SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Nayara Springs: Secluded Heaven in the Sky
One of the perks of being a travel advisor is that I get to travel to a lot of incredible destinations to provide the best possible recommendations for my clients. After all, the best way to sell something is to have seen it firsthand. Not only do I get to see and experience what is offered, but I also see the other people and get a feel of the overall vibe. You may absolutely love the look and amenities of a hotel or destination but certain elements—that are often not so visible—can turn what you think will be a dream vacation into a nightmare. For instance, if the resort throws raging parties every night and you like to have a quiet sleep at 10; if you need to be constantly connected, but the Wi-Fi is iffy; or if you have a hard time walking and the property is spread far out over a hill; it may not be the best fit. Navigating these less obvious elements is one of the myriad of reasons to use a travel agent.
When I got invited to spend a few nights checking out Nayara Springs in Costa Rica, I jumped on it. Not only was Costa Rica on my short list of countries to visit, but Nayara Springs holds an impressive number of awards, including: #1 luxury hotel in the world Trip Advisor 2016 and 2017, the #1 Resort in Central America by Travel & Leisure 2016, #1 Spa in the World by Conde Nast Traveler 2016, 50 Best Resorts in the World by Conde Nast Traveler, One of the Most Romantic Hotels in the World by Trip Advisor 2017, and 100 best hotels in the world T+L 2016.
Located in the Arenal Volcano National Park, snuggled by rainforest, Nayara Springs creates a luxurious, yet eco-friendly private getaway miles away from the rest of the world. It’s so private that the zika mosquitos weren’t invited! Well…in truth, this area of Costa Rica doesn’t have Zika due to the elevation and the volcanic air.
There are two hotels on property: Nayara Springs, which is adults only, and Nayara Resort and Spa, which is family friendly. Each hotel has their own check-in, restaurants, and facilities. Guests 16 and over can walk freely between the two properties. The hotels are spread over a hillside so there are distances — and some hills — to walk to get from place to place. You can, however, call for a staff member to pick you up in a golf cart.