We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better feel for this experience. The actual program will vary. A confirmed itinerary is distributed no later than two weeks prior to the start of the program.
DAY 1 | DEPARTURE FLIGHT
Late night arrival in San José, Costa Rica for the start of the program. We’ll break the ice with some fun and engaging activities throughout the day so that you get to know everyone in the group. To learn more about how we organize travel to and from the program, click here. Have dinner and head to bed as soon as we arrive to prepare for an early morning start to your adventure.
DAY 2 | LA FORTUNA
Descend to La Fortuna Waterfall—which sits at the base of the dormant Chat volcano—and cool off in the swimming hole, weather permitting. Teens will hike to the northern lowlands to catch a glimpse of Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica’s best-known volcano.
DAY 3–4 | LIMON
Explore Cahuita National Park—on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast—which has coral reefs, take a boat out to snorkel to see the underwater wildlife, weather permitting. The park’s rainforest shelters toucans, monkeys, and turtles.
Interact with the BriBri community and better understand their way of life. Families will take turns hosting visitors and show them how to cook authentic meals while talking about the culture of Costa Rica. We’ll learn about medicinal plants, the history of the BriBri, the importance of community, and we’ll do some community service. The BriBri are all about community. Learn about their ancient process of making chocolate. The cocoa plant is sacred and valuable to the BriBri, so expect to walk away knowing more about the history and influence of chocolate on their community.
Settle into town for your first Shabbat in Costa Rica. We’ll spend the day relaxing with a hike or walk in town, then dinner and Havdalah.
DAY 5–10 | SARAPIQUI
Next, we’re off to Sarapiqui. We’ll start by white water rafting down the Pacuare River. Then, we’ll spend a day with the local community doing a service project, enhancing and revitalizing the area. We’ll also visit a local elementary school and do activities with the children. After this, enjoy a multi-day community project and farm on a local organic family farm. Teens will help with everything on the farm, including cooking, using ingredients from the farm, planting and harvesting, collecting chicken eggs, feeding the animals, and making sugar cane drinks. We’ll tour the farm and taste its fresh fruits. Then, make empanadas and tortillas with community members. You’ll make art with—and hear the stories and struggles of raising a family in rural Costa Rica from—the Rambia Women’s Group. Then, learn to dance Costa Rican-style!
Take a break from your community service projects to zip-line through the canopies of Costa Rica and soak in the Baldi Hot Springs. Thanks to the region’s geothermal activity, these warm and soothing springs offer an ideal way to relax after a long day.
DAY 11–12 | SAN JOSÉ
We’ll leave Sarapiqui and head to San José for our final Shabbat in Costa Rica’s largest city. Find out how the coffee bean earned its nickname as the golden grain—in part because of how the industry has shaped the country’s development—while on a coffee and chocolate tour. Enjoy a walking tour of San José and see all its amazing sites and landmarks. Once Shabbat ends, spend an evening out in the capital.
DAY 13–16 | UVITA
Our next stop is Uvita, a tranquil beach town that is waiting for you to explore! One the way, we’ll get up-close to crocodiles on the Tárcoles Bridge. You’ll get a free day on the beach and time to swim in the ocean, walk around town, and hike in nature.
See the expansive beaches and evergreen forest of the nearby national parks. Teens will go kayaking, paddle boarding, or take a boat in the mangroves! You may see monkeys, sloths, snakes, spiders, or maybe even a caymen. We’ll visit the Boruca people and learn how they make art with local materials from the rainforest. Spend a day boating to Cano Island—a national park—for snorkeling. Who knows? We may even see a whale along the way. Our last day in Costa Rica will be spent in a surfing lesson and horseback riding to the waterfalls. Then, we'll head to the airport in San Jose to catch our connecting flight to Quito and connect into our Stand UP Adventure Ecuador program.
DAY 17–19 | SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Fly from Quito to Santa Cruz Island and begin your adventure with a visit to the Twin Craters and Scalesia Forest. After settling into your hotel, visit the Charles Darwin Station and relax on La Playa de la Estación. End the day with dinner and some downtime at your hotel’s swimming pool.
Start the next day volunteering at Rancho Primicias, where you’ll help with reforestation and trail maintenance in the giant tortoise habitat. In the afternoon, explore the fascinating underground lava tunnels and learn about the island’s unique geology. Dinner will be at a nearby restaurant, where you can sample various local dishes.
Kick off the next morning snorkeling at Las Grietas, a stunning volcanic fissure with clear emerald waters. After lunch at a local spot, head to Tortuga Bay Beach for kayaking alongside sea lions and other marine life. In the evening, explore the shops along the pier and relax at your hotel.
DAY 20–24 | SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
Take an early ferry to San Cristobal Island, where you’ll hike to Junco Volcano Lake and visit La Galapaguera, the Galapagos tortoise breeding center. After lunch, swim and snorkel at Puerto Chino Beach before meeting with a local coordinator to learn about beach conservation efforts.
Engage in a hands-on beach cleanup and reforestation activity at Hacienda Tranquila, contributing to the preservation of the Galápagos’ unique ecosystems. After a fulfilling day, enjoy Shabbat dinner and reflect on your experiences so far. Begin Saturday with BBYO programming, then spend the afternoon visiting La Loberia Beach or relaxing at Playa Mann to catch the sunset. Participate in a Havdalah ceremony and enjoy dinner in town.
On our last day, we'll embark on a day boat tour to Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)—one of the most iconic snorkeling sites in the Galápagos—known for its incredible marine life. Onsite activities include visiting the Interpretation Center Tijeretas or enjoying free time to explore San Cristobal before our final dinner on the islands.
DAY 24 | RETURN FLIGHT
We'll head to San Cristobal Airport, fly back to Quito, then connect to our flight back to the U.S. It’s never goodbye, just see you later. Give your friends one last hug and part ways once your flight arrives at the airport. While your summer trip with us is over, the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!
