Costa Rica Master Thread

[mordechain]

Thanks Frostboot. We've vacuum packed all and will be transporting it in a freezer bag so I think we should be OK.

Let us know what happens!

[rileywiles23]

See my report upthread. We ultimately got our POM meals in, but if I ever go again, I would be sure to have some sort of USDA stamp on them and pack them in a legitimate cooler. We had ours packed frozen (and they arrived frozen) in a cardboard box with ice-packs along the perimeter. The whole customs operation at LIR seemed very haphazard and unpredictable.

How can I get a USDA stamp on Pom meals ?

[eliteflyer]

How can I get a USDA stamp on Pom meals ?

I don't think POM will do it, but I suppose you could always try printing your own official-looking stickers, or borrow some labels/old packaging the next time you're at the butcher.

[Mtl18]

What about packaged steaks? How would you suggest I pack it? Better to leave in original package or repackage it?

[eliteflyer]

What about packaged steaks? How would you suggest I pack it? Better to leave in original package or repackage it?

they did not like our home packed ziplock bag meals so that could probably backfire on you. I'd think better bet would be official looking vacuum packed steaks.

[oiseli48]

Anyone in papagayo next week interested in a joint order of food from San Jose? They want $230 for delivery

[live18]

My husband and I will be in the Papagayo area for the weekend and in Arenal for Tuesday and Wednesday. We would like to visit one more place on Monday and sleep there Monday night. Do you have any recommendations? We were thinking Rincon national park or bijagua/the waterfall but don't know which one is too similar to arenal area or which one is better and which one can't be done in a day...unless there is another place we don't know about?

Please include suggestions for accommodations.

Thanks!

[Aaaron]

Has anyone ordered food from the Chabad takeout in San Jose? Or been to the kosher grocery store?

[gsquared]

The grocery store is small but has a good take out business. We ordered a few meals from them. Some were better than others.   

[beeweegee]

Has anyone ordered food from the Chabad takeout in San Jose? Or been to the kosher grocery store?

Yes, both. What's your question?

[Aaaron]

Yes, both. What's your question?

We ordered a bunch of take out meals, but I was primarily wondering what type of food is the store stocked with?  Meat products?  Kosher milk?

[E]

Andaz papagayo in room A/C has a occuppancy and door sensor this can easily be shut off by removing JP3 jumper see page 7 of manual.

Google : peco thermostat t170 manual

[Suave]

Flying to SJO tonight, planning on spending a month covering several countries in central America, chances are I'll hop over to Nicaragua in the next few days as Costa Rica does not seem that appealing.

[Aaaron]

Flying to SJO tonight, planning on spending a month covering several countries in central America, chances are I'll hop over to Nicaragua in the next few days as Costa Rica does not seem that appealing.

We were talking to some expats down there and they all said CR, Panama, and Belize are all much more interesting than Nicaragua. 

[Suave]

I guess it all depends on who you ask, the locals here in Costa Rica (including expats) are telling me to go to Nicaragua. The only activity that interests me here is the corcovado national park (the most biodiverse rainforest in the world according to natgeo). I'm hoping to hop on a bus within the next hour or two

[jshelton]

can you bring those pomegranate premade frozen meals on a plane to costa rica? like as a carry on or in your luggage?

also, does anyone know if the westin all inclusive will provide kosher food with no extra charge, has anyone had any experience with this? I tried asking but they haven't got back to me and its been days.

otherwise thinking of staying at andaz, el mangrove, or jw Marriott (all in Guanacaste - bc flying into Liberia)

thanks as always

[eliteflyer]

can you bring those pomegranate premade frozen meals on a plane to costa rica? like as a carry on or in your luggage?

See upthread. We brought them in to LIR successfully, but nearly had them confiscated.

[jshelton]

do you or should you rent a car here if staying in the papagayo or Guanacaste area? I would like to do some beach activities and some hiking, sightseeing, and other stuff. haven't looked into the area so much yet just preliminary planning but wondering what people on here do.

thank you

[jshelton]

Apparently the Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo has a full kosher menu (requires 72 hours advance notice)

Food comes from the San Jose Kosher Center and is "Glatt Kosher, Bishul Yisroel, Pas Yisroel under the stricktest standards of uncompromised Kashrus. The Rav Hamachshir is the Mora D'asra of Costa Rica's Orthodox Community, Harav Gershon Miletski"

Prices are fairly cheap at $25 per meal for items like Boneless Spare Ribs, Cowboy Steak etc and include a side dish

Before ya'll jump on me for the Four Seasons being too expensive they have $400 rates in the summer

does anybody know which points I can use to stay here?

[MrPrime1]

does anybody know which points I can use to stay here?

You can actually stay at the andaz papagayo and use their free shuttle to go back and forth to the four Seasons which is about 5-10 min away