Win a Pura Vida trip to Costa Rica

Explore the rainforest canals, spend your days with wildlife such as monkeys, sloths and turtles and of course enjoy plenty of adventure! This holiday prize allows you to experience the highlights of Costa Rica within a week. And with Gandy’s stylish and lightweight adventure travel clothing, you’ll be protected from sun during your visit. Simply answer the below and enter your details for your chance to win a 7-night trip to Costa Rica with flights and accommodation on bed and breakfast basis included.

What animal is the symbol of the fauna and wildlife in Costa Rica?

Competition Closed

PURA VIDA EXPERIENCES

The phrase “Pura Vida” itself can be heard echoing throughout Costa Rica. Used as a greeting or expression of happiness, the phrase literally translates to “pure life,” however its truer meaning is “full of life,” which accurately symbolises the Costa Rican mind-set of energy and positivity that awaits visitors. Experience enriching your mind, body and soul with a Pura Vida trip to Costa Rica.

Mind

Cut off from everyday work/life stress with a digital detox. Costa Rica offers visitors the chance to stay in luxury eco lodges located within or near national parks, to truly be at one with nature. Visitors can swap technology and tweeting for an energising morning yoga session in a rainforest, a midday jungle trek or go out on the water to spot wildlife.

Immerse yourself in nature and get away from the urban jungle – Costa Rica has 6.5% of the world’s biodiversity.

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Ballena National Marine Park

Whale national park - January to March is best time to see whales migrating from North America and July to October is best time to see whales migrating from South Americaa

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Corcovado National park

The Osa Peninsula. Located on the South Pacific coast is considered off the beaten track, this region is a haven for those looking to experience complete unspoilt beauty and escape Wi-Fi. The area is also home to Corcovado National Park, the largest of Costa Rica’s parks and home to some of the unique wildlife in the world (3% out of the 6.5% of the world’s biodiversity).

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San Gerardo de Dota

A cloud rainforest.

Body

Take care of your body with wellness Pura Vida. The natural surroundings have made Costa Rica a wellness retreat.

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Many of the eco lodges and eco hotels, especially on the pacific side, offer yoga sessions in the rainforest as well as spa treatments using products made from volcanic ash or Costa Rican coffee.

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Costa Rica is a land of adventure and the options are endless. Most well-known activities to do in Costa Rica are walking through clouds in Montverde, zip lining over a rainforest canopy, surfing on the pacific coast, biking in central valley (areas such as Turrialba are popular) and white water rafting (most famous Rio Pacuare and Rio Sarapiqui). Push yourself out of your comfort zone and make the most memories you can whilst working the body out.

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La Fortuna is home to Arenal volcano, in this town you will find many hot spring pools with thermal water coming directly from under the volcano. After a day of activities, relax the body and the mind.

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Pura Vida Gastronomy focuses on making fresh and organic choices. You will find local dishes that all use locally grown fruits, veggies and herbs. Freshly squeezed juices and smoothies are the preferred choice of drink. Favourite local dishes are Gallo Pinto and Casado. The pacific is most famous for its fresh seafood and you will find restaurants playing with European, Asian, and Latin flavours to create fusion dishes. The most famous dish on the pacific is ceviche.

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Costa Rica produces only 100% Arabica coffee. You can take a plantation tour and learn the art of producing coffee. To this day, coffee farmers handpick each bean.

Soul

Enrich your soul via rural tourism and cultural experiences.

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Guanacaste and La Fortuna still have a strong cowboy culture. Visitors can take cultural tours and learn to ride a horse, cook traditional meals and spend a day on a hacienda. Alternatively, you can visit the Caribbean Coast and experience Afro Caribbean culture only found on this side of the country.

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Choose to stay with a local family to get a strong understanding of the rural culture, farming traditions and sharing of customs and traditions. When you choose Rural Tourism or Community-Based Rural Tourism, you are contributing to local economic development and an improvement in the quality of life for local residents.