Hotel Nayara Arenal - Tropical Luxury Near Arenal Volcano

About Hotel Nayara Arenal

Nayara Arenal is a collection of three distinct five-star properties set within the lush tropical rainforest surrounding Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica's northern lowlands. What began as a single boutique hotel has grown into one of the most decorated resort collections in the Western Hemisphere, consistently earning top honors from Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and the Michelin Guide. The properties -- Nayara Gardens, Nayara Springs, and Nayara Tented Camp -- share a single extraordinary setting on a private ridge overlooking the volcano, yet each offers a fundamentally different character suited to different types of travelers.

The family that founded Nayara more than two decades ago built the resort around a philosophy of deep connection with the Costa Rican rainforest. Rather than clearing the land, the buildings were threaded between ancient trees, and the gardens were planted to attract toucans, hummingbirds, and sloths. That commitment to nature has never wavered. Today, resident naturalists lead daily walks on the property, and guests regularly spot wildlife from the privacy of their own villas. The resort is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, and Nayara Springs holds the distinction of being the first hotel in Costa Rica to receive Three Michelin Keys.

What truly sets Nayara apart is the combination of refined luxury and genuine warmth. The staff is known throughout the industry for anticipating guest needs before they arise, whether that means arranging a private waterfall dinner, filling a plunge pool with rose petals for a honeymoon surprise, or remembering a returning guest's favorite breakfast order. It is this level of personal attention, paired with a setting that borders on the surreal, that keeps travelers returning year after year.

Location

Nayara Arenal sits on a forested hillside in the Arenal Volcano area, roughly six kilometers from the small town of La Fortuna de San Carlos in Costa Rica's Alajuela province. The property overlooks the Arenal Volcano, which at 1,670 meters is one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in Central America. Although the volcano has been in a resting phase since 2010, its perfect conical silhouette dominates the horizon and provides a dramatic backdrop to every aspect of the resort experience.

Getting to Nayara from the capital is straightforward. The drive from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose takes approximately two and a half to three hours along well-maintained highways through the Central Valley and into the northern lowlands. The resort can arrange private transfers, and shared shuttle services depart from San Jose twice daily. For travelers short on time, the regional airline SANSA operates domestic flights from SJO to La Fortuna's small airstrip, cutting the journey to under an hour. Alternatively, guests arriving through Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Liberia face a similar three-hour drive from the Pacific coast. Once at the resort, the town of La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano National Park are both just minutes away by car.

Rooms and Accommodations

Nayara's three properties contain a combined total of more than 120 individual accommodations, each designed as a freestanding structure surrounded by tropical gardens. No room shares a wall with another, and the dense vegetation between villas ensures complete privacy. Every accommodation features handcrafted furnishings, locally inspired artwork, and at minimum a private outdoor terrace with forest or volcano views.

Nayara Gardens Casitas and Villas

Nayara Gardens is the original property and the most accessible of the three, welcoming families with children as well as couples. The Arenal Casitas are freestanding bungalows of approximately 856 square feet, each featuring a king bed or two twin beds, a spacious bathroom with a dual-head outdoor shower, and a private terrace with seating. The Rainforest Pool Villas step up in size to 1,135 square feet and feature an octagonal layout with a wraparound deck, a private plunge pool heated by thermal spring water, a hammock, and loungers positioned to frame volcano views. Nayara Gardens contains 50 villas total, scattered along pathways lined with heliconias and bromeliads.

Nayara Springs Villas

Nayara Springs is an adults-only sanctuary adjacent to Nayara Gardens. Its 35 luxury villas are larger and more secluded, each equipped with a private hot-spring-fed plunge pool nestled into a jungle clearing. The villas include a generous bedroom, a separate sitting area, and a bathroom with double vanities, both an indoor rain shower and an outdoor garden shower, and premium bath products. Guests at Nayara Springs enjoy exclusive access to the property's own infinity pool, poolside bar, and fine-dining restaurant, while retaining full privileges at all Nayara Gardens facilities.

Nayara Tented Camp

Opened in 2019 and expanded in 2022, Nayara Tented Camp is a luxury glamping experience comprising 39 safari-style tented suites elevated on platforms above the forest floor. Each tent spans roughly 1,700 square feet and includes a king bed, a master bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, a furnished terrace with a dining table and hammock, and a private mineral hot-spring plunge pool. For families and larger groups, the camp offers multi-bedroom residences -- including Casa Paloma and Casa Dana, which combine tents with king beds and tents with twin queen beds -- as well as four-bedroom configurations for multigenerational travel. Nayara Tented Camp has been ranked the number one hotel in Central America by Travel + Leisure readers for four consecutive years.

Dining

The Nayara collection houses several restaurants and bars, giving guests a different culinary experience each night of their stay without ever leaving the property. Ayla is an elegant open-air restaurant with views of the infinity pool and Arenal Volcano, serving modern Mediterranean cuisine with Middle Eastern influences. Asia Luna offers a refined fusion of Asian techniques and Costa Rican ingredients, highlighting dishes that draw on Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese traditions. The open-air family restaurant at Nayara Gardens focuses on Latin American cuisine, presenting gourmet interpretations of traditional Costa Rican favorites prepared with locally sourced produce, fish, and meats.

For the most exclusive dining experience, Amor Loco at Nayara Springs delivers a multi-course tasting menu that draws on regional ingredients from across Costa Rica. Cielito Lindo, the poolside bar at Nayara Springs, serves craft cocktails alongside wood-fired pizzas and light bites in a relaxed setting. Across all properties, the culinary team emphasizes seasonal ingredients, many grown on the resort's own grounds or sourced from nearby farms in the Arenal region.

