Nayara Gardens Hotel
Costa Rica | exclusive-luxury, family, honeymoon, sustainable, tailor-made | hotel | forest, mountain, national-park | luxury
Where laid-back luxury and adventure connect, Nayara is Arenal’s jewel; a place of nature where romance emanates and life moves at a slower pace to allow time to rekindle old relationships and to start new ones in an enchanting way. Extraordinary service is given with warmth and heartfelt hospitality. Taking pride in their natural and cultural richness and being environmentally and socially responsible in everything Nayara Gardens does.
702 road 21007, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
The location of Nayara Gardens is incredibly unique: a secluded hill encircled by emerald forests, tropical gardens and unspoiled hills. Nayara overlooks the majestic Arenal Volcano, one of the youngest, still active volcanoes in this hemisphere, an imposing mountain that dominates the landscape of the area and that can be seen from almost every corner of the resort. Due to being situated in the middle of a rainforest, the weather at Nayara Gardens can be unpredictable: you can have sun and rain at the same time. The days are very warm with breeze in the evenings during the months from January to May and rain is to be expected in the afternoons. Days and evenings in the months from June to December are very warm, hot at midday, and rain can be expected at different time throughout the day.
- Higher location and views to the volcano
- Luxury casitas and villas are free-standing bungalows nestled in lush tropical garden
- Great style, exceptional food and fine service
- Tropical gardens
- Romantic dining
- Complementary services and amenities
- Farm to table gourmet in Nayara Springs
- Wellness, inner peace, beauty & well-being (Yoga, Spa, high-end Gym)
- Exclusive and private excursions.
- Energy and water conservation
Hotel Facilities
The hotel has a variety of luxury facilities for you to make use of:
Private open-air treatment pavilions look out to the rainforest and come with Jacuzzis and outdoor showers. In addition to classic massages and facials, treatments include scrubs and wraps with organic coffee, volcanic mud, and chocolate clay. The spa also has a steam and sauna room, and offers hand and feet treatments, signature rituals, and combination packages. Obtain the health benefits from practices of mental and physical exercise by relaxing and enjoying the views of the rainforest in the spectacular yoga pavilion. Group classes are complimentary and private lessons are available. Don’t miss a day of your exercise routine by engaging your body with the hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness centre overlooking the rainforest or if you’re looking for a more organic exercise, you must take advantage of guided walks through the two nature paths. For those interested in nature, Nayara offers bird watching, ecological reserves, and wildlife galore. Experience healing and wellness in the many hot springs the Arenal area has to offer as you bathe and reenergise your body. Arenal hanging bridges, Arenal Volcano Walk, Cano Negro Excursion, Rio Celeste Forest Hike, and many more activities are all waiting, ready for you to take full advantage of the Costa Rican adventure experience.
There are two room types available, the Casita Deluxe and the Rainforest Villa. The freestanding “casita” is their entry-level deluxe room. Each casita captures the character of Costa Rica, showcasing the rainforest just outside your door. With sweeping views of the volcano or the jungle canopy, the casita offers privacy and plush furnishings, with a quiet garden featuring an outdoor shower. The Rainforest Villa’s unique octagonal design makes it comfortably spacious and allows natural light to filter in from every angle. It features an oversized Jacuzzi on the wrap-around balcony that overlooks either the imposing Arenal Volcano or the lush rainforest, and a private garden with outdoor rain showers for two.
- 1 king sized bed or 2 double beds
- 79.5 square metres in size
- Air conditioning
- Balcony with oversized jacuzzi and hammock
- Twice daily maid service
- Complimentary breakfast
- Welcome fruit cocktail
- Hairdryer
- Safe deposit box
- Wi-Fi in-room and throughout property
- Free international calls
- Minibar and coffee maker
- Complimentary daily yoga
- State-of-the-art gym
- Birdwatching tour
- 1 king-sized bed
- 105.4 square metres in size
- Air conditioning
- Wrap-around terrace with oversized jacuzzi and hammock
- Environmentally friendly top-of-the-line bath amenities
- Twice daily maid service
- Complimentary breakfast
- Welcome fruit cocktail
- Hairdryer
- Safe deposit box
- Wi-Fi in-room and throughout property
- Free international calls
- Minibar and coffee maker
- Complimentary daily yoga
- State-of-the-art gym
- Birdwatching tour
Experience fine dining in the open-air family restaurant that serves a-la-carte local and international food. With views of the volcano from your table, enjoy delicious gourmet food and new spins on classic Costa Rican favourites. Only local produce and fresh ingredients are used to prepare the meals as well as sourcing their own fish and meat and carrying hundreds of bottles of wines from around the world.
