Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve Review: The New Standard for Costa Rica Luxury
The breathtaking view at the Ritz Carlton Reserve’s new Nekajui resort
I had quietly fantasized about going to Nekajui long before this trip was ever on the calendar. The photos are so beautiful that I think I was manifesting it without meaning to. I even included it in a blog post for anniversary trips last spring. Then, suddenly, my husband had a tiny window before starting his new job, I checked my Bonvoy points, and there it was: enough to make a last-minute getaway happen. So off we went.
Arrival
The courtyard at Nekajui
The arrival is charming and a little theatrical. You walk into a small casita meant to give you a sense of Costa Rican culture. From there you meet your manzu, which means friend in one of the local languages. It’s essentially a personal concierge or butler. Ours was Ozzy. He was warm, knowledgeable, and had spent ten years as a tour guide. You feel that right away.
Our room wasn’t quite ready when we arrived, so the timing of the tour didn’t perfectly match the heat and a sunscreen-needing seven-year-old. Not a big deal, just one of those travel moments where you wish the order were reversed. They did offer a little compensation for the delay, which was thoughtful. And credit to Ozzy for keeping everything moving and making us feel welcome while we waited.
We eventually changed into swimsuits, settled by the pool, and waited for the room.
Our Room
Ocean vista room at Nekajui Ritz Carlton Reserve
When the room was ready, I went up on my own to drop our things and take a few photos. We were in a two-queen Ocean Vista room. It was beautiful. Spacious in a way that felt intentional rather than grand for the sake of it. Each bed had its own chaise. The bathroom had double sinks, a rain shower, and a sculptural wooden soaking tub. The balcony was generously sized with a real table for four, plus a couch and coffee table, and enough space to actually use it.
Frette Robes correctly sized for everyone in my family
The textiles deserve their own paragraph. The bed linens are Frette, which already tells you a lot about the priorities here. They also stocked two robes correctly sized for each of us, all made by Frette, which is exactly the level of textile commitment I want from a property calling itself a Reserve. A lighter cotton and a cozier waffle for the grown ups, and smaller robes for my son so no one was swimming in fabric or left out of the ritual.
The view looked out over a flat green lawn with ocean and sunset beyond. One bragging right of Nekajui is that you can see the sunset year-round. At the Four Seasons, depending on the time of year, you get a pretty sky but not always a direct sunset. If those moments matter to you, Nekajui really delivers.
And as a travel advisor, I kept thinking about a young family I’m working with who need separate sleeping areas without booking a suite. The two-queen room Ocean vista works so well for that. You can put the kids to bed, close the curtains, and sit out on the balcony. The bathroom is enormous. You could put a crib in there and close the door. It’s one of the few setups where traveling with a baby feels almost civilized.
The Property
The main indoor common area at Nekajui that opens on both sides with a breeze blowing through
Once you’re through the casita, the resort opens up in a dramatic way. There’s a courtyard with a huge tree in the center and lanterns hanging from the branches. I walked in and immediately thought, this would be the most spectacular destination wedding venue. Apparently the resort agrees because they aren’t booking weddings until 2028. They want everything else fully settled first.
From the courtyard, you walk into an open-air bar with high ceilings and a framed view of the ocean. Beyond that is a perfectly flat lawn, which would make the most incredible ceremony space. Then come the pools. The main pool is the lively one and where everyone hung out the week we were there. Below it is an adults-only pool with a hot tub that, amusingly, nobody used.
A hanging bridge stretches across the property and brings you to the spa and some of the suites. The spa is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in a long time. Huge views, a full hydrotherapy circuit, warm and regular pools, and on both the men’s and women’s sides there are saunas plus hot and cold plunges. It is absolutely a girls-trip-worthy spa.
The gym is open-air and much breezier than I expected. I thought it would feel like working out in a sauna, but with the water below and the fans overhead, it was surprisingly cool. The yoga studio next door is serene. I took an animal flow class with a teacher named Paz, who was wonderful. Even at midday, I cooled down by the end.
The Beach Club
The Beach Club at Nekajui with the funicular that bring you back up to the main resort area
One of my favorite features is the funicular down to the beach club. It’s steep and fun, and there’s also a staircase of about 300 steps that’s supposed to be great for spotting monkeys and birds. My son wanted to try it, and if we’d had one more day, we probably would have.
At the bottom you find the beach club, a restaurant, and a shaded stone pool. Some afternoons it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. The service was excellent.
