Nayara Tented Camp & Nayara Gardens

Costa Rica
Rooms
50
Floors
1
Pools
1
Restaurants
6
Location
  • Jungle

key features

Great Pool

Great Pool

Kid-Friendly Grounds

Kid-Friendly Grounds

Luxury Choice

Luxury Choice

Stay here for

A 5-star rainforest retreat in La Fortuna, with private plunge pools, volcano views, and top notch service

Arenal Pool Casitas start around $600; Luxury Tents at $1200

why we like it
for families

Location and
Activities

Tour of Amenities

Best Rooms
for Families

Traveler Reviews

Other Hotels
and resources

Book through
mango tree

Check Rates Now

Why we like it for families

  • A luxury choice. Nayara delivers 5-star comfort in a jungle setting. It’s polished but not pretentious, with thoughtful service and a laid-back vibe. From check-in to turn-down, everything feels smooth and easy—even with kids. 
  • The food. You’re spoiled for choice here. Families can dine at Nayara Gardens, Nayara Springs, and Nayara Tented Camp, giving you access to a variety of restaurants. Grab noodles and sushi at Asia Luna, or sit down to volcano views and Latin fare at La Terraza. Breakfast is a daily highlight—fresh coconuts, tropical fruits, and excellent coffee included. Guests rave about the food – high quality and super delicious.
  • THE POOLS. Tucked throughout the grounds, the hotel’s mineral hot springs pools feel like hidden jungle oases. These secluded thermal pools are peaceful and inviting. There’s also a larger pool with Kali-Kali, the swim up bar. 
  • THE KID-FRIENDLY GROUNDS. Winding paths lead to lily ponds, fountains, and lookout spots where you might see sloths or monkeys. The hotel layout makes it easy to explore, but also peaceful enough to relax. You can walk everywhere—or catch a ride on a golf cart if little legs get tired. The vibe is serene and immersive – you wouldn’t want to do Costa Rica any other way.
  • THE FAMILY ACTIVITIES. Nayara makes it easy to plan adventures. Their amazing staff helps organize tours to hanging bridges, waterfalls, wildlife walks, and even chocolate or coffee farms. There are yoga classes for parents, and guided day and night walks with expert naturalist guides if your crew is up for it. Everything is nearby, and the guides are great with kids.
  • THE TENTS. For a truly immersive and luxury stay, families of 4 will love the glamping at Nayara Tented Camp, with centerpiece king beds + two day beds for the kids. Eat your breakfast with volcano views, and see if you can spot a sloth (slowly) strolling by.
  • Note that this hotel is best for families of 3-4 people who don’t mind sharing a sleeping space if it means a luxury stay, as there are no rooms with multiple bedrooms. The tents at Nayara Tented Camp can accomodate four people; the rooms at Nayara Gardens only three people. Bigger families will need two rooms. All rooms come with outdoor showers, private decks, and plunge pools with rainforest or volcano views. 
book through mango tree

Location and Activities

Nayara is about 3 hours from San José or Liberia International Airport. The drive winds through mountain roads and small towns before you reach the rainforest. It’s scenic but the roads are winding, so we often recommend a private transfer. Some families choose to rent a car for flexibility. 

The hotel is tucked into the jungle just outside La Fortuna, with views of Arenal Volcano peeking through the trees. You’re only 15–30 minutes from the area’s top family adventures—hot springs, waterfalls, hanging bridges, and zipline parks.  But honestly, it can be tempting not to leave the hotel at all, so give yourself at least one excursion-free day to enjoy it.  With hot springs, sloths, and other wildlife right on property, not to mention the volcano views, the resort is a destination in itself.

Tour of Amenities

Dining

  • 2+ Restaurants
  • Breakfast Included
  • Farm-to-Table
  • High-Chairs
  • Kids Menu
  • Restaurant On-Site
  • Room Service

Rooms

  • Air Conditioning
  • Bathtubs
  • Cribs
  • Private Pools
  • Rollaway Beds
  • Terrace/Balcony

For Kids

  • Animals
  • Babysitting
  • Good Pool for Littles
  • Kids Activities
Pool at Martinhal Sagres in Portugal

