TLDR: Amazing, special program. Different than most. Smaller group of diverse people who come to enjoy Pesach surrounded by the sights, sounds, and flavors of Costa Rica. Not a luxury program but not presented as such. Those who attend will be changed spiritually by an amazing rabbi and unforgettable nature experiences. What this program is not, so folks can stop reading if want ?‍♀️: It is not for those who want a $40k experience, a 24-hour tearoom, day camp day and night, big-name entertainment and speakers, non-stop food and alcohol, [add in other things from expensive, over the top programs here]. If that is your Pesach program wish list, this program is not for you. What this program is ✅: It is for singles/marrieds/families who want to experience a meaningful Pesach with a smaller group of amazing people of diverse backgrounds, to eat healthy local food that allows a daily shehechayanu, to be moved spiritually by an amazing rabbi, and to experience the beauty (and humidity!) of Costa Rica. Accommodations ?: Different options of newer and older properties at Casa Conde Papagayo. Not luxurious but perfect for needs. Other option at hotel next door as well. Animals on property include iguanas and monkeys. Banana plants and beautiful foliage abound. Food ?: Delicious and fresh. Head Chef was a wonderful woman who was always available, interacted and helped guests. Buffet breakfast (dairy and pareve). Lunch had dairy cafe at times but mostly fish and fleisch buffet. Dinner was fish and fleisch. Served on chag/shabbas; buffet otherwise. Fish freshly caught and cooked. Local veges and fruit we’d never before even seen. Baker made fresh desserts. Always fresh juices and fruits and water. Excursions ?: All included in cost!! Usually two options each day generally of different difficulties. Included El Coco beach, river float, waterfall, hike, safari, ziplining and the highlight for us: all day trip to sloth encounter+ Arenal volcano+night rainforest hike. Snacks and water provided on trips. Meals including fresh made food (BBQ!) for longer trips. Memories made were priceless; kids will forever remember these trips. Kids ? : Our 2 younger (age 11 and 7) went to kid program. Older kid (age 13) played pool with new friends. Kid program had set hours during chag. Non-chag had no official kid program bc of trips – not needed – but group leaders, two Costa Rican women who’ve worked on the program for years, did special events such as water balloon fight, bonfire with marshmallows, face painting, movie night (so parents could pack), water slide and more. Program provided kids with Seder toys and Pesach-related games for bus rides, which they could keep of course. There was also a kid dinner each night. Speakers ?: Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, who founded Kids Kicking Cancer among many other accomplishments, was the primary speaker. He and his wife took time to get to know each guest and the kids. The Rabbi taught new ways of thinking about and managing life’s challenges among so many other things. I never go to Pesach program lectures but I couldn’t NOT go to these bc they were that meaningful. A Jewish professor at a CR university also presented about Jewish history related to Central America. It was fascinating and left me wanting more. He also did nature walks each morning. Evening Entertainment on chol ?: sparse but not needed. Trips + heat + using muscles not used to using ? were tiring and chatting w new friends/going to the pool/walking on the beach/sitting outside the cabins provided entertainment. A local band and dancers came one evening and was lovely. Truly a Pesach to remember!

We love this program so much we are repeat attendees! The atmosphere is welcoming, relaxed and friendly. The staff always have ready smiles. Walking through the luxuriant grounds and along the ocean beach is an absolute tonic for the soul, punctuated by frequent sitings of wildlife — parrots and lots of other birds, iguanas, coatimundi, howler monkeys, white face monkeys, frogs, and more. There are many options for hol hamoed trips which are included. While we enjoy the trips, it’s also a complete delight just to stay on the property, savoring the beauty right outside our room. Delicious and abundant meals are based on fresh, local ingredients with choices to suit any taste. Fresh fruit and juices are always available. The Shabbos and Yom Tov meals are artfully presented and served to your table. Other meals are buffet service. We especially enjoy waking up early to the different bird songs drifting through the air, walking over to get coffee, then sitting on our veranda watching and listening as the morning unfolds. We look forward to returning to this program next year. It’s something we anticipate with joy.

Venue: We had a great time. The hotel was beautiful with an excellent view on a quiet beach. The grounds were well maintained. It was hot outside but there were great places to cool down and always refreshments that were delicious and refreshing, on yom tov and shabbas. There was lots to do around the hotel including walking on the beach, swimming in the pools, attending the excellent talks, walking in the mangroves next door or relaxing and even taking a break and watching a movie in our hotel room. On grounds we saw: monkeys, parrots, parakeets, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, vultures, armadillos, owls, flycatchers, many iguanas, a skunk (once), and I am sure there were more animals that I cant think of Food: the food was excellent. all meals had lots of options so everyone could find something they liked. The highlights were carving a perfectly seared tuna and separately the red snapper. Other great meals included the short ribs. The omelet station was always popular but everything was delicious. Personally, I was excited to see all of the local fruits and vegetables they featured in all the meals. I said a Shehechiyanu everyday. Service: The staff was incredible. Carolina and Emily not only helped out with the children, they genuinely loved spending time with them. They were always watching someone’s child whether asked to or not. The kids ran to them on every excursion and that would give me and my wife an appreciated breather. The wait staff and hotel staff were incredibly accommodating. Within a couple of days they knew my family by our first names and would even find condiments and other things we routinely asked for before we arrived at our table. Only complaint is that they occasionally ran out of towels, but they would get them right away if you needed them. Activities: the activities were great. They were easy to do, they provided snacks and drinks at every location so you did not have to plan anything, even if you had young kids. Everything was close to the hotel and very fun. They also offered two trips on most days so you could pick your preference and even divide up your family if necessary. The waterfall was incredible as was the boat trip. Considerations: costa rica is hot but very bearable. bring more sunscreen than you think you need. bring lots of mosquito repellent and wear long sleeves at night, it can get a little buggy.

We always wanted to visit Costa Rica so we took a chance on the CRKA pesach program. We had a most amazing experience!! The program had about 150 people with lots of geographic and hashkafic diversity. Yet, everyone bonded over what we had in common and by day three we all felt like one big and very happy family. Our room type was a family suite and while the weather runs hot in Costa Rica this time of year, the rooms were very cool and comfortable. There was plenty of space in the room and the amenities were lovely. The grounds are beautiful with two great pools (one had a mechitza erected around it with separate swim hours for men and women. We were able to enjoy private Sedarim in our suite with amazing waiter service. In addition tonthe waiters, the entire staff at the hotel are the nicest, most accomodating people. Liz, the head.chef, worked miracles meal after meal. The location is close to many of Costa Ricas natural visitor attractions. Our. Family enjoyed horseback riding on the beach, zip lining, atv, animal adventures boating, rafting and a gorgeous waterfall and natural swim hole. Some people arranged their own private tours and outings. The wildlife is all around you – monkeys in the trees, iguanas roaming the grounds, exotic birds and more. We were extremely pleasantly surprised by the ruach and ruchniyus brought by Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg and his family. Very inspiring classes, divrei Torah and davening. They even set up CME credit for those who could use them. Our whole family has great Hakaras HaTov to Joel (Yoel) and the entire Weinberger family for planning such a warm and incredible pesach experience and so much thoughtful attention to detail. Thank you!