Christa Jimenez

Hi, I’m Christa, founder of Pura Vida Moms, longtime Costa Rica travel expert, and Lonely Planet author. My love story with Costa Rica began in 2001 during a study abroad program in San Ramón. I arrived without speaking Spanish or knowing anyone, but quickly fell in love with the country, its culture, and its people. What started as a semester abroad became a lifelong connection to Costa Rica. Over the years, I explored the country extensively, from La Fortuna and Monteverde to Guanacaste and Drake Bay, while building deep relationships with local communities and immersing myself in Costa Rican culture. Along the way, I met my husband Ricardo, and together we are now raising two bilingual daughters with strong ties to both Costa Rica and the United States. As a mom, I quickly realized there were very few practical resources for families planning trips to Costa Rica. In 2016, I created Pura Vida Moms to help families confidently plan meaningful, stress-free vacations filled with adventure, culture, wildlife, and connection. Today, after years of traveling Costa Rica with babies, toddlers, and kids of all ages, I help families discover the best of Costa Rica through firsthand experience, honest recommendations, and carefully curated travel advice designed for real families.