Sit down and dine on delectable meals with a view like no other in this bistro with décor resembling a “Pulperia”, a traditional Costa Rican bar. The menu at this bistro incorporates Asian and Latin flavours with sushi rolls, wok dishes and fresh seafood specials. Try the Chef’s signature dish of steamed fish cooked in plantain leaves or taste the Nayara Roll, made of sweet plantains and cooked chicken. Enjoy these meals whilst sitting on chairs at tables of which both are hand-painted by members of the indigenous Maleku tribe and depict local flora and fauna.
Explore the jungle canopy as you make your way up from ground level and become immersed in the rainforest. This tour takes you on a 2 mile hike which included 9 regular bridges and 6 hanging suspension bridges. A naturalist guide will accompany you to point out the different species of plants and animals that are unique to each habitat and elevation. You will also come across an incredible 60 feet high waterfall, tucked away within the pristine rainforest with a beautiful view of the Arenal Volcano from the highest bridge. There are several spots that require the ability to navigate tall steps but the rest of the paths on the tour are well maintained.
This tour gives guests the opportunity to trek over the dried lava fields and learn more about the history of La Fortuna and the devastation from the 1968 eruption. There will be 25 minute drive from the hotel to meet the experienced naturalist guide and you will start along a safe trail with fantastic views of the volcano. Approaching the lava fields, you will hike up a flight of steep steps for about 5-7 minutes and from the top, you will have an incredible view of both the volcano and Lake Arenal, on clear days. You will then enter the dry lava fields and whilst the Arenal Volcano may be quiet, it is still very much active with the last actual eruption in 2010 and you may hear small rumbles, hissing or see puffs of steam from the top of the crater.
The location of this tour takes place in the Arenal which lies on a narrow altitudinal belt on the Caribbean slope of the Tilaran Mountain Range, and is the perfect spot for bird watchers to see the highest number of species of anywhere in the entire country. Many species of birds migrate up and down the mountains throughout the year so the area is teeming with an enormous array of birds. Bird watchers have the chance to see a number of species such as tanagers, hummingbirds, toucans, parrots, Montezuma Oropendolas, flycatchers, raptors, woodpeckers, trogons and much more.
Travel down to the Los Chiles dock and the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge which will take about 2 hours. This area is remote and encompasses over 10 000 hectares of jungle, rivers, canals, and pristine rainforest. You will board a boat, accompanied with a naturalist guide as you begin your journey through the Rio Frio (Cold River). Incredibly rich with wild life, watch the shores of the river for green iguanas, crocodiles and caimans, see Spider, Capuchin and Howler monkeys and even spot the two or three-toed sloths high in the tree tops. You are also likely to see wood storks, cormorants, sand pipers, parrots, toucans and many more. The tour lasts for around 2 hours on the river and you will then return to Los Chiles to meet your driver and head to a local restaurant for lunch.
Discover Tenorio National Park and Rio Celeste as you drive with your naturalist guide to the ranger station at Tenorio N.P. You will enter the dense, pristine rainforest of Tenorio upon your arrival which is abundant with wildlife such as monkeys, sloths and tropical birds. You may even be able to spot the elusive Umbrella Bird which is a very rare and interesting inhabitant of Tenorio. Make your way along the natural trails within the forest, meandering to the river’s edge where you will see bubbling mud pots, fuelled by the thermal waters of the Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes. You will finally reach the Lo Tenideros, the meeting point of two crystal streams, each with a unique mixture of minerals that turns the river a bright vivid blue. You will also visit the Rio Celeste waterfall before heading to a local restaurant for a well-deserved delicious local lunch.
