Hotel Makanda by the Sea

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.

My wife and I spent 5 nights in December 2025 at Makanda and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Makanda has room for everyone and enough space that it felt private regardless of where we went, the pools, spa, and beach. All facilities were clean wi the staff sweeping up leaves or debris throughout the day, but not being obtrusive about it. The front gate is staffed with security and gates so safety is not a concern. Our accommodations, the Jacuzzi Suite, was a very private and spacious room with a very comfortable king size bed. The unobstructed views of the ocean and surroundings were spectacular in both the morning and evenings! Just expect early wake up times with the sunshine coming in the wall of windows. All sorts of wildlife was visible from the suite, even having multiple white faced monkeys visit our patio one evening! The staff was very accommodating to our requests with Bayron standing out as being exceptionally helpful; always cheery and quick to respond. The staff was around enough but not constantly in your face to give you space to relax, but were there to meet you needs. We did book our excursions through Makanda and the external service providers were good and we enjoyed every one of them. Transport was included and the drivers were pleasant. My wife and I did have massages at the spa which were calming, relaxing, and what we wanted/needed! The spa facilities are wonderful. Communication with the Makanda’s front desk and the staff was easily done via WhatsApp; very convenient even if we were not on the property but needed a taxi back to the hotel, which they arranged for us. We loved staying there. Our only regret is we could not stay longer!