Hotel Makanda by the Sea

Our first visit to Makanda by the Sea was back in 2017 when we came for dinner. We were so impressed by the property that we told ourselves we had to stay here the next time we visited Costa Rica. Fast-forward to our recent trip, when we celebrated my mom’s 80th birthday at Makanda, and I can honestly say we loved every second of our stay! This place is a little slice of paradise, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. The staff is what truly makes this place special. Everyone was incredibly friendly, attentive, and willing to go above and beyond to make sure we had a phenomenal stay. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and well taken care of. We originally booked one of the villas so Mom could stay close to us. However, during check-in, the staff thoughtfully pointed out that the steep inclines and numerous steps might make getting in and out of the villa challenging for her. They coordinated with management and arranged for us to stay in two suites with an adjoining door, closer to the restaurant and with fewer steps. Although we had our hearts set on the villa, this turned out to be the perfect arrangement for our family! We still enjoyed fabulous ocean views and were conveniently located near both pools and the restaurant. I really appreciated the staff taking the time to find a solution that made our stay more comfortable for Mom. We took advantage of nearly every amenity on the property—with the exception of the gym (seriously, who goes to the gym on vacation in paradise? 😂). The infinity pools are gorgeous! I personally preferred the saltwater pool, but both pools offer incredible views and excellent service. Whether you're relaxing in the water or enjoying a cocktail poolside, it's hard to imagine a better setting. The spa experience was another highlight. It's tucked away on the property, and I'm glad they provide golf cart transportation because I probably would have struggled to find it on my own! It was a wonderful experience and a great way to unwind. The secluded beach is also beautiful and worth visiting. Just be sure to take a golf cart down and back unless you're looking for a serious leg workout! The incline is very steep, and the beach can be rocky, so keep that in mind when planning your visit. There's also a small beach bar where you can enjoy cocktails while taking in the sound of the surf. It's a fantastic spot to spend some time enjoying the natural beauty of the area. The food deserves its own standing ovation. We enjoyed amazing meals throughout our stay, both at the main restaurant and through in-room dining. Everything was delicious, fresh, and packed with flavor. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with a meal here. In-room dining was especially convenient after a full day of activities when we didn't feel like leaving our suites for dinner. On a few evenings, we ordered room service and combined our patio tables so Mom could join us for dinner while we watched the sunset. Those dinners were some of our favorite moments of the trip. Great food, incredible ocean views, a beautiful sunset, and family time—what more could you ask for? The staff also made Mom's 80th birthday extra special. One evening, when we celebrated her birthday at the restaurant, they surprised her with a special dessert, turned off the lights, and sang "Happy Birthday"! It was such a thoughtful gesture and made for a truly memorable experience. Thank you for helping us create such a wonderful birthday memory for her! I also want to give a special shout-out to a few team members who made our stay even more memorable. Leo, the manager, gave us such a warm welcome when we first arrived. Alexander took great care of us at the bar while we waited for our rooms to be ready. And Yoel went above and beyond in every interaction we had with him. These are just a few examples of the outstanding hospitality we experienced throughout our stay. My only caution for future visitors is that the roads and paths around the property can be quite steep and slippery, particularly during the rainy season. The Crocs provided by the resort are helpful, but please watch your footing and take your time getting around. I could go on and on about how much we enjoyed Makanda by the Sea. Between the breathtaking views, beautiful pools, relaxing spa, secluded beach, incredible food, and—most importantly—the exceptional staff, this resort made our family celebration truly special. We came here for my mom's 80th birthday and left with wonderful memories that we'll cherish for years to come. Makanda by the Sea was worth the wait since our first visit in 2017, and we would absolutely love to return! Five stars all the way. If you're visiting Costa Rica and looking for a luxurious, memorable getaway, put Makanda by the Sea on your list!

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!