Costa Rica Beaches and Volcanoes
for Young Jewish Professionals!
for Young Jewish Professionals!
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Trip at a glance!
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Exploring the Arenal volcano!
Our unique trip begins visiting the Capital San Jose, as well as its thriving Jewish Community. We continue with an a visit to historic Cartago and the Irazu Volcano, enjoy the hot-springs of Orosi and prepare to summit the Chirripo (optional). Later, we will head to the Pacific coast village of Dominical where we will learn how to surf, visit the amazing Nauyaca waterfalls by horseback, spend a day in Corcovado National Park where we will hike in pristine jungle, snorkel Cano Island, swim in the lovely beaches and enjoy a sunset catamaran voyage looking for dolphins and whales.
We take the environment seriously, and plan our trips in accordance with the guidelines of eco-tourism: minimizing environmental damage through low impact travel, supporting local environmental projects and indigenous communities, and learning about the culture and natural environment of the places visited.
We take the environment seriously, and plan our trips in accordance with the guidelines of eco-tourism: minimizing environmental damage through low impact travel, supporting local environmental projects and indigenous communities, and learning about the culture and natural environment of the places visited.
The cost of the trip includes:
Everything listed below is included in our trip. These adventures are paid for already – just imagine that! You may, but you do not need to spend another dollar on an adventure – it’s all priced into our packaged tour. For more info, click the itinerary tab.
The cost of the trip includes:
Everything listed below is included in our trip. These adventures are paid for already – just imagine that! You may, but you do not need to spend another dollar on an adventure – it’s all priced into our packaged tour. For more info, click the itinerary tab.
The cost of the trip includes:
- Transportation and transfers to and from all locations in Costa Rica by a bilingual guide/driver.
- Full accompaniment by an experienced local guide as well as a Greener Travel staff person.
- 8 nights of double occupancy accommodations in hotels and lodges (9 days for Friday arrival).
- Meals included in trip: 8 breakfasts, 3 lunch, 5 dinners
- Entrance to Irazu volcano
- Visit to San Jose’s Jewish community
- Coffee and Ujarras ruins tour
- Guided trek up the Chirripu mountain (or alternative activities)
- Corcovado National Park day tour
- Horseback at Nauyaca waterfall
- Surfing lessons
- Sunset catamaran snorkeling trip
The cost of the trip does not include:
- Airfare
- Optional arrival on Friday, February 26 ($125)
- Traveler insurance
- Some meals on the Caribbean coast and in San Jose
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips and gratuities
Please note that if you do not wish to partake in the some of the tours, you may opt out and we will reduce the cost of your trip accordingly.
Our tours are organized by Greener Travel Company, LLC. The company was founded by Ami Greener, an experienced and enthusiastic environmentalist that has been captivated by the unique beauty of Costa Rica. By forming personal relationships with local providers in Costa Rica (hotel owners, activity outfitters and more), we are able to offer a tailored experience to both individuals and couples traveling alone and looking to explore the area, as well as group tours which a member of our staff or local Costa Rican associates will guide.
Though the dates for this trip are set, if you want to join and cannot take the whole week off from work, we could accommodate you for part of the trip, and price it differently as well.
If you cannot make it on these dates, but would like to plan a visit alone, with a small group of friends or a romantic getaway with a significant other - we can help you plan that trip as well with some of these amazing adventures – we regularly send couples, families and small groups of friends on a tailored Caribbean Experience!
For further information and questions, please contact us at:
Greener Travel LLC
[email protected]
US: +1-202-599-0655
Winter 2017 Costa Rica Trip Itinerary
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Friday, March 24, 2017
Early arrival option! Arrive today and visit San Jose and spend Shabbat with the local Jewish Community.