The beach is tiny and beautiful. It disappears during high tide and reappears during low tide, which gives it a bit of magic. The sand is a soft mix of black and white from volcanic rock, so it looks marbled and slightly mysterious. When I first walked down, I turned to Jasper and said this looks like that Leonardo DiCaprio movie, The Beach (Minus the plot twists and luxurious resort). They set up loungers for you, and because the cove is so protected, the water stays calm.
Snorkeling was a highlight. It was my son’s first time. We practiced in the bathtub and then went out with Dylan from the Explorers Club. He was patient, calm, and clearly loves what he does. The equipment is great and you don’t need to swim far to see plenty. We spotted an eel and lots of fish. It’s not a Cayman-style reef, but definitely worth doing.
Dining and Design
Brisa, the Nekajui poolside restaurant at Dusk
The lighting and design at Nekajui might be my favorite part of the entire property. At Brisa, the poolside restaurant, the transition from sunset into evening is unreal. As the colors fade, the lights come on in a soft glow that almost matches the sky. We ate there twice and every dish was good. They were also very accommodating with my son, making him a cheese quesadilla that wasn’t on the menu.
There were a few tiny service hiccups, like the chocolate chip cookie that took so long we almost gave up. When it arrived, it was warm and freshly baked and delicious.
There’s a reservation-only bar that looks like the most stylish tree house, no kids allowed. And an omakase tasting menu at four hundred fifty dollars a person. Very much an anniversary or big-birthday kind of splurge.
I toured the suites, residences and the tree houses. The tree houses are cool in theory but a little tricky in practice. The living areas are open-air and the bedrooms can be tented and air-conditioned, which blocks the view and makes them dark, or left screened and breezy. I can see someone doing a night or two for the experience and spending the rest of the stay in a suite. And if I ever meet the family that wants exactly that, I will happily place them there.
The suites are stunning. One had a kids’ bunk room with wooden toys set out and felt so thoughtfully done that I immediately thought of several clients.
And I love how many activities are included on property. Yoga, the spa circuit, the beach club, snorkeling, wildlife spotting, cooking classes. It’s all easy to access without feeling overprogrammed.
The yoga studio at Nekajui
Final Thoughts
Nekajui is beautiful. Truly beautiful. The kind of beautiful where you could try to take a bad picture and you simply can’t. It’s the supermodel of resorts. There are no bad angles. Thoughtful design, warm people, incredible views, and a layout that feels both luxurious and relaxed.
It’s a place I’d send families who appreciate good design, couples who want calm without boredom, and anyone who enjoys a resort with both natural drama and a funicular — a combination I didn’t know I needed. A few small service bumps, yes, but this is very common in new resorts and I have full confidence that the service will match the design very soon. The experience as a whole was worth the trip and then some.
Ready for the ultimate Costa Rica experience?
You can book your stay at the new Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve with Marriott STARS benefits at no extra cost to you. When you book through Sebastian Luxe Travel, you receive daily breakfast for two, a one hundred dollar resort credit, and a complimentary room upgrade when available, all while earning your full Bonvoy points and elite night credits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Is Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve worth it?
Yes, Nekajui is worth it for travelers who care about design, privacy, wellness, dramatic views, and a more elevated Costa Rica resort experience. It is not the cheapest way to visit Costa Rica, but it feels special in a way that is hard to fake. The setting, rooms, spa, beach club, and overall atmosphere make it especially strong for honeymoons, anniversaries, wellness trips, stylish family vacations, and anyone who wants Costa Rica with a little more polish.
Where is Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve located?
Nekajui is located on Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. It is in the same broader resort community as Four Seasons Costa Rica, which means guests have access to one of the most desirable luxury resort areas in the country. The setting is lush, coastal, and dramatic, with ocean views, protected coves, wildlife, and easy access to both resort amenities and nature-based excursions.
Is Nekajui good for families?
Yes, Nekajui can be excellent for families, especially families who appreciate beautiful design, calmer resort energy, and a more refined style of service. The two-queen Ocean Vista rooms work particularly well for families because they are spacious, have generous balconies, and can make bedtime easier when traveling with younger children. Suites with bunk rooms are also a great option for families who want more separation. That said, families looking for a big, classic kids’ resort scene may prefer Four Seasons Costa Rica.
Is Nekajui better for couples or families?
