At the center of Central America, Costa Rica is uniquely surrounded by the Caribbean on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. If you were to drive from the east coast of Costa Rica to the west coast starting in Limon and ending in Jaco, the drive would take just over five hours to cross the entire country.
Costa Rica is a picturesque destination that attracts millions of tourists every year for its endless activities and places to visit. Despite its small size (it encompasses only .03% of the planet's surface), it’s still within the top 20 richest countries in biodiversity in terms of species density, with nearly half a million species representing 6% of the planet's biodiversity.
Jewish Community
The Jewish community of Costa Rica is primarily based in San Jose, the capital city. With over 5,000 Jews ranging from traditional to Orthodox, there is enough local support for kosher services. Therefore, San Jose is a wonderful spot for kosher consumers to visit. While there isn’t an array of kosher restaurants, you can get everything you need from meat, chicken, cheese and more, as well as enjoy a few local kosher restaurants. In addition, as Costa Rica is a popular tourist attraction, there are catering/takeout options as well.
The second kosher center in Costa Rica is in Jaco, a beach town that attracts Israeli tourists and some year round kosher-keeping residents.
When to Visit
Weather wise, December to April are the best months to travel. May to November is the rainy season where the weather can be beautiful, but also unpredictable.
Getting There
Costa Rica’s two main international airports receive hundreds of flights per month from major cities, allowing constant mobilization of passengers through safe and modern ports of entry.
- Located in San Jose, Juan Santamaría International Airport (code: SJO) is the country's main airport.
- The modern Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia (code: LIR) mainly receives specific flights for tourists visiting Guanacaste, Monteverde and La Fortuna. This comfortable airport connects with beautiful beaches in one of the largest and most important tourist areas in the country.
Getting Around
While public transportation is widely used and is efficient, car rentals are available for travelers who want to get around independently. Opt for an SUV with four-wheel drive, especially if planning to drive around parks. Private guides and drivers are also available for hire; while it’s more costly, it comes with the convenience of customized trips and hassle-free transportation.
What to Do
Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an active one, Costa Rica is a hot travel destination for its versatility.
National Parks
Costa Rica has many national parks that are wonders of nature. Each park stands out in various ways and visiting one gives a glimpse into some amazing creatures in their natural habitats.
Tortuguero National Park, located on the Northern Caribbean side of Costa Rica, is surrounded by a system of natural canals and lagoons, a mecca of wildlife. Being on the Caribbean side gives tourists an opportunity to get a glimpse of Caribbean culture.
La Amistad International Park (which means friendship in Spanish) is not only the largest natural park in Costa Rica, but also the only bi-national park, created by the governments of Costa Rica and Panama in 1982. The total extension of this amazing portion of protected land in both countries is nearly 400,000 acres, which covers a great variety of humid, rain and cloud forests in the Pacific and Atlantic sides, as well as indigenous towns.
Manuel Antonio National Park is a tropical paradise on the Pacific Coast. What makes this park so unique is the combination of beautiful beaches and amazing variety of flora and fauna that is connected to a jungle. It’s also a great destination for adventure activities including zip-lining, white water rafting and canyoning.
Corcovado National Park provides visitors with eco-lodges throughout the park. Book a trek with a local guide to really get the most of your time there. The beaches are undeveloped, raw, rugged and filled with natural beauty, which differs from tourist-centric beaches along the Pacific coast.
Volcanoes
The majority of Earth’s volcanoes and earthquakes take place along the Ring of Fire, a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. As part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Costa Rica has 112 volcano sites throughout the country. Most Costa Rican volcanoes and their surrounding areas have been made into national parks.
Two popular volcanoes to visit are the Arenal Volcano and the Irazu Volcano. The Arenal Volcano last erupted in 1968 and was made into a national park in 1994. Thermal hot springs are now the area’s main attraction, most of which boast nearby trails and numerous lookout points. Another well-known volcano, Irazu (derived from the indigenous word istaru, meaning mountain of tremors and fire), is just 30 kilometers from San Jose. What is most unique about this site is that the summit can easily be reached by car. Irazu is the highest altitude in the country, reaching 3,432 meters above sea level.
Beaches
With over 763 miles of coastline, there’s no better place to book an amazing beach holiday than Costa Rica. Thanks to its beautiful location nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica is filled with beautiful beaches and seaside towns, each with its own unique characteristics and personality. The western/Pacific coast is more developed and that is where you will find a lot of high-end, luxury hotel options.
Playa Hermosa
One of the best maintained beaches in Costa Rica is Playa Hermosa, which even holds a prestigious “Blue Flag” award. Located towards the top of the Pacific Coast, this beach is within a short drive of the airport in Liberia. With over two kilometers of sandy beach and crystal clear waters surrounded by tropical jungle, it’s a lovely beach the whole family will enjoy.
Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is a beautiful beach town located in the Limon province, right on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. It’s one of the best surf towns in Costa Rica thanks to its gorgeous sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. Surfers come from all over the world to ride the famous Salsa waves.
