About

Hi, I'm Erin! Six years ago I was tired, overworked, and fed up with my life… so I quit the cubicle and left everything behind in search of my bliss. 

erin morris costa rica photo in corcovado park osa peninsula

De la Pura Vida is where I tell the story of how I let it all go and in a tiny treehouse in the Costa Rican jungle discovered a freer, healthier, happier life. I've financed my digital nomad lifestyle through this blog, with graphic design (Evergreen Design Studio) or by unplugging and trying new things. I've dabbled as a full time traveler, a journalist, an editor-in-chief of a newspaper, a translator, an English teacher, a house sitter, and a yoga teacher. I'm hoping to soon call myself an author... of a book! This little ol' Costa Rica blog has opened up many new opportunities for me!  

hiking in cahuita national park on the caribbean coast of costa rica

De la Pura Vida can mean many things such as "it's all good," "from Costa Rica," or... "made from pure life." It embodies a fresh positive message, and I chose it so I can take it with me wherever this adventure leads.

snorkeling in costa rica

A little history about this US expat living in Costa Rica

I came to Costa Rica for the first time in 2008 and absolutely fell in love with the abundant wildlife, the culture, and a guy. Despite fantastic friends, my family, an obsession with league tennis, a mortgage, a lifetime of possessions, and a steady job with great benefits, I moved myself and my nine-year old dog to Costa Rica in early 2010. I originally had dreams of starting a travel business, but the market seemed too saturated, it never happened, and the relationship dissolved.

One thing Costa Rica has taught me is to be flexible.

erin morris sunset pose on playa hermosa near jaco costa rica

I stayed in the country because I LOVE it! I thrive on keeping the windows and doors open year round, on the self reliance expected of everyone, on beautiful imperfections, on cool salty breezes on hot sandy days, on towering puffy rain clouds in brilliant blue skies, and on being surrounded by the freshness of a thousand different greens.

In Costa Rica, I learned that I can make my own version of life, that I am talented enough to start my own business, and that I can surround myself with the things I love, things that make me happy. In Costa Rica, I discovered a freer, healthier, happier, more creative life.

friends in arenal national park, costa rica

When I'm not documenting my journey, I'm creating art, designing, practicing yoga on the roof, speaking Spanglish with my friends, meditating, preparing food as medicine, trying not to step on my tiny dog while hiking in the mountains, watching epic sunsets on the beach... or getting lost in the jungle.

white water rafting on the pacuare river in costa rica

I look happy in that white water rafting photo because they took it before we went down the river, before we flipped the raft 4 times and I almost died. Costa Rica isn't always sunshine and butterflies haha. 

Where to start

Explore content based on Destinations or Topics: Art & Creativity, Costa Rica Tips, Expat Memoirs, and Food & Wellbeing.

Planning a trip to Costa Rica?

Start by reading my packing list. It's got a lot of essentials beyond clothing, like the best eco-friendly bug spray tested over time and in many different places by yours truly. Then peruse posts by destination. 

Moving to Costa Rica?

Do not miss my posts in Costa Rica Tips. Here you can find great on advice on working and finding a place to live in Costa Rica. You can also download a free resource guide on moving to Costa Rica and ask me questions about it here

This page Costa Rica Resources: Links and Useful Info for Expats and Travelers is useful if you are traveling in or moving to Costa Rica. 

Want to know more about how to start your own location independent business online so you, too, can work remotely? 

Then check out this post that I update regularly sharing my secret tools and story of how I went from a full time office worker to a location independent freelance designer and blogger. 

Want to work together? 

I create art, write, and do graphic design for individuals and small businesses. Reach me at erin@delapuravida.com to discuss opportunities. You can peruse my published articles and photographs here, shop my art here, and explore my designs here

Stay updated, keep in touch, don't miss out!

To receive updates by email, subscribe by filling out that form down there. To connect socially, find me on your favorite networks below.

You can contact me by leaving a comment below or by filling out the form on the Contact page.

I'd love to hear from you! 

