Picture waking up under canvas, but with a king bed, air-conditioning and a freestanding tub, then stepping onto a deck where a private pool fed by volcanic mineral springs steams gently in the morning air. Across the valley, Arenal Volcano fills the horizon. Somewhere in the trees below, a sloth is taking roughly as long to eat breakfast as you are. That is a normal morning at Nayara Tented Camp, the hilltop sibling of Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs outside La Fortuna.
The camp takes the language of an African safari lodge and translates it into Costa Rican rainforest: tents raised on stilts, leather trunk minibars, hammocks swinging over the canopy. It became one of the most talked-about openings in Central America and climbed to a top-40 spot in Travel + Leisure's 2023 World's Best Awards reader survey. For honeymooners, the appeal is simple. You get genuine wilderness, real comfort and a volcano view that never gets old, plus easy access to the restaurants and spa of two sister resorts just down the hill.
Highlights at a glance
- Stilted safari-style tents with private hot-spring infinity plunge pools
- Direct views of Arenal Volcano from much of the property
- On-site sloth sanctuary planted with more than 1,000 Cecropia trees
- Ayla's Mediterranean and Middle Eastern menu with volcano-facing terrace
- Volcanic clay mud-pit ritual at the spa
- Dining and amenities shared with Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs
Up on the Ridge
Nayara Tented Camp sits on a ridge above its sister properties, roughly ten minutes from the town of La Fortuna and about twenty minutes from the trailheads of Arenal Volcano National Park. The land was once cattle pasture; the Nayara team reforested it, planting more than a thousand Cecropia trees, a sloth's favorite food, to create a sanctuary that now draws the animals in on their own.
The result feels far wilder than its age suggests. Paths wind through dense green, toucans and parrots call from the treetops and the volcano's near-perfect cone appears at almost every turn. Tents are grouped into small 'neighborhoods' named for local wildlife, which keeps the property feeling intimate even as it has grown.
The Tents: Glamping, Grown Up
Forget sleeping bags. The standard Nayara Tent is a spacious, air-conditioned pavilion on stilts with polished wood floors, a four-poster-style bed, a walk-in closet, a soaking tub and both indoor and outdoor showers. The real showstopper is outside: a wraparound deck with a dining table, a hammock, a double lounger and a jetted infinity plunge pool filled with naturally warm mineral water.
Larger two-bedroom tents suit families or friends traveling together. Two four-bedroom residences, Casa Paloma and Casa Dana, sleep a dozen. For a honeymoon, though, the classic one-bedroom tent is all you need. Ask for one with an unobstructed volcano line of sight; on a clear evening you will watch the cone turn pink at dusk from your own pool.
Dining: Mezze With a View
Ayla, the camp's own restaurant, leans Mediterranean and Middle Eastern, an unexpected but delightful choice in the Costa Rican jungle. Think shareable mezze, grilled meats and bright salads built around produce from local farms, served on a terrace that looks straight at the volcano. Breakfast here, coffee in hand and mist lifting off the trees, is a highlight of many stays.
Henry's Bar, with its stone fireplace and cane furniture, is made for a pre-dinner cocktail, while the Lapas swim-up bar handles daytime refreshment. Because you can dine across all three Nayara resorts, you are never short of options: a chef's tasting menu at Amor Loco and wood-fired pizza at Mis Amores at Nayara Springs, plus Asian-Latin flavors at Asia Luna. Shuttles make hopping between them easy.
Why guests fall for it
Spa, Springs and Mud
The camp's spa uses ingredients that taste of the region: organic Costa Rican coffee, chocolate and mineral-rich volcanic clay. The signature experience is wonderfully hands-on. You soak in a thermal tub, then slather each other in white clay gathered from the slopes of Arenal in an outdoor mud pit, let it dry in the warm air and rinse off under an open-air shower. It is playful, a little messy and exactly the kind of thing honeymoons are for.
Beyond your private pool, a series of terraced hot-spring pools tumbles down through the rainforest, each at a slightly different temperature. Morning yoga is offered and guests can use the fitness center at Nayara Springs.
Into the Rainforest
Nature is the main event. Much of it happens without leaving the property. The resident naturalists lead guided walks to find sloths in the Cecropia trees, early-morning bird-watching outings and evening strolls to spot red-eyed tree frogs around the ponds. Greenhouse tours and tortilla-making classes add a homespun touch.
Further afield, La Fortuna is the launch point for nearly everything Arenal is known for. You can zip-line over the canopy, cross the Arenal hanging bridges, hike old lava fields in the national park, swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall or raft the region's rivers. The concierge team can arrange private guides and transfers, so a lazy morning by the pool can easily become an afternoon adventure.
Why Guests Fall in Love
The same themes come up again and again in guest reviews. First is the wildlife: couples are thrilled to spot sloths just steps from the spa or their tent, often with a guide who seems to know each animal by name. Second is the setting, with the volcano visible from nearly everywhere and the private hot-spring pool singled out as the feature people miss most after checking out.
Service earns warm praise too. Staff are described as attentive, knowledgeable and genuinely kind. The naturalist guides in particular leave a lasting impression. Food lovers single out Ayla's mezze and leisurely breakfasts on the terrace. Above all, guests say the camp manages a rare balance, feeling wild and close to nature while delivering every comfort of a top-tier resort.
Good to Know
- Arenal is a rainforest. It rains. Even in the drier months (roughly December through April), expect passing showers; in the green season, afternoon downpours are common. Pack a light rain jacket and plan outdoor activities for the morning.
- The volcano is frequently wrapped in cloud. Clear views tend to come early in the day or at dusk, so build in a few nights to improve your chances.
- The camp is not kid-free and does welcome families. If you want an exclusively grown-up atmosphere, consider pairing a stay here with the kid-free Nayara Springs next door.
- The drive from San José or Liberia takes about three hours on winding roads. A private transfer is the most relaxing option.
- If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Costa Rica, since mosquito-borne illnesses occur here.
Insider tips
- Request a tent with a clear, unobstructed sightline to the volcano and check for clouds at sunrise.
- Book the spa's mud-pit ritual for the late afternoon so you can head straight back to your plunge pool.
- Join the free guided sloth walk early in your stay; once you know what to look for, you will spot them everywhere.
- Reserve dinner at Amor Loco at Nayara Springs for a special-occasion tasting menu night.
