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
Thanks!
Wow what an awesome adventure! Pura Vida provided some of the best instructors from all over the world. Surfing was exceptional and I look forward to coming back! Thank you to you all.
A transforming experience
The week I spent on retreat with Pura Vida Adventures (PVA) was nothing short of life changing. I am a 38 year old woman who lives in Philadelphia and works non-stop as an attorney. I decided that I would fulfill the lifelong dream of heading off on an adventure by myself to surf in Costa Rica. The funny thing is, before coming to PVA, I was neither a surfer or someone who did yoga. Just a woman who works too much who wanted to try something way outside my everyday experience with the hopes of finding peace and empowerment. I found both and in more ways than I can measure. From start to finish every single detail was carefully thought out and executed and every moment was complete magic. First and foremost, the incredible team of surf instructors, yoga instructors, staff and crew are so much more than just the people working to make sure you have an enjoyable time, these folks are true joy personified. By the end of the week I left knowing I had made friends and shared an incredible journey with the whole team. I will be forever grateful for their kindness and the great times we all shared. I started off as a rookie/beginner (to put it kindly) when it comes to surfing. The team of instructors I worked with (Helen, Ale, Davide, and Michelle) were spectacular! Their patience, positivity and incredible skill in teaching blew me away and allowed me to transform from someone who could barely lay on a board on the sand to standing up and surfing the waves into the shore by week’s end. Their love of surfing and Costa Rica is infectious and will stay with me always. Not only was I a complete novice to surfing, but to yoga as well. With the exception of 2 or 3 yoga classes at my local gym, I have had no experience with yoga. Yoga was this unknown thing to me that I have always wanted to do, but seemed to never find time for. I also figured I would be absolutely terrible at it since I am not at all flexible, my mind is always going a million miles a minute and tend to not hold still not more than a couple seconds at a time. The yoga instruction by the PVA team was outstanding, welcoming, thorough and one of the most relaxing and restorative things I have ever done in my life. Each day we had yoga classes while facing the gorgeous beach under the shade of beautiful huts surrounded by palm trees and ocean breeze. The scene is truly something out of a movie it is so wonderful. I was able to learn about yoga in the physical and spiritual sense while on this retreat. I found peace and a sense of calmness that I have never experienced and will hold on to as I now begin my journey into practicing yoga. I will forever be grateful for this experience. When it comes to the food, service and accommodations of the Hotel Tropico Latino where you will be staying, you can rest assured that all are outstanding! The hotel itself consists of several little houses/buildings that all have wonderful, comfortable rooms with A/C, refrigerators, rainfall showers, free wi-fi, TV, fans, great areas for lounging and a clean and comfortable bed. The hotel sits on an untouched beach among a gorgeous tropical jungle; it is truly paradise! There’s a wonderful pool that you will enjoy relaxing in after surfing and yoga, hammocks everywhere for a nap or good book and a spa that sits nestled in the trees with the sounds of the ocean waves crashing and birds singing as you indulge in the many excellent spa treatments available. I had three massages, a facial and a manicure and pedicure while I was there and absolutely loved it all. Very reasonable pricing for the outstanding experiences. The hotel service staff will know your name within the first day and they are some of the kindest, most welcoming and attentive people I have ever experienced. Not only to they prepare and serve wonderfully fresh, local and healthy food and smoothies, but they will remember your favorite post-surfing cocktail and genuinely want to know how your day on the waves went. The food is fantastic and there’s a ton of it! The hotel’s restaurant pride’s itself on local, sustainable ingredients and their dedication shows. We also went out to several local restaurants that were all excellent and within a very short walk. For me, the experience of learning something new and something that was difficult at first was such an empowering experience. In our retreat there was a mix of women who traveled to PVA solo, a few mothers with their daughters, and some sisters. I cannot recommend this experience enough for any woman, coming solo or with a family member or friend, who is looking for a truly unique and life changing experience. I will return again year after year for this amazing week! I cannot thank Tierza enough for creating this adventure many years ago that has touched so many lives! You all rock!
The team is amazing
I can not put in to words how amazing Sara and the whole surf team are. Helen, Michelle, Davide, Ali and Lucy were so patient, kind and FUN!!! Having Sara guide us through our days made a very busy week super relaxing. She is kind, funny and simply adorable:-) Davide was an amazing instructor and I appreciated the fact that he truly wanted me to enjoy my surf experience, and I did! Catching a few final waves with Lucy on Friday was the perfect end to my week! Thank you to the whole team, it was amazing.
