Pura Vida (pure life) is something of a national slogan in Costa Rica. Not officially perhaps, but in every other way. It is used everywhere on signs and in everyday conversation with different shades of meaning depending on context, but generally can be summed up as “Life is Good” – but with an emphasis on simplicity/purity.
Pura Vida also sums up the pride of Ticos for their country and its natural beauty, and serves as a rallying cry for protecting the local environment. A relatively large part of the country is environmentally protected under a seemingly well-organized national park system. Galvanized by their belief in Pura Vida, Costa Ricans seem willing to accept the economic trade-offs required for resisting massive tourism development. In fact, a significant part of the tourism industry here is focused on eco-tourism, e.g. guided jungle excursions.
A further sign of Costa Rica’s national commitment to Pura Vida and environmental protection is the declaration of the country’s president that CR will be carbon neutral by 2021 – the first country in the world to achieve this distinction. The country’s power system is hydroelectric, which helps makes this goal realistic.
Sophie and I enjoyed some Pura Vida fun with a river rafting trip on the Rio Pacuare – one of the few major rivers with no hydro dams, so it runs free and wild. We spent four hours crashing through rapids with a local guide and three 40-ish American men from Utah, visiting CR for this kind of eco adventure. Our guide, Fabio, tells me Costa Ricans have been declared the happiest people on earth by some international agency that measures such things. After a day of wild rafting and river swimming you could also include a raft-full of visitors to Costa Rica in that tally.
