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Nayara Gardens is a luxury hideaway in the heart of the Arenal Volcano National Park, nestled in the lush Costa Rican rainforest. Our family-friendly resort is renowned for its world-class spa and gardens teeming with indigenous flora and fauna, including resident sloths. The exceptional hospitality, impeccable service, luxurious rooms, fine cuisine, exceptional spa, and amazing ecological adventures make the hotel the premier resort in Costa Rica. Our luxury casitas are free-standing bungalows nestled in lush tropical gardens with spectacular volcano and rainforest views. Each features an outdoor terrace with a private plunge pool and a private dual-head outdoor shower. Nayara Gardens offers a diverse and delectable culinary experience with its range of restaurants and dining options. Guests can enjoy a variety of cuisines, from local Costa Rican dishes to international flavors, prepared with the freshest ingredients.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Nayara Gardens is a tranquil luxury escape that earns rave reviews for its impeccable service and serene atmosphere. Nestled in a location that boasts both adventure and stunning views, like the Arenal Volcano, the hotel is a favorite for its harmonious blend of nature and comfort.
Luxurious amenities, including private pools and thermal springs, are popular among guests, as is the resort's commitment to cleanliness. While the spacious rooms with breathtaking views are consistently praised, some guests note the meals and drinks come at a premium.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Serene
Rooms
Luxurious
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
World-class
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I cannot say enough good things about the Nayara resort complex. This was the second time we have stayed at Nayara Gardens, and it was even more amazing than we remembered. There is a reason it is one of the best hotels in the world. You have access to all three facilities on the property, unless you have kids with you. Kids are not allowed at the adult pool, the quiet pool, and one restaurant. We traveled without our kids, so we spent most of our time at the adult pool. The staff is top notch. They are so helpful and want to make sure you are totally satisfied. The turn down service at night is my favorite touch. They leave you delicious treats. The food and drinks are so good, which is not always the case at a resort. They were very accommodating to my vegan diet, and they even had the most delicious vegan cake at the coffee shop. I have to give a special mention to Larry, Andrey, and Juan Carlos at the Cielito Linda (adult) pool. They were so attentive the second we arrived at the pool, and the drinks were out of this world. The property itself is the most beautiful place you can imagine. When you are on your balcony, you feel like you are the only person in the entire resort. You will get lots of exercise walking the hills, but you can request a golf cart if you are unable to handle that kind of walk. Get all of your excursions out of the way before you arrive at Nayara, because you are not going to want to leave once you are there. We can't wait to go back.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Be prepared to walk if you don't ask them to pick you up in the golf cart.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Luis Solano, General Manager at Nayara Gardens
Responded 03 Apr 2023
Dear LVernola, Thank you for choosing Nayara Gardens for your recent stay and for sharing your wonderful experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time and that your stay exceeded your expectations. It's great to hear that you enjoyed our facilities and found our staff to be top-notch, accommodating, and attentive. We will be sure to pass along your kind words to Larry, Andrey, and Juan Carlos at the Cielito Linda pool. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed our food and drinks, especially as a vegan guest, and that our turn-down service and treats were a favorite touch. It's great to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful property and the peacefulness it provides. We are also pleased to hear that our golf cart service was able to assist you in getting around. Thank you for your recommendation to book excursions before arrival, as we agree that once you are at Nayara Gardens, it can be hard to leave. We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable stay.
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My wife and I stayed for 3 nights at this hotel – it was the seventh leg of our tour of Guatemala and Costa Rica. On our arrival we were greeted with very welcome chilled flannels and a non-alcoholic cocktail. We were given a detailed briefing to learn about the facilities of the resort. It was rather a lot to take in – fortunately we were provided with a booklet and a map which gave us all the information we needed. We were transported by golf buggy (apparently there are 23 covering the entire site) to our casita – our luggage appeared soon thereafter.
We attended the manager’s welcome cocktail party – the management seem very proactive in ensuring that the guests have the very best stay possible. The standard of service is exemplary.
On the first night we ate in the terrace restaurant. We found the food to be only adequate. Having been seated at 7.30 pm the bread basket didn’t arrive until after 8 pm. We had the main course of grilled snapper with rice and salad. When it came to desserts several options were unavailable. There was a vocalist to entertain the diners. Unfortunately the ambiance was spoilt by a family group at a nearby table who shrieked at one another – not everyone wanted to be party to their conversation. One evening we ate in the ‘romantic restaurant’ – Mis Amores. The food here was refined, the desserts being particularly good. The tables were a little dark for our liking with the oil lamps being frequently blown out in the breeze.