Walk along the series of trails and exciting suspension bridges as you make your way up from ground level up through the jungle canopy. Enjoy an amazing trek at Mystic Hanging Bridges before heading to one of the most spectacular sites in the country, La Fortuna waterfall pool. This waterfall stands 195 feet high and you will walk down 500 man-made steps to reach the waterfall pool. Take a swim in the refreshing pool of the waterfall as visitors are welcome to enjoy the clear waters and surrounding rainforest.
Begin your journey with a 25 minute drive from the hotel to meet your experienced naturalist guide who will accompany you as you start along a safe trail with views of the volcano. Approaching the lava fields, you will hike up a flight of steep steps (5-7 minutes) with incredible views from the top on clear days of the volcano and Lake Arenal. The lava fields are rocky and uneven and in any spots there is loose gravel and stones, making it difficult to walk. After the visit to the lava fields, you will have the opportunity to soak in the thermal waters of the Arenal Volcano as you arrive at EcoTermales for a marvelous experience: hot mineral waters will soothe your body and pamper your soul. EcoTermales is an oasis of 5 thermal pools set amidst pristine rainforest as you relax and submerge yourself in natural pools or enjoy the paved trails that weave throughout the property.
Take part in the Arenal Oasis night time frog watching tour as you will leave the hotel with a naturalist guide and travel for 20 minutes to the private reserve of the Rojas Bonilla Family. This is a beautiful property providing the perfect habitat for 28 varieties of frog species. the Rojas Bonilla Family planted native plants and trees to ensure that their gardens would provide the perfect home for all the different frog species. There is also a lovely reserve fill with fresh water springs and reedy ponds which create a true sanctuary for its inhabitants.
Operated on a raft and only 40 minutes away, guests can enjoy a tour flowing with the current along the Penas Blancas River. You will spend an hour and half searching for animal life on the river and each raft will be provided with its own guide who will help find animals and give explanations during the tour. This tour is great for all ages and only your feet will get wet so it is recommended to wear sandals or water shoes.
Go on an adventure through the rainforest, access pastures located on the highest hills of the park and appreciate the stunning views of the Arenal Volcano and the lake. This tour will take you back to an era when lived more slowly and when people would take more time to appreciate the beauty of nature, the sounds, the colour and the energy in the air. The tour includes a short visit to one of the hanging bridges during a pause of the ride and if it is your first time on a horse, you will be instructed by a professional guide that offers a vast knowledge of horses and how to ride them.
The Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Centre is an organisation dedicated to the conservation of the environment and the portection and care of wildlife. To increase awareness of conservation and the need for wildlife protection, the centre opens up to visitors and the local community. There are two options to choose from on this tour which include: Tour or Tour + Volunteering. The Tour option starts with a naturalist guide who will give guests an introduction to Proyecto Asis, talking about the history of the project. You will then walk the trails around and through the reserve and stop at each enclosure to learn about the different animals and their stories. If visitors choose to extend their tour and participate in the volunteering, you will have the chance to help the project staff prepare food for a variety of animals and get closer to some residents as they receive their meals.
This tour includes two in one; the coffee tour begins knowing about the wonderful history of coffee in the world, followed by the history in Costa Rica and its importance in Costa Rica’s development. You will then be shown other aspects of Costa Rican culture as well some of the traditions and during this part of the tour, you will have the chance to see all the processes carried by the coffee, from the seed to the delicious final product, the cup of coffee.
This tour begins with a 20 minute drive to the Sky Tram/Trek Visitor Centre and the observation deck offers awe-inspiring views of the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. You will board the Sky Tram Gondolas for a smooth slow ascent through the rainforest canopy and the tram provides one of the most incredible vistas of anywhere in Arenal. You will then reach the second observation platform and zip liners will begin their adventure from here. All guests who will be participating in the zip lining will be outfitted with a harness, gloves and helmets. If you do not wish to participate in the zip-lining experience, then feel free to spend as much time as you like on the observation desk and take any tram back to the main station.
This adventure begins with a 30 minute drive in a 4×4 to the entrance of the rainforest where you will be outfitted with a harness, gloves and helmet and also participate in an important safety talk. Your guide will teach you the proper techniques for rappelling and down climbing, before you head into the jungle where the fun really begins. You will participate in a total of 5 rappels to the bottom of an amazing 350-foot deep canyon and the journey includes 3 waterfalls, 1 dry rock face, a canyon wall and the monkey drop (a combination of rappel and zip line). You will meander through pristine forest with the opportunity to spot monkeys, sloths, tropical birds and reptiles and after your last rappel, you will head back to the Pure Trek Station for the chance to shower and change into dry clothing.
