Pura Vida Difference
What Makes Pura Vida Unique?
A Week-Long Camp, a Lifelong Community
A letter from Tierza Eichner, Founder of Pura Vida Adventures
People often ask me “What makes Pura Vida Adventures different from other surf and yoga retreats?” And here’s the short answer: it’s not just a week-long camp, it’s a lifelong community.
The long answer?
When I first put my feet into the sand in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica in 2002, I had NO idea that it would profoundly transform my entire life forever. I only knew that I was beat-down and tired from years of working in a job I disliked, and deeply in need of direction, rest, and a renewel of my spirits.
They say that if you listen to the small nudges inside yourself, you will go where you need to be…and after just days in the surf of Santa Teresa, I KNEW I couldn’t have come to a better place.
The warm ocean and even warmer energy of this special town soothed my soul, lifted my spirits, filled me with a profound appreciation for my life, and gave me a community that has changed me for the better.
And this is what I want to share with you. This is why I created Pura Vida Adventures, to share ALL of this beauty with you.
Sure, I could talk about how amazing our surf instructors are—how they translate their love for the ocean into the most superb lessons and kindest instruction, how bad-ass they are (from running their own businesses to surfing in competitions to being amazing mammas to mentoring kids in the local community), how they’ve trained for YEARS and earned numerous certifications to give you the absolute BEST POSSIBLE instruction.
I could talk about the amazing feeling of riding warm water waves (without a wetsuit!), the way your whole body vibrates with energy after a well-earned massage, the way a coconut tastes right after an amazing surf session, the peace of drifting to sleep listening to the ocean…and so much more.
All of this is true, and all of this is what makes Costa Rica so special.
What makes Pura Vida Adventures so special is that you get to SHARE this experience with incredible people…who just might become your community and change YOU and your life for the better.
I created this retreat to make this magic happen. I’m talking about lives changing, hopes rekindled, 10 strangers becoming friends…I’m talking about clients who have become family, who come back year after year to share this beautiful place with us… I’m talking about non-swimmers who conquer their fears of the water and leave feeling like warriors.
THIS is why I started this camp. I love surfing, but I love this place and its magic even more.
Believe me, when I came here I had no idea that my story of transformation and healing would lead to others experiencing the same, but I soon figured it out, and have since made it my life’s work.
We hope to welcome you into the waves (and family!) at PVA very soon.
Tierza ~ Owner Pura Vida Adventures
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
20+ years empowering women through surf, yoga, and community. Women-led coaching, safety-first instruction, small groups, and a beachfront setting that makes you exhale.
Women seeking confidence, calm y comunidad—beginners welcome, returning surfers, solo travelers, amigas, and many midlife women (45–60) rediscovering their spark.
Yes, we run select coed weeks (e.g., holidays). They’re a mix of solo travelers, friends, families, and some couples—not couple-heavy.
No. Surf and yoga meet you where you are. Our coaches adjust to your pace, and rest is part of the program.
Yes. We group by level and keep ratios low (target ~1:3). Expect level-specific coaching, video analysis, and a quiver of boards to match your goals.
Yes. We support with transfer guidance, roommate matching, and a team on site. In the water, coaches manage conditions and choose mellow breaks for beginners.
The Santa Teresa/Malpais coastline is diverse—beach, reef, and point breaks within reach. We prioritize gentle beach breaks for beginners and pick spots daily based on conditions.
You don’t have to be Michael Phelps—being comfortable in the ocean is important. We’ll coach safety skills and choose conditions that match your level.