Exceeded all my expectations
I was bitten by the surf bug several years ago. Because I don’t live close to a good surf break, I try to take several trips a year to surf camps where I will hopefully get excellent surf instruction as well as comfortable accommodations, good service, and good food. I’ve now stayed at several luxury surf camps, but Pura Vida is the first camp where I truly felt that all of my requirements were not only met, but exceeded. The Pura Vida staff are all professionals. From the day you book your trip through your last day at the resort, you’ll have a number of folks ready and waiting to make sure you enjoy your stay and that you have everything you possibly need. Although the week is largely planned with your surf, dining, and yoga sessions built in, you’ll have a fair bit of free time and ability to dine on your own for several meals so you can explore Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. Simply, the structure is there if you want it, but no one will stand in your way if you want to do your own thing. Don’t discount the structure though – the planned activities really allow you to get to know your fellow campers and the people you meet and get to know will be one of the best things you experience during the week. The resort itself is impeccably designed. It blends in with the scenery and feels like it has been there all along. The rooms are beautiful, beds comfortable, and AC quite chilly. The spa is a treat not to be missed. The resort’s restaurant cooks up some delicious food. Finally, no matter where you are on the surf ability spectrum, you’ll finish the week a better surfer and with a number of suggestions for small tweaks you can make to your existing technique that will enable you to continue to improve in the future. You’re not surfing with people who just picked up the sport a couple of years ago and can catch a wave. Your surf instructors have decades of combined experience, some have competed professionally, and all of them will have a way of explaining how you can improve, e.g., your foot and arm positioning and hip rotation to be more balanced and stable on the board, make cleaner turns, and surf with more confidence in a way that makes you feel like you’re having a “Eureka!” moment every single time they explain something to you. I only have one regret after my one week with Pura Vida – that I didn’t stay for two.
Perfection! Already planning my third visit!
I was bitten by the surf bug several years ago. Because I don’t live close to a good surf break, I try to take several trips a year to surf camps where I will hopefully get excellent surf instruction as well as comfortable accommodations, good service, and good food. I’ve now stayed at several luxury surf camps, but Pura Vida is the first camp where I truly felt that all of my requirements were not only met, but exceeded. It’s such an amazing combination of waves, instruction, food, people, etc. that after my first trip in February 2018, I went back in July to say farewell to the head surf instructor and see some of my old friends. I’m already planning my next trip there for 2019.
The Pura Vida staff are all professionals. From the day you book your trip through your last day at the resort, you’ll have a number of folks ready and waiting to make sure you enjoy your stay and that you have everything you possibly need. Within a day, the resort staff knew my name and went out of their way to check up on me to see how I was doing. When I went back in July for my second trip, they still remembered my name and where I was from and were always ready with a smoothie, plate of fruit for me to snack on when I had to spend a few hours working in the afternoon in the bar, and some wonderful conversation.
When you arrive, you’ll notice that the week is largely with your surf, dining, and yoga sessions built in, but you’ll have a fair bit of free time and ability to dine on your own for several meals so you can explore Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. Simply, the structure is there if you want it, but no one will stand in your way if you want to do your own thing. Don’t discount the structure though – the planned activities really allow you to get to know your fellow campers and the people you meet and get to know will be one of the best things you experience during the week. I not only kept in touch with a number of the folks I met last February, but the last trip in July felt like summer camp.
Now I have friends all over the country that I can visit and surf with 🙂
As for the resort, I’d stay there even if I wasn’t surfing. The rooms are beautiful, beds comfortable, and AC quite chilly. The spa is a treat not to be missed. The resort’s restaurant cooks up some delicious food. And you’re close to everything you’d want in town.
Finally, no matter where you are on the surf ability spectrum, you’ll finish the week a better surfer and with a number of suggestions for small tweaks you can make to your existing technique that will enable you to continue to improve in the future. You’re not surfing with people who just picked up the sport a couple of years ago and can catch a wave. Your surf instructors have decades of combined experience, some have competed professionally, and all of them will have a way of explaining how you can improve, e.g., your foot and arm positioning and hip rotation to be more balanced and stable on the board, make cleaner turns, and surf with more confidence in a way that makes you feel like you’re having a “Eureka!” moment every single time they explain something to you.
I can’t wait to see my old friends again in 2019!