About Cody and Anna

Our Passion For Costa Rica

Hey, Cody here 👋

Costa Rica is my special place. I fell in love with the country during my first trip in 2008 when surf photography was my passion. I’ve returned many times over the years, and in 2021, I made a trip down there with my then fiancé Anna. She immediately fell in love with the pura vida lifestyle, just as I had over a decade before. We got married a year later and decided that our plan was to move to Costa Rica as soon as we could.

Well… we’re not quite there yet. We bought a condo in Playa Flamingo, and get down there as much as possible. This site started as me writing travel tips, guides, and day trips for our guests and has evolved into Ultimate Pura Vida. There are no stock images here and all photos are from our adventures.

We spend a few weeks a year in Costa Rica and we’re here to share our experiences from those trips. Our travel guides are designed as quick and easy reads, free from distracting ads that ruin the content. From cloud forests to beaches, markets to waterfalls, we hope to inspire you to discover Costa Rica’s natural beauty.

We’re here to help you plan your trip and experience the true meaning of “pura vida.” Check out our posts here and let’s connect about your upcoming trip. Thanks for your support!

The Cost Rica Travel Guide by Cody and Anna Traxler

Costa Rica Packing List - Yeti Can Cooler

Cody & Anna

We’re Cody and Anna, and we’ve fallen in love with Costa Rica over the past decade. We’re not experts in every part of the country, but our countless adventures have inspired us to create this Costa Rica travel guide. Our goal is to share our experiences and help you jet off on your own unforgettable journey. Enjoy Ultimate Pura Vida 🤙

Travel Tips Delivered

Our Top 5 Costa Rica Travel Tips

Intro Setting off to Costa Rica for the first time? We've got your back with our top five travel tips. With frequent trips from California throughout the year, Anna and I have nailed down a routine that maximizes our adventure time. This short list of practical tips...

The Guide To Manuel Antonio National Park

Intro Manuel Antonio National Park is one of our favorite places in Costa Rica. This Pacific Coast park is full of natural beauty and wildlife. Despite being one of the smallest national parks in the country, Manuel Antonio will wow you with its pristine beaches, lush...

Tips On Renting A Car In Costa Rica

Intro Renting a car in Costa Rica is the absolute best way to get around the Country. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and avoid wasting time and money on expensive taxis, which can be difficult to find in certain areas. For those who really don't...

The Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List

Intro Getting ready for your trip to Costa Rica and unsure about what to throw in your suitcase? We’ve got you covered! Packing for Costa Rica might seem a bit challenging at first. After all, this tropical paradise offers a range of climates. Don’t sweat it, though....

The Guide To Marino Ballena National Park

Intro Marino Ballena National Park is located on Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast. About an hour south of Manuel Antonio, this marine sanctuary is home to empty beaches, coral reefs, and a ton of marine life. The park protects a diverse ecosystem that includes...

A Day Trip To Nauyaca Falls

Intro Tucked away in the lush rainforests of Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast, Nauyaca Falls is a breathtaking, two-tiered waterfall that offers visitors an unforgettable experience. We've been there twice and both times were amazing. The hike in can be tough but...