Pura Vida!

“What is that; Pura Vida??!” “Pura Vida, everybody says it, but what does it mean?!”

One of the first things you need to know as being a tourist: If you don’t know what to say, say: “Pura Vida.” It doesn’t matter in what kind of situation, If you run in to somebody, or literally run in to somebody; say Pura Vida. And everything is ok. (The hotel is not responsible and/or can be taken responsible for any personal damage or damage to property)

Pura Vida means literally; The Pure Life. I tried asking multiple ticos about what it actually meant but nobody was really able to give me a clear answer.

Ticos (the people from Costa Rica) are one of the happiest people on earth. When explaining “Pura Vida” the thing that appeared most, was a positive feeling. When they say “Pura Vida”, they have had a positive experience with a person, or a happening and that is when they say it.

There has actually been a study about the phrase “Pura Vida”. According to Anna Marie Trester the phrase was used in a Mexican movie and came to Costa Rica in 1956. After that, everybody was using it.

I think that only ticos know what to use it when it’s not a greet or a farewell. Enjoy your stay in Costa Rica and you will notice the happiness of the people!

Sophie den Breejen