Last updated on April 22nd, 2024 at 10:40 am
HOLA AMIGOS! We’re Nikki and Ricky.
Yes, our names rhyme.
We couldn’t have planned it better (or worse!) if we tried.
Together, we have both textbook and experiential knowledge of Costa Rica travel and tourism. We bring equal parts professionalism and fun to our business (Pura Vida! eh? Inc.), as well as free advice for travelers from both tourist (foreigner) and local (Tico) perspectives. As business owners, we offer operations that meet North American corporation standards, business efficiency and service levels according to North American expectations, service provided in English or Spanish, a thorough understanding of tourism operations in Costa Rica, knowledge of (and years of experience working with) the most reputable tour operators in Costa Rica, and free access to discounts for Costa Rica day tours. As expert Costa Rica travelers, we are bursting with information, stories, advice, and tips related to travel in Costa Rica. We’ve developed numerous projects and websites to help deliver this information, including our business website, Pura Vida! eh? Inc.; our “best of Costa Rica” website, DIY Costa Rica; and this travel blog, the Costa Rica Travel Blog. To learn about our travel guidebook, Moon Costa Rica published by Moon Travel Guides, please see the Moon.com website.
“Pura Vida! eh? Nikki and Ricky are fantastic! I can’t say enough about how wonderful an experience it was having Nikki and Ricky organize our trip. From start to finish it was flawless.” – A.L., Corte Madera, California, USA
Nikki and Ricky; on one of our first dinner dates in 2007 Ricky and Nikki; hundreds of dinner dates later, in 2019
Get the Costa Rica info you need by browsing our article's TABLE OF CONTENTS:
On a personal note…
Costa Rica is our heart. Not only is the country Ricky’s homeland, it’s also where we met, where we fell in love with each other, where we married, and where we developed a deep appreciation for nature, wildlife, and the pura vida lifestyle.
On the surface, we appear to be travel bloggers, but we are the first to admit that we hardly fit that role. We’ve met several travel bloggers who have amazed us with their hunger for wanderlust and their willingness to travel the world to feed it. But, we haven’t traveled the world like several others have. We choose to stay close to home and explore every inch of the land we know and love. For this reason, we consider ourselves Costa Rica bloggers.
On days when travel bloggers are looking out over New York City from the top of the Empire State Building, we’re taking in a view of coffee plantations from a hilltop. When they’re in Rome, admiring the architecture of the Colosseum, we’re in Costa Rica’s national stadium, cheering on the local futbol team. When travel bloggers catch a flight to Bali, we’re in our car, heading to either the Pacific or Caribbean coast to soak up some rays. When they’re running with bulls in Pamplona, we’re at a rodeo with our Costa Rican loved ones, celebrating a holiday or taking part in a fiesta civica (civic festival). Travel bloggers get to know much of the more than 510 million square kilometers of landmass that spans our world, but we pride ourselves on exploring a mere 0.0001% of it. We take in Costa Rican culture, socialize with locals, eat new foods, trial-test tours on behalf of tourists, and aim to discover each destination’s soul. Though we know shockingly little about most other countries in the world, we know a lot about Costa Rica and we learn more every day. This blog is a record of our journey and our free gift to you for choosing to visit the best 0.0001% our earth has to offer.
To learn more about our love for Costa Rica, please read our related blog post:
This Is Why I Love Costa Rica
About Nikki
Nikki is a writer with a passion for travel, tourism, and business, and a love for Costa Rica. Nikki first studied recreation and leisure at University but switched to a law program in order to pursue her desire for justice. After graduating with a 4-Year Honors degree in Legal Studies, Nikki traveled to Central America for a vacation before enrolling in law school. During her trip, Nikki fell in love with Costa Rica (the people, the culture, and the pura vida lifestyle) and decided to devote her heart and work to helping others have life-changing experiences similar to her own. Upon returning home, Nikki opted out of becoming a lawyer and enrolled in a Masters of Education program to learn more about opportunities to pursue her new dream. Today, Nikki is a freelance writer for hire; the author of Moon Costa Rica (2019); a co-owner of Pura Vida! eh? Inc.; the executive editor and primary blogger behind the Costa Rica Travel Blog; the author of DIY Costa Rica; and the creator of the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Thanks to her Masters degree in education and her background in law, Nikki employs high standards of professionalism throughout the successful operation of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. and uses her experience in education to teach others about safe, efficient, and budget-friendly travel in Costa Rica. Inspired by travel philanthropy, Nikki’s alter ego is the goodwillingmiss.
