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August Costa Rica Trip Itinerary
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Friday, July 31, 2015
Early arrival option Arrive today and visit San Jose and spend Shabbat with the local Jewish Community.
Accommodation in San Jose – Hotel Palma Real Saturday, August 1
Accommodation in San Jose – Hotel Palma Real Sunday, August 2
Today we will be heading south to the coast, and on the way go on a rafting adventure on the mighty Pacuare River, known as one of the top five rafting rivers in the world for its scenery and rapids (Class III-IV). Late afternoon: we will arrive at Puerto Viejo on the southern Caribbean coast - one of the most happening places in Costa Rica - a place the international crowd blend with the local Latino, Afro-Caribbean and Bribri indigenous cultures, with its pristine coastline acting as a backdrop! Night: explore the town– all while taking in the special and laid back ambiance of Puerto Viejo. We may hit one of the bars, clubs, or live music venues that dot the town… After dinner, enjoy live Reggae music with moijtos, daiquiris or fresh Pina Colada!
Accommodation – Pizote Lodge. We will be staying in the best rooms on the house: A/C cabins, which have a boutique hotel feel to them!  Punta Uva beach
Tuesday, August 4
Morning: half day hike in the amazing Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge– one of the best trips for jungle wildlife viewing in all of Costa Rica! Lunch at Maxi’s Restaurant, considered by many to be the best seafood restaurant in the Caribbean Free afternoon on the tranquil beaches of Manzanillo, with optional snorkeling and water activities. Dinner at the Israeli owned Pita Bonita restaurant, serving some of the best Hummus outside of the Holy Land! Accommodation – Pizote Lodge Wednesday, August 5
This morning we take a ride to Siquirres, the heart of Banana and Pineapple land, where we will have lunch. We will head to the dock at Pavona, where we will take a boat ride on a canal, bringing us to the tiny island village of Tortuguero, and the nearby national park. Afternoon visit the local village - a chance to interact, shop, and experience this secluded community. During this time you can also head to the beach and enjoy the Caribbean sands - but the seas is rough - no swimming here! Tonight: green turtle nesting excursion along the beach! Accommodation – Laguna Lodge  Ginger smoothies at Fincal Luna Nueva
Thursday, August 6
Early morning: We will join a canal boat tour of Tortuguero National Park- experience the awakening jungle up close! This afternoon we head to the town of La Fortuna, near the majestic Arenal Volcano, with a possible stop at a traditional coffee plantation along the way. We will check into the Finca Luna Nueva Farm which offers an intimate experience of primary rainforest together with a certified organic biodynamic farm. Here, you will experience the Costa Rican rainforest, learn about the farm's sustainable practices - its 240 acres offer many opportunities to view its natural beauty- and just to relax! Afternoon: Visit the Baldi Hot Springs, Mother Nature's enormous hot tub – including an extensive lunch buffet. The hot springs are fed by an underground river heated naturally by the Arenal Volcano to the perfect temperature of 101 degrees! Tonight, enjoy an amazing organic meal, soak in the ozonated, solar powered hot tub, and take a short guided nightwalk in the surrounding rainforest!  Fresh Challah is baked on the farm!
Friday, August 7
Morning: an amazing Jungle Canopy Tour near Arenal, where we will literally fly through the rainforest by zipline! Time at leisure at La Fortuna Town to walk around and have lunch (not included). Afternoon: Farm tour of Finca Luna Nueva. Night: Festive Shabbat meal ! After dinner: Social activity and games - or just feel the serenity while lounging on the hammocks and listening to the rainforest! Sunday, August 9
Time to say goodbye! We will leave Finca Luna Nueva by 7:00 am, in time to make our flights back home. ***Please note that the time and location of an activity might change due to unexpected circumstances, such as inclement weather and hazardous road conditions. |
The National Theater in downtown San Jose
 The Poas Volcano Crater Lake 
Pacuare River Rafting
Young howler monkey at the Jungle Rescue Center
Beach Cruiser bikes near Puerto Viejo
Volunteer work at the Kekoldi Indigenous Reservation
Caribbean cooking lesson with Junior Palmar
Hiking the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park tour
On the bus!
Baldi Hotsprings
Arenal Volcano
Sacred Seeds Sanctuary
Steven Farrell, manager of the farm, leads the Sacred Seeds tour
Iguana Sanctuary in BriBri
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Practical details
Dates
The Costa Rica Experience trip will take place from Saturday, August 1 to Sunday, August 9, 2015 (8 nights in total; 9 nights for those wishing to arrive on Friday, July 31). We will be meeting at and leaving the San Jose (the capital) international airport (SJO).
We ask that you plan to be on a flight that will land in San Jose by 4 pm on August 1st. If you decide to arrive a day earlier, please arrive by 3 pm on Friday, July 31st. Your flight home should be no earlier than noon on Sunday, August 10th.
If you observe the Sabbath you have an option of arriving on Friday and spending the weekend in San Jose, attending services in the Jewish community – or arriving Sunday and joining the group in Puerto Viejo.
If you want to arrive a day or two earlier, or choose to leave later, please let us know how we can help you experience more of this magnificent country. We can arrange for a pick-up or drop-off in another part of San Jose at the beginning or end of the trip. Day trips from San Jose include the nearby volcanoes of Poas and Irazu. If you are interested in this option, please let us know!
Accommodations
In San Jose, you will stay in Hotel Palma Real, a comfortable 3 star hotel which is walking distance from the Synagogue and a short ride from downtown.
On Finca Luna Nueva, guests will stay in rustic but comfortable rooms - right in the rainforest!
For our time in Turtuguero, we will be staying at the tranquil Laguna Lodge, set in the rainforest right outside the National Park.
On the southern Caribbean coast we will be staying in a comfortable yet exotic Pizote Lodge
Guides
For your Costa Rica Experience, will provide you with an experienced Costa Rican guide throughout the trip, as well a Greener Travel group leader that will escort you for the length of your trip. In various activities, we use the best local specialty guides with years of expertise in introducing tourists to the natural beauty of Costa Rica. We work mostly with local guides as well as with tourism non-profit organizations such as ATEC, which make sure that the local indigenous communities benefit from tourism revenues while protecting the environment and the traditional way of life.
Transportation
We provide all transfers during the week using an air conditioned van or minibus, driven by a bilingual driver / guide.
Packing list
Before departing, you will receive a comprehensive list of suggested things to bring on the trip.
Laguna Lodge, Tortuguero