If you spend any amount of time in Costa Rica, you will hear the phrase “Pura Vida” everywhere. It is spoken as a greeting, a farewell, an expression of gratitude, a way of saying “everything is fine,” and even as a philosophy for living. Visitors quickly realize that “Pura Vida” is far more than just a slogan—it is the heart and soul of Costa Rican culture.
But what does “Pura Vida” really mean?
Translated literally into English, Pura Vida means “pure life.” However, this simple translation does not fully capture its depth. To Costa Ricans—known as Ticos—Pura Vida represents a way of living that values balance, simplicity, family, health, nature, faith, and happiness over stress, excess, and constant worry. It is a mindset, a lifestyle, and a shared cultural identity that shapes everyday life in Costa Rica.
Balance Between Work and Life
One of the clearest examples of Pura Vida is how Costa Ricans balance work and recreation. Unlike many countries where work dominates daily life, Costa Rica places strong importance on enjoying life outside of work.
Costa Rica has 11 national holidays, and when these holidays arrive, the country truly slows down. Offices close, businesses reduce hours, and families head outdoors to relax, socialize, and reconnect. Beaches, rivers, mountains, and national parks fill with locals enjoying nature together.
In addition to holidays, Costa Ricans take time off very seriously. Around Christmas and New Year, it is common for families to take a full week—or longer—off work. They travel to the coast, visit relatives, and enjoy sun, sea, and togetherness.
Costa Rican labor law also ensures generous vacation time. Workers earn one day of paid vacation for every month worked, totaling about two weeks per year. During Holy Week (Semana Santa), many people receive paid leave from Wednesday afternoon through the following Monday, creating another extended time for rest and reflection.
All of this reflects a core belief behind Pura Vida:
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
Costa Ricans understand that rest, joy, and connection are essential parts of a good life.
Family and Community First
At its heart, Pura Vida means loving and prioritizing family. Costa Rican families are typically close-knit, often living near one another or even under the same roof. Grandparents play an important role in family life, and caring for elderly parents is seen as a responsibility and an honor.
Helping one another is part of daily life. Neighbors look out for neighbors, and communities tend to function like extended families. Whether it’s sharing food, offering a ride, or watching someone’s children, cooperation and kindness are expected.
This strong sense of family and community creates emotional stability and a deep sense of belonging—key elements of the Pura Vida way of life.
Fresh Food and Simple Eating
Another essential part of Pura Vida is eating fresh, natural food. Costa Ricans traditionally eat simple meals made with ingredients grown close to home.
Local farmers’ markets—called ferias—are held on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the country. Here, people buy fresh fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, eggs, cheese, and fish, often harvested just hours earlier. These foods are not packed with preservatives, artificial flavors, or chemicals.
Pura Vida means picking a fresh banana from a tree in your yard, or enjoying the first ripe mango that falls from its tree in May. It means savoring seasonal foods and respecting nature’s rhythms rather than relying on heavily processed imports.
This natural way of eating contributes greatly to Costa Rica’s reputation for health and longevity, especially in regions like the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s famous “Blue Zones.”
Daily Movement and Sunshine
Exercise is not something Costa Ricans usually schedule—it is simply part of life. Pura Vida means staying active naturally.
Many Costa Ricans walk frequently instead of driving everywhere. In small towns, it is common to see people walking to the store, to work, or to visit friends. Outdoor activities such as swimming, surfing, hiking, gardening, and playing soccer are woven into daily routines.
Living in a tropical country also means getting plenty of natural sunshine, which supports physical and mental well-being. Combined with fresh air and regular movement, this active lifestyle helps reduce stress and promotes overall health.
Faith and Spiritual Values
For many Costa Ricans, Pura Vida also means putting God first. Costa Rica has no separation of church and state, and the Catholic Church is the official religion of the country. Religious education begins in elementary school, and Christian values such as compassion, humility, and generosity are taught from a young age.
While not everyone is deeply religious, faith plays an important cultural role. Churches often serve as community centers, and religious holidays are widely observed. This spiritual foundation reinforces moral values and a sense of purpose that contributes to Costa Rica’s peaceful society.
Living Without Constant Worry
One of the most noticeable aspects of Pura Vida is the Costa Rican attitude toward worry and stress. Many Ticos live very much in the present moment. Instead of constantly stressing about next week, next year, or retirement decades away, they focus on enjoying today.
Debt is less central to daily life. Many Costa Ricans do not rely heavily on credit cards, avoiding the pressure of large debts and financial anxiety. Life may be simpler, but it is often more peaceful.
This doesn’t mean Costa Ricans don’t face challenges—they certainly do. But Pura Vida teaches acceptance, patience, and resilience. Problems are addressed calmly, without allowing stress to dominate life.
Accessible Healthcare for All
Healthcare is another area where Pura Vida becomes very tangible. Costa Rica’s government-run healthcare system, known as “La Caja”, provides universal healthcare to citizens and legal residents.
While the system has its drawbacks—such as long wait times for elective procedures—it is effective for general and urgent medical care. Many people can visit a clinic and be seen the same day, even if they must wait several hours.
For those who prefer faster service, private healthcare is widely available and affordable by international standards. Many Costa Ricans and expatriates choose private insurance while still benefiting from the public system.
Knowing that healthcare is accessible and not financially devastating provides peace of mind—an essential part of Pura Vida.
Deep Connection With Nature
Perhaps the most poetic expression of Pura Vida is Costa Rica’s deep connection with nature.
Pura Vida means feeling the warm rain on your face during a tropical downpour. It means hearing the howling wind and watching clouds roll over green mountains. It means seeing the clean blue sky, walking barefoot on soft sandy beaches, and swimming in clear rivers.
It means waking to birds singing at dawn, watching butterflies drift through the garden, and noticing how chickens roost at exactly 5:30 p.m. every evening. Nature is not something to escape to on vacation—it is part of everyday life.
Costa Rica’s commitment to environmental protection reflects this mindset. Nearly 25% of the country is protected land, and sustainability is a national priority.
Why “Pura Vida” Matters
Pura Vida is not about perfection, wealth, or luxury. It is about quality of life, inner peace, and appreciation for simple pleasures. It teaches that happiness does not come from having more, but from needing less and enjoying what you already have.
For visitors, Pura Vida often begins as a phrase they hear—but many leave Costa Rica with a new way of seeing life. They return home inspired to slow down, reconnect with nature, spend more time with loved ones, and worry less about things that truly don’t matter.
In the end, Pura Vida is not just Costa Rica’s motto—it is a reminder to all of us:
Live simply. Love deeply. Enjoy today.