Episode 34: Best Credit Card Rewards Program, Part 2

In the last episode, we provided some tips on how to identify the best credit card rewards program for your travel needs. In this episode, we go a bit deeper and explore some of the cards we personally own that have worked well for us. Whether traveling domestically or internationally, there are some great programs to satisfy where ever your travels take you.

Now is the perfect time to start doing some research on how to maximize your next hotel stay. And credit card rewards programs are a great way to earn immediate status at some of the top hotels and properties across the globe. What’s more, they are offering even more incentives to entice new subscribers. Many of the credit cards we cover in this episode offer up to 3x’s rewards points towards stays, cash-back rewards for certain purchases as well as discounts for a variety of other amenities. We break it all down in this episode and share our favorite credit card travel rewards programs to help you maximize your points accumulation. And don’t forget to check our top Destinations when it’s time to redeem all those points. Enjoy!

Episode 33: Best Credit Card Rewards Programs: Part 1

Every day we see ads for various credit cards. Whether it’s Capital One, American Express, Chase, or Discover, they all offer attractive rewards programs geared toward travel. But that begs the question: which are the best credit card rewards programs for me?

Choosing the right travel rewards program can be time consuming, confusing and frustrating. In this episode – Best Credit Card Rewards Programs: Part 1 – we break down the questions you need to answer as well as share some tips to help guide you through the maze of choices to maximize your travel rewards. Don’t miss our next episode where we’ll provide additional guidance as well as uncover some of the “gotchya’s” to avoid that we learned along the way. After you settle on the best card for your travel needs, peruse our Destinations page to find the perfect spot to use all those points. Enjoy!

Episode 32: Tokyo Travels Unleashed, Exploring the Best Day Trip Destinations

In this episode, we continue our adventures in and around Tokyo with some of our top day trip destinations for exploring the area around Tokyo. As amazing as Tokyo is, the surrounding countryside, coastlines and rustic beauty of Honshu Island are in full display when you venture just a bit south and west of the city.

Some of our favorite destinations that are within an hour or two of Tokyo include Hakone, Nikko, Izu, and Kamakura. In this episode we break down all four cities – at most about a 2-hour train ride out of Tokyo – to give you a taste of what awaits just on the outskirts of Tokyo. From the majesty of the famous Mt. Fuji to the beautiful beaches, ornate temples and shrines to the numerous hot springs, adventure awaits with enough variety to suit any interest. What are you waiting for? Be sure to check out the Japan section of our Destinations page to explore even more of Japan. Enjoy!

Episode 29: Traveling without identification

In this episode of Pure Life Podcast, we dive into a rather important topic we hope you will find useful; air travel without identification. We’ve all been there; rush to get out of the house, running a little late, holiday season craziness has us running around in circles, and on and on it goes.

Now, we’re at the airport about to go through security and we notice that we forget to bring our identification or worse, it sliped out of our bag or a pocket or it got stolen. That is the worst feeling and now we’re stuck – or are we? Check out this weeks podcast for some useful tips on how you can still make that flight without your identification. Don’t forget to also check out our Destinations page to find that next exotic travel spot. Enjoy!

Episode 28: Cancun All-Inclusive Resorts, Your Ultimate Guide to Paradise

In this episode of Pure Life Podcast, we travel south of the US boarder to one of our favorite areas of Mexico – Cancun. Located on the Eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun and the Riviera Maya region boast some of the most beautiful beaches and resorts in all of Mexico.

If tropical beach settings, tons or water activities or archaeological excursions are on your to-do list, please be sure to include a trip to Cancun! Getting there is a breeze and with so many accommodations to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know were to go or stay. Our recommendation for maximizing your stay is in an all-inclusive resort – and we highlight a few of our favorites for you to give you a taste of what to expect and how to plan your next stay accordingly. Be sure to check out our Destinations page for even more information on Cancun and other tropical vacation spots. Enjoy!

