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!
Last updated on February 27th, 2020 at 09:23 am GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)Most travellers who choose to visit Costa Rica do so with the intent to immerse themselves in a culture different than their own. With tourism booming in Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean, part …
Want to know our best Costa Rica hotel tip? If you plan to visit La Fortuna (Arenal) or Monteverde, don’t miss this critical advice!
Last updated on June 25th, 2019 at 08:12 pm GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)Travellers interested in experiencing two of Costa Rica’s greatest tours – cruises through the Tortuguero Canals and rafting on the Pacuare River – are faced with the challenge of best incorporating both activities …
Looking for the best zipline in Costa Rica? We compare and contrast a number here, and offer free discounts for ziplining tours!
Last updated on June 25th, 2019 at 08:12 pm GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)If there is anything we are passionate about throughout our work at Pura Vida! eh? Incorporated it is helping travellers save money when planning a trip to Costa Rica. Our online discount database …
When Costa Rica hands you rain days, make banana pancakes! Don’t miss our favourite banana pancake recipe for ideal comfort!
Everything you need to know about touring the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park with or without a guide, plus free discounts!
Last updated on May 17th, 2017 at 06:51 pm GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)A few months ago Ricky and I were fortunate enough to receive a truly inspirational email from a client. This client mentioned that he and his wife were planning a trip to Costa Rica …
We’ve visited both sectors of the Arenal Volcano National Park in Costa Rica several times. Here’s everything you need to know, plus free Arenal Volcano tour discounts!
A minute to stop and smell the roses… or, when in Costa Rica, the bromeliads! A few perceptions from our doorstep in la fortuna, costa rica: 1. Sunshine! The rainclouds have departed and we are left with the arenal volcano, exposed, with sun beaming on its …
Need to travel between Arenal / La Fortuna and Monteverde? We outline the best ways to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde and vice versa!
There are zipline tours and canopy tours in Costa Rica, but are they the same? Here’s what to know about each and what to know for your trip.
Last updated on June 25th, 2019 at 08:12 pm GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)La Fortuna is fortunately home to more things to do than any other location in Costa Rica. Mountain biking tours are widely available – some include trips around the volcano, to Arenal Lake, …
Heading to El Salto Costa Rica? We outline everything you need to know about the free Tarzan rope swing and swimming holes in La Fortuna!
Want to experience Costa Rica’s Pacuare River rafting tour? We’ve done it 2,000+ times. Don’t miss our info and free rafting discounts!
Wondering about La Fortuna weather? We outline what you should expect and how to plan your visit according to the weather in La Fortuna!
Plan to hike the Silencio Trail La Fortuna? We outline our preferred path, describe how to see the Arenal Volcano, and offer discounts for guided tours too!
Looking for free things to do in Arenal Costa Rica? Check out the free hot springs La Fortuna. We outline where they are and what to know before visiting!
We outline what to know about hiking Cerro Chato, the lagoon, and our sweet engagement story. Plus, free discounts for Cerro Chato tours!
✓ We choose not to display ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing on our blog. Because we prioritize your privacy, we don't earn money when you visit us, when you sign up for our e-course, or when you click on our links, which means the time and work we put into this blog is entirely voluntary.
✓ 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. ❤️
