About this hotel
General information
Nayara Springs is the adults-only corner of the Nayara estate on the edge of Arenal Volcano National Park; guests must be at least 18. A Relais & Châteaux member, it consists entirely of private villas hidden in tropical forest, each with its own plunge pool filled by mineral-rich hot springs from the volcano, and each looked after by a personal host alongside the resort team.
The grounds have been replanted with native trees and laid out as a tropical garden of heliconias, palms and orchids, with two hanging footbridges strung above the canopy. Wild sloths doze in the guarumo trees, howler monkeys and toucans pass through, and the resort holds four leaves under Costa Rica’s CST sustainable-tourism programme. Nayara Springs shares the estate with Nayara Gardens and Nayara Tented Camp, whose restaurants and facilities are open to its guests.
Location
The resort sits in rainforest at the foot of Arenal Volcano, ten minutes from the small town of La Fortuna, with most of the area’s excursions less than half an hour away. Private air-conditioned transfers, accompanied by local naturalists, take about two and a half hours from San José International Airport and about three hours from Liberia International Airport; alternatively, a private flight can be arranged to the La Fortuna airstrip, followed by a 15–20-minute drive.
Spa
The spa is made up of open-air treatment pavilions set into the rainforest, so massages, facials, scrubs and wraps come with nothing but the sounds of the forest. Treatments draw on locally grown organic coffee, chocolate and volcanic mud, and there are dedicated couples’ rituals. Every morning an instructor leads yoga in a pavilion suspended over a forested ravine.
Sports & leisure
On the property, guests can join dawn birdwatching walks, follow the Perezoso trail where wild sloths hide in the treetops, or head out with a naturalist after dark in search of red-eyed tree frogs and glass frogs; yoga and meditation sessions run daily and there is a gym. Beyond the gates, the in-house naturalists and guides lead private excursions at each guest’s own pace: zip-lining over the canopy, rappelling beside waterfalls, white-water rafting on the Sarapiquí River, hikes on Arenal Volcano and across old lava fields, hanging-bridge walks, hot-spring soaks, coffee-plantation and cacao visits, and river trips through the Caño Negro wetlands.
Restaurants & bars
The kitchens follow a “zero kilometres” approach built on local, seasonal produce. Breakfast is served à la carte or in the villa, in-villa dining runs around the clock, and guests may also dine at the restaurants of Nayara Gardens and Nayara Tented Camp.
- Amor Loco — fine dining centred on a signature chef’s tasting menu of Costa Rican ingredients (adults only, by reservation)
- Mis Amores — Northern Italian cooking, wood-fired pizzas and a cheese pasta finished at the table, with volcano views from every seat
- Besame Mucho — a private room for candlelit romantic dinners with a dedicated chef and server, reserved 24 hours ahead
- Nostalgia Wine Bar — South American wines from a taste to a glass, with wine flights and pairings
- Cielito Lindo Swim Up Bar — signature cocktails served at the pool
- Mi Cafecito — an espresso bar roasting its own Costa Rican coffee, with coffee-roasting sessions
Swimming
There is no beach here: swimming means each villa’s private plunge pool, filled by natural mineral hot springs, and the resort pools — one with the Cielito Lindo swim-up bar, plus a quiet pool for unwinding. Springs guests may also use the pools of the neighbouring Nayara properties.
Pets
Pets are not permitted; the only exception is certified guide dogs accompanying visually impaired guests (emotional-support animals do not qualify).
Rooms
Every guest stays in a Springs Villa — spacious, high-ceilinged and full of light, finished in native wood and stone. Each is wrapped in rainforest, with a private terrace, garden, hot-spring plunge pool and a personal host.
Air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a complimentary minibar selection (wine and spirits excepted), espresso machine with coffee and tea replenished daily, bathrobes and slippers, eco-friendly bath amenities, hairdryer, safe, mosquito nets, international calls, laundry service and twice-daily housekeeping.
Springs Villa
A villa with a four-poster king bed, a living area with daybed and writing desk, and an oversized bathroom with double vanity and indoor shower. Outside are a private garden with twin rain showers, a terrace with daybed and a plunge pool filled by natural mineral hot springs.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.