As I listened to the pitter-patter of afternoon jungle rain and admired the lush, expansive greenery that extended far past the horizon, I was struck by the realization that I hadn’t felt this calm in a very long time. I’m not much of a nature person—I’ve called New York City home for a decade and primarily opt for metropolitan vacations—but I was holed up at Hacienda Altagracia, Auberge Collection, a wellness resort in the foothills of Costa Rica, in the hopes that it might reset my nervous system and help me redefine the grief that had been weighing on me for months. And it was working.
Mortality isn’t something the average 20-something should be thinking much about. However, 2025 changed that for me. It was a difficult year to say the least: I lost my aunt after a fierce battle with cancer, my grandmother deteriorated shortly after, and my family’s beloved cat passed unexpectedly right before the holidays. These back-to-back deaths left an indelible mark on me, and forced me to reckon with my own impermanence. While still young and healthy, being faced with the reality that we all have an expiration date made me subconsciously retreat into myself, and I had been feeling myself lose my lease on life. So when I was given the opportunity in late December to visit Hacienda Altagracia and its world-renowned Casa de Agua spa, home of the first Estée Lauder Skin Longevity Clinic in the Americas, I jumped at it, hoping to reemerge from my rut—and look the concept of aging straight in the face.
Longevity has become a hot topic in the wellness world, and it goes far beyond taking your vitamins and staying active. Many diehard longevity seekers are going so far as to plan their travel around the world’s blue zones—five regions across the globe that are known for high numbers of centenarians. Research has shown that these areas share four key pillars that lead to longer lives: healthy diets, strong social ties, positive purpose, and active lifestyles.
The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica is the only blue zone in Central America, and Hacienda Altagracia lies just a few hours south, in Perez Zeledon. The vast 180-acre Auberge property—which was modeled around the four blue zone pillars—is nestled amongst the dense flora and fauna of the rugged Talamanca Mountains. Well-being is at the core of the 50-casita resort, which has curated a robust spa program, organic dining experiences, and holistic nature activities that aim to keep visitors revitalized long after they leave.
When I arrived at the property midday on a Friday, I was feeling emotionally and physically depleted after a long, intense work week and an early morning flight. After check-in and a quick tour of the mountainous property, I spent my first afternoon alone in my expansive casita. Stepping into the one-bedroom accommodations—with a stocked coffee bar, sitting room and functioning fireplace, expansive dressing area, and stunning bathroom with sand-colored marble counters and a rain shower—transported me to my own private sanctuary. It took everything in me not to immediately melt into the fluffy king-sized canopy bed. In an effort to stay awake, I looked toward the sun—which wasn’t hard to find, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked my private patio with far-reaching views of the rainforest.
I took a dip in my private heated plunge pool and could feel my muscles ease as I sank into the water; catching a glimpse of the vibrant purple flowers (my favorite) that lined the pool wall was a sign that I was exactly where I needed to be.
