Hotel Makanda by the Sea

Perfect location in Manuel Antonio. Everything within close proximity with car. The hotel was fantastic with a breathtaking view over the Pacific and we had a fantastic suite overlooking the forest and the sea. A view to remember. The whole hotel with the two poolareas was fantastic and with great drinks. Perfect stay for relaxation and even experience the animals like monkeys, sloths, toucans and aras at the hotel premises. Perfect for a relaxing few days and I only wished we would have stayed longer. Can definitely recommend and would go back.

Our stay was beautiful! It was super private and relaxing. We saw lots of animals even without leaving the property. Would highly recommend a stay at Makanda if you are looking g for luxury!

We have traveled all over the world and stayed in the best accommodations, but Makanda By The Sea surpassed any resort or hotel we have stayed in. The details everywhere you look are astonishing. We stayed in a sky penthouse suite. It was an amazing experience. The views from every room in our suite and the outdoor space were incredible. Most days we had friendly monkeys pass by and the last day an adorable sloth entertained us hanging from a tree next to our balcony. All of this was fantastic, but the most outstanding part was all of the staff we came in contact with. They all go above and beyond to make sure you are happy. This was our first visit to Makanda, but it will definitely not be the last.

We stayed at Makanda for our honeymoon and had a wonderful experience! The property is beautiful, and our room was absolutely gorgeous and lived up to our expectations. The property is spread out, so having a golf cart was helpful for getting around, but we knew that going in. We also enjoyed a fantastic massage at the on-site spa. The food and drinks were excellent, with plenty of great options throughout our stay. A special shout-out to Joel, who was an amazing waiter and so much fun to chat with. He even went out of his way to help us track down some chocolate we were craving, which we really appreciated! Elias was also phenomenal—he was incredibly kind and helpful and gave us great local insight and recommendations for things to try in Costa Rica. The housekeeping team deserves a special mention as well. Our room was always spotless, and the turn-down service was excellent. We also got a few memorable visits from the local iguanas, who occasionally took over the pool—definitely something we won’t forget! Overall, Makanda was a beautiful and memorable place to celebrate our honeymoon. We had hoped there would’ve been more amenities or complimentary items for the suite that we upgraded to but understand the business. We loved our stay and especially appreciated the incredible staff who made us feel so welcome!

10/10 for the location. Secluded & intimate. Wow. It’s honestly hard to put into words just how incredible this property, its staff, and its atmosphere are. From the moment my fiancée and I arrived, we knew we had found somewhere truly special. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered, and it shows. From the carefully designed lighting that adds an extra layer of ambiance to your room, to the staff remembering your name almost immediately, to a reception team that was incredibly responsive to every request — everything about this property feels intentional, personal, and luxurious without ever feeling overdone. I have never seen a room so well designed. Our arrival set the tone for the entire stay. We were immediately escorted to our room, where our bags had already been taken care of. A fresh coconut water and cold towel were waiting for us, while the inviting music and atmosphere around the main pool instantly put us into vacation mode. It was the kind of welcome that makes you realize within minutes that you’re somewhere special. And then there was the food — so, so, so good. Every meal was something we genuinely looked forward to. But perhaps one of the most incredible parts of our stay was the wildlife. We saw monkeys, sloths, macaws, and so much more. The staff went above and beyond to help us spot wildlife every day, and their genuine excitement in sharing these experiences with us made them even more memorable. A special thank you to Andres, Luis, Heiner, Joshua, and Bayron and Joel. You were absolutely amazing and played such a huge role in making our stay so special. Your hospitality, warmth, and attention to detail will not be forgotten. We are equally grateful to the reception team, housekeeping and cleanliness, and every single person behind the scenes who worked so hard to make our experience nothing short of magical. And one more thing: book the spa. Seriously. It was fantastic and the perfect addition to an already incredible stay. We stayed here in September/October, and as we left, we found ourselves already talking about when we could come back. That, to me, says everything. Thank you for an unforgettable experience. We cannot wait to hopefully return one day. The value was unmatched. Pura Vida! 🌴❤️