Excerpts from the Pura Vida Adventures Surf Journal
"Start by imagining the perfect week: surfing, yoga, wonderful food, beautiful women, falling asleep to the sound of the waves every night - wake to the sounds of tropical birds in the morning. Maybe see the stars like you've never seen them before. Start telling time by the direction of the wind and the tides. Forget what day it is. How hard can you paddle? Drink? Laugh? Double that, and that's Pura Vida." Elizabeth Proctor ~ Pacifica, California
"Today while doing yoga, I watched little waves break against the rocks and noticed the colors of the palm trees change from jungle green to lemon-lime. Later at Playa Carmen, I paddled to the outside, sitting on my board in the warm sun, floating up and over waves. I caught a wave, wiped out, and came up smiling. At sunset surf, I caught waves while the moon rose over palm trees while the sea quietly swallowed the sun. Tonight, I gazed at the stars while swinging in the hammock. Pura Vida. Who knows what tomorrow will bring." Cathie Bechan ~ Stamford, Connecticut
"An amazing time, a magical place, and an adventure for the mind and soul. I couldn't have had a better vacation. The camaraderie, surfing, food, laughter, chick-chat and the staff all add up to a very sweet moment in time. Thanks for creating an enriching and fabulous experience. An absolute treat for the senses." Jen Hunt ~ Oakland, California
"This has been the best vacation/experience/surf adventure of all time. We have been so fortunate - this group of women is phenomenal!!! I really can't express how great this has been. Our first day paddling out in warm water, all I was thinking was how lucky I was to be here. We've become fast friends and will continue on in the future, hopefully with a return trip to Costa Rica. Most thanks, appreciation and love to the Pura Vida staff and now friends." Karen Wilson ~ San Francisco, California
"The most eloquent words that come to mind when I think about my surf camp adventure in Malpais - life changing. Pura Vida taught me how to surf, how to be tranquil, how to conquer my ocean fears and most importantly... how to enjoy life. The scenery is breathtaking, yoga and surf instruction are fabulous, accommodations are great and the Pura Vida staff are some of the most unpretentious, dedicated, talented and hardworking individuals I have come across in my business dealings. I came to surf camp, never having been on a surfboard. I left 7 days later "hanging 10", meeting lifelong friends and coming away with the best experience of my life." Arlene Bae ~ San Francisco, California
"The week I spent at Pura Vida Adventures would certainly be on my top 10 list of most terrific, fun, fabulous, and best things I've ever done in my life. I was fortunate to meet a group of amazing people, surf some waves, and generally revel in the utopian environment that is Mal Pais and Pura Vida Adventures." Elizabeth Levy ~ New York, New York
"Here I am sitting at my desk at work and I thought of the story you told of the woman who would look at your website everyday when she felt sad. I thought I would have a hard time re-entering the madness and I was right. So here I am looking at the website and longing for the Pura Vida and thinking of the girls that got to stay an extra few days. Lucky! Thank you so very, very much for such a great week. I had the time of my life. Marla and I love telling the stories of ATVing, surfing and Canopy Zipping and we are spreading the word. We will certainly be back." Jennifer McGeorge ~ Brooklyn, New York
"I just wanted to pass along a little note to thank all of you for a fantastic trip to Costa Rica. Each of you contributed with your own personal touches to make my Pura Vida experience awesome. I'm still stoked from the inside waves I was able to ride. You only learn to surf and catch your first wave once....I'm so glad that my first surf memories include all of you." Wendy Weidman ~ San Francisco, California
"Thank you all for the most fantastic adventure of my lifetime (so far)! There is no other place I would rather be to turn the big 50 than here. Tierza - you rock!! Thanks for making my b-day so special. Erika - You are the bomb!! Your patience, insight, surfing knowledge, energy, and positive attitude are inspiring. I want be like you when I grow up!!" Kate Trujillo ~ Oakland, California