Kosher Costa Rica:
a Guide for 2025

Religious Institutions and Services

Costa Rica is home to several Jewish religious centers that welcome visitors:

1. Centro Israelita Sionista (CIS): This sprawling complex in San José features the Shaarei Zion Synagogue, a mikveh, a community center, and a kosher dining hall. It serves as the spiritual and cultural heart of the Jewish community​.
2. Chabad Costa Rica:
   • San José: Chabad offers daily prayer services, Shabbat meals, Torah classes, and holiday programs. Their open-door policy ensures all visitors feel welcome.
   • Jaco and Santa Teresa: These coastal Chabad houses cater to the growing Israeli and Jewish population in these areas. They provide kosher meals, Shabbat services, and festive events​.
3. Chabad Santa Teresa: This branch is especially active during high-tourist seasons, organizing community meals and celebrations for holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Passover​.

Jewish Influence in Coastal Areas

The last decade has seen a rise in the Israeli presence along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. Towns like Santa Teresa, Jaco, and Bahia Ballena have become hubs for Israeli travelers and expatriates. The idyllic beaches, vibrant surf culture, and bohemian lifestyle attract thousands of visitors annually.

• Santa Teresa: Known for its upscale yet laid-back vibe, this town features several Israeli-owned businesses, including hostels, restaurants, and yoga studios. Chabad Santa Teresa is central to the Jewish presence here, hosting large Shabbat meals and maintaining a kosher kitchen.
• Jaco: This bustling beach town is another favorite among Israeli travelers. Kosher-friendly eateries like Sabress offer traditional Middle Eastern flavors​.
• Bahia Ballena and the Diamante Valley: In recent years, these areas have become home to small but growing Israeli communities, drawn by their natural beauty and opportunities for eco-living.

Kosher Hotels and Destination Events

Costa Rica offers several kosher-friendly accommodation options, including:

• Oneg Shabbath, a Chabad-supervised kosher bed-and-breakfast in San José.
• Hotels in popular tourist destinations that offer kosher-certified meal options upon request.

For those planning events, Costa Rica is an excellent location for destination weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other celebrations. The Kosher Market works with Local kosher catering services ensure adherence to Jewish dietary laws, while Chabad houses provide spiritual and logistical support.

Jewish Events and Holiday Celebrations

Chabad and the CIS host vibrant celebrations for major Jewish holidays, blending traditional rituals with Costa Rica’s unique tropical setting. Highlights include:

• Hanukkah Candle Lightings: Held in public spaces, these events often feature music, dancing, and kosher treats.
• Passover Seders: Hosted by Chabad in multiple locations, attracting hundreds of participants.
• Purim Parties: Complete with costumes, megillah readings, and festive meals.

Eco-Tourism and Jewish Values

For eco-conscious Jewish travelers, Costa Rica’s emphasis on sustainability resonates with the Jewish principle of “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world). Eco-lodges such as Punta Mona offer kosher dining options and sustainable travel experiences, creating a harmonious blend of Jewish values and environmental stewardship.

Transportation for Jewish Travelers

Specialized Jewish transportation services offer convenience and comfort for travelers. Bilingual drivers fluent in Hebrew, English, and Spanish provide:

• Private taxi services.
• Minibuses for group travel.
• Airport transfers and guided tours of Jewish sites​
• These services cater to the needs of observant travelers, ensuring a seamless experience throughout the country.

Kosher Restaurants in Costa Rica: A Culinary Journey

Costa Rica offers a variety of kosher dining options to suit Jewish travelers and locals looking for authentic kosher cuisine. The majority of kosher-certified establishments are concentrated in San José, with a few exciting options in popular coastal areas like Jaco and Santa Teresa.

1. San José: A Kosher Hub

San José, the capital, is home to the most robust selection of kosher-certified restaurants, serving a diverse range of cuisines:

• Kosher Market Costa Rica, also in San José, is a one-stop-shop for precooked kosher meals and deli options. Though primarily a store, it has a selection of prepared foods ideal for travelers.
• Chabad San José offers kosher meals prepared upon request, making it an excellent resource for visiting families and individuals.

2. Jaco: Coastal Kosher Dining

In Jaco, Sabress Kosher Restaurant provides a standout experience for kosher diners in this bustling beach town. The restaurant is celebrated for its rich Mediterranean and Israeli dishes, blending traditional flavors with modern culinary techniques.

3. Santa Teresa: Gourmet and Kosher

Santa Teresa has evolved into a vibrant hub for Jewish travelers, with kosher options available from Chabad Santa Teresa, which frequently organizes meals and events. While there isn’t a dedicated kosher restaurant, the town is known for its collaborative culinary efforts during holidays and special events and Kosher style Israeli Restaurant “Zula”.

4. Other Kosher Options

• In more remote areas like Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio, kosher travelers often rely on delivery services or precooked meals from San José. The Kosher Market Costa Rica delivers nationwide, ensuring access to high-quality kosher food no matter where you stay. In Uvita Israeli Chef Roy Sisso of “Falafel Sisso” offers Kosher Style Pita Snadwiches and other Israeli Favorites.

