Resevations for Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, in Costa Rica Are Now Open

On Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo, adventure and luxury go hand in hand. The exclusive resort community along the country’s north Pacific Coast will soon welcome another luxury resort to its already impressive roster, among which are outposts of the Four Seasons and the Andaz, as well as several celebrity-approved villas.

Travelers seeking a coastal escape in one of the world’s most biodiverse countries can now book their stay at Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, slated to open on March 1, 2025.

Located on a lush cliffside, the resort’s 107 guest rooms, one- and two-bedroom suites, and treetop tents overlook the Pacific Ocean and feature private terraces and balconies, many with plunge pools. Guests will also find lounge areas and striking dark marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and double vanities.

The decor pays homage to Guanacaste, the province where Peninsula Papagayo is located, and its Indigenous people, the Chorotega; Nekajui means “lush garden” in Chorotega. Locally crafted natural materials, clay pottery, and artifacts bring a sense of place throughout the resort. La Casona, for example, Nekajui’s de facto lobby and gathering place, evokes traditional Guanacaste haciendas and incorporates art and elements borrowed from the Sabanero ranchers.

“Nekajui is tucked away in the most exquisite corner of beautiful Peninsula Papagayo, where the Ritz-Carlton Reserve’s unparalleled luxury, elevated privacy, and discreet service meet Guanacaste’s inspiring heritage and thoughtful community,” Ana Gorjão Henriques, the property’s general manager, said in a press release shared with Travel + Leisure.

Nekajui’s dining program is all about variety. Its signature restaurant, Puna, helmed by acclaimed chef Diego Muñoz and clad in natural woods, will focus on Peruvian cuisine; guests will also find an intimate six-seat Japanese-Peruvian omakase dining spot. The food and beverage lineup includes a suspended treetop bar with handcrafted cocktails and dramatic ocean views, a lobby bar, a chic beach club, and a coffee shop highlighting Costa Rica’s rich coffee culture.

However, the property’s 27,000-square-foot Nimbu spa may be the resort’s crown jewel. Tucked away at the end of a suspended bridge, with treetop treatment cabanas, spa suites, saunas, and hydrotherapy pools, the serene and lush spa will be a place to rejuvenate and relax with holistic treatments and wellness rituals. Those who love to stay active on vacation can head to the resort’s gym, which features indoor and outdoor facilities and equipment.

Speaking of staying active, one of the reasons to visit Peninsula Papagayo is the impressive number of activities the community offers. With surfing classes, an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, zip lining, hiking, and snorkeling, it is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Nekajui, Ritz-Carlton Reserve is the eighth property in the Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio, which, in 2023, opened a resort in China’s remote Jiuzhaigou Valley.

Nightly rates at Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, start from $2,390, and you can now book your stay on ritzcarlton.com.