COSTA RICA STUDENT EXPEDITION
Explore the Natural Wonders of Cost Rica and All it Has to Offer.
Custom Departures
8
days
Experience the wonders of Costa Rica as we hike, cruise, and explore through lush, mountainous primary rainforest, national parks and private reserves were wildlife freely roams. Guided daily adventures with our naturalists and educators will allow you 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, rivers and beaches Costa Rica has something for everyone!
The Source for Costa Rica Educational Adventure Travel: KosherX Treks Costa Rica student & educational expeditions endeavors to offer our guests opportunities to expand their horizons through travel. Founded and lead by professional educators and travel experts, Treks Costa Rica realize the true benefits of an educational program. What better way to experience an in-depth discovery of Costa Rica than to experience it first-hand under the guidance of expert naturalists and educators.
KosherX Treks Costa Rica student & educational expeditions adheres to a strong educational philosophy when designing each tour. We have developed unique relationships with university field study programs, conservation societies, eco-study organizations, language schools and community service projects to provide you with a very special educational travel opportunity. Whatever your interest or focus we have the expertise and operational experience to provide you with a high quality, meaningful, non-tourist, in-depth educational experience.
Food / Kashrut: When you travel, food is an important part of your journey. Maintaining an observant lifestyle no longer means having to sacrifice exciting travel with good food. At Kosher X we believe that local food is an important component in experiencing your destination. Through constant site inspections at our destinations by certified staff mashgichim we have an intimate knowledge of the areas we traverse; we are able to provide high quality Glatt standard kosher food prepared fresh. When our high standards cannot be met at a particular destination, we are able to ship in ingredients from Glatt standard kitchens worldwide and prepare it fresh by our chefs on site at your destination.
Rainforests, Rivers, Volcanos & Jewish Community: 3 - Zone Discovery
Zone 1: Central Region – Sarapiqui: Lying in the northeast of the country, Sarapiqui is one of the few remaining areas in Costa Rica that is the dwelling of the endangered Green Macaw, Sarapiqui is also home to several nature reserves and national parks including the Braulio Carrillo National Park and the Sarapiqui Protected zone. The region is full of splendid opportunities to hike, cruise, raft and explore 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 educational programs and adventures with our naturalists from our base will allow us to explore everything Costa Rica has to offer; from its tropical forests, wildlife & bird watching, to pristine waterfalls and rivers.
Zone 2: Northern Region - Arenal: Located in Costa Rica’s fertile northern lowlands, 90km northwest of the capital San Jose, stands the world famous Arenal Volcano. Arenal was Costa Rica’s most active volcano until 2010, and one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world. It has been studied by seismologists for many years. Although the activity nowadays is less damaging, you can still see ash columns and hear underground rumbling. Arenal today has entered into an indeterminate resting phase though it is still a sight to be seen, measuring at 1,633 meters (5,358 ft) with a conically shaped crater spanning 140 meters (460 ft). Beyond the volcano, the Arenal area is now considered the adventure capitol of Costa Rica. There are mountains to be hiked, world class zip-lining, and world-famous volcano hot spring spas to adventure at. KosherX Tikun Olam reforestation program will take place in this region where students have the opportunity to engage with naturalists and forestry experts as we help build back Costa Rica’s wildlife corridor.
Zone 3: San Jose and Shabbat with the Jewish community of Costa Rica: Experience a meaningful Shabbat experience with the Jewish community of San Jose Costa Rica. This program includes Friday night kosher shabbat meal and services, Shabbat morning services and Kiddush all at the beautiful El Centro Israelita Synagogue and a motzei Shabbat get together with the local Jewish youth club.
*Additional travel days may be added on upon request
ACTIVITIES
Activities include naturalist guided hiking, wildlife tours, adventure days, interactive science education study, tikkun olam projects, Shabbat program, and interactive evening programming.
LAND COST
Please contact us for pricing
Price Includes:
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San Jose airport pick-up and return
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Buses and drivers for the tour duration including driver lodging,
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Kosher meals
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Daily program as per itinerary
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7 nights accommodation based on description above based on quad occupancy. Double occupancy for tour leaders at a ratio of 1 leader per 10 students.
