How it all started...

Two friends decided to hit the beaches of Costa Rica for five weeks to celebrate their college graduation. Between the beautiful sunsets and the rolling breakers, they began to deeply appreciate the simple lifestyle of the people and cultures they encountered.

One day, the pair was visiting a small community in Costa Rica when they noticed a man named Jorge peddling bracelets on the street. The colorful bracelets were handmade in a simple way and seemed to capture the essence of their journey. The pair quickly asked Jorge if he would be willing to make them 400 bracelets to take back to the states with them. Within a matter of a few weeks they became great friends with Jorge. When they first met Jorge, he was living in a single room with three beds shared by several other members of his family. Soon after returning to the states they were able to give him enough business to live comfortably in a house and have his amigos work with him. Jorge went from selling 2-5 bracelets a week to upwards of 10,000 a week. They are now selling them in 500+ surf shops, boutiques, college book stores, and a few large chain stores nationwide. Each one has a unique and different color combination so coming across someone with your exact bracelet will be a tough find.

Once returning to the states the two friends soon began to realize that these simple string bracelets were more then just your everyday bracelet, the were a movement. Pura Vida Bracelets are simple, unique, hand-made bracelets that have a great story behind them. Upon returning to California the two friends decided to put the bracelets in a bowl at a boutique shop. Before long, they had all sold out and people were asking for more. They decided to contact the man and buy more, and the relationship soon blossomed into a full-fledged business. The business that formed only a few months ago is now called Pura Vida Bracelets, The phrase “Pura Vida” (pu·ra vi·da) means pure life in Spanish. Enjoying life slowly, celebrating good fortune and not taking anything for granted embodies the Pura Vida Lifestyle. Each original bracelet is handmade in Costa Rica with a unique combination of colors. The hard work that went into making each bracelet represents the dedication and respect for the beautiful land that we all live in. Selecting your “Pura Vida” bracelet isn’t always a quick task. Local jewelers spend days, even weeks creating specific bracelets to express their lifestyle. From vibrant colors to earth tones, Pura Vida Bracelets has any combination for you.

Pura Vida is also a member of One Percent for the Planet and donates a portion of its proceeds to the Surfrider Foundation, which is a grassroots foundation dedicated to cleaning up beaches and oceans around the world.

"Express Your Lifestyle"