the pura vida story
In Hawaii they say Aloha or Mahalo. In Costa Rica they say “Pura Vida”. The translation in words is “Pure Life”. Words don’t do this saying all that much justice. This is how they describe their lives and home. The spirit of the land, ocean and people create a very magical place in a world full of cell phones and BMW’s. This stuff is all gone when you step off the plane and you are so glad when you realize it. This place can give you peace, adventure, love, hope and reef rash all in one day. Your senses will rejuvenate. The beer here tastes so damn good and its always really cold... in reality it’s no better then any other beer in the world. The fruit tastes sweeter…my theory is the salty air is heavy and lays on the cut fruit accentuating the sweet. The fish is never more then a few hours old. I bring soy sauce and wasabi on my fishing trips so we can have fresh, slightly warm sushi right there on the boat…it should be illegal it is so good.

You sleep like you have never slept before, not like a rock, you will actually feel aware while you sleep…unless you have 24 Imperials and a few shots of Guero (just a note about Guero, it can really hurt your liver). No fancy coffee machines here folks. No double frappuccino’s…the first cup of coffee each morning makes Starbuck’s seem like General Foods International Coffees. You might not know the Spanish language at all but you pick it up very quickly…that’s usually the Imperials talking. The people are always bright and happy…eager to help and make you a friend.

If you are there to be productive and do too much you will ultimately fail in your efforts. You are forced to let go of the life you know back in the states. If you are in a hurry to get a refill on your glass of soda at a restaurant and this forces you to get upset then you are in the wrong state of mind. There is time and then there is Tico Time. Things stop down there. Their cultural standards are more about patience and friendship than making money and providing exceptional service.

No matter how much you drank the night before, you get up at 6:30am! You just do and I cannot explain why. The day seems to last forever. This is due to being so close to the Equator. It is so quiet there in the evening it almost makes you slightly crazy your first night there. There is so much to do and so little to do in this place. It is really up to you. We have no doubt this place will affect your emotional state of mind. You won’t want to leave and it hurts a little bit when the plane departs for home. Here is a helpful hint if you do any shopping: if you load up on t-shirts be sure you get at least 1 size larger then you need…I actually go 2 sizes up. Making t-shirts in Costa Rica isn’t really their cup of tea.

As we stated in your invitation about the spirituality and passion of Costa Rica, how it can change a significant portion of your life and bring it back to a purer existence…well its true and we are so happy to open this places doors and share these feelings and experiences with you….to our soon second home!