Our Story

The Story Behind the String...

A five week college graduation trip to Costa Rica turned into a business venture for two Southern California friends Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman. Between the beautiful sunsets and the rolling breakers, it wasn't long before these two friends began to deeply appreciate and fall in love with the simple Pura Vida lifestyle and culture of the people they encountered. This is how it all began...

During a visit to a small community in Costa Rica, they crossed paths with two men named Jorge and Joaquin who were peddling bracelets on the street. The colorful bracelets were handmade in a simple way that seemed to capture the essence of their journey. When they first met Jorge and Joaquin, they were living in a single room with three beds shared by several other members of their family. Seeing this, Paul and Griffin asked them if they would be willing to make 400 bracelets to take back to the United States with them. Jorge was delighted to make such a sell, and the guys were thrilled to help them out, but to everyones good fortune, soon after returning to the states their friendship blossomed into a full-fledged business relationship.

Upon returning to California, Paul and Griffin decided to put the bracelets into a bowl at a local boutique shop close to home. It didn't take long until they all sold out and people were asking for more. They realized these simple string bracelets were more than just your everyday bracelet, they were a movement. Pura Vida is more than just a saying, it's a lifestyle representing the simple things in life.

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. It's about being free and living life to it's fullest with no regrets or taking anything for granted; it's an attitude. Pura Vida directly translates into "Pure Life", simple as that.

Now, they are able to give Jorge and Joaquin enough business to live comfortably in a house of their own and have 30 of their amigos work with them. Jorge and Joaquin went from selling a few bracelets a week to now over 20,000 a week. Their bracelets are now being sold in 2,500+ surf shops, boutiques, college book stores, and a few large chain stores around the world.

Each bracelet has a unique and different color combination so coming across someone with your exact bracelet will be a tough find. The hard work that goes 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, a grassroots foundation dedicated to cleaning up beaches and oceans around the world.