Mind Coach Manjit Devgun’s Guide to the Talamanca Mountains

Morning | Coffee at Mercado and Hike AltaGracia’s Puma Trail

Enjoy a light breakfast of pastries and Costa Rican classics at Mercado, before heading out into AltaGracia’s secondary forest for an energizing morning hike on one of the property’s many trails.

Afternoon | Lunch at Las Brisas

Relax with a leisurely poolside lunch at Las Brisas, where breathtaking views of the Talamanca Mountains set the scene. Savor the El Cultivo salad, brimming with fresh, seasonal produce, or indulge in a selection of flavorful empanadas and tacos. For a special treat, ask your waiter for the off-menu French fries—crispy, golden, and worth the secret.

Afternoon | Relax at Invernadero

Spend a serene afternoon unwinding at Invernadero, the resort’s palatial indoor hydrotherapy sanctuary. Immerse yourself in thermal experiences powered by water, heat, and steam, complemented by hand-harvested clays and loofahs for a deeply restorative ritual. Enhance your relaxation with a cup of the spa’s exceptional teas—lavender and Juanamila, a treasured local Costa Rican herb—best enjoyed while soaking in the tranquil ambiance of Invernadero before your spa treatment, creating a grounding moment just for you.

Afternoon | Hierbas y Flores Treatment

This grounding experience features a restorative full-body massage, complemented by an abdominal massage designed to unblock chakras and expand energetic channels, leaving you feeling renewed and deeply aligned.

Evening | Cienfuegos

For a truly unforgettable evening, head to Cienfuegos—a lively dining experience set against the backdrop of a vibrant Costa Rican horse show. Enjoy a simple yet flavorful land-and-sea menu cooked over an open fire, paired with the sounds of a traditional mariachi band, all celebrating the region’s rich culture and culinary heritage. 

Morning | Vaqueros de la Hacienda Horseback Ride

A paramount experience of the hacienda, head down to the stables to meet AltaGracia’s beloved horses, before setting out on a scenic guided trail ride through the breathtaking landscape. 

Afternoon | Down Time on your Private Terrace

Soak in the sounds of birdsong from your private terrace, surrounded by acres of untamed tropical forest. For a relaxing in-casita dining experience, try the refreshing kale and avocado salad—featuring locally grown tree tomatoes and a bright citrus vinaigrette.

Afternoon | Shop at Casa de Agua

The boutique at Casa de Agua has chic resortwear and hard-to-find beauty products from local designers and producers that I love to check out every time I visit.

Afternoon | River Bath

Tucked away in the resort’s forest, the natural river bath offers a one-of-a-kind experience that connects you to nature’s healing power. Begin with a riverside aura cleansing, followed by a refreshing coffee scrub made in-house with locally grown beans. Then, submerge in the crisp, flowing waters of the Calientillo River before easing into a fire-heated herbal bath—soothing muscles, purifying the body, and restoring your spirit.

Evening | Pura Vida Hour

Savor golden hour at Mercado with coffee-inspired cocktails crafted by the expert Baristas.

Morning | Mindful Movement

Many of the wellbeing and yoga classes take place in Rancho Cascada, where you are completely immersed in nature – overlooking the mountains. Try strengthening Empower Yoga or an introspective meditation.

Morning | Breakfast at Grano

Grano’s breakfast menu features Costa Rican classics as well as reimagined favorites for you to take comfort in the familiar or try something new. Appreciate the morning mountain air during your peaceful and fulfilling breakfast.

Afternoon | Hacienda Café Tasting

Any excuse to visit Mercado is a good one, especially for the Hacienda Café Tasting. Led by master baristas, this experience takes you through the rich world of Costa Rican coffee—sampling different beans and learning the art behind each perfect cup.

Afternoon | Trapiche Nery Farm

Visit Don Nery’s farm, 10 minutes from the resort’s gates, for a true education on the local way of life. Try the sweet sugarcane candy made from their own Trapiche and master the art of the homemade tortilla as you explore their rustic farm, before enjoying a homemade lunch – you’ll feel at home.

Evening | Edible Garden Dinner

Don’t miss the El Cultivo Edible Garden Dinner—a chef-led tasting celebrating hyper-local ingredients. Set in the resort’s lush chef’s garden, this open-air experience highlights fresh-picked produce and herbs for a truly unforgettable meal under the stars.

Morning | Coffee and shop at Mercado

Mercado’s shop features a beautifully curated selection of indigenous crafts, décor, and unique gifts—I love to peruse with my morning coffee.

Morning | Shared Charter Flight

Savor the final moments of your Hacienda escape with a scenic 30-minute flight to San José International Airport, soaking in breathtaking views along the way. 

Manjit is a leading mind coach of Sikh Punjabi descent. Growing up singing kirtan and practicing meditation, Manjit learned the discipline of self-awareness and mind-body connection. For the last 5 years she has found that her clients have benefited from a more personalized and integrated approach in breaking through negative patterns and manifesting goals.

Manjit has channeled these learnings into her unique coaching method of integrative self-hypnosis, breathwork, energy healing and mindfulness techniques. This practice can be individually tailored to clients as a 12 week program and has been introduced to CEO’s and corporations including Chanel, The New York Times, Gates Ventures and Squarespace.

@manjitapp