If I could teleport myself anywhere in Costa Rica right now, it would be Hacienda AltaGracia.
Tucked away in the lush mountains of Pérez Zeledón, this ultra-luxury, all-inclusive wellness resort is the kind of place where you wake up to mist rolling over the hills, sip freshly brewed local coffee on your private terrace, and spend your days by one of the fantastic pools eating locally sourced all inclusive cuisine, soaking in the spa, or indulging in one of the wellness or cultural offerings.
It’s not just a hotel. It’s an experience.
And yes, it’s a splurge, but if you’re looking for the most luxurious place to stay in Costa Rica—one that combines adventure, wellness, and top-tier service—this is it.
(By the way, we paid for our stay. Here’s my honest review:)
Why Hacienda AltaGracia Is Perfect for Families, Honeymooners, and Friends
The Arrival: Getting Here Is Part of the Experience 🚁
Hacienda AltaGracia is in a remote part of Costa Rica, but the journey there is actually part of the fun.
Instead of driving for hours through winding mountain roads, we took a semi-private charter flight from San José, arranged by the resort. It was quick, scenic, and gave us aerial views of the lush jungle below. (You can also drive, but the flight saves a ton of time and is included in the advisor rate – trust me do not use booking.com for this!)
We stayed here as the last stop on a wonderful luxury family friendly trip around Costa Rica where we also sampled the Andaz, Tabacon in Arenal, El Silencio, and this was absolutely the cherry on top!
Included Activities: The Ultimate Choose-Your-Own-Adventure 🏇🌿
One of the things that makes AltaGracia so special is the huge range of included activities—all designed to immerse you in nature and Costa Rican culture.
Some of our favorites were:
- 🍫 The Art of Chocolate – a hands-on class where we learned to make (and eat) our own chocolate
- ☕ Coffee tasting – because Costa Rican coffee is next-level good
- 🧘♀️ Yoga and Pilates with visiting wellness experts
- 🌿 Access to the Well Spa’s sauna and pools (which felt like a dream)
For an additional fee, they also offer tree canopy walks, farm visits, private guided hikes, horseback riding from their onsite horse stables, and flight excursions to the coast.
Book Through an Auberge Preferred Partner for VIP Perks
Hacienda AltaGracia is part of Auberge Resorts, which means you can get exclusive perks when booking through Virtuoso or Auberge advisor (like me!). These often include:
- 💰 $100 resort credit (for the spa, activities, or elevated dining experiences)
- ⏰ Early check-in and late check-out when available
This resort is all-inclusive of meals and nonalcoholic drinks and some activities, but these perks make an already incredible experience even better. They also offer a fourth night free, so be sure to take advantage!
A Kid-Friendly Luxury Experience 🏡
At first glance, Hacienda AltaGracia might seem like a place for honeymooners (which, yes, it’s perfect for that), but it’s actually amazing for families.
- Spacious Casitas: Every suite has a private terrace with views of the beautifully manicured garden or mountains. Some even have plunge pools! Ours was a Casa, and had two distinct rooms, two bathrooms, a pool that was heated like bath water and totally private, and it was a design dream.
- Personal Compa (Butler) Service: Each family gets their own compa—a personal concierge who takes care of everything (like making sure kid-friendly meals are ready and planning activities for the day). They left daily toys and thoughtful things they thought we’d like in the room with hand-written notes./
- Nature-Focused Kids’ Activities: While there’s no traditional kids’ club, they offer tailored experiences for kids, like farm visits, horseback riding, and exploring the butterfly garden for $75 per child per session for kids over age 4.
The Spa: The Most Relaxing Experience Ever 🌊
I’ve been to a lot of spas, but The Well at Hacienda AltaGracia is on another level.
Imagine walking into a candle-lit treatment room tucked into the jungle, hearing nothing but the sounds of birds and water flowing, and getting the most incredible chakra massage of your life.
We used the onsite nanny service so we could sneak away for an hour after our son went down for his nap, and it was so worth it. First, you choose from three different textures of bathrobe before entering a sauna and steam bath seperated by gender, before making your way to a whole-body clay mask followed by relaxing on a heated ceramic surface until it dries, followed by a shower and alternating between the hot tubs and cool pool.
The Food: Farm-to-Table Perfection 🍽️
One of the best things about AltaGracia is that all meals are included—and this is not your typical resort buffet situation.
The food is fresh, local, and unbelievably good. We loved:
- Grilled fish and farm-fresh veggies (our son ate so well here!)
- Fresh tropical fruit and smoothies every morning
- Homemade tortillas at breakfast (a must-try)
- Creative coffee and chocolate concoctions made by a master barista.
AltaGracia grows most of its own produce or buys it locally, and you can taste the difference.
When to Visit and Room Rates 🗓️
- ☀️ Dry Season (Best Weather, Peak Prices): December – April
- 🌤️ Shoulder Season (Fewer Crowds, Still Great Weather): May – August
- 🌧️ Rainy Season (More Affordable, But Wetter!): September – November
Hacienda AltaGracia is part of Auberge Resorts, which means you can get exclusive perks when booking through Virtuoso or Auberge advisor (like me!). These often include:
- 💰 $100 resort credit (for the spa, activities, or elevated dining experiences)
- ⏰ Early check-in and late check-out when available
This resort is all-inclusive of meals and nonalcoholic drinks and some activities, but these perks make an already incredible experience even better.
Rates start at around $2000 per night for a casita with all meals and activities included. It’s a splurge, but for a special trip, it’s so worth it. They also offer a fourth night free, so be sure to take advantage!
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