costa rica destination Archives

Blogagosto 12, 2016 By ipacheco

What does Pura Vida mean…

Costa Ricans (Ticos) use this term to say hello, to say goodbye, to say everything’s great, to say everything’s cool. This is the Ticos way of life. Not surprisingly, Costa Rica has been named one of the happiest countries in the world, mostly because its inhabitants don’t get too stressed about things in general. Ticos have a very relaxed, simple way of looking at life. No worries, no fuss, no stress.

But where did Costa Ricans take this phrase from? According to a study of the expression, by Anna Marie Trester a film called Pura vida came to Costa Rica from Mexico in 1956, directed by Gilberto Martinez Solares. In the movie, “Pura vida“ is the expression of eternal optimism used by a comic character knowed as “Clavillazo”, played by the actor Antonio Espino, who unfortunately can’t seem to do anything right. People started using it then, and it kept growing until the phrase “Pura vida” was used nationwide by 1970. Nowadays, it represents the national motto, which identifies the Costa Rican spirit and our way of being.

Pura Vida somehow manages to be versatile enough that it fits in almost any situation and it makes you feel cool for “pulling it in” when you have a lack of options.

We want to share 6 meanings of “Pura Vida” with you:

1. #PuraVidaMeans “Hello”, “How are you?” “Hey what’s up?” It is used both as an informal greeting and a pleasant farewell.

2. #PuraVidaMeans: “going great”. It is a synonym for “excellent”. It reflects happiness, gratitude and satisfaction towards a situation. “Pura Vida” means that people need to be grateful for the things they have instead of dwelling on the negative things that they don’t.

3. #PuraVidaMeans: “in good health”. It is equivalent to having “well-being”. It represents a deep appreciation of your environment and your surroundings.

4. #PuraVidaMeans: “take it easy” or “no worries”. It is believing things will turn out all right. It means looking at the bad stuff with cheer optimism. It’s synonym of the Kenyan Swahili phrase “hakuna matata”.

5. #PuraVidaMeans : “this is real living”. In essence, life is what you make of it, so enjoy life while you can. It implies a sense of Carpe Diem. Enjoy the moment in your life, while this moment lasts. It is loving life to its full extent. So begin to live because life is short…

6. #PuraVidaMeans: a state of mind and a philosophy. It represents the Costa Rican way of life. It means we are all at the same level. That no matter what your current situation is, it is all good. So you need to consider that maybe…just maybe, your situation isn’t all that bad and that no matter how little or how much you have in life, we are all here together.

The real Pura Vida can only be experienced by personally interacting with the people who created it. So, if you want to know what living a peaceful, simple, uncluttered life with a deep appreciation for nature, family and friends feels like, we at Elemanto Natural invite you to visit Costa Rica. Book your trip with us and experience Pura Vida for yourself!

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Sylvia León Koberg for Elemento Natural.

Sources:

http://www.repretel.com/actualidad/los-significados-de-upe-y-pura-vida-2256

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpIoxofbzjw

http://www.bestcostaricantours.com/about/puravida.html

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Pura%20Vida

Blog Learn Spanishagosto 6, 2016 By ipacheco

9 Words to speak like a local in Costa Rica #TheTicosSay

In Elemento Natural we know how important it is to plan ahead. In order to get your way around the country, start by learning what “#TheTicosSay”. If you speak these words to any “tico” they will totally understand and empathize with you. These nine words are an essential part of Costa Rican culture and key to understanding local people and their sayings.

Let’s begin:

Chepe: Costa Rica’s capital, San José, is referred to colloquially as “Chepe”. The word is also used as nickname for people named José.

Examples of use: Today I have to go to Chepe. My friend here is Chepe (José).

Chiva: It is used as a local expression to communicate that something is nice or “really cool”.

Examples of use: That’s really “chiva”! We went on a trip to the mountain it was chivísima (superlative of the word chiva).

Chunche: This word is used to refer to anything, any physical object or thing can be referred to as “chunche”. This expression is often used when forgetting the name of an object. Carlos Gallini, author of the book “Diccionario de Costarriqueñismos” states that the word “chunche” is a derivation of the Quechua word ‘chunchulli’.

Examples of use: Give me that chunche that’s above the table. I have bought many chunches.

Diay: This is a typical tag word (or pet phrase) used by Costa Ricans in conversations. It can be used as a greeting or as a complaint and replacing the word “because”.
Examples of use: -Diay, How are you? – Diay, I’m doing fine. – Diay, I was travelling, that’s why I am happy.

Mae: One of the most popular slangs. It is used as a noun concerning a person, for example: “that mae” means that boy or girl. It is similar to the word “dude” in English. However, it is also a catch phrase used in any sentence.

Examples of use: Mae , how interesting! It’s raining, mae.

