Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Peninsula Papagayo
Vibe
Winding pathways cross ravines into bird-filled canopy hideaways, descending toward crashing waves where sea breezes cool secluded oceanfront lounging terraces.
“Canopy cliffside roost”
Dedicated manzu hosts provide attentive personalized assistance, from private check-in to bespoke poolside service.
Suspension footbridges, oceanfront treetop tents, and hacienda pavilions incorporate local stone, native timber, and open courtyards.
A glass hillside funicular connects clifftop infinity pools to Niri Beach Club, guided mangrove canoeing, and surf expeditions.
On Peninsula Papagayo overlooking Pochote Bay, surrounded by 1,400 acres of protected dry tropical forest.
“Here, on a clifftop overlooking the Pacific, stands an understated but substantial central lodge orbited by a constellation of rooms, suites, and villas…”
Rooms
Ocean-facing rooms frame the Pacific through sliding glass walls, opening to sunlit terraces with deep soaking tubs and outdoor showers.
“Set deep within Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula, Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve feels like a private world thoughtfully carved into the jungle canopy.”
Wellness
Stilted treatment cabanas perch in the canopy above a cliffside hydrotherapy infinity pool, steam rooms, and botanical bodywork.
“No matter their size, and most of them are considerably capacious, these rooms are totally comfortable and unpretentious with carved wood motifs...”
Backstory
Named after the Chorotega phrase for lush garden, the estate features repurposed native timber and a chapel inlaid with 650,000 tiles.
“floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass windows in all rooms help blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces.”
Eat & drink
Chef Diego Muñoz oversees modern Peruvian fare at Puna, while Niri Beach Club grills seafood over wood fires by the waves.
The neighborhood
Set across 1,400 protected acres of dry tropical forest on Peninsula Papagayo, hiking paths wind past howler monkeys toward Pochote Bay.
More like this
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica, by Hyatt
“Hillside canopy perch”
Secluded
Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
“Dual-beach canopy hideaway”
Secluded
El Mangroove, Autograph Collection
“Bohemian mangrove retreat”
Secluded
The app
This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate, in your pocket, for the whole trip.
Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
They did this well. You’ll notice.
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Architecture and interiors lead. There’s a creative vision at work.
The guest is conspicuously well cared for. Requests met before they’re made.
Rooted in place. Local character runs through the whole stay.
Energy and scene. Where the city goes out, whether or not it’s sleeping here.
A building with history. The story of the place is part of the stay.
Built around feeling better. Rest, sweat, soak, spa.
A hotel the city grew up with. Same rituals, same regulars.
A world of its own. No reason to leave the property.
Scene — what’s outside the door
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
A place apart: the property is the destination.