If there’s one thing Costa Ricans value above all else, it’s community. Pura vida is more than a friendly motto written on hats or T-shirts for tourists to buy at souvenir shops. Directly translated as “pure life,” it is closer to American ideas of the “simple life.” And in Costa Rica, the concept is part of their heritage and runs deep in the soil. The phrase is a reminder to not sweat the small stuff and instead focus on things that matter: friends, family, and most importantly, love.
In a country that’s home to five million people and nearly a thousand species of birds—including two of my favorites, the keelbilled toucan and the scarlet macaw — pura vida permeates through every experience you have. Whether you’re staying at a fancy resort or hiking on a crowded trail, you’ll find pura vida is a shared human language that transcends differences and unites those who embrace it.
For many LGBTQ people living in Costa Rica, social norms have noticeably shifted in recent years, thanks to wider visibility in smaller communities. While the country is widely known for its environmental efforts (embracing eco-tourism early) and lack of an army (the nation instead chooses to invest its money in agriculture) and Catholic traditions, citizens are still hungry for social progress.
By David Artavia – Full Story at the Advocate
Costa Rica Gay Travel Resources
Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:
Tamarindo Bay Boutique Hotel (Adults Only 18+) began construction four years ago and opened its doors three years ago in the center of Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica.
This very private and discreet boutique hotel was designed as a spacious modern oasis surrounded by tall green walls, secured key pad entry points and security cameras and personnel to provide comfort, beauty and security. The modern contemporary architecture combined with old world hospitality create an ambiance of serenity and comfort.
The owners have travelled and lived in many magical destinations and decided to create a modern contemporary destination that would be built using the very finest environmentally friendly building materials and implement green sustainability practices in the daily operations of hotel.
The property features the only UV non-chlorinated pool in the area, spacious second level restaurant and exercise area, complimentary vegetarian breakfast options, complimentary concierge service, pool floats, surf boards, beach cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, snorkel gear, coolers & beach chairs. This boutique property is an excellent choice for adult couples, friends or groups seeking the comfort and personalization found at a B&B and the space and amenities of a contemporary modern boutique hotel.
Our guest will usually describe their experience with us as a charming, zen vacation in a private oasis in the center of our very active beach town.