According to the Lonely Planet phrasebook Costa Rican Spanish, the phrase ¡Pura vida! “embodies Costa Rican life. Meaning literally ‘pure life,’ it is really a more profound concept encompassing well being, positivity and harmony. It can variously be translated as ‘great,’ ‘cool,’ ‘right on,’ etc.”
“Pura vida” has become Costa Rica’s informal motto, a sort of Latin American version of “hakuna matata” (which was a real Swahili phrase long before “The Lion King”). You see it in advertising, on souvenirs, and you hear it in casual conversation.
Pura vida