Spa and Hot Springs

Wellness is woven into the fabric of every Nayara property. The spa is nestled within the rainforest canopy, with private open-air treatment pavilions that look out into the surrounding greenery. Treatments incorporate locally harvested ingredients -- organic Costa Rican coffee, volcanic mud, and cacao from nearby plantations -- in scrubs, wraps, facials, and massage rituals. Each pavilion includes its own Jacuzzi and outdoor shower, turning a simple treatment into a full sensory experience set to the sounds of the forest.

Beyond the spa, hot springs define the Nayara experience. The resort draws naturally heated water from underground thermal sources linked to the Arenal volcanic system. Every villa and tented suite at Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp includes a private plunge pool fed by these mineral-rich waters, so guests can soak at any hour in complete seclusion. The shared hot-spring pools at Nayara Gardens offer a more social setting amid landscaped tropical gardens. Complimentary daily yoga classes take place in a treetop pavilion, and a well-equipped fitness center rounds out the wellness offerings.

Activities and Adventures

Nayara serves as an ideal base camp for exploring the Arenal region, one of Costa Rica's most activity-rich destinations. The resort's on-site naturalists lead guided rainforest walks, birdwatching excursions, and night tours in search of red-eyed tree frogs and other nocturnal wildlife. Guests can also book private tours to surrounding attractions, including zip-lining through the jungle canopy, traversing the Arenal Hanging Bridges high above the forest floor, and rappelling alongside waterfalls.

Water-based adventures are equally plentiful. White-water rafting on the Pacuare and Balsa rivers draws thrill-seekers, while kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal offer a calmer pace with stunning volcano views. Cultural excursions include coffee plantation tours, cacao workshops, cooking classes, and visits to the indigenous Maleku community. For a more relaxed day, the resort can arrange horseback riding through the foothills, fishing trips, or simply a guided hike through Arenal Volcano National Park to walk over old lava flows and through regenerating rainforest.

Nearby Attractions

The Arenal region is one of Costa Rica's most geographically and biologically diverse areas. Arenal Volcano National Park covers nearly 30,000 acres and offers well-maintained trails through lava fields and secondary forest with views of the volcano. La Fortuna Waterfall, a 70-meter cascade surrounded by dense jungle, is one of the most photographed natural sites in the country and lies just a short drive from the resort. Lake Arenal, Costa Rica's largest lake at 85 square kilometers, provides outstanding conditions for windsurfing, fishing, and boat tours beneath the volcano's shadow.

The Arenal Hanging Bridges park features a network of suspension and fixed bridges through primary rainforest, offering a canopy-level perspective on the ecosystem. The town of La Fortuna itself is a charming base with local restaurants, shops, and a lively farmers' market. Several public hot springs complexes near the resort offer an alternative soaking experience at various price points.

Practical Information

• Check-in: 4:00 PM / Check-out: 4:00 PM
• Airport transfers: Available from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours by road. Private and shared shuttle options. Domestic flights to La Fortuna airstrip available via SANSA.
• Parking: Free on-site parking for guests.
• Front desk: Open 24 hours.
• Children: Welcome at Nayara Gardens and Nayara Tented Camp. Nayara Springs is adults only (18+).
• Sustainability: The resort holds Green Globe certification and is committed to reforestation, wildlife conservation, and sustainable sourcing.
• Currency: US dollars and Costa Rican colones accepted. Credit cards widely accepted.
• Best time to visit: The dry season from December through April offers the clearest volcano views. The green season from May through November brings lower rates, lush vegetation, and brief afternoon showers.

See Also

• Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa — Iconic natural hot springs at the base of Arenal Volcano
• Arenas del Mar Resort — Five-star eco-luxury where rainforest meets the Pacific
• Lapa Rios Lodge — Premier conservation eco-lodge on the wild Osa Peninsula

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Nayara Arenal from San Jose?

The resort is approximately 130 kilometers from San Jose, a drive of about two and a half to three hours depending on traffic. The route follows well-paved highways through the Central Valley and into the northern lowlands. Private transfers can be arranged through the hotel, and shared shuttle services run twice daily. SANSA also operates short domestic flights to the La Fortuna airstrip for guests who prefer to skip the drive.

What is the difference between Nayara Gardens, Nayara Springs, and Nayara Tented Camp?

Nayara Gardens is the original property and welcomes guests of all ages, featuring casitas and pool villas. Nayara Springs is an adults-only retreat with larger villas, each with a private hot-spring plunge pool, and its own exclusive restaurant and pool area. Nayara Tented Camp offers luxury glamping in safari-style tented suites on elevated platforms, also with private hot-spring pools, and accommodates families in multi-bedroom configurations. Guests at any of the three properties have access to the restaurants and shared facilities across the collection.

Does every room have a private hot-spring pool?

Not every room type includes one. At Nayara Gardens, the Arenal Casitas do not have private pools, while the Rainforest Pool Villas do. At Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp, every accommodation includes a private plunge pool fed by natural hot-spring water.

Is Nayara Arenal suitable for families?

Yes. Nayara Gardens and Nayara Tented Camp both welcome children and offer family-friendly room configurations, including multi-bedroom residences at the Tented Camp. The Arenal region itself is full of family-appropriate activities such as hanging bridges, waterfall hikes, and wildlife tours. Nayara Springs, however, is restricted to guests aged 18 and older.

What awards has Nayara received?

The Nayara collection is among the most awarded resort brands in the Americas. Nayara Tented Camp has been ranked the number one hotel in Central America by Travel + Leisure readers for four consecutive years, with Nayara Springs at number two and Nayara Gardens at number four. Nayara Springs is the first hotel in Costa Rica to receive Three Michelin Keys, and Conde Nast Traveler has recognized it for having one of the best hotel spas in the world. The properties are members of the Leading Hotels of the World and Relais and Chateaux.