Makanda By The Sea - Only Adults

10/10 I can honestly say that Makanda by the Sea exceeded every expectation we had. We spent four nights at Makanda celebrating my boyfriend's 40th birthday, and from the moment we arrived, the team made us feel genuinely welcome. After a long day of travel, being greeted by Irina with fresh coconuts immediately helped us unwind. She made check in effortless, and Sam took the time to show us every detail of our villa so we felt completely at home from the start. Before our arrival, Alfredo helped us find the perfect accommodations for our celebration, and Villa 11 was simply spectacular. Waking up to panoramic ocean views surrounded by lush jungle, relaxing in our private pool and jacuzzi, and watching monkeys from our terrace felt almost surreal. The villa was beautifully designed and impeccably maintained, with thoughtful touches like a Dyson hair dryer, luxurious robes, premium bath products, Crocs for rainy days, makeup towels, and incredibly comfortable bedding. The rainfall shower, reliable Wi-Fi, excellent air conditioning, and peaceful atmosphere made it a place we never wanted to leave. The birthday surprises were incredibly thoughtful. We arrived to a beautiful bottle of wine, a delicious dessert, and a hand drawn birthday card by Alfredo that felt so personal and sincere. The cheesecake, crafted to look exactly like a real apple atop a delicate tart, was both stunning and absolutely delicious. The food consistently impressed us. Room service arrived quickly and tasted like it came from a restaurant rather than a hotel kitchen. The wok beef was our favorite dish, the poolside burger was delicious, breakfast featured complimentary Costa Rican coffee and beautifully presented fresh fruit, and the coconut margarita at the saltwater pool was unforgettable. What truly made this stay exceptional, though, was the people. Elias was a wonderful bartender who introduced us to local wildlife, recommended restaurants, and even pointed out one of the resident sloths by the pool. Byron and Sam were always smiling and quick to pick us up in the golf carts, and every interaction with the front desk was warm, responsive, and effortless. We never found ourselves waiting for anything. Whether it was transportation, room service, housekeeping, or a quick question over text, everything was handled immediately and with genuine kindness. One of my favorite memories was simply lying in bed on a rainy afternoon, reading while listening to the sounds of the jungle and the gentle waterfall from our private pool. Walking through the property felt like wandering through a rainforest, and seeing monkeys and sloths in their natural habitat made the experience even more special. Every evening we returned to an immaculate villa, and on our last night we were welcomed back with beautiful fresh flowers waiting in our room, another thoughtful touch that perfectly captured the spirit of Makanda. Beautiful hotels are easy to find. A hotel where every person genuinely cares about creating an unforgettable experience is much harder to come by. Makanda delivers both. We left feeling rested, cared for, and already talking about when we can return. I cannot recommend Makanda by the Sea highly enough. If you’re looking for a place that combines extraordinary service, breathtaking surroundings, exceptional food, and a level of hospitality that is both genuine and deeply personal, this is it.

I cannot recommend this absolutely stunning 10/10 hotel enough to anyone currently scouring reviews on TripAdvisor, Expedia, Google etc. Makanda by the Sea is truly special, and you must go! I am a professional photographer and wanted to pick a place that had wildlife I could capture, as it’s always been a dream of mine to do so in Costa Rica. Well, I saw a sloth, monkeys, and a Tucan all within 2 hours of being at Makanda. No joke, I actually saw more wildlife here than at Manuel Antonio national park. Monkeys were 2 feet from my balcony every single day I was there. It was so incredible, and the staff will even point out wildlife to you so you can grab photos for your trip- even if you have just you phone. I was greeted by golf cart and driven up to check in- which was super smooth and lovely by Leo the manager- who made my stay extremely personal- and even upgraded me to a better room upon arrival at no cost! (I was flabbergasted) Leo is absolutely amazing at his job, and is really doing something terrific with his staff here. Pools, beach, room- all gorgeous! The food at the restaurant was also terrific. Luis the server was also outstanding in every category, and he deserves all the praise in the world! Really everyone at Makanda went above and beyond, and that’s what separates this place from the others- the exceptional guest experience they provide- and how great they make you feel when you choose to stay here. Book it- there will be absolutely no regrets if you do. Adding photos of the animals in case any other photographers searching are looking!

My dream was to come to Costa Rica and see a sloth, and the moment we arrived at Hotel Makanda, the staff showed us a baby sloth in a tree. It was the perfect start to an unforgettable stay! Elias Mendoza was incredibly kind, attentive, and went above and beyond to make our experience exceptional. Every staff member was warm, welcoming, and provided outstanding service. The hotel’s stunning location made everything even more magical. I highly recommend Hotel Makanda and can’t wait to return!

5 Stars Across the Board We searched extensively for the perfect honeymoon destination, and Makanda exceeded every expectation. The rooms were exceptionally clean, the views were breathtaking, and the pools were beautiful and private. The staff was incredibly accommodating and helpful with arranging activities and excursions. The food and drinks are on the pricier side, but the quality, service, and overall experience make them well worth it. We also enjoyed exploring several excellent local restaurants, and Ubers to most nearby destinations were only about $10–15. If you’re looking for a relaxing, luxurious, and unforgettable stay in Manuel Antonio, Makanda is hard to beat. We would absolutely stay here again.