Pura
In Costa Rica,“ pura vida” isn’ t just a phrase, it’ s a way of life centered on presence, simplicity, and connection. Leaning into that mindset pulls you out of your head and into the
ViDa moment, where you begin noticing the people, pace, and environment around you instead of whatever is waiting back home.
I didn’ t realize how much stress I’ d been carrying until I arrived. Almost immediately, the noise of deadlines and everyday friction started to fade. A quiet shift happens. You stop trying to control everything and begin accepting what comes.
What you bring home from Costa Rica isn’ t just memories – it’ s a recalibration. You realize life doesn’ t always need to feel rushed and that small moments of presence can reshape the way you move through your day.
Riding ridges lined with wind turbines, the blades turning slowly against the sky. Stopping at roadside stands for fresh juice poured into plastic cups for next to nothing. Trying, and mostly failing, to speak Spanish with locals who laughed with us while patiently helping us get it right.
There was no riding schedule, no shot list, and no pressure to produce. Somewhere along the way, I realized how rare that had become in my life, and how much I needed it. Even when you love what you do, it adds up. In Costa Rica, that weight started to lift. Pura vida!
Of course, we handled the moment with the maturity you’ d expect.“ El perezosito hace mierda,” we whispered as we learned to describe the scene in Spanish. It became the phrase of the day. Duolingo has nothing on this immersive experience.
In the small mountain town of Monteverde, we found an orchid garden with over 450 species to explore. Some of the flowers were so small that you needed a magnifying glass just to see their detail. Costa Rica is a perfect environment for orchids – the humidity and consistent rainfall create ideal conditions for these tree- dwelling plants to thrive.
I promised myself I would mount an orchid when I got home and try to recreate those conditions, armed with my newfound orchid knowledge. So far, so good – my mini orchid is still hanging on in my kitchen window, and I’ m patiently waiting for it to bloom.
One of the best parts of traveling through this region is sampling its local flavors, from fresh-ground coffee to jugo de caña( sugarcane juice).
GolDen SunSetS
Our Honda XR650s thoroughly enjoyed the energy access roads that traced lines of wind turbines across the ridges. We enjoyed them too, as they offered the best views of the surrounding valleys. Varying shades of green stretched endlessly into the distance as we meandered along broken pavement and stretches of gravel.
Every so often, we’ d come across a roadside stand selling fresh fruit juices, and it became impossible not to stop. For just a few cents, we’ d refuel with
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