There are few places in the world where nature is so exuberant or where the color and variety of the tropics can be so keenly experienced as in Costa Rica. In area it is slightly larger than the state of West Virginia. Despite its small size, Costa Rica contains an incredible ecological diversity that is protected by one of the best-developed conservation systems in Latin America. Whether you are interested in high adventure, studying with and assisting naturalists in private nature reserves, language immersion courses, or just relaxing in mountain top or beach resorts and spas then this is the place for you. Join Kosher Expeditions as we explore the natural wonders of Cost Rica and all it has to offer.

Costa Rica Eco-Adventure:The Costa Rica Adventure & Discovery week is based at our eco-lodge, located deep in the rainforests of Central Costa Rica's Sarapiqui area and our Volcano resort & spa located at the Arenal Volcano. The Sarapiqui area is full of splendid opportunities to hike and cruise through lush, mountainous primary rainforest. National Parks and private reserves throughout Sarapiqui maintain the old growth forests with well-kept trails where wildlife freely roams. Guided daily adventures with our naturalists from our bases will allow us to explore everything Costa Rica has to offer; from its awe inspiring volcanoes & hot springs, to rain & cloud forests, to wildlife & bird watching, to pristine waterfalls and rivers.  Shabbat will be spent with the local community of San Jose.

Day 1 (Sun): Welcome to Costa Rica!

Upon arriving at Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, you will be met by a Kosher Expeditions representative and taken to your hotel.
 
Guide will meet you at 6:00pm in the hotel lobby to transfer you to dinner orientation and museum tour (time permitting).  Overnight: Hotel San Jose

Day 2 (Mon): San José / Sarapiquí

Early morning:  Depart your hotel to the local synagoge for Morning Prayer.  Afterwards you will be picked up and brought back to the hotel for breakfast and checkout.

Mid Morning:  Depart to Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Butterfly Observatory & Hummingbird Gallery
Hike the Poás Volcano, one of four active volcanoes in Costa Rica. Here the crystal blue sulfur pools will amaze you as steam rises from the various volcanic vents.  Visit the museum and crater, considered one of the largest in the world (4450 ft. diameter, circumference). After hiking visit the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.  Your guide will take you through the butterfly observatory, hummingbird gallery and waterfall trails as we explore the five magnificent waterfalls located in this park.

Late Afternoon:  Arrive to hotel check-in and free time to enjoy the amenities of your eco-resort.

Overnight: Eco-resort Sarapiqui Region

Day 3 (Tue): Bio station rainforest exploration & white water rafting Sarapiqui River:

Early Morning:  *(optional) Guided bird watching and wildlife walk.  Rise early (best time of day for wildlife & bird watching) as your naturalist guide takes you along the many trails of your eco-resort searching out the local wildlife, fauna and the numerous bird species unique to Costa Rica.

Morning: Bio station rainforest exploration:
Guided exploration of the Selva Verde Biological Station.  Discover the biodiversity of lowland tropical rainforest at this internationally renowned research station. With its state-of-the-art laboratories, on-line geographic information system, extensive trails, and large forest reserve bordering Braulio Carrillo National Park, Selva Verde is one of the world’s most important sites for tropical ecosystem research.  Species diversity is spectacular, including more than 1,900 species of plants, 330 species of trees, 436 species of birds, and 450 species of ants. Showy birds, such as toucans, parrots, trogons, and hummingbirds, and mammals, including monkeys, peccaries, agoutis, and coatis, are frequently seen. Large predators include jaguars, pumas, and bushmasters.

Afternoon: White water rafting on the Sarapiqui River:  Costa Rica is world renowned for the quality of its white water. Abundant rain, warm water, and a variety of rivers and eco-systems make this small democratic nation a paddler’s paradise. Experience an afternoon of adventure as you white water raft on the Sarapiqui River (class III & IV). *Optional eco-program for those not interested in rafting.

Evening: Movie night or Lecture series: “The Jews of Costa Rica & Central America”  & free time to enjoy the amenities of your eco-resort.

Overnight: Eco-resort Sarapiqui Region

Day 4 (Wed):  Rainforest River Cruise / Pineapple Tour / Arenal

Early Morning:  *(optional) Guided bird watching and wildlife walk.  Rise early (best time of day for wildlife & bird watching) as your naturalist guide takes you along the many trails of your eco-resort searching out the local wildlife, fauna and the numerous bird species unique to Costa Rica.

Late Morning: Rainforest River Cruise: Enjoy a morning of guided cruising as you drift along the Sarapiquí River searching for wildlife along the river banks and rainforest.  Search for monkeys, toucans, crocodiles, caimans, iguanas and many other species of jungle wildlife.

Afternoon: Pineapple Tour:   This tour blends agriculture and processing into an educational experience of pineapple production. There are four stations where the visitor sees the evolution from planting, harvesting, and packaging including a dehydration process.  Learn about the history of pineapples as well as taste the newest and sweetest variety grown.

Transfer to Arenal

Arenal: Experience the wonders of the Arenal Volcano with guided hikes, as we view its spectacular volcanic eruptions. Activities include the Bridges Rainforest Tour, Canopy Tour and overnight at a volcano resort & spa. From the resort  view spectacular volcanic eruptions as fire and lava spill over its upper slopes, here the natural beauty of the rain forest mergers with the magnificence of one of the most active volcanoes in the world. 

