Best for
Choose Nekajui for a nature-led Papagayo stay: guided forest walks and wildlife tours complement time beside the Pacific, rather than replacing it.
Best for
Choose Nekajui for a nature-led Papagayo stay: guided forest walks and wildlife tours complement time beside the Pacific, rather than replacing it.
What makes it special
Spanish and Sabanero influences shape the Guanacaste-inspired architecture, giving the accommodation a regional identity that extends beyond its tropical setting and ocean views.
Room to consider
If private swimming matters, confirm a plunge pool with your accommodation; terraces and balconies are widespread, but a pool is not universal.
Insider tip
Arrange your airport transfer before arrival; the resort does not provide a shuttle, and its listed alternative transportation requires a reservation.
Free membership gives you access to preferred rates, exclusive benefits and current promotions for your stay.
Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve looks over Playa Pochote and the Pacific from a bluff in Costa Rica's tropical dry forest. The coast is present in the view, but the elevated position gives the forest equal weight. Rooms open onto balconies and terraces, while paths lead between dining spaces, pools, Naku Spa and Niri Beach Club below. The contrast between canopy and water is what distinguishes this address from a conventional beachfront hotel.
Within the 1,400-acre Peninsula Papagayo community, Nekajui brings together hotel rooms, suites, treetop tents and villas with a separate collection of private residences. A Manzu host can help coordinate meals and activities around a stay. There is plenty to do, yet the property makes most sense for travelers who will give the terraces, dining and shoreline time of their own.
King rooms have a sofa and a chair with an ottoman, while Queen rooms have an oversized chair. Both layouts have a balcony and a marble bathroom. Its large tub stands apart from the shower, with two washbasins alongside.
In the pictured King room, a red bench stands beside brown-and-pale geometric screens. A pale herringbone-patterned rug lies on the floor. A woven pendant hangs above a round table and a red-cushioned chair. An opening in the screens reveals a dark mottled vanity and a large round mirror.
The illustrated Queen room has red benches and patterned cushions beside brown upholstered headboards. Paired bedside lamps have green globe details. A brown chest has pale drawer fronts, and a dark ceiling fan hangs above. Pale curtains frame the glazed balcony doors.
King rooms have a sofa and a chair with an ottoman, while Queen rooms have an oversized chair. Both layouts have a balcony and a...
Cribs are permitted in the Queen layout, but not in King rooms.
The illustrated King room has a red bench at the foot of the bed, beside brown-and-pale geometric screens. A round table rests on thick curved supports, with a woven-back chair that has a red cushion. A woven pendant hangs from a long wall arm above a pale textured rug.
The Queen example has brown upholstered headboards and pale gold cushions. The paired lamps have stacked green globe details and white cylindrical shades. A pale-topped cabinet stands between the sleeping spaces. Beyond the glazed balcony doors, a round outdoor table accompanies woven seating.
Marble lines the bathroom around a large tub and a separate shower. Two washbasins, a lighted make-up mirror and robes complete the fittings. The room also has a balcony.
The illustrated King room has a red bench at the foot of the bed, beside brown-and-pale geometric screens. A round table rests on thick curved...
An indoor sitting area has a sofa and a chair with an ottoman. In the bathroom, marble finishes surround a large tub and a separate shower. Double vanities, robes and a lighted make-up mirror complete its fittings. An outdoor shower accompanies the balcony.
The pictured bedroom has red upholstered seating at the foot of the bed, a grey throw and a pale herringbone-patterned rug on a mottled floor. A small round pale-topped table has thick curved brown supports beside a woven-back chair with a red seat.
A lamp with a woven-looking shade hangs from a long dark arm that projects from the wall. Brown-and-pale geometric panels frame an opening, where round mirrors rise above a dark vanity top against a rough pale wall. Broad glazed doors have pale curtains to either side and face the covered outdoor area.
An indoor sitting area has a sofa and a chair with an ottoman. In the bathroom, marble finishes surround a large tub and a separate...
