Kosher Travel in Costa Rica FAQs Answered
Planning a kosher vacation abroad can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming, especially in destinations without established Jewish neighborhoods or readily available kosher markets.
Costa Rica is one of the world’s most beloved travel destinations for families, wellness seekers, and multigenerational groups, and it’s absolutely possible to enjoy a seamless, luxurious, fully kosher experience here. The key to this is having on-the-ground planning support and trusted local guidance.
At Villa Punto de Vista, we’ve hosted kosher travelers for decades, from large family celebrations to Shabbat-observant groups and milestone trips. Each is planned in harmony with our dedicated kosher consultant based in San José to ensure the absolute best service and adherence to religious guidelines.
Below, we answer the most common questions we receive about kosher travel in Costa Rica —from food sourcing and kitchen supervision to Shabbat, excursions, and planning timelines —so you can feel confident, cared for, and completely at ease from the moment you begin planning.
What makes Costa Rica workable for kosher traveling?
Short version: the right team, the right kitchen, and the right plan.
Costa Rica is primed for incredible nature, wellness, and family experiences without much pre-planning required. However, kosher food sourcing and supervision do require planning, and quite honestly, the right connections with the Orthodox church and vendors in San José.
From the capital, food and supplies are transported throughout the country, but it can be difficult to find those contacts without a connection, which our villa has.
Villa vs. hotel: Which is better for kosher travelers?
Hotels are great for many trips, but for kosher travel in Costa Rica, a private villa typically wins.
In a hotel, gaining control of the kitchen without a buyout is difficult.
As our villa’s kosher consultant explained, “You need to buy out the hotel because we need the kitchen. It’s not like you have the kitchen because we have to clean the kitchen to make it kosher.” A villa gives your group exclusive kitchen access, space for kashering, and dedicated zones for meat and dairy. The consultant can also bring in kosher private chefs who are familiar with kosher guidelines and, in some cases, Jewish themselves, so there are no questions or mishaps.
As our kosher consultant put it, “Being in a villa, I’m 100% sure everything is going to be perfect.” That confidence comes from controlling the kitchen, certifying process, and tailoring menus long before you land.
Bottom line: If you want a frictionless, kosher travel experience for a multigenerational group trip, choose a villa set up for kosher culinary travel.
Can I bring my own kosher meat and cheese into Costa Rica?
We don’t recommend bringing in your own meat and cheese into Costa Rica, as there’s a nearly 100% chance it will get confiscated at the airport. You’ll end up wasting money and having to source these items once you arrive, which is more difficult in a pinch (while not impossible with the right team on your side).
“You are not allowed to bring meat from the States or from anywhere,” our consultant informs. “Customs will confiscate prohibited items, and you might end up eating out of emergency suitcases.”
She’s seen visitors have to eat pre-packaged tuna and crackers all week, and that doesn’t make for a luxury kosher vacation by any means.
Instead, rely on your concierge and kosher travel consultant for approved sourcing, transport, and cold-chain logistics. They routinely arrange pantry staples, sealed snacks, and fresh items that meet kosher standards.
How can we manage daily excursions while maintaining kosher dietary restrictions in Costa Rica?
This is one of the things our pre-arrival concierge works with the kosher consultant on if you are staying at our villa in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
The key is smart scheduling plus kosher travel meals to-go.
“Activities have to be in the morning,” our consultant advised for Shabbat-observant guests, and “we send everything, the cookies, the crackers, the cake for the afternoon, everything.”
Many of the quintessential Costa Rican excursions groups always book include lunch, and your group won’t miss out. Our kosher travelers are supplied with sealed whole fruit and bottled drinks to snack on and our team brings a bespoke kosher travel picnic instead of the typical provided lunch. Every aspect of the experience is controlled and certified kosher by the consultant and Mashgiah, if you have one on-site for the week.
What will arranging kosher meals in Costa Rica cost, and how early should we plan?
Pricing reflects the scope of the services.
This could include:
- Kitchen kashering
- Equipment rental
- Kosher supervisor
- Extra gas
- Menu design
- Ingredient sourcing
- Delivery logistics
- Staff hours
When guests inquire about the villa, we handle the stay and travel logistics and connect you with our kosher consultant based in San Jose, who travels to the villa to ensure compliance with your needs. She will provide a quote based on the services and meals you desire.
We recommend booking at least one year in advance for peak seasons and Jewish holidays (and discuss Sukkot/Passover needs upfront).
The payoff is a truly luxurious kosher travel experience that features your own private villa estate just for your group, adventurous days, and kosher travel meals, snacks, and services dialed in with zero mental load.
