Nayara Tented Camp, Arenal/La Fortuna

Pros

• A hillside rainforest location gives you prime views of Arenal Volcano and the national park.
• Each elevated tent features a spring-fed plunge pool, elegant air-conditioned interiors, and a freestanding soaking tub.
• Breakfast is served on your private terrace each morning, and you can savor Middle Eastern-inspired dishes with panoramic views at the on-site Ayla restaurant.
• Complimentary activities include yoga classes, bird-watching tours, and nocturnal rainforest walks.
• The property is home to diverse wildlife, including sloths and monkeys. 

Cons

• The nearest international airport is over 2.5 hours away, but the resort offers door-to-door private transport for convenience.

Authenticity

Nayara Tented Camp is the latest addition to the exclusive Nayara Resorts portfolio, and every detail of this innovative 5-star property is designed to be low-impact on its Arenal Volcano National Park environment. Treehouse-like tents are built with local hardwoods, private plunge pools are fed by natural mineral hot springs, and the former agricultural land is now a thriving rainforest reserve teeming with wildlife, including over a dozen sloths. Keep an eye out at check-in—as you sip your welcome cocktail, you might spot Tony, a three-toed resident who often hangs around the reception area.

Location

Nayara Tented Camp and its two sister properties (Nayara Springs and Nayara Gardens) are spread across 62 acres (25 ha) of lush jungle and gardens, linked by elevated footbridges and winding pathways. The hillside setting offers prime views of Arenal Volcano and its surrounding national park, and golf carts are on call to whisk you between activities and amenities. It's an easy 10-minute drive into the town of La Fortuna, and you're within 30 minutes of most of the region's adventures. The San José Alajuela Airport is 2.5-3 hours away by car, and the resort can help arrange private transfers for arrival and departure.

Rooms & Bathrooms

"Tent" is a loose term here; the property's 30+ accommodations are more like multi-room suites, arranged on stilted platforms throughout the forest canopy. Each features an outdoor terrace with a spring-fed plunge pool and volcano views, and interiors channel an elegant safari vibe with hardwood floors, rainforest-inspired wallpapers, and canopy-draped beds. Bathrooms are just as inspired, with stone floors, deep soaking tubs, and outdoor rain-style showers. Standard Nayara Tents include a king bed and two daybeds, while Family Tents add a second bedroom and two-story Grand Tents feature larger pools. 

Amenities

Around the central reception area, you'll find a large infinity pool and a series of secluded hot springs tucked into the surrounding foliage. An adjoining spa uses local products like cacao and volcanic mud, and there's a lofty yoga pavilion that offers complimentary sessions overlooking the rainforest canopy. Nearby, Ayla serves elevated Middle Eastern-inspired dishes with sweeping Arenal views, and Henry's Bar is a popular spot to grab a cocktail around the fireplace (guests also have access to the neighboring property's restaurants). Breakfast is included in the rate and served on your private terrace each morning. 

Family-Friendliness

Families are welcome here, and children are well-catered to, from the spacious adjoining tent options with their fun treehouse-like feel, to the plentiful on-site activities and personalized concierge services. Book the larger Family or Grand tents to give the kids their own separate sleeping spaces, or opt for one of the resort's three private residences, where a spacious villa forms a hub between tents and gives larger families a fully-stocked kitchen as well as an oversized private infinity pool.

Wildlife

The resort's grounds are a haven for the region's diverse wildlife, and every effort has been made to provide a natural habitat for the resident fauna. Over 2,000 cecropia trees were planted to provide sanctuary to the property's 15+ sloths, and you'll spot playful monkeys and an array of exotic bird species from your private terraces or along the property's extensive trails. Dawn bird-watching walks are available to glimpse avians at their most active, and after dark, you can join a nocturnal tour to seek out colorful red-eyed tree frogs.

Sustainability

Nayara properties are renowned for their commitment to "luxurious regenerative tourism," and the Arenal location continues this tradition with comprehensive sustainability practices. The property's design incorporates stilted tents and elevated walkways for a low-impact effect on the surrounding ecosystems, energy and water come from 100% sustainable sources, and a goal is set to be single-use plastic-free by 2025. Staff is hired mainly from the local community and workers are paid a living wage above the local average.