We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better feel for this experience. The actual program will vary. A confirmed itinerary is distributed no later than two weeks prior to the start of the program.
DAY 1 | DEPARTURE FLIGHT
Arrive in San José, Costa Rica for the start of the program. We’ll break the ice with some fun and engaging activities so that you get to know everyone in the group. To learn more about how we organize travel to and from the program, click here.
Our adventure begins with a tour of Alajuela. We’ll visit its central park, large market, historical church and museums, as well as an ice cream shop for a sweet treat.
DAY 2–3 | LA FORTUNA
Descend to La Fortuna Waterfall—which sits at the base of the dormant Chat volcano—and cool off in the swimming hole. After walking around La Fortuna, we’ll return to soak in the hotel’s hot springs. Thanks to the region’s geothermal activity, these warm and soothing springs offer an ideal way to relax after a long day.
Teens will hike to the northern lowlands to catch a glimpse of Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica’s best-known volcano. We’ll continue through the rainforest and see wildlife like toucans, monkeys, iguanas, and more before zip-lining through the canopies.
DAY 4 | SARAPIQUI
Farm on a local organic family farm. Teens will help with everything on the farm, including cooking, using ingredients from the farm, planting and harvesting, collecting chicken eggs, feeding the animals, and making chocolate. We’ll tour the farm and taste its fresh fruits. Then, make empanadas and tortillas with community members. You’ll make art with—and hear the stories and struggles of raising a family in rural Costa Rica from—the Rambia Women’s Group.
DAY 5–6 | SAN JOSÉ
We’ll leave the farm and head to San José for Shabbat in Costa Rica’s largest city. Enjoy a walking tour of San José and see all its amazing sites and landmarks. Once Shabbat ends, we’ll have a program with Costa Rican youth and spend an evening out in the capital.
DAY 7–9 | SARAPIQUI
Travel back to Sarapaqui and take a look at how the coffee bean earned its nickname as the golden grain—in part because of how the industry has shaped the country’s development—while on a coffee tour. Spend another afternoon zipping through luscious, green trees in the Costa Rica rainforests. Then, end the day with an evening hike to look for nocturnal wildlife.
The group will spend a day with Costa Rican peers, assisting them maintain in hiking trails, tagging butterflies as part of the butterfly research project, and helping Costa Rican teens practice their English. We’ll end our time in this area white water rafting down the Sarapaqui River before driving to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
DAY 10–11 | TALAMANCA
Interact with the BriBri community and better understand their way of life. Families will take turns hosting visitors and show them how to cook authentic meals while talking about the culture of Costa Rica. We’ll do a walking tour and learn about medicinal plant gardens, how to build local homes, and the process of making cocoa. The cocoa plant is sacred and valuable to the BriBri, so expect to walk away knowing more about the history and influence of chocolate on their community.
After this, we’ll hike to Volio Waterfall for some breathtaking views and photos. Teens will take a boat ride on the canal to see wildlife such as crocodiles, sloths, monkeys, and birds. Then, we’ll return to the BriBri community for a traditional cooking class.
Wander through Cahuita—a village on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, near the Panama border—and explore Cahuita National Park, which has coral reefs and a white-sand beach, Playa Blanca. The park’s rainforest shelters toucans, monkeys, and turtles. We’ll also stop to see Playa Negra’s black-sand beach and visit the National Wildlife or Jaguar Rescue Center to see how Costa Rica is committed to rehabilitating its wild animals.
DAY 12–17 | BEJUCO
Our next stop is Bejuco, a tranquil beach town that is waiting for you to explore! One the way, we’ll get up-close to crocodiles on the Tárcoles Bridge. We’ll settle in for our final Shabbat together and take some time to relax. You’ll get a free day on the beach and time to swim in the ocean, walk around town and hike in nature. See how cultures meld together in Costa Rica during an evening Afro-Caribbean dance class.
Explore the expansive beaches and evergreen forest of the Manuel Antonio National Park. Teens will go kayaking, paddle boarding or canoeing in the mangroves, and swimming! Then, we’ll visit the Boruca people and learn how they make art with local materials from the rainforest. Spend a day boating to Cano Island—a national park—for snorkeling and hiking. Who knows? We may even see a whale along the way. Our last day in Costa Rica will be spent in a surfing lesson and horseback riding along the beach.
DAY 18 | RETURN FLIGHT
It’s never goodbye, just see you later. Head to the airport for a flight back to the U.S. Give your friends one last hug and part ways once your flight arrives at the airport. While your summer trip with us is over, the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!