Breakfast was a buffet with an extensive range of juices and fruits, with a huge variety of breads and pastries, and plenty of cooked options. Breakfast wait staff were very attentive and friendly.
We had a long walk through the grounds – there was a nature trail with all the major trees being labelled to help with identification. The well kept gardens are an absolute delight – the paths are kept free of moss to prevent them from becoming slippery. It was a real treat just to potter around the resort, with fascinating areas around every corner. It is advisable to have one of the hotel’s umbrellas as the weather can change in an instant.
Our room was very well set up for a luxurious stay. The bed was supremely comfortable and it was wonderful just to sit on the terrace to watch the passing bird life.
Special mention must be made to the staff working in reception whose warmth and friendliness were great assets to the resort. They always were ready to assist – if they saw us waiting for an excursion they were straight over to check that everything was in order and whether they could do anything to help.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nayara_Hotels, Manager at Nayara Gardens
Responded 26 Feb 2020
Dear Owen_thesaints, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience at Nayara. We were thrilled to read how much you appreciated our outstanding reception team - they truly are key to what sets Nayara apart. Our apologies for your unfortunate experience at Mis Amores. We wish we could have made that right for you. Our goal is for every single guest to have an uncompromised experience, and we were saddened that was not the case for your visit. Again, many thanks for taking the time to write a review of our resort. Hopefully, we can welcome you back soon for a perfect experience. Pura Vida! Jairo Quesada Resident Manager
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From the moment we arrived we were welcomed by the most gracious staff! Everyone was wonderful and more than happy to make sure we were having a good experience. Our room was so very comfortable! The bed was the best we have ever slept in! The porch was spacious and had an outdoor jacuzzi tub, two comfortable lounge chairs and a hammock! Even when it was raining we were dry under the porch roof. The roof and drain system allowed no rainwater to dench the deck (and us). The complimentary breakfast was fabulous! Not only was there the typical waffle/pancake/omelet station, there was a good selection of Costa Rican breakfast items, fresh fruit, yogurt, and breakfast desserts! Endless pots of Costa Rican coffee were offered.There also was a basket of small wrapped sandwiches which we took on our excursions for snacks. The natural mineral pools were very clean and so relaxing. There was a free nature hike on Monday and Thursday mornings and an abundance of birds, butterflies and the roar of a Howler monkey every morning and evening. We wish we knew there was an adult only section to stay in. While the children didn't bother us too much, it is much quieter to stay in the adult area. There is a shuttle to La Fortuna every day, but you must find your way back via taxi. The Nayara was one of the nicest places we have ever stayed.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Make sure your room is not located near the children's pool or the breakfast restaurant....
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nayara_Hotels, Manager at Nayara Gardens
Responded 06 Mar 2020
Dear Anna M, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed review of your stay. We loved reading how much you enjoyed so much of what Nayara has to offer and appreciate that we are one of the nicest places you have ever stayed. Such an honor! We hope we can welcome you back soon - perhaps to Nayara Springs for an adults-only experience. Pura Vida! Jairo Quesada Resident Manager
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We have travelled to Costa Rica 7 times and this was our favourite hotel and experience so far! The property is truly beautiful and well kept, the food is very fresh, local and delicious, with a variety of options. The staff are professional and friendly. The beds are super comfortable! We loved the cafe on site where you can have a coffee tasting of a variety of local coffee (it was delicious)! The spa treatment I had was amazing. Truly it’s all in the details at this wonderful place. It is a true Costa Rican rainforest experience, and appears to be a very eco-conscious and sustainable property, which is so important in this amazing country! Highly recommend!
