Discover the Pura Vida Lifestyle on a Surf Trip to Tamarindo
If there are just two words you will hear in Costa Rica, over and over again, they are “pura vida”. This is the country’s unofficial slogan, used as a friendly greeting and a way of saying “life is good.” For all of us Ticos, and especially in Tamarindo, pura vida is more than words: it’s a lifestyle. From laid-back surf sessions and sunset chats with neighbors to slow lunches with good friends and just taking a moment to enjoy a particularly breathtaking sunset. The pura vida lifestyle shapes what we do and how we live.
Wondering how you can soak up a little of the pura vida lifestyle? Join us on a journey around Tamarindo to look at the people, places, and rhythms that bring those two simple words to life in our little corner of Costa Rican paradise.
What Pura Vida Really Means
In Costa Rica, pura vida is shorthand for kindness, optimism, and life-balance. You will hear it as both a hello and a goodbye, or even as optimistic reassurance when something goes wrong. Someone runs late? “Pura vida.” The bank was supposed to be open, but it isn’t. “Ah, pura vida!” The waves are perfect, and you’re heading out for a session? “Pura vida!” It’s a really simple but wonderful reminder that life is to be enjoyed, and that things always work out, no matter what.
In a nutshell, pura vida means “LIFE IS GOOD, WHATEVER COMES!”
The Tamarindo Way of Starting Your Day? That’s Pura Vida!
Being such an epic surf town, it isn’t surprising to learn that life in Tamarindo revolves around the sun, the tide, and that first cup of strong Costa Rican coffee. Most days start early, as we love heading to the beach before the heat of the day sets in.
“Catching that first wave early sets the mood for the rest of the day. Because when your day starts that well, nothing can possibly ruin in!” Kurt, instructor @ Iguana Surf
The fabulous thing is that you can be a newcomer to the town, or to surfing, and you can still enjoy it to the max. Unlike so many other places, surfing here isn’t about ego or showing off but about feeling the ocean and sharing the lineup with a fantastic group of people who love it just as much as you do. There’s a reason some of the world’s top surfers come here to practice in the off-season. This is the place they can relax and be themselves.
Tamarindo is not an intimidating place, so it’s perfect for first-time surfers. For us, it’s all about getting out there together, celebrating the little victories, and having a good laugh when someone takes a tumble. This is ALL pura vida!
And we love it when everyone joins in.
Eat Like a Local, Feel Like Family
Some visitors get a little antsy when things in Costa Rica don’t run like clockwork. What they don’t realize, however, is that this lack of rushing is embedded in the local culture. Taking it slow is an integral part of the pura vida lifestyle. Never is this more obvious than when talking about your post-surf breakfast.
After your morning surf or walk on the beach, head to a local café for a slow meal. Try a classic smoothie bowl topped with fresh pineapple and coconut flakes, or a gallo pinto plate with eggs and avocado on the side. Surf with us at Iguana Surf Camp, and you’ll have Breakfast Grinds next door, where the coffee is strong, the fruit is fresh, and the burritos are big enough to keep you fueled till sunset.
“Just settle into a shaded seat, enjoy the tunes, share a joke with the barista, and, more importantly, savor your food slowly. Trust us when we say, the day will always be good if you take good care of your slow mornings.” – Aysha, Iguana Surf & Camp Crew
It Isn’t About Jam-Packed Itineraries
As you may have guessed, then, there’s no need to pack your schedule in Tamarindo. Here, we mostly measure time by the tides not calendars or clocks. A perfect afternoon might mean reading a book in a hammock, wandering through a local market, or just sitting with your feet in the sand watching the waves roll in.
You really don’t need to do much to enjoy yourself here. Some of the best memories happen when you stop trying to create them artificially and just let life happen. As Ticos, we have always understood this, which is what gives Tamarindo a super calming and peaceful vibe. Yes, you might come here to explore and surf, but we know that it’s the relaxing vibe that will keep you coming back.
Community Is at the Heart of the Pura Vida Lifestyle
If you’re passing through Tamarindo for just a day or two, you’ll miss what we consider to be the town’s most cherished asset: its community. But stay a few days more, and you’ll start to feel the community vibe. The local baker remembering your coffee order, the surf shop guy giving you a tip on the tide, and the vegetable seller by the beach serving up the biggest smile of recognition.
The connection between people here is a core part of the pura vida lifestyle. It’s what drives us to join beach cleanups and salsa nights, and what makes us celebrate every surfer’s epic ride, whether we’ve met them or not.
Experience the Pura Vida Lifestyle!
If you’re ready to bring it all together and really soak up our way of life, join us for a surf camp in Tamarindo. We won’t just teach you how to ride waves; we’ll show you how amazing it feels to wake up with the sun, share laughs with new friends, eat sensational, wholesome food, and move through your day slowly but with purpose.
At Iguana Surf Camp, we take care of the little things so you can focus on the good stuff. Like paddling out into warm water for your morning lesson, stretching it out in yoga after lunch, and watching the sky change color as the sun dips behind the ocean.
And when it’s time to head home, we know you’ll take more than memories with you. Because that calming, freeing and positive pura vida feeling? It will stay with you long after you leave our shores.
Want to see more of what life is like here in Tamarindo? Check out our Iguana Surf YouTube channel for surf tips, local stories, and a glimpse of pura vida in action!
