Hola 👋 Welcome to a different type of post on Ultimate Pura Vida. This is the story of our fertility journey, and an inside look at what it's been like navigating IVF, or in vitro fertilization treatment in Costa Rica. This is something Anna and I went back and forth...
Travel Tips
Liberia Airport LIR Priority Pass Lounge – Now Closed
Welcome Flying out of Liberia Airport and hoping to use your Priority Pass? Unfortunately, you’re out of luck. The Priority Pass lounge at Liberia Airport (LIR) is permanently closed, and as of 2025, there is no replacement lounge for travelers using the popular...
Taking the Puntarenas Paquera Ferry
Hola 👋 If you're traveling to Nicoya Peninsula destinations like Paquera, Montezuma, or Playa Tambor, taking the Puntarenas to Paquera Ferry is one of the most scenic and efficient ways to get there. Instead of driving all the way around the Gulf of Nicoya, a trip...
Taking The Monkey Trail
Hola 👋 The Monkey Trail is one of those classic Costa Rican roads. Officially Highway 911, this well-known backroad shortcut connects Liberia to Playa Flamingo and neighboring beach areas via the town of Potrero. For travelers looking to avoid the longer paved route...
The Best Scuba Diving in Costa Rica
Hola, diver 🤿 Scuba diving in Costa Rica is always on our shortlist of activities when we have the opportunity. I’ve been diving since 2015 and finally convinced Anna to get certified down in Sámara in December of 2023. Shout out to Nick and Jackie from Sámara Dive...
The Ultimate Guide To Craft Beer in Costa Rica
Hola 👋 So, I'm guessing the only reason you clicked on this post is because you enjoy a frosty craft beer on a hot day. Love that. We’re from California's West Coast and craft beer is our DNA. So naturally, we made the ridiculous goal to check out EVERY CRAFT BREWERY...
5 Things to Know Before You Go to Costa Rica
Hola 👋 Planning your first trip to Costa Rica? Do it. It's a dream destination, but there are a few things that many travelers forget when going down the Instagram and TikTok inspiration rabbit hole. Before you jet off, here are our 5 things to know before you go to...
Pura Vida: The Basics of Costa Rican Culture
Welcome When you're traveling to a new country, it's always good to have a sense of the local customs and etiquette. Costa Rica and the 'Pura Vida' lifestyle are no different. Below are some of our helpful tips on navigating the country for the first time and the...
The Best Travel Bag for Digital Nomads
The best travel bag for digital nomads Digital nomads have gear. Often, lots of delicate camera gear. That’s why finding the perfect travel bag setup is a must for your adventures. The bag needs to be adaptable, durable, and capable of holding all your gear safely...
The Best Time To Visit Costa Rica: The Green Season
Welcome So when is the best time to visit Costa Rica? It's time to consider staying in the off-season, better known as the "Green Season". The Green Season spans from May to November and offers unique experiences and advantages to travelers. While we don't pass up any...
Our Top 5 Costa Rica Travel Tips
Welcome 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...
Costa Rica for Digital Nomads and Remote Working
Hola 👋 From catching the sunrise over a tropical rainforest to wrapping up a workday with a sunset surf session, Costa Rica provides a unique experience for digital nomads. The pandemic years became a boon for remote working, and much of that has stuck around...
Cody & Anna
We’re Cody and Anna. We’ve spent the past decade exploring Costa Rica, and this is where we share what we’ve learned. These days we live in Playa Flamingo, where we also run a small rental and tours company, Colibri Hospitality. Pura Vida 🤙
Popular Guides
The Quick Travel Guide To Rio Celeste
Hola 👋 There are so many beautiful places in Costa Rica that it’s surprisingly easy to keep pushing some of them down the list. That’s exactly what happened with Rio Celeste for us. When we finally made the trip, it just so happened to be during the two days that...
The Ultimate Guide to San Jose
Hola 👋 Welcome to our Ultimate Guide to San José, Costa Rica. This guide looks a little different than our other Ultimate Guides, simply because San José is HUGE compared to most destinations we cover on Ultimate Pura Vida. Instead of our standard format, we’re...
The Ultimate Guide to Playa Flamingo, Potrero, Brasilito
Welcome to our Ultimate Guide to Playa Flamingo, Potrero, and Brasilito. Planning a trip is already hectic enough, so we’ve done our best to highlight the most helpful details of some of Costa Rica’s best northern beach towns.
The Ultimate Guide To Puerto Viejo
Welcome to Puerto Viejo Thinking about planning a trip to Puerto Viejo? Do it! We finally branched out from the Pacific Coast for our first time in August 2023, and love going back whenever we can. Puerto Viejo is an under-the-radar beach town on the Caribbean side of...
Tips On Renting A Car In Costa Rica
Hola 👋 Renting a car in Costa Rica is hands down the best way for most travelers to explore the country. It gives you the freedom to go at your own pace while avoiding the hassle and cost of taxis or shuttles. In this guide, we’ll break down key cost considerations,...
The Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List
Hola 👋 Getting ready for your trip to Costa Rica and not sure what to bring? 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 and unpredictable weather. We’ve put together...

