Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resort

Our family (2 adults and 2 teenagers) had such an incredible experience here. From the moment you arrive you realize this is not like any vacation you have done before. The private airport arrival in San Jose is seamless, the agents pick you up at your gate and whisk you to the smaller terminal for customs. You then board the charter aircraft to AltaGracia and the next thing you know, you are in the clouds looking down over the green lush mountainous landscape of Costa Rica. Upon arrival at the gravel runway, you are instantly greeted and welcomed before being driven up to the reception area. The staff is exceptional at AltaGracia. They knew all of our names and used them throughout our stay. Our Compas, Ronald and Marco, were always accessible and helpful. From morning coffee deliveries to our room, to adjusting the time of our excursions, they were on top of everything. The resort itself is very quiet and peaceful. We stayed during the rainy season and it did get cloudy every afternoon, but it didn't always rain. Some days it was just cloudy and other times it did down pour. However, the mornings were always sunny and lovely. For that reason, it is best to start your adventures early. We enjoyed the e-bike experience from the hotel with Karolina. This was one of our favorite things we did. It was adventurous and interesting to see the local village, which was very safe to visit. We also did the Mina Escondida waterfall hike with Karolina and she is so informative about the ecology of the rainforest, it was not only beautiful but educational for my family. Another highlight was the tour of Marvin's farm. We loved that experience. The super kind and friendly Pedro escorted us from the hotel in the Land Cruiser to Marvin's farm, where we toured the cacao, pepper, banana, and coffee crops. His family farm is a special place in which he has a lot of pride, and his farming methods are nothing like a traditional US farm, so this was another interesting and educational experience for my family. Marvin speaks English and was able to give the tour himself, ending with a little juice and snacks that he and his wife kindly prepared for us. Marvin growns the cacao himself and shows you the process for turning cacao into chocolate. it is the freshest, most natural chocolate bars you will ever taste! The food at AltaGracia is so fresh and delicious. Being an all inclusive, we were pleasantly surprised as to the quailty, selection, and portions of the food for our meals. The restaurants and room service are always open, and there was never a time we couldn't sit down and have a meal before or after our activites of the day. Mercado has the best coffee, chocolate drinks, and snacks, and we visited at least once a day while we were there. The service is top notch consistently and they handled our gluten free requests easily. Overall, we would highly recommend AltaGracia. I would say this is not the type of vacation you come to the resort and just sit by the pool. It is a place to use as a base to set out on a daily adventure, get a little muddy on the hiking trails, let your hair blow in the wind on the bumpy Land Cruiser, and make memories with your family that you'll remember forever.

This was the most luxury stay we have ever been to. The personalized Compas (Marco and Ronaldo) were so helpful. We would simply ask anything through Whatsapp and it would be provided. They even gave us a microwave in our room to heat milk for my toddler. All of the workers went above and beyond to make sure we were satisfied. They were so kind to my kids and would randomly bring toys, coloring books, and blankets even during our dinner. Our casita with the pool plunge was exceptional. The pool would be heated for us in the evenings. In the evenings, housekeeping would turn on fireplace, put heating pads on our beds, and restock everything. The resort provided us with all essentials for our children including kids shampoos/bodywash, toys, milk carton and a crib. The views from our casita (room 22) was amazing. We were able to choose the excursions beforehand which were tailored to our needs. We did the horseback experience (Experiencia Equina) which I highly recommend to any beginners or younger children. Pedro and Javier showed us the stables, taught us how to bath the horses, feed them, saddle them, and ride them. Even my 3 year old loved it. Nery's farm was also a fantastic experience. The kids played with the animals, we made candy, tortillas, and ate with the family. They were so welcoming. We also did a mixology class where we learned about Tequilas and Mezcels and made cocktails. They even had a bartender make mocktails with the kids.

