Most clifftop resorts highlight their views, but at Nekajui—a Ritz-Carlton Reserve overlooking the Pacific on Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula—it’s the art that catches your attention first. Walking past a towering ceiba tree into La Casona, the resort’s lounge, I pause in front of Letters and Numbers, a geometric abstract by Costa Rican artist Federico Herrero. It’s an unexpected sight in this remote corner of Guanacaste, especially since it once hung in New York’s Guggenheim. With over 550 works, mostly by Central American artists, Nekajui turns surprises into a carefully crafted experience.

While the art makes the first impression, the views leave no doubt. Step through the 200-year-old hacienda doors at the entrance, and Pochote Bay unfolds like a painting—Witch’s Rock surf break in the distance, the wild edges of Guanacaste Conservation Area, even Nicaragua on clear days.

Nekajui, meaning “lush garden” in the Indigenous Chorotega language, opened in February 2025 as Central America’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve. The 1,400-acre Peninsula Papagayo has long been a luxury retreat, home to the Four Seasons for over two decades and later the Andaz. Now, Nekajui completes the trio, blending Costa Rica’s best into an intimate five-star escape.

Local stone and native woods like mahogany, jatoba, and monkeypod create a warm, earthy feel throughout. A rainforest-inspired hanging bridge connects two clifftops, leading to the spa and the 107 ocean-facing rooms and suites. For those craving deeper immersion, three treetop tents by Luxury Frontiers bring nature even closer.

Like all Ritz-Carlton Reserves, service here is impeccable, yet the vibe is more like staying at a worldly friend’s lavish estate. Rooms start at a generous 872 square feet, with options ranging from suites to villas and private residences. Each guest gets a personal Manzu (Chorotega for “friend”) to handle everything from dining reservations to cabana bookings. Terraced pools—one for families, another for adults—spill down the hillside, while a hot tub perched 250 feet above the ocean offers prime sunset views.

At golden hour, the hardest choice is where to settle. Few spots rival Ámbar, the treehouse-style bar where capuchin monkeys might join you. After sunset, we take the hotel’s funicular down to Niri Beach Club, where the open kitchen fills the air with wood-fired aromas. Guests share Iberian-inspired dishes like crispy patatas bravas, roasted cauliflower, and seasonal seafood paella.

“In Costa Rica, everything is microfarmed. That’s part of the culture,” says executive chef Lulu Elízaga. “The pura vida mindset means only producing what you need.”

That philosophy inspires the culinary team. At Café Rincón, Elízaga swaps acai bowls for vibrant dragonfruit versions. The house-made cacao treats and pour-over coffees—sourced from seven regions, with some beans roasted on-site—are standouts.

“We’re not fighting the current; we’re letting it guide us,” says Elízaga, pouring from a traditional blue ceramic vandola. The same approach shapes Puna, the Peruvian fine-dining spot led by chef Diego Muñoz, where dishes like scallop tiradito and tuber millefeuille showcase bold flavors.

Here, luxury isn’t just about grandeur—it’s about connection, whether to art, nature, or the rhythms of Costa Rica itself.The cocktails at Feuille are just as carefully crafted as the pisco sours. Among the resort’s standout drinks is a dirty martini infused with a distillate of Turrialba goat cheese. Another, called the No. 5, blends ylang-ylang flowers and fermented guava, inspired by Chanel’s famous fragrance.

Local botanicals, like essential oils from the calming juanilama plant, are also used at Nimbu Spa & Wellness. Perched on a cliff with one of the best views on the property, the 27,000-square-foot sanctuary features Latin America’s largest hydrotherapy pool—where I could easily spend hours. Treehouse-style treatment cabanas overlook the Pacific, and even the cold plunges, hot tubs, steam rooms, and saunas come with a view. With massages, body scrubs, and facials using clean beauty brand Ayuna, plus a poolside menu of light bites (think chilled protein salads and fresh juices), you could happily while away an entire afternoon here.

For those seeking adventure, Nekajui’s Explorers program offers plenty of options. From the women-led surf school, SurfX, to aerial tours over the 250-acre Palmares Preserve, there’s no shortage of thrills.

While Costa Rica is famous for its adrenaline-pumping activities, it’s the quieter moments that make the stay unforgettable: stumbling upon a hidden cave during a morning walk or pausing to admire Fausto Pacheco’s paintings of serene farms, rustic homes, and wild forests. In its refined elegance, Nekajui feels like a modern-day Arcadia—where nature, culture, and luxury exist in perfect harmony.

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