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Private Guide/Naturalist (for the duration of the program)
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KX staff including tour leaders for the duration of the tour
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All touring, park entrance fees, programs and Shabbat with the Jewish community as stated in the itinerary.
Price does not include:
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Airfare
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Travel insurance
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Miscellaneous items
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Gratuities guides and drivers
ACCOMODATIONS
Hotel Base in San Jose: Our hotel is perfect for student groups with onsite sports complex complete with swimming pool, tennis & basketball courts, soccer fields and dedicated meeting space for group activities. Hotel is in walking distance of the local synagogue available for daily davening and Shabbat programming.
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Day 1 (Th): Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica – San JoseArrival to San Jose International Airport, airport meet-and-greet, then transfer to afternoon activity or hotel. (options depend on flight arrival times) Option 1: San Jose Cultural Tour: Our journey will take us around Costa Rica’s capital city where we begin with a visit the National Theater Lobby, also known as “The jewel of San José”, a masterpiece in art and architecture built by Costa Ricans and completed in 1897. Then we will visit the Central Market, place full of the Costa Rican cultural heritage and traditions, where you will be able to browse and buy some local art crafts. Option 2: Coffee Plantation & Culture: Embark on an extraordinary coffee adventure located in Costa Rica’s highland cloud forests. Delve into the world of coffee, from organic farming and sustainability to processing and worldwide distribution. Surrounded by the lush beauty of Costa Rica’s highland cloud forests this tour is perfect from novice to coffee enthusiast and nature lover. Time permitting, we have the option of exploring local trails with our naturalists for an intro hike to Costa Rica’s rainforests and birdwatching excursion.
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Day 2 (Fr): Rainforests & Volcanos of Central Costa RicaMorning Poas Volcano National Park: Poás volcano is a powerful symbol of the geothermal forces that formed Costa Rica. When the mist and cloud’s part you’ll see the sulfuric, bubbling, green rain fed lake at the bottom, surrounded by smoke and steam rising from fumaroles. Water from the lake is constantly seeping through cracks in the hot rock, evaporating and building pockets of steam. Afternoon La Paz Waterfall Garden Nature Park and Wildlife Sanctuary: La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park is the most popular nature tour in the San Jose Area featuring five famous waterfalls and the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica. Shabbat with the Jewish community of San Jose: Includes Maariv services at the local Synagogue followed by dinner.
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Day 3 (Sa): Shabbat San JoseMorning: Optional Shacharit services at the local synagogue followed by Kiddush lunch with the Jewish community. Afternoon education program: Lecture program with Dr. Aaron Arguedas – Jews of Costa Rica and Central America and Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean.
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Day 4 (Su): Arenal Volcano AdventureOptions Adventure Tour Options: Waterfall Rappelling: This half day canyoning tour will take you deep inside natural riverside canyons to experience a series of waterfall rappels, rock climbing and hiking through primary tropical rainforest. Keep your eyes open for a chance to see toucans, sloths, monkeys and other exotic wildlife. After canyoning enjoy a delicious fresh typical Costa Rican lunch. Sky Trek Zip Line & Tram Tour: In the morning experience the biggest, longest and best canopy tour in Costa Rica: Sky Trek & Sky Tram! After being fitted with your zip gear, you will take a gondola ride with your guide through the tops of the rainforest searching out its wildlife before ending at the mountain top observation deck to begin your zip line adventure. From the observation deck, return to ground level by zipping along nearly two miles (three kilometers) of cables across canyons and between treetops. Experience the rain forest below you including incredible panoramic view of the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal from a whole new perspective. Arenal National Park Hike: Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal contains a great wealth of geologic and biological complexity and presents us with the closest views of the volcano and its current eruption activity. Naturalists will guide us along trails passing through young secondary forest and old lava fields from previous large eruptions. Traverses the rainforest and large lava flows from the 1992 eruption. Once on the top of the lava flow you will have beautiful views of the Arenal Lake. Learn and observe with your guides all the factors that makes the Arenal an active volcano. Nature Tour