“The level of detailed, thoughtful, and helpful customer service provided by Nikki and Ricky at Pura Vida! Eh? was incredible and a breath of fresh air.” – B.M., Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA
About Ricky
Ricky is a born-and-raised Tico (Costa Rican), a co-owner of Pura Vida! eh? Inc., and a freelance photographer for hire who carries an enormous amount of pride in his beautiful country. Ricky has devoted many years to the tourism industry in Costa Rica as an internationally certified white-water rafting guide. He’s also worked as a rescue kayaker and “paparazzi” (photographer) for white-water rafting tour excursions. Ricky’s love for Costa Rica and his rapport with tourists are his greatest assets; Both earned him a tourism award for valued service based significantly on travelers’ testimonials. Apart from his excellent service, which has been recognized not only by travel and tourism colleagues but also tourists, Ricky’s positive attitude and friendly-nature (the pura vida in him) sets him above others in the industry. He has traveled to hundreds of Costa Rican destinations, has experienced countless tourism activities, has hands-on experience working with tour companies, and has an impeccable knowledge of Costa Rican birds and wildlife.
“I am a seasoned traveler, independently planning the majority of our trips, but this trip would not have been as perfect as it was without the gracious, professional help of Pura Vida! eh? and Nikki and Ricky.” – M.G., Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA
Read what other travelers have to say about us on our Testimonials and Reviews page
Our photo gallery of Costa Rica travels
Believe it or not, the below gallery is merely a sample of our Costa Rica travels.
Ricky; Las Chorreras Waterfalls Ricky; Playa Dominical Nikki and Ricky; Ricky and Nikki; Caving at Barra Honda National Park Nikki and Ricky; Playa Grande, Marino Las Baulas National Park Nikki and Ricky; Playa Flamingo Ricky; Las Chorreras Waterfalls Nikki and Ricky; Rincon de la Vieja National Park Ricky; La Casona, Santa Rosa National Park Ricky; Santa Rosa National Park Ricky and Nikki; Santa Rosa National Park Ricky and Nikki; Palo Verde National Park Ricky and Nikki; La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nikki; Los Quetzales National Park Nikki; Marino Ballena National Park Ricky and Nikki; National Park Ricky and Nikki; Playa Ventanas Ricky; Playa Ventanas Ricky and Nikki; mirador at Golfito Ricky; Playa Preciosa Ricky; Finca 6 Archeological Site, Sierpe Nikki; Finca 6 Archeological Site, Sierpe Ricky; boat ride to Sierpe Ricky; Nauyaca Waterfalls Ricky and Nikki; Playa Manuel Antonio Ricky; Punta Murcielago Ricky; Barra Honda National Park Nikki; ferry dock at Playa Naranjo Ricky and Nikki; Playa Montezuma Ricky; Suntrails Lodge, Montezuma Ricky and Nikki; Ricky and Nikki; mirador at Barra Honda National Park Ricky and Nikki; Tamarindo Diria, Playa Tamarindo Nikki and Ricky; Diamante Eco Adventure Park Ricky and Nikki; mud bath at Rio Negro Hot Springs Ricky; enjoying a typical Costa Rican breakfast Ricky; Rincon de la Vieja National Park Nikki; Rincon de la Vieja National Park Ricky and Nikki; Rincon de la Vieja National Park Ricky and Nikki; Rio Celeste, Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel Ricky and Nikki; Rio Celeste Waterfall, Tenorio Volcano National Park Ricky and Nikki; Rio Celeste Lagoon, Tenorio Volcano National Park Nikki; Tenorio Volcano National Park Ricky and Nikki; Costa Rica / Panama border, Sixaola Nikki; Terraventuras canopy tour, Puerto Viejo Ricky and Nikki; white-water rafting Rio Pacuare Ricky and Nikki; El Salto Nikki; Bajo del Tigre Nikki; Playa Tambor Ricky and Nikki; Hotel