A modest wooden door marks the entrance—an intentionally understated introduction to Nekajui.
There’s a moment upon arrival when you half-expect to check behind you to see if the door has vanished. You enter through a wooden threshold of a traditional Costa Rican casita—and suddenly you’re somewhere else entirely. Not Narnia, exactly, but close: this is Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and a self-contained world perched high above Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo.
On the other side of the door is a village square modeled after those found throughout the region. A chapel sits on one side, while shops and a café line the perimeter. At its center, a towering ceiba tree anchors the space, its branches wrapped in woven lanterns.
It’s a clever bit of misdirection. Instead of greeting guests with a panoramic ocean view—the standard move for a luxury resort here—Nekajui introduces itself through architecture and sequence, rooted in the cultural and natural context it draws from.
Lanterns light the central courtyard.
The reveal comes just beyond La Casona, a farmhouse-inspired structure that frames the transition. A wide lawn stretches forward, and then the land drops away, opening to the Pacific and the steep, green slopes of Papagayo. From here, the resort extends downward, carved carefully into the hillside. Buildings blend with the terrain. Staircases wind through vegetation. Pools and platforms appear in stages, tucked into rock or lifted into the canopy.
As the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central and South America—and the eighth in the brand’s exclusive portfolio—Nekajui is shaped by its 1,400-acre setting, where dry tropical forest meets coastal cliffs, and every element of the property responds to its landscape.
The resort’s 107 accommodations—ocean-facing rooms, suites and three treetop tents—are positioned to feel private while staying connected to the site. Indoor and outdoor living blend seamlessly: multi-panel glass doors open to the Pacific, while outdoor shower gardens and private plunge pools let guests step straight into nature. The collection ranges from spacious rooms to one- and two-bedroom suites, the four-bedroom Grand Villa, 36 private residences, and for ultimate exclusivity, the ten-bedroom Villa Guayacán, set in its own secluded natural enclave.
Modeled after a farmhouse, La Casona serves as the resort’s welcoming living room and bar.
The resort’s tiered pools step down the cliffs, mirroring the natural terrain.
At Niri Beach Club, an open kitchen ups the dining experience, just steps from the sand.
Inside, the design is contemporary but grounded in local craft. Custom woodwork, clay pottery and stone details nod to Costa Rica’s Chorotegan heritage, while curated accents echo the colors of the surrounding flora and fauna.
Nekajui’s architecture follows the same principle. Native stone and wood form the foundation, and construction prioritizes sustainability and a light footprint. Every path, staircase and building feels intentional, preserving the environment while giving guests a while giving guests a tangible sense of connection to the forest, cliffs and coastline.
Follow the suspension bridge to Nimbu Spa & Wellness, a 27,000-square-foot retreat designed as a sanctuary for the senses. The experience moves from treetop treatment cabanas and private spa suites to saunas with sweeping water views. At the center is the hydrotherapy pool—open to adult guests with or without spa appointments—the perfect place to soak and fully unplug.
If relaxation is not your thing, check out The Outpost at Palmares Preserve. The 250-acre playground wraps around the resort and spans three distinct ecosystems, all led by the resort’s in-house guides, known as The Explorers. Choose your own adventure: guided wildlife hikes, quiet canoe trips through mangroves or ziplining through the canopy—often with a chorus of howler monkeys providing encouragement.
Nimbu Spa looks out over forest canopy and open water beyond.
Natural materials and open sightlines define the resort’s guest rooms.
Golden hour at Ámbar draws guests into the treetops each night
Every meal at Nekajui is a mini escape in itself. Mornings start at Café Rincón, with strong Costa Rican coffee and a mix of vibrant bowls and indulgent pastries. Brisa is where you order tacos in a swimsuit at lunch and come back at night for a proper open-air dinner without changing the vibe. Evenings call for Puna, where Chef Diego Muñoz blends local ingredients with global techniques, whether you’re settling into the main dining room or the six-seat Asian-Peruvian Omakase. And if you’re up for it, a quick glass-funicular ride delivers you to Niri Beach Club, where wood-fired, Iberian-inspired dishes meet the sound of the surf just below.
Whatever else you do, book a sunset reservation at Ámbar. It’s the one non-negotiable. Each evening, guests gather in the treetop bar just in time for the sky to put on a show, cocktails in hand as the sun slips into the Pacific. It’s the moment everyone pauses, together, to take in the view—and the perfect way to end a day at Nekajui.
Photography Courtesy Of Nekajui, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve