Hotel Makanda by the Sea

This is my second time at Makanda with my husband. We love to go to new places and it’s rare we return. Costa Rica is the exception. Makanda is full of life… we saw more monkeys, birds, and sloths than the nearby national park. But the people who work there make the trip. Exceptionally kind staff who go out of their way to make guests happy… golf cart rides to see sloths, dinner reservations made in town, taxis procured,etc. We were delighted to see many of the same staff on our second visit, which leads me to believe Makanda takes care of its workers. Elias had been a standout on both our stays and we spent hours at his poolside bar chatting about life. Jorge delivered breakfast with Spanish language help. Alex made a NYE dinner reservation possible, Heiner found wildlife. Irinia and Maureen gave perfect massages. 10 stars

Amazing stay with parents and 2 over 18 kids.. the place is stunning. The service overall is incredible. Food very tasty. For the beach- its small but fine. Water amazing. They do have a small bar selection there. For the main pool, its incredible. This is a very mellow and relaxing hotel. Go into town or local beaches if u need more fun. The beach 15 min away just outside Manuel Antonio park is incredible for a real beach. Only suggestion for hotel- needs more shelving in the rooms for clothes For all- expect some good walking up and down to and from rooms Def worth the stay at this hotel to see the local area. Thanks to the team there for planning my transports and activites

Everything was truly at the highest level. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional — attentive, warm, and genuinely caring in every detail. Villa 5 was absolutely stunning: beautifully designed, very private, and incredibly comfortable. The villa was always perfectly clean, and every morning the staff took great care of the entire property and surrounding grounds, keeping everything immaculate. The restaurant was amazing. The chef went above and beyond by preparing a delicious meal using our freshly caught mahi-mahi — it was one of the most memorable dining experiences we’ve ever had. The access to the ocean is fantastic, with a private beach that makes the experience feel exclusive and peaceful. We also visited the spa twice for the couples massage at Kapel, and it was outstanding. We will definitely be coming back again — and not just once. Makanda is a place we truly fell in love with and can’t wait to return. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Candy & Karen did a great job helping us with a last minute stay! This will be our second stay (first one was in 2022) and I’m sure there will be many more.

My wife and I desperately needed to get away from the cold and stress of New York City. Makanda was exactly what we needed. The hotel design and vibes are both equally immaculate. The staff and management provided some of the best service we have experienced. While the drive to the hotel was long, the driver kept us entertained, sharing his knowledge of Costa Rica. Checking in was smooth, and when our flight out was canceled the hotel manager Leo made arrangements early in the morning to allow us to continue staying in our room at the price of the tropical suite. We stayed in the wow suite, and as the name indicates you can’t help but saying “wow!” When you walk in. The balcony provided majestic views and entertainment from the monkeys. I do suggest that you follow staff and avoid feeding them and keep your doors locked as the wild life will engage if given the opportunity. We enjoyed the fanciest dining experience of our trip at Arbol for the Christmas Eve dinner. But when we wanted local casual fare we had no issues getting around via Uber and Taxis. We do suggest checking out a soda in Quepos and of course Manuel Antonio National Park. We took the hotels tour but you can also just go to the park by buying a ticket online ahead of time. The beach at the park was beautiful but we preferred the secluded beach at Makanda and the golf cart service made getting around the hilly terrain a breeze. We normally work out on vacation but found that walking around was sufficient in getting some good exercise. We will definitely come back. We travel often and this trip will stay forever in our memories as one of the best experiences of our lives. I will never forget Makanda and the wonderful people who make this country so inviting. Makanda forever! Pura Vida is mantra we now hold in our hearts.