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November Trip Itinerary
Friday, May 27 Early arrival option Arrive today and visit San Jose and spend Shabbat with the local Jewish Community. Explore downtown San Jose Kaballat Shabbat with the Jewish community Accommodation in San Jose – Hotel Palma Real Saturday, May 28 Participate in synagogue morning services at the central synagogue, followed by a communal lunch. Explore Downtown San Jose on a walking tour: Plaza De La Cultura, the National Theater and the National Museum. Take a day-trip to the beautiful Poás Volcano, and visit to and tour of coffee plantation just north of town. If you arrive today: rest --up a bit in the hotel, and join the rest of the group in exploring downtown San Jose and for dinner at a historical restaurant in Barrio Amon. Accommodation in San Jose – Hotel Palma Real Sunday, May 29 Visit to Jewish historical museum Transfer to the Sarapiqui rainforest area – 2 hours north of San Jose! Cooking lessons with the local community for Lunch Chocolate tour in Sarapiqui Nocturnal Bat Program Dinner at the hotel Monday, May 30 Select one activity for the morning: Sarapiqui white water rafting class 2-3 or guided walk at La Selva OTS Conservation Research Station. Lunch at Pozo Azul Afternoon at leisure and time to walk around Puerto Viejo, a small, authentic town in the heart of the Sarapiqui region. Nocturnal Bat Program Accommodation at Selva Verde rainforest lodge Tuesday, May 31 Transfer from Sarapiqui to Arenal volcano area Canopy Tour – zilpline! Visit la Fortuna town (lunch not included) Twilight safari river float tour and then dinner included. Accommodation at Montana de Fuego resort, Arenal Wednesday, June 1 Visit the Maleku Indigenous - learn about their language - traditions - and do a workshop of painting a wood mask made by them. lunch with the Maleku Afternoon Baldi hot springs with dinner included! Accommodation at Montana de Fuego resort, Arenal Thursday, June 2 Transfer from Arenal to Manuel Antonio Beach and pool time! Learn about the conservation of the titi monkey Accommodation at Tabulia Tree Dinner included at the hotel Friday, June 3 Guided visit of Manuel Antonio national park Afternoon at the amazing beaches of Manuel Antionio Free lunch and dinner (not included) Accommodation at Tabulia Tree Saturday, June 4 Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose Cultural tour: Show of the Mascarada (the dancing characters) and Cimarron (the band) representing one of Costa Rica’s many colorful traditions! Home made lunch included Accommodation in San Jose – Hotel Palma Real Free dinner in town Sunday, June 5 Time to say goodbye! Transportation to airport from hotel |
Shabbat Shalom at Bnai Israel synagogue in San Jose!
The National Theater in downtown San Jose
 The Poas Volcano Crater Lake  Traditional chocolate making 
Local cooking lesson
Arenal Volcano
Arenal zipline adventure!
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio beaches
Titi monkeys
Ami Greener and the Mascarada
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Practical Details
Dates
The Costa Rica Experience trip will take place from Saturday, May 28 to Sunday, June 5, 2016 (8 nights in total; 9 nights for those wishing to arrive on Friday, May 27). 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 5 pm on May 28. If you decide to arrive a day earlier, please arrive by 3 pm on Friday, May 27. Your flight home on Sunday, November 7 can be at any time.
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
We will be staying in comfortable, air conditioned upscale 3+ star lodges and hotels throughout the trip - we have linked to the hotel sites in the itinerary.
Guides
For your Costa Rica Experience, will provide you with an experienced Costa Rican guide, 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 our trip 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.
