Hospitality developers and brands recognize changing traveler demands for luxury experiences that are unique to specific locations. In Costa Rica, that means finding ways to engage with surroundings through outdoor living and nature. In designing Nekajui, a new 570-hectare ultra-luxury boutique resort in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, Ritz-Carlton and Gensler created an unforgettable stay that teaches guests about the culture and preservation of nature of the nearby Área de Conservación Guanacaste, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gensler’s design weaves together Guanacaste’s cultural, historical, and natural context across three distinct areas, each with its own architectural style. Visitors are immersed in Costa Rican nature and culture from the moment they arrive, in a space that reinterprets the indigenous Chorotega heritage and Spanish colonial influence. Local materials are inspired by the Guanacaste cowboy, or Sabanero. Site-sensitive design features tree house-style architecture inspired by the natural landscape with naturally ventilated open spaces that embrace the warm climate.

Through a bold design rooted in the diverse and eclectic aspects of Guanacaste, the design balances elegance and tropical climate considerations, bringing Costa Rican culture to life. Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve raises the bar for sustainability commitments and is a model for reinventing ultra-luxury resorts with a deep connection to nature, place, and people.