Where the rainforest meets the rim of Arenal

The road narrows before it reveals anything. Past the gates of the broader Nayara estate, the landscape shifts into something wilder, more private, more deliberate. Nayara Tented Camp sits at the edge of Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano, a collection of just 29 tented villas raised above the rainforest canopy on a ridge that faces the volcano directly. Each tent is a permanent structure wrapped in canvas and fitted with hardwood floors, indoor and outdoor showers, a private plunge pool fed by natural hot springs, and an outdoor deck that floats among the treetops. The interiors draw from safari tradition without mimicking it, blending leather, wood, and neutral textiles with floor-to-ceiling openings that pull the jungle inside. There are no walls between you and the sound of toucans at dawn.

The camp operates as the most intimate tier of the Nayara collection, and guests have access to the full breadth of the broader resort's offerings. Six restaurants span the property, from the open-air Amor Loco, which serves Latin American cuisine with views of the volcano, to Asia Luna, a Pan-Asian concept set among gardens. There is also Nostalgia, a wine and tapas experience, and the more casual Río Café. Across the estate, the hot spring pools are a defining feature, with naturally heated mineral water flowing through a network of pools tucked into tropical landscaping. The Spa at Nayara offers treatments rooted in local botanicals, and a full wellness program extends to yoga, guided meditation, and forest bathing. The adults-only environment at the Tented Camp ensures a particular kind of stillness.

Beyond the property, Arenal is one of Central America's most biodiverse regions. Guided nature walks through the surrounding primary and secondary rainforest are arranged directly from camp, as are hanging bridges tours, waterfall hikes, and visits to the nearby hot river. Birdwatching excursions are particularly notable here, with more than 500 species recorded in the region. White-water rafting on the Pacuare River, stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal, and chocolate and coffee farm tours round out the adventure programming. The staff can also arrange transfers to Monteverde Cloud Forest or the Pacific coast.

What stays with you from Nayara Tented Camp is not a single moment but a pace. Mornings begin slowly, with howler monkeys somewhere below your deck. Afternoons dissolve into the warm mineral pools. Evenings arrive with volcanic silhouettes against a fading sky. The camp doesn't compete with its surroundings. It positions you precisely within them, close enough to feel the humidity on your skin and far enough above the canopy to watch the clouds gather around the summit.