Nayara Gardens, Costa Rica the rainforest stay I remember for its hospitality

Some hotels impress you with a room or a view. Nayara Gardens gave us both, but what stayed with me most was the hospitality. Set within the rainforest near Arenal, the property felt expansive and wonderfully secluded at the same time—and the service was among the best I have experienced anywhere.

The rainforest is part of the hotel

Nayara Gardens does not feel like a resort placed beside the jungle. The villas, paths and pools seem woven into it. Walking anywhere meant moving through dense tropical gardens, listening for birds and noticing how much life was overhead.

Our villa was spacious and full of character, with local artwork, two outdoor showers and a private plunge pool surrounded by greenery. It created the rare feeling of having somewhere completely private to return to without being cut off from the rest of the resort.

The property is large and hilly enough that I would leave time for simply exploring it. That scale is part of the appeal: restaurants, pools and experiences are spread through the landscape, and getting from one to another never felt like crossing a conventional hotel complex.

The private plunge pool and wooden terrace at a villa in Nayara Gardens — The villa gave us privacy without separating us from the rainforest

Two outdoor rainfall showers set against a stone wall and surrounded by tropical plants at Nayara Gardens — The villa’s two outdoor showers were completely surrounded by tropical greenery

A yellow Nayara Gardens villa rising above colorful tropical foliage in the rainforest — Even the view back toward the villa felt immersed in the garden

Three Nayara properties create one remarkable stay

Nayara Gardens shares its Arenal setting with Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp. The connected estate gives guests access to a much larger resort world while each property keeps its own personality.

Nayara Gardens is the family-friendly original, with freestanding villas tucked into tropical gardens. Nayara Springs is the adults-only retreat, while Nayara Tented Camp sits higher on the hillside with elevated tents, broad views and family-friendly accommodations.

That variety was one of the property's strengths. We could enjoy different restaurants, pools and corners of the estate, then return to a villa that still felt quiet and personal. Because access and age restrictions can change, I would confirm the details that matter to your stay when booking.

A serene swimming pool surrounded by tropical gardens at Nayara in Costa Rica — The estate offered many beautiful places to slow down

The resort deserves time on the itinerary

Arenal makes it tempting to fill every day with excursions, but Nayara is not a hotel I would use only as a place to sleep. We enjoyed the pools and hot springs, and the resort also offered hiking, birdwatching, yoga and a beautiful spa setting.

The coffee and cooking experiences were especially memorable. The coffee class gave us a closer look at a daily Costa Rican ritual, while the hands-on cooking experience connected the stay to local flavors in a way that felt relaxed and genuinely enjoyable.

I would protect at least one largely unplanned day here. A hotel this special should be allowed to become part of the trip rather than the backdrop between activities.

Jeni taking part in a cooking experience with a chef at Nayara — The cooking experience was one of our favorite ways to spend time on the property

A coffee instructor demonstrating pour-over coffee during a class at Nayara — The coffee class made an everyday ritual feel entirely new

A guest relaxing on a tiled swing beside the hot springs pools at Nayara — Warm pools, a cold plunge and nowhere else we needed to be

Breakfast was worth slowing down for

Breakfast was expansive and beautifully presented, with tropical fruit, fresh breads and enough variety that it felt like part of the resort experience rather than fuel before an excursion.

The restaurants throughout the estate gave us plenty of reasons to stay on property for dinner too. Just as important, the staff made every meal feel effortless. Service was attentive without hovering, polished without becoming formal and consistently warm.

An abundant display of tropical fruit at the Nayara breakfast buffet — The tropical-fruit display made breakfast feel unmistakably Costa Rican

Fresh breads displayed on a colorful cart at breakfast at Nayara — Even the breakfast breads arrived with a sense of place

Fresh coconuts displayed in a brightly painted red Costa Rican cart at Nayara Gardens — The coconut cart was one of those joyful details that made breakfast feel special

A quiet anniversary surprise

At check-in, I happened to mention that it was our anniversary. I did not make a special request or expect anything to come of it.

The following day, we returned to find flower petals and champagne waiting in our villa. It was beautiful, but what mattered was the instinct behind it: someone had listened, remembered and created a moment for us without turning it into a production.

That small surprise captured the hospitality we felt throughout the stay. The property is extraordinary, but the people gave it its warmth.

Who should book Nayara Gardens

Nayara Gardens is ideal for travelers who want nature and luxury without having to trade one for the other. It works especially well for families who want a sophisticated rainforest resort that welcomes children, couples who value privacy and anyone who wants the hotel itself to shape the trip.

I would stay long enough to balance Arenal adventures with meaningful time on the estate. Book the experiences that matter most, but leave room for the plunge pool, a long breakfast and the pleasure of having no immediate plan.

Best for: families, couples and travelers who want the resort to be part of the destination.
Stay long enough for: at least one substantial Arenal outing and one unhurried resort day.
Do not miss: the private plunge pool, breakfast and one of the on-property cultural experiences.
Plan ahead: spa treatments, guided experiences and special dinners.

Nayara Gardens: rooms, rates and availability on Expedia →

JENI’S VERDICT

Go for the jungle setting and extraordinary property. Remember it for the hospitality.

Firsthand travel notes from Jeni Betts, founder of Discover & Bloom.

Nayara Gardens, Costa Rica:
the rainforest stay I remember for its hospitality