Planning Tips for Kosher Dining

• Call Ahead: Always confirm hours and availability of kosher certification for restaurants or catering services.
• Chabad Connections: Chabad centers in Costa Rica (San José, Jaco, and Santa Teresa) are excellent resources for kosher meals and guidance.
• Pre-Trip Preparations: If traveling to rural or less touristy areas, stock up on kosher goods in San José or use the Kosher Markets nationwide delivery services to maintain dietary observance.

Costa Rica’s growing kosher scene reflects its increasing popularity among Jewish travelers. Whether enjoying a meal in a bustling kosher restaurant in San José or savoring kosher-friendly beachside offerings in Jaco or Santa Teresa, there’s a flavorful experience waiting for everyone.

Widely Available Kosher Goods in Costa Rican Supermarkets

Costa Rica offers a surprising variety of kosher-certified products that are easily found in supermarkets across the country. These include popular everyday items, ranging from cooking staples like Clover Brand and Numar oils to Lizano sauces, and pantry essentials such as Natura ketchup and Badia spices (with kosher certification). Dairy products like Dos Pinos milk and butter and Sigma Alimentos dulce cream also meet kosher requirements, making them accessible choices for observant households.

Shoppers can find kosher canned goods, including Del Trópico beans, chickpeas, and mixed vegetables, and specialty products like Tamara pickles and Agroindustrial Montaña Azul palmito. Sweet treats are well-represented with Cuétara cookies, Pop’s ice cream, and Chocopiña chocolate-covered tropical fruit. For beverages, brands like Britt coffee, Tropical drinks, and a range of juices from Verdelli and Dos Pinos are widely available.

These kosher goods are not limited to specialty stores but are commonly stocked in mainstream supermarkets, ensuring convenience for residents and visitors seeking certified products for everyday use or special occasions.

Condensed List of Kosher Products and Brands

Oils

• Clover Brand
• Numar
• Capullo
• Dorofrit (Special for frying)

Beverages

• Tropical Drink (All except tea and grape flavors)
• Squincher Drink (Natural and flavored)
• Britt Coffee (All flavors)
• Volio Coffee (All flavors)

Chocolates and Desserts

• Harricks Pure Cocoa Powder
• CR Cocoa Chocolate Covering #121
• Chocopiña Tropical Fruit with Chocolate Covering

Dairy Products

• Dos Pinos Dulce Cream
• Sigma Alimentos Dulce Cream
• El Angel Dulce de Leche

Pickles

• Tamara
• Verdelli Automercado
• Caribbean Delite
• Aroindustrias Montelimar
• Del Horizonte

Canned Goods

• Del Trópico: Whole Beans, Ground Beans, Chickpeas, Peas, Peas & Carrots, Palmito, Mixed Vegetables
• Del Campo: Ground Beans, Chickpeas, Peas, Palmito, Mixed Vegetables
• Conservas Del Valle: Chickpeas, Palmito

Seasonings and Spices

• Badia (Only with kosher seal)
• Tones (Only with kosher seal)

Cookies and Baked Goods

• Cuétara Cookies (All except María Fibra, Chocobon, Sorbets)
• Sesame Cookies
• Amapola Cookies

Ice Creams

• Pop’s Ice Cream (Except Cookies, Mint, Passion Brownie, Marbled Cake, Caramel)
• Benny’s Ice Cream (Except Figs and Cookies)

Juices

• Verdelli, Caribbean Delite, Aroindustrias Montelimar, Del Horizonte (TropicFruit Investment, S.A.)
• Dos Pinos and Jumex (Apple and Orange Juices)

Fats and Margarine

• Clover Brand Butter and Margarine
• Numar Margarine (Plain)
• Dos Pinos Butter

Miscellaneous

• Lizano Mayonnaise, Mustard, Chinese Sauce, Soy Sauce, Tomato Sauce, Ranchera Sauce
• Natura Ketchup and Tomato Paste
• Honey (Free of insect remains)
• Sol Caribe and Juan Viñas Macadamias
• Sol Oriental Tofu (White)
• Corn Flour (100% pure, without additives)

Vegetables and Fruits

• Pineapples (Sliced, chunks, dehydrated, in syrup)
• Pejibaye (Tamara brand)
• Canned Vegetables (Except broccoli and cauliflower): Del Campo, El Angel, Country

Breads and Tortillas

• Tulipan Bread (Industrial)
• Tortillas: La Malinche, Tortiricas, Del Fogon

Wines

• Various kosher wines, including Argentine flavors

This simplified list focuses on key brands and product types, omitting contact details and further redundant descriptions. Let me know if you’d like additional adjustments!

Disclaimer

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information on kosher-certified products in Costa Rica, we recommend that consumers always check the kosher certification on individual product packaging before purchasing. Certifications and standards can change, and not all items from a particular brand or category may remain kosher. When in doubt, consult with your local rabbinical authority or the certifying agency for confirmation.

Hours

Sun - Thu: 08:00 am - 5:00 pm

Fri: 08:00 am - 13:00 pm

Sat: Closed