Not every animal experience offered to international travelers is ethical. But the sloth preserve in the Costa Rican rainforest is a unique nature experience that animal-lovers can feel good about. And after chilling with sloths until your heart’s content, there is so much more to do in the vicinity. Keep reading to find out about how and where you can witness Costa Rican sloths in their natural habitat.
Nayara Gardens: An Oasis In The Costa Rican Rainforest
So what magical place allows this once-in-a-lifetime sloth experience to take place? The Nayara Resorts of Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs, both lying deep in the Costa Rican rainforest. Nayara Gardens has won several accolades and words of praise from those in the travel industry in the past. It now proudly holds a reputation for being a peaceful oasis, perfect for a getaway for couples and singles wanting to escape life.
Overlooking the famous Arenal Volcano, Nayara Gardens is a haven of unspoiled rainforests and tropical greenery. The selection of villas and casitas were purposely designed with large screened windows, allowing guests to appreciate the beauty of the natural landscape just outside.
The rooms are all equipped with modern amenities, while there are also private terraces, gardens, and even hot tubs available for those guests craving the feelings of total isolation. There is a selection of world-class restaurants on the grounds serving up the best of local and international cuisines. Guests can also relax at the wine and tapas bar or swim up to the pool bar for a cocktail.
Nayara Gardens prides itself on its spa which offers unrivaled views of the emerald-green forest. A hub of tranquility and wellness, the spa gives guests access to yoga sessions, either in a group or private setting, a steam and sauna room, couples experiences, and a state-of-the-art gym. The open-air treatment rooms come complete with Jacuzzis and outdoor showers. The treatments on offer range from organic coffee scrubs to volcanic mud wraps to massages and facials with chocolate clay.
The star of the Nayara Resorts, without a doubt, is the famous sloth preserve.
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The Sloth Preserve And Other Environmental Experiences
The Nayara Resorts hold values of sustainability and environmental protection which prompted them to establish a sloth reserve in the surrounding rainforest of Arenal Volcano National Park. In an effort to protect the local sloth population, they planted 300 cecropia trees in the rainforest that more than 15 sloths now call home.
Both resorts offer several adventures and environmental experiences to guests, including night walks through the rainforest where there’s the chance to see the sloths and other native wildlife up close. All the tours are ethical, so there is no exploitation of the sloths (or any other animal) for human entertainment.
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Guests will have the chance to observe the creatures in their natural habitat and take a few photos. Due to the lush surroundings of the resort lodgings, guests may also spot different animals hiding in the trees from the comfort of their villas.
Both Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs also offer several other environmental experiences, including a Rio Celeste and Tenorio Volcano Hike, birdwatching around the Arenal Volcano, kayaking, canoeing, and motorboating tours of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, and the Arenal Hanging Bridges. The resorts also run tours to Eco-Termales Fortuna, an outdoor pool and spa with natural hot springs, a restaurant, and a bar.
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Cross The Bridge To Nayara Springs
Across the bridge running from the edge of Nayara Gardens is its sister property Nayara Springs. The boutique hotel offers the same spectacular views of the Costa Rican rainforest and all the luxurious amenities you’d expect of a five-star resort.
Guests can enjoy two immense infinity pools where they can relax as they look for macaws, hummingbirds, and toucans in the forest. Nayara Springs is also home to two restaurants: AmorLoco and Mis Amores. While the former serves romantic gourmet dinners by candlelight, the latter is a Mediterranean bistro set on an outdoor terrace with views of the volcano.
Lodgings at Nayara Springs, one of the world’s top destinations for honeymooners, come in the way of adults-only private villas that make use of indigenous furniture and modern amenities. Complimentary services of the Spring Villas include a private host, fresh fruit and a breakfast buffet, a twice-daily housekeeping service, and a laundry service. They also feature a lavish king bed, a plunge pool connected to natural mineral hot springs, and a private terrace for the ultimate experience in luxury.
Guests at Nayara Springs also have access to a spa offering a number of treatments and experiences for individuals and couples. Boasting massages and skin treatments, the spa is the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate before re-joining the outside world beyond the rainforest.
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