In Costa Rica, the commonly used phrase “pura vida,” which loosely translates to “pure, simple life,” is more than just a token tagline slapped onto airport souvenirs. According to the official 2021 World Happiness Report, Costa Rica ranks 16th in the world. It’s a dopamine-inducing way of living, and one that’s become the guiding mantra at Auberge Resorts’ Hacienda AltaGracia, a new wellness-focused property that reflects the uniqueness of its surroundings.
Situated about 95 miles south of San José, and nestled into the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, the resort’s 50 villa-style casitas are scattered across 864 tropical acres, which include a “sustainable” coffee plantation, 28 horse stables, and an organic garden that provides ingredients for AltaGracia’s five restaurants. In some ways, it feels more like a new, Utopian colony—a post-coronavirus Eden—than it does a hotel.
