Gardens
Colorful Costa Rican tropical design meets laid-back luxury. The grounds feel genuinely wild: winding paths through heliconia and bougainvillea, hidden koi ponds, sloths overhead. It's not a beach resort, and the nearest airport is 3+ hours away. But for rainforest immersion with proper amenities, it's hard to beat.
Book spa treatments before arrival — the open-air pavilions overlook the ravine and fill up fast
Why It Matters
Multiple-time winner of Travel + Leisure World's Best Resort in Central America. Full rebuild completed in 2024. Home to an on-site sloth sanctuary with 300+ planted cecropia trees. One of the few luxury resorts where the jungle comes to you — capuchin monkeys, 500+ bird species, and glass frogs are a routine part of a stay. Connected to adults-only Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp, giving guests access to 4+ restaurants and multiple pools.
Nayara Gardens is a luxury eco-resort spread across 62 acres of Arenal Volcano National Park, where 50 freestanding casitas sit inside actual living rainforest. The property was fully rebuilt and reopened in January 2024, with every casita now featuring a private plunge pool, dual indoor/outdoor showers, and views of either Arenal Volcano or the jungle canopy. It's family-friendly — unlike its adults-only sister Nayara Springs next door — and guests roam all three connected Nayara properties via footbridge and golf cart.
Where You'll Stay
2 room types available
Arenal Pool Casita
The entry-level room and the workhorse of the property. Each freestanding casita sits in its own pocket of rainforest, fully private, with a king bed (or two twin beds) plus a daybed for a child. The newly refurbished garden deck has a private plunge pool, lounge bed, and table with chairs. Dual rain showers — one inside, one outside in the garden — are genuinely delightful. Views go to either Arenal Volcano or the forest canopy depending on placement.
King or Two Twin Beds + Daybed · 97 sqmRainforest Pool Villa
A step up in size and drama. The octagonal design lets natural light pour in from every angle, with sliding glass doors that open to a wrap-around balcony where the plunge pool and hammock sit. Views go either deep into the rainforest canopy or toward Arenal Volcano. A private garden with outdoor rain shower gives it a genuinely jungle-immersed feel. King bed only.
King · 105.4 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Full-day river safari through the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, where guests spot monkeys, sloths, iguanas, turtles, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species from a boat.
Guided walk at dawn through the property with an in-house naturalist. The Arenal area has over 850 identified bird species; the tour targets toucans, hummingbirds, trogons, hawks, and if lucky, the quetzal. Binoculars provided.
An in-house naturalist leads guests through the resort ponds after dark to spot the hundreds of frog species that call Nayara home — red-eye tree frogs, poisonous blue-jean frogs, translucent glass frogs, and more. One of the most talked-about on-property experiences.
Guided walk through the on-site sloth sanctuary, created by planting 300+ cecropia trees to attract and sustain a population of sloths. More than 15 resident sloths have been documented on the property.
Hands-on coffee experience at the on-site Mi Cafecito espresso bar. Learn about Costa Rica's coffee culture and the cultivation process, then taste fresh roasts.
Instructor-led yoga every morning at 8:15am. Classes alternate between the Sukha Spa pavilion and the Nayara Springs yoga pavilion. Open to all guests at no charge.
Trail ride through lush scenery to Arenal Volcano or toward the La Fortuna Waterfall. Hotel arranges transport and guides.
Guided visit to a Maleku indigenous village to learn about traditional arts, crafts, and culture. The chair and table paintings in Asia Luna restaurant were created by Maleku artisans.
Seven mineral hot-springs pools secluded within the rainforest. Fed by springs from the base of Arenal Volcano, they contain no chlorine. Guests from all three Nayara properties have access; they rarely feel crowded.
Traverse suspension bridges over the rainforest canopy in the nearby Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Hotel can arrange guided tours.
Self-guided or naturalist-led walk through the resort's extensive tropical gardens, featuring heliconias, bougainvilleas, orchids, banana flowers, and dozens of philodendron species. Hidden koi ponds and lily pads throughout.
Rafting trips on the Sarapiquí River or the Peñas Blancas River (the latter is calmer and great for wildlife spotting). Hotel-arranged with expert guides.
Guided zip-lining across the top of the rainforest canopy. Arranged through the hotel's concierge team with trusted local operators.
Wine pairing dinners at Nostalgia Wine & Tapas Bar, prepared with fresh local ingredients and wine selected by the in-house sommeliers. Available by reservation.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Complimentary high-speed wireless internet in all rooms and throughout the property.
Full breakfast buffet included for all guests, served at La Terraza del Arenal restaurant. Continental, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available.
State-of-the-art gym located near the Nayara Springs yoga pavilion, equipped with a full range of cardio equipment, free weights, medicine balls, and mats. Children not permitted.
Full maid service twice daily in all casitas and villas.
Guests at Nayara Gardens have full access to sister properties Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp via connecting footbridges, giving access to additional restaurants, bars, pools, and spas.
Full concierge team, including in-house naturalist guides who can arrange all on-property and off-property activities and private tours.
Complimentary minibar selection stocked daily.
Complimentary international phone calls from all casitas.
Complimentary on-site parking, no reservation required.
Dedicated children's pool in the resort grounds.
Main outdoor pool with the Kali Kali swim-up bar serving cocktails, fresh guacamole, and light snacks.
Seven individual hot-springs pools fed by mineral water from the base of Arenal Volcano, secluded throughout the rainforest. Chlorine-free.
On-call golf cart transport around the hilly property and between the three connected Nayara resort areas.
On-site sauna available to guests.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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