ABOUT YOUR ACCOMODATIONS AND PUBLIC SPACES
 The Pura Vida Hotel is a colonial style former coffee finca. There is a a main house or Casa and the rest of the hotel is "in the gardens". Our gardens have a nice view to Poas Volcano with the advantage that if you want to go to Poas today, you can tell what the visibility will be like from your Casita or the restaurant area. We have 4 free standing Casitas (or little houses), a studio and a room in the main Casa set in a secret garden overlooking the Rio Itikis valley below.
A walk through the garden will find you face to face with Cana India, Passion Vines, Mano Tigre, Guitite (the Orchid host), Heliconia and Reina de la Noche among many other bird and butterfly attracting bushes and trees. Likely as not you will spot a few hundred orchids too.
You will meet many butterflies, a few squirrel, maybe some bats, lots of geckos as well as hummingbirds, many jiquirros (the national bird), a passerini tanager or two and maybe a Mot Mot as you wander in the place we also call home.
After a drive from Cahuita, Montezuma or an internal flight from Drake Bay or Tamarindo relax on your patio, our terrace or the garden restaurant. A sip of wine, a euglossine bee floating by, Tuetal village and the slopes of Poas at sunset - Pura Vida! We think this is the best place to start or end your journey to Costa Rica.
SOME GUEST COMMENTS AND CASITA/ROOM DESCRIPTIONS:
Click on menu for Rooms and layouts . . .
La Casa Reception Area & Orchid Restaurant
Pura Vida was originally a coffee plantation but now the old house or Casa serves as the restaurant, the reception and public areas. In reception you will find perhaps a botanist debating a Sarchi rocking chair, an internet station, TV, public telephone (always free inside Costa Rica), a small gift area focusing on unique Pefi ceramics and masks from the indigenous village of Boruca. Down a few steps to the Orchid Restaurant where breakfast is served as well as gourmet dinners at night with your own Chef Nhi & host. You will most days also find s selection of orchids often in bloom waiting to delight you.
"We had a wonderful early morning excursion to Poas Volcano, a great view of the volcano and a hike too." Suzanne and Bruce Degen, San Anselmo, California
"Thank you Pura Vida Hotel. We simply enjoyed this very relaxing place with a wonderful breakfast and an amazing dinner, surrounded by your beautiful garden." Florence, Paris, France
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The Katydid Casita
Our newest big Casita/bungalow with a beautiful garden view this is our largest casita sleeping 2 to 6 persons. We have 2 bedrooms each with its own full bathroom, a pull out double bed in the large living room, breakfast patio and kitchenette with fridge. This Casita is perfect for two couples or a larger family. If you bring mother-in-law, she can have her own room.
"Our whole trip in Costa Rica was fully Pura Vida. We snorkeled with dolphins, dived with sharks, saw manta rays jumping out of the water. . . ". Paul & Tosca Amsterdam, Holland
"Besides the food, which was stupendous, we loved our day exploring with our English speaking driver/guide from the Pura Vida Hotel." Cathy Sanford, Scotts Valley, California
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 The Rain Forest Casita
This Casita has an excellent view of Poas Volcano from the patio. The large bedroom has a queen bed and a single - there is a nice living room and kitchenette/fridge. AKA the "honeymoon suite" - those nights we will add reina de la noche if in bloom. Sleeps 1 to 3 persons.
"All aspects of my stay at Pura Vida Hotel were outstanding: the accommodations were aesthetic, spacious and comfortable, the service was superlative" Carita Iliana, Cocles, Puerto Viejo de Limon, Costa Rica
"We saw the rainforest in Monteverde, were lucky enough to see Volcan Arenal erupting for two nights in a row, and came face to face with monkeys in Manuel Antonio, which is a beautiful town." Steve, Oakland, California, USA
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 The Toucan Casita
The Toucan Casita has just been redecorated in yellow and deep red ochre with "Tapises" on the walls (a form of rope art made in Nicaragua). This casita has a double bed and two singles, it has a private bathroom and living room. Sleeps from 1-4 persons.
"We decided to recover from our overnight flight and jet lag for a few days at the Pura Vida Hotel before tackling the long drives we had planned to Montezuma, Santa Teresa, Mal Pais and Nosara" Mary and Paul Manix, Los Angeles, California, USA
"Our first vist was reserved from the states. We drove up to the Hotel and immediately fell in love with the setting full of fruit trees, humingbirds, and buterflies everywhere." Janie Kainrath, Fountain Hills, Arizona, USA |
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 The Mariposa Casita
The Mariposa is also a free standing "bungalow" but this one has a small living room and 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This is ideal for two couples or a family with an older child. Sleeps 1 to 4. This Casita is an "original" and has been completely remodeled. There is a nice patio/deck usually loaded with butterflies.
"It was just like staying at good friends home with a marvellous dinner and a great help with all questions and organisation. Nothing is too much for the owner and helpful staff." Eduard and Anneke Soudijn, The Netherlands |
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 The Volcano Studio
This is one of our guests favorite rooms with a queen and a double bed and a great view of Poas Volcano in the morning - excellent sunset view by 6pm. Large bathroom. Completely remodeled with a nice deck.
"It was my first trip to anywhere south of the United States, and by far the biggest voyage of my life by myself. "
Colette Doudin, Morristown, NJ - thinking global, living local
"As General Manager of The Travel Store in San Jose, Costa Rica; I had to arrange a meeting for a organization of which I am a member. I chose the Pura Vida Hotel because of the first class service, rooms, and location near the international aiport. " Ray Haigist - The Travel Store, San Jose, Costa Rica
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 The Orchid Room
This room is in the main Casa, the original, coffee finca. It has a very nice queen bed and a private bathroom with a view of the garden and an impressive Roble (a Costa Rican Oak with amazing pink flowers all over it in spring). We added a new entrance to the Orchid Room into the garden.
"We lived in this country a fantastic aventure with tops as Irazu craters, Arenal eruptions, Tortuguero animals, Cahuita, and Osa peninsula. "
Didier, Francoise, Magali et Timothy Kruger, Montpellier, France
"Pura Vida arranged for a wonderful English-speaking guide who took me to the butterfly farm and the Alajuela market. The day was capped by one of the best meals I've had. "
Lynne, Park City, Utah |
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 The Secret Garden
The gardens at Pura Vida are often the most welcome surprise - each Casita is set on its own - surrounded by our secret garden of palms, the giant pink flowering oak, a huge avocado and many fruits such as mangoes, star fruit and grapefruit.
You can also wander though our herb and orchid garden and check out some of the fresh fruits and veggies in the "green houses".
"Pura Vida Hotel is a portal for adventure in Costa Rica. It is a great first and last night of your vacation. When you arrive, you can get good information from the people that are finishing their vacation and flying out."
David and Charlotte Holst, Nassau, Bahama
"Imagine if you had friends that traveled all over the world and used those experiences to build their house. Thats what this wonderful hotel is. From the moment we were let in behind the gates by the owner we felt at home. "
Vilnius, posted on TripAdvisor.com
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Rooms