Pura Vida 🤟

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As promised: no matter if you speak Spanish, if you understand the culture of the people, their way of living and thinking!  One of the very first phrases you will hear in Costa Rica is the greeting “Pura Vida”

These two words basically express everything that makes this country so attractive.  Pura Vida meaning in English is “Pure life” but it means more than just a phrase. It stands for a type of lifestyle.

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It’s likely that you’ll hear “Pura Vida” in Costa Rica. It’s a friendly greeting, a way to make you feel welcomed and it is also used to say goodbye.

Don’t be surprised when you see locals saying “Pura Vida” instead of “Bueños Días” in the morning. Costa Rica is very hospitable, so you’ll probably hear it a lot.

How should you react? Smile. The Costa Rican people are friendly and the surroundings are beautiful, so your attitude should be naturally positive or you are staying in the wrong country. Even during difficult times, reminding yourself of the good things in life helps you stay optimistic… that’s how they see life

Pura Vida! Say it back. You can shake their hands, give them a high-five, a fist bump or even hug. The point is to show that you’re friendly. You’ll soon make friends. Everyone will adopt you as a real “Tico” if you get that right quickly.

There are a few other expressions that share a similar meaning. “Pura Vida” pretty much means “it’s ok, all right”: “Hey, what’s up?” “All good, bro.” “Glad to hear it.” “Cool.”

Pura Vida bracelet

• How Are You? : When someone asks, “¿Qué pasa?”, your answer could be “¡Pura Vida!” It’s Spanish slang that means “Great life!”, “Good for you!”, “Fantastic!”, “Awesome!”
• Please Accept My Heartfelt Thanks: When a person gives you a gift, does something kind, or something for you, you should say “thank you” in return. In Costa Rica, you can say “Pura Vida” to express “you’re welcome.”
• Sorry, I’m Late. If someone says “sorry” for being a few minutes late, respond “that’s cool” and let them know that it’s not a problem. It means “it’s fine” in Spanish. It’s used in Costa Rica as a general response to situations.
• Please Let Me Know If You Are Doing Well: If someone trips, slips, or falls, most people will inquire if they are all right. Telling someone “Pura Vida” means “pure life” in Spanish. It tells people that the accident was minor.

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• You Lost Your Backpack. Have you come across something that made you angry? In other countries, this would probably make you very angry. However, in Costa Rica, you may find it easier to deal with it. Just take a deep breath, let out a long, deep “oof,” and say “Pura Vida.” It’s like shrugging your shoulders and saying, “what the heck,” or “that’s life.”

In fact, this phrase, which is Spanish, is a big part of why the country of Costa Rica is so peaceful and laid back. “Pure Life” is more than a phrase; it’s a lifestyle. Here’s why it’s so important for the people of Costa Rica

The Pura Vida Lifestyle

Costa Rica has “Pura Vida” – a relaxed, easygoing way of life. Living here, we have a great standard of living and enjoy being in a country that is surrounded by lush green hills and crystalline blue waters.

“Pura Vída” is a phrase that expresses a bit of wisdom and changes the way people view life in Costa Rica. Try it out and we think you’ll agree that it works. Here are five parts to “living like a Tica”:

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• Life’s Most Important Things: Friends, family, beautiful scenery and delicious food are more precious than any electronic device. The better life is about spending time with people rather than accumulating material possessions.
• Keep Your Cool: Annoying incidents happen all the time. For instance, when you’ve just finished washing your vehicle, it rains. Or, perhaps you made a mistake at work and your boss gave you a hard time. The saying “Pura Vida” is a Spanish expression that literally means “pure life”. It conveys the idea that if you have a good family, good health, and a great country, what more could you want?
• Coffee Beans Cultivated On Volcanic Soil Smell Good: Don’t forget to take time to appreciate life’s little joys. Whether you’re in Costa Rica alone, with friends, or even by yourself, take a step back from the camera and enjoy it. Take time to smell the flowers, listen to the birds, and take in the scenery. Appreciate the natural beauty.
• Keep Yourself Relaxed By Taking Time To Unwind: You’re significant. Caring for your children and family is essential, but you also need time to yourself to de-stress. Taking time out to relax isn’t an indulgence — at least it shouldn’t be.
• Please Don’t Rush: “Pura Vida” means “Pure Life.” It’s more about savoring the moment rather than rushing from one task to the next. It’s not about arriving too late; it’s about not taking a clock into consideration at all.

What is the origin of “Pura Vida”?

Nobody knows. That’s probably what you’d hear from most individuals if you asked. It’s similar to asking why New York City is known as the Big Apple, or why hotdogs are an integral part of baseball. They’re simply there!

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Have Costa Ricans always lived by “Pura Vida”?

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Not sure …

One potential origin of the expression “Pura Vida” could be a Mexican movie from the 1950s, starring comic actor Antonio Espino. In the movie, he portrayed a character with a positive outlook on life.

Others think “Pura Vida” is what Costa Rican immigrants would have shouted with joy when arriving in the country.

Actually, you don’t have to understand the meaning of “Pure Life” in each circumstance, in order to use it successfully. What you have to do is simply try it. If you do fail, “Pure Life”!

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