Embrace Costa Rica’s Pura Vida Mentality On Your Trip There

Volcan Irazu National Park, Cartago Province, Costa Rica
Volcan Irazu National Park, Cartago Province, Costa Rica. Photo by Alex Ip on Unsplash

Costa Rica is arguably the hottest travel destination in Central America, and it’s easy to see why. A well-developed infrastructure along with one of the world’s most biodiverse and strikingly beautiful landscapes makes it a fantastic place to visit. While all of these things show up in the guidebooks for Costa Rica, there is one other thing that often doesn’t get mentioned but is just as important and a reason why many fall in love with this place: “Pura Vida.”

This Spanish expression, meaning “pure life,” is a sort of national slogan for the Costa Rican people. Embodying the Costa Rican spirit and mentality, it’s a powerful phrase that tells us so much about why this country is so special.

One thing that you’ll notice when traveling around San Jose, the Costa Rican rainforests, or its beaches, is that you’ll almost never find anyone who is stressed. So, why is this? Pura Vida!

Pura vida roughly sums up a mentality that can be described as “this is living!” Costa Rica is known for being relaxed, laid-back, and optimistic, and all of these things are traits that will become readily apparent as you travel around this country.

Are you ready to give “pura vida” a try? If so, book your trip to Costa Rica soon!