Pura Vida is BULLSH*T

Trust me, Pura Vida is EVERYWHERE in Costa Rica.
'Pura Vida' is as much Costa Rica as Costa Rica is 'Pura Vida'. You can't really mention one without mentioning the other. Try to talk about 'love' without mentioning 'heart', it's kinda like that.

Costa Ricans are proud of their 'Pura Vida' heritage, as well they should be, after all, 'Pura Vida' literally means 'Pure Life', so it doesn't get any more apple pie than that. And they pride themselves on living as such- pure, simple, happy, calm, peaceful, etc. I'm sure you get the picture.

Live here in Costa Rica and you'll hear 'Pura Vida' uttered about a thousand times a day, everyday. 'Pura Vida' this and 'Pura Vida' that. 'Pura Vida' is mostly used for greeting/departing others and statements of 'understanding'. For example:

"Damn, did you hear about that dog getting run over,,,it was so sad?"

"Pura Vida."

Unfortunately, 'Pura Vida' has other connotations as well, not so 'positive and pleasant' connotations at that, at least in my mind. I'll let my video explain it-



TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!

Making a LOVE Connection in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, girls often become pregnant early and often.

*First off, judging by some of the emails I receive, I think we may have a little misunderstanding. Let me explain. When I talk to an expat living in Costa Rica, we are merely discussing their experiences. That's it. This isn't hard hitting '60 Minutes' type reporting with facts and figures (which can often be misleading), these are real-life people like you and me who have decided to make Costa Rica their home. Their perspective, their opinion based on THEIR experience and observation. If you don't agree with what's being said, fine, just comment, give some feedback or better yet, ask me to interview YOU. Don't email me what's being said is 'wrong'. Unless of course the person talking has their 'facts' wrong. But don't YELL at me, I'm sensitive....hehe.

In the below video we're discussing a few of the concerns one should consider when dating or having a relationship with a local Tico. This is Williams perspective.

*Although this discussion has nothing to do with 'prostitution', I have a feeling some will find this page in hopes that is exactly what we're discussing. So, for shits and giggles, I decided to also embed that video as well.



And the Prostitution video:



TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!

Surviving Crime, Murder and Corruption in Costa Rica

Here's how to travel to Costa Rica and survive crime, theft, murder and overall mayhem. You know, because it's around every corner.
So this dude from Connecticut, Howard Daniels Jr. writes an editorial to A.M.Costa Rica (Your daily English-language news source Monday through Friday'....whatever) and gives his take on why tourism is down in Costa Rica. His reasons, here's the exact quote:

"The reason that North Americans are not going to Costa Rica as much anymore is twofold. #1 crime and #2 tired of dealing with bribe dealing police."

This subject is a pet peeve of mine and I've written about it numerous times. So, I'll let the VIDEOS BELOW do most of the talking. But here's my bottom line: I would say that 98.9% of the BAD things that happen to tourists while in Costa Rica are a direct result of their STUPIDITY when traveling abroad. #2- Their are exceptions but 99% of the time, if you're bribing a police officer, it's because you got caught breaking the law and with some of the fines here, you'll hope the cop is 'corrupt'. However, they have been known to 'shakedown' tourists on occasion as well, but this is more the exception than the rule and don't forget, you do have recourse when a bad cop tries to pull a fast one.

Lastly, only the worst of the worst stories get printed, so perception and drama RULES on the internet. If tourists weren't so STUPID, crime against them wouldn't be so high. Yeah, I said it.

*Living here is an entirely different matter.

If you are traveling to Costa Rica, watch all the videos below from beginning to end and I can assure you, your risk factor will be cut to about '0'. I have much more INFO about crime and it's effect on tourism in this blog but don't stop there, visit other sites and get more perspective as well.

Our ORIGINAL video about Theft and Crime in Costa Rica:



Renting a car, you don't want to skip this one:



Perspective on 'corrupt' police officers in Costa Rica:



Perspective on this 'murder' and 'crime' thing in Costa Rica:



Plan on riding the public buses:



Backing up your Travel Documents:



TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!