This is hands down one of, if not the best, family trips we have ever taken. We traveled with our adult daughters, ages 22 & 24. Every single thing about the experience was first rate. First, the location is just beautiful. Sunset views from the restaurant terrace each evening were a daily treat. The entire resort is lush and peaceful, you are surrounded by nature, yet it still feels like total luxury. Even when it rained, it was beautiful. The afternoon we arrived, it rained for an hour or two, and after a tiring travel day, the memory of relaxing on the day bed on our room's patio while listening to the rain and watching the hummingbirds is one I won't forget. Our two bedroom suite was very spacious and extremely comfortable. Having our own casita/stand alone room made it feel more like a home away from home. I don't even know where to begin on the amenities and activities that are available. Just look at the website to see the endless options of things to do both on and off property. We didn't come close to doing it all - we barely scratched the surface. Frankly, it was hard because it was so appealing to just relax at the resort itself, we didn't want to overbook our time. That said, we did enjoy an off property hike to some waterfalls, an on property hike on one of their trails, our daughters did the river bath experience, and we enjoyed multiple complimentary in house actives that were scheduled. Among those- we did the Art of Cacao, the tortilla/cooking one in the beautiful outdoor kitchen, the sound bath at the spa with the resident yogi who was visiting, and the intention setting ceremony on our arrival evening. Speaking of the spa- it is probably one of the most incredible ones I have ever visited. It is just beautiful, there is no way to describe it. And the treatments were first rate. Next, the food. I admit I was a tiny bit nervous about this being all-inclusive, as that is not something we typically would choose when traveling. If you are even slightly hesitant about that- do not be! The food blew us away. Every single meal was delicious. There was plenty of variety, as the menu changes nightly. We truly loved every meal we had, and the food was so fresh. And the coffee bar Mercado was a daily stop for us- truly the most delicious, fresh local coffee and we loved our morning and afternoon ritual of chilling out there. Lastly, I want to mention the service. Every single employee of the resort was A+ in friendliness, attitude and helpfulness. They knew us by name within a day and each time they welcomed us with the same enthusiasm as day 1. They were all warm and kind, and made us feel so valued as guests. I can't remember every single name as it has been a few months, but shout out to Andre at the bar/restaurant, Kaylor at the bar, Javier who led the Art of Cacao, our Compa Michelle, Andre, and Carolina who led us on our off property hike. I wish I could remember the rest! I could go on and on, but I honesty don't want to spoil all the little welcome surprises. Suffice it to say that I cannot recommend this place highly enough and I can't wait to return. I feel like it could be a different trip every time, as there are so many things to do and explore that we didn't have enough time to. It would also be perfect for couples, or families, or even a girls trip. There is something for everyone. Our daughters have reflected back on this trip and said they think it is their favorite one we have taken as a family- and we have taken alot of incredible ones together. Don't hesitate to book it!

This place is a treasure. If you are looking for world class service, world class Farm to table food, and a beautiful environment to Completely unplug, Spend some time Hacienda Altagracia. Exceeded expectations. The service is second to none. Everyone knew our name And knew how to tiptoe the balance Being available without Overdoing it. 10/10!

My husband and I recently spent a week at Hacienda AltaGracia celebrating his 75th birthday, and I can honestly say it was one of the finest travel experiences we've ever had. The property is breathtaking, but what truly sets AltaGracia apart is its people. Every person we encountered—from our compas working behind the scenes to the housekeeping staff, restaurant servers, bartenders, guides, and spa team—made us feel genuinely welcome. Their warmth, kindness, and pride in sharing their country created an atmosphere unlike any other resort we've visited. We stayed in a two-bedroom casita with a private pool, which became our own peaceful retreat. Every evening we returned to thoughtful touches that made the casita feel like home: soft lighting, a cozy fire, and even a hot water bottle tucked into our bed. It was impossible not to feel cared for. The culinary experience was exceptional. Every meal celebrated the flavors of Costa Rica, and the staff enthusiastically shared the stories behind local ingredients, preparations, and traditions. Our bartender introduced us to creative cocktails featuring local fruits like star fruit and golden berries, making each visit an opportunity to discover something new. The highlight of our stay was a private chef's dinner on the patio of our casita for my husband's birthday. It exceeded every expectation. The beautifully prepared meal, wine pairings, live musician, and impeccable service created an evening we'll remember for the rest of our lives. We also enjoyed a surf day (a dream come true for my husband, a lifelong surfer), bird watching, a nighttime wildlife hike, horseback riding, spa treatments, and the River Bath experience. Every activity was expertly organized and seamlessly coordinated. Before we even arrived, the staff worked with us to personalize our stay, and every request was handled with enthusiasm and care. We felt that everyone genuinely wanted our celebration to be as special as we hoped it would be. Finally, our sincere thanks to our travel advisor, Camila Zevallos at Classic Travel, for recommending Hacienda AltaGracia. It was the perfect destination for this milestone celebration. If you're looking for a place where luxury is measured not only by beautiful accommodations and outstanding cuisine, but by authentic hospitality and extraordinary people, Hacienda AltaGracia is truly something special. We left with unforgettable memories, grateful hearts, and every hope that we'll return one day. ¡Pura Vida!