Nayara Tented Camp - Luxury Beyond Belief
Written by Dawn Wilson
Nayara Tented Camp offers the quintessential luxury ‘glamping’ experience. I’m simply trying to figure out how to describe this Costa Rican retreat in a way that will totally encapsulate how it truly feels to spend time here. I’ll begin by stating the surreal level of peace and serenity I felt immediately upon arrival. Since the camp is in Arenal National Park, guests are surrounded by lush, tropical forestry, flowers, plants, and exotic animals.
Guest will first stop at the open-air welcome center to receive a warm welcome from the staff before being escorted to the reception area for check-in. While in the reception tent, you are again greeted by a very hospitable and courteous camp representative who will assist in checking you in. The reception area is nothing short of spectacular! It is an open-air tent that allows elements of surrounding nature to totally emanate throughout. Its level of sophistication surpasses what you would expect to see in the middle of the rainforest, from the enormous chandelier in the center of the tent to the stylish bar and lounge just off the main reception area. Casting your eyes beyond the tent’s exquisite furnishings and thoughtful interior design, you will see the star of the show, the Arenal Volcano. Yes, it is the centerpiece of the tented camp, with views from every tent. This area is the focal point for guests to meet, relax, and rejuvenate. The reception tent also features the lovely Henry’s Bar, with a cozy fireplace and library. Just beside the bar is a relaxing lounge area facing the volcano. There is also a beautiful infinity pool with unobstructed views of the volcano, surrounding hills, and forests. The pool bar is where guests can enjoy spending the afternoon while further enjoying the postcard-like views of the volcano and rainforests. Finally, also located at the reception tent is Ayla, a Mediterranean restaurant offering Middle Eastern cuisine.
After check-in, guests are whisked to their tent in a golf cart while the camp layout is explained to them by their driver. There are several types of high-end luxury tents to choose from, as the camp has 39 tents total, with the most being the tented suites. Two four-bedroom tented villas and six two-bedroom tented suits are ideal for families. Each tent sits on the hillside with forward-facing volcano views, private decks, a private plunge pool with water from natural hot springs, an outdoor dining table and chairs, and an outdoor hammock. The indoor/outdoor concept is something reminiscent of a Tarzan movie, being one united with nature. Each tent has authentic Costa Rican touches added with rich African safari-inspired furnishings and features, such as the double-head outdoor showers, canopy beds, and soothing tones of green and brown infused in the décor.
Guests of Nayara Tented Camp also have the luxury of experiencing the cuisine of the nearby Nayara resorts (Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs). Guests can enjoy dining at Amor Loco, which offers meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Guests seeking a family-style dining experience can head to La Terraza, where they serve classic Costa Rican dishes with a twist. Enjoy a little bit of everything from the intimate tapas Asian/Latin restaurant or visit the northern Italian cuisine bistro and enjoy a fantastic meal on a lively outdoor terrace. Meals are prepared with locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce to create something unique to the Nayara Collection of properties in Costa Rica.
It goes without saying that there is truly something for everyone at Nayara Tented Camp. Start your adventure with a guided tour of the rainforest and the surrounding region (organized by the reservations team). Trek through the rainforest to the famous Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, enjoy the sloth sanctuary tours or join an early bird-watching walk. Perhaps just kicking back and relaxing in the natural atmosphere is all you want to do. You can easily accomplish this by booking a spa treatment at one of the open-air treatment rooms, complete with the natural sounds of nature and the river water below. Treatment rooms are purposely tucked in specific areas of the rainforest, enabling guests to feel one with nature as they experience the stimulating effects of a soothing treatment. Not to be missed is a visit to the tented camp’s six hot spring pools – ideal for relaxing after a day of exploration or before heading back to the tent after dinner. Each hot spring is set at a different temperature, from a refreshing cool to a very hot temperature. Visiting the pools at night enables guests to experience a different atmosphere since lights magically illuminate all the pools.
This only skims the surface of what one can expect when visiting Nayara Tented Camp. These are some of my favorite highlights. There is still so much to see and do that it definitely deserves considering the next time you want an unforgettable luxury experience. Time spent here will be beyond belief!