Luxury resort blends regional craft, nature, and personalized service
Peninsula Papagayo, End of the 253 National Route, Provincia de Guanacaste, Liberia, 50104, Costa Rica Get directions
"Set in a lush corner of Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, this ultra-luxe Ritz-Carlton Reserve leans into regional craft and nature: architecture inspired by the old haciendas of Guanacaste, Latin American artwork, wood-carved details in the rooms, and textiles drawn from Sabanero culture are incorporated at every turn. Lines blur between indoor and outdoor living—pools are designed to make the most of the surroundings, and you'll find yourself hiking through verdant terrain or riding the funicular down to the private beach club—so bring plenty of stylish swimwear and active gear." - CNT Editors
"Most clifftop resorts lead with their view, but at this Ritz-Carlton Reserve perched above the Pacific on Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo, it’s the artwork that first draws my eye. After passing a towering ceiba tree and stepping into La Casona, the resort’s living room, I find myself lingering in front of 'Letters and Numbers,' a geometric abstract by Costa Rican artist Federico Herrero that once hung in the Guggenheim in New York. Home to more than 550 works by predominantly Central American artists, surprise-and-delight moments here are a curated affair. The art may nail the first impression, but the sweeping views seal the deal: step past the 200-year-old hacienda doors of the entrance casita and Pochote Bay unfurls like an oil painting—Witch’s Rock surf break in the distance, the wild fringes of the Guanacaste Conservation Area, even Nicaragua on a clear day. Meaning 'lush garden' in the Indigenous Chorotega language, this debut from February 2025 is the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central America and, completing the trio on Peninsula Papagayo alongside Four Seasons and Andaz, it weaves Costa Rica’s most beloved elements into an intimate five-star escape." - Julia Eskins
"A treetop‑chic Ritz‑Carlton Reserve located on the 1,400‑acre Peninsula Papagayo (its name translates to “lush garden” in the local Chorotega dialect), this property is the brand’s eighth Reserve worldwide and the first in Central and South America. It caters to adventurers who appreciate luxury, honeymooners seeking multiple pools and sunset cocktails, and families who enjoy features like a funicular and a suspended walking bridge. All 107 ocean‑facing rooms and suites (the smallest at 872 sq ft) emphasize indoor‑outdoor living with floor‑to‑ceiling glass; ground‑floor suites have private firepits and villas include plunge pools, outdoor showers, and lawns. Sustainability and local materials are prominent—about 80% of earth‑moved materials were repurposed into hotel features—and new treetop cabins for larger groups are opening soon. Dining is a highlight under executive chef Lulu Elizaga (the only woman in that role across the Caribbean and Latin America), with offerings ranging from coffee and breakfast bowls at Café Rincón and gallo pinto at Mirador to wood‑fire, Iberian‑inflected cooking at Niri and Peruvian‑inspired tasting at the signature restaurant developed by Diego Muñoz (notable dishes mentioned include a corn risotto with baby corn and olive‑studded rolls); Dining Beyond provides a seasonal, elevated treetop experience, and bar manager Angelo Solimando crafts inventive cocktails (including a gin infused with Turrialba cheese and an ylang‑ylang floral cocktail). Service is warm and highly personalized—each room is assigned a mantu (Chorotegan for “friend”) who acts as a direct point of contact—though there were occasional pacing issues with dish delivery and clearing. Accessibility is good on the main levels via elevators and ramps and the funicular simplifies descent to Niri (though it has no seating), while certain venues like Ambar, the Dining Beyond tent, and the beach require stairs. Nature and adventure are integral: the resort partners with an outfitter for zip‑lining in the Palmares Preserve, mangrove kayaking, and guided walks where guests can see howler and white‑faced monkeys, iguanas, bats, and abundant birdlife, plus snorkeling over reefs with starfish, pufferfish, and lobster. The on‑site Nimbu Spa & Wellness features the largest hydrotherapy pool in Latin America, with suspended treetop treatment rooms and ocean views." - Katherine LaGrave
"Located on Costa Rica's Peninsula Papagayo, Nekajui is a luxury resort offering a blend of adventure and relaxation. Set on a lush cliffside, the resort features 107 guest rooms, suites, and treetop tents with ocean views. The decor pays homage to the local Chorotega culture, using locally crafted materials and artifacts." - Dobrina Zhekova Dobrina Zhekova Dobrina Zhekova is a writer with over a decade of editorial experience in Europe and the U.S. She covers luxury travel, art, architecture, and design. Her writing has appeared on
"Located within a few steps of Playa Pochote and 29 miles of Parque Nacional Santa Rosa, Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve has rooms in Papagayo, Guanacaste. Some rooms at the property feature a balcony with a sea view. Marina Papagayo is a few steps from the hotel, while Edgardo Baltodano Briceño Stadium is 26 miles from the property. Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport is 16 miles away." - My Boutique Hotel (en)
