Nayara Gardens

A Former Cattle Ranch, Reclaimed by Rainforest and a Volcano

Nayara Gardens sits on land that was ranchland a generation ago and has since grown back into rainforest, a detail that explains the density of the gardens around every casita. Arenal’s near-perfect cone rises beyond the lawns, visible from the main pool, the restaurant terraces and, in several rooms, from the bed itself. The hotel leans into a Javanese design language rather than the usual tropical-lodge template, which gives it a distinct identity among La Fortuna’s volcano hotels.

Why It Works

We liked that the volcano view is not incidental here: decks, pools and beds are oriented toward Arenal with evident intent. The gardens are a genuine rewilding project rather than ornamental landscaping, and the hotel’s sister property, Nayara Springs, gives couples a natural hot-spring escape a short buggy ride away without changing hotels entirely. Five restaurants across the two sites also mean the kitchen rarely feels like an afterthought.

Why This Location

The hotel sits above La Fortuna, close enough to town for an evening out, far enough to keep the gardens quiet. Arenal Volcano National Park and its hanging bridges, hot springs and hiking trails are a short drive away, making Nayara Gardens a workable base for two or three days built around the volcano rather than a one-night stop between airport and beach.

Fast Facts

• Prix: €€€€

• Vibe: Javanese-inflected rainforest resort, volcano views, quietly romantic

• Chambres: Casitas and the Rainforest Villa, each with a wooden deck and private outdoor Jacuzzi facing Arenal

• Best For: Couples on a volcano escape, families wanting space and a swim-up bar, honeymooners

• Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: Falling asleep with Arenal’s cone framed in the window

• Dining: Altamira open-air pavilion for all meals, plus Nostalgia for wine and tapas and a pool bar; two more restaurants at sister property Nayara Springs

• Amenities: Organic-shaped pool with swim-up bar, private outdoor Jacuzzis, spa access at Nayara Springs, 24/7 buggy transfers between the two sites

• Attractions: Arenal Volcano National Park, hanging bridges, natural hot springs, La Fortuna town

Casitas, Decks and a Volcano in the Window

Rooms at the main hotel range from the smaller Casita Deluxe to the octagonal Rainforest Villa, both built around a panoramic window and a wooden deck angled toward Arenal. Interiors mix carved wood furniture with yellow and green tones that echo the gardens outside, and bathrooms add an outdoor rainhead shower on a private patio. A four-poster bed and a private outdoor Jacuzzi are standard across the room categories, which keeps the romance factor consistent whichever casita guests land in.

Nayara Springs, the Adults-Only Sister Next Door

A pedestrian bridge over a ravine, or a golf buggy on call around the clock, connects the main hotel to Nayara Springs, an adults-only cluster of villas built around pools fed by natural hot-spring water. Its spa runs massages, mud treatments and yoga alongside in-room treatments, and its own restaurants, Mis Amores and Amor Loco, give guests a reason to cross over for dinner even if they are staying on the family side.

Dining Across Five Rooms, Not One

Altamira, an open-sided pavilion at the main hotel, handles breakfast through dinner with views back toward the gardens and the volcano. Nostalgia pairs wine with tapas for a quieter evening, and a pool bar covers the hours in between. Between the two properties the hotel runs five restaurants in total, enough variety that a three or four-night stay rarely means eating the same menu twice.