Saturday, March 25
Sunday, March 26
After visiting the local Jewish museum in San Jose, we will head south, to the historic town of Cartago, followed by a visit to the Irazu - the tallest active volcano in Costa Rica. Later, we will arrive in Orosi, a historic, tranquil and serene community surrounded by lush forest and towering pine trees. This evening, we will enjoy some of the best volcanic hot-springs in Costa Rica! Accommodation at Rio Perlas Hotel Monday, March 27
Today, we will enjoy a guided visit of the historic Orosi Valley, a tour of a working coffee plantation and a visit to the Ujarras Ruins – site of the oldest church in Costa Rica! Later on we will transfer to San Gerardo de Rivas, a tranquil village and a gateway to the Chirripo National Park – and prepare for our big day climbing the tallest peak in Costa Rica tomorrow. Tonight the guide will brief us about the climb, and we will prepare overnight bags that will be taken up by porters up to the refuge where we will be spending next night. Accommodation: Pelicano Lodge Tuesday, March 28
Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica’s highest peak, rises 12,533 feet above sea level and offers sweeping views of the surrounding Talamanca Mountains. Its dramatic peak is reached via a 12.4-mile (20-km) trail that rises over 7,218 feet (2,000 meters). Along the way, we will pass through cloud forests and páramos—a unique ecosystem found only at high elevations in the New World tropics. From Chirripó’s summit, sweeping 360-degree views tumble down over graceful valleys and shimmering lakes. On clear days you can see both the Caribbean and the Pacific! Today's hike will be 15 km long, and take about 7 hours. We will arrival to the Paramo station near the peak, and have lunch and dinner at the station. The Chirripó climb is a strenuous, though not a technical hike (32 miles in two days) so you should feel confident and be in good shape to make the hike. If you do not wish to summit the Chirripó, there will be some other exciting options for today and tomorrow morning: - Visit the Elizondo Valverde family home and learn about sustainable practices organic farming. - Visit the artisan production of Swiss cheese in the neighboring community of Canaan. - Visit the Secret Gardens which offers trails with easy access where you will pass through different habitats with a wide variety of bromeliads, orchids and heliconias among other tropical plants. Ideal for lovers of photography. - Hike the trails which lead to beautiful and impressive waterfalls. Along the way, observe and learn about the biodiversity of flora and fauna in the forests bordering Chirripo National Park. Accommodation: Paramo station or Pelicano Lodge Wednesday, March 29 After breakfast at the Paramo station, we will walk the last 5 km to the top of Chirripo! After taking in the view, time to return down the hotel, where we will have lunch. This afternoon it's time to head on to the second part of our trip - the Pacific coast, and the beachside village of Uvita, and the wild Costa Ballena beaches. We will mount horses and head to the breathtaking Nauyaca Waterfall where we have a horseback riding tour to the waterfalls. After chilling in the falls, we will return down to the coast to take on the beautiful sunset! Accommodation: Mar y Selva Ecolodge Thursday, March 30 This morning, its time to head to the lush jungles of the Corcovado National Park – and reaching the park by boat, we will will be going through the Marina Ballena National Park, where you will see dolphins – and whales! National Geographic has called Corcovado "The most biologically intense place on Earth"- and indeed this is the jewel in the crown of Costa Rica's national park system. Located in the remote Osa Peninsula of the southern Pacific coast, Corcovado's primary rainforests host an abundance of wildlife that will amaze any visitor. More than 500 species of trees, 367 species of birds, 140 of mammals, 117 of reptiles/amphibians and 40 species of freshwater fish make Corcovado their home. Several hundred miles of foot trails criss-cross the park making even some of its most remote corners of the park accessible to the adventurous soul. Here you can wake up to the calls of the howler monkey and if you get lucky you might even get a glimpse of a Jaguar, American Crocodile, Caiman or a Baird's Tapir which are critically endangered or absent in the rest of the country. We will get back to town, and head out for dinner in Dominical, a charming village nearby. Accommodation: Mar y Selva Ecolodge Friday, March 31 This morning it is beach-time - time to relax after our long week, stroll along the beautiful beaches nearby, stare at the ocean and read a book. During the day we will be offering yoga sessions as well as surf lessons. Surfers worldwide make their way to Costa Rica year after year for the tremendous selection of perfect breaks for every level of experience; Dominical's beaches boast a wide variety of unique breaks that make it the perfect location for everyone. We will be renting boards and taking lessons from one of the best guides in town - no matter what, the surfs up and you’re going to love it! This afternoon, we will go on a catamaran tour where we will snorkel, have lunch and enjoy the blue Pacific waters. Later, we will gather at sunset for the begging of Shabbat - and our Friday night meal. Accommodation: Mar y Selva Ecolodge Saturday, April 1
Today is Shabbat, and a day of rest – and depending on what you are up to or your level of Shabbat observance, you can chill during the day, explore the area and/or partake in some activities: beach-walking, zipline experience, another surf lesson, visit an animal rescue center and more. Later today we will drive back to San Jose - for our last night in Costa Rica, and a chance to check out the cities weekend nightlife! Accommodation in San Jose – Hotel Palma Real Sunday, April 2 Time to say goodbye! You will be transferred to the airport (SJO) depending on ***Please note that the time and location of an activity might change due to unexpected circumstances, such as inclement weather and hazardous road conditions. |
Shabbat Shalom from Bnai Israel in San Jose!