Activities

  • Adventure Sports
  • Fitness Center
  • Hiking
  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Arrive at Nayara, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a secret garden. Cobblestone paths wind through lush jungle, past koi ponds and tropical flowers. It’s quiet, peaceful and instantly immersive. You might even spot a sloth before you check in.
  • Nayara is actually three resorts in one.  The resort is set on a hill, with Nayara Tented Camp at the top, where you’ll find ultra-luxe glamping with the best volcano views.  Next comes Nayara Gardens, with more of a traditional resort vibe and casita rooms with plunges.  Finally, Nayara Springs is the adults-only area so not for Mango Tree families (but parents should take a trip to the spa!).  When you sta at one property, you have access to any restaurants and pools on all three, with the exception to the adults only restaurant and any children-free pools.  Each area has a very distinct space and the resort never feels overly large.
  • The glamping tents at Nayara Tented Camp are the best for families of 4.  Each has a gorgeous patio with volcano views and a private pool, and there are two day beds tucked to the sides of the centerpiece king. Breakfast is included and can by served on your patio at no extra charge; a real treat.
  • The rooms at Nayara Gardens are free-standing casitas and rainforest villas, but best for families of 3, or those with older kids who can get their own casita.  We love Nayara Gardens for families, but unfortunately they don’t allow more than 3 guests per casita, and there are no connecting options.  Families of 5 will need to book two rooms to stay at Nayara Gardens.
  • Nayara Gardens has two excellent restaurants on-site. La Terraza del Arenal is an open-air, Latin American restaurant with stunning volcano views. Asia Luna, the second restaurant blends Costa Rican flavors with Asian-inspired dishes (like sushi rolls with sweet plantains!).  You’ve also got Mis Amores, a rustic Italian eatery at Nayara Springs, and Ayla, a modern Mediterranean spot at Nayara Tented Camp. Kids menus are available, and reservations are recommended.
  • Nayara doesn’t have a formal kids’ club, but it’s incredibly kid-friendly. You can book in-room babysitting to enjoy the activities and restaurants more geared to adults. Or opt for family-friendly birdwatching walks, nighttime frog spotting, and more with the hotel’s on-site naturalist guides.
  • Just walking through the property is an adventure, with hanging bridges, gardens full of toucans, monkeys, sloths, and hidden paths to explore. For off-site fun, the hotel can arrange a ton of different tours, including chocolate and coffee, ziplining, the Mystic Hanging Bridges, waterfall hikes, and white water rafting. The tour book has loads of options.
  • The spa at Nayara is a standout. It’s designed to blend in with the landscape. Treatments use local ingredients like volcanic mud and Costa Rican coffee and the open-air pavilions make it feel like a jungle sanctuary.
  • Parents can also enjoy wine tastings, mixology classes, or romantic dinners. There’s a well-equipped gym for early risers, and if you’re into zen, don’t miss yoga classes surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.

 

Best Rooms for Families

The hotel has 2 categories of rooms, ranging from casitas to villas, but these ones have the best room configurations for families.
Arenal Pool Casitas (Nayara Gardens)

Arenal Pool Casitas (Nayara Gardens)

  • Best for families of 3
  • Open layout with king bed + daybed
  • Mini fridge and minibar 
  • Indoor and outdoor rain showers
  • Garden deck with outdoor plunge pool
View on Hotel Website
Rainforest Pool Villas (Nayara Gardens)

Rainforest Pool Villas (Nayara Gardens)

  • Best for families of 3
  • Open layout with king bed + daybed 
  • Mini fridge and minibar 
  • Indoor and outdoor private showers 
  • Wrap around terrace with plunge pool and hammock
View on Hotel Website
Luxury Tent

Luxury Tent

  • Best for families of 4
  • King bed + two daybeds
  • Spacious patio with private pool
  • Epic volcano views
View on Hotel Website

Is this the one for you?

Let’s get you there.

Don’t waste your time searching for rates and availability. We can handle it (and love it!), at no additional cost to you.

Get exclusive access to travel agent perks, like upgrades, food and beverage credits, add-ons, and late check-outs.
Our bookings show our partner hotels that families trust our guidance. That means more perks for you. Everyone wins.
book through mango tree

need a little help? explore our additional planning services

Traveler Reviews

We had an amazing time at Nayara Gardens ! Everything was great and the staff are exceptional. The resort and everything it includes from hot springs to restaurants were beautiful. We built unforgettable memories for our family and already dreaming of our next visit to this magical place.

Source: Reviewed by Nouran M., Apr 2025, via TripAdvisor

We had an amazing time at Nayara Gardens ! Everything was great and the staff are exceptional. The resort and everything it includes from hot springs to restaurants were beautiful. We built unforgettable memories for our family and already dreaming of our next visit to this magical place.

Source: Reviewed by Nouran M., Apr 2025, via TripAdvisor

Other Hotels and Resources

Want to see more of what Costa Rica has to offer? Dive into our complete Costa Rica Collection for more family-friendly hotels in Costa Rica and must-do activities. If you’re still in the ‘Hmm, which island?’ phase, our ‘Find Your Caribbean Island‘ page is designed to help busy parents like you sift through the noise and pick the perfect family getaway.