If you spend enough time exploring the “puravida Costa Rica” – it’s actually two words, “pura vida,” which we’ll explore – there’s a moment when something shifts.
You arrive with a carefully organized itinerary and a mental list of all the best things to see in Costa Rica, like volcanoes, cloud forests, hot springs, beach towns, and waterfalls. But somewhere between your first sunrise over the Pacific and your third lingering lunch, you realize you’ve started to move differently. Think differently. Breathe differently.
Before we go any further, let’s clear up one thing: puravida Costa Rica isn’t quite correct, as the real phrase is two words: pura vida. Pronounced pour-ah vee-dah, it literally means “pure life.” But in everyday Costa Rican culture, it means so much more: It’s a greeting, a thank you, an optimistic shrug, an easygoing “all good,” and a genuine expression of gratitude.
Locals use it constantly and effortlessly. Visitors start by using it playfully and end up using it sincerely. And when you’re staying in the right villa, with breakfast arriving at the perfect moment, sunsets framed by your infinity pool, and a concierge who already knows tomorrow’s plans, it becomes very easy to lean into this particular happy-go-lucky, all-is-right-with-world philosophy.
So how do you know you’ve officially gone full pura vida? Here are a few signs you’re well on your way:
#1: You Take a Beach Stroll and Forget to Check the Time (or Your Step Count)
At home, you might measure your day by emails, meetings, or minutes. In Costa Rica, the first sign you’re slipping into the pura vida is that you stop measuring at all.
You head out for a quick walk on the sand, meaning to squeeze in a stroll between other plans, and suddenly you’re barefoot, your phone’s still in airplane mode, and you’ve spent an hour watching pelicans skim the waves. You’re noticing how the light moves from gold to pink to deep blue. You’re realize you haven’t checked your step count or your watch even once.
Because frankly, when the beach sits just below your private villa, and every morning looks like a postcard, all that other stuff falls away and casual wandering becomes an everyday luxury. You’ll still care about the best things to see in Costa Rica, but you won’t feel the need to race through them.
#2: Your Calendar Starts Running on “Tico Time” and Tides
Another clue you’ve embraced the puravida Costa Rica mentality is that your schedule loosens its death grip on your day.
You still make plans like tee times, boat days, spa appointments, or dinner reservations at that restaurant everyone insisted you try. You just stop panicking if something shifts. If the waves are perfect at sunrise, you’ll happily swap your planned workout for a surf lesson. If an afternoon storm sweeps in just before your sunset cruise, you’ll pour another drink and enjoy the lightning show from your terrace instead.
You start measuring the day by tides and weather rather than minutes. High tide means surf or paddleboarding. Low tide means a beach walk or playing in tide pools. Sunset means absolutely no obligations. Your concierge quietly works some magic and you just enjoy whatever comes your way.
#3: You Start Measuring Wealth in Sunsets, Not Spreadsheets
Success is familiar territory for most luxury travelers. But in Costa Rica, something wonderful happens. Your definition of abundance expands to encompass something that can’t be graphed or charted: how many spectacular sunsets you’ve seen this week.
You start to notice which balcony chair gets the best angle, which lounger holds the final glow of daylight, and which cocktails pair best with the view. You start asking about the weather the same way you’d ask about a favorite art exhibit. You notice colors you’ve never seen before.
In that quiet, golden moment as the sun meets the sea, you’re not striving for anything. You’re just there. It’s simple and beautiful. That’s pura vida at its purest.
#4: Your Packing List Shrinks to Linen, Swimwear, and an Open Mind
You know you’ve shifted when the essentials for tomorrow are:
- Which swimsuit feels right
- Which sandals match the mood
- Which fruit juice sounds best with breakfast
Sure, you’ll still bring tennis whites or a few favorite resort pieces, but the pressure around dressing disappears. Your villa’s staff handles the laundry, the space is cool and breezy, and your biggest worry is whether your linen shirt will dry in time for sunset cocktails by the pool.
The deeper you slip into puravida Costa Rica, the more you realize your best accessory is your mindset: relaxed, curious, and ready for anything.
#5: You Know Puravida Costa Rica Isn’t Just a Hashtag
At first, pura vida feels like a cute phrase. A fun saying to try out on vacation. Then, you hear it in all its natural uses.
- As a warm greeting from your driver
- As an easy “don’t worry” when your excursion runs late
- As a sincere response when you thank your housekeeper
- As a playful farewell at the end of a beachside lunch
Eventually, you start using it without thinking. You start feeling the soul-deep philosophy behind it. You start noticing the optimism that’s baked into each exchange. And when you stop translating pura vida and start truly feeling it, that’s when you know you’re really in it.
#6: You Swap Background Noise for Real Nature
Costa Rica’s nature isn’t subtle. When you’ve gone full pura vida, you can’t imagine falling asleep without the waves or waking up without birdsong.
