Your Oceanview Boutique Escape in Costa Rica

Twenty years ago, while living in California, we dreamed of creating a boutique hotel in Costa Rica — a place where nature, wellness, and authentic local culture exist in harmony.

Before California — and before I graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in entrepreneurship — we co-founded and ran an international group travel company. That experience became our true foundation in the travel industry. Designing immersive journeys, coordinating logistics across borders, and serving discerning global travelers gave us firsthand insight into what makes an experience seamless, meaningful, and memorable.

Afterward, our paths continued to evolve creatively and professionally. Mark went on to complete the professional photography program at Brooks Institute in California, refining his technical mastery of the craft. While we both built careers in photography, my work grew into a larger, ongoing career that I continue today, serving clients who value artistry, emotion, and elevated visual storytelling.

Mark’s professional direction gradually expanded into real estate, following his family’s longstanding experience and investment background in the industry — a transition that deepened our understanding of property development, design vision, and long-term stewardship.

Mark was born in Dallas to a Costa Rican mother, and Costa Rica was never just a destination — it was an integral part of his family life. He grew up returning every year, deeply connected to the culture, language, and ocean landscapes that shaped his sense of home. Long before we met, he had also lived and worked in Costa Rica, building a career around the sea through professional scuba diving, earning advanced dive and first-aid certifications and immersing himself fully in coastal life.

Together, these layered experiences — travel, photography, entrepreneurship, real estate, and a lifelong connection to Costa Rica — became the foundation of Pura Vista Costa Rica.