above: At Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the pool melts seamlessly into the sapphire waters of the Pacific — a tranquil vantage point where tropical forest and ocean embrace.
Photographs: Provided by The Ritz-Carlton Reserve
In an era where luxury is increasingly measured not by opulence, but by intention — by how deeply a place can make you feel, pause and reconnect, Costa Rica has emerged as the next great sanctuary for those seeking soulful, slow and transformative travel.
At the heart of this movement is Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, on Costa Rica’s stunning Peninsula Papagayo. More than a resort, Nekajui is a revelation: a hidden sanctuary where pristine wilderness meets the elevated comfort of one of the world’s most revered hospitality brands. It is also the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central and South America, making this not just a destination, but a moment in global wellness travel.
Set atop dramatic cliffs overlooking Pochote Bay, Nekajui, meaning “lush garden” in the local Chorotega dialect, redefines what it means to escape. Surrounded by 1,400 acres of protected tropical forest and the tranquil hum of Costa Rica’s biodiverse North Pacific coast, the property invites travelers to recalibrate through stillness, immersion, and a celebration of nature at its most elemental.
Wellness as Nature Intended
At the soul of Nekajui lies Nimbu Spa, named for the Chorotega word for water, the original healer. Spanning 27,000 square feet and accessible by a suspended footbridge woven into the canopy, Nimbu is not just a spa, it’s a passage. Treatment cabanas are perched in the treetops. Hydrotherapy pools open to panoramic ocean views. Every experience, from private meditation gardens to hand-harvested herbal therapies, echoes the land’s rhythm and reverence.
But the magic of Nekajui’s wellness offering is how deeply it understands that healing isn’t something you do, it’s something you feel. It’s in the warm earth under your feet during a guided jungle hike in the Palmares Preserve. It’s the ritual of sipping a botanical cocktail at a treetop bar as the sun fades into the Pacific. It’s letting time dissolve
as waves roll in, surfing with locals at legendary breaks like Witch’s Rock.
A NEW LANGUAGE OF LUXURY
Nekajui’s 107 accommodations, including treehouse-style luxury tents and expansive villas, are designed to frame the natural beauty but also to disappear into it. Outdoor shower gardens, deep soaking tubs and private plunge pools dissolve the boundaries between indoors and out. It’s a design philosophy that whispers: You are a guest of the land here.
Cultural storytelling is etched into every detail, from the ranch-style architecture inspired by Guanacaste’s sabanero heritage, to interiors that feature Chorotegan pottery, figural gold artifacts, and hand-crafted wood and bamboo finishes. Sustainability isn’t a marketing angle, it’s a practice: low-density structures, resource-efficient materials and a commitment to preserving the forest for future generations.
A CULINARY JOURNEY THAT NOURISHES MORE THAN THE BODY
Food at Nekajui is as nourishing as it is transportive. At its heart is Puna, a signature restaurant by renowned chef Diego Muñoz (formerly of Astrid y Gastón), who brings his mastery of modern Peruvian cuisine to Costa Rica’s fertile land. From an intimate six-seat Omakase experience to an open-air café honoring local coffee and cacao traditions, each bite is a journey. And with a toes-in-the-sand beach club just steps from tide pools and sea caves, even casual meals feel sacred.
WHY NEKAJUI BELONGS IN YOUR ESSENTIAL WELLNESS LINEUP
Costa Rica has long been whispered about among seasoned travelers as a haven of pura vida — a simple, joyful life. But with the opening of Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the country is no longer just a hidden gem. It’s a flagship for a new era of travel: one where luxury is defined by connection, authenticity, and restoration.
In a world moving ever faster, this secluded cliffside haven offers a rare invitation to slow down, tune in, and return home not only rested, but changed.
To book your visit, visit:
www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/lirrz-nekajui-a-ritz-carlton-reserve/overview/
