Guest Reviews
Testimonials from Our Guests
“I just had to write and tell you how this trip has just completely affected me. First of all, it reminded me how to LIVE, what it felt like to live, love the world. It was Malpais and everyone at surf camp – you, Danny, Erika, Julia, Melissa… just reminding me what life really is all about, and the ocean and surfing of course. Truly – it’s so awesome that you have Pura Vida and know that everything you’ve created really touches people (me) in more ways than just a “surfing adventure”. It brought the passion back in me to really live and reminded me what pura vida really is.”
“Tierza, your passion for what you do comes through in every aspect of the Pura Vida Adventures guest experience. Truly.I feel very privileged to have experienced such a rare and exceptional trip — one that I will certainly treasure for a lifetime. The memories it gave me, the friendships it created, and the existing bonds of friendship it strengthened are already paying dividends back home in the ‘real world’. I really can’t say enough about your extraordinary team…Kathy, Sara, Kalyani, Helen, Ale, and Evelyn of Tropico Latino…I love them all! I meant what I said when I thanked you for creating this business of yours. It is no small feat to have a vision and implement it so masterfully. It takes courage, confidence, faith, perseverance, sacrifice, and passion. THANK YOU.”
“The most eloquent words that come to mind when I think about my surf camp adventure in Malpais – life changing. Pura Vida taught me how to surf, how to be tranquil, how to conquer my ocean fears and most importantly… how to enjoy life. The scenery is breathtaking, yoga and surf instruction are fabulous, accommodations are great and the Pura Vida staff are some of the most unpretentious, dedicated, talented and hardworking individuals I have come across in my business dealings. I came to surf camp, never having been on a surfboard. I left 7 days later “hanging 10″, meeting lifelong friends and coming away with the best experience of my life.”
“I wanted to write you an email expressing my absolute ADORATION for PVA. I had an amazing time on my trip and could not have wished for anything more. I raved about it to all of my friends and still haven’t stopped talking about it weeks later. There is nothing better than a bunch of exciting, adventurous women getting together to catch some waves. Lots of laughs, lots of surf, AMAZING food, wonderful accommodations, fantastic instructors, warm water, endless sun, gorgeous sunsets…perfection.”
“Thank you for expanding my horizons as a surfer. I have always loved the ocean, but this experience has truly changed my perspective. . . Hopefully soon I will be tearing up the Jersey shore. . . Thank you for being so wonderful and attentive this week! Now, if only I could master the art of enjoying a cerveza and surfing at the same time. . .”
“Just wanted to tell you again what a fantastic week I had at camp! So much positive energy, I feel like I got a shot of pure joy. Still riding the wave! You guys do a great job with everything, and your staff are amazing! I’ll be back for sure next year (and the year after that, and the year after that….), and my friend Elena still says she wants to come back for her 80th!”
“Pura Vida! You guys rock! I didn’t really know what to expect. . . it was awesome, you completely catered to my needs and went above and beyond to make sure I had the best surfing opportunities. The instruction was absolutely great, and the week all round was really relaxing, enjoyable, & a great learning experience! I’ll be telling all my Aussie mates to get over here! Thanks heaps.”
“I just wanted to let you know again how incredibly thankful I am for my experience at Pura Vida Adventures. It exceeded my expectations in every way. The hotel was awesome. The instructors and hosts were caring, funny, knowledgeable, and always made safety a priority. The food was excellent and really, I could go on and on. You seem to have this business down and I have talked non-stop about it since I got back!Thank you again for such an incredible trip. It was trans-formative to say the least and I can’t wait to make it an annual pilgrimage.”
“This has been such an awesome experience – mind opening and fulfilling. The group of women both attending and working at this camp are awe inspiring, powerful, beautiful, worldly and true. They have been an inspiration. I can’t think of a greater way to rediscover myself before I become a mother and take on all of the associated challenge. Thank you for this experience!”
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to all your staff (very particularly to Josie, Helen, Andy, Brett and Daniel) for the wonderful hosting, surfing lessons and incredibly thoughtful and powerful yoga classes. I feel I have come back to NY a different individual, and that I have improved as a person as a result of my stay in Santa Teresa. I felt that all of them were professionals doing an excellent job but, much more importantly than that, they were caring, inspiring and showed me their warm hearts every day in both conversation and silence. The smile in their faces was contagious. I went on different retreats that were powerful but I do feel that this one stands out and that it has impacted my life much more than words can express. And I believe it is because of the work of your staff, no doubt about it. Through them, I have come back to myself, if that makes any sense to anyone else beyond me.”