Options: Sloth Rainforest Experience & Rainforest Walk: The Sloth Sanctuary & Rescue Center for over 20 years has been caring for wild animals and the opportunity of releasing them back to nature. On this educational and volunteer experience you have the opportunity to learn, interact, and help in this ecological mission. Hanging Bridges: The Arenal Hanging Bridges are a complex of trails and bridges through the rainforest. This private nature reserve of almost 250 hectares of tropical rain forest houses an immense diversity of animal and plant species. There are 16 bridges in total. Ten of them are regular or static bridges and vary in length from 8 to 22 meters. Six are hanging or suspension bridges and range in length from 48 to 98 meters long. Our naturalist will guide you through the reserve’s rich biodiversity exploring its unique fauna and flora, exotic animals, colorful birds and tropical plant species. The trail makes a loop with a total length of 3100 meters within the mountainous area. Culture Tour – La Casona del Rio: Visitors will be welcomed by children from a local rural school beautifully dressed in folkloric clothing performing traditional Costa Rica dance and music. After the presentation, we load into our tractor pulled wagon to begin a journey through the area’s local plantations. We arrive at La Casona, the country home of former president of Costa Rica Rafael Iglesias, considered one of the most charming and authentic cultural sites in Costa Rica. Here you will learn about the history of Costa Rica and the plantations organic farming of pineapple, papaya, yucca and medical gardens. Enjoy homemade rum recipes that are famous from this farming community including a visit to the sugar cane mill learning about the processing of sugar cane. Finally, we will enjoy delicious homemade coffee cooked the old fashion way on wood stoves all while listening to musicians play live traditional Costa Rican songs. Volcano Hot Spring Water Park & Spa: Experience the magical natural hot springs of the Arenal Volcano. These thermal waters are naturally heated by the Arenal Volcano and its underground rivers. The water reaches the thermal pools taking advantage of the force of gravity without the need for pumping or drilling. The minerals naturally found in the water, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium bicarbonate, and chloride contribute to a complete relaxation of mind and body. Experience the right amount of thrill and relaxation as you enjoy extraordinary volcano views, numerous warm and cold pools, and even jungle hot spring water slides, all within the rainforest’s natural scenery.
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Day 5 (Mo): Sarapiqui Rainforest Science LabRainforest Reserve Expedition: Over 600 hectares of tropical rainforest make up our Rainforest Center and Wildlife Refuge. Located in the heart of the rainforest next to the Sarapiqui River; it has over 10 miles of trail systems where we will be able to experience a variety of wildlife (especially birds which it is famous for), flora and fauna unique to Costa Rica’s Central Rainforest. Sustainable Agriculture: Rainforest Chocolate Program - Plantation, harvesting and cooking. Everything about Butterflies: Hands on discovery & research of butterflies in our Biological Reserve including capture & release. Optional add-on Evening: Rainforest Science Lab: All About Bats: Learn classification, diversity, adaptations, reproduction, threats and more. Includes capture, identification, and release.
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Day 6 (Tu): River & Beach AdventureJungle Crocodile Safari: Experience the authentic thrill of the Jungle Crocodile Safari as we journey by riverboat along the majestic Tarcoles River. Here, we will have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the incredible biodiversity that this unique ecosystem provides. Experience incredible wildlife viewing as we journey through three diverse ecosystems: river, mangrove, and estuary. Private Beach Resort (day pass): Spend the day at a private pacific beach resort. Frolic in the waves of this beautiful white sand beach. Day includes use of private resorts amenities and facilities.
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Day 7 (We): Rainforest AdventureWhitewater Rafting Adventure: Experience an adrenaline filled half-day river rafting adventure down the Sarapiqui River. Experience whitewater magic as you discover the excitement of thrilling rapids coursing through rugged canyons and verdant tropical rainforests on one of the most exotic and scenic rivers in the world. This adrenaline-pumping excursion takes you through class-II-IV rapids, past spectacular landscapes, under tumbling cascades as you adventure down beautiful river canyons exploring through stunning rainforest full of wildlife. Rainforest Zip Line Adventure: Enjoy 9 zip lines immersed in the rainforest of Sarapiquí. Here we experience the natural wonders and wildlife of the rainforest tree-top ecosystem. The adventure ends with a 900 ft cable crossing the beautiful Sarapiquí River canyon. Optional low intensity tour options available for substitution including wildlife and cultural tours.
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Day 8 (Th): San Jose departureSan Jose departure