Our Team

Last updated on October 20th, 2022 at 09:48 pm EST

Pura Vida! eh? Inc. management consists of Nikki and Ricky

Yes, our names rhyme. We couldn’t have planned it better (or worse!) if we tried. 🙂

Together, we have both textbook and experiential knowledge of Costa Rica travel and tourism. We bring equal parts of professionalism and fun to our business, as well as free advice for travelers from both tourist (foreigner) and local (Tico) perspectives. As business owners, we offer operations that meet North American corporation standards, business efficiency and service levels according to North American expectations, service provided in English or Spanish, a thorough understanding of tourism operations in Costa Rica, knowledge of and years of experience working with reputable tour operators in Costa Rica, and access to discounts for Costa Rica day tours. As decades-long Costa Rica travelers, we are bursting with information, stories, advice, and tips related to travel in Costa Rica. We’ve developed numerous projects and websites to help deliver this information, including our business website, Pura Vida! eh? Inc.; our “best of Costa Rica” website, DIY Costa Rica; and our travel blog, the Costa Rica Travel Blog. To learn about our travel guidebook, Moon Costa Rica, please read the article we wrote about it here.

“Pura Vida! eh? Nikki and Ricky are fantastic! I can’t say enough about how wonderful an experience it was having Nikki and Ricky organize our trip. From start to finish it was flawless.” – A.L., Corte Madera, California, USA

Nikki

…is a writer with a passion for travel, tourism, and business, and a love for Costa Rica. Nikki first studied recreation and leisure at University, but switched to a law program in order to pursue her desire for justice. After graduating with a 4-Year Honors degree in Legal Studies, Nikki traveled to Central America for a vacation before enrolling in law school. During her trip, Nikki fell in love with Costa Rica (the people, the culture, and the pura vida lifestyle) and decided to devote her heart and work to helping others have life-changing experiences similar to her own. Upon returning from her trip, Nikki opted out of a path toward becoming a lawyer and instead enrolled in a Masters of Education program to learn more about opportunities to pursue her new dream. Today, with her Masters degree in education and background in law, Nikki is a freelance writer for hire, the author of Moon Costa Rica and Moon Best of Costa Rica, a co-owner of Pura Vida! eh? Inc., the operator of the Costa Rica Travel Blog, and the creator and author behind DIY Costa Rica. She employs high standards of professionalism throughout the successful operation of Pura Vida! eh? Inc., uses her experience in education to teach others about safe, efficient, and budget-friendly travel, answers travelers’ questions about Costa Rica, and maintains an online community where fellow bloggers share their love of pura vida. Inspired by travel philanthropy, Nikki’s alter ego is the goodwillingmiss.

“The level of detailed, thoughtful, and helpful customer service provided by Nikki and Ricky at Pura Vida! Eh? was incredible and a breath of fresh air.” – B.M., Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA

Ricky

…is a born-and-raised Tico (Costa Rican), a co-owner of Pura Vida! eh? Inc., and a freelance photographer for hire who carries an enormous amount of pride in his beautiful country. Ricky has devoted many years to the tourism industry in Costa Rica as an internationally-certified white-water rafting guide. He’s also worked as a rescue kayaker and “paparazzi” (photographer) for white-water rafting tour excursions. Ricky’s love for Costa Rica and his rapport with tourists are his greatest assets; both led him to receive a Tourism Award with a Costa Rican rafting company for exercising valued service, an award based significantly on travelers’ testimonials. Apart from his excellent service (recognized not only by travel and tourism colleagues but most importantly by tourists themselves), Ricky’s positive attitude and friendly-nature (the pura vida in him) sets him above others in the industry. He’s familiar with Costa Rican destinations, has experienced hundreds of tourism activities, has hands-on experience with tour companies, and has an impeccable knowledge of Costa Rican birds and wildlife.

“I am a seasoned traveler, independently planning the majority of our trips, but this trip would not have been as perfect as it was without the gracious, professional help of Pura Vida! eh? and Nikki and Ricky.” – M.G., Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA

Believe it or not, the below gallery showcases merely a fraction of our Costa Rica travels. Have a question about one of the places showcased below? Feel free to submit it to us via our questions and answers forum here. 

Pura vida, amigos!