Just below the Arenal volcano in the tropical rainforest, Nayara Tented Camp and Nayara Springs are both currently open (operating at 50 percent occupancy). As Costa Rica plans to reopen to U.S. visitors from six states, these two properties are ready to start welcoming guests.
Nayara Springs is adults only and Nayara Tented Camp, which just opened in December 2019, is family friendly, so those looking for a getaway with or without children can find a perfect refuge.
The property is within a sloth sanctuary (currently 15 sloths living in the trees) and home to myriad animals such as tree frogs, toucans, and monkeys. At Nayara Springs, there are large villas with private plunge pools fed by naturally warm hot springs surrounded by lush vegetation. At Nayara Tented Camp, the sprawling luxury tents have big decks, also with private mineral spring-fed plunge pools, but with views of the volcano. At both properties, each accommodation is completely private. Guests should not miss room service breakfast featuring local coffee (roasted on property), fresh fruit, and eggs with beans, plantains, and rice.
The spa is open air, cantilevered over the rainforest with a fresh breeze and the sound of the trickling spring below. Every restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating—whether it’s a wine paired dinner at Nostalgia Wine bar (with an impressive list of South American labels), some Peruvian-influenced sushi at Asia Luna, modern dishes with local ingredients punctuated by nightly live music at Amor Loco, or pizza fresh out of the oven or refreshing ceviche at Mis Amores—all with some artisanal cocktails.
Nayara Resorts is committed to the reforestation cause. Nayara Tented Camp sits on a hillside that was completely deforested by farmers over 50 years ago to become a cattle pasture. Nayara hired a reforestation expert (Matthew Flynn of VIDA) and has been working to rebuild the rainforest that was destroyed by planting 40,000 indigenous trees and expanding the sloth sanctuary from sister property Nayara Springs. One bright spot in having to close to guests during COVID is that the land has sat undisturbed with the property’s gardeners still on hand to tend to the project. That combined with the steady rains has led to thicker, greener, and taller foliage. The wildlife is returning to the hillside with birds and monkeys making it their home. (The monkeys need a “corridor” of trees to traverse the rainforest).
Guests can take part in socially distant activities such as:
On property:
- Private yoga sessions
- Nature walk through the sloth sanctuary
- Private dining in the designated private dining areas overlooking the rainforest
Off property:
- Hanging bridges walk
- Horseback riding
- Ziplining
Nayara Resorts has also implemented new hygiene and distancing protocols to keep guests as safe as possible. For those who need to work or tune into remote learning, there is WiFi all over the properties and international calls are complimentary.
Nayara Resorts are a two-and-a-half-hour drive from either San Jose or Liberia (the two main international airports). Nayara can arrange private transfers with naturalist guides driving guests to point out wildlife and interesting landscapes along the way.
Rates at Nayara Springs start at $619.50 per night; and at Nayara Tented Camp at $720 per night.
For more information, visit nayaratentedcamp.com.
Don’t miss the July/August issue for info on how countries are preparing to welcome back travelers. And, for more travel options, check out the #AmazingDaysAhead page.