The marble bathroom has a large bathtub and a separate shower, together with double vanities and a lighted make-up mirror. Robes are available after bathing. A balcony accompanies the accommodation, and the King layout has a sofa and a chair with an ottoman.
The illustrated King room has red upholstered seating at the foot of the bed, with pale cushions bearing dark geometric patterns. A pale rug with rounded ends covers part of the mottled floor. Brown geometric wall panels surround a woven-shaded lamp, suspended from a long dark arm that projects from the wall.
A small round table and a chair stand beside broad glazed doors and pale curtains. Outside, the covered area has a dark patterned panel, a long raised planter and a ceiling fan.
The marble bathroom has a large bathtub and a separate shower, together with double vanities and a lighted make-up mirror. Robes are available after bathing....
The pictured room has red upholstered seating at the foot of the bed, with a grey throw and a pale rug with a rounded end. Brown-and-pale diagonal patterned panels cover part of the wall.
A round table has a pale mottled top on thick curved brown supports. A woven-back chair has a red seat, beneath a woven-shaded lamp on a long dark wall arm. Broad glazed doors and pale curtains face a covered outdoor area with a ceiling fan and a pale-cushioned recliner.
The marble bathroom has a large tub, a separate shower and double vanities, with a lighted make-up mirror and robes. An oversized chair furnishes the sitting area, and an outdoor shower accompanies the balcony.
The pictured room has red upholstered seating at the foot of the bed, with a grey throw and a pale rug with a rounded end....
In the illustrated living room, an L-shaped grey sofa carries cushions in pale shades and contrasting patterns. A dark-framed armchair stands beside low round tables. Brown built-in wall panels surround a recessed television, with a tall geometric-patterned screen forming another part of this interior.
Sheer pale curtains hang beside broad glazed doors. Beyond the doors is an outdoor sitting area. The suite also has its own private balcony.
A large bathtub stands apart from the shower in the marble-finished bathroom. There are two washbasins and a lighted make-up mirror, with soft robes available in the suite. Coffee and tea facilities include makers for both drinks and an instant hot-water supply.
In the illustrated living room, an L-shaped grey sofa carries cushions in pale shades and contrasting patterns. A dark-framed armchair stands beside low round tables....
In the pictured living room, a grey sectional sofa surrounds a dark oval coffee table. Green cushions sit beside pale patterned ones. A dark-framed armchair and lamps with square shades stand near the sofa, while a small writing table has a woven-back chair with a red cushion.
Brown built-in cupboards have ribbed doors and open display shelves. Broad glazed doors with pale curtains face a covered outdoor area with a rectangular dining table. The suite also has a balcony.
Marble lines the bathroom, where a large tub stands apart from the shower. There are two washbasins, a lighted make-up mirror and robes. An outdoor shower offers an open-air bathing option.
In the pictured living room, a grey sectional sofa surrounds a dark oval coffee table. Green cushions sit beside pale patterned ones. A dark-framed armchair...
In the pictured bedroom, a brown upholstered headboard stands beneath a wavy patterned screen. Rounded bronze-coloured lights hang alongside it, with green beads decorating the lights. A grey throw lies on the bed, above a pale patterned rug.
Curved brown-framed chairs carry red cushions beside broad glazed doors and pale sheer curtains. An interior opening looks into a sitting area with a grey sofa. A console carries lamps with square shades, and brown cupboards frame a screen recessed into the surrounding wall.
A privacy wall divides the suite’s separate living room from the sleeping space. The marble bathroom has a large tub, a separate shower, two washbasins and a lighted make-up mirror. Robes are supplied. Outside, the suite has a balcony and an outdoor shower.
In the pictured bedroom, a brown upholstered headboard stands beneath a wavy patterned screen. Rounded bronze-coloured lights hang alongside it, with green beads decorating the...
Private elevator access leads to this elevated suite. The illustrated interior has a long rectangular brown dining table with woven chairs and pale seat cushions arranged around it. A grey sectional sofa sits beside the dining area, backed by brown cupboards and open display shelves.