Episode 26: Charming Costa Rica, Eco-Tourism Adventures

In this podcast episode, we uncover the origin of our site and podcast name – Pura Vida or Pure Life – from an eco-tourism jaunt to Costa Rica. Located just north of Panama, Costa Rica enjoys a tropical climate year round that makes it a perfect destination for travelers seeking beach, jungle or other tropical activities.

If you love nature and rustic adventures, then Costa Rica is a perfect destination! Enjoy the lush rain forests, plentiful rivers and tributaries as well as volcanoes and natural hot springs – not to mention the wildlife! From toucans to three toed sloths, howler monkeys and American crocodiles, there’s something waiting around every corner to explore. We break it all down for you here and provide some tips on how to maximize your adventure. Be sure to also check out our Destinations page for even more info on this and other exciting destinations. Enjoy!

Episode 25: Exploring Bora Bora, the Jewel of the Pacific

This week we continue exploring French Polynesia with a trip to beautiful Bora Bora. Located about 143 miles north west of Tahiti in the western part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, Bora Bora is best known for its tranquil turquoise lagoon and numerous over-water bungalows and resorts.

While in Bora Bora, we took in a variety of activities, including the not-to-be-missed shark feeding and sting ray excursion, a two-tank scuba dive, a jeep 4×4 tour of the main island, and even a visit to the turtle sanctuary at the Le Meridian resort. In this podcast episode we break it all down and provide expert tips on how to get the most out of your time in Bora Bora. And since it is one of the most beautiful and romantic places on earth, we even provide tips and advice on how to plan and what to expect for weddings or vow renewal ceremonies – which we also did for our milestone anniversary. Be sure to check out our all of pics from French Polynesia on our Destinations page. Enjoy!

Episode 24: Exploring Exotic French Polynesia

In this episode we set out to explore the South Pacific on an exotic get-away to French Polynesia. As a young couple, especially before kids, we couldn’t think of another place more romantic than the islands of French Polynesia, so we booked a vacation on the islands of Tahiti and Mo’orea.


Tahiti is probably better known than Mo’orea but only because to get to French Polynesia you have to fly in and out of Tahiti. But, just a scant 11 miles north-west of Tahiti is the island of Mo’orea and wow – what a wonderful way to get introduced to the warmth and beauty of the Polynesian culture. In this episode, we break down the accommodations, activities and all the “wish I knew before I went” topics that make Mo’orea a must visit destination. Be sure to check out more of the behind the scenes in our Destinations page. Enjoy!

Episode 22: Epic Road Trip Through Spain

Always on the hunt for an epic adventure, we decided to take a road trip through Spain and Portugal. With so many places and things to discuss, we’re going to break our trip into two episodes with this one solely focused on Spain. And one thing became very clear throughout this adventure – you learn tons more about the country you are visiting when you drive.

This trip took us into Madrid, the capital of Spain, where we rented a car and started exploring! With luggage in hand, we packed our car and drove all over exploring Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Cordoba, Seville and Cadiz! Through it all we break it all down and give some tips and tricks we learned along the way to help you navigate your own adventures in Spain. And be sure to check out even more images in our Destinations page. Happy traveling!

Episode 18: Big Island, Hawaii

This episode continues our adventures in Hawaii with a focus on the island of Hawaii, otherwise known as the Big Island. Hawaii – or the Big Island – is the largest and southern-most of the Hawaiian Islands, one of the largest islands of the United States and it is still growing!

Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands tend to venture out from Oahu to Maui or Kauai as those islands are more populated, have more amenities and are lush with vegetation. The Big Island is full of lava flows and has active volcanoes giving it a much more diverse and somewhat younger landscape than the other islands. Don’t let that deter you from visiting the island – in fact there is so much diversity on the Big Island, we’re sure you’ll return again and again like we do to explore all it has to offer. If rustic adventures or ocean activities are on your list of things to do on vacation, the Big Island is a perfect destination and we break it all down here – from where to stay to what to do and all points in between. Be sure to check out some of our pictures on the Destinations page too. Aloha!