#muststays : The Nayara Experience promises the discerning and adventurous traveler the perfect combination of luxury and exploration. Go on the adventure of a lifetime in the wondrous natural surroundings of the #mustvisit Arenal Volcano or discover Costa Rica’s ecological heart strolling through our tropical gardens and pristine rainforests. This will be your home for one week.
Here are some of the #mustexperience you will experience organized by me:
Hanging Bridges:
Experience the rain forest like never before, as you make your way from ground level up through the jungle canopy traversing a series of trails and exciting suspension bridges. The Mystic Hanging Bridges tour takes you on a 3.2-mile hike that includes 10 regular bridges and 6 hanging suspension bridges. Your naturalist guide will point out the different species of plants and animals unique to each habitat and elevation. Keep your eyes sharp, looking for lizards and small mammals (coatis, agoutis, peccaries) on the ground, and once you get to the tree tops, try and spy colorful toucans and parrots. Your tour also includes time to view an incredible 60 ft. high waterfall tucked within the pristine rainforest and a beautiful view of the Arenal Volcano from the highest bridge. The paths on this tour are well maintained but there are several spots that require the ability to navigate tall steps. Guests should have the ability to manage intermediate level physical activity including trails, paths (natural and man-made), steps, swinging bridges, and at times wet/muddy conditions.
Rio Celeste Primary Forest Hike
Discover one of Costa Rica’s best kept hidden gems; Tenorio National Park and Rio Celeste. You’ll drive with your naturalist guide about 2 hours from your hotel to the ranger station at Tenorio N.P. There you’ll enter the dense, pristine rainforest of Tenorio. The forest is abundant with wildlife including monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds. Keep your eyes to the trees and try to spot the elusive Umbrella Bird, a very rare and interesting inhabitant of Tenorio. You’ll make your way along the natural trails, meandering from deep forest and then to the river’s edge. You’ll see bubbling mud pots, fueled by the thermal waters of the Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes, you’ll stand in the shadows of huge trees, guardians of this primary forest for centuries, and finally you’ll reach “los Tenideros” the meeting point of two crystal streams, each with a unique mixture of minerals, that turns the river a bright vivid blue. It’s simply gorgeous. You’ll visit the Rio Celeste waterfall and see the stunning azure pool as well. This is a long day of hiking and guests should be capable of an intermediate level of physical activity and have the ability to traverse steep steps, and natural terrain. If the area has received a lot of rain, trails will be muddy.
Pure Trek Canyoning Tour
This is the adventure you’ll be talking about for years to come! Welcome to the adrenaline rush that is Pure Trek Canyoning. You’ll be picked up by your guides in a 4X4 vehicle and driven about 30 minutes to the entrance of the rainforest. There you’ll be outfitted with your harness, gloves, and helmets and participate in an important safety talk. Your expert guides will teach you the proper techniques for rappelling and down climbing. Next is into the jungle, where the fun really begins. You’ll participate in a total of 5 rappels to the bottom of an amazing 350-foot deep canyon. Your journey will include 3 waterfalls, 1 dry rock face, a canyon wall, and what Pure Trek likes to call the “monkey drop” (combo of rappel and zip line). Between each rappel you’ll meander through pristine forest with the opportunity to spot monkeys, sloths, tropical birds, and reptiles. After your last rappel, you’ll head back to the Pure Trek Station for a chance to shower and change into dry clothing. You’ll then have a hearty typical Costa Rican lunch with your guides before returning to your hotel. Guests do not need experience to enjoy this tour but should possess moderate to intermediate physical ability as there are short hikes between rappel sites. Guests should not have a fear of heights. Minimum age to participate is 5 years.
More than 15 sloths have recently taken up residence at Nayara Resorts in Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park, the 50-bungalow Nayara Resort, Spa & Gardens. As part of its sustainability program, the resort has planted 300 cecropia trees, creating a sloth preserve in the rain- forest canopy
Lava Fields Walk
The Arenal volcano is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic sites. This perfect cone shaped volcano stands majestically overlooking the town of La Fortuna. On July 29, 1968 at 7:30 a.m. a huge eruption caught the sleepy town of La Fortuna by surprise. For several days, the volcano spewed tons of rocks and lava over 15 square kilometers of land. Our Lava Field Walk tour gives our guests the opportunity to trek over the dried lava fields. It’s a chance to not only experience this amazing natural phenomenon, but also learn more about the history of La Fortuna and the devastation from the 1968 eruption. You’ll start along a safe trail with fantastic views of the volcano. Take time to examine the vegetation along the trail, many new pioneer species of plants and trees have fought their way through the rock and ash to rejuvenate the area. As you approach the lava fields you’ll hike up a flight of steep steps (about 5-7 minutes) and from the top, on clear days, have an incredible view of both the volcano and Lake Arenal. Next, you’ll enter the dry lava fields. While quiet, the Arenal Volcano is still very much an active volcano. The last actual eruption was in 2010 but you may hear small rumbles, hissing, or see puffs of steam from the top of the crater. The lava fields are rocky and uneven. In many spots, there is loose gravel and stones making walking difficult. This tour is recommended only for guests who are physically able to negotiate challenging terrain.
