Last updated on November 26th, 2023 at 07:38 pm EST
You can support Costa Rican children by purchasing a custom souvenir bracelet as a memento of your Costa Rica trip
100% of purchase proceeds support youth fútbol initiatives!
For many Costa Rican children, fútbol (soccer) isn’t just a game, it’s a passion and a source of unbridled joy. For some, kicking a ball around a field in bare feet is the only sport they can afford to play. For others, fútbol provides a mental and physical escape from the pressures of adolescence. Regardless of the reasons why children play, we aim to make sure they can, by supporting youth fútbol initiatives in Costa Rica. From donating fútbol shoes and other gear to schools in small towns and remote Indigenous communities to sponsoring competitive youth fútbol leagues, our Reach Out Costa Rica Travel Philanthropy Project is helping build a better world for tomorrow by investing in bright, resourceful, spirited, tenacious, capable children today. By purchasing one or more of our bracelets through our new Etsy shop, you are a part of the journey toward positive change.
Our Reach Out Costa Rica Travel Philanthropy Project was established in 2010, so although our Etsy shop is new, our desire to help others is not. Thank you for your interest in the project and for making a difference. ~ Nikki & Ricky
About our Costa Rica souvenir bracelets
Our Etsy shop features three bracelet types: Costa Rica Flag Bracelets, Beaded Bracelets (customizable), and Beaded + Morse Code Bracelets (customizable). Each bracelet type has its own Etsy listing:
Bracelet option #1
Costa Rica Flag Bracelet
Our Costa Rica Flag Bracelets are comprised of 12 beads: 4 dark blue (typically druzy agate) beads, 4 milky white (typically mother of pearl) beads, and 4 scarlet red (typically red quartz) beads that are positioned to reflect the thin blue and white stripes on either side of the thick middle red stripe on the Costa Rican flag. The bracelet is adjustable (5”-8”) and features an eye-catching, nickel-free iron cable chain (4mm in diameter) that is silvery-white in color and a matching silvery-white lobster clasp.
Bracelet option #2
Beaded Bracelet
*CUSTOMIZABLE
Each of our Beaded Bracelets is comprised of 12 memory beads (see further below on this page for bead descriptions and materials). Our Beaded Bracelets can be ordered in one of two styles:
- Classic: Our Classic Beaded Bracelet is adjustable (5”-8”), elegant, and features an eye-catching, nickel-free iron cable chain (4mm in diameter) that is silvery-white in color and a matching silvery-white lobster clasp.
- Boho: Our Boho Beaded Bracelet is adjustable (5”-8”), trendy, and features an understated, nickel-free iron cable chain (4mm in diameter) that is gunmetal (dark grey) in color and a matching gunmetal lobster clasp.
Bracelet option #3
Beaded + Morse Code Bracelet
*CUSTOMIZABLE
Each of our Beaded + Morse Code Bracelets is comprised of 12 memory beads (see below for bead descriptions and materials), plus a combination of round beads and tube beads that form your chosen date/word/phrase in International Morse Code. (Don’t miss the “How to add a Morse Code message” section further below on this page for Morse Code message rules and limits.) Our Beaded + Morse Code Bracelets can be ordered in one of four styles:
- Classic Chic: Our Classic Chic Beaded + Morse Code Bracelet is adjustable (5”-8”), elegant, and features an eye-catching, nickel-free iron cable chain (4mm in diameter) that is silvery-white in color and a matching silvery-white lobster clasp. The Morse Code date/word/phrase features crystalline transparent beads, which reflect light and allow the bracelet to shine.
- Classic Earth: Our Classic Beaded Bracelet is adjustable (5”-8”), elegant, and features an eye-catching, nickel-free iron cable chain (4mm in diameter) that is silvery-white in color and a matching silvery-white lobster clasp. The Morse Code date/word/phrase features clear and pistachio green beads—a nod to Costa Rica’s lush, natural environment.
