The travel junkies would agree that there is not much more exciting than packing up a travel bag and venturing on a new adventure. And so I did pack my t-shirts, shorts and a few bathing suits because this time, I headed to the gem of Central America – Costa Rica – known for its lush vegetation, ecotourism and exceptional environmental policies.
There are two words that describe Costa Rica and they are “pura vida” that in translation essentially means “a true, bona fide life,” which for Costa Ricans signifies being in the moment, enjoying what is, not rushing and dancing to the beat of music and the splashing waves. Could this be the reason why sloths are native to Costa Rica?
The stunning white sand beaches run miles on end, surrounded by countless palm trees. As the sun rises, the locals begin their days early and flock to the beach with picnic tables, chairs, tents, coolers, inflatable mattresses and, of course, speakers that play – no, correction, blast! – music.
You will see all types of speakers from the tiny portables to big boomboxes, to a dressed-up guy singing karaoke from a trunk of a moving van. Don’t have speakers? Not to worry, blast the stereo in your car and leave the doors open! In celebration of pura vida, the uplifting sounds of salsa, merengue, bachata and cumbia travel down the beach making even the humblest conservative traveller modestly move their hips to the beat.
At sunset, the waves wash off the countless footprints on the sand, and the day slowly morphs into a new one.
If there were only one reason why you should visit Costa Rica, it would be for nature. By far, Costa Rica ranks the number 1 destination I have ever visited that features this much greenery and wildlife, including nocturnal.
On a rainy cloudy day, in the inland city of La Fortuna famous for its 2 volcanoes, we aimlessly headed up the main street that, to our surprise, brought us to the sloth park. During the solitary walk through the misty rainforest, we spotted a tree full of green parrots, a few sloths, a colourful toucan, exotic birds and – wait for it! – an armadillo! With all his might, the poor guy was trying to outrun me and make it to his house on the other side of the path. Phew, he made it.
The tiring day was finished on the hotel veranda where, in the warm embrace of the evening, I cut myself a fresh papaya and delved with my teeth into the sugary juicy flesh. The chirping crickets disturbed the idyllic quietness of the evening, when a rustling sound came from the nearest bush. With a camping flashlight pointed in the approximate direction of the sound, I was confronted with a set of two shiny eyes staring back at me. It was a kinkajou, a tiny honey bear feeding on fruits and nectar, who just like me could not resist the smell of the freshly cut papaya. If this is not a pura vida, what is?
The sound of chirping crickets made me reflexive of how irrelevant and petty now seem the once-so-real mundane worries, troubles, anxieties. The stillness penetrated every fibre of my soul that was not looking back, but only forward, inspired. The wilderness spilled its mysterious power over me and elevated me above all that once seemed so big, so real and inevitable. Not that I did not know it, but it gently refocused my attention on the true beauty. The beauty of the biggest wildest ocean splashing against the shore; the majesty of mountains that rise high up and hold the secrets that laymen try to conquer; the wilderness of the tropical forest with endless lianas, low-hanging clouds and hard-working ants.
We must all live a pura vida, or at least get a taste of it as it puts things into perspective and helps appreciate the moment. We must also travel as it has an indescribable power of inspiration, self-discovery and of course, peace. The more you travel, the more you get to lift a corner of the endless veil of mystery, called “life.”
Hence, leave the troubles back home, put on your travelling hat and carry on like a pura vida!