Hotel Makanda by the Sea

Welcome fresh coconut & upgraded to a club suite on arrival was totally unexpected. Dropped off beside a small swimming pool & bar to be shown our suite for 3 nights. Sclub6 was massive with a large terrace with amazing views out to the Pacific ocean. Everything about the room screamed luxury. The bed was massive & super comfy. Makanda keeps the AC on at 23 degrees 24/7 to avoid the room furnishings being damaged by the warm / humid climate. The staff at Makanda are super helpful & friendly at all times. Hats off Yoel & Alexander in the bar Would return in a heartbeat. The location is stunning. We seen capuchin monkeys playing in the trees most days. The food was excellent whether eating near the large pool or in the restaurant. We preferred the more informal pool side area as the views & ambience was perfect. You have to try the coconut mojitos. Breakfast was excellent & included Mamosas. All in it was a great experience. A great way to finish our Costa Rica adventure.

I had the most wonderful stay at Makanda! From the moment I arrived, everything felt magical and lush! The place itself is absolutely beautiful surrounded by nature, peaceful, and we were even lucky enough to see monkeys and sloths during our stay, which made the experience even better The food and wine were truly delicious . Such high quality and so thoughtfully prepared. A very special mention has to go to Elias, the bartender, who was honestly the best! Not only did he make fantastic drinks, but he was such a kind, warm, and wonderful person who made our stay even more memorable. Relaxing in the pool and having drinks and food handed to you was a 10/10! I had such a lovely time and already cannot wait to return. This place has my heart!

Makanda truly exceeded every expectation. From the second we arrived, the service has been beyond 10/10 — every single employee treated us with so much kindness, warmth, and genuine care that it honestly felt like being welcomed into a family rather than a hotel. The property itself is absolutely breathtaking, easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever stayed. The rooms are flawless, luxurious, peaceful, and thoughtfully designed in every way. Every detail feels intentional and elevated. A special thank you to Elias, who went above and beyond throughout our stay to make sure we were comfortable, taken care of, and completely at ease. That level of hospitality is rare and made such a lasting impression on us. This has genuinely been the nicest hotel experience I’ve ever had, and I already cannot wait to come back.

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.