Costa Rica's Pain in Paradise Part 2: Purrrrra Vida

 

A-Frame Building at Pura Vida Retreat & Spa 2019

Over half a million different species live the “Pura Vida” in Costa Rica. It is the tropics after all. But within the cordon off area of this all-inclusive resort tucked away 25 minutes north of the Capital located on a mountain top in Carrizal, Alajuela you can still find a few feral critters roaming… I mean besides the humans occupying the cabins and tentalows learning Myoskelatal Alignment Techniques.

Golden Orb Spider in her web 2019

Golden Orb spiders also known as Banana Spiders are technically venomous but by and large harmless to us mortal humans. If they bite… You typically do not need to worry yourself even though the females can grow to about 2 inches in length. Whilst you will notice them, and fair point not to enjoy the view of a spider, their webs are incredibly gorgeous. If you dare to stop, the fibers of their silken nets almost emit a distinct coloring as they shine as bright as our own star when the light catches just right. For me, I keep a slight distance… I learned before Aus that if you fuck with nature… Nature tends to fuck right back with you.


But before the sun even comes up the chooks as the Aussies call them (we call them Roosters) great this tranquil place with the absolute worst alarm clock – EVER.  As an adult, I can appreciate waking up and just screaming.  It honestly makes a lot of sense as the years roll by, and age restricts movement while the mind deals with the lunacies of the world.  Throughout the week, at almost every lunch and supper time chicken was served… As the days went by, I did hear less and less of the many Roosters screaming in the AM. Not to wear a tin foil hat but I did think it ironic and funny.

There is one feral and fine creature that ultimately owns a more "Purrrra" Vida style at the Retreat & Day Spa in 2019. Ms. Lucy. The first morning, after the Roosters made their presence known to all, we gathered in large A-framed yoga styled room for orientation. We, the slightly groggy eyed massage therapist from across 3 different continents (EU, US, & Australia), awaited and chatted amongst ourselves.

Ms. Lucy the Cat @ the Pura Vida Retreat & Spa 2019

Truth, I cannot recall accurately the exact time I learned of these two Brits' first encounter of the feline kind… But I it was before that morning's orientation… Their story was simply hilarious. They came in around past midnight from the UK (~11.5 hours of just flight time). They had just settled into their beds within their tentalow when they heard a scratch at the tent fabric near the entrance flap. One spoke in a posh Brit accent, “Um… Hello?”. Then the zipper noise started, and shortly after a small noise could be heard. A friendly enough familiar feline sound from the dark, “MMMEEEOOOWWW”.

Back at the the A-frame orientation area there sat in front a clearly gentle soul of man. In one arm his daughter, and the other, his steaming coffee. With a distinct mixture of smooth Caribbean, Costa Rican, and Central American accent of what to expect at the facility.  English was not his first language, damnit he made it much cooler to speak.  Reminded me of a some friendly to James Bond character that somehow always stays just out of trouble but helps in a key way...  Speaking of... He talked about the rules of the place, mealtimes, eco-friendly management, excursions outside of class time, and managed all this while tending gently to his little child and sipping his coffee. Legend really. The final item on his list rolled off his tongue as smooth as the costa Rican Coffee beans themselves.

“Yes, last night we had a visitor." Sips his coffee.   "Her name is Lucy. And yes, she knows how to work zippers.” He sips his coffee again, and that seemed to be it as far as orientation. Laughter followed for us that heard or knew what occurred to our colleagues in the earliest of the hours. Yes folks, Lucy did make her rounds to many people throughout the week.  She visited me and sometimes swatted at many others. As cats do, she chooses who to visit and who gets to pet her. And she defiantly knows how to work tent zippers. May not be the Costa Rican Jaguars I have heard about. But comic gold nonetheless and made a business trip all the more unique.  Not a bad work environment... And this is supports to be an educational experience right? 

The Late Eric Dalton Demonstrating with Ms. Lucy the Cat @ Pura Vida Retreat & Spa 2019

 

©Dustin Casey 2026