“Surfing was something that’s so different than what I do in my “normal” life. Pura Vida Adventures taught me to slow the “eff” down, enjoy life, and just chill—all while hanging out in an incredible place, eating fantastic food, and having conversations that made me laugh so hard I snorted pineapple-smoothie out of my nose. And the second time was even more incredible than the first. As soon as I walked through the gates of the hotel I had a smile on my face and literally did cartwheels and handstands on the beach my first afternoon there. I fell even more in love with surfing, and more than that, definitely consider Pura Vida my safe haven and happy place. I love the people it attracts, the positive attitudes everyone brings, and the fact that it creates connections that last long beyond the trip. And yeah, I’m already planning on heading back for round three in the not-so-distant future! I love you guys!”
“The best moment was the first time I caught a solid wave. Amazing!!! I can’t believe that just two and half months ago I couldn’t swim and now I am actually surfing and loving it!! There is nothing like facing your fears. After that, I was like, ‘bring it on’, I can do anything. This adventure was revitalizing, relaxing, and healing all in one and went far beyond my expectations. I’m a changed person since this trip and have come back a far better person. I wish I could share this experience with everyone… Click here for Arpita’s inspirational story of conquering her fears.”
“Pura Vida gives you the whole experience – the surf, the food, the bonding. Most importantly though – I would like to really highlight how AWESOME your staff is. They were all professional in and out of the water but at the same time, super fun. They really looked out for us and we could all tell that they really wanted us to learn and do well. I honestly can not say enough about how great this camp is… SO worth the bruises and cuts, the bug bites and the tacky bathing suit tans we all come back with. I’d do it all over again in an instant.”
“Thank you for the best vacation! I went down to Costa Rica feeling like I was simply walking though life but not actually living it and now I feel more alive than ever. You have an amazing group of instructors and are running a spectacular program.”
“Start by imagining the perfect week: surfing, yoga, wonderful food, beautiful women, falling asleep to the sound of the waves every night – wake to the sounds of tropical birds in the morning. Maybe see the stars like you’ve never seen them before. Start telling time by the direction of the wind and the tides. Forget what day it is. How hard can you paddle? Drink? Laugh? Double that, and that’s Pura Vida.”
“Today while doing yoga, I watched little waves break against the rocks and noticed the colors of the palm trees change from jungle green to lemon-lime. Later at Playa Carmen, I paddled to the outside, sitting on my board in the warm sun, floating up and over waves. I caught a wave, wiped out, and came up smiling. At sunset surf, I caught waves while the moon rose over palm trees while the sea quietly swallowed the sun. Tonight, I gazed at the stars while swinging in the hammock. Pura Vida. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.”
“This place is a gem! The people are friendly and welcoming. The sound of the ocean, the trees, the beach. -all so peaceful. – all of it. Soul food and much appreciated. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“An amazing time, a magical place, and an adventure for the mind and soul. I couldn’t have had a better vacation. The camaraderie, surfing, food, laughter, chick-chat and the staff all add up to a very sweet moment in time. Thanks for creating an enriching and fabulous experience. An absolute treat for the senses.”
“This has been the best vacation/experience/surf adventure of all time. We have been so fortunate – this group of women is phenomenal!!! I really can’t express how great this has been. Our first day paddling out in warm water, all I was thinking was how lucky I was to be here. We’ve become fast friends and will continue on in the future, hopefully with a return trip to Costa Rica. Most thanks, appreciation and love to the Pura Vida staff and now friends.”
“The most eloquent words that come to mind when I think about my surf camp adventure in Malpais – life changing. Pura Vida taught me how to surf, how to be tranquil, how to conquer my ocean fears and most importantly… how to enjoy life. The scenery is breathtaking, yoga and surf instruction are fabulous, accommodations are great and the Pura Vida staff are some of the most unpretentious, dedicated, talented and hardworking individuals I have come across in my business dealings. I came to surf camp, never having been on a surfboard. I left 7 days later “hanging 10″, meeting lifelong friends and coming away with the best experience of my life.”
