Pura Vida, Aussie Travelers and the Iconic Leaf-Frog

(La Fortuna, Costa Rica - July 28) The Ambassador visited Costa Rica to explore the land of love, wellness and a culture of harmonious existence.

For more information on culture, tourism or travel, please contact Ms. Beatrize Pérez, Cultural Counselor at the Embassy of Costa Rica.

Below, we share the Pura Vida lifestyle, introduce a real globe-trotting family and have a first account sneak peak of the infamous Leaf-Frog. Enjoy!

PURA VIDA

Carlos next to his kiosk in Tamarindo; offering many different hand-made items with only one thing in common:

Pura Vida engravings.

For 50+ years, Costa Ricans have literally imprinted the term Pura Vida onto daily life. The term translates directly to 'Pure Life,' but it is much more profound than just an expression. 

In Costa Rica, Pura Vida is a way of life; a mindset of eternal optimism and thankfulness. A constant reminder to count your blessings and to be mindful that there is always someone less fortunate than yourself.

Pura Vida is a life-altering mindset that you and your family can benefit from. The Huffington Post claims just one week in Costa Rica can change your life. Just ask the Traveling Cooks...

The Traveling Cooks

Serving locals and tourists with smiles, Coffee & Waffles on the Pacific Shore is Costa Rica's newest Aussie family: From left, Jacob, Sebastian and Renae Cook. 

They never planned on working as chefs or baristas. Far from it; the Cooks worked in Western Australia's mining industry. This glowing bunch of Aussie adventurers were unsure immigrants in Costa Rica just three months ago.Today, they're savvy business owners, working 100 yards away from the Pacific Ocean.

Having lived in over 15 countries, the Cooks live a dynamic life-style infused with new understandings and multi-cultural experiences. A story worth telling...

Highlights from the Cook Family Interview:

Fateful Beginnings

Jacob and Renae spontaneously met as travelers while visiting the United Kingdom before starting a family and embarking on a world-wide tour of life. 

New Homes Around the World

The Cooks have lived in the UK, Africa, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Thailand, India, Germany, New Zealand and currently, Costa Rica.

Leaving Everything Behind

When Sebastian was born, Renae and Jacob had just began building a house in Western Australia. Having a baby sparked a desire to show him the world. In less than 18 months, they sold everything they owned -including the house they had just built- and moved to Vietnam. 

Why Costa Rica?

The people. The culture. Ease of travel/work. Renewable energy. Biodiversity.

What Pura Vida means to the Family

A healthy life-style of positivity. Not many legal issues. The beach. The harmony. Futbol. New places, new faces. 

Raising Kids, Country to Country

At 10 years old, it can be a challenge for Sebastian to adapt to new schools, let alone new countries. But Renae is confident that cultural exchanges and healthy exposure will nurture a border-less personality bound to thrive in a world full of differences.

The Red-Eyed Tree Frog

Alexander, our guide from Arenal Nayara Gardens (North Western Costa Rica),

took us on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to spot one of Costa Rica's most iconic amphibians: The Red-Eyed Tree Frog.

Mostly found in National Parks and Forest Reserves, the Red-Eyed Tree Frog is actually not venomous, despite their bright color.

 The Red-Eyed Tree Frog's habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate and is often used as a symbol for the cause of saving the world's rain forests

The Red-Eyed Tree Frog is a nocturnal carnivore; camouflaging in the rain forest to ambush crickets, flies and moths

The Red-Eyed Tree Frog's colors frog may over-stimulate a predator's eyes, creating a confusing ghost image that remains behind as the frog jumps away

5 Facts 

about Costa Rica you didn't know...

1. Costa Rica has 120+ volcanoes; 7 of them are active
2. With 0.02% of the World's land mass, Costa Rica has 5% of the Earth's biodiversity
3. The military was abolished in 1948 and it's budget re-directed to healthcare, education and environmental protection
4. Costa Rica has one of the highest life expectancy in the world (79).
5. In 2015, Costa Rica achieved 99% renewable energy generation
6. 
   

 *** Bonus Coverage ***

Sebastian's not allowed to play with his iPad when people are over. So instead of showing us how to play mine craft, he taught us a few hand games.

Tano Macrame is an artist who makes all jewelery by hand; including his best-seller, theTree of Life necklace seen here. Purchase Tano's products here

Rafael's relies on his horses to keep food on the table and a roof over his head 

Larissa in front of her hand-made jewelry stand in the Tamarindo district 

 Much of La Fortuna's street art is nature-inspired 

The town of La Fortuna overlooks the Arenal Volcano, an active stratovolcano

Ripe Cacao ready to be transformed into what we know as chocolate 

These wooden bird flutes made by the locals will scare off comfortable neighborhood crows in the U.S. Buy one!

Pura Vida en todas partes. Pura Vida siempre!

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