This adventure begins with a 2 hour journey from the hotel to the “put in” at the Sarapiqui River where you will spend the next 2 hours navigating 12 kilometres of clear mountain water with over 4o different rapids including the famous Dos Locos and The Terminator. Expert rafting guides will lead you through each rapid and pool. with the warm sun and lush tropical forest around you and at the half-way point, you will pull to the river’s edge to enjoy tropical fruit and drinks and have the opportunity to take a swim in the river pools.
Glide across the mystic waters of the Arenal Lake as you experience the beauty and tranquillity of the most breath taking and largest lake in Costa Rica. This is a 2-3 hour tour across the lake, allowing you to enjoy the spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano as you paddle across the calm waters and enjoy the wildlife that surrounds the lake such as monkeys, iguanas and a large amount of tropical birds.
Committed to Sustainability
“At Nayara, sustainable tourism is our driving motivation. We believe in building in harmony with nature, leaving space for wildlife and wilderness, while contributing to the growth of our local community. We are proud of our numerous social and environmental initiatives. We are environmentally friendly and socially responsible without compromising the design or the local culture”
Community
“We think local: we want our community to thrive. The majority of our team comes from the neighbouring town of La Fortuna de San Carlos. We offer them free transportation, sustainable tourism education, and health services. Some of our additional local initiatives include free early education for our employees’ children, volunteer time, and financial support to Hogarcito de Ninos, a local orphanage, and support for local artists.”
Costa Rica is Green
Costa Rica is one of the greenest countries in the world, both literally and ecologically. A quarter of the country’s land is protected from development, the largest percentage of protected land in the world (the average is 8%). From the beginning, Nayara has pledged to keep a light footprint on its pristine property. We built two pedestrian bridges hanging over our forest canopy to protect the trees and wildlife below. We were awarded the Costa Rican government’s coveted Four Leaves Award for Sustainability for our efforts and for endorsing the four tenets of sustainability that ensure we remain one of Costa Rica’s premier eco-resorts.”
Energy and Water Conservation
“We built sustainable and renewable buildings. Land topography allows us to orientate our rooms smartly to maximise the heating effects of sunlight and ventilation, minimizing the need for air conditioning and heating. We use energy-conserving light bulbs and lighting systems, and water-conserving faucets and towels.”
Sloth Preserve
“Sloths- those adorable and lethargic animals living in the treetops- spend much of their lives in the canopies of the Guarumo trees, snoozing and hiding from predators. Our mission is to preserve and grow our tropical rainforest, providing a safe habitat that can support a healthy sloth population. By planting thousands of trees, we show our commitment to the preservation of the sloths’ natural habitat. As we continue or reforestation effort, our tropical rainforests are welcoming more sloths, monkeys, and birds than ever before.”
Preserving the Rainforest
“We have gone to great lengths to preserve and protect our piece of the rainforest- building around heritage trees, planting native species in our tropical gardens, and caring for the animals and birds who reside on our property. We also help Arenal National Park’s reforestation effort and provide sanctuary for sloths and howler monkeys.”
Conservation and Reforestation
“Reforestation is the most important action we can take to protect the rainforest and the wildlife that lives within it. Planting new trees reduce the number of greenhouse gases in the air and helps rebuild endangered habitats, which is the leading threat to the survival of animal species. The area were the resort is located had all of its trees cut down by a previous landowner to create a pasture. We have slowly and painstakingly replanted native species in the forest and built tropical gardens throughout the resort, creating beautiful grounds that serve as a natural refuge for birds, monkeys, and sloths. We have an extensive collection of tropical plants including palms, cycads, flowering trees, and vines.”
Conservation Initiatives: Plastic Free Resorts
“We are working hard to become a single-use plastic free resort. We have replaced plastic water bottles with glass reusable bottles in the villas, eliminated plastic straws, and continue to recycle plastic and cartons.”