“The week I spent at Pura Vida Adventures would certainly be on my top 10 list of most terrific, fun, fabulous, and best things I’ve ever done in my life. I was fortunate to meet a group of amazing people, surf some waves, and generally revel in the utopian environment that is Mal Pais and Pura Vida Adventures.”
“Here I am sitting at my desk at work and I thought of the story you told of the woman who would look at your website everyday when she felt sad. I thought I would have a hard time re-entering the madness and I was right. So here I am looking at the website and longing for the Pura Vida and thinking of the girls that got to stay an extra few days. Lucky! Thank you so very, very much for such a great week. I had the time of my life. Marla and I love telling the stories of ATVing, surfing and Canopy Zipping and we are spreading the word. We will certainly be back.”
“I just wanted to pass along a little note to thank all of you for a fantastic trip to Costa Rica. Each of you contributed with your own personal touches to make my Pura Vida experience awesome. I’m still stoked from the inside waves I was able to ride. You only learn to surf and catch your first wave once….I’m so glad that my first surf memories include all of you.”
“Thank you all for the most fantastic adventure of my lifetime (so far)! There is no other place I would rather be to turn the big 50 than here. Tierza – you rock!! Thanks for making my b-day so special. Erika – You are the bomb!! Your patience, insight, surfing knowledge, energy, and positive attitude are inspiring. I want to be like you when I grow up!!”
“What a way to celebrate being 60! AND just what I needed.. a surf vacation in warm water without the bother of a wetsuit. Despite having 5 yrs. of surfing experience, at first I was very intimidated by the waves. However with Brett’s patience, calm encouragement and attentive guidance, I pushed through my fear and discovered that yes, I can ride these waves! Again and again! I gradually relaxed and ended up catching some of the best waves of my life. PVA is not only a great place for beginners, but also the perfect place for those who already can surf, and want to challenge themselves and learn more. And all the instructors are fabulous! Thanks so much for helping me overcome my fears! And for taking such good care of us. The memories will keep me warm.”
“I can’t imagine anything better than spending a week away, getting incredible instruction and meeting great new friends. Thank you for such an amazing experience.”
“I am in love! What an amazing week and experience with everyone. I am already planning on how I can come back asap. Thank you for helping me reconnect, taking me on this wonderful retreat and checking two more boxes on the never ending bucket list. See you next year. I love Costa Rica !!”
“Thanks Pura Vida, had a great time and met some really cool peeps. Such a great setup you have down here and your instructors are awesome!”
“Wow, what a week! I had such an amazing time this week and truly don’t have words to express the gratitude I have for the team at Pura Vida. All I can say is that I can’t wait to be back. XOXO”
“Pura Vida! Your guys rock! I didn’t really know what to expect. . . it was awesome, you completely catered to my needs and went above and beyond to make sure I had the best surfing opportunities. The instruction was absolutely great, and the week all around was really relaxing, enjoyable, & a great learning experience! I’ll be telling all my Aussie mates to get over here! Thanks heaps.”
“Thank you so much for a remarkable & eye opening surfing experience. I’m very impressed by the instructors who were friendly & helpful and the awesome food & amenities. You’ve got the right idea and Pura Vida has hit the sweet spot!”
“Pura Vida offers a first-class program that caters to both men and women looking for an active yet relaxing experience. The accommodations are top-notch, the food is gourmet, and the quality of surf and yoga instruction is unsurpassed for the area. My time at Pura Vida was unreal and unforgettable. It included new experiences and new friends all in a fun and unpretentious setting fostered by the great staff of Pura Vida”
“I am transformed! I can’t believe how much this experience -the place, the surfing, Cristina’s yoga, the pancakes!! -surpassed my expectations. I feel so relaxed and happy and renewed -this really has changed my outlook -I made new friends, chanted mantras, surfed, built fires. -It has been a gift. Thank you.”
“You guys & gals totally rock! We loved every minute here and you made us feel completely pampered. We’ll be back and we’ll send our friends.”
“Great solo trip. The surfing instruction was my favorite experience. I came down a bit nervous and left planning my return! I met amazing women, the food was excellent but the planning and organization that this group executes is as good as it gets. The yoga and spa were just more icing on the cake.”
