I’ve written about Costa Rica before, but it’s a country that deserves to be written about multiple times. Despite the fact that Colombia, my home country, lost to Costa Rica 3-2 (we played our second string) in the Copa America, it’s a place that I am very fond of. The people of Costa Rica live by the motto “pura vida,” which simply means pure life. It’s a saying that is used approximately a billion times a day, coming up at least twice in a typical conversation. I think Timon and Pumba were actually from Costa Rica and they just came up with “hakuna matata” as a spinoff of “pura vida.” Whichever phrase you choose to use, the Costa Rican people embody it. The country is kind, alluring, and fun. The beaches of Guanacaste are absolutely dazzling, with unforgettable sunsets day after day. There are wild monkeys, iguanas, and coatis – adorable little raccoon-type creatures. This video shows a little bit of the beauty that is Costa Rica:

In Guancaste, the northwestern coastal province of Costa Rica, tourism is booming as a result of the beautiful beaches, the biodiversity, and the extremely hospitable locals. One place in particular, Las Catalinas, is a "stab at utopia," in the words of "American Way" writer Joe Murray. In American Airlines' magazine, Murray discusses the serenity of the "pura vida" lifestyle, which he was able to tap into while lodging at Las Catalinas. Nestled in the hills among trees, monkeys, iguanas, and a private beach, Las Catalinas is an example of Costa Rica's ever-increasing popularity with tourists. The developers are building Las Catalinas to be a small town of privately-owned, rentable homes. Owners are able to buy a slice of the Pura Vida experience, and guests are allowed to share in that with them. The project is what can be referred to as an "anti-resort," providing many of the commodities and conveniences of a resort, while replacing the touristy feel with a more authentic experience. There are miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as paddle boarding. But, if you simply want to eat some good food and relax, the pool club, featuring an infinity pool, is the place to do it. If you're fortunate enough to visit Las Catalinas, you'll surely pick up on what Pura Vida is all about.