At This Rainforest Retreat, Every Room Has a Plunge Pool With Views

Stay Here For

A getaway with universal appeal, from secluded spots and welcoming social spaces to sprawling, group-friendly bungalows and complimentary frog- and bird-watching tours.

Nayara Gardens feels like a prehistoric playground—minus the dinosaurs, plus a few electric golf carts—and getting there is half the adventure.

In the heart of Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park, a seemingly never-ending pathway cuts through the trees, eventually landing at the resort’s villas. Huge, lime-green monstera leaves wave a welcome from the surrounding rainforest, shedding drops of just-fallen rain as your cart brushes past. They’re backed by palms with scarlet stalks, giant elephant ears, thriving bamboo and red pinecone ginger plants, and as you ride through this botanical wonderland to your room, you begin to doubt that you’ll ever find your way around without getting lost. But that might not be such a bad thing.

Once on property, guests enjoy all of the expected resort perks (restaurants, bars, a spa and private thermal plunge pools), as well as access to the amenities of its neighboring hotels, presenting a “stay at one; play at three” proposition that’s hard to resist.

Nayara Gardens, like its siblings, also provides visitors with a distinct sense of place that goes beyond Costa Rica’s cheerful “pura vida” saying with which you’re greeted at every turn, integrating Tico culture into its decor, cuisine and activities. Staying here is an opportunity to experience the best of Costa Rica, and nothing is farther than a 15-minute walk away. (But take our advice and call a golf cart.)

The Essentials

The Location

From Nayara Gardens, the mountain views are dramatic and ever-changing. (Photo courtesy of Nayara Gardens)

Nayara Gardens sits on 36 sprawling acres, deep in the rainforest of Arenal Volcano National Park. Open since 2007, it’s one of three resorts (Nayara Tented Camp and adults-only Nayara Springs are its siblings) that enjoy pride of place here. Together, the hotels offer an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty that the Arenal area (the country’s “adventure capital”) is rightly famous for—its forest, volcano, wildlife and thermal springs—without sacrificing creature comforts.

The Bars and Restaurants

La Terraza del Arenal serves volcano views from its alfresco tables, alongside modern takes on classic Costa Rican dishes (think: casado, a traditional dish of black beans, rice, fried sweet plantain, fresh cheese, egg and criolla salad). End the night with live music and the custom cocktail service at Bar Azul.

Asia Luna is another lunch or dinner option, where guests can enjoy Costa Rican ingredients prepared with Asian cooking techniques. Start with the Tico roll, which features fried sweet plantain and avocado. Nostalgia Wine Bar zeroes in on Latin American and European vintages in a cozy, leather-laden space, while the swim-up bar offers a buzzier atmosphere.

Guests also have access to the dining spots at the nearby Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp. Amor Loco serves a four- or seven-course tasting menu that melds French, Japanese and Costa Rican flavors and ingredients, and gets a big thumbs-up. Rounding out the list is Mis Amores, Nayara Springs’ portal to northern Italy, with family recipes tackling everything from wood-fired pizza to a special tableside cacio e pepe.

The Rooms

Tucked into tropical foliage, the resort’s 50 rooms (all stand-alone bungalows) are split into two categories, but all have private, heated pools and outdoor showers. At the entry level are 28 Arenal Pool Casitas, with either volcano, partial volcano or rainforest views. Recently renovated, they’re light-filled and contemporary in style, the focal point being a colorful wallpaper mural that functions as an oversize headboard and divides the sleeping and living spaces from the bathroom.

Rainforest Pool Villas are octagonal suites with a king-size, netting-draped four-poster bed in the center of the space. Multicolored panes of stained glass in the bathroom and dressing area add pops of color, and double vanities on either side of a glass cube shower offer plenty of space to spread out.

The Standout Feature

Fed by the region’s natural thermal springs, the resort’s pools lend every swim a gentle, warm-soak comfort. (Photo courtesy of Nayara Gardens)

Arenal is famous for its hot springs, and guests at Nayara resorts don’t even have to leave the resort to experience them. There are several man-made pools tucked into the property, filled with thermal water from underground. Open until 10 p.m. daily, they’re true outdoor oases, complete with chaises, umbrellas and a dedicated swim-up bar, Termas. Swing by (literally; the seats are swings) for happy hour at 4 p.m.

The Time to Go

Although there are almost daily showers year-round—this is the rainforest, after all—it’s driest between November and May. You’ll avoid crowds in the summer months, but you should expect heavy rain several times a day.

The Vibe

The coconut cart at Nayara Gardens serves fresh coconuts to sip between swims.

The perfect spot for your social post: The Toucan Bridge, which spans the densely forested gorge between Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs, makes a lush backdrop for a scroll-stopping post. Tip: Work some yellow or coral into your outfit for the best color contrast.

The souvenir you’re bringing home: At La Terraza del Arenal, pick up a packet of private-label Arabica coffee (ground or beans), grown in the Naranjo region. The beans are roasted locally and sold exclusively here.

The one amenity we can’t stop thinking about: Every morning, guests are offered a fresh coconut from a colorful wooden cart stationed at the entrance of La Terraza del Arenal. The wooden “coconut coasters” that stop them from rolling off your table are such a simple and practical solution.

The tour to take: Twice a week, the resort offers the complimentary “Secret Life of Tony the Sloth” tour. Guests are treated to an hour-long ramble through the rainforest in search of the resort’s unofficial mascot, a two-toed sloth. Equally popular with adults and children, it’s an opportunity to learn about the habits of the lovable herbivorous mammals who make their home high in the trees of the surrounding rainforest.

The local spot everyone is talking about: Slip into your swimsuit and head out to La Fortuna waterfall in Arenal Volcano National Park. You’ll have to descend more than 500 steps to swim in the pool beneath the cascades, which are more than 200 feet high, but it’s worth it.

Everything Else