Guest Reviews on Tripadvisor and Google
A consistently amazing experience
I just got back from my third trip with Pura Vida Adventures and every time I go I’m reminded of how special the retreat is. I always go by myself to recharge and to do the things I love to do: surfing and yoga. This retreat has the perfect mix of scheduled group activities and alone time to read, walk around town or do other things. Sara, the host, is everything you want in a host. She is super organized, open and friendly, she’s a problem solver and if you find yourself sitting next to her during a meal, she’s got a lot of fun and interesting Costa Rica stories to tell. The instructors are all amazing and I mean it. They’ve worked with the same instructors all three times I’ve been there. They know how to work with both beginners and more advanced surfers. They‘re supportive, have great energy and give good feedback. I always felt 100% safe with them in the ocean even when we paddled out where the bigger waves are. Lastly, the retreat participants are always an interesting mix of women with different backgrounds from all over North America. I always come back feeling inspired and empowered by what women can do. I will for sure be back. Also, Santa Theresa is a hidden gem and it’s absolutely worth a visit.
One thing to be aware of is, it’s not the easiest place to get to (and that’s why it’s a hidden gem). If you’re lucky you might only have to transfer once but if you’re further away you have to make two stops and that can turn into a full day of travel to get there.
Great Trip!
I just got back from my third trip with Pura Vida Adventures and every time I go I’m reminded of how special the retreat is. I always go by myself to recharge and to do the things I love to do: surfing and yoga. This retreat has the perfect mix of scheduled group activities and alone time to read, walk around town or do other things. Sara, the host, is everything you want in a host. She is super organized, open and friendly, she’s a problem solver and if you find yourself sitting next to her during a meal, she’s got a lot of fun and interesting Costa Rica stories to tell. The instructors are all amazing and I mean it. They’ve worked with the same instructors all three times I’ve been there. They know how to work with both beginners and more advanced surfers. They‘re supportive, have great energy and give good feedback. I always felt 100% safe with them in the ocean even when we paddled out where the bigger waves are. Lastly, the retreat participants are always an interesting mix of women with different backgrounds from all over North America. I always come back feeling inspired and empowered by what women can do. I will for sure be back. Also, Santa Theresa is a hidden gem and it’s absolutely worth a visit.
One thing to be aware of is, it’s not the easiest place to get to (and that’s why it’s a hidden gem). If you’re lucky you might only have to transfer once but if you’re further away you have to make two stops and that can turn into a full day of travel to get there.
Spectacular week of surfing and sunshine!
My husband and I just returned from one of the co-ed “Surfsgiving” weeks and we loved everything about the experience.
Sara is an absolute gem who radiates positivity and warmth. She is so organized, knowledgeable, and funny – and strikes just the right balance between organized activities and unstructured time (to do things like hang out on the amazingly comfortable hammocks and gaze at the most stunning sunsets you’ve ever seen). She’s a blast to chat with and gave us wonderful tips to make the most of our visit.
The surfing instructors are amazing. I was a bit anxious about surfing, as I don’t spend much time in the ocean. Miraculously, they had me standing up on the board on Day 1 – with improvements every day thereafter. I feel stronger than I have in months! The instructors really tune in to your specific ability level and needs. Our group included complete beginners (like me) and expert surfers – all of us left feeling like our skills had grown. I worked mostly with Audrey, Ramon, and Lucie – all had different styles and all were terrific.
The yoga – taught by the incredibly soulful Daniel – was another highlight. His classes – taught in a beautiful open room facing the ocean – are infused with beautiful messages about gratitude, nature, and openness, and also helped counteract some of the soreness from daily surfing. The cacao ceremony was another unexpected treat.
The staff at reception and in the rooms, restaurant, and spa were so friendly, responsive, and talented. The rooms are huge. A few small modifications (like a shelf to put things on in the shower) could make the rooms even more comfortable. The deep tissue massage by Pima was heaven. The food was OUTSTANDING. And the staff went to such great lengths to set up a beautiful Thanksgiving meal for us right on the beach.
Overall – this trip was the perfect “reset” that we needed after a stressful few months, and we feel so grateful to have been able to do it in such an exquisitely beautiful setting, with such fun and wonderful hosts, and surrounded by an absolutely hilarious group of travelers who quickly became friends. Don’t hesitate to book this trip – you will not regret it!
