Topic Wiki

List of TR's:
Fan Of Dan, BrooklynCPA, momo Part 1, momo Part 2, lechaim2life, eliteflyer, Pbaruch, Rcarentals (Guanacaste)

Bringing food/meat through the airports:
  • San Jose Airport SJO - customs are known to be ruthless here with meat. There are many stories in the forums and online of people having all their meats or kosher travel meals seized at customs.
  • Liberia LIR - Recent experiences were that LIR customs didn't check anyone at all.
The general advice which is the only method that seems to consistently work, is bringing in specifically USDA certified products. For example most hotdogs will have an actual USDA certification printed on the hotdog packet. Some companies like Teva, Agri in various supermarkets and most manufacturers have the USDA certification and approval number printed on the label. This is rarely the case for supermarkets who repackage and butcher things themselves and do not have a USDA-certified processing room.
There have been reports of stickers like the USDA organic stickers regularly used to label meats in supermarkets working as well if they look like THIS
In the most ideal world, your food has a clear description of: The product, the nutrition, and a USDA label on the manufacturer packaging.

In a worst case, food can be airshipped to anywhere for a fee - for example from one of the SJO kosher suppliers to Liberia for example the JW Marriott for around $400.

Kosher Food/ Restaurants:
  • SKCR/Super Kosher has takeout under the local Chabad rabbi.
  • The Israeli restaurant in Jaco may not be acceptable for many.  It is my understanding that while they get some meat/chicken from Chabad, they have no hashgacha.
  • Supermarket Automercado has pas yisroel bagels in the freezer per the Chabad rabbi in tamarindo - may or may not be tamarindo specific.
  • Walmart is 6 minutes from Liberia airport, and has tons of American, kosher products and snacks.

Synagogue:

Things to Do:

West side/Liberia

Hotels:
The JW Marriott Guanacaste has amazing suites. If you book there, it's worth speaking to the reservations department before or after to see if you can negotiate an upgrade for a small fee. They offered off the base room, an upgrade of $175 a night for a suite, or $200 for a suite with ocean view, and plunge pool.

Getting Around:
A 4 Wheel drive here is mandatory. Not just because the humidity and rain create muddy and slippery roads, but mainly because the potholes here, are really huge and bad, and your car needs clearance to drive... The roads in costa rica are absolutely terribly maintained. they are completely manageable with a SUV - but expect a ton of bumps and thousands of potholes - almost the entire country is made up of 2 lane roads including highways. All overtaking is done in the direction of opposing traffic. cars here are seriously used and abused - so when you pick up your car.. it's worth going for one with as low mileage as possible.


Notes:

ALL CAR COMPANIES CHARGE MANDATORY LIABILITY INSURANCE. This seems to be one of the biggest complaints from tourists who don't know and consider this a tourist trap - like Israel.
CDW here often REQUIRES the letter - more than Israel.. so have that prepared.


Author Topic: Costa Rica Master Thread  (Read 226946 times)

Offline efflpetzel

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 2982
  • Total likes: 176
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Costa Rica Master Thread
« Reply #640 on: November 18, 2024, 08:31:56 AM »
Anyway to know in advance of booking what the mandatory liability insurance will cost, or need to book and then contact them?
If you are referring to a car rental then at sixt the price is automatically including liability

Offline robbiesam

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 35
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York, NY
Re: Costa Rica Master Thread
« Reply #641 on: December 06, 2024, 06:53:52 AM »
Will be at Andaz  winter break 1/16-22 if anyone wants to share a kosher food delivery.

Offline ajs625

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 416
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Costa Rica Master Thread
« Reply #642 on: December 15, 2024, 07:05:10 PM »
Anyway to know in advance of booking what the mandatory liability insurance will cost, or need to book and then contact them?

Avis calls this "ALI (Additional Liability Insurance)" when you book you check the box to have this included or they will add it at the time of rental.

Offline tavster

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 4148
  • Total likes: 1123
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 69
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: LY TP
Re: Costa Rica Master Thread
« Reply #643 on: January 04, 2025, 04:04:44 PM »
If you are going for a sufficient amount of time, I would split the stay.
What would you say is sufficient? 4 days each?

Online tzifanya54

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 5783
  • Total likes: 306
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Costa Rica Master Thread
« Reply #644 on: January 04, 2025, 07:29:21 PM »
What would you say is sufficient? 4 days each?
Depends what you want to do. I have done as little as 2 and 2. If you are just looking to relax that would cut it. If you want to do activities I would do at least 3/4 in Tabacon, and 2/3 at the Andaz.

