Nikki Solano Talks Costa Rica on Rick Steves’ Europe Monday Night Travel Show
Watch Nikki Solano cover 10 of the most sought-after Costa Rica destinations (and standout experiences at each) on Rick Steves’ Monday Night Travel Show.
FOR YOU, FOR FREE: 17 years' worth of firsthand Costa Rica trip planning and travel advice compiled into hundreds of articles, plus exclusive discounts. Created by a Costa Rican and a four-time published Costa Rica guidebook author. Welcome, amigos, and as we say in Costa Rica, pura vida!
Browse our Costa Rica blogs to discover Costa Rican culture, including Costa Rican holidays and celebrations; popular Costa Rican sayings; indigenous Costa Rican communities; futbol and sport; history and archaeology; and more.
Watch Nikki Solano cover 10 of the most sought-after Costa Rica destinations (and standout experiences at each) on Rick Steves’ Monday Night Travel Show.
We describe the most memorable aspects of the family-run El Toledo Coffee farm in Atenas, Costa Rica, plus share photos from our visits.
We describe the most memorable aspects of the traditional Hacienda Doka Coffee Farm near Alajuela, Costa Rica, plus share photos from our visits.
A quick post to acknowledge and thank our sweet and loving moms on Costa Rica’s Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day Costa Rica)
We detail the top things to eat in Costa Rica, including where and when to eat them, and how to pronounce them!
Want to spend Independence Day in Costa Rica? We outline events to catch, celebration logistics, and ways you can celebrate from home!
Ricky and I have spent more than a decade exploring Costa Rica together. Want to know why I love Costa Rica so much? Here’s your answer!
Our Costa Rica guidebook, Moon Costa Rica, is full of tips, recommendations, photos, maps, and itineraries. Learn more!
Ricky y yo hemos pasado más de una década explorando Costa Rica juntos. ¿Quieres saber por qué amo tanto a Costa Rica? ¡Aquí está tu respuesta!
Last updated on April 20th, 2020 at 01:20 pm GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)What is pura vida? In Costa Rican vernacular, the phrase you’ll hear Ticos (Costa Ricans) mutter most often is pura vida. Though the phrase translates succinctly to “pure life” in English, in a …
Last updated on September 29th, 2017 at 05:56 pm GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)COSTA RICA IS “PURA VIDA”! The above photo was taken within days of Ricky and I meeting for the very first time. He bought us each a pura vida bracelet and I was sold. We were excited …
Planning a visit to Costa Rica’s Guayabo National Monument? We outline what to know and why the site is worth a visit!
As a child growing up in Costa Rica, Ricky worked as a bean-picker on a Costa Rica coffee plantation. Learn about his experiences here!
Our reflections on the week that tropical storm Nate hit Costa Rica and the week that the Costa Rica futbol team qualified for the World Cup.
Last updated on June 25th, 2019 at 08:12 pm GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)UPDATE: Since writing the blog post below, we have created a donation project aimed at benefiting the children of some of Costa Rica’s indigenous communities. Please read more about our donation (and plans to …
Want to learn about the Pacuare River in Costa Rica? We are part of the Pacuare River family and we describe why the river is a community–not only a tourist spot. Learn more!
Last updated on May 17th, 2017 at 06:52 pm GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)One way Costa Rica has shaped the way I walk through life… There is a word in the Spanish language – humildad – that brings a smile to my face every time I hear …
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✓ Ricky is a born-and-raised Costa Rican and Nikki (married to Ricky) has explored Costa Rica since the mid-2000s.
✓ We've operated our Costa Rica-based business, Pura Vida! eh? Inc., for 16 years (and counting!).
✓ Our Costa Rica guidebooks are published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides brand.
✓ We only ever write about experiences we know firsthand, and we never stuff our blog with general information about Costa Rica that is widely available elsewhere.
✓ We never copy or plagiarize other writers' content. How we wish other writers would show us the same respect!
✓ Unless stated otherwise, every photo displayed on our blog was taken by us, and with our own two hands. (Unlike some other bloggers, who rely on drones to travel and conduct research for them, we actually visit and explore the places we write about.)👍🏽
✓ We're active in promoting Costa Rica around the world. We've written about Costa Rica for Wanderlust Magazine (UK), presented Costa Rica on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel Show and podcast/radio show (US), and served as a Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist (Spain).
✓ Our work is backed by hundreds of positive reviews and testimonials (read some here)
✓ We are not overly active on social media. Instead of fixating on our own popularity, we spend the majority of our time exploring and researching Costa Rica, updating our various Costa Rica resources, and working with travelers one-on-one. We're focused on the quality of your travel experience, not the quantity of our followers. ❤️