Nekajui is strongest for couples, honeymoons, anniversaries, wellness trips, and stylish family vacations. It has a grown-up, cinematic feeling, but it is not adults-only or unfriendly to children. Think of it as kid-friendly, not kid-centered. If your family travels well and enjoys nature, design, snorkeling, pools, and a quieter luxury setting, Nekajui can be a beautiful fit.
What are the rooms like at Nekajui?
The rooms at Nekajui feel spacious, modern, and thoughtfully designed. The Ocean Vista two-queen room is especially practical for families, with two queen beds, a large bathroom, double sinks, a rain shower, a sculptural soaking tub, and a balcony big enough to actually use. The textiles and details feel appropriately elevated for a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, including Frette linens and robes.
Does Nekajui have good sunset views?
Yes, one of Nekajui’s best features is its sunset view. The resort is positioned so guests can see the sunset year-round, which is not always true at every resort on Peninsula Papagayo. If sunset drinks, balcony time, and golden-hour photos matter to you, Nekajui delivers.
What is the beach like at Nekajui?
The beach at Nekajui is small, protected, and beautiful, with a mix of black and white volcanic sand. It changes with the tide, so it can feel tiny at high tide and more expansive at low tide. It is not a long, classic Caribbean-style beach, but it has a quiet cove feeling, calm water, loungers set up by the staff, and a dramatic sense of place.
Is there snorkeling at Nekajui?
Yes, snorkeling is one of the highlights at Nekajui. You do not have to swim far from the beach club to see fish and marine life, and the protected cove makes it approachable for beginners. It is not the same as a major reef destination like Grand Cayman, but for an easy resort-based snorkeling experience, it is very worthwhile.
What is the funicular at Nekajui?
The funicular is one of Nekajui’s most memorable features. It takes guests from the main resort area down to the beach club, which makes the trip to the beach feel fun and a little theatrical. There is also a staircase with about 300 steps for guests who want a more active route and the chance to spot wildlife along the way.
What is the spa like at Nekajui?
The spa at Nekajui is one of the property’s strongest features. It has huge views, a full hydrotherapy circuit, warm and regular pools, saunas, hot and cold plunges, and a serene wellness setting. It is a wonderful choice for a couples trip, girls’ trip, wellness escape, or anyone who wants their Costa Rica vacation to feel restorative without being boring.
What are the restaurants like at Nekajui?
Dining at Nekajui feels stylish and atmospheric, especially at Brisa, the poolside restaurant, where the lighting at sunset is a major part of the experience. The food is strong, the setting is beautiful, and the staff is accommodating with children. There is also a more grown-up, reservation-only bar and a high-end omakase experience for travelers looking for a special-occasion splurge.
Is Nekajui good for a honeymoon or anniversary trip?
Yes, Nekajui is an excellent choice for a honeymoon, anniversary, milestone birthday, or romantic escape. The rooms, sunsets, spa, beach club, dining, and overall sense of privacy make it feel special without being stiff. It is the kind of resort that feels like a true occasion, especially for travelers who want Costa Rica to feel luxurious but still connected to nature.
How does Nekajui compare to Four Seasons Costa Rica?
Nekajui feels newer, quieter, more design-forward, and more wellness-oriented. Four Seasons Costa Rica is more established, classic, active, and family-focused. Choose Nekajui if you want atmosphere, style, spa, sunsets, and a calmer pace. Choose Four Seasons if you want the easiest family setup, more resort energy, and a very polished classic luxury experience.
Can you book Nekajui with Marriott STARS benefits?
Yes, when available, Nekajui can be booked with Marriott STARS benefits through Sebastian Luxe Travel. These benefits may include daily breakfast for two, a resort credit, upgrade priority when available, and the ability to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and elite night credits. This is one of the easiest ways to add value to a luxury stay without changing the rate.
Who should book Nekajui?
Book Nekajui if you want a luxurious Costa Rica resort with beautiful design, strong wellness, dramatic views, warm service, a memorable beach club, and a quieter sense of place. It is best for couples, design lovers, wellness travelers, stylish families, and anyone who wants Costa Rica to feel both adventurous and deeply comfortable.
Booked Through MeThe upgrade, the breakfast, the property credit, the welcome that already knows your name. None of it is luck. It comes with booking through me as a Marriott STARS travel advisor, at the same rate you would pay anyway, and you still earn your Bonvoy points and elite nights.
Start Planning →If you want to learn more about how I work, you can always check my credentials and browse my Fora profile, my Virtuoso profile, or read recent client testimonials. When you are ready to start planning, I’d love to help you create your Costa Rica escape with Sebastian Luxe Travel.