Bird Watching Around the Volcano
The Arenal area lies on a narrow altitudinal belt on the caribbean slope of the Tilaran mountain range. This unique location provides Bird Watchers with the opportunity to see the highest number of species of anywhere in the entire country. Due to the fact that many species migrate up and down the mountains, throughout the year, the area is teeming with an enormous array of birds. Arenal is particularly rich in tanagers and hummingbirds but get your binoculars ready because you have the chance to view toucans, parrots, Montezuma Oropendolas, flycatchers, raptors, woodpeckers, trogons, and much more. Depending on the season, your expert birding guide will choose the best location for your early morning adventure. You’ll leave from the hotel and spend the next 2 hours exploring different areas, looking for the unique species that inhabit each environment. With more than 900 species of birds in Costa Rica, expect to add some new birds to your life list.
Frog Watching Night Tour
The Arenal area lies on a narrow altitudinal belt on the Caribbean slope of the Tilaran mountain range. This unique location provides Bird Watchers with the opportunity to see the highest number of species of anywhere in the entire country. Due to the fact that many species migrate up and down the mountains, throughout the year, the area is teeming with an enormous array of birds. Arenal is particularly rich in tanagers and hummingbirds but get your binoculars ready because you have the chance to view toucans, parrots, Montezuma Oropendolas, flycatchers, raptors, woodpeckers, trogons, and much more. Depending on the season, your expert birding guide will choose the best location for your early morning adventure. You’ll leave from the hotel and spend the next 2 hours exploring different areas, looking for the unique species that inhabit each environment. With more than 900 species of birds in Costa Rica, expect to add some new birds to your life list.
For a truly unique experience, join us for the Arenal Oasis night time frog watching tour. This is Arenal’s only wild frog night tour. You’ll leave your hotel with your naturalist guide and travel just 20 minutes to the private reserve of the Rojas Bonilla Family. This is a beautiful property that provides the perfect habitat for 28 varieties of frog species. The Rojas Bonilla family carefully planted native plants and trees to ensure that their gardens would provide the perfect home for all the different frog species in the area. Guests will find a lovely reserve filled with fresh water springs and reedy ponds creating a true sanctuary for its inhabitants. Your naturalist guide will walk with you on a series of flat trails pointing out the different frogs and other creatures who become active at night. It’s a chance to take in the sights and sounds of the rainforest, at night, and enjoy nature as you’ve never seen it before. This tour is great for all ages.
White Water Rafting – Sarapiqui River – Class III & IV
Costa Rica is well known for its white-water rafting adventures. The San Miguel section of the Rio Sarapiqui is one of the best options for anyone looking for gorgeous scenery and an adrenaline packed adventure. You’ll travel about 2 hours from your hotel to the “put in” at the Sarapiqui River. You’ll spend the next two hours navigating 12 kilometers of clear mountain water with over 40 different rapids including the famous “Dos Locos” and “The Terminator”. Your expert rafting guides will deftly lead you through each rapid and pool, with the warm sun and lush tropical forest all around you and the exhilarating sensation of the cold river water splashing over your group. At the half-way point, you’ll pull to the river’s edge to enjoy luscious tropical fruit and drinks and to take a leisurely swim in the river pools. After your break, it’s back to the white-water as you end your journey at the “take out” with great memories and amazing stories to tell your friends. You’ll have a chance to clean up and change into dry clothes and then have a very well-deserved delicious typical lunch. This tour requires a moderate to intermediate level of physical ability. Guests will need to support themselves on the rafts edge, sometimes jump to the floor of the raft, and paddle with the instructions of the guides. The recommended ages are 12-65. Guest should be mobile (to get in and out of the raft) and have no serious health issues.
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