PURA VIDA TRIPS - Arenal Volcano - Costa Rica - Tours - Hotels

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Our best tour in Costa Rica! I am a bird lover, and booked the early bird watching tour through Pura Vida Tours. They picked me up by 5:00 in the morning and drove for 15 minutes to get to the rain forest by the National Park. My guide (Javier) was great; he pointed out so many birds, and even made some strange noises to attract them! He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and professional. I highly recommend this tour, as well as Pura Vida Tours, they really provide excellent service.Published 23 feb 2010 - kulasito
great day with pura vida! i did the all day combo/adventure tour with pura vida and it was a great day! it started early - got picked up at 7am and didnt get dropped off until 10pm - but it went by so fast! it started on the hanging bridges, then on to the la fortuna waterfall, lunch in la fortuna, hiking at arenal, watching for lava (which we saw!), then to the hot springs. our guide was so knowledgable about everything costa rica - the plants, animals, culture, everything - and didnt mind the gazillion questions that we asked. everything was perfect! Published 26 ene 2010 - carolinah2137
Exceptional experience! My boyfriend and I just got back from touring Costa Rica. While in La Fortuna, we booked a tour to the hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, and a sunset hike at the Arenal Volcano with Pura Vida tours. Our guide was Javier, a former biology teacher. He will tell you that he only speaks 'un poquito' english, but it is near perfect. He was very engaging and knowledgeable about the flora and fauna. He helped us take pictures of birds from far away through his binoculars. At the very beginning of our volcano hike there was an absolutely miserable downpour and we were all completely soaked. I think that most of us on the tour were considering not completing the hike, but Javier convinced us to and the rain stopped in 10 minutes, the sun came out, and the hike was well worth it. The tour was very prompt and professionally run. I would seek out Javier for other tours if we go back (especially Rio Celeste!) - he really seems to love his job and meet new people. Highly recommended!! Published 18 ene 2010 - puppy_doc
Excellent service for my student tour group I connected with Pura Vida Tours several years ago when I first started bringing my college student group to Costa Rica for an ecological study tour. I will be using them for the fourth time this year. They have consistently provided me with great service organizing activities. They also provide knowledgeable, well spoken English speaking guides. Published 10 nov 2009 - Toad_seeker

By setting forth a philosophy of peace with nature and the world, Costas Rica proves to be the happiest place on Earth

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, July 9, 2009 – Costa Rica, the world’s foremost leader in sustainable tourism practices, has begun to reap the rewards for its commitment to social and environmental preservation alike. The country’s philosophy to being at peace with humanity and nature have now set the stage for a country that is recognized internationally as one of the most stable, most ethical, one of the cleanest and consequently, the happiest place on Earth.

A recent study done by a British organization, the new economics foundation, has named Costa Rica as the Happiest Place on Earth citing its long life expectancy, life satisfaction of its people, its low environmental impact, strong networks of friends and family and a healthy balance between work and play. More importantly, the report highlights the attitude of its people and their view of what’s important in life. So, what has this small nation done right to create this type of society and, more importantly, what kind of changes can other countries make to achieve a little more happiness in everyday lives?

When Costa Rica made the decision to eliminate its army in 1948, it seemed like an unlikely and naïve choice, at best. Then, in 1978, Costa Rica took it a step further and declared 25% of its territory as protected land in an effort to preserve the rich biodiversity that today has made the country one of the most sought after ecological destinations in the world.

While these decisions were highly criticized in their time, Costa Rica, today, has come full circle and proven that a life focused on the well-being of the people and the planet is the best recipe to living a long and happy life. Their zest for life shows because while many initially come here for the country’s natural beauty and an endless choice of activities, ultimately, the longest lasting impression they leave with is the kindness and joy that the Costa Rican people offer.

All of these choices have enabled Costa Rica to be a society that can count on accessible education for all and a nationwide healthcare system that even provides for tourists in the country. Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves, enjoy a literacy rate that is comparable to any other well-developed nation, equal rights for all, a political system which allows for strong participation from its citizens, and an almost complete elimination of fossil fuels for electric production.