Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Or it could just be the 'Pura Vida' lifestyle - pure life - that characterizes the outlook
of every true Costa Rican, or 'Tico' as they like to be called.
Ticos take life in stride. To paraphrase a Jimmy Buffett song title, “Changes in latitude
can bring changes in attitude.” If you ask someone how they are, 'Pura Vida' is likely to
be the answer. It means 'life is good' and looking around this beautiful country it's easy
to understand why. In Costa Rica time is almost irrelevant and certainly not something to
get stressed about. What doesn't get done today will still be there tomorrow. What's more
important is enjoying family, friends, and places - what's in front of you right now. It's a
popular philosophy in Costa Rica that no argument or disagreement should last more than
three days. Maybe that's because it's both pointless and difficult to stay angry in a place
overflowing with such beauty. Stress just doesn't belong here.
What does have a home here are over half a million distinct species, making Costa
Rica one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet. That includes the over 1,200 species
of butterflies and 900 species of birds that share the jungle with sloths, monkeys and wild
cats. There are more species of birds in Costa Rica than in the United States and Canada
combined, and they come in every color of the rainbow.
Just ask a Tico and he'll tell you that some of the magic of the place comes from the
experience of living in harmony with diverse and beautiful surroundings.
Whether it's enjoying a sunset, drinking coffee with friends or simply watching a Blue
Morpho Butterfly disappear into the rain forest. In Manuel Antonio Ticos are never far
from nature and a smile is never far from their faces. When you land in Costa Rica be pre-
pared to leave your stress on the tarmac; you're about to enter a magical place that will
lighten your heart.
