In my opinion, the definition of Pura Vida is “all in due time, but with a smile”

If you ever wondered what life is like in “Pura Vida mode”, it is like living in slow motion, in full appreciation while in awe of every living thing and doing this with a genuine sense of being content.

Yep, sounds great, right?

We moved to Costa Rica for just that. Living in the states with two teenage boys who had everything their heart could ever desire, the big house, new cars, ATV’s, every new gaming system, a material wealth of “stuff”. And yet, I felt our boys had little or no appreciation for anything we had….it was just a given.

They wanted something, they got it. Ok fine, maybe sometimes they had to ask twice. But boy did we all feel “entitled!” (yes, including me).

There had to be more we could offer our kids than that. How do we teach them the value of life, the appreciation of things, the love of family togetherness?

Let’s sell it all, quit our careers and move to the land of Pura Vida.
What???

A family of four, dad 48, mom (let’s just say 30 something), son 16 and son 13.

It took us two years from decision to actual move, but we did it. We decided to reduce our “stuff” down to a 20-foot container which we shipped to Costa Rica.

We sold our house and mostly everything in it, our cars, trucks, ATV’s, motorcycles, furniture, our business and all equipment and here we are, almost three years into our journey and happier than I could ever imagine!

We have new friends, learning a new language, adjusting to a new culture, new work and cyber school. We don’t have much “stuff” (although it’s amazing what you can stuff in a 20-foot container that was on your “cannot live without and MUST make it to Costa Rica” list and that remains packed away in the same plastic bins we stuffed in the container three years ago).

We live in a very modest 2-bedroom home without kitchen cabinets and our newest car is from 2007.

Do my sons realize or appreciate the reason for moving here? Probably not yet, but hopefully it will have changed their “entitled” teen minds.

You can see some of our transition here as we participated in a House Hunters International show.

Life’s too short not to live a long and happy life in Pura Vida mode, it’s the best decision ever!

Written By Your Pura Vida Ambassadors Tim and Kim Giannone.

For more information about condos, homes and land for sale in the beach town of Jaco and surrounding areas please contact our Recommended Realtors in Jaco Shawn Fletcher and his wife Hannah Fletcher using the simple form below: 

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.