Flying into AltaGracia, the haute hacienda tucked into the mountains of Pérez Zeledón in Southern Costa Rica, you’ll wonder if the resort sprang serendipitously from the lush hillsides; it looks that effortless. Surrounded by geometrically perfect pineapple fields and family-owned coffee plantations where the beans are handpicked, there’s a palpable love of the land that can be felt even from above.
The 350-acre property looks at once like a natural wonder and modern-day oasis, and from the ground it’s just as breathtaking. Each of the 50 casitas, linked by manicured paths, boast sweeping terraces and window walls, not to mention brag-worthy square footages that make getting lost in your casita plausible (the minimum size is 1,173 square feet). You’ll immediately know you’re in a special place and the two pools on property only seal the deal: there’s the spa pool, a picture-perfect pond that looks like a football field floating under a two-story atrium, and the resort’s own infinity pool, a swimming hole so perfect it blows every other infinity pool in South America, even the world, out of the water. But it’s the natural surroundings that will really feed your soul, lush and lovely views of uninterrupted jungle in every direction. The downshift continues.
The change of scenery gives you new excuses to explore. With 28 stables on property and horses in every make and model, there’s a large riding ring and surrounding trails to trollop. You can even hop on a horse and tour a nearby coffee co-op. Of course, a four-wheel-drive car is always an option. The resort also features a landing strip and fleet of Ultra-Lights, fancy two-seater flying machines that feel like gliding through the air in a convertible. The pilot will take you over waterfalls and plantations, and even all the way to the Pacific to see the famous Whale Tale, a sand bar formation shaped like a whopper of a tail. If you’re really lucky, you might just fly right through a cloud, feel the minute drops of moisture on your skin for yourself. You’ll try to grab it but quickly realize clouds are better enjoyed than caught. Getting There Southwest Airlines just opened up a direct route from LAX to Liberia, Costa Rica, with more international destinations to come. southwest.com.
To Learn More
Hacienda AltaGracia altagracia.aubergeresorts.com. Las Catalinas lascatalinascr.com.