About

Hi, I'm Erin! Six years ago I was tired, overworked, and fed up with my life… so I quit the cubicle and left everything behind in search of my bliss. 

erin morris costa rica photo in corcovado park osa peninsula

De la Pura Vida is where I tell the story of how I let it all go and in a tiny treehouse in the Costa Rican jungle discovered a freer, healthier, happier life. I've financed my digital nomad lifestyle through this blog, with graphic design (Evergreen Design Studio) or by unplugging and trying new things. I've dabbled as a full time traveler, a journalist, an editor-in-chief of a newspaper, a translator, an English teacher, a house sitter, and a yoga teacher. I'm hoping to soon call myself an author... of a book! This little ol' Costa Rica blog has opened up many new opportunities for me!  

hiking in cahuita national park on the caribbean coast of costa rica

De la Pura Vida can mean many things such as "it's all good," "from Costa Rica," or... "made from pure life." It embodies a fresh positive message, and I chose it so I can take it with me wherever this adventure leads.

snorkeling in costa rica

A little history about this US expat living in Costa Rica

I came to Costa Rica for the first time in 2008 and absolutely fell in love with the abundant wildlife, the culture, and a guy. Despite fantastic friends, my family, an obsession with league tennis, a mortgage, a lifetime of possessions, and a steady job with great benefits, I moved myself and my nine-year old dog to Costa Rica in early 2010. I originally had dreams of starting a travel business, but the market seemed too saturated, it never happened, and the relationship dissolved.

One thing Costa Rica has taught me is to be flexible.

erin morris sunset pose on playa hermosa near jaco costa rica

I stayed in the country because I LOVE it! I thrive on keeping the windows and doors open year round, on the self reliance expected of everyone, on beautiful imperfections, on cool salty breezes on hot sandy days, on towering puffy rain clouds in brilliant blue skies, and on being surrounded by the freshness of a thousand different greens.

In Costa Rica, I learned that I can make my own version of life, that I am talented enough to start my own business, and that I can surround myself with the things I love, things that make me happy. In Costa Rica, I discovered a freer, healthier, happier, more creative life.

friends in arenal national park, costa rica

When I'm not documenting my journey, I'm creating art, designing, practicing yoga on the roof, speaking Spanglish with my friends, meditating, preparing food as medicine, trying not to step on my tiny dog while hiking in the mountains, watching epic sunsets on the beach... or getting lost in the jungle.

white water rafting on the pacuare river in costa rica

I look happy in that white water rafting photo because they took it before we went down the river, before we flipped the raft 4 times and I almost died. Costa Rica isn't always sunshine and butterflies haha. 

Where to start

Explore content based on Destinations or Topics: Art & Creativity, Costa Rica Tips, Expat Memoirs, and Food & Wellbeing.

Planning a trip to Costa Rica?

Start by reading my packing list. It's got a lot of essentials beyond clothing, like the best eco-friendly bug spray tested over time and in many different places by yours truly. Then peruse posts by destination. 

Moving to Costa Rica?

Do not miss my posts in Costa Rica Tips. Here you can find great on advice on working and finding a place to live in Costa Rica. You can also download a free resource guide on moving to Costa Rica and ask me questions about it here

This page Costa Rica Resources: Links and Useful Info for Expats and Travelers is useful if you are traveling in or moving to Costa Rica. 

Want to know more about how to start your own location independent business online so you, too, can work remotely? 

Then check out this post that I update regularly sharing my secret tools and story of how I went from a full time office worker to a location independent freelance designer and blogger. 

Want to work together? 

I create art, write, and do graphic design for individuals and small businesses. Reach me at erin@delapuravida.com to discuss opportunities. You can peruse my published articles and photographs here, shop my art here, and explore my designs here

Stay updated, keep in touch, don't miss out!

To receive updates by email, subscribe by filling out that form down there. To connect socially, find me on your favorite networks below.

You can contact me by leaving a comment below or by filling out the form on the Contact page.

I'd love to hear from you!