Not only is Costa Rica one of the friendliest and safest nations in Central America but it is also ranked among the happiest nations in the world. In both 2018 and 2019, it topped the Happy Planet Index. According to the natives, everything is about “pure vida.” It is much more than “pure life,” which is how it is translated literally. Pure Vida, a greeting or joyous remark, captures the Costa Rican mentality of being full of life, energy, and optimism. This is a practice that makes your body and your mind clean and transforms you into a totally different person. The way of thinking changes after vising this place.
Learn Costa Rica’s Pura Vida Culture
The reason behind thousands of tourists visiting the place of purity and happiness is this Pura Vida. So, this is your sign to take a trip to Costa Rica and get disconnected from the daily hectic, digital, and social life for some time.
Costa Rica’s Natural Beauty
Being in close proximity to nature is a crucial component of a clean life. Costa Ricans appreciate and respect nature, in large part even though it is a small country, the nation is home to about 6% of the world’s biodiversity. You can go on a walk through an elfin forest, a tropical rainforest, or a tropical deciduous woodland. You can kayak through an estuary, fly over towering volcanoes, snorkel among coral reefs, and see amazing waterfalls. There are countless options. Numerous wildlife species, including rare and imperiled ones like the great green macaw, leatherback hawksbill sea turtle, and spider monkey, can also be spotted.
Enjoy Costa Rican Cuisine
A foodie’s culinary paradise, traditional Costa Rican cuisine is unmatched. It is vibrant, savory, and bursting with intriguing variety. It’s no surprise that seafood is popular given the extensive coastline on each side of the country. At the nearby restaurants and markets, seafood fans can find exquisite fresh mahi-mahi, whole-fried red snapper, Famous Rice with prawns, and more. There are options for everyone in the country, including beef, chicken, and vegetarian food. Try a Casado platter, which is a dish with rice, beans, meat, and salad, for lunch or supper at a neighborhood soda, which is the equivalent of a diner.
Read More: Remarkable places to explore in Costa Rica
Attend Street Festivals
Costa Ricans enjoy any opportunity to rejoice and put on their dancing shoes. There are numerous holidays throughout the year, the majority of them are Catholic holy days and feasts on which Ticos spend time off work and focus on having fun. Street festivals frequently include parades, live music, dancing, and delicious street food. While the nation’s capital hosts some of the largest celebrations, townspeople across the country hold their own festivals as well. Many businesses close for several days during Holy Week, or “Semanta Santa,” as it is known in Costa Rica, to let people celebrate with parades and other events.
Try Learning Spanish
Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica. Spanish is the most common language you’ll hear among locals, despite the likelihood that those working in the tourism business will speak English. Try learning a few Spanish words and phrases while you’re here. Although “Pura Vida” is at the top of the list. If you’re familiar with well-known Spanish dialects like those from the Iberian Peninsula or Mexico, you’ll note that Costa Rican Spanish sounds a little different. That’s partly because of the distinctive national accent, but it’s also because Costa Ricans end words with -tico rather than the more common -tito.
Refreshing Sea Breeze
Costa Rica has a plethora of beaches along its hundreds of miles of Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. The beaches aren’t only plentiful; they’re also stunning. Imagine spending an afternoon or a whole day surrounded by glittering sands, glistening blue oceans, vivid coconut trees, warm sunshine, and cool sea air. With so many beautiful beaches to visit, these beaches are also rarely overcrowded. Manuel Antonio, Conchal, Flamingo, Grande, and Tamarindo are some of the most popular beaches in the country. Relax in the sun or swim in the clean, warm waters. If you want to expend some energy, consider diving or surfing.
Bottom Line
Everyone requires a vacation from the chaotic pace of everyday existence from time to time. In Costa Rica, you can get away and recall your enthusiasm for life in a tropical paradise. The place will take over all your headaches and the stress you came here with and you will leave the amazing destination with tons of memories and an unforgettable experience. The phrase “Pura Vida” has the true meaning of cleaning your soul and your mind from unwanted and undesired thoughts and fear. Here you can emerge with the abundant flora and fauna of the country and release all the negativity inside you.
