Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Costa Rica’s Wild Side, Up Close
Images by The Ritz-Carlton - Luxury Hotels & Resorts
Ask anyone on our team: there is a particular rhythm to Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo. Mornings begin surrounded by tropical forest, afternoons drift between the Pacific and shaded trails, and sunsets have a way of convincing everyone to stay outside a little longer.
Set within the peninsula’s 1,400 acres, Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve feels designed around that landscape rather than apart from it. Its name comes from the Chorotega word for “lush garden,” an appropriate introduction to a retreat surrounded by forest and Pacific views toward Playa Pochote.
But Nekajui is not simply a place to admire nature from afar. Adventure is essential to the experience. At The Outpost, set within the 250-acre protected Palmares Preserve, three ecosystems exist within less than a square mile. Guests can explore them through wildlife encounters, ziplining and aerial trekking, off-roading, mountain biking, wilderness hikes, and birdwatching. The female-led team at SurfX takes the adventure to the water with personalized surf instruction, while an 18-hole, par-72 Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course sits adjacent to the resort.
Families can experience the destination through Camp Nekajui, where activities for ages four through 12 incorporate nature walks, sensory play, science experiments, and creativity inspired by Peninsula Papagayo’s biodiversity.
Food offers another connection to Costa Rica, while the resort’s wellness experiences provide a quieter counterpoint to days spent exploring.
That balance gives Nekajui its personality. A morning can begin high in the tree canopy, move to the waves by afternoon, and end watching the Pacific at sunset. This is Costa Rica for travelers who would rather experience the landscape than simply look at it.
Guests of Huffman Travel enjoy extra VIP amenities when staying at Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, including:
VIP status before and throughout your stay
Complimentary daily breakfast
$100 resort credit
Upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability)
Early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability)
Complimentary internet