Most importantly, no one will have to miss out on activities or family time to be in the kitchen.
Is there enough variety for foodies and kids?
Absolutely!
This is actually the reason our kosher consultant started her service decades ago, because she wanted to provide culinary experiences for kosher travelers coming to her home country of Costa Rica.
She met a kosher family traveling, and they were eating tuna and crackers out of their suitcase all week. She knew support was needed and wanted to open the world to kosher travelers in a way that was simple and obtainable, and she’s done so now for decades!
She loves customizing menus while sourcing special items like fresh white cheeses made under Rabbinic oversight in the capital, so you can taste Costa Rica while maintaining kosher standards without worry or question.
Want BBQ on the beach? No problem. Pasta for the kids? Done.
Anything you desire, our consultant can make happen with these bespoke kosher travel services.
Can we observe Shabbat without breaking halacha?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, especially when staying with us at Villa Punto de Vista, we ensure everything is handled in advance so observing Shabbat is restful as it should be, not hurried or stressful.
Before Shabbat begins:
- Lighting and appliances are preset or placed on timers
- Refrigerator lights are removed
- Servingware and warming equipment are ready
- The table is fully set
- The kitchen transitions to heat-only mode
- Staff receive clear guidance so you don’t have to monitor or explain during your rest
The villa is also walkable to town, should you need to go somewhere.
Whether Shabbat for you is deeply traditional, spiritually reflective, or simply a sacred family reset, the villa is built to honor it.
What Most People Don’t Realize About Kosher Travel in Costa Rica
So, let’s sum it all up!
- It’s absolutely possible to keep kosher in Costa Rica, but only with the right planning and partners.
Kosher food isn’t bought locally at the beach in most cases; other than fruit or items more easily sourced, it’s sourced and certified through San José with rabbinic oversight and transported to the villa. - A villa is typically the best choice for accommodation, as you need full kitchen control for kashering, supervision, and separate prep zones.
- Any perishable food items are usually confiscated upon arrival, so rely on trusted sourcing inside the country instead of traveling with meat or dairy products.
- Shabbat is serene and effortless when everything is prepared in advance, from lighting timers to full table setup and heat-only kitchens.
- Excursions are still possible, with kosher meals and snacks packed and supervision coordinated before you leave.
- Book early (ideally 9–12 months, especially for holidays) to secure supervision, chefs, and kosher supply logistics.
How to Book a Kosher Vacation in Costa Rica
Our villas are located in Manuel Antonio on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, with kosher vendors, a synagogue, and reliable Rabbinic oversight based in San José, just a short flight or scenic drive away.
Our goal at Villa Punto de Vista is to make reserving your luxury villa in Costa Rica as simple as possible in five simple steps:
Step 1: Inquire with the villa concierge
Share your dates, group size, and level of observance.
Step 2: Consult with our kosher travel consultant.
They’ll scope menus, supervision, and sourcing.
Step 3: Approve your plan.
We’ll reserve the supervisor/chef, schedule kashering, and lock in your kosher travel meals, including lunchboxes for excursions and Shabbat needs.
Step 4: Finalize your itinerary with your pre-arrival concierge.
Beyond the food, our team will take care of all travel logistics, as well.
When you book, you’ll be introduced to Gloriela, your pre-arrival concierge. She’ll work with you and our kosher consultant, who will be on-site personally or via her team, to ensure meals, groceries, and everything else are taken care of there.
But, Gloriela will also book any excursions, airport transfers, massage or spa services in-villa or in town, local nanny or babysitting services, and more. Everything you need, fully handled.
Step 5: Arrive and exhale.
Your kitchen is ready, your table is set, and your Costa Rica memories are about to be delicious.
Want to get started?
Explore available dates for your kosher family trip and send us a message.
We’ll be happy to put together a custom proposal and get you in contact with our villa’s kosher consultant so you can begin planning your stress-free kosher vacation in Costa Rica!
Christien Johnson is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Villa Punto de Vista Estate, an award-winning private resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. With nearly 20 years in luxury hospitality, he has helped make the estate a benchmark for private villa experiences, earning 700+ five-star reviews, 13 consecutive WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards (an achievement only secured by the top 3% of venues worldwide) and a vote as the #1 wedding venue in Costa Rica, as well as recognition from Architectural Digest, Condé Nast Johansens, and the Global Choice Awards as the Best Villa in Central America.
Christien also founded and manages Vista Destinations Luxury Travel Agency, Costa Rica Weddings, and Costa Rica Chefs, and advises brands worldwide on automation and AI in luxury hospitality, shaping the next era of high-touch, personalized travel as a trusted voice in private-estate and transformational travel.