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nayara_Hotels, Manager at Nayara Gardens
Responded 08 Jan 2020
Dear Megan V, Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts from your Nayara experience. We are delighted how much you enjoyed your stay and so honored that we are your favorite among your many visits to Costa Rica. Thank you also for noting our commitment to developing and integrating the values ​​and principles of sustainability with our activities. Our commitment is to create a harmonious balance between economic progress and the conservation of natural resources - so crucial in Costa Rica. Again, thank you for your review, and we cannot wait to welcome you back on your 8th trip to our country. Pura Vida! Jairo Quesada Resident Manager
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Arriving from SJO airport we were checked in swiftly and car valet parked, welcome drinks served and our bags stored as we arrived near midday noting room would be ready from 1ish! Lovely reception overlooking the courtyard and all staff very attentive. Everyone of them singularly knowing it was my birthday was a warming touch. After going hiking we returned to the room which was beautifully presented with a nice surprise of a cake made of towels and birthday drink bubbles gifted from the hotel. The villas never felt overlooked or ontop of each other. All the usual amenities you except in luxury hotels large showers, comfortable bed, a terrace with great views of the volcano peeping through the trees. We then explored the Nayara grounds. Lush flora everywhere you walked, lots of birds to spot and well spaced out. A hanging bridge sends you over to the Nayara springs side. The site is on high terrain with hills so walking wasn't easy but we enjoyed taking it all in. They do provide on call buggys if your into that way of exploring. The cocktails we had at the thermal springs bar were to die for. We dined in Amor Loco, pool side which had a nice atmosphere and good tasty food (medium to high pricing)
We did notice there is construction of more villas occurring near the thermal spring pools but this didn't bother us. Breakfast in the morning which was included was brilliant.. one of the best we had in our 7 hotel stay in CR. Attentive service throughout and communication of all our needs via the mobile felt like we had a personal butler at any one time. Our biggest regret was not registering more nights here or Nayara springs but with such a tight schedule this wasn't possible. They do rainforset luxury on point.. highly recommended !
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Date of stay: January 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NayaraResorts Management, Owner at Nayara Gardens
Responded 01 Feb 2022
Dear FlighUK1, Thank you very much for your review of our resort. Despite only staying one night, it seemed you could enjoy several of the highlights of Nayra. It was our pleasure to host you, and we hope you can stay for multiple nights next time. Pura Vida! Luis Solano, Resident Manager
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I cannot recommend Nayara Gardens ENOUGH. This resort was booked through our guide Jessica at NAMU Travel who was just amazing. The resort is gorgeous with spacious rooms and lovely upscale touches such as both indoor and outdoor showers, beautiful decks with a hammock and outside tub, and lovely accoutrements; the staff is friendly and accommodating. The hot springs, pools and common areas are lush and well kept and the drinks were actual works of art. The food was excellent with our favorite being the Asian fusion restaurant. They served sushi wrapped in plantain that was unbelievable. The free breakfast buffet was fresh, appealing and unrushed. Finally, while staff told us the resort was full, the hot springs, pools and restaurants were not at all crowded. In fact, my friend and I were the only people in one of five hot springs that day. Also, the various excursions by our group to hanging bridges, kayaking, waterfall jumping and horse back riding were well organized and worth the price. My family and friends take one luxury vacation together each winter and we have stayed in some of the best hotels and suites in the Caribbean and Mexico. Nayara is one of the best resorts we ever visited. It made us sad to leave for the second part of our vacation in Guanacaste.
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Definitely go January through March when it is NOT the rainy season.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NayaraResorts Management, Owner at Nayara Gardens
Responded 01 Feb 2022
Dear trish p, What an honor to be on your family's list of luxury vacations! Many thanks to Jessica at NAMU Travel. Thank you very much for your review and high recommendation. We hope to welcome your family back very soon. Pura Vida! Luis Solano, Resident Manager
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My husband and I had the pleasure of staying at Nayara Gardens recently for around 5 nights, it was truly an unforgettable experience from the moment you arrive. The staff takes a true personal interest to help you with whatever you need. The rooms were cleaned every morning and turn down service every night with a great little gift they would leave in your room each night. The always answered the phone and golf carts always available to take you where ever you needed to go. The pool's were very nice and warm with great drinks. The FOOD is to die for at every single restaurant, from the host, to the wait staff, everyone I mean everyone at Nayara is outstanding. We also had an amazing spa treatment, from start to finish we were pampered and truly relaxed. I honestly cant say enough great things about the resort except the only place to stay when visiting Costa Rica without a doubt is Nayara Gardens.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NayaraResorts Management, Owner at Nayara Gardens
Responded 08 Sept 2021
Dear TylerCheri, Wow. Thank you so much for your lovely review of our resort. We're so glad you enjoyed all Nayara has to offer - especially our varied restaurants and, of course, the spa! We truly thank you for choosing us for your visit and hope to welcome you back again very soon. Pura Vida! Luis Solano Guests Relations Manager
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Nayara Gardens is incredibly beautiful. It has a team of excellent, well trained staff that go above and beyond to make your stay special. We loved every second of our stay here. Their food and service is probably the best in the world. The warmth and hospitality of their team will make you feel like you are their family. We tried all of their restaurants and each is unique with excellent food and live music.