Fantastic trip!
From start to finish, this was an incredibly vacation. My wife and I were new to surfing, but the amazing instructors had a thoughtful, encouraging approach that had us loving every minute of it and enjoying every day. I even made it out to the green waves by the end of the week! Sara –; who coordinates the entire week – is a ray of sunshine, incredibly well organized, and makes everyone feel fantastic. I’d highly recommend this trip for anyone!
Stop Searching - Pura vida Adventures is the BEST surf and yoga retreat
I am a young 30-something working professional that needed more than just a getaway vacation. I was looking for an experience that was both unique and revitalizing – Pura Vida Adventures proved to be just what I was looking for. It is the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation.
The retreat is hosted through a hotel called Tropico Latino that is just breathtaking. The hotel itself is a series of independent buildings nestled into the natural landscape of the costa rican beach creating a minimalist environment that is both beautiful and comfortable. And the food they serve is FANTASTIC – everything is incredibly fresh; I loved all the fresh fish and smoothies!
Getting to Santa Teresa itself requires a bit of coordination, but Pura Vida did everything within their power to make the trip smooth. I chose to travel solo for this experience and I felt at ease the entire time thanks to our designated “cruise director,” Sara and Pura Vida Adventure’s travel coordinator, Kathy. She even helped me book my airline tickets!
The retreat itself is incredibly well organized thanks to Sara. She made sure everything ran smoothly and on time from start to finish. During the retreat, she also took great care to make sure that everyone’s needs were met and that everyone was receiving the experience they were hoping for, which I really appreciated. I wanted to make the most of my time in Santa Teresa so I wanted to do a bit more than some of the other women in my group – Sara helped me organize these extra-curricular activities (I chose horseback riding and zip lining). She arranged everything – advised me on the best time to go, told me which companies to use and even transport. I highly recommend both activities but if you have to choose one, DEFINITELY go zip lining. The company Pura Vida recommends is fantastic – they were very detail oriented, made sure everyone felt comfortable and were incredibly funny!
Now to the best part – the surfing. This is the meat and potatoes of the experience and the entire retreat itinerary is scheduled around the best times to surf. I had been surfing a bit being from Florida but never received formal lessons. I LOVED how methodical and analytical they were with their surfing instruction. I give credit to the surfing instructors for really being the heart of the experience: Lucie and Davide. You can tell they have great passion for the practice and truly enjoy sharing it with others. They teach you everything you need to know to develop into a great surfer – from proper paddle technique, to reading waves, to appropriate surfing etiquette when you are out there with other surfers. They will vary the surfing experience to your appropriate experience level which was great because it allowed you to surf different kinds of waves on different beaches. The hotel is right on Santa Teresa beach which allows for maximum time in the water which is great, they take us to playa Hermosa to ride white water waves to get great practice popping up with just an infinite number of waves (it is a BEAUTIFUL beach) and apparently we got to experience a special treat given the time of year and weather and they drove us out to a beach called Cabuya where you get to ride crazy long waves so you get great practice turning.
Yoga was scheduled around surfing and oh man is restorative yoga great for sore muscles! The hotel provides wonderful outdoor, open-air yoga studios so you can watch and listen to the waves during the yoga session. It is was always the cherry on top on the end of a great day. I did not participate in as many yoga session as some of the other girls in my group because I chose to extend some of my surfing sessions on beaches that were a bit far, but the yoga I did participate in I enjoyed very much.
One final comment that I think is very telling to the quality of Pura Vida adventures – I ended up meeting different girls participating in different surfing camps or surf/yoga retreats throughout my experience, which makes sense given the area. Santa Teresa is known for their great surfing conditions so there are many surfing camps that have apparently sprung up over the years. And just scanning the surf in the morning, it became pretty apparent that they are not all created equal. One of the girls I spoke with said she would be eager to return to Santa Teresa but would be willing to try a different retreat. Contrast that experience with my own – by the end of my 6-day trip, I felt like I had become part of a little Pura Vida Family, there was not a dry-eye among us that morning as we all said our farewells. I will absolutely be returning to Pura Vida Adventures – this alum is ready to become a lifetime member!