If you had to go to Costa Rica and could learn only one Spanish phase before going to the country, the phase would be Pura Vida. Pura Vida is versatile and can be used in any situation, as a greeting or as a farewell! It is synonymous with ‘I’m good’, ‘all good’, or ’no worries’. Pura Vida also works fine for exclamatory ideas, like ‘that’s great’.

The literary translation of Pura Vida is pure life, but there is more to it than is actually comprehended in the first look. The meaning is closer to ‘dedicated to life’.

One of the underlying reasons why the phase Pura Vida came across popularity is that the people from Costa Rica take a lot of pleasure in and appreciate little things in life. The phase inspires an individual to return to basics and as one keeps focused on what is really important in life, it lets him avoid stress which is uncalled for. The individual then gathers up the strength to not fret over little matters and leads a life which is substantial.

It is difficult to be sure about where the origins of the phase Pura Vida lie. Even the people from Costa Rica aren’t sure about the same. There was nevertheless a 1956 Mexican flick which was titled Pura Vida, in which the protagonist Antonio Espino uses the phrase as a description for a variety of things, such as people and actions. But in every mention, the phrase implies a positive connection and means good, or nice. The protagonist in the story stays positive despite the unfortunate circumstances that surround him in the movie.

Researchers also believe that Pura Vida is a contribution of migrants’ lingo to the Spanish that is spoken in Costa Rica. The phase is adored as it is because of the peaceful environment that prevails in the nation. It is entirely in sync with the life and values of the people of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica essentially is a small and hilly country located in Central America. It has Nicaragua towards its north and Panama towards the south. The Pacific Ocean coastline is on one side and the Caribbean coastline towards the other.

While the country is small in size, it is known for its rich wildlife and biodiversity. Costa Rica has more varieties of butterflies as compared to entire Africa and more species of birds than those found in entire North America.

Let us try and comprehend what the phase Pura Vida means in the lives of people from Costa Rica. The people value the idea because Pura Vida celebrates the relaxed pace and simple pleasures of life, such as spending time with loved ones.

The underlying reason for the same is that Costa Rica offers means for its residents to lead a good life. The climate and location of the country suit the preference of all people. The geography has beautiful towns with mountainous views, surrounded by coffee farms and a landscape which is lush and green, as is seen in the central valley.

In contrast are the towns from the Pacific coast beach, where people love to doze in the afternoon sun on hammocks. Another attraction at the place is the rainforests that surround Lake Arenal, and attract a number of tourists from across the world every year.

Costa Rica also offers some out of the ordinary travel experiences for tourists. Monteverde is a destination in Costa Rica which is at an elevation of 1,400 meters above the sea level. It is a mountainous place, and clouds and mist are often found swirling around the mountains. A few of the mid-elevation crops, such as coffee and cocoa grow over here and the tourists fond of sightseeing come across an exquisite mix of flora and fauna. The feeling of being above the clouds too is a magical sensation.

As one goes hiking in the hiking tracks in Costa Rica, one can expect to come across a number of rain and dry forests, along with some beaches and parks as well. The very beautiful waterfalls of Costa Rica, along with a range of exotic birds, such as herons, macaws, parrots and flamingos, and trees such as orchids make Costa Rica a delight to withhold.

Another very catchy attraction in Costa Rica is the hot water springs found at the foot of Arenal Kioro Mountains. The geothermal activity below the surface of the earth gives rise to the hot water springs and even a hot water river. In certain places, the springs are decorated into manmade pools made from stone, which are surrounded by lush gardens.