Costa Rica

If you’ve ever dreamed of a place where you can ride ATVs through the jungle, rappel down waterfalls, soak in volcano-heated hot springs, and then end your day with kosher pizza… well, hi. You’re dreaming of Costa Rica. Let’s start with Jaco—the funky beach town that feels like Miami met the jungle and had a surfy little baby. It’s got energy, it’s got wildlife, and it’s got a monkey boat tour where, yes, actual monkeys may leap into your boat and look you dead in the eyes while stealing your snacks. And if that doesn’t scream vacation, I don’t know what does. Want more danger? (Kidding. Kind of.) Hop on an alligator safari and glide through waters where the gators are big, lazy, and judging your camera angles. Add in an ATV jungle ride, and you’ve got a full day of Costa Rica’s greatest hits —mud, monkeys, mayhem. Then there’s surfing with Damo, aka “surf whisperer to the kosher traveler.” Never touched a board? No worries. Damo will have you catching waves and feeling like a pro, or at the very least, falling off in style. His vibes are top-tier, and somehow he convinces even the most balance-challenged among us to get up and ride that wave like we didn’t grow up on bagels and books. And just when you think, “But what about my kishkes?!” —fear not. There’s Chabad in Jaco, and they’ve got you covered like schmaltz on matzah. They serve delicious Shabbat meals, have a welcoming community, and (wait for it…) serve hot, fresh pizza on Motzei Shabbat. Yes, pizza. In the jungle. With Jews. Dreams do come true. Now take your adventure inland to La Fortuna, which translates to “The Fortune,” and let me tell you—it’s your lucky day. This town has a volcano, a massive waterfall, and more adventure options than your overachieving cousin’s LinkedIn page. First up: white-water rafting—aka “how many times can I scream while smiling?” Then, try rappelling down a waterfall, which is basically sliding down a skyscraper while being soaked and exhilarated. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like James Bond crossed with a soaked potato, this is it. Next? The iconic La Fortuna Waterfall. It’s a trek down and a bigger trek up, but it’s worth it. You’ll get that “I’m in a shampoo commercial” feeling, minus the actual clean hair. And after all that action? Hot springs. Natural, steamy, mineral-packed pools where you sit, melt, and try not to fall asleep face-first into bliss. Bonus: you’re soaking at the base of a volcano. Costa Rica doesn’t do boring. But wait—there’s more. Want to experience the jungle after dark? (Of course you do.) Book a rainforest night tour, where everything glows, crawls, and chirps like you just walked into a Disney nature film with a slightly terrifying soundtrack. Frogs, sloths, snakes— you’ll see it all. Just keep your snacks hidden unless you want more surprise monkey encounters. And now, allow us to introduce the hero of La Fortuna: Daniel from Las Pavitas Tours. This man is not just a guide—he’s an experience. He took us to the volcano, hanging bridges, waterfalls, and somehow managed to make it all kosher. When he heard about our food needs, he didn’t blink—he just bought brand-new pots and pans like it was totally normal. Like, “Sure! Jungle lunch? Kosher? Done.” He fed us. He cracked jokes. He kept the vibe fun and flexible and had the kind of energy that made us feel like we were hiking with a friend who happens to be part National Geographic, part mensch.