Hotel Makanda by the Sea

Beautiful grounds, rooms, pools, and people! We extended our stay immediately on arrival because it was hard to imagine leaving. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Went on a park tour that the hotel helped to arrange, which was great. Would definitely return!

Stayed here for our honeymoon and we loved it! rooms and entire resort is amazing, team was great and provided awesome hospitality. Loved the food and the pools

Makanda by the Sea was absolutely the highlight of our vacation in Costa Rica! We arrived with a sloth in the tree outside of our balcony. The rooms were beautifully decorated, and as luxurious as any hotel we’ve stayed at before. What really made the stay incredible was the staff, from the welcome desk, to the poolside bar, and concierge staff, there was no need left unmet. Dinner at the main restaurant was absolutely delicious and every drink was crafted to perfection. If you’re staying in Manuel Antonio, there is nothing that compares.

Where do I start? Costa Rica is the best country I have ever visited (and I’ve been to lots), and I was lucky enough to also book the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in. My wife and I booked 8 nights to stay in June 2026. We were worried before we came that the weather may not be great given June is the rainy season. In the 8 days we were there it rained a few times at night and it was beautiful the rest of our stay. Even the rain was a special event, with thunder and lighting looking out from our hotel balcony across the jungle and ocean. The hotel itself is very modern and spread out over a cliff top. On arrival we were upgraded to room SO6, which I believe is one of their lower-mid end rooms, but it was amazing still. The room was large with a beautiful bed, the bathroom was lovely and the balcony was very large with beautiful views of the jungle and ocean. There are 2 pools here, right above us was the salt water pool with a swim up bar. This is the pool we used most of the time, the views are spectacular, and the bar staff are great. It felt like we had the whole pool to ourselves most of the time. There is another pool next to the main restaurant which is also beautiful. One morning I got a message from the reception offering my wife and I a 1 hour free massage, which we gladly accepted. Another great experience. The wildlife in Costa Rica is spectacular. My wife and I would get up at daylight each morning to listen to the sound of the jungle waking up to the backdrop of the sound of the ocean. Howler monkeys, birds, frogs and everything else making the most beautiful sounds. We saw capochin and spider monkeys nearly every day at the hotel, although we missed the howlers we heard them regularly. We saw lots of Scarlett macaws as well around the main road and in quepos. What a phenomenal sight that is. If you are thinking about booking a trip to Costa Rica, don’t hesitate. And I can assure you that you won’t find a better hotel!

Makanda by the Sea was the perfect ending to our Costa Rica trip. From the moment we arrived, we absolutely fell in love with this place and with Manuel Antonio. The property is stunning — surrounded by lush jungle with incredible ocean views, beautiful pools, and wildlife all around you. It truly feels like you’re tucked away in your own little piece of paradise. Our room was beautiful, comfortable, and exceptionally clean, and the entire property is so thoughtfully designed. The atmosphere is peaceful and romantic without ever feeling stuffy. We loved being able to relax, enjoy the views, have great food and drinks, and simply slow down after a busy trip. What really stood out was how special the entire experience felt. The staff were friendly and attentive, the grounds were immaculate, and everywhere you looked there was another gorgeous view. Makanda is one of those places where you genuinely don’t want to leave. We left Costa Rica already talking about when we could return, and there is no question that we would stay at Makanda again. Manuel Antonio completely stole our hearts, and Makanda was a huge part of that. Pura Vida! ❤️🌴