A client told me just before my recent trip to Costa Rica, “You’ll hear the phrase Pura Vida a lot… but I’m not going to explain it. You’ll understand when you get there.” She smiled as she said it, and I didn’t think much of it at the time. But now, after spending time there with my wife, Jillian, I get it.
Pura Vida is many things. It’s a greeting, a farewell, a way of saying thank you, you’re welcome, yes, happy to help, happy to serve. It’s an affirmation, a lens for seeing the world, a reminder of community, care, and shared joy. It’s a pace, a rhythm, a permission to slow down. And in our case, it was the pulse of a trip that reminded me just how much beauty can be missed when you’re always trying to move quickly.
Slowing Down Is Underrated
We had the chance to visit Manuel Antonio National Park with a nature guide, and I still can’t believe how much wildlife we were able to see. Spider webs suspended between thick leaves, fruit bats tucked away in the shadows, sloths feeding lazily in the treetops. Had we tried to speed through the trail, we would have missed almost everything. But our guide moved slowly. He paused often. He scanned the treeline with care and intention. And because of that, we saw what many probably walk right past.
It struck me: when we’re always rushing, whether on a hike, on vacation, or just back in our regular lives, we risk walking right by the quiet, extraordinary things.
Exploring Beyond the Resorts
One of the most memorable days of the trip was when we rented ATVs and ventured beyond the familiar. We wove through rice, teak, papaya, and palm plantations. We passed local workers tending to the land, waved to families gathered outside small town squares, and followed winding trails that brought us deeper into the landscape.
At one point, we parked the ATVs and hiked a short path through the rainforest to a tucked-away waterfall where we could take a dip. That ride eventually brought us to our host’s private ranch, where we were welcomed with a traditional Costa Rican lunch. A simple, hearty meal served with warmth and pride.
It was the kind of day that let us feel connected to the place—not just as tourists, but as guests. Moving through those spaces, hearing the sounds of the forest and the rhythm of daily life, gave us a sense of perspective that’s hard to come by when you stick too close to the beaten path.
Simple Joys Over Stuff
We met Andrey, a staff member at the resort, who told us about his son’s upcoming sixth birthday. Clarence, our nature tour guide, had been involved in the area’s conservation efforts for nearly fifteen years. We had small conversations with many, shared a few laughs, and practiced our Spanish when we could. Those everyday interactions—hearing about people’s lives, learning their stories—were some of the most meaningful parts of the trip.
You can go anywhere and stay in a beautiful place. You can have fancy meals and packed itineraries. But the things that stuck with me most were the conversations, the friendliness of strangers, and the rhythm of a culture that leans in to simplicity.
Closing: Taking Pura Vida Home
I’ll miss hearing Pura Vida from the locals we met. Saying it here, back home, might feel a little out of place. But I think I’ll keep it close anyway.
For me, Pura Vida is now a gentle reminder to check my pace. To look up. To acknowledge others more openly. To remember that life isn’t a race or a checklist, but a journey we get to move through with a little more gratitude and a little more ease.
It’s not a destination. It’s a mindset. And I’m grateful to have been reminded of that.
Pura Vida, friends.
