What Costa Rica Taught Me About Living Well (And Why Coming Home Felt Like a Gut Punch)

I got home from Costa Rica a week ago, and I’ve been sitting with everything I saw, learned, and felt. Honestly, I’ve been trying to process it all — to collect my thoughts before I could even begin to put them into words.

Because Costa Rica wasn’t just a vacation. It was a reminder. A mirror. A wake-up call.

It’s not just the beauty — the lush land, the vibrant wildlife, the warm people. It’s the way they live. A way rooted in care, sustainability, community, and joy.

And one phrase captures it all: Pura Vida. Literally, it means "pure life," but Costa Ricans use it to say hello, goodbye, thank you, and more. It’s a vibe, a practice, a cultural philosophy. It means living in the moment, choosing gratitude, finding peace, and centering joy. It’s a lifestyle that doesn’t revolve around hustle culture, consumerism, or perfection.

Here’s what I experienced and learned (yes, these are real, verified facts):

• 💧 The water is some of the cleanest in the world. It comes naturally filtered through volcanic rock, which purifies it as it travels underground. And Costa Rica doubles down on that natural gift with some of the most advanced water treatment systems in Central America. You can drink straight from the tap in most areas.

• 🍍 The fruit is next-level. Especially the pineapple — so juicy, fresh, and vibrant it almost didn’t feel real. Everything tasted like it came from just-picked paradise.

• 🌿 Over 98% of their electricity is generated from renewable sources. Hydroelectric, wind, geothermal — it’s all part of their national strategy. Sustainability isn’t a buzzword there. It’s a way of life.

• 🧠 They abolished their military in 1949. Let that sink in. Instead of funding an army, they redirected that money to education and healthcare. What if we did that?

• 📚 Education is a priority. Public education is free through university. And while I couldn’t confirm if alcohol taxes directly fund it, their investment in education is clear and consistent.

• 🌳 They pay citizens to preserve the land. Through their Payment for Environmental Services (PES) program, landowners get financial support to keep forests wild and protected. Conservation is literally rewarded.

• ✨ They have a Blue Zone — the Nicoya Peninsula — where people live past 100. Not because of fancy tech or biohacks, but because of strong community ties, daily movement, fresh local food, and a deep sense of purpose.

• 🌈 They legalized same-sex marriage in 2020. Costa Rica became the first country in Central America to do so. LGBTQ+ people are not just accepted but celebrated.

• 🤝 They honor their Indigenous roots. Costa Rica is home to eight recognized Indigenous groups: Bribri, Cabécar, Ngäbe (Guaymí), Maleku, Boruca (Brunca), Térraba (Teribe), Chorotega, and Huetar. Together, they represent about 2.4% of the population and live in 24 legally protected territories across the country. Their cultures, languages, and traditions are part of what make the country so rich and vibrant.

And then I came home.

And it felt like a gut punch.

I landed back in a country where:

• Women, LGBTQ+ folks, and people of color are under constant attack.

• Thinness is sold as empowerment while our rights are stripped away.

• Trans youth are targeted. Black and Indigenous histories are being erased.

• White supremacy is alive, shameless, and legislated. It’s not hiding. It’s embedded in our systems, laws, and daily lives — and far too many people still benefit from pretending it doesn’t exist.

• Social media glorifies the GLP-1 craze and SkinnyTok trends, trying to convince women and girls that disappearing is power.

• Wellness is just capitalism in a cute outfit, designed to distract and control us.

I’ve been quiet online. Not because I don’t care — but because I care so much. And sometimes, the scroll is too much. So I’ve been showing up where it matters: supporting my people, helping my community, and doing my best to stay grounded.

Costa Rica reminded me that a different way is not only possible, it already exists.

A way that centers joy over perfection. People over profit. The land over control.

That’s Pura Vida. And I’m holding onto it like a lifeline.

I’m not here to shrink. I’m not here to comply.

I’m here to disrupt. To build. To love. To fight.

And I’m just getting started.