If you have been to Costa Rica, or if you are planning a Costa Rica vacation, one term you should be familiar with is Pura Vida (pronounced poo-rah vee-dah). Simply translated, it means “simple life” or “pure life”, but here in Costa Rica, it is more than just a saying—it is a way of life.
Costa Ricans (Ticos) use this term to say hello, to say goodbye, to say everything’s great, to say everything’s cool. However, it is not the words that reflect the true meaning of ¡Pura Vida!. Pura Vida is the way Ticos live. Not surprisingly, Costa Rica has been named one of the happiest countries in the world, mostly because its inhabitants don’t stress about things the way most foreigners do. Ticos have a very relaxed, simple way of looking at life. No worries, no fuss, no stress—pura vida to them means being thankful for what they have and not dwelling on the negative.
Although many people love to use the phrase, not many know where the term actually originated. The most common explanation comes from a Mexican movie called ¡Pura vida! that came to Costa Rica 1956 (directed by Gilberto Martínez Solares). In the movie, ‘pura vida’ is the saying used by the main character who remains optimistic, despite unfortunate circumstances that continue to surround him. Although it took a little while to catch on, the phrase pura vida was being used nationwide by 1970. Today, it is an inherent part of the culture.
Although many people use the saying ‘ pura vida ’, until you’ve been to Costa Rica, you will not truly know what pura vida feels like. It’s an emotion, it’s an attitude, it’s happiness, and it’s a way of life. Once you’ve visited, you will understand the true meaning of pura vida.
Coffee lovers, look no further! Pura Vida World is proud to offer some of the finest coffee in the world, grown in the lush mountains of Tarbaca at over 5800′ elevation. Our coffee beans are carefully tended and picked at just the right time to ensure maximum flavor and freshness. At Pura Vida World, we take our coffee seriously. Our…Read More→
Read more
Do you consider yourself a coffee connoisseur? If so, we’ve got some exciting news for you. At Pura Vida World, we’re proud to offer a special variety of coffee that you simply won’t find anywhere else – Obata coffee. Obata coffee is a unique strain of the Arabica coffee plant, grown at high elevations in the mountains of Costa Rica….Read More→
Read more
Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, known for its lush rainforests, exotic wildlife, and pristine beaches. If you’re looking for a truly unique vacation experience, then Costa Rica is the place to be. And when it comes to finding the perfect place to stay, look no further than Pura Vida World. Pura Vida World…Read More→
Read more
One of the best vacation destinations for people that live in the United States is a Costa Rica Vacation Home in Costa Rica. We accept vacationers from all over the world. Costa Rica vacation rentals are a wonderful thing. There are more people from the United States in Costa Rica than in any other country in the world. You will…Read More→
Read more
Redefining Affluence I recently came across an article written by Tera Maxwell. It resonated with me on several different levels. For people that are thinking about living in Costa Rica or just visiting, it is a great read. She hits on several points that hit home with me. Redefining Affluence for her was in the Pacific Coast. Redefining Affluence in…Read More→
Read more