To a Costa Rican citizen, “pura vida” is a saying that is as habitual as saying good morning. As Costa Rica’s unofficial national slogan, you can hear this saying at every corner store, every restaurant, and every beach. Meaning “pure life”, pura vida is a versatile saying used in greetings, ways of saying thanks, and many other positive interactions. Hearing this so often and so casually, I made it a priority to understand this concept of pura vida.

In the first half of the trip, we stayed in La Fortuna. A small town bustling with culture, lush nature, and good vibes. Every meal in this town felt like a home cooked meal and was accompanied by the servers saying pura vida. A twenty minute walk from La Fortuna was El Salto, a rope swing swimming spot filled with community. Having visited this spot early on in the trip, I believe this is where I first understood why every local says pura vida. El Salto is loved by locals as well as tourists. It felt like a spot to let all worries go. Said to have healing properties, it felt like any baggage that I had locked up inside of me was released. I truly felt the pure life once leaving the spot.

For the second half of the trip, we stayed in a charming beachside hotel in Coco Beach. With stunning views, clear waters, and amazing food. I found myself falling in love with this little town. The second time I felt pure life was on the shore during sunset. It brought out people from many backgrounds. Whether it was people swimming, watching the sunset, playing basketball, or skating, everyone was smiling. This sense of community in both La Fortuna and Coco Beach is what really solidified the significance of pura vida for me. No matter where you are in the country, you find pura vida through community. The importance of community is something I will never let go of.