Our Behind the Lobby series brings you intimate conversations with the brilliant minds shaping Costa Rica’s luxury travel landscape. Join us to explore the philosophies, passions, and innovative thinking driving the country’s most exceptional guest experiences. 

Hacienda Altagracia is hands down one of our favorites to get off grid in Costa Rica. What makes it unique? It’s the sense of being far from your roots while feeling like part of the family, connecting with a little-known side of the country’s personality, having access to immersive contemplations of nature, and enriching cultural exchange at your fingertips – it’s a place where stories are made. You’ll be telling your friends and family about the heavenly spa pavilion and the luxurious guest casitas, but also about the warmth of people you met, how they made you feel, and what it taught you about life.

Our Co-founder and Managing Director, Javier Echecopar, sat down with Hacienda AltaGracia’s visionary general manager, Koen Masschelein, to chat about their unified approach to hospitality and what makes the property tick. Read on to uncover five takeaways from their conversation. 

 

Hospitality Makes a Destination 

Hacienda AltaGracia is the definition of stepping outside the everyday. It’s off the beaten path, tucked into the foothills of the Talamanca mountains, away from the popular beach destinations and the crowds. That doesn’t mean you’re cut off from the Costa Rican experience though. A stay at the property—which feels more like being welcomed to a friend’s expansive estate—is a window into an authentic slice of a lesser-seen side of the country’s culture.

We love the contrast, taking our guests for sun-soaked coastal explorations in Guanacaste, volcanic hikes and hot springs in Arenal, then coordinating a private plane to the mountains, flying over a dramatic landscape of rolling hills and coffee plantations to touch down right in the property’s grounds. A true cinematic arrival. 

Koen knows this contrast firsthand. Having always worked in big cities, it was quite an adjustment moving to the remote Pérez Zeledón province. What’s the big draw about a region you’ve probably never heard of? That’s where hospitality comes in. AltaGracia has captured the essence of its long-existing surroundings and translated it into an all-encompassing guest experience. A home away from home. 

  While most properties strive to be gateways to their settings, the hacienda has mastered the art of being the destination itself. Every experience, every interaction, every moment is deeply rooted in its location and the local way of life. “Everything we do ties back to where we are and what we do,” Koen explains, his passion evident. “We often say that staying with us is the true Costa Rican experience… guests have to experience it to know what we mean… more than anything when guests depart the property, most are truly enamored with where we are, what they’ve experienced.”

 

“The real Pura Vida doesn’t live in the beaches or the volcanoes – it lives in the people, the community, the bonds you make while being here. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Luxury is Cutting Out the Noise

We pride ourselves on pushing boundaries—creating what has never been done before and seeking new ways to propose the well-trodden. While we love dreaming big, we also know there’s a quiet type of luxury that often reveals itself in life’s simplest moments.  

Imagine the smell of coffee and warmth between your palms as you sit and sip on your private veranda. Taking a deep, freeing breath of fresh mountain air and realizing you’ve left the rush behind for a while. Meeting AltaGracia’s newest member, a baby horse, at the stables and stroking its soft nose, a symbol of innocence and wonder. AltaGracia is a hotbed for these kinds of small, intimate revelations. They’re highly personal to each guest and yet universal.  

A positive power lives in the moments that bring you back to authentic connection. Koen captured the essence perfectly: “The real Pura Vida doesn’t live in the beaches or the volcanoes – it lives in the people, the community, the bonds you make while being here. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” 

Koen encourages guests to enjoy the beauty of simplicity in the property’s treetop nets. The early morning is well worth the payoff. With headlamps guiding your way, walk through the slumbering jungle as nature slowly awakens in a symphony around you. Arriving at the tallest tree in a secluded section of the forest, you’ll be safely harnessed and ascend to a suspended net high above the canopy. Here—between earth and sky—witness the first light of day painting the horizon in deep crimson hues. Thoughtful staff supply freshly brewed coffee and gourmet bites, so you can savor in every sense of the word. “There’s no better feeling” Koen adds, “those early mornings are part of the magic people come here searching for.”

 

Great Service Has Personality 

“We take hospitality very seriously here, and that is exactly why we must let it breath”. With such a line, Koen began to walk us through the interaction between team and travelers. It was immediately clear that guest experience at the hotel is a carefully refined art. Yes, there’s a well-crafted framework behind the operation, but there’s also an intangible freedom—one that resonates deeply with our own philosophy. Authenticity. When staff members are encouraged to share who they are—their passions, quirks, and even hidden talents—it fosters connections that are genuine, effortless, and leave a lasting impression. 