Their Spa and Gym are fantastic. Hotel WiFi is extremely fast. The resort is set in a rain forest which is extremely scenic. You wake up to the sounds of birds/animals and have the best breakfast in the world.
Hotel is also extremely safe during the pandemic. Face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing has been incorporated seamlessly without compromising any of the amenities. I can’t wait to visit this paradise again. Pura Vida.
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Date of stay: March 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NayaraResorts Management, Owner at Nayara Gardens
Responded 16 Apr 2021
Dear bilalnaseer, Thank you so much for your very kind review of our resort. Your review will undoubtedly be very helpful to your fellow travelers as they plan their own Nayara vacations. Thank you also for pointing out our Covid-19 safety measures. We are happy you felt safe and appreciate your comments. Again, many thanks, and we can't wait to welcome you for that return visit very soon. Pura Vida! Jairo Quesada Resort Manager
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This was our first visit to Costa Rica and our five nights at Nayara Gardens was truly a highlight. First of all, the scenery and layout of the property is breathtaking. Our large, beautifully appointed and impeccably clean Villa was perfectly situated close enough to walk to activities and dining yet totally secluded with an amazing view of the volcano. The 5 restaurants scattered around the property were unique and gave us a chance to dine in a different setting every evening - and the food was excellent in all of them. The spa was one of the best we have every experienced. But what made the whole experience so special was the staff - from the management team right through all the guest experience and support staff, everyone was professional, friendly and made us feel not only welcome but truly a part of an extended Nayara family. We would definitely recommend Nayara to anyone thinking of a Costa Rica rainforest experience!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nayara_Hotels, Manager at Nayara Gardens
Responded 02 Mar 2020
Dear AlSandJLS, Thank you for taking the time to share your lovely review of our resort. We appreciated reading how much you enjoyed all of your stay and particularly our incredible team. We are so fortunate to have such an outstanding team who genuinely love what they do! We hope we can welcome you back for your second visit to Costa Rica very soon! Pura Vida! Jairo Quesada Resident Manager
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So we booked this place last minute for our honeymoon 2.0! From the second we arrived the level of service has been extraordinary. It is amazing how the staff (every single one of them) try to do their best to make your stay memorable! The duty manager Fernando welcomed us while we were having lunch (knowing our names); while waiting for our room. This is just an example of level of service in this hotel. It is one of the most beautiful, peaceful and private properties we have ever stayed in. We had a very nice decoration of flowers and a note from the staff in the room for our honeymoon including a bottle of champagne, chocolate and fruit when we arrived. The property is quite big while you actually feel being in a very private place. There are several restaurants, pool bars & hot springs. Everything in the middle of a rainforest making it a magical experience. The gym with the view of rainforest and the yoga lessons with the real sound of nature is a must-try! There is an eye for every single detail! For example the hotel offers fresh coconut juice after every yoga lesson. I love tropical fruits and coconut juice. For breakfast you can have the most wonderful selection of tropical fruits and juices including fresh coconut juice. Details matter and this place takes care of every single detail! I am scared of snakes and hate insects in my room. I was super concerned about this and mentioned this during our check in to Erick (who checked us in)! He promised to make a note for housekeeping to make sure they closed the door while cleaning. I am impressed how they have managed to keep every single animal and insect out of our rooms in the middle of a rainforest. The only thing that could be optimized is the food. The food is high quality but too standard for such a beautiful hotel. We were supposed to stay 4 nights but we have decided to prolong our stay since this has been one of the most amazing hotels we have stayed in. This is definitely a place to come back to and also to recommend to loved ones.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NayaraResorts Management, Owner at Nayara Gardens
Responded 02 Nov 2021
Dear negarzadeh, It was absolutely our pleasure to host you for your honeymoon 2.0. We were thrilled to read how much you enjoyed your stay and, of course, how much you loved our magical setting. We hope to welcome you back for honeymoon 3.0 or perhaps an anniversary or two or three. Pura Vida! Luis Solano Guests Relations Manager
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There are more places to choose from in the Palma area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 10,908 - RÂ 16,735 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
arenal nayara hotel and gardens, arenal nayara hotel gardens
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Nayara Gardens Relais & Chateaux
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of AlajuelaArenal Volcano National ParkLa Fortuna de San CarlosPalma
NUMBER OF ROOMS
50
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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