Simple Joy of a Pure Life: The Best Souvenir You Can Take Home From Costa Rica

In a small rustic restaurant in Monteverde, Costa Rica, I saw a cute poster on the wall:

Next to it was another wall art with an explanation of what Pura Vida means:

What a beautiful phrase! Where to find a better place than Costa Rica to practice it! In the ten days I traveled here, a peaceful, simple, uncluttered life was what I lived. Appreciation of nature, family, and friends was all I did.

It is easy to immerse in nature and appreciate its beauty in Costa Rica. I had my first unobstructed view of the lush green land skirted by the blue ocean when I flew from the capital city of San Jose to the Osa Peninsula:

Osa is picturesque. The sweet water of Golfo Dulce is of a deep blue shade:

Abundant wild lives inhabit the dense rainforests of Corcovado National Park:

Elegant beaches with little human vestige are perpetually lapped by gentle ocean waves and occasionally traversed by gurgling streams:

Even when we ventured into the country’s more touristy areas, we could experience plenty of tranquil beauty, especially when we deviated, however slightly, from the well-traveled paths.

Take, Viento Fresco Waterfalls, for example. It was not on our itinerary. I only noticed it when reviewing the driving direction from Monteverde to La Fortuna and was intrigued after researching it online. Since we were in no hurry and it was conveniently located en route, we decided to stop by.

Reaching the waterfall proved to be more challenging than anticipated. After purchasing tickets at a makeshift office, we were sent to a deserted dirt road. I had to double-check with the lady in the office to make sure she didn’t make a mistake. The road was narrow and bumpy. We rocked back and forth in our rented SUV. I didn’t want to think about the possibility of another car coming from the opposite direction, as there was absolutely no maneuver room to avoid it. Luckily, we didn’t see any other vehicles during our drive.

The journey seemed interminable. Just when I started to doubt, once again, whether the lady had sent us the wrong way, we saw a small patch of flat land with three cars parked on it.

What followed was the most rewarding hike we have ever had in our lives. Within less than one mile, we saw four waterfalls, each more beautiful than the last. Admittedly, we had to climb lots of steps on our way back, but every step was worth it. Several young people were swimming in the pool at the base of a waterfall. A couple with their dog was playing next to another. Otherwise, we had the entire place all to ourselves.

I remembered the pristine landscape I saw on my flight to Osa. Viento Fresco is only a roadside stopover and is already so rich with wonders. I cannot imagine how many treasures are hidden in those untouched terrains.

When we drove in Costa Rica, the scenery was always unfailingly beautiful. Verdant forests flashed by. Vivid flower vines adorned farmhouses. White, brown, and black cattle roamed leisurely on grassland. Mountains of varying shades stood quietly in the background. Costa Rica’s national parks are relatively small compared to Yellowstone or Zion. But since it boasts so many of them and the area outside national parks is equally stunning, I am tempted to imagine the whole country as one giant national park.

The giant national park has its crown jewels, for example, the Cloud Forest, the blue river of Rio Celeste, and Volcano Arenal.

As vacationers, we no doubt experience Costa Rica differently from the locals. Travel life is always simpler. We are physically and psychologically removed from reality. Our daily routine consists of seeing beautiful things and exerting ourselves physically. We are liberated from working, cooking, cleaning, and other daily chores.

But it helped that Costa Rica is such a peaceful place. Except for perhaps Manuel Antonio, which was somewhat crowded, life seemed unhurried. People were kind and graceful. I had fewer dreams and slept soundly. I felt refreshed every day.

Of course, I know that even in a country blessed with balmy weather all year round and beauty and abundance on every inch of its land, life must have its challenges. The difference is in the extent to which life is rushed and whether you aspire to Pura Vida or a rat race. Costa Rica may not be a paradise, but it is closer to one than many other places.

That’s perhaps why there are so many American tourists in Costa Rica. We go there to escape the cold weather, as well as the frigid reality. But it is far away and takes effort (and money) to get there. To get your ticket’s worth, it is a good idea to take home some of the Pura Vida spirits, together with Costa Rican coffee.

When life gets overwhelming, slow down, flip through the photo album of Costa Rica, and whisper to yourself: Pura Vida. We stumble into a lot of impasses in life. But take one step back, you will realize the world is actually boundless.