The Best of Costa Rica
From mountains to shore, a country of scenic beauty
Photo by Wendy Baker
Pura vida is an expression that Costa Ricans use to describe an attitude or state of mind. It means “pure life,” and for Costa Ricans, it is a philosophy of living — a peaceful existence, a life close to nature, a pride in their culture, close ties to family and friends, and a contagious love of life.
From ages 7 to 70, our merry group of 26 HBS travelers became enthralled with Costa Rican life during our recent weeklong visit, led by Global Adrenaline president Nancy Collins (MBA ’99).
We plunged into our trip with an exhilarating white-water rafting adventure down the Pacuare River, one of the top five rafting rivers in the world. Those seeking a more leisurely journey took the scenic “float” down the Sarapiqui River, enjoying views of some of Costa Rica’s lushest vegetation.
During our tour of La Selva Biological Station, one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rain forests, we found ourselves absorbed in the many independent and interdependent communities in this ecosystem. At the spectacular Arenal Volcano, active since 1968, we were fortunate to see the summit without its usual cloud cover.
Our Costa Rican adventure ended with a few days at Playa Tambor, an exquisite beach on the Pacific Coast. We hiked, snorkled, rode horses, and enjoyed the beauty of this diverse land. Our trip left us with many fond memories, the inspiration of a new land, and insight into a different way of life.
— Wendy Baker