Tuanis: It is, as defined by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE www.rae.es), a thing of excellent quality. It is also used to express that a thing or situation is “just fine”. Some people believe that the word ‘tuanis’ comes from a derivation of the expression in English “too nice” (or very good), but it actually comes from Malespín, a code of war from the XIX century by the Salvadoran General Francisco Malespín, which changed the letters of the word “Bueno” (good in Spanish).

Examples of use: This is tuanis! Everything is tuanis? (fine)

Upe! This word is used when knocking on someone’s door or entering a house. According to historian Costantino Lacariz, in his book “El Costarricense” the announcement comes from the Spanish Colonial period and has a religious background. This greeting, announced at the doorstep of houses, was typical in Nicoya, who annexed it to the celebrations in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, their Patron Saint. Devotees would knock and ask for charity. ¡Upe! is the shortest version of the long expression: ¡Una ayudita para nuestra Patrona la Señorita de Guadaluuuuupeeeee!

Examples of use: Upe! Hello.

Yodo: Meaning a cup of brewed coffee.

Examples of use: Brew up some yodo this morning. Want some yodo?

These words, called “Costarriqueñismos” are a group of slang phrases that have been adapted or invented by our ancestors and that our generations have inherited. Many of them remain in our colloquial language and are generally accepted and understood by all “ticos” alike. When someone hears them they know they are talking to a “tico”. We invite you to use them. They are history, part of our living language.

Sylvia León Koberg for Elemento Natural.

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Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/costarriquenhismos/?pnref=story 11 de Julio

http://el-callejon-m.blogspot.com/2007/03/diccionario-de-costarriqueismos-largo.html

https://www.facebook.com/notes/costa-rica-y-su-historia/el-origen-de-algunos-de-nuestros-t%C3%A9rminos-m%C3%A1s-populares/452420708139774/

http://www.nacion.com/archivo/Dichos-pura-vida-origen-tuanis_0_1231876914.html

http://www.nacion.com/archivo/par-lectores-preguntan_0_1164683557.html

http://www.crhoy.com/mae-yodo-y-macha-algunas-de-las-palabras-que-aprenden-los-extranjeros-con-el-tico-talk/

Blogjunio 8, 2016 By ipacheco

Why you should visit the Costarican Caribbean in October?

Costa Rica is a tropical country, and the weather varies with the area and the time of the year.

There are two seasons in the year, rainy and dry; while certain regions of the country are receiving the heaviest rains, in some other places we have sunshine, like in the Caribbean, perfect to enjoy your vacations! October is the driest month in the Caribbean so all of its coastline and all the areas that are influenced by it, become perfect destinations for a fun getaway.

Talamanca´s coastal área has plenty to offer. Come discover the exhuberant tropical jungle, enjoy the delicious gastronomy and unique culture of Puerto Viejo, and experience the fun and adventure that our Costarican Caribbean has for you.

visit-costarican-caribbean — Caribbean Costa Rica.

Chiquita Beach, Punta Uva, Cocles and Manzanillo, are some of the best known and most beautiful beaches in the south Caribbean; many tourists locals and foreign, travel a long way to visit this natural paradise.

Just an hour away from Puerto Viejo, you will find Sixaola, the border between Costa Rica and Panamá, and the gateway to discover the many wonders of our southern neighbor, like Bocas del Toro, San San Pond Sak Canals or the cloud forest of Boquete.

You can also explore the famous Cahuita National Park, a must visit when you are in the neighborhood. It’s tropical forest, the calm and turquoise ocean lugar and the gold sand beach is a perfect spot for you.

Tortuguero and Turrialba are two excellent additions to your Caribbean trip.

Turrialba, in fact, belongs to Cartago province, however it was used as the Gateway to the Caribbean, so all the exports going out through Limón Port had to travel through the valley. Even today, it’s an alternate route if weather is impacting Road32. Turrrialba is today an important location for tourism and agriculture, you will find beautiful landscape and many adventure activities, like rafting. You will also get the chance to see from up-close the volcano, one of the main attractions of this destination, especially today that it has become the most active volcano and it’s constantly erupting ashes.

On the north side of the Caribbean, you will find Tortuguero with its exuberant nature, its vegetation and wildlife in its breathtaking canals. Tortuguero, the Costarican Amazonia, as many call it, is an outstanding destination for its biodiversity and for the turtle nesting (as the name suggests). This is a place to relax!

In all, the Caribbean is a unique destination in Costa Rica; its small-scale touristic development, the african culture and even pre-hispanic culture through groups like the ‘bribris’, make of this a must visit! Enjoy the reggae music or the Costarican Calipso of our Caribbean, the local food like a delicious rice and beans, paty or rondon, you will find them right there! We definitely recommend them!

Start planning your vacations to the Costarican Caribbean, visit this gem of Costa Rica!

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What does Pura Vida mean…

9 Words to speak like a local in Costa Rica #TheTicosSay

Why you should visit the Costarican Caribbean in October?

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