In reality, there was almost no need to go on a tour from Nayara Springs because it had everything. The lush gardens were all around. The villas had privacy screens that were, well, gardens and jungles.

The resort encourages wildlife to feel as much at home as the human visitors. For example, they added 300 cecropia trees to attract sloths. Another name for the tree is the sloth tree. We understand there are about a dozen in residence but we only saw a couple close up and personal.

They hung out and waited for pictures. They almost seem to pose. It was so exciting for us since we only ever saw them in zoos.

There at banana trees where flycatchers hang out. There are lots of lily ponds and fountains everywhere. Hummingbirds and butterflies were everywhere and there were so many  other exotic birds.

It is worth the time to hang out and just watch the living jungle around you. We loved it.

There are multiple restaurants and bars on both properties. Breakfast was either outside in the patio or at Mes Amores, a casual restaurant with views of the volcano. It is located next to a swim up bar and pool.

Another restaurant is Amor Loco. It is an upscale restaurant with music every night. The food is okay but the main qualm I had with it was the restaurant is too dark. You can’t read the menu or see your food if you aren’t in a booth near the light. I really didn’t enjoy it because it was just too dark. We needed flashlights to see the menus. The food was good and there was music every night.

One of the restaurants was a wine and tapas bar called Nostalgia. It was very good. We went there for a wine and food matching dinner. It was delicious. The wines were from Chile and Argentina and they were matched very well. We spoke with the sommelier who was a very nice young guy and he definitely worked with the chef to match the food. It was probably our favorite meal.

One night, we ate at Altamira the restaurant on the family side of the resort. It was casual and very good. Thank heavens for the golf carts. They picked us up and took us to the other side of the resort.

There is another special restaurant for private dining. It is in its own restaurant area and was decorated almost Moorish. It has two seatings and the table comes with its own room, chef and waitress. It is totally romantic. Just think, you have your won chef and waitress to serve you. The walkway to the room is strewn with rose petals.

When you get back to your room, there are rose petals in the shape of a heart. It was so romantic that you just sighed. It was awesome! For anyone in love, this is the place to stay.

Nayara Springs Resort is an adult only boutique resort and is part of the Relais and Chateaux group of hotels and resorts. There is a family resort next door called Nayara Resort, Spa, and Gardens. At the Nayara Springs Resort, each of the rooms are private, luxurious villas. Villas that are located in Nayara Springs are separated from the main resort by a 70-acre wooden bridge surrounded by hanging-moss-filled branches and fragrant flowers. Will say more about that later. 

The front desk area is a building with a beautiful sitting area downstairs and a coffee/ice cream/bakery upstairs called Cafecito.

First, we are introduced to the resort along with delicious adult beverages in a couch near the front desk. You don’t really check in at the front desk. They sit down with you, check you in and let you know everything about the hotel. Of course, you don’t really comprehend everything that is available. The hotel staff were all wonderful, everyone no matter where they worked made you feel welcome and valued. They can do magic. If you thought about it, they can find a way to get it for you.

The staff picks you up in golf carts to take you to your beautiful villa. Since you are on a mountain, there is a lot of shuttling to restaurants or spa or anywhere on the property. The mountain that the resort sits on is beautifully landscaped but requires a lot of uphill and downhill walking unless you call the shuttle. They come almost immediately.

The villas are 1500 square feet of beauty. They are completely private and surrounded by jungle foliage. Depending on the villa, the view of the Arenal volcano can be seen. It is a beautiful site but is cloud covered much of the time but when the clouds lift, the volcano is a magnificent sight. Each villa has a plunge pool that is heated from the volcano (or so the story goes). There is a lovely deck with a day bed, a dining table and chairs, as well as a hammock.

Basically, there is no reason to leave the room. The bathroom is to die for. There is the gigantic glass enclosed shower (read that sexy) and then there is another shower because one isn’t enough. This one is an outdoor shower that is sexy as well. The bathroom is complete with his and hers vanities and large enough closets that you could move it forever.

The bedroom part of the room is gorgeous. The wood used throughout the rooms are stunning and the view is of the outside area and volcano if you are lucky.

The gym, and yoga rooms are perched on a cliff over the rainforest as is the luxurious spa that is simply amazing and almost indescribable. The spa is just gorgeous. The spa service rooms are very private but open to the gardens. It is a visual as well as a wonderful spa experience.