Pura
Vida
Hotel is in Alajuela (where the main Juan
Santamaria International
Airport is). Even though
your
flight ticket destination will say San Jose - its 15
min. from the
airport. We were met
by a driver holding a sign with our name and Pura Vida
Hotel. The short
4 km drive from the airport was bumpy and bendy, both
Mark and I hoped
we were in fact being driven to Pura Vida. Being very
dark, in a
foreign
land where we don't understand Spanish, we were putting
a great deal of
trust with this driver! We soon came to see how
wonderful Costa Ricans
(Ticos) are and we felt very safe the rest of our
vacation.
We reached the
Hotel, and were met by Berni
and
his wife Nhi, owners of
Pura Vida. Also welcomed by their 2
German Shepherd Max and Yagi. Its definitely
much more of a personal B&B feel then a "hotel".
Everyone has
privacy
in
your
own Casita. Which are lovely,
clean and great views.
Ours had a bedroom, bathroom, living room,
kitchen and dining area.
Here
are photos
from our Rain Forest Casita!
We
couldn't wait for morning so we could see our
surroundings in the
sunshine!
We weren't disappointed! Pura Vida is an old coffee
plantation, mature
fruit trees are everywhere. Along with
wonderfully landscaped
extensive gardens full of fragrant flowers.
We
were very impressed with our first morning
in Costa Rica.
Breakfast is included in your rate. Ours were yummy fresh
fruits like
pineapple, papaya, and watermelon, fresh
juice, a fresh out of the oven pastry, such as a coconut
square, toast
& jam, or eggs if you wish. Of course coffee, but we
don't drink it.
Berni
is
very laid back, but can certainly drive fast if need be!
(Thanks for the ride Berni :)
We
had to head out early after breakfast our first morning.
Meeting
Ecoscape at 7:30 am at the Alajuela courthouse steps,
just a few
minutes drive from Pura Vida. Where our 11 hour Costa
Rica Highlight
Tour began.
We
returned to Pura Vida shortly after 6 pm and got ready
for their
dinner at 7.
We
ate by candle light and fresh flowers on the patio. We
were surprised
in the lack of
bugs, specifically mosquitos! We get eaten alive in our
own backyard on
a summers eve here in Ontario, Canada. We never saw one
at Pura Vida!
Our 3 course meal was excellent! Dessert was yummy
coconut ice
cream with chocolate wafers. The local "Tropical"
bottles of
various juice flavours are great.
We enjoyed chatting with other guests during dinner,
especially the
other pet loving couple. Plus gained more knowledge of
Costa Rica,
through others experiences.
One more night in our
Rain Forest Casita and we were off in the morning to catch
our Sansa
flight to Drake Bay. No alarm needed here, local roosters
enjoy their
job! Pura Vida is an excellent place to stay. Thank
you Bernie,
Nhi and the doggies!
Pura Vida
Hotel's official
website
We
arrived at the
International Airport about 11 pm. An hour later then
expected
(delay in Houston). Making for a long 16 hour day of
travel. But we did
it, we had arrived safely in Costa Rica!
Our adventure begins. 