- Boho Raven: Our Boho Beaded Bracelet is adjustable (5”-8”), trendy, and features an understated, nickel-free iron cable chain (4mm in diameter) that is gunmetal (dark grey) in color and a matching gunmetal lobster clasp. The Morse Code date/word/phrase features glossy black beads, giving the bracelet a cool but casual look.
- Boho Metallic: Our Boho Beaded Bracelet is adjustable (5”-8”), trendy, and features an understated, nickel-free iron cable chain (4mm in diameter) that is gunmetal (dark grey) in color and a matching gunmetal lobster clasp. The Morse Code date/word/phrase features a mix of black and grey beads, lending the bracelet a futuristic vibe.
About our memory beads (Beaded and Beaded + Morse Code Bracelets only)
“Memory bead” is the title we assign to each of the 12 round, 6mm beads that form the foundation of our bracelets. Each memory bead is associated with a specific Costa Rica travel moment or experience, and you can select 12 individual Costa Rica beads/travel moments/experiences to form your bracelet. (Your bracelet will come with a key that outlines the moment/experience that is associated with each bead.) Memory beads are a mix of beautiful, semi-precious or imitation beads (e.g., jasper, quartz, jade, chrysocolla, mother of pearl, tiger eye, lava rock, network stone, xylopal, sodalite, glass, agate, and more). Cheap plastic beads are never used.
How to design your bracelet (Beaded and Beaded + Morse Code Bracelets only)
In the “Add your personalization” box on the bracelet’s listing page in our Etsy shop, inform us of the 12 Costa Rica moments/experiences that you would like your bracelet to reflect, and our team will craft a custom bracelet from the corresponding memory beads to create a unique piece of jewelry that doubles as the ultimate travel souvenir! The more specific you are in your explanation to us, the better. (The information that you provide helps us accurately identify the moments/experiences you want to remember.) Below are several examples of moments/experiences you can select, but note that the options are endless.
| Costa Rica memory/experience | Typical bead color |
|---|---|
| zip-lining tour, great green macaw sighting, enjoying pipa fria | light green |
| national park tour/visit | golden brown |
| hot springs visit | clear and grey |
| white-water rafting tour | blue and white |
| volcano tour/visit | lava rock black |
| hanging bridges tour/visit | blue and green |
| beach visit, swimming | sea glass pastel |
| sloth sighting | greyish brown |
| surfing, surf lessons/tour/retreat, Rio Celeste visit | light blue |
| monkey sighting, cacao/chocolate tour/tasting, drinking a cuba libre | dark brown |
| waterfall tour/visit, sea turtle tour/nesting/sighting | clear and white |
| rainforest exploration | dark green |
| cloud forest exploration | medium green |
| dry forest exploration | light brown |
| wetlands exploration, canal exploration, mangrove exploration | black and grey |
| romantic getaway, honeymoon, destination wedding | pink |
| whale sighting, dolphin sighting, tapir sighting | grey |
| SCUBA diving, snorkeling, marine national park exploration | dark blue |
| sailing tour, morpho butterfly sighting | medium blue |
| nightlife, chiliguaro tasting | burnt orange |
| national theater visit, museum visit, indigenous reserve visit | light and medium brown |
| coffee tour/tasting, scarlet macaw sighting, red-eyed tree frog sighting | dark red |
| sunrise viewing, sunset viewing | orange, yellow, or pink |
| dining at a soda (traditional) restaurant | glossy black |
| summiting Cerro Chirripo, riding an aerial tram | blue and brown |
| garden tour, orchids, national flower | dark purple |
| yoga practice, yoga class, yoga retreat, yoga teacher training | medium purple or pinkish purple |
| travel to Costa Rica, “pura vida” slogan | multicolored |
Important notes about giving a bracelet as a gift
Our team adds a tag with the customer’s name to the front of the bracelet package. If you are ordering a bracelet for someone other than yourself, please provide us with the first name of the person you intend to give the bracelet to, so we know to put their name (not yours) on the package. You can provide us with this information in Etsy’s “Add your personalization” box.
