Hotel Makanda by the Sea

Makanda by the Sea is, without a doubt, one of the best hotels in the world. From the moment you arrive, you feel like you’ve stepped into a sanctuary where architecture, nature, and luxury merge in perfect harmony. The design is simply breathtaking — every line, every angle, every space is created to elevate your senses. It’s modern yet deeply connected to the jungle, with open-air concepts, dramatic views of the Pacific, and an energy that feels both intimate and majestic at the same time. The service? Top of the line. Every member of the staff treats you like family, anticipating what you need before you even think about it. They move with a level of professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail that you only find in truly world-class hotels. You’re pampered, seen, and cared for in a way that stays with you long after you leave. And the food… my God, the food. Makanda has some of the most delicious dishes in all of Costa Rica. Every plate is a work of art — fresh, creative, full of flavor, and beautifully crafted. Whether it’s breakfast with ocean views or a romantic dinner under the stars, the culinary experience is unforgettable. Makanda isn’t just a hotel — it’s a whole experience, a dream escape, a place where luxury meets soul. If you’re visiting Costa Rica, this is the place. Truly one of the greatest hotels in the world.

Great experience. The place is outstanding. The room we had village 2 was all you could dream of. The staff is more than friendly and they clesrly understand what exceptional service is. The food and drinks were great. We stayed a week and did not go out since everything we wanted was right there. We saw sloughs, many monkeys, aboutis and numerous birds. Construction noise on the premises was an issue near the pool but once we notified the staff, the construction noise stopped. Marie-José and James

TLDR; Do not book this hotel as it has cockroaches, is unspeakingly overprized and customer service is the worst. I would deem that for any of the problems listed is not appropriate for any hotel. It is especially embarassing for a 5 Star hotel. And a brutal no-go if you are charging these prices. Full review: Judging from the other reviews the management of Makanda does not seem to willingly react on constructive criticism, so I will write my review "Makanda-Style". - shards bring luck: Enjoy broken mirrors where you can cut yourselves - Play Looping Louie with the toilet brush as it is so broken you can't use it for the intended usecase - enjoy digital detoxing: WiFi won't be working half the time you are here - time to get wet with our broken umbrellas - want to see how shower outlets are not mounted? Check us out! Also enjoy the outlet spraying through all the bathroom except the shower itself! - Hmmn delicious: Find yourselves some old coffee and juice stains on the glass table from some time ago - Feel the cold of an antarctic breeze of the a/c as you can't tune it! Be ready to get sick with us at it is directly over your bed! - Get up hungry from our included breakfast. Anything additional will start from 25$ without taxes - we just love our profit. So good to start the day! - watching wildife directly in your hotel room: Cockroaches in the toilet and shower! What a sensation! Of course we wouldn't be the Makanda if we wouldn't react properly on the issues mentioned at checkout. First we ignore it completely and then we will offer a 20% off on the next stay in our terribly bad hotel :D We make sure our guests are unsatisfied with the stay. Welcome to Makanda! Actually the personell was really friendly and so the Makanda would have deserved a two star review, but as the Makanda ghosted us, it seems like the want to proove a point. So I will make on of my own by sticking to a one-star review.

Hotel experience was simply divine. The property is uniquely situated in the middle of the most picturesque mountain Forrest overlooking the waters. The room is romantic and serene. Monkeys, sloths, and birds fly around you in harmony. Spa is immaculate. Staff is incredible. Byron’s service makes you feel at home. 10 out of 10

I can not say enough about Makanda. The property is stunning and very private The staff is incredibly kind and helpful. The food was delicious , a truly talented chef. And the drinks were yummy as well. The rooms are beautifully decorated and well appointed. Love seeing the all the wildlife around the property.