“Pura vida” is a commonly used phrase in Costa Rica that translates to “pure life.” This saying is a way of life in Costa Rica. Simply put, for the people of this Central American country, “pura vida” means to enjoy life happily and without worry. 

We visited  Costa Rica in June, arriving at 2 a.m Our hotel manager had arranged transportation service to Arenal Springs Resort and Spa for nine of us (my family and my sister’s family of five). It took the local driver three hours to drive through the mountainous terrain. ... Read More

I often tell friends that the planning and researching for your vacation can be half the fun of the entire trip.  That’s why I love AAA’s planning tools, and that’s why you may be reading this blog now! But on my recent week-long visit to Costa Rica - my first trip there - business obligations and Christmas preparations kept me from putting in my usual amount of planning: research, cross-referencing, map-scouring and article-reading. 

I had dreamed of visiting Costa Rica for several years, having heard so much about the eco-tourism, the adventure sports, the laid-back beaches and the optimum climate in December for a tropical getaway.   My 17-year-old son’s ... Read More

     “Poor Carl.”
    
     Those two words will forever remind me of Costa Rica. My husband Jon and I had come to the Central American country to explore the area’s diverse ecology, from its landscape dotted with volcanoes and waterfalls to its rich array of plants and wildlife. And while I enjoyed exploring the dense rain forests and watching dolphins cavort in the waters off the Osa Peninsula, I was on a mission. I wanted to see and... Read More