Welcome
Give someone a little more time and attention than the situation strictly requires.
Born in Costa Rica · open to the world
Pura Vida is more than something people say.
It can be a greeting, a goodbye, a thank-you and a way of saying things are okay. But the interesting part begins when you notice the behaviors behind the words.
Someone welcomes you without rushing. A plan falls apart and nobody lets it ruin the day. A good conversation lasts ten minutes longer than expected.
If Costa Rica stayed with you
Don’t ask how Costa Rican you are. Ask what you noticed.
Think of one Pura Vida moment you remember. What made it feel different?
Was it hospitality? Simplicity? Nature? Someone lending a hand? The ability to adapt? A little more enjoyment, understanding, curiosity or meaning?
Costa Rica may be where you noticed it. Home is where you can practice it.
Try one today
Small enough to actually do.
Enjoy
When something good happens today, stay with it for ten seconds before moving on.
Adapt
When a plan changes, look for one workable alternative before fighting the change.
Choose your way in
There is no required sequence.
Understand
What does Pura Vida actually mean?
Start with the expression, its Costa Rican context and why a literal translation is not enough.
PracticeKeep a little Pura Vida with you.
A 17-page digital guide with nine everyday actions and a seven-day practice.
StoriesSee it in real life.
Made Pura Vida is our publication of stories, ideas and practices. Current stories are primarily in Spanish.