Jaco
Just a 1.5-hour drive from Juan Santamaria International Airport, Jaco is the closest Costa Rican beach town to the nation’s capital, San Jose. Surrounded by rolling hills of green jungle and farmland, this tropical paradise offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. It’s an ideal place to visit if you’re only spending a few days in Costa Rica but want to experience a bit of beach life and have access to kosher food (see more in What to Eat).
Water Activities
Whether you are looking to snorkel, dive, boat or jet ski, you will find a slew of water activities to do throughout Costa Rica.
What to Eat
This is a one-stop-shop for all your kosher needs, like meat, chicken and the like. They also offer full Shabbos takeout and can double wrap meals, so you can reheat them at any hotel you visit. They even deliver for a fee.
Aside from the groceries and provisions, the takeout and restaurant menus offer a variety of Israeli fare, deli, grilled meat, chicken and fish. Visit thekoshercenter.com, email koshercentercr@gmail.com or call +506 2232 2991 for more information.
Mini Market Super Kosher
Aside from the groceries and basics, this mini market has an array of cholov yisroel cheeses.
Chabad offers kosher food for weekdays and Shabbos. Visit chabadcostarica.com or call +506 4010 1515 for more information.
Located within the shul, there is a small store and dairy cafè. Please note, the cafè is not cholov yisroel.
Sabress offers Mediterranean cuisine with Moroccan influence, such as pitas stuffed with vegetables, falafel, grilled meat and sfenj (Moroccan fried donuts) for dessert. They serve whole grilled eggplant, salatim and great platters like schnitzel, chips and more. They are located within Izu’s Place (see more in Where to Stay).
Sabress also provides kosher catering services with a Mediterranean-style menu, as well as Shabbos and Yom Tov packages and frozen or double-wrapped meals. They offer free delivery within Jaco and additional fees apply beyond that. Orders must be placed at least a week in advance.
Kosher Tips from Locals
- The community website has a list of products that are kosher even if they don’t bear any kosher symbol or certification.
- San Jose has some small home businesses that offer specialty items like pizza or Chinese takeout. This information can be found on the community site as well or by asking the locals. These mom-and-pop shops aren’t consistently open, so plan ahead.
- You will find many kosher-certified items in big supermarkets like Walmart and Automercado.
- Shabbos in Costa Rica: Like many European cities, you need to reserve in advance by sending in your passport and information.
Where To Stay
Nestled in the heart of the tropical rainforest at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano in the northern region of Costa Rica, this five-star resort offers a unique blend of nature, adventure and relaxation. Tabacon provides luxurious accommodations, services and amenities in a picture-perfect natural setting. The resort's unique thermal mineral spring river emerges from the volcanic earth, cascading to form waterfalls, streams, tranquil pools and ponds. Tabacon hotel guests receive complimentary access to the thermal experience during their stay. However, if you are just visiting the region for the day, you can spend the day at the hot springs with a one-day pass.
This budget-friendly option is located in the center of town, minutes from the beach and footsteps from restaurants, stores and all Jaco has to offer. With accommodations for all types of travelers, Izu’s has shared dorms and private rooms with a shared kitchen, as well as fully-equipped family suites. It’s a hostel-like experience with tons of services including airport shuttle, Wi-Fi, pool, parking, car rentals, surf lessons, on-site shul and kosher restaurant (see more in What to Eat) and concierge services that offer great discounts to local attractions.
For luxury accommodations, visit Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, W Costa Rica Reserva Conchal or Andaz Costa Rica Resort At Peninsula Papagayo, which can be booked using popular points programs.
For More
1. Costa Rica Kosher Adventures provides full-service Glatt Kosher tours in Costa Rica (and around the world). While we never personally used their service, we are sharing it here for your convenience: costaricakosheradventures.com.
2. High Class Travel is a trusted travel agency that specializes in luxury travel for the kosher consumer and beyond. We have personally used HCT for multiple trips, and booking through an agency is hassle-free and comes with many perks like upgrades and better pricing on many hotels and activities.
3. The Costa Rica tourism site visitcostarica.com/en is a wonderful resource. As the country relies heavily on tourism, they welcome tourists with open arms. We recommend checking out their site and doing some research to customize an itinerary to your liking.
Disclaimer: The status of the kosher certifications of featured restaurants were accurate at the time of original publication. Please verify current certification status independently before visiting. Additionally, some establishments may have since closed.
For more on Fleishigs Magazine visit www.fleishigs.com ~ Use code KOSHER for 18% off subscriptions!
When leaving comments on kosher.com we ask that you be respectful, appropriate, and stay on topic. Click here to read our full comment policy.
Kosher.com Commenting Guidelines
We love hearing from our community! Constructive feedback, tips, questions, and friendly engagement are encouraged.
By commenting on Kosher.com, you agree to follow these guidelines. Please note that comments are for community discussion only and should not be considered halachic guidance—always check with your own Rabbi or LOR.
1. Be Respectful
2. Keep It Appropriate
3. Protect Privacy
4. Stay On Topic
5. Moderation