The National Theater in downtown San Jose
 The Poas Volcano Crater Lake 
Chucaras Hotsprings Estate Orosi
 Orosi 
coffee plantation tour
Pelicano Lodge, San Gerardo de Rivas
The Chirripó summit
Chirripó summit
Cloudbridge Waterfall hike
On the bus!
Nauyaca Waterfall
Corcovado National Park
Scarlet Macaw in Corcovado
Humpback whale breaching - Marina Ballena National Park
Surf lessons on Playa Dominical
Sunset Catamaran Tour
Zipline adventure!
Titi monkeys
Iguana Sanctuary
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Practical details
Dates
The Costa Rica trip will take place from Saturday, February 18 to Sunday, February 26, 2017 (8 nights in total; 9 nights for those wishing to arrive on Friday, Feb. 17). We will be meeting at and leaving the San Jose international airport (SJO).
We ask that you plan to be on a flight that will land in San Jose by 4 pm on February 18. If you decide to arrive a day earlier, please arrive by 3 pm on Friday, Feb 17. Your flight home can be any time on Sunday, Feb 26.
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 during the trip.
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. 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.
For our times in the mountains we will stay in the comfortable Rio Perlas Hotel and Pelicano Lodge, and on the pacisif coast we will be staying in the Mar y Selva Ecolodge.
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 professional driver that will be with us throughout the trip.
Packing list
Before departing, you will receive a comprehensive list of suggested things to bring on the trip.
Registration for this trip is closed. Please check our August 2017 Costa Rica trip.
Pricing & Terms
Looks like an amazing Trip! How much does it cost?
The early bird price of the trip is $2180.
Price is per person, for double occupancy accommodations.
A single supplement is available, based on availability, for an additional fee of $500.
There is an additional cost of $150 for those adding one day and arriving on Friday, March 24, and $70 for those choosing to summit the Chirripo.
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Great! How do I sign up?
First, please fill out our trip registration form! Second, to reserve your spot on the trip, click on the shopping link to the right to make your secure deposit of $300 via our secure Stripe payment system. Our trip will have a maximum of 24 participants, and a minimum of 8. Once we call the trip, the $300 deposit becomes non-refundable - we need to enforce this policy in order to cover loss from last-minute cancellations. After that we will provide you with the link to make the rest of your payment. We have limited availability, and will be closing registration on December 20, 2016. For more details on our cancellation policies, please see info below. For general questions about the trip, please write us at: [email protected] Please feel free to forward this info to any friends of yours that might be interested in joining us for this week - ask us about our special registration price for groups of two or more that register together! If you have a discount code, you will be asked to provide it while registering or before submitting a payment via our secure Stripe payment tool.
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Note: at checkout the banner will say"August 2014 Trip" - this is a minor glitch, and has nothing to do with the trip you are booking! |
Greener Travel Company, LLC Policies for Costa Rica group tours
RESERVATION AND BOOKING
Reservation and Deposit: To reserve your spot in one of our group tours, you must pay your deposit in full. Until you have paid your deposit, your spot may be given away to another traveler. Since our trips are generally limited to 18 participants or less, they do fill up.
