Splendid Quietude on the Guanacaste Coast: Nekajui
BY ROYAUME
SEPTEMBER 2026
Guanacaste timber and raw stone set in quiet harmony. Photo: Courtesy of Nekajui, Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
At Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, sovereign luxury is defined not by ostentation, but by absolute, architectural restraint. Derived from the native Chorotega word for “lush garden,” this forty-two-acre coastal retreat functions less as a hotel and more as a private, slow-carved sanctuary where untamed jungle meets low-slung design. Here, high above the indigo waters of Pochote Bay, true splendor is expressed through deep, meditative quietude.
To move through its shaded pathways is to experience a world where luxury is felt rather than displayed—in the scent of rain-soaked Guanacaste timber, the cool touch of honed limestone underfoot, and the constant, rhythmic whisper of the Pacific tide below. Rather than disturbing the delicate topography of the dry tropical forest, the structures step gently along the natural ridgelines, merging seamlessly into the verdant canopy.
“We sought to frame the wild horizon rather than compete with it,” notes the design team behind the estate’s interior curation. By harmonizing master architectural visions—including subtle structural concepts by SB Architects and interior direction from BAMO—the resort avoids corporate repetition in favor of bespoke, hand-hewn intimacy. Raw reclaimed woods, hand-troweled plasters, and patinated bronzes weather gracefully in the sea air, creating a living pavilion that belongs entirely to its landscape.
Every vantage point is intentionally orchestrated to honor the horizon, offering an ethereal retreat for the discerning global traveler. From the soaring arrival hall down to the secluded cliffside villas, Nekajui stands as a monument to slow living, environmental reverence, and the rare art of unhurried elegance.
The Arrival at La Casona: A Classical Central Sanctuary
Geometric lanterns frame sweeping open-air ocean vistas. Photo: Courtesy of Nekajui, Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The architectural narrative opens at La Casona, a grand open-air pavilion conceived as a modern reinterpretation of a traditional Guanacaste hacienda. Serving as the emotional heart of the property, the structure welcomes guests into a soaring space where monumental timber beams meet open ocean air. There are no corporate reception desks or transactional boundaries here; arrival feels like stepping into the personal estate of an avid art collector.
Sunlight drifts through bespoke wooden louvers, painting shifting patterns of light and shade across hand-troweled plaster walls. Low-profile linen sofas, custom rope accents, and tactile bronze lanterns surround monolithic stone tables, inviting guests to pause and shed the weight of travel. Beyond the threshold, framed precisely by the building's timber geometry, the blue expanse of the Pacific stretches endlessly into the distance.
Sovereign Horizons: The Private Estate Residences
Sculptural woven canopies float beneath soaring timber ceilings. Photo: Courtesy of Nekajui, Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
For those seeking an enduring sanctuary, the estate's private multi-bedroom residences offer an unmatched residential experience on the peninsula. Designed with expansive open-plan layouts, private infinity pools, and full chef's kitchens, these homes are built for effortless indoor-outdoor living and grand entertaining.
Inside, soaring glass walls slide completely into hidden stone pockets, transforming living rooms into breezy open-air loggias overlooking the ocean. Master suites feature private outdoor showers, bespoke furnishings, and sweeping views of the Pacific horizon. Coupled with dedicated butler service and private estate management, these residences represent the pinnacle of luxury real estate in Latin America—a permanent home within Costa Rica's most exclusive coastal enclave.
Sanctuary in the Canopy: The Treetop Suites
Teak paneling and tactile warmth suspended inside the forest canopy. Photo: Courtesy of Nekajui, Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Suspended high within the upper branches of the forest, the estate’s signature treetop suites represent the pinnacle of organic residential design. Constructed with delicate tensile canvas roofs and floating teak platforms, these private treehouses allow guests to reside inside the canopy itself. The architecture leans into low-impact lightness, floating above the forest floor on slender, dark steel supports.
Inside, the boundaries between shelter and wilderness dissolve completely. Pocketing glass walls slide away to reveal sweeping outdoor living decks where coastal breezes circulate freely through sheer linen drapery. Hand-loomed textiles, muted olive upholstery, and raw timber accents anchor the space, creating an cocoon of quiet comfort amidst the rustling leaves and birdsong.
As night falls over the peninsula, the canopy suites transform into lantern-lit treehouses floating above the dark jungle. Guests can retreat to custom king-sized beds draped in crisp Egyptian cotton, listening to the ocean swells below while starlight filters through the canvas ceiling above. It is an unrepeatable residential experience—intimate, sheltered, and deeply connected to nature.
