In the picturesque Pérez Zeledón valley of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, lies Hacienda AltaGracia - an Auberge Collection property that embodies the essence of longevity. As a half-Greek, I was both intrigued and skeptical about spending a week at this Blue Zone resort, renowned for its remarkable health benefits.
Upon arrival, I was struck by the property's serene ambiance. The air was clean and fresh, as if spring water had washed over everything. This was no artificial wellness retreat; the land itself seemed to be alive with an energy that encouraged slow living.
My first experience at Hacienda AltaGracia was at El Cultivo, the resort's garden kitchen, where I shared a table with Rebecca Gordon, an astrologer and facilitator of the property's Masters in Residence program. We dined on vegan food made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which surprised me with its depth and richness.
Gordon's expertise lay not just in reading horoscopes but also in tapping into our inner wisdom to unlock our full potential. She helped us identify our personal questions and energies for the year ahead, weaving together a tapestry of insights that resonated deeply within me.
The following morning, I met Joomee Song, a celebrity facialist whose Kaika method focuses on the relationship between skin structure and energy flow. Her treatment awakened my awareness of chronic jaw tension, which she expertly dissolved using targeted Shiatsu pressure and acupressure. The results were nothing short of miraculous – a refreshed, slimmer face that lingered for days.
Beyond these personal encounters, Hacienda AltaGracia's culinary offerings stood out as a testament to the power of local, seasonal ingredients. Chef Antonio Guzman, known for his passion for traditional Costa Rican cuisine, sourced ingredients from the nearby valley with devotion. Each dish tasted like a specific hillside – pickled, fermented, and grilled over wood.
As I immersed myself in this Blue Zone community, I began to grasp the essence of longevity not as a product of external treatments but as an embodied practice that weaves together food, movement, social connection, and self-awareness. It was an awakening – one that reminded me that living well is not something you pursue; it's how you live every day.
This property, nestled in Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, serves as a powerful reminder that the Greeks do not have a monopoly on longevity. We just showed up to the table first. In Hacienda AltaGracia, I found an opportunity to slow down and begin anew – an experience that will forever change my understanding of what it means to live well.
Upon arrival, I was struck by the property's serene ambiance. The air was clean and fresh, as if spring water had washed over everything. This was no artificial wellness retreat; the land itself seemed to be alive with an energy that encouraged slow living.
My first experience at Hacienda AltaGracia was at El Cultivo, the resort's garden kitchen, where I shared a table with Rebecca Gordon, an astrologer and facilitator of the property's Masters in Residence program. We dined on vegan food made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which surprised me with its depth and richness.
Gordon's expertise lay not just in reading horoscopes but also in tapping into our inner wisdom to unlock our full potential. She helped us identify our personal questions and energies for the year ahead, weaving together a tapestry of insights that resonated deeply within me.
The following morning, I met Joomee Song, a celebrity facialist whose Kaika method focuses on the relationship between skin structure and energy flow. Her treatment awakened my awareness of chronic jaw tension, which she expertly dissolved using targeted Shiatsu pressure and acupressure. The results were nothing short of miraculous – a refreshed, slimmer face that lingered for days.
Beyond these personal encounters, Hacienda AltaGracia's culinary offerings stood out as a testament to the power of local, seasonal ingredients. Chef Antonio Guzman, known for his passion for traditional Costa Rican cuisine, sourced ingredients from the nearby valley with devotion. Each dish tasted like a specific hillside – pickled, fermented, and grilled over wood.
As I immersed myself in this Blue Zone community, I began to grasp the essence of longevity not as a product of external treatments but as an embodied practice that weaves together food, movement, social connection, and self-awareness. It was an awakening – one that reminded me that living well is not something you pursue; it's how you live every day.
This property, nestled in Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, serves as a powerful reminder that the Greeks do not have a monopoly on longevity. We just showed up to the table first. In Hacienda AltaGracia, I found an opportunity to slow down and begin anew – an experience that will forever change my understanding of what it means to live well.
. People think just coz you're livin' in a picturesque valley with clean air, you're automatically gonna live forever and stuff. Newsflash: it's not that simple 
. I mean, sure, Hacienda AltaGracia is all nice and pretty, but what about the people who can't afford to jet off to Costa Rica for a wellness retreat? How do they achieve longevity then? 
this place sounds like a total paradise - the food is straight outta a dream, got to love local ingredients and traditional cuisine 
and that kaika facial treatment sounds like a game changer for your face issues 
what i'm really curious about is how they balance work and play in the property - do they have any kind of schedule or routine that encourages guests to slow down and take care of themselves?
it's like they're tapping into the perfect vibe for overall wellness. The food is insane – all about using local, seasonal ingredients & traditional cooking methods. And can we talk about the Masters in Residence program? I mean, who knew astrology could be so insightful? 
It's amazing how this resort is giving people a chance to slow down and focus on self-awareness... that's literally what living well is all about 
. The way they source local ingredients from the nearby valley is so impressive. It's like they're trying to prove that you don't need fancy treatments or supplements to feel good, just a connection with nature and your own body.
. A facialist who uses Shiatsu pressure and acupressure is like a superhero for your face. And the vegan food? Game-changer. I was skeptical at first but that table with Rebecca Gordon made me realize how much I had been neglecting my own inner wisdom.
I'm totally down with this Blue Zone vibe 
sounds like the ultimate self-care escape. It's all about tuning into our inner wisdom and embracing longevity as an embodied practice 
. And I love how it's not just about individual treatments but a way of life 
. It's like the whole property is saying "let's slow down and live in harmony with nature" 
. All that fresh air and clean water? It's prob'ly just a cover for some kinda mind control experiment 
. And what's up with this whole "embodied practice" thing? Sounds like they're tryin' to get you to tap into your inner self or somethin', like it's some kinda conspiracy 
.
. And that facialist? She's got some kinda magic goin' on with that Shiatsu pressure 
.
I mean, who knew Shiatsu pressure could work magic on your face? I need to get myself to one of these resorts ASAP!
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. Anyway, have you tried those new plant-based protein bars? I had them at the gym last week and they were actually pretty tasty. My friend told me that they're made from some sort of pea protein or something, but I didn't ask too many questions because I was in a rush. I guess it's a great option for people on-the-go like us 
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, it's not just about the food (although that's defo a highlight 
). The real magic happens when you tap into your inner self and connect with nature - like, I had no idea how much I needed a good facial massage 
Maybe Hacienda AltaGracia is onto something? They must be doing something right if people are going back home feeling refreshed and renewed. 