Join this channel to discuss the full spectrum of travel points and frequent flyer miles. Earning, multiplying, redeeming, it's all discussed here. As best as possible, we'll keep the discussion jargon-free and focused on practical outcomes.

As a member, you already have access to the Nomadic Spirit Points and Miles Guide. This forum is the place to put what you learned into practice, clarify complications, and share your own successes and secrets.

What belongs in this channel:
🎇 Redemption and Transfer strategies, timing, and value--The real travel plan you're trying to make happen.
🎇 Prioritization, as in where to spend those points in your overall plan
🎇 Fees, surcharges, perks, offers, bonuses--Any place where the math could be greater or less than 1+1=2
🎇 Successes--What's working for you to get where you want to go

Let's keep this forum positive. We're supportive of any itineraries, though of course can suggest ways to improve. No link spamming, no gatekeeping, no points trading.

After publication of V1 of the Points and Miles guide, we learned about Rove, a service to earn points "stacked" on top of transactions. Right now we are exploring this service to understand the value and where it fits vis-a-vis the credit cards, frequent flyer programs, and other earning vehicles.

Anyone using or used Rove and have a point of view to offer on this service? If it is still relatively unknown across Nomadic Spirit readers, we can reach out to Rove and perhaps bring more information to this community.

https://www.rove.com/

Join this channel to discuss travel on your terms: both dedicated solo travelers and those who occasionally travel separately are welcome. Independent travel is about flexibility, curiosity, and comfort. We're here to enjoy the journey and the exploration as much as the destination.

What belongs in this channel:
✴ Solo Logistics and Safety--Including ground transit strategies, arrival protocols in unfamiliar cities, luggage management
✴ Navigating Single Supplements--Along with solo traveler wins like single-bed rooms
✴ Solo Dining and Experiences--Best and second-best options
✴ The Solo Traveler's Mindset--Balancing independence with realities like travel fatigue, solitude, and human interactions

A few boundaries: No commercial discussion, positive vibes, and though this might be obvious, let's stick to conversation about travel.

Welcome!

The Journey - September 15, 2026

We loved almost everything about our first visit to Costa Rica in spring 2026 - specifically to La Fortuna and a few days near Jaco in Herradura. We planned almost our entire trip out of forums like this one, but specifically a couple of Facebook groups were the source of 80% of our intel. Yeah, they had a lot of garbage in them - try asking about a car rental! - but some clear themes eventually emerged and made it all a pretty successful trip.

We rented a car: From local company Adobe, via "My tan feet" for a discount. This all worked out fine, the car was what we booked, the charges were what we were quoted. Parking was almost never a problem anywhere. Refueling was easy. Navigation was mostly fine. The only challenge was a decision to visit Zarcero on our way to La Fortuna; the town was nice, the topiary worth seeing, but as we continued north... a total whiteout with rain and dense fog while we were still at elevation. One of those situations where we couldn't turn back and we couldn't pull over, just had to drive through.

The Zip Lines in Fortuna were way more intense than we expected: Those are some seriously long lines, high up, at several of the places. Lovely, but some of our group had panic attacks.

We did a simple day pass for the hot springs that scratched the itch: "Pura Vida" was a simple but modern facility with plenty of hot springs and a pool/deck/restaurant/locker room. No idea what would have been so much better at the more expensive places, because this was pretty fun for all four of us (even the non-aquatic types!).

Google Maps reviews are pretty accurate, but not 100%: We used them for restaurants and some tourist activity. I would agree with almost all of the ratings, only one time did they lead us astray. Be sure to contribute your own ratings back, it only takes a few moments to write some reviews.

Jaco was nicer to visit than we expected: How can you not like souvenir shopping at a store called "Fruity Monkey Poop"? We ate a few meals in Jaco and enjoyed them all. Don't miss the Bertil cevicheria that serves their concoction to you in a bag with crushed corn chips!