Hotel Makanda by the Sea

My wife and I make it a tradition to travel internationally every year for our anniversary and have been doing so for the last 16 years. Over the years we've been fortunate enough to visit some incredible destinations, but our stay at Makanda by the Sea in Manuel Antonio has become our favorite vacations of all time. From the stunning property and luxurious accommodations to the incredible staff and unforgettable wildlife encounters, every aspect of our experience exceeded expectations. The Property Makanda by the Sea is one of those rare places that feels like paradise from the moment you arrive. The entire property is beautifully designed and meticulously maintained, blending luxury with the natural beauty of Costa Rica. The villas are thoughtfully spaced apart, creating a sense of privacy and tranquility that makes you feel as though you've discovered your own secluded retreat. The infinity pools offer breathtaking ocean views, and there are countless places throughout the property to sit, relax, and soak in the surrounding rainforest. While the resort is built into the hillside, transportation is effortless thanks to the golf cart service that whisk guests around the property and down to the beach. The beach itself feels like a hidden gem—peaceful, beautiful, and never crowded. What impressed me most about the property were the little details. A covered waiting area near the entrance protects guests from Costa Rica's frequent tropical showers while waiting for transportation or tours. The security staff consistently tracked arrivals and departures, creating an added sense of safety and care that made us feel completely comfortable throughout our stay. And then there's the wildlife. Makanda is truly immersed in nature. During our stay we regularly spotted sloths, multiple species of monkeys, iguanas, lizards, toucans, raccoons, and countless tropical birds. In fact, we saw more wildlife up close on the resort grounds than we did during our visit to Manuel Antonio National Park! The Room We stayed in the Sky Penthouse Suite, and it was absolutely spectacular. The suite was spacious, beautifully appointed, and designed with comfort in mind. Having a dedicated walk-in closet was a luxury we didn't realize we'd appreciate so much. The king-sized bed, pillows, and linens were exceptionally comfortable, and for the first time in a long time, we slept just as well on vacation as we do at home. The large bathroom featured dual sinks and plenty of room for two people to get ready comfortably. Outside, the expansive private terrace quickly became one of our favorite places to unwind. Between the plunge pool, comfortable seating areas, and incredible views, spending time in the room was an experience all by itself. The thoughtful amenities elevated the experience even further. Bose Bluetooth speakers, umbrellas, robes, slippers, yoga mats, wine glasses, and even Crocs for walking around the property or down to the beach were all provided. My personal favorite? The automated blackout curtains that allowed for a peaceful night’s sleep, and inviting you back to the beauty of the rainforest and the sea with just a touch of a button. The Service As beautiful as the property is, the service is what truly sets Makanda apart. From the moment we arrived, we felt genuinely welcomed and cared for. We were greeted immediately, transported directly to reception by golf cart, and checked in efficiently by Candy, who made us feel right at home. Our luggage was delivered to our room, and we were given a personal tour of both the property and our suite so we could settle in effortlessly. What followed was several days of some of the best hospitality we've ever experienced. Every member of the staff was warm, attentive, professional, and genuinely invested in ensuring guests had an exceptional stay. They seemed to anticipate needs before we even had to ask. While everyone was fantastic, Josh, Heimer, and Jorge deserve special recognition. Their friendliness, humor, and dedication made our anniversary trip even more memorable. Whether during breakfast, happy hour, or simply passing through the property, they consistently went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. By the end of our stay, seeing them each day had become one of the highlights of our trip, and saying goodbye felt like leaving friends behind. Final Thoughts If you're considering a trip to Costa Rica—especially Manuel Antonio—stop searching and book Makanda by the Sea - NOW! This resort offers an extraordinary combination of luxury, privacy, natural beauty, wildlife, safety, and world-class service that is increasingly difficult to find. Out of all the places we've traveled together, Makanda by the Sea gave us some of our favorite memories and our most relaxing anniversary yet. It is truly a special place, and we cannot wait to return soon.

This is my second time at Makanda and I honestly couldn’t wait to go back. Ever since the first time, I’ve been planning my return. We actually toured a few resorts around this area and weren’t as impressed. Although there are plenty of other places, I just don’t believe that anything compares to Makanda. Its uniqueness, its intentional design, the views, the staff, the quality of food and drinks — simply unmatched. If I could get Makanda 100 stars, I would. My husband and I are already planning our next visit and I just came back this morning 😅 Look no further, Makanda is the place to be!!!

Amazing service! They really go above and beyond to accommodate all requests big or small. Alfredo is amazing at checking and concierge. Leo the manager was so kind and responsive to our needs! The staff was incredibly friendly and efficient. The property was well appointed, well manicured. The rooms are spacious! Loved my stay here.

Makanda by the sea is hands-down one of the best resorts in the Manuel Antonio area of Costa Rica. My husband and I have visited before, but we only had dinner at the restaurant and this visit we decided to actually spend the night. We loved it so much, we ended up extending an extra night. We were welcomed to check in by the front desk, agent Alfredo Peralta, who was absolutely wonderful. He made sure that our rooms were ready for our earlier check-in. He greeted us with fresh coconut water and a cold washcloth. He made sure that we scanned a QR code before we left so we could have direct access to him or any front desk agent for any of our needs during our trip via WhatsApp messaging. . All we had to do was send a message and everything was handled quickly and professionally We were then taken by golf cart to our beautifully decorated, clean and comfortable room. I have a hard time sleeping in most hotel rooms but I was very comfortable here. The resort offers two lovely pools. You can have breakfast or lunch overlooking the pacific at their poolside restaurant. For dinner we chose Arbol. Our waiter Joshua Smith was such a treat. He made sure that our food came out as requested and had us laughing and enjoying our time the entire evening. The property manager, Leo Carvajal is friendly and welcoming and made sure that our stay here was everything that we expected and more. Thank you to the exceptional staff at this property. We will definitely be back.

Makanda is truly your own personal paradise. My boyfriend and I have nothing but positive feedback for Makanda and its staff. Leo the manager was hands on with every accommodation we requested before we even arrived to Costa Rica. He made transportation and modifications to our booking seamless. Each staff Member was extremely hospitable most memorably Elias at the bar. He was friendly and kind. Our room was meticulously kept clean by the cleaning staff, which added a touch of luxury to our already breath taking view. We were taken away with the attention to detail. The food we will truly miss best French toast ever ! Thank you so much makanda we will hold this experience as a core memory forever. Special shout out to Joshua Smith, helping us pick our daily adventures, Candy at reception Your thoughtfulness and kindness was exceptional / also the kid with the braces (sorry I forgot your name) at reception was patient and kind as well. I cannot rave enough about the staff I am so greatful we chose makanda