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March of the Living

Eco-Quest Costa Rica

DATES: June 26 - July 9 l July 10 - July 23 l July 24 - August 6

LENGTH: 14 Days

GRADES: Current 9th-12th

COST: $2,950

EXPERIENCE: Costa Rica

REGISTER NOW

An active touring experience to the cloud forest jungles, lava flowing volcanoes, and tropical beaches of Costa Rica. Experience natural beauty with a focus on ecological protection, a Costa Rican approach to sustainable living, and connections with the local Jewish community of San Jose.

Availability Alert

The following Eco-Quest Costa Rica trip dates have limited availability:

Eco-Quest Costa Rica #3 (July 24 - August 6)
UNDER 10 SPACES LEFT
Eco-Quest Costa Rica #2 (July 10 - July 23)
UNDER 10 SPACES LEFT

About the Experience

Looking for adventure? Hike on an active volcano, zip-line over a rainforest, snorkel on a tropical beach, raft down a raging river, swim under a waterfall, relax in thermal hot springs, and go on a night safari. Costa Rica is a stunningly beautiful country that is lush with colorful plants, rare animals, and endless opportunities for outdoors exploration.

Living in harmony with nature. Although Costa Rica is a very small country, it contains more biodiversity than America or Europe! On Eco-Quest, we will learn about Costa Rica's unique approach to sustainable living. Spend the weekend on a "Costa Rican-style kibbutz", explore an organic coffee plantation, and eat deliciously fresh food at every stop along the way.

Building cross-cultural connections. Costa Rica is a very friendly country. So friendly, it is one of the only countries in the world with no army at all. Meet fellow teens at a local school, celebrate Shabbat with the Jewish community of San Jose, and leave your mark through a series of service projects.

As an experience for Jewish teens, Eco-Quest is also an opportunity to explore your Jewish identity through the lens of life in Costa Rica. Delve into the meaning of being eco-kosher, fulfill the Jewish value of Tikun Olam (fixing the planet), and celebrate two very memorable Shabbatot - including one with the Jewish community of San Jose..

Trip Highlights

Check out the sample itinerary for a fuller picture of what this experience is about...

Explore Monteverde's cloud forests and swim under waterfalls
Hike to an active volcano and take a dip in a thermal pool
Search for jungle wildlife on a night time safari
Come up-close and personal to a massive den of alligators on a river cruise
Go ocean kayaking on the Pacific Ocean and relax on the beach
Stay at a sustainable ranch and learn ecologically friendly farming practices
Meet with local Costa Rican teens and take part in meaningful community service projects
Celebrate Shabbat together with San Jose's Jewish community
Raft down the roaring Pacuare River!

Itinerary Snapshot

Check out the sample itinerary for a fuller picture of what this experience is about...

WEEK #1 / Cloud Forests & Volcanoes!
Land in San Jose and head straight for the highlands of the Monteverde cloud forests where we will search for exotic animals, fly high above the canopy forests on a world-renowned zip-line course, and meet with Costa Rica teens at a local high school. . From Monteverde we set off for Arenal, a volcano so active that bright red flowing lave is visible most nights. This region of Costa Rica is especially beautiful, and we will explore it on horseback, on foot, and in the water. Our first week caps off with a visit to Ranch Margot, a small Costa Rican agricultural community that can best be described as a "Costa Rican kibbutz". Here we will celebrate a unique Shabbat with yoga, community-building, and well deserved relaxation time.

WEEK #2 / Pacific Coast, River Rafting & San Jose
Our second week in Costa Rica begins descending from the mountains and heading to the Pacific coast where we snorkel, ocean kayak, and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the open ocean. From the Pacific we head back up into the highlands for a white-water rafting adventure on the raging Pacuare River and a tour of a local organic coffee plantation. The Eco-Quest experience wraps up where it started in San Jose, Costa Rica's capital. Here we spend Shabbat with the local Jewish community and learn about their history and special place in Costa Rican society.

Getting to Costa Rica

The program tuition for Eco-Quest Costa Rica does not include international flights. Participants can choose to either book a ticket on a staff supervised flight or make their own arrangements on the airline of their choice:

OPTION #1 / Purchase Your Own Ticket on a Supervised Flight
An optional supervised flight is available from New York and Miami. Participants are responsible for booking seats on the supervised flights on their own from their home city

OPTION #2 / Meet in Costa Rica
Alternatively, for those participants who wish to make their own flight arrangements to San Jose, Costa Rica on a separate airline, they will be met personally upon arrival and escorted back to the airport for their return flight at no additional cost.

What's Included & More

Program Package

Airport pick-up & drop-off. Participants are responsible for arranging own transportation to start/end cities. An optional chaperoned group is also available
Accommodations (hotels and country lodging)
All meals (kosher or vegetarian/allowance)
Activities & entrance fees
Deluxe motorcoach
Dynamic staff team
Medical insurance (excludes pre-existing conditions)

Trip Links

Program Itinerary
Pre-Trip Prep 2011
Register Now for Eco-Quest Costa Rica

Connecting Two Experiences

Sign-on for a full summer of eye-opening multi-continent travel. This experience can be connected seamlessly with the following worldwide BBYO Passport programs. Make the most of the summer. Explore your options...