Costa Rica: Wellness Pura Vida

What makes Costa Rica a unique wellness destination in Latin America?
Melissa: During the last few years, Costa Rica has made an effort to position itself as a unique destination to enjoy wellness tourism with a ‘Wellness Pura Vida’ approach, offering solo, couples and group activities to enjoy nature, gastronomy and culture.

What does Costa Rica offer to wellness tourists and what is its value proposition?
Melissa: Our ‘Wellness Pura Vida’ strategy seeks to position us as a destination committed to environmental protection, with a professional business sector working to ensure all our visitors feel like one more tico (a native Costa Rican) enjoying the unique essence of ‘pura vida’ (meaning ‘pure life’).

Laura: This diversity allows visitors to enjoy many activities and interesting natural environments, from beaches and mountains to forests and hot springs.

What opportunities is Costa Rica implementing for remote workers in search of wellness?
Melissa: The Digital Nomads program issues a 90-day to one-year visa, allowing renewal for an additional year. The program includes benefits such as income tax exemption, opening national bank accounts, and more. For more information, visit: www.visitcostarica.com/es/costa-rica/digital-nomads-live-and-work

What are the must-do experiences?
Melissa: Practicing yoga outdoors, surrounded by the lush greenery of our forests or with beach views, is something unique and different from experiencing yoga in a studio.

Laura: To connect with nature while hiking in the tropical rainforest. Feel the health benefits of enjoying the thermo-mineral-medicinal waters of the Arenal Volcano. Relax on a white sand beach where the forest meets the sea in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in Nosara or Santa Teresa. Experience local culture in the town of Puerto Viejo, where diverse idiosyncrasies come together in harmony.

How can we replicate Costa Rica’s knowledge to transform Latin America into the world’s wellness destination?
Melissa: Each country manages its resources differently. Costa Rica has implemented a collaborative work process between the public and private sectors, which is fundamental to providing a vast array of activities and offerings for travelers.

Laura: Training staff and offering high quality and professional services are essential.

What actions are you taking to promote the destination?
Melissa: The Costa Rican Tourism Institute’s goal is to direct its efforts to marketing strategies to promote a unique sustainable tourism destination, by promoting messages and values that distinguish us.