Leyenda, Carrillo Ricky and Nikki; Hotel Robledal, Alajuela Nikki and Ricky; Club Rio Outdoor Center Nikki; with a sleepy sloth Nikki; yoga on the beach at Playa Dominical Nikki; mangrove boat tour at Islas Damas Nikki; Marina Pez Vela, Quepos Ricky; sailing the Pacific coastline Nikki; sailing the Pacific coastline Ricky; Royal Corin, La Fortuna Ricky; Guayabo National Monument, Turrialba Nikki; Playa Herradura Ricky and Nikki; Playa Jaco Ricky; Carara National Park Nikki; Ecotermales Hot Springs Ricky; donating soccer shoes to kids Nikki; donating soccer shoes to kids Ricky; Irazu Volcano National Park Ricky and Nikki; Irazu Volcano National Park Ricky and Nikki; boat dock at Cabo Blanco Ricky and Nikki; Playa Tortuguero Nikki; donating soccer shoes to kids Nikki; taking a shuttle service through Interbus Ricky and Nikki; Llanos del Cortes Waterfall Ricky and Nikki; Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park Ricky; Hotel Poco a Poco, Monteverde Ricky; Playa Samara Ricky and Nikki; Playa Cangrejal Ricky and Nikki; Playa Garza Nikki and Ricky; Playa Guiones Ricky; guiding a white-water rafting tour on Rio Pacuare Ricky and Nikki; Playa Samara Ricky; Juan Santamaria International Airport Nikki; Snake exhibit at Selvatura Park Nikki; butterfly garden, Manuel Antonio DCIM101GOPROGOPR5159.JPG Nikki; Las Pumas Rescue Center Nikki; Arenal 1968 Ricky; Arenal 1968 Ricky and Nikki; Hampton Inn & Suites, Alajuela Ricky and Nikki; dinner at Nene’s Restaurant, La Fortuna Ricky; Mirador Orosi Ricky; dinner and drinks at the Radisson, San Jose
Ricky; La Paz Waterfall Gardens Ricky; Rincon de la Vieja National Park Ricky; Rio Negro Hot Springs Nikki; Playa Santa Teresa Nikki; Playa Los Suecos Nikki; ferry across the Nicoya Gulf Ricky; Golfito Marina Ricky; Iguana Lodge, Puerto Jimenez Ricky; photographing scarlet macaws Nikki; Rancho Raices Chocolate Tour Nikki; Manuel Antonio National Park Ricky; enjoying pipa fria Ricky; Playa Uvita Nikki and Ricky; Rio Tempisque Nikki and Ricky; Playa Conchal Nikki and Ricky; Vista Ballena, Uvita Nikki; photographing the whale-tail sandbar at Marino Ballena National Park Nikki; photographing caves at Playa Ventanas Ricky and Nikki; Manuel Antonio National Park Ricky; Montezuma Waterfalls Nikki; Arenal Observatory Lodge, El Castillo Nikki; Danta Waterfall Ricky and Nikki; canyoning in the Lost Canyon Ricky; Costa Rica Chocolate Tour Nikki; Costa Rica Chocolate Tour Nikki; La Fortuna Waterfall Ricky; Si Como No Resort, Manuel Antonio Nikki; scuba diving the Caribbean Sea Ricky; photographing monkeys at Cahuita National Park Nikki; El Salto Nikki; Monteverde Orchid Garden Nikki; Hotel Leyenda, Carrillo Nikki and Ricky; Playa Carrillo Nikki; with Don Juan from the Don Juan Coffee Tour Nikki; Hotel Buena Vista, Alajuela Ricky; mangrove boat tour at Islas Damas Ricky; Ladera Hotel, Turrialba Ricky; hot springs at El Silencio del Campo, La Fortuna Ricky; Natria Spa, La Fortuna Ricky; smelling ginger at the Guayabo National Monument Nikki; Guayabo National Monument Nikki; Carara National Park Nikki; Cartago Ruins, Cartago Ricky; Basilica, Cartago Nikki; Irazu Volcano National Park Nikki; Tortuguero National Park Ricky; canal tour at Tortuguero National Park Nikki; canal tour at Tortuguero National Park Nikki; Taiwan Friendship Bridge Ricky; cutting sugarcane near Turrialba Ricky; Jade Museum, San Jose Nikki; Parque Morzan, San Jose Nikki; Llanos del Cortes Waterfall Nikki; Blue Morpho Waterfall at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park Ricky; Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park Ricky and Nikki; Monteverde Country Lodge, Monteverde Nikki; Playa Ostonal Ricky and Nikki; Playa Buena Vista Nikki; Playa Jaco Ricky; driving a rental van Ricky; butterfly garden at Selvatura Park Nikki; Treetop Walkways hanging bridges at Selvatura Park Ricky; Treetop Walkways hanging bridges at Selvatura Park Nikki; Si Como No Resort, Manuel Antonio Ricky; Monteverde Sky Trek canopy tour Nikki; Club Rio Outdoor Center Ricky; Club Rio Outdoor Center Ricky; waterslide at the Los Perdidos Hot Springs
