From the Costa Rica World / Travel essentials

Language and Pura Vida

Spanish is Costa Rica's official language, but the country's languages are more varied. Pura vida is a flexible everyday phrase worth recognizing, not a literal description of every situation.

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Why go

Knowing how pura vida works makes greetings and farewells easier to follow: it can also express that things are going well or convey thanks. Bribrí and the Limón creole Mekatelyu are reminders that Spanish does not tell the whole linguistic story, particularly across Indigenous and Caribbean communities.

Useful to know

Use simple Spanish greetings and listen for pura vida as a greeting, farewell or response.
Do not assume English or the same local speech patterns in every region.

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Original World content and translations, shown as supplied. Practical information may need updating.

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