Although Pura Vida literally translated means "Pure Life," there is so much more to that saying than a literal translation and a tourism catchphrase. The Ticos use it as a greeting, a farewell, an expression of gratitude, good living, or something exciting, although those are just a few examples. It can be used for just about everything! Although Pura Vida has become widely known, it hasn't changed meaning much over the years, and was officially recognized in the dictionary in 1990.