The Curated Salon: Fine Art & Intimate Mixology
Curated art and carved antiques anchor a private reading salon. Photo: Courtesy of Nekajui, Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Great residential design has quietly abandoned the rigid formal reception room in favor of something infinitely more compelling—the salon of curiosities. Within Nekajui, this space functions not as a transient hotel lounge, but as an intimate, residential sanctuary where rare vintage spirits are poured against a backdrop of museum-caliber art. The architecture recedes, allowing hand-troweled plaster walls and golden-hour sunlight to frame a thoughtful dialogue between contemporary abstract canvases and rich Guanacaste timber.
As the sharp glare of the Pacific afternoon softens into a low, honeyed amber, the room sheds any remaining pretense—becoming an intimate, residential salon where conversation naturally carries into the night. Set against hand-troweled plaster and rich Guanacaste timber, the boundary between high-minded art curation and barefoot coastal living quietly evaporates, establishing an atmosphere of effortless, lived-in elegance.
Epicurean Alchemy: Coastal Gastronomy & Open-Air Dining
Oceanfront dining framed by rustic masonry. Photo: Courtesy of Nekajui, Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Dining across the estate is a celebration of Costa Rica’s rich agricultural heritage, interpreted through a lens of refined culinary artistry. The main oceanfront restaurant functions as an open-air salon, where fresh catches from local fishermen and organic produce from nearby farms are transformed over open wood embers. Guests dine under low rattan lamps, surrounded by the warm scent of roasting cacao and sea salt.
The menu shifts continuously with the daily catch and harvest, highlighting hyper-local ingredients paired with world-class vintages. Sommelier-curated pairings and bespoke tasting menus are served at intimate tables set along the edge of the stone terrace, where the sound of lapping waves forms an atmospheric backdrop to every meal.
Submerged Repose: The Wellness Sanctuary & Spa
A sculpted wooden soaking tub amidst private bamboo screens. Photo: Courtesy of Nekajui, Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Hidden within a quiet valley at the base of the estate lies the wellness sanctuary—a space dedicated to holistic healing and quiet contemplation. Designed with dark basalt stone, running water channels, and natural timber walkways, the spa feels like an ancient, stone-carved retreat buried within the jungle.
Treatment pavilions are tucked deep inside bamboo groves, where open-air breezes replace air conditioning and natural aromatherapy fills the air. Native healing traditions guide the spa offerings, utilizing organic volcanic clays, crushed local coffee, and herbal infusions in rituals designed to restore equilibrium to both body and mind.
Following treatments, guests can unwind beside a secluded thermal stone plunge pool hidden beneath a canopy of wild Guanacaste trees. The gentle hum of cicadas and the trickle of natural spring water create a hypnotic soundscape, sealing the spa's reputation as a world-class temple of tranquility.
Cascading Terraces: Sukabumi Pools & Native Flora
Cascading Sukabumi stone pools carved into the volcanic cliffside. Photo: Courtesy of Nekajui, Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Meandering down the hillside toward the bay, a series of multi-tiered infinity pools link the upper pavilions to the ocean edge. Clad in natural green Sukabumi stone imported for its unique cooling properties and deep emerald tone, the water mirror the colors of the surrounding jungle, appearing more like natural river lagoons than swimming pools.
The surrounding pool terraces are shaded by ancient, preserved Guanacaste and Ceiba trees, offering secluded sun-lounging nooks carved directly into the stone cliff. Guests can relax on plush, canvas-draped daybeds while attentive staff serve chilled coconut water and light coastal fare directly to their side.
As the sun sets over Peninsula Papagayo, the pool waters reflect the fiery oranges and deep purples of the sky. The seamless blend of natural rock, flowing water, and indigenous flora creates an enchanting poolside atmosphere that celebrates the raw beauty of the tropics.
Architectural Masterwork: The Terraced Cliffside Sanctuaries
Low-slung cliffside pavilions stepping fluidly down to the coast. Photo: Courtesy of Nekajui, Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
To carve an estate into a sheer volcanic promontory without disturbing the ancient ecology requires an act of profound architectural reverence. The master plan steps fluidly down the Guanacaste cliffside—a series of low-slung, stone-clad pavilions that feel organically woven into the forest canopy rather than imposed upon it.
“The architecture is a seamless extension of the landscape—elevated yet understated, designed to honor both the environment and the horizon,” notes the design team at Gensler. By allowing the land’s natural contours to dictate the structural rhythm, deep cantilevered roofs overhang broad timber decks, framing the raw beauty of Peninsula Papagayo.
From the multi-tiered Sukabumi-tiled infinity pools to the suspended timber cabanas, every structural line directs the eye toward the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean. It is a masterclass in quiet luxury—a monumental architectural footprint transformed into a secluded, light-drenched retreat that captures the true essence of coastal sanctuary design.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
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