Offline mandelstam

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: May 2022
  • Posts: 7
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
Re: Costa Rica Master Thread
« Reply #645 on: January 06, 2025, 03:19:16 PM »
Going to be in Tulemar Costa Rica for yehsiva week Jan 16-22 with a torah. We have 7 for a minyan and looking for a few more. If anyone is going to be there please contact me

Offline mba1922njt

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2024
  • Posts: 2
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Costa Rica Master Thread
« Reply #646 on: January 08, 2025, 10:05:29 AM »
Am I able to bring a mini panini press and/or mini rice cooker in my carry on bag?  I feel like these, foil and a frying pan would cover my cooking needs but I dont want to bring if it isn't allowed...

Offline Biglar

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Sep 2017
  • Posts: 1
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Costa Rica Master Thread
« Reply #647 on: January 25, 2025, 10:02:14 PM »
Greetings to all. I have an upcoming trip to CR (Feb 2025) and would be most appreciative if anyone could help me with the following:

1) What is the current situation with bringing in food via the Liberia airport? My hope was to bring in packaged deli. I can purchase deli with a USDA stamp if that makes a difference. Would sliced turkey be easier / harder to get in then beef?

2) I have a bit of a caffeine addiction. I am well aware that CR is known for it's coffee - but I prefer my caffeine cold, carbonated and cola-ed! (although sunkist and mt dew work just fine thank you!). I was planing to stop in the Liberia Walmart after arriving. Can I get US (ex Coke zero) there? How about the in-house Walmart brand with Hechshar?

3) How necessary are Collonies (vs Dollars or CC). I will be in Aranal / La Fortuna for my entire (short) trip. I will NOT be renting a car but using taxis / uber etc.  Should I get Collonies at my local bank before leaving?

TY!


Offline decentlyfrum

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2024
  • Posts: 2
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: Costa Rica Master Thread
« Reply #648 on: January 26, 2025, 01:27:20 AM »
Hi Everyone,

My family and I will be staying at the Andaz Papagayo from February 2–7.

We’re planning to bring minimal food with us and ask the chefs to prepare meals using our own pans. We also plan to have them cook triple-wrapped fish and vegetables in their oven.

Has anyone who is strictly kosher relied entirely on the hotel restaurants for food preparation? Were they accommodating? Do you have any tips or suggestions to share?

Thanks in advance!

Online tzifanya54

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 5783
  • Total likes: 306
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Costa Rica Master Thread
« Reply #649 on: January 27, 2025, 12:44:13 PM »
Greetings to all. I have an upcoming trip to CR (Feb 2025) and would be most appreciative if anyone could help me with the following:

1) What is the current situation with bringing in food via the Liberia airport? My hope was to bring in packaged deli. I can purchase deli with a USDA stamp if that makes a difference. Would sliced turkey be easier / harder to get in then beef?

2) I have a bit of a caffeine addiction. I am well aware that CR is known for it's coffee - but I prefer my caffeine cold, carbonated and cola-ed! (although sunkist and mt dew work just fine thank you!). I was planing to stop in the Liberia Walmart after arriving. Can I get US (ex Coke zero) there? How about the in-house Walmart brand with Hechshar?

3) How necessary are Collonies (vs Dollars or CC). I will be in Aranal / La Fortuna for my entire (short) trip. I will NOT be renting a car but using taxis / uber etc.  Should I get Collonies at my local bank before leaving?

TY!
1. We have brought USDA certified beef through with no issues recently
2. Yes Coke and Diet coke readily available.
3. Likely not necessary, for the little that you may need I would just exchange locally.

Offline robbiesam

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 35
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York, NY
Re: Costa Rica Master Thread
« Reply #650 on: January 27, 2025, 05:09:15 PM »
They are generally very accommodating and will do whatever you ask of them (e.g. turning on flame, using your pan, etc). Just ask to meet with someone from kitchen staff when you get there.

We had a Polar bear of frozen food insider a roller suitcase when we went through customs. All luggage goes through scanner quickly. Guy noticed thermos inside and asked if we had any meat. I said all cooked prepared foods and he shrugged and looked too lazy to deal with opening it and let us through.
Someone else on our flight had a lot of food and all they took away was one bag of cheese that wasn't labeled.



Hi Everyone,

My family and I will be staying at the Andaz Papagayo from February 2–7.

We’re planning to bring minimal food with us and ask the chefs to prepare meals using our own pans. We also plan to have them cook triple-wrapped fish and vegetables in their oven.

Has anyone who is strictly kosher relied entirely on the hotel restaurants for food preparation? Were they accommodating? Do you have any tips or suggestions to share?

Thanks in advance!