Pura Vida — the phrase embodies what it is to walk along Costa Rica’s white-sand beaches or explore it’s pristine rainforests teeming with life. It means pure life and it’s what Costa Ricans swear by.
It’s a laid back but environmentally friendly attitude which has helped preserve this incredibly biodiverse and culturally rich country for generations.
The country is clean and, with a focus on eco-tourism, its wild spaces are its lifeblood — expect to see incredible flora and fauna throughout the famous cloud forests.
When travelling to the small Central American country, visitors would do well to remember that the majority of the Northern Hemisphere’s worst weather is Costa Rica’s best. The country makes a perfect winter getaway from Europe and America.
Plenty of companies can offer you tours, responsibletravel.com is a good place to start. They offer luxury getaways and tailored trips across the country.
So now that you’re in the country, what’s the plan? Well, you can tailor your trip to your interests but there is no shortage of activities in Costa Rica.
You will almost certainly fly into the capital of San Jose. While many leave the city as soon as possible, it’s a lovely destination in its own right. Join the crowds in Parque La Sabana or dance through the evening at one of the city’s famous clubs.
From the capital, head to La Fortuna to stand in the shadow of Arenal Volcano, it was Costa Rica’s most active volcano until 2010 — but has since died down a bit.
Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa in La Fortuna is highly recommended for accommodation in the area. With full spa treatment and natural hot springs nestled in the Costa Rican rainforest — the resort takes wellness to another level.
If you fancy a bit of adventure, companies in the area offer zip lining, abseiling and white-water rafting to satisfy all of your adrenaline-based needs.
From here head south to the Beaches of Manuel Antonio — some of the most beautiful in the world.
The area has a plethora of luxury hotels and restaurants to chose from. Head over to Manuel Antonio National Park to see white-faced monkeys, sloths and an incredible diversity of birds.
For the final leg of your journey, experience true Pura Vida with a relaxing trip down to Drake Bay — named for Sir Francis Drake, who landed there sailing around the world.
The pristine bay is known to be a stopping point for migrating humpback whales, so keep an eye out for the majestic creatures. It also is home to rare animals including Baird’s tapir, white-lipped peccaries and big jungle cats.
The sleepy village has ample accommodation and great restaurants for those looking to spend a few days here.
All in all, Costa Rica is home to some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet and it has been preserved extremely well. Travel down to this Central American hideaway and experience Pura Vida.