Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Review: A Smart Pick for an Upscale Rainforest Hideaway

Entering the larger building—an updated version of a hacienda called La Casona—is a luxurious communal living space with ocean views, where you’re greeted by the bartender who serves refreshing hibiscus drinks and Champagne from a cart. Then, you’re whisked away by golf cart to your accommodation, be it a spacious suite or sprawling villa.

Nekajui, which means “lush garden” in the local Chorotega dialect, strives to be a nature-filled environment. Although it has more of a landscaped feel than Costa Rica’s rainforests, the inspiration is clear.

This 1,400-acre resort is set on a cliff above a beach, with monkey-hiding trees and colorful flowers dotting the jungle-esque landscaped grounds. There are nine buildings housing rooms and suites, three coveted safari-inspired treetop tents, villas and residences, and eight restaurants and bars that dot the property in various locations.

The property is full of architectural surprises: To get to the beach, a dramatic glass funicular wooshes you down the cliff to the sand below; there is a small grotto pool with a waterfall that’s hidden in a forested part of the resort; a treetop tented bar is the hottest reservation on the property; and—my personal favorite—a suspension bridge hangs over a forested area in the heart of the property, just like the ones you see in Costa Rican rainforests. Walking across it feels magical as you float above the treeline, with sweeping ocean views beyond.

Still, this property is full of surprises, even though it is assured to deliver a luxury experience. Your manzu is, of course, there when you call or text, but they also seem to show up at the most necessary times without you asking: when one of my sons got a splinter, our manzu popped up with the first-aid team just as I was wondering what to do. And, every time we saw him after that, he kept asking if he was doing all right.

Here’s what luxury travel advisors should know about booking Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.    

Why Travel Advisors Book It

• The resort’s ultra-personalized service satisfies even the most high-expectation guests.
• Generously sized rooms, suites, and residences, packed with amenities, provide a high-value product—even in the introductory category.
• The resort’s dining options, facilities, and activities are plentiful, offering something for guests of any age.
• The beach, multiple pools, and the excellent spa make the resort a no-brainer for leisure seekers.
• Being inside the luxury community of Peninsula Papagayo allows guests access to all of the community’s amenities as well, including the Explorer’s Club and the new Papagayo Park.

Rooms & Suites

Nekajui’s 77 rooms comprise 27 one- and two-bedroom suites, three two-bedroom tented suites, and 36 multi-room villa residences, all designed to feel like beachfront sanctuaries that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living.

Even the entry-level rooms feature multi-panel, floor-to-ceiling glass doors that unveil sweeping seascapes, while the next level up offers outdoor showers, private plunge pools, and deep-soaking tubs. Advisors should focus on these rooms or suites, where the value is most apparent.

That said, the tented suites are among the most coveted room offerings, and quickly sell out since there are so few of them. However, for larger families or if those are booked out, the resort’s four-bedroom Nekajui Grand Villa offers unending luxury, with breathtaking views, an open kitchen, dining room, living room, separate TV room, multiple outdoor balconies and terraces, a private pool, a plunge pool, and an outdoor shower, spanning an impressive 7,093 square feet across three levels.

The larger pool of 36 private residences offers a similar experience if this villa is not available: my family stayed in a three-bedroom residence that cantilevered over an incredible ocean view, visible from the massive patio with a private pool, the primary bedroom and its outdoor shower, and the spacious living room. My kids loved having their own rooms and bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, and they were welcomed with sloth stuffies and child-sized robes and slippers.

Across all categories, design consistency is strong, with custom teak doors and casework, bathrooms decorated with handmade Marazzi tiles and freestanding marbled resin soaking bathtubs, and Chorotega artisan-crafted wooden panels.

For advisors, the sweet spot tends to be the suites, which offer a noticeable increase in space without the price jump of the tents or villas, especially if the guest is a couple versus a family.

Food & Drink

The resort has four restaurants, three bars, and a café, offering guests plenty of choice—an important feature, as it’s not easy to eat outside the hotel without traveling some distance to leave Papagayo. Nearly the only other option would be to dine at another hotel in the community.

Mirador serves breakfast each morning, featuring a buffet with pastries, fruit, and yogurt, complemented by a lengthy à la carte menu with both American and Latin American dishes—preferred programs can include a daily breakfast credit for their clients. Guests can also find grab-and-go breakfast items at Café Rincon, the hotel’s premium coffee shop with its own on-site coffee and cacao bean roasting. This is also where the daily complimentary Costa Rican coffee tastings take place, a must for any coffee-loving clients.

Brisa, an outdoor Mexican restaurant by the infinity pool, offers casual lunch and dinner service, while the al fresco Niri Beach Club by the beach serves Iberian cuisine at lunch and dinner. The most upscale restaurant is Puna, where acclaimed chef Diego Muñoz serves Peruvian food with a twist—be sure to nab a booking for at least one evening here. There are various cooking classes offered each week, ranging from ceviche to empanadas to pasta.