A tall tripod-style floor lamp and a ceiling fan are visible. The floor has a pale finish with a mottled pattern. Pale curtains hang beside tall glazed doors, which open toward the outdoor terrace. A balcony also accompanies the suite.
Inside the marble bathroom, a large bathtub stands apart from the shower. There are two vanities and a lighted make-up mirror, together with robes for use after bathing. The suite has coffee and tea facilities with instant hot water.
Private elevator access leads to this elevated suite. The illustrated interior has a long rectangular brown dining table with woven chairs and pale seat cushions...
A separate living room is divided from the sleeping area by a privacy wall. The pictured lounge has grey sectional seating with green and pale patterned cushions. A dark round coffee table and a dark-framed armchair stand within the sitting area.
Brown cupboards combine ribbed panels with open display shelves. Square-shaded lamps have grey bases, while a small round table stands beside a red-cushioned chair. Broad glazing and pale curtains face a covered terrace with a rectangular table, a bench and a ceiling fan.
The marble bathroom has a large bathtub, a separate shower and double vanities. A whirlpool is sized for one person, with a lighted make-up mirror and robes also available. The suite has an outdoor shower.
A separate living room is divided from the sleeping area by a privacy wall. The pictured lounge has grey sectional seating with green and pale...
Two full marble bathrooms and a guest half-bath serve the suite. Large tubs and separate showers accompany two washbasins and lighted make-up mirrors. The living room has a sofa and an oversized chair with an ottoman. A privacy wall divides the sitting and sleeping areas.
In the pictured bedroom, a brown upholstered headboard sits beneath a wavy vertical screen. Rounded bronze-coloured lights hang beside the bed. A grey throw covers the bed, with a pale patterned rug below it that has rounded ends.
A chest has pale woven-looking drawer fronts and a dark top. Curved brown-framed chairs with red cushions stand beside tall glazed balcony doors and pale curtains. The floor has a pale mottled finish, and the suite also has an outdoor shower.
Two full marble bathrooms and a guest half-bath serve the suite. Large tubs and separate showers accompany two washbasins and lighted make-up mirrors. The living...
This category is a two-bedroom treetop tent.
The pictured bedroom has an orange-brown upholstered headboard, with green and brown leaf patterns on the wall behind it. Basket-shaped lamps hang from curved dark supports beside small rounded tables. A green throw lies across the bed, with pale-green seating at its foot.
Brown cabinets have patterned woven-looking fronts. A pale textured rug lies on the brown strip-patterned floor. Broad clear side panels have raised pale fabric shades, with woven chairs outside them. Dark beams and a fan cross the ceiling.
Both marble bathrooms have large tubs, separate showers, two washbasins and lighted make-up mirrors. Robes are available. A sofa and an oversized chair with an ottoman furnish the sitting area, and there is an open-air shower outside.
The pictured bedroom has an orange-brown upholstered headboard, with green and brown leaf patterns on the wall behind it. Basket-shaped lamps hang from curved dark...
A privacy wall separates the sleeping space from a distinct living room. The pictured sitting area has pale-green L-shaped seating, with plain, striped and geometric-patterned cushions. A round brown coffee table with a thick edge stands on a pale patterned rug.
A dark tiered side table and a tall tripod lamp with a pale shade stand nearby. Pale tent panels frame broad openings with raised fabric shades. Brown reclining seats with pale cushions sit outside, beside a small hourglass-shaped table.
The two marble bathrooms each have a large bathtub and a separate shower. Two washbasins and lighted make-up mirrors complete their fittings. The suite has a balcony and an open-air shower outside, with a sofa and an oversized chair with an ottoman in the indoor sitting area.
A privacy wall separates the sleeping space from a distinct living room. The pictured sitting area has pale-green L-shaped seating, with plain, striped and geometric-patterned...
Each bedroom has a private marble bathroom, and there are five bathrooms in the villa. Oversized tubs stand apart from the showers. Two washbasins, lighted make-up mirrors and robes complete the indoor bathing fittings, with an outdoor shower as well.
