Hotel Makanda by the Sea

As an independent travel agent, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some incredible luxury hotels — but Makanda by The Sea truly stood out for all the right reasons. My partner and I stayed in the Penthouse Suite, which I cannot recommend enough. The views were absolutely breathtaking, the amenities were amazing, and every detail throughout the suite and hotel felt thoughtfully designed to create a truly luxurious experience. From the moment we arrived, everything felt peaceful, exclusive, and incredibly special. What impressed me the most, however, was the staff. The level of kindness, warmth, and genuine care from everyone at the hotel made this stay unforgettable. Every single person we met was friendly, welcoming, and always willing to go above and beyond to make our experience perfect. A very special mention has to go to Alfredo at the front desk, who helped me organise my partner’s birthday and made everything feel seamless and stress-free. He gave us the best tour and trip recommendations, was incredibly attentive throughout our stay, and honestly could not have done more for us. His hospitality alone is a reason to return. I also have to mention Elias from the bar, who is genuinely one of the kindest and most beautiful souls I’ve ever met while travelling. Such a real, warm, and unforgettable person who made every interaction feel personal and special. The food at Arbol Restaurant was another huge highlight — absolutely amazing from start to finish. As someone with garlic and onion intolerance, I was so impressed with how accommodating and understanding the team was without making it feel difficult at all. And if you visit, trying “The Rooster” cocktail is an absolute must — Joshua’s personal recipe and honestly one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. Massive shoutout as well to Roger, Bayron, Joshua, Alfredo, and Irina for making our stay so memorable. Makanda by The Sea is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave, and I’m so happy I can now confidently recommend it to my clients, friends, and anyone looking for a truly luxurious and unforgettable experience in Costa Rica

We stayed at Makanda by the Sea during our trip to Costa Rica, visiting from Mexico, and it was honestly the best hotel of our entire trip. The service was excellent from beginning to end. The staff was always attentive and available, whether through WhatsApp or by phone. There was always someone ready to help us with anything we needed, from picking us up and taking us to the beach, to solving any small issue, recommending restaurants for dinner, and even helping us make reservations. We stayed in an Ocean View Room, and it was absolutely beautiful. The room was comfortable, elegant, and had an amazing view. The bathroom was also perfect, with everything we needed and a very thoughtful setup. The food at Arbol was excellent, and the whole hotel is spectacular. From the private beach to the pools, every space feels beautiful, peaceful, and very well taken care of. I can honestly say that Makanda is probably the best hotel in all of Manuel Antonio. Everything about our stay was perfect, and it made our Costa Rica trip unforgettable. I would recommend it without hesitation.

We had a great stay at a stunning resort. Everything was perfect from the room, to the property and restaurant. Also a beautiful secluded black sand beach at the bottom of the resort.

The Hitel is absolutely gorgeous and the staff is amazing. Very attentive and knowledgeable about the hotel, surrounding area, wildlife. At the pool we experienced more wildlife of monkeys sloths and macaws then we saw on our wildlife hikes. Two pools with great views, a private little beach. We almost had no reason to leave the hotel. We will definitely be returning soon

I have been dreaming of Makanda since we last visited 10 years ago. It is that memorable. I was elated to return. Our stay this time was just as magical as I had remembered. I have to admit, I was nervous because they have added twice as many rooms since we were there last, but it was just as peaceful as when they had only a dozen or so. The staff and the service they provide is the best around. We are very fond of Jorge and I was excited to see him again. The food is delicious, the property is wild and well maintained. The beach is beautiful. The designer rooms are luxurious and romantic. The best part is how we feel when we are there. Its like our nervous systems completely reset. I cant explain just how much we love our visits here. lll be dreaming of it til we return again.