You don’t need a sound machine; you have the real thing. The rustle of palm trees. The soft thump of ripe fruit falling somewhere nearby. The deep, theatrical roar of howler monkeys at dawn.
From your villa terrace, you can hear the ocean before your morning coffee and watch constellations wink into existence above the pool each night. This becomes your favorite part of the day. And that’s how you know the shift is real.
#7: You Plan Your Day Around Fruit Stands, Not Conference Calls
The longer you’re here, the more pleasure you find in simple things.
Your favorite morning ritual becomes a fruit plate that looks like it came straight out of a magazine. Your second favorite is the cup of local coffee your housekeeper has already learned to prepare exactly how you like it.
Your days no longer revolve around tasks. They revolve around choices: golf or beach? Catamaran or pool day? Hiking or hammock? You’re still connected when you need to be, but your phone is no longer the center of your attention.
#8: You Find Yourself Explaining Pura Vida to Anyone and Everyone
A funny thing happens once you understand pura vida. You become the person who explains it to other visitors.
You’ll hear someone ask, “So… what does pura vida actually mean?” and you’ll step in with the kind of clarity you didn’t have a week ago. You’ll talk about gratitude, ease, humor, friendliness, optimism, resilience, and the way Costa Ricans manage to fold all of that into two small words.
When you start spreading pura vida instead of trying to decode it, you’ve crossed over.
#9: You Realize the Best Things to See in Costa Rica Aren’t on the Original List
Your first to-do list probably included volcanoes, waterfalls, national parks, and hot springs. They’re all spectacular, they absolutely belong on any list of the best things to see in Costa Rica, and we definitely recommend you do them.
But once you’ve embraced the full breadth of puravida Costa Rica, you realize the real magic often happens between the planned moments.
- A rainbow you weren’t expecting
- A perfect quiet sunrise from your bedroom balcony
- A monkey who seems as curious about you as you are about him
- A moment of deep peace by the pool with no noise except the waves
Your villa becomes one of the best “sightseeing” platforms in the country because it lets you slow down enough to actually see.
#10: You Know Where to Stay
When you’re ready to lean fully into the pura vida, the right villa elevates every moment. These guest favorites offer ocean views, privacy, and seamless service in the heart of Guanacaste’s most beautiful coastline.
Splendor Penthouse 503
Flamingo | 4 Beds | 4 Baths | 8 Guests
Perched high on Flamingo’s north ridge, Splendor Penthouse 503 delivers sweeping ocean views from every room and an effortless blend of comfort and sophistication. Mornings begin with staff-prepared breakfasts, and days unfold between the salt-water infinity pool, the ocean-view gym, and your private rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi and BBQ area.
You’re an eight-minute walk from Flamingo Beach, steps from cafés and restaurants, and minutes from Marina Flamingo. With 300 square meters of elegant living space, onsite concierge support, daily housekeeping, and a complimentary golf cart shuttle, this penthouse offers a refined take on coastal living with every detail handled for you.
Casa Xanadu
Tamarindo | 4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | 7 to 10 Guests
Casa Xanadu is a peaceful hilltop hideaway with unforgettable views of two beaches, a wildlife estuary, and the surrounding national park. Open-air living spaces invite the breeze in, while cool, air-conditioned bedrooms offer a quiet retreat at the end of the day.
You’re close to everything Tamarindo offers, yet tucked far enough away to hear the ocean, spot howler monkeys, and enjoy complete privacy. With concierge support, quick access to town and the beach, and room to relax indoors and out, Casa Xanadu feels like a private lookout designed for slow mornings and long, easy afternoons.
Villa Lux
Tamarindo | 7 Beds | 7.5 Baths | 14 Guests
Villa Lux is a bright, modern retreat just three minutes from Tamarindo’s beach and downtown. Set within a secure gated community, the home offers seamless indoor-outdoor living, a sunlit terrace, and an infinity pool with sweeping valley views.
Inside, you’ll find a luxurious master suite and six additional bedrooms, each with its own modern bathroom, making the villa ideal for families or groups who want space and comfort. Daily housekeeping, breakfast preparation, and dedicated concierge support make every day effortless while you enjoy quick access to town, nearby beaches, and everything the region has to offer.
#10: You’re Already Planning Your Return (or Your Retirement)
The final sign you’ve fully embraced your puravida Costa Rica side is simple: You’re already planning your next trip.
You’re looking at villa availability before you’ve even packed your suitcase. You’re imagining coming back for green season, or for a family gathering, or for a longer stay where you can settle into this rhythm for more than a week.
You leave changed. And you know you’ll be back. Because pura vida isn’t just something you say. It’s something you feel. And once you’ve felt it, you carry it everywhere you go. Get in touch with our concierge, and get started planning your pura vida experience.
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