In the illustrated living room, pale-grey sofas have orange and patterned cushions around rectangular brown coffee tables. Dark-framed chairs have pale woven seats. A large pale rug lies on the mottled floor, while a long brown console has open display shelves and lamps with woven-looking shades.
Exposed brown beams, fans and recessed edge lighting cross the ceiling. Tall glazed openings with sheer curtains face a covered outdoor sitting area. Farther inside are a dining table and chairs, a large round mirror and framed abstract art. The villa has a private terrace.
Each bedroom has a private marble bathroom, and there are five bathrooms in the villa. Oversized tubs stand apart from the showers. Two washbasins, lighted...
The pictured living room has pale-grey sofas with orange and patterned cushions. The chairs contrast dark frames with pale woven seats. Rectangular brown coffee tables stand on a large pale rug, while a long console combines open shelves with lamps under woven-looking shades.
Exposed brown beams, fans and recessed edge lighting cross the pale ceiling. Tall glazed openings and sheer curtains face a covered outdoor sitting area. Farther inside, a dining table and chairs stand near a large round mirror and framed abstract wall art. The floor has a pale mottled finish.
Each bedroom has its own marble bathroom, with five bathrooms in the villa overall. Oversized tubs stand apart from glass-enclosed showers. There are two washbasins, lighted make-up mirrors and robes, plus an outdoor shower. A private terrace accompanies the villa.
The pictured living room has pale-grey sofas with orange and patterned cushions. The chairs contrast dark frames with pale woven seats. Rectangular brown coffee tables...
Peninsula Papagayo occupies Costa Rica's Guanacaste coast, where protected tropical dry forest meets bays and Pacific beaches. Nekajui sits above Playa Pochote rather than along a flat strip of sand. Reaching Niri Beach Club involves a descent from the resort's higher ground; a funicular connects the two levels. Guests seeking a room that opens directly onto the beach should understand this layout before choosing it. Those drawn to broad sea views and a hillside setting may find the separation part of the appeal.
The peninsula also has a marina, walking routes and an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course. Guided experiences range from nature walks in protected forest to time on the water. Nekajui works well as a base for these pursuits without feeling dependent on them. An afternoon can be spent between the infinity pool and the coast, or devoted to a longer outing before returning for dinner above the bay.
Guanacaste Airport near Liberia is the practical international arrival point; Marriott lists it about 35 kilometers from the resort. This is a contained coastal destination with room to explore, but it does not provide the street life or casual independent dining of a beach village. Families and couples can both settle in here, provided that a full-service resort is the trip they have in mind.
Marriott describes 107 hotel accommodations across rooms, suites and treetop tents. Its private residences are a distinct collection and should not be counted as ordinary hotel rooms. Entry categories include Ocean Reserve rooms with partial ocean views and Ocean Vista rooms with fuller sea outlooks. Balconies are common, but a private plunge pool requires choosing the appropriate category. An Ocean Vista Plunge room allows private pool time without moving to a large suite.
Higher suites bring more living space and outdoor room. The one-bedroom Canopy suite looks toward the forest, a useful reminder that not every memorable view here faces the water. Ocean-facing suites, including Casona and Gran Casona, make the Pacific more central. Two-bedroom options give families separate sleeping areas, while the Treetop Tent and Family Treetop Tent bring an open-air, canopy-level character to the range. Their terraces and plunge pools offer a different relationship with the setting from a conventional hotel room.
The three-bedroom Nekajui Villa and four-bedroom Grand Villa extend the choice for groups seeking private space within the resort. Separate residence and estate rentals add homes with kitchens, larger pools and multiple bedrooms. A family considering a week together will use a residence differently from a couple taking an ocean-view room. The extra living and dining areas matter when a group plans to spend time together at home, but residence inclusions should be confirmed for the specific booking rather than assumed for a hotel room.
Room selection deserves care because view, pool and layout change across categories. A partial-ocean Ocean Reserve room is not interchangeable with an Ocean Vista Plunge room; a treetop tent makes sense for a traveler drawn to the canopy; a multi-bedroom villa answers another need. The resort's geography is consistent, but the way a guest experiences it depends heavily on the accommodation chosen.
