Nayara Resort, Spa and Gardens, Arenal

At the foot of the Arenal volcano in the eponymous national park, Nayara Resort enjoys a location that's hard to beat. With nothing but greenery and the imposing volcano in the distance, its lush surrounds are reflected in its interior with bright, bold colours offsetting natural materials and fabrics in bedrooms, with many featuring individual wraparound decks, outdoor showers and plunge pools fed by hot springs.

Outside, endless tropical gardens frame a swimming pool, and the spa perfectly emulates the surrounds, offering indulgent treatments in private open-air pavilions that look over the rainforest, or yoga on jungle-surrounded decking.

Dining is an exquisite experience here with a plethora of options and opulent bars, including an open-air restaurant, a wine and tapas bar, a five-dish wine pairing evening and a private room overlooking the rainforest for an intimate couples dinner.

Nayara Resort, Spa and Gardens is even home to a sloth preserve, which can be explored with a night forest walk when the nocturnal animals engage in their little activity for the day. It’s also ideally situated to discover the area via hanging bridges, walking over lava fields, zip lining, volcano walks, bird watching, kayaking, guided tours and more.