Pura Vida - Costa Rica
Warned about the high prices and Americanization of Costa Rica, I was reluctant to further our journey south but thanks to an old friend’s invitation to visit along with thousands of positive remarks from other travelers, we decided to cross over.
My first impressions of Costa Rica were, well what I expected. It is expensive and full of American gringos. At least a dozen, mid-life crisis white men on our first bus alone. Sporting their quintessential floral, button up tops, Panamanian straw hats, and tanned leather skin they attempt to strike a look between beach and business. Always ready to catch a wave…or a business venture.
My first impressions of Costa Rica were, well what I expected. It is expensive and full of American gringos. At least a dozen, mid-life crisis white men on our first bus alone. Sporting their quintessential floral, button up tops, Panamanian straw hats, and tanned leather skin they attempt to strike a look between beach and business. Always ready to catch a wave…or a business venture.
Aside from these somewhat negative observations, Costa Rica did live up to another characteristic. One that over rides all others…BEAUTY! The arid, dusty terrain of Nicaragua replaced by a world of inexplicable beauty. Flanked by the Caribbean Sea to the East and the Pacific to the West, Costa Rica boasts mountainous cloud forests, conical volcano’s, sultry dense jungles, and miles of expansive beaches. Unique howler monkeys, colorful Toucan Sam’s and an abundance of other exotic flora and fauna captivate nature lovers while the surf, kayaking, zip-lining and paragliding draw adrenalin junkies from near and far! |
A gem like this was bound for tourism and although Costa Rica relies on tourist dollars as a main income it has also crippled many of the country’s local inhabitants. Property values, for instance, have sky rocketed due to overseas investors and locals can no longer afford their own piece of paradise. Price tags for food and drink have also increased exponentially thanks to fat foreign wallets. It’s not uncommon to spend more at a supermarket here then in your respective hometowns. And the biggest concern of all, the loss of Tico culture (“Tico” - slang for Costa Ricans). A vibrant, energetic culture struggling to ride the tourist wave.
But a trip is what you make of it, and we weren’t about to let the commercialization of Costa Rica dictate our trip. The phrase used over and over in Costa Rica is “Pura Vida”, which literally means, “pure life” but it goes beyond that. It is a way of life. It is about enjoying the simple pleasures and finding happiness within your existence. That is my goal for this leg of the journey. Uncover the pura vida of Costa Rica along with the pura vida within myself.
But a trip is what you make of it, and we weren’t about to let the commercialization of Costa Rica dictate our trip. The phrase used over and over in Costa Rica is “Pura Vida”, which literally means, “pure life” but it goes beyond that. It is a way of life. It is about enjoying the simple pleasures and finding happiness within your existence. That is my goal for this leg of the journey. Uncover the pura vida of Costa Rica along with the pura vida within myself.