Airfare; “Calling” of Trip: Greener Travel generally “calls” our Group Trips after at least 8 people have registered for the trip. At that time, it sends an email to all travelers who have registered, informing them that they can purchase their airfare. This trip has been called, and has a guaranteed departure.
Possible Delays and Trip Insurance: We strongly encourage all of our travelers to purchase trip insurance. Greener Travel is not responsible for airline delays and cancellations and in most cases will NOT be able to offer any refunds for travelers who miss all or part of their tour due to airline delays and cancellations. Some suggestions are Travelex and Travel Guard.
Full Payment: Full payment must be made at least 5 weeks prior to the trip departure date or your spot is subject to forfeit to another traveler. Ask us about “early bird” discount for travelers who pay the full amount of a trip prior to the “call” date.
Method of Payment: We accept payment by check or Stripe (available on our website). We are offering an additional discount of $50 for payment by check for travelers registering sufficiently in advance of the departure date. Please make checks payable to:
Greener Travel LLC.
1742 Kalorama Rd. NW
Unit B
Washington, DC 20009
USA
DISCOUNTS
Combination of Discounts: From time to time, Greener Travel may offer certain discounts or coupon codes. Those codes can NEVER be combined. All discounts are always applied to the full price trip (and not the discounted or early bird price).
Bring a Friend Policy: If you and up to three friends register together, Greener Travel will rebate you $100 and each of your friends $50 after the trip has been completed.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND
Cancellation by You and Refunds: Up until the trip has been “called”, you may cancel your trip at any time for any reason, and Greener Travel will refund the full amount of your payment, less a $15 processing fee. After a trip has been “called,” your deposit will not be refunded for any reason, including if your spot is forfeited to another traveler. If you cancel your trip more than 4 weeks prior to the departure date, your cancellation fee shall be $550, and any amount paid in excess of that amount shall be refunded. If you cancel your trip less than 4 weeks or less prior to the departure date, your cancellation fee shall be $800, and any amount paid in excess of that amount shall be refunded. If you cancel your trip less than 2 weeks prior to the departure date, none of your trip is refundable. For this reason, we STRONGLY encourage you to purchase travel insurance: some suggestions for such insurance are Travelex and Travel Guard.
Cancellation by Greener Travel: We may cancel the trip for any reason prior to “calling” the trip. If we do so, we will refund the entire amount that you have paid, without applying any processing charges or other fees. We will not be responsible for any travel arrangements you have made, such as airfare, purchased before the “call” date. In the extremely unlikely event that we have to cancel a trip after it has been called, we will refund all amounts paid to you, but cannot be responsible for any other amounts, such as airfare.
MEALS AND ITINERARY CHANGES
Meals: All meals provided on our group trips are kosher-style and vegetarian friendly, however, most are prepared in kitchens that prepare non-kosher foods. We might be able to accommodate travelers who keep strictly kosher on our group trips – please contact us for information about such possibilities.
Itinerary changes: We will make our best efforts to maintain the itinerary as advertised, however, a variety of reasons, including the number of trip participants, availability of vendors and providers, and other factors, may cause us to need to change our final itinerary. In the very unlikely event we have to cancel a tour in its entirety due to factors beyond our control, we will refund the full amount paid not be liable for any other costs beyond the amount that you have paid.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK; WAIVER OF LIABILITY
Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk; Waiver of Liability: You acknowledge that travel includes a variety of known and unanticipated risks, which could result in injury, paralysis, or death, or damage to property. You acknowledge that those risks may be created by negligence of Greener Travel, its owners, employees, contractors, and agents, other travelers of Greener Travel, and third party providers over whom Greener Travel has no control, as well as weather and natural disasters. You agree to accept and assume all risks existing in this activity, and to release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Greener Travel from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my participation in our trips, including any such Claims which allege negligent acts or omissions of Greener Travel. Should Greener Travel or anyone acting on their behalf be required to incur attorney’s fees and cost to enforce this agreement, you agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.
