¡Pura vida! That’s Spanish for “pure life” and is also the motto of Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a tiny country in Central America on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea in between Nicaragua and Panama. “Pura vida” is a good description for Costa Ricans. They are friendly, laid-back, outgoing, and adventurous. They don’t worry about anything. Costa Ricans use “pura vida” to say hello, goodbye, or just because.
I am one-quarter Costa Rican. My dad was born in Costa Rica, and his father’s family still lives there. In the summer of 2015, I finally got my chance to visit Costa Rica and see for myself what everyone brags about.
Costa Rica is well known for its beautiful beaches. At some beaches, the jungle ends right at the sand, so the animals of the jungle can go to the beach.
Tourists enjoy visiting Costa Rica’s active volcanoes. One volcano, Arenal, has flowing lava that can be seen after dark. Visitors also enjoy soaking and swimming in thermal waters from the volcano.
Hiking through the rainforests, I saw several species of monkeys, deer, toucans, crabs, birds, tree frogs, and sloths. It was the coolest thing ever! The “rainbow tree” has rainbow-colored bark, and the “walking tree” moves about 10 cm each year! I encountered waterfalls, which look and sound so beautiful.
We also went to beaches on the Pacific Ocean, and I went surfing. At one beach, a monkey came out of the jungle and stole our bag of bug spray. I guess the bugs are bad in the jungle! LOL!
At Arenal, we went white water rafting which was AMAZING! We went zip lining and soared high above the trees around the volcano. At the end of the day, we relaxed in the thermal waters of the hot springs from the volcano.
Pura vida also describes the natural resources and environment in Costa Rica. It rains year round but is also sunny. Everywhere you look, it’s green! Costa Rican rainforests are filled with tropical wonders – all kinds of animals, unique tropical plants, soothing sounds of waterfalls, birds, and bugs and the less soothing noises of the howler monkeys.
Don’t take my word for it. Experience “pura vida” for yourself to get the real feel for Costa Rica. ¡PURA VIDA!
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SOURCES:
I am one-quarter Costa Rican. My dad was born in Costa Rica, and his father’s family still lives there. In the summer of 2015, I finally got my chance to visit Costa Rica and see for myself what everyone brags about.
Costa Rica is well known for its beautiful beaches. At some beaches, the jungle ends right at the sand, so the animals of the jungle can go to the beach.
Tourists enjoy visiting Costa Rica’s active volcanoes. One volcano, Arenal, has flowing lava that can be seen after dark. Visitors also enjoy soaking and swimming in thermal waters from the volcano.
Hiking through the rainforests, I saw several species of monkeys, deer, toucans, crabs, birds, tree frogs, and sloths. It was the coolest thing ever! The “rainbow tree” has rainbow-colored bark, and the “walking tree” moves about 10 cm each year! I encountered waterfalls, which look and sound so beautiful.
We also went to beaches on the Pacific Ocean, and I went surfing. At one beach, a monkey came out of the jungle and stole our bag of bug spray. I guess the bugs are bad in the jungle! LOL!
At Arenal, we went white water rafting which was AMAZING! We went zip lining and soared high above the trees around the volcano. At the end of the day, we relaxed in the thermal waters of the hot springs from the volcano.
Pura vida also describes the natural resources and environment in Costa Rica. It rains year round but is also sunny. Everywhere you look, it’s green! Costa Rican rainforests are filled with tropical wonders – all kinds of animals, unique tropical plants, soothing sounds of waterfalls, birds, and bugs and the less soothing noises of the howler monkeys.
Don’t take my word for it. Experience “pura vida” for yourself to get the real feel for Costa Rica. ¡PURA VIDA!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
SOURCES:
- “Countries With The Most Economic Freedom.” World Map / World Atlas / Atlas of the World Including Geography Facts and Flags. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2016. <http://www.worldatlas.com/>“
- N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2016. <www.visitcostarica.com › ict › en_cr_facts>.@inliving. “International Living – Live, Retire and Invest Overseas.” International Living – Live, Retire and Invest Overseas.
N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2016. <https://internationalliving.com/> - Rainbow Eucalyptus–The Most Colorful Tree on Earth.” Amusing Planet. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2017. <http://www.amusingplanet.com/2011/10/rainbow-eucalyptusthe-most-colorful.html>.
- “TripAdvisor: Read Reviews, Compare Prices & Book.” TripAdvisor: Read Reviews, Compare Prices & Book. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2016. <https://www.tripadvisor.com/>.