Our team ships bracelets gift-wrapped and glues the wrapping shut to minimize damage during shipping. If you are ordering a bracelet for someone other than yourself, and you want to be able to view the bracelet before giving it to them, please inform us of this in Etsy’s “Add your personalization” box (on the bracelet’s listing page in our Etsy shop). Our team can leave the wrapping unglued, so you don’t need to break it open to view the bracelet.
An important note about ordering more than one bracelet
Each bracelet is gift-wrapped in its own small envelope. However, depending on your location and the number of bracelets you order, we may opt to ship multiple small envelopes inside a larger envelope or box. If you are ordering more than one bracelet, please be sure to clearly explain in Etsy’s “Add your personalization” box (on the bracelet’s listing page in our Etsy shop) the following detail(s) for each bracelet that you have ordered:
- The first name of the person receiving the bracelet
- The preferred style for their bracelet: Classic, Classic Chic, Classic Earth, Boho, Boho Raven, or Boho Metallic (Beaded and Beaded + Morse Code Bracelets only)
- The 12 Costa Rica moments/experiences that their bracelet’s memory beads should reflect (Beaded and Beaded + Morse Code Bracelets only)
- The Morse Code date/word/phrase that should appear on their bracelet (Beaded + Morse Code Bracelets only)
About our zero-waste packaging
We purposely designed our product packaging to be zero-waste. Please dispose of all packaging materials responsibly. Each bracelet is tucked in a pocket of compostable parchment paper, cushioned by recyclable crinkle shred paper, contained in a recyclable handmade paper envelope adorned with a recyclable paper decal (secured with a few drops of plant-based, non-toxic glue), and enclosed in a recyclable paper envelope.
Who we are
Nikki, the owner of the Costa Rica Travel Shop on Etsy, is also the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts) and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, and 2023 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Nikki also wrote the cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine’s sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist (a luxury travel brand), and showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves’ podcast and Monday Night Travel show. Proceeds from bracelets sold on Etsy fund Nikki and Ricky’s Reach Out Costa Rica Travel Philanthropy Project, which supports youth fútbol (soccer) initiatives in Costa Rica.
Additional information about the bracelets
- Please contact us (through our Etsy shop, not through this website of Pura Vida! eh? Incorporated), if you would like to purchase a bracelet that is larger than 8” (the maximum size permitted by our adjustable bracelets).
- Our bracelets are fashion jewelry. Fashion jewelry isn’t designed to last forever, and it is best kept dry to delay tarnishing. Remove it when bathing, swimming, doing the dishes, or participating in any other activity around water.
- We do our best to select beads that epitomize Costa Rica moments/experiences and that reflect the color scheme outlined above. Please note that no two beads are exactly the same, so the beads you receive may look slightly different than the beads pictured online, and in rare cases, we may need to swap bead colors/types. Our goal is to create beautiful bracelets, so we believe you’ll be happy with the final product.
- Depending on your location, Etsy may apply tax charges on top of our product and shipping prices. As an Etsy buyer, you are responsible for paying tax fees imposed by Etsy.
- Shipments entering the US are subject to customs clearance. Although duty is rarely charged on our bracelets, should a border agent elect to impose a duty on delivered goods, as the buyer, you are responsible for paying it in order to receive the package.
Questions?
The Questions and Answers Forum on this Pura Vida! eh? website should only be used for correspondence related to Pura Vida! eh? operations that pertain to Costa Rica tour discounts. If you have questions about the bracelets, please contact us through our Etsy page. Thank you! 🙂
Photos
The following photos are from some of our donation days, when we deliver fútbol shoes and other gear to Costa Rican children. We have visited and donated to public schools and schools on Indigenous reserves, and attended and donated to youth and adolescent fútbol clubs. The look on the children’s faces when they are gifted a pair of shoes and shin pads is priceless. 💛