FITNESS FOR TRAVEL AND HEALTH INSURANCE
Fitness for Travel: It is your responsibility to determine that you are capable of participating in all of the activities offered on this trip and to opt out of any activities that you are not able to participate in due to your abilities (ie, ability to swim, etc.), disability, or any medical conditions.
Travel Health Insurance: We strongly encourage travelers to purchase travel health insurance to cover any medical events or emergencies that occur while you are on your trip. PLEASE NOTE THAT TRAVEL HEALTH INSURANCE AND TRAVEL INSURANCE ARE NOT THE SAME THING—Travel insurance covers the cost of your trip in the event of travel delays or your need to cancel the trip. Travel health insurance is a health insurance policy that covers your medical costs in the event of illness or injury overseas. Following is a suggested link that allows you to compare between different options and purchase the insurance online.
USE OF IMAGES
You agree that any images, including photographs and videos, of you taken during the trip may be used by Greener Travel at no charge for commercial purposes.
CONSENT TO JURISDICTION, WAIVER OF REMEDIES
You also agree that any dispute concerning Greener Travel’s services will be determined by the courts in the District of Columbia and consent to jurisdiction in those courts. You agree that if you have any dispute regarding Greener Travel’s services, you will present a claim to us in that regard within 2 months of travel, and will not file an action more than 9 months after the completion of travel. Should you accept a payment or refund of any amount in the event of a dispute, you agree to waive any other rights and remedies you may have under applicable law. In no event will Greener Travel be liable for any costs above the amount paid by you to Greener Travel.
FAQ: Jewish Group Tours to Costa Rica
Who comes on your trips? What is the age range? How religious is everyone?
Our trips are very diverse. Our last trip had travelers from more than 4 countries. For our young professionals’ trips, our age range is roughly late 20s to early 40s, with most participants in the middle of that range at roughly 25 to 35. Most participants are affiliated in some way with the Jewish community, whether they identify as Reform, Conservative, Traditional or Conservadox.
What makes your trips different from your competitors?
First, our trips focus on small, locally run hotels and tour operators. We do not use “all-inclusive” resorts, as we believe that they are not the best way to experience the culture of our destinations and to benefit the local community, one of the goals of eco-tourism. Second, we strive to make our group trips affordable while including as many items as possible. You might find a cheaper trip, but you will find that most of the activities are optional and at added cost. We believe it is better value to include those items and facilitates our primary goals of giving you a fun experience in a group setting where you can meet new people.
Why Costa Rica? Are you planning trips to other locations?
Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Central America, has no military, and has taken significant actions to foster conservation. Accordingly, it is a country we can feel good about supporting through our travels. This and next year we are also offering a group trips to Alaska, Iceland, Trinidad & Tobago, Baja California as well and a wilderness trip to upstate New York. If you have any suggestions of places you’d like to visit with Greener Travel, please let us know.
Do I have to do all the activities? Can I get a partial refund if I skip one of the activities?
We try to make our trips accessible for travelers of most abilities and encourage all travelers to fully participate in the activities unless a traveler is afraid of a particular activity or cannot participate due to a medical condition or ability level. However, if you do not want to do a particular activity, you can opt out for any reason. Because we make our best efforts to offer an alternative activity for opting out travelers for no additional cost, we cannot generally offer a partial refund for opting out travelers.
Who will I be rooming with if I chose double-occupancy?
If you are joining the trip with someone you know, we will honor your requests to room together if you wish. If you are joining the trip by yourself, we will match you up with another same-sex traveler to share a room. If during the trip, you meet someone with whom you want to share a room with, we will try to honor your request at that time.
How much is airfare to Costa Rica? Can you help me choose my ticket?
Airfare to Costa Rica from major metropolitan areas in the U.S. is generally roughly $400 to $600, however, that depends on your origin and travel dates. We advise travelers to check rates prior to booking a trip with us, however, you should not purchase your travel before the trip has been “called.” At that time, we would be glad to give you advice on which ticket to purchase.