Villa and residence guests can also take advantage of their state-of-the-art kitchens and outdoor grill setups: private chefs can come in and cook anything you or your client can dream up.

The bars at Nekajui are some of the most exciting at any beach resort. The lobby bar at La Casona is cozy and casual, but it’s Ambar you’ll want to book for your clients at sunset. A treehouse-style hideaway perched above the forested area of the resort, with water views, the sunset here is truly magical. There are just a smattering of well-placed tables and a four-seat bar, so walk-ins are virtually impossible.

And while you won’t see it publicized, there’s a third bar on property: a speakeasy called Cooper’s hidden behind a false panel near Puna—the dramatic room with thoughtful design details is sure to impress discerning clients. Cooper’s hosts a cocktail-making class, and Puna has a premium wine-tasting class.

Experiences & Amenities

This resort is brimming with things to do: there are four pools (two are adults only), a calm beachfront inside a protected cove, and tennis and pickleball courts. There is also a weekly activity calendar offering complimentary activities like yoga, beach boot camp, snorkeling, a nightly sunset kayak tour, nature walks, pottery workshops, outdoor movie nights, and more.

And just beyond the resort is the rest of Peninsula Papagayo, which hotel guests can take full advantage of. This includes the 250-acre preserve surrounding the hotel that guests can access through the Explorers, which offers activities like ziplining, guided wildlife hikes, and e-bike rides, paddling through mangroves on canoes, and a monkey-searching excursion via golf cart that’s perfect for young kids, or anyone for whom walking or hiking might be difficult.

For surfers or anyone looking to learn, nearby Santa Rosa National Park offers legendary breaks, and SurfX offers lessons. Golfers can enjoy Peninsula Papagayo’s private 18-hole, par-72 Arnold Palmer Signature course with wide fairways and breathtaking views. The brand-new Papagayo Park boasts a splash pad and pool with multiple waterslides, a playground, a soccer pitch, and a basketball court.

Wellness & The Spa

The 27,000-square-foot Nimbu Spa features six luxe treehouse-inspired treatment cabanas with panoramic ocean views from their private terraces, which have swinging daybeds and wooden soaking tubs. There are also two suites inside the main building, so be sure to request the treetop cabana for select clients. There is a large hydrotherapy pool with lounge chairs, offering more ocean views, and separate men’s and women’s areas featuring saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunges.

Treatments focus on local ingredients and traditions. The Volcanic Lift facial detoxifies and illuminates the skin using local volcanic glass and activated carbon, and the Flor de Juanilama Massage, honoring the ancestral healing qualities of Juanilama, an ancient technique believed to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion. There is also a menu of energy healing experiences and extensive rituals and journeys.

Family & Multi-Gen Appeal

In addition to family-friendly accommodations, all restaurants offer kids’ menus, and Camp Nekajui is available for children ages 4–12. The adorably decorated kids club has an undersea theme that my kids loved, and while there, they joined activities like nature walks, sensory play, arts and crafts, and science experiments—all under the guidance of genuinely caring and knowledgeable counselors. One night during our stay, the kids’ club put on a family carnival, and there was some kind of live music or outdoor movie screening every other night. Babysitting is also offered during off-hours.

Sustainability & Accessibility

The resort used low-impact, resource-efficient materials and eco-conscious practices throughout its design and construction. More than 60 percent of the products and materials were sourced locally, supporting regional artisans and land preservation.

While the terrain can be uneven and steep, with some steps, there is always a golf cart at the ready, and most places with stairs have alternative means of access, including the funicular, elevators, and ramps, although there are a few exceptions. There are ADA-accessible rooms and suites available.

Location & Access

Nekajui is set within the exclusive gated luxury community of Peninsula Papagayo. There’s not much in the way of restaurants or retail outside the resort, beyond a few other neighboring luxury hotels. Instead, the peninsula is mostly a nature preserve, with beaches and rainforests to explore—and that’s probably why a client is coming to Costa Rica anyway.

The nearest airport is Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia, a 45-minute drive away. The hotel can arrange for a chauffeured luxury SUV transfer, or there is a helipad on Peninsula Papagayo for easy access.

How to Book Smart

The resort is part of Marriott STARS, American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, and Chase Travel’s The Edit Collection, and it participates in advisor networks including Virtuoso and Internova Travel Group. Perks typically include daily breakfast for two, room upgrades on arrival when available, early check-in and late checkout, and a property credit (often around $100).

Peak season in Costa Rica is December to April, so advance booking is required during these months. The summer is the rainy season, so look for deals. Upgrades are most likely to be available during shoulder seasons or midweek stays.