity produces several hot springs that will do wonders on your muscles after a day of hiking, whitewater rafting, zip lining, waterfall rappelling or horseback riding. For a luxurious treat, take a private charter jet to Costa Rica and stay at the Nayara Hotel & Gardens. The Nayara Suite overlooks the rainforest,has an amazing view of the volcano and was voted as one of the top hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure. (http://arenalnayara.com/home.php)

Tamarindo, Guanacaste

At one of the most northwestern parts of the country, Tamarindo attracts surfers from all over the globe. Take a private charter jet to Costa Rica and go here for surfing lessons from expert wave wranglers, go whale watching, see the endangered Tortuga Negra (Black Sea Turtle) lay eggs during a nighttime excursion and tour the land on an ATV. To get away from the tourist scene, stay at the Cala Luna Resort, which is nestled on the almost-secluded beach of Playa Langosta. Accommodations include villas that include a private chef service upon request. (http://calaluna.com/)

Monteverde, Puntarenas

Named a “Top Place to Remember Before it Disappears” by Newsweek, the “jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves” by National Geographic and one of the Seven Wonders of Costa Rica, modern Monteverde was founded by U.S. Quakers in the 1950s. The beauty of the area prompted the formation of the Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde (Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve) in 1972. If you love nature, Monteverde is a must for its over 2,500 plant species, 100 mammal species, 400 species of birds, 120 reptile and amphibian species and thousands of insects. It’s not uncommon to see clusters of wild orchids and large hummingbirds zipping past your head. Hire a guide for a chance to glimpse at wild cats, a brilliant quetzal a bright blue morpho butterfly and more. During your private charter jet trip to Costa Rica, book a loft suite with a view at the El Establo Mountain Hotel, one of the few luxury hotel in the area. (http://www.elestablo.com/)

About Solairus Aviation:

Solairus is a full-service aviation asset management company that provides clients with expertise in acquiring and operating a wide range of private aircraft.

Solairus Aviation is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area and has over twenty-five base locations across the United States and Europe. Solairus is an Aviation Research Group/US Platinum-rated charter operator with a fleet of over 50 managed aircraft. After completion of an intense operations and safety systems audit, the ARG/US Platinum rating has only been awarded to 5% of the world’s charter operators that have demonstrated that their procedures meet or exceed industry “Best Practices” in all phases. Solairus has also received the NBAA Commercial Business Flying Safety Award and is an IS-BAO certified company. Solairus offers a full range of services in addition to aircraft management, which includes aircraft charter sales, aviation support services, and consulting. For more information about Solairus Aviation, visit www.solairusaviation.com or call 800-359-7861.

You don’t need a surfboard to have year-round summertime fun when you have a private charter jet. If the cold weather is starting to give you the winter blues, or you simply need a sunny break, pack your passport and make your way to a luxury destination in a different hemisphere.

September to November

• South Africa: Ditch your rain jacket for a t-shirt and head for the white sandy beaches of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Johannesburg. After bathing in the sun, head to the game reserves to get an up-close glimpse at larger-than-life animals.  Rest your head at the Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa in Johannesburg or the Twelve Apostles Hotel in Cape Town.

• Rangiroa, Tahiti: Teaming with the Society Islands, French Polynesia has the driest, least humid weather between the months of September and November. Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago is famous for its snorkeling and diving as the remote atoll has an abundance of marine life, is the home of the fabled Blue Lagoon and has some of the world’s best pearl farms. Spend the night in a luxury bungalow at the Hotel Kia Ora.    

December to February

• Puntarenas, Costa Rica: Hire a driver to get you around the laid-back Central American country where addresses don’t exist. To get a rain forest and beach adventure in one shot, make your way to the Parador Resort and Spa in the town of Manuel Antonio. When you’re here, you don’t have to go far to taste the world’s best coffee, spy endangered wildlife and catch some waves.

• South Island, New Zealand: Commune with nature and sample fine vino in Queenstown and Christchurch, the adventure capitals of New Zealand. Enjoy activities that range from bungee jumping to wine tours. Alternatively, take a luxury cruise on the Milford Sound and visit the famous Canterbury Museum before you check in for the night at the five-star Matakauri Lodge.