Evening: Volcano view: Guides will take you up close to the eruption side of the volcano for spectacular night time views of Arenal and its eruptions.
Free time to enjoy the amenities of your volcano resort & spa.

Overnight: Arenal Volcano resort & spa

Day 5 (Thur):Arenal Volcano Hanging Bridges, Canopy Tour, Hot Springs

Early Morning:  *(optional) Guided bird watching and wildlife walk.  Rise early (best time of day for wildlife & bird watching) as your naturalist guide takes you along the many trails of your eco-resort searching out the local wildlife, fauna and the numerous bird species unique to Costa Rica.

Late Morning: Hanging Bridges Tour: This activity will bring you as close as you could ever hope to get to the birds, the flowers and the lush vegetation of the primary rainforest.  You will be able to walk right into the forest, thanks to the imposing hanging bridges and the beautiful trails that are safe and easy to walk on. Each of the 12 bridges offers spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano.

Afternoon: Rainforest Canopy Tour: This is a once in a lifetime experience!  It consists of sliding on a secure cable between 12 platforms and towers in the canopy of the tropical forest.  A system of platforms allows visitors to appreciate nature from the top of ancient tropical trees.

• In order to get into position for the start of your canopy tour you will ride the Sky Trek; a rainforest gondola excursions up the mountain side through the ancient primary forests.  As you ride above the forest search out the spectacular local wildlife in the tops of the trees.  Those participants who many not want to partake on the canopy tour have the option instead of a guided walk through the primary forest trails with your naturalist guide at the mountain top, then return by Sky Trek back down the mountain. 
• On the canopy tour there is no repelling or climbing involved, a guide will be waiting to receive you at each platform. 
• From the top of the rainforest experience spectacular views and get up-close and personal with Cost Rica’s unique wildlife including:  sloths, monkeys and hundreds of species of birds.
• Once the canopy portion of the tour has ended, spend some time searching for wildlife along the river banks of the rainforest.  Search for monkeys, toucans, crocodiles, caimans, iguanas and many other species of jungle wildlife.

Evening: *Optional tour to hot springs spa.  At this luxury spa & luxury resort, soak in natural pools heated by the Arenal Volcano (open until 10:00pm).

Overnight: Arenal volcano resort & spa 

Day 6 - Friday: Morning at leisure/ Return to San Jose, Shabbat with the Jewish Community

Late Morning: Depart to San Jose, historical guided city tour: Return to San Jose for Shabbat with the local Jewish community.  Upon arrival prior to hotel check-in, enjoy an informative guided city tour. 

Early Evening:  Guide will pick you up for Shabbat dinner and walk to the local synagogue for Shabbat services (hotel is walking distance of the synagogue).

Overnight: Hotel San Jose

Day 7 - Saturday / Shabbat: San Jose

Morning: Guide will pick you up for your walk to services at the local synagogue

Afternoon: Shabbat lunch after services with the local community.

Evening: Farwell dinner

Overnight: Hotel San Jose

**Sunday: Depart

Transfer to airport for your departure home.

**Beach Extension: Optional 2 to 4 day beach resort extension, Sunday to Wednesday (This is a non-guided extension and includes transfers and fresh frozen kosher meals).

 Lecture Series: “The Jews of Costa Rica” 

Kosher Expeditions has developed a special lecture series that will be given during your museum visit.  Local historians will lecture us on “The Jews of Costa Rica”.  divided into “Colonial Period 1560-1821”, “Independence to First World War” and “Modern Jewry in Costa Rica 1920s-2005”.

 What our past participants have to say:

Tomorrow my wife and I fly back to Amsterdam.  We want to thank you for the excellent arrangements. The trip was wonderful, everything went according to schedule and the guides were superb.  Due to this Costa Rica lived up to all we expected. We will definitely recommend your organisation to others and hope to travel with Kosher Expeditions in the future.

Michael and Cecily - Amsterdam

Wanted to tell you what a great trip we had to Costa Rica!!!   The tour guide, was great- warm, easy going, efficient.  The chef was great- personable, accommodating and great food.  All of the activities were terrific; the lodging was great.  The 4 days in the rainforest was a fabulous one-of- a kind experience, just what I wanted.  The place by the volcano with the hot springs was like Gan Eden.  And then to move up to the creature comforts at the end of the trip in the city was nice.  Thank you for putting together a great vacation!!!  We rate it a 10!!!
 
Harriet & Alan – West Hempstead, NY

Wanted to let you know how pleased we all were with the trip. The events were well planned and evenly paced, so that we did lots of interesting things but still had a relaxing vacation. The food was excellent and all of the arrangements were thoughtfully worked out.  We enjoyed meeting the other participants on the trip, and in fact their company added a lot to our experience. When an event comes off in a way that seems so effortless, one can be sure that there was plenty of effort involved in setting it up! You and your team did a great job.  Thanks. We will be considering more of your trips in future years, and will be glad to recommend you to others who have not yet gone on one of your trips.

Samuel & Family - Sharon, MA

Just returned from our trip to Costa Rica! Thank you so much for putting together an incredible trip. We had "the perfect" family vacation. With every detail of our trip taken care of we could really relax. The staff was beyond excellent.  The tours and pace of the trip were just right. The food was delicious, fresh and plentiful. Costa Rica is an amazingly beautiful country. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Linda and Steve - Los Angeles, CA