Koen shared a particularly heartwarming story: “Last year, a newlywed couple arrived at the resort, unaware of the surprise awaiting them. The personnel, eager to create a meaningful welcome, had scoured social media, found a cherished photo, and framed it for their room.” For another guest who loved sloths, one of the team with a secret skill for sketching hand-drew Costa Rica’s laid-back mascot on a welcome card. It’s these thoughtful, unscripted gestures, born from genuine care and creativity, that transform a stay from exceptional to truly unforgettable. 

And then there’s the Compas. “Ah, Los Compas make all the difference—guests adore them!” says Koen with a knowing smile. This friendly term, hinting at a confidant, is how AltaGracia refers to its exceptional personal concierges, whose sole purpose is to craft an itinerary as unique as each guest—an element we also pride ourselves on at Journey Costa Rica. Los Compas are often in touch with guests weeks before their trip, investigating individual needs, likes, dislikes, and everything in between. By listening first, they are able to curate highly personalized itineraries to maximize a visit to the property, from dining and wellness to adventure and tradition.

 

 Legacy is Built Together 

“All (but three) of our team members are from here, so there’s a huge pride from the team to share it with visitors, stories about where we are, what guests can experience around the hotel. And everything we do, all the partners we have are from here as well. Be it farms or excursions, everything we do is together with the local community” stated Koen. 

This all clicked into place when we took a closer look at the deeply rooted storytelling of Costa Rica’s countryside. What makes these mountain-fringed grasslands so special? The warmth of their people. AltaGracia’s impact goes far beyond regenerative tourism or business partnerships. Guests are welcomed into the homes of local collaborators—many of whom were born and raised under those very rooftops. Sharing a home-cooked meal, gathering around the table, and listening to the stories that have shaped their lives is powerful, humbling, and often transformative. 

Javier also noted how Journey Costa Rica shares this commitment to bridging cultures and creating meaningful moments, where people from different backgrounds come together, learn from each other, and grow. One standout experience—another of Koen’s favorite’s—is at the family-run Trapiche Nery farm. Here, you can get immersed in the rich traditions of the local cowboy lifestyle, prepare fresh tortillas and harvest sugarcane alongside local farmers. These hands-on, heartfelt moments go beyond just being activities. 

 

Wellness in its Purest State 

The moment we stepped into The Well, we could instantly tell that this was more than a spa. As the brainchild of New York’s leading wellness brand, it was nothing short of a sanctuary. At the spectacular Casa de Agua pool house, golden sunlight streams in through a glass roof and walls, casting a warm glow and natural light over the space.  

Koen’s words were simple yet profound. “The spa, perched at the highest point of the property, is something truly special. This remote setting invites guests to reset, rewind, and recharge. Everything we do—every treatment, every ritual—is a tribute to Mother Earth, Pachamama, and the abundant gift of life she gives us.” 

Through our relentless exploration throughout Costa Rica, and other countless corners in the Americas, we can report that AltaGracia’s healing center is in a league of its own. Of the many holistic spaces we’ve visited, this was among the most deeply restorative and nourishing.  

One of the most remarkable aspects of this experience is the pre-treatment session—a thoughtful touch that elevates wellness to a whole new level. Here, guests receive personalized feedback and expert guidance on the treatments and rituals best suited to their journey. This allows the wellness team to craft a customized itinerary aligned with each visitor’s goals and needs, ensuring every moment is intentional and deeply restorative. If this isn’t tailor-made healing, we don’t know what is. 

In an industry where wellness offerings based in nature, ancient traditions, and cutting-edge treatments have become standard, Koen explained how The Well keeps it fresh, “Through people, of course. There is a constant flow of therapists and healing experts, presenting new experiences for guests to participate in. They are, themselves, a constant flow of energy that we must continue to revitalize”. With this final thought, we shook hands with our magnificent host, thanking him for his time and wisdom. 

 

Be Part of the Experience 

At Journey Costa Rica, we are dedicated to curating unparalleled luxury experiences, and our collaboration with Hacienda AltaGracia is a testament to that commitment. Stay tuned to learn more about upcoming bespoke itineraries or speak directly to our team of experts to tailor your own adventure into this hidden countryside gem.