March to May

• Jakarta, Indonesia: Escape the spring showers and head to Jakarta, a true playground for a discerning private charter jet taveler. After unpacking your bags at the centrally located Ritz-Carlton, prepare to wow your senses at the Indonesia Permai Orchid Garden, which showcases hundreds of local species of orchids. When you’re ready to spend some serious cash, the Plaza Indonesia, Plaza Senayan and Grand Indonesia malls can give you a hand.

• Colonia District, Singapore: A melting pot of Asian cultures, downtown Singapore’s Colonial District is embellished with cricket lawns and cathedrals. Experience nature at the Bukit Timah Reserve, escape the tourists at the Botanical Gardens and shop for exotic spices in the Arab district or Little India. If you’re a connoisseur of all things opulent, check into the Raffles Hotel, one of Singapore’s most luxurious and graceful landmarks.

June to August

• Budapest, Hungary: With lovely a countryside and elegant cities, Budapest is known for its enchanting cultural sophistication, regal bridges and grand historic buildings. Originally two separate cities, Buda and Pest, you can visit the Royal Palace on Castle Hill, go on a river cruise along the Danube, see castle ruins of Visegrad or take the kids to the enchanting Budapest Puppet Theater. Continue your fairy tale excursion at the Four Season’s Gresham Palace at the foot of the Chain Bridge.

• Olso, Norway: Known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun,” the sun never falls below the horizon between the months of May and July. As part of the Arctic Circle, the land of the Vikings is speckled with fairytale-like forests, charming fishing villages and flashes of the surreal Northern Lights. Oslo is where the legends of trolls, princesses and trolls were born, and has wide mix of modern architecture with medieval buildings. Visit City Hall, the home of the Nobel Peace Prize awards. Then make your way to one of the cultural museums to get a glimpse of Viking life. Round out your trip with a stay at the Grand Hotel Oslo’s Tower Suite.

Hiking is an outstanding way to incorporate movement into your vacation and to take in the local scenery, too. (Photo Credit: Bryon Powell)

Every private jet vacation has a purpose, or two, or perhaps three. Some are oriented toward utter relaxation and disconnecting from real life while others are geared for a particular physical activity, like golf or skiing. For folks seeking a movement-based vacation, here’s a list of top active destinations and the activities that make them special.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for both its jungles and beaches. When you take a private jet to the jungle, go on foot once you land. Hike on the trail networks of the country’s innumerate national parks among large flower blossoms and, if you’re lucky, monkeys! Once you are on the beach, embrace surfing. The surf off Costa Rica’s shore varies, but dozens of learner waves are out there, as is high-quality instruction. You haven’t had a vacation workout until you’ve tried surfing.

Jackson Hole

Under the snow blanket of winter, Jackson is a skiing playground. Enthusiasts enjoy town’s two downhill resorts as well as miles of groomed trails for Nordic skiing. By summer, embrace mountain biking on Jackson Hole’s sweet singletrack.

Maui

When in Maui, do as the locals do and spend your vacation in the water. It matters not what water sports you indulge in: surfing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, body boarding, or just plain swimming. The Pacific Ocean awaits you!

Tahoe

By winter, Tahoe is a downhill skiing paradise with a massive amount of ski-able acreage, huge volumes of snow, and terrain suitable for everyone. When the snow melts and the roads clear, Tahoe becomes a supreme road biking destination. From bike lanes to ample services, to beaches around every corner, road biking around the shores of spectacular Lake Tahoe is an experience you won’t forget.

Peru

Much of Peru’s land area is swallowed by the high-altitude Andes Mountains. All over the range, trails link modern villages, historical features, and wilderness. A trekking private jet vacation in Peru can be scaled to each person’s interest and ability, from a half-day hike to an archaeological site, to a multi-day trek through a Peruvian national park.

To explore these and other active vacation destinations, be sure to check out the Inspirato Destinations Summary. This will kick start your vacation dreaming! Once you choose your destination, a Destination Concierge will help you plan your activity-based vacation.

Published with permission from Inspirato.com

About Inspirato

We're revolutionizing the way luxury travelers spend quality time with their family and friends.
At Inspirato, we've taken best-of-class service and resort amenities combined with the low cost of villa rental to bring you the premiere club for a new generation of luxury travelers. 

Our membership plan is simple and affordable. 
You pay a one-time membership fee of $15,000, a small annual renewal fee of $2,500 and that's it. You can book any home in our portfolio, as often as you like, even during peak times… and pay only for what you use. Depending on the location, your savings over market rates can cover the membership fee in just a few trips.