Costa Rica’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve is now open
This year's list of the most exciting hotel openings is truly spectacular — especially if you have plans to visit Central America, Mexico or the Caribbean. One of the most exciting openings of 2025 is Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica, and it's now officially open.
Nekajui is on Costa Rica's iconic Peninsula Papagayo and is sure to be one of the finest resorts in the country — and potentially the Marriott portfolio. Nekajui, pronounced NEK-ah-wee, means "lush garden" in the local Chorotega dialect; it's a fitting name for a resort tucked into 1,400 acres of tropical forest.
The resort offers 107 rooms and suites alongside three treetop tent accommodations, so guests have plenty of accommodation types to choose from. Additionally, its ultraluxury offerings include a four-bedroom Grand Villa, 36 private residences and a whopping 10-bedroom home. Many rooms, suites and villas include terraces or balconies, soaking tubs, outdoor showers, plunge pools and sweeping jungle or ocean views.
Nekajui promises "an epicurean journey as transformative as the destination," according to a statement from Ritz-Carlton. Dining will include a signature restaurant, Puna, from world-renowned Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz. The restaurant serves a menu of Peruvian dishes, and it offers a six-seat Japanese-Peruvian omakase experience. Other dining experiences include a cafe serving Costa Rican coffees and snacks, an international breakfast restaurant, a poolside bar and grill, and a Mediterranean-focused beach club.
Nimbu Spa & Wellness, the resort's 27,000-square-foot spa complex, has Latin America's largest hydrotherapy pool and treatment cabanas suspended in the trees, among other amenities.
While Nekajui might be a great place to sit back and relax, Costa Rica is full of adventure. Guests can take advantage of the 250-acre Palmares Preserve surrounding the resort to experience three distinct ecosystems coexisting within 1 square mile. Activities include hiking, zip lining, canoeing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing and even playing on an 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf course.
How to book
The lowest cash rates for 2025 come in at $1,600 per night. Marriott Bonvoy members can book with points starting at 128,000 points per night, though the calendar shows many dates throughout the year reaching significantly higher. The cost isn't shocking considering Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties are the top echelon of the Marriott portfolio.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees