The view from the spa deck at Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, arguably the highest-profile Marriott-affiliated property to open in recent memory, stopped me mid-thought. Cloudless sky mirrored in still water. Infinity edge dissolving into ocean. My Oura ring registered what I already knew: heart rate dropping to inner bliss territory.
Who needs to meditate with a view like this?
This is what Costa Rica’s pura vida ethos looks like when filtered through luxury hospitality — not performative wellness or over-scheduled treatments, but genuine connection with the elements. And increasingly, it’s what high-flyers are seeking: restoration that feels culturally authentic rather than contrived.
As demand for nature-driven wellness travel surges, Peninsula Papagayo has positioned itself as Central America’s premier longevity destination. The 1,400-acre master-planned community now encompasses three luxury resorts from brands like Four Seasons (nightly rates from $1,250), Andaz (from $999), and the newly opened Nekajui (from $2,000) — plus an extensive collection of oceanfront villas and private residences available to rent.
What sets the peninsula apart isn’t just the individual properties, each with its own wellness facilities, beach clubs and dining concepts. It’s the holistic approach: cross-property privileges, seamless mobility throughout the community, and meaningful cultural immersion, all set within one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse landscapes.
“Wellness for us is about being outside. You can wake up, run seven miles, then go surfing, and meet your friend for paddleball,” says Francesca Poddie, CEO of Peninsula Papagayo. “The ability to create spaces where people can gather and grow is very important for us.”
Located on the north Pacific Coast of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, Peninsula Papagayo is the result of a 1970s national strategy to develop the region as a sustainable tourism destination. Costa Rican law dictates that only 30 percent of the area can be developed, creating a low-density experience dominated by ocean views and dry forest teeming with wildlife. The development sits next door to Área de Conservación Guanacaste, a UNESCO World Heritage site protecting 2.6 percent of the world’s biodiversity.
Space and privacy, ensured by natural sounds and sights, are key components of any stay here.
One of the peninsula’s most sought-after facilities is its in-house surfing school, SurfX. Sitting under palm trees on Playa Prieta, the school’s boat whisks guests to nearby Playa Iguanita for beginner-friendly sessions, or to the famous Witch’s Rock break and Ollie’s Point in Santa Rosa National Park for advanced surfers (Yes, that Ollie’s Point from “Endless Summer II”.).
Not in the mood to channel your inner Kelly Slater? Rent a paddleboard or kayak and unwind.
On land, The Outpost at Palmares Preserve offers ziplining over jungle treetops, aerial obstacle courses, and mountain biking. The guided outrigger canoe tour through the preserve’s mangroves is a meditative experience through one of the destination’s most serene landscapes.
The newly unveiled 26-acre Papagayo Park is the development’s recreational hub. Families gravitate toward the splash pad and pool with slides and climbing wall, while a custom-built pump track, basketball court, and outdoor gym appeal to active types. An expansive lawn separates these from the lap pool and racket center with tennis, pickleball, and padel courts. A complimentary e-bike fleet with stations throughout the peninsula ensures guests can sustainably move between facilities.
Golf enthusiasts can play the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, sustainably refreshed in 2023 with more teeing areas and five hectares of native vegetation.
For Poddie, it’s the Four Seasons’ handmade bamboo shala that epitomizes the peninsula’s elevated approach to well-being. The open-air pavilion, designed by Mexican firm Arquitectura Mixta, sits high on a cliff with endless ocean views. Here, all Papagayo guests can practice yoga, meditation, and sound healing.
“The idea that you’re in an organic structure that is made out of a living, moving entity is amazing,” says Poddie. “You’re going to see two bays, you’re outside, and when you’re doing yoga, you can feel the way the sun moves. It’s really special. It’s more about that energy, that amplitude, being part of something bigger.”
Those booking a stay at Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, get even more bragging rights. Aside from staying at one of only nine Reserve properties in the world, guests get access to the 27,000-square-foot Nimbu spa. The best amenity is outside — the largest hydrotherapy pool in Central America overlooks Pochote Bay (with verdant Islas Huevos anchoring the panorama) from its cliffside perch. All 107 guestrooms, suites, and three luxury treetop tents face the ocean.
Holistic nutrition is another wellness pillar. In 2020, the development partnered with Costa Rica’s Ministry of Agriculture to launch Las Huertas Home Gardens, enabling local families to cultivate gardens that now provide fresh produce for the peninsula’s restaurants. Beef comes from Finca La Josefina, the only Wagyu cattle farm in Guanacaste with a grass-fed black Wagyu herd.
For fresh seafood, head to Perla, Andaz’s sushi bar, where the catch of the day becomes perfect nigiri and rolls. At Four Seasons, Virador Beach Club blends Eastern Mediterranean flavors with local ingredients: grilled red snapper with Moroccan spices, fresh tuna tartare with bulgur and tomatoes. At Puna, Nekajul’s fine dining restaurant, chef Diego Muñoz showcases his native Peru and Costa Rica’s bounty.
Beyond the three resorts, guests can rent private estates (from $5,000 nightly) with perks including airport transfers, personal concierge, in-home breakfast, and complimentary access to The Clubhouse at Prieta Beach members club. Highlights include Bahías, a collection of 13 four- to five-bedroom villas by architect Antoine Predock with private pools and sweeping bay views, and West Enclave, where Ronald Zürcher’s organic architecture creates sanctuaries nestled among trees overlooking Nacascolo Bay.
The crown jewel is the 10-bedroom Villa Guayacan, managed by Nekajui and nightly rates available upon request, accommodating 40 guests across 50,000 square feet. The estate includes a semi-Olympic saltwater pool, wine cellar, movie theater, three kitchens, gym with sauna, and hot and cold plunge pools. A museum-quality private collection of Costa Rican art lines the walls.
As I checked out at the end of my third stay at Peninsula Papagayo, I realized that wellness here is a genuine reflection of pura vida: less like a goal and more like a natural state of being.
For VIP bookings at Nekajui, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, contact Elizabeth.MartinezLuis@ritzcarlton.com.
For VIP bookings at Andaz Papagayo, contact laura.cabalceta@andaz.com.
For VIP bookings at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo, contact raquel.cortes@fourseasons.com.
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