Nikki; Hotel Marino, Alajuela Nikki; with national team futbol player Kendall Waston Ricky; Ujarras Ruins, Ujarras Nikki; National Museum, San Jose Nikki; street dogs in Samara Ricky; at the Waterfall Villas, Dominical Nikki; viewing the Central Valley from the City Express, Ciudad Cariari Ricky; rope swing at El Salto Ricky; 100% Aventure Adventure Park Ricky; Mirador Ujarras Ricky; white-water rafting Rio Pacuare Nikki; Springs Resort, La Fortuna
Thank you very much for the like. Hopefully one day I can get to travel your direction too. 🙂
Danthonia –
Thanks so much for the comment! All the best to you throughout 2013! 🙂
Pura vida!
Thanks for visiting and following our blog. You have some great information about Costa Rica here. I would like to get to visit there one day!
Jo – Over the Edge of the Wild –
Your “Tourist Bali” and “The real Bali” have inspired us to compile a list of “touristy” and “not-so-touristy” Costa Rica experiences. Thanks so much for the comment and the great future blog post idea! 🙂
Pura vida!
Glad we could help 🙂 It would be silly to go somewhere and not go to the tourist spots, but I really like trying to see not-so-touristy stuff as well. It’s harder to find though – as soon as Lonely Planet says something is ‘off the beaten track’ the track moves. Having more sites about it might help the rest of us find some gems before the tourist buses all arrive en masse!
Jo – Over the Edge of the Wild –
That is SO true! Great quote “as soon as Lonely Planet says something is ‘off the beaten track’ the track moves”. Your comment has inspired us to write a post on this topic – not only informing travellers of some of the ‘gems’ (as you note), but perhaps also educating travellers on way to keep these sites as authentic and ‘less touristy’ as possible. 🙂
Pura vida!
Apparently I’m just full of great post ideas at the moment 🙂 They all sound like great posts to me!
Jo – Over the Edge of the Wild –
🙂
Pura vida!
This looks great! I’ve always wanted to visit Costa Rica! Thank you so much for liking and following my blog!
hekrulewski –
You are more than welcome – thank YOU for the comment, and for the beautiful poetry you share on “Throughmyhearts”. 🙂
Pura vida!
Comprehensive site! Okay, Costa Rica is now officially part of my future travel plans. Keep up the great work, this blog is really impressive!
musicwork –
That is great to hear! Costa Rica would love to have you one day! 🙂 Should you decide to make the trip and have any questions at all, we’re here to help!
Pura vida!
Hey thanks for the visit and follow, Hope you enjoy my blog, you have a great blog here.
rigmover –
Thanks so much! All the best to you throughout your work and travels! 🙂
Pura vida!
Thank you for your Like and Follow of my Blog!
Opalla –
You are more than welcome! Thank you for your comment! 🙂
Pura vida!
that’s a very cool site of yours! i haven’t thought about costa rica as a travel destination yet, but perhaps i need to change mind one day. thanks for visiting & following my site!
GalonTrip –
Thank you so much for your kind comment! You have SUCH an extensive travel repertoire – we would love to see you add Costa Rica to your list someday so that we can read about your experiences on your blog! 🙂
Pura vida!
Thanks so much for following MY PORTFOLIO blog
Eunice
nutsfortreasure –
You are more than welcome – thank you for the comment! 🙂
Pura vida!
🙂