Puna gives Nekajui its principal dinner table, pairing Peruvian cooking under chef Diego Munoz's direction with ingredients from Costa Rica. Paruro, an intimate omakase experience inside Puna, takes an Asian-Peruvian route. At the other end of the resort's geography, Niri Beach Club serves Iberian-influenced dishes by the water. Moving between those two venues changes the atmosphere as much as the menu.
Cafe Rincon draws on Costa Rica's coffee and cacao traditions, while Brisa serves lighter food beside the pools. Mirador provides an ocean-view breakfast setting. For drinks, Casona Bar has a Latin and botanical focus, and Ambar is set among the treetops. This range matters on a stay of several nights: a beach lunch, a relaxed poolside meal and a longer dinner each belong to a different part of the property. Restaurant reservations and current availability deserve checking before travel.
Naku Spa & Wellness places treatment villas toward the ocean and builds its hydrothermal experience around contrast pools, sauna and steam. A movement studio and treatments using Costa Rican botanicals give the spa a connection to the landscape. It offers a substantial setting for a quieter day after golf, a forest walk or time on the water. The resort also has outdoor infinity and terrace pools, with another pool setting at Niri Beach Club.
Activity need not mean leaving the peninsula. Papagayo Explorers leads forest and water experiences, and the Ocean Course runs through wooded valleys and sea cliffs. Tennis and pickleball add familiar ways to stay active. Camp Nekajui is designed for children aged four to twelve, with nature, creative and science activities; it gives families an option beyond the pool and beach. A family can share this setting without following identical schedules every day.
Manzu hosting is useful when a stay has several moving parts: a dinner at Puna, a spa appointment, a day on the water or a family activity. It does not replace the need to choose the right room or pace, but it helps make the spread-out resort easier to navigate. The service fits a property whose experiences are distributed across bluff, forest and shoreline.
Nekajui suits travelers who want the Pacific coast without reducing the trip to a beach chair. The hillside outlook, dry forest, distinctive dining and Naku spa provide reasons to remain at the resort; golf, guided exploration and the marina extend the day beyond it. Couples may gravitate to a plunge-pool room or treetop tent, while families can look to two-bedroom suites, villas and residences for more space.
The practical trade-off is the terrain. The beach club is reached from above, and the resort spreads across a slope rather than gathering on level sand. For guests who prefer a walk-out beachfront room or an independent surf-town atmosphere, that distinction matters. Here, the most rewarding stay leaves room for both halves of Peninsula Papagayo: quiet above the trees and time beside the sea.
Puna combines Peruvian culinary heritage with Costa Rican ingredients, giving a resort dinner a distinct regional conversation rather than another international hotel menu.
Café Rincón connects a pause between outings to Costa Rica's coffee and cacao traditions through roasted-to-order brews and artisan chocolates.
Naku Spa places ocean-facing treatment villas alongside hydrotherapy pools and a movement studio, offering several ways to build a dedicated wellness day.
End of National Route 253, Peninsula Papagayo, Liberia, Guanacaste, Nacascolo, 50104, Costa Rica
Yes. Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a top choice for travelers who want ultra-luxury on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. It suits guests who value ocean views, nature, refined dining, spa time, beach access, and a private Peninsula Papagayo setting.
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is located on Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The resort sits within a private coastal area with dry tropical forest, Pacific Ocean views, beaches, golf, and marina access.
Nekajui has 107 hotel accommodations across rooms, suites and treetop tents, alongside a separate collection of private residences. Many categories are designed around indoor-outdoor living, terraces, plunge pools, forest views, and Pacific Ocean outlooks.
The best choice depends on your trip, but suites, treetop tents, residences, and the grand villa offer the most space. Couples may prefer a plunge-pool suite, while families and groups should look at residences or larger villa layouts.
Some rooms, suites, tents, and residences at Nekajui include private plunge pools or larger outdoor pool areas. Book a specific pool category if private outdoor water space is important for your stay.
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