2 outdoor pools, free cabanas, pool umbrellas
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Reviews of Makanda by the Sea

5 out of 5
Makanda by the Sea
1 Kilometro al Oeste de Centro Comercial, Plaza Vista, Quepos, Puntarenas

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 359 out of 451 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 56 out of 451 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 22 out of 451 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 451 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 8 out of 451 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

jacek

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mariia

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great Staff. Great Fun in the Sun. Great Accommodation's.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

PAMELA

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

4/10 Poor

Artur

Traveled with group, Traveled with partner, Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff are amazing here and very friendly. But the hotel itself is lackluster for a 5 star hotel. There are small issues sprinkled throughout the hotel that ruin the experience of a 5 star hotel. This is just a place for social media influencers to take nice photos of the views, that’s all it is. Given it’s in a jungle there definitely are venomous snakes around the property which we came across and staff had to kill it with a broom. The issue for us wasn’t the existence of the snake, but the lack of pathway lighting to our room where to snake was found. The lighting at night is terrible, the rooms door has about a half an inch gap underneath so all bugs are free to go into the room. Very nice looking place with nice views and amazing staff, but for a 5 star hotel with such a high price tag for their high end rooms, definitely not worth the money spent at all.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Makanda Family on Mar 12, 2024
Thank you, Artur, for taking the time to share your feedback on your stay at Makanda by the Sea in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. We're glad to hear that you found our staff amazing and friendly, as providing exceptional service is a cornerstone of our philosophy. However, we're genuinely sorry to learn that other aspects of your stay did not meet your expectations for a 5-star experience.We appreciate your compliments on the stunning views and acknowledge your concerns regarding the ambiance and safety features around the hotel. Our aim is to seamlessly integrate luxury with the natural environment of Manuel Antonio, and we understand that maintaining this balance while ensuring the utmost comfort and safety for our guests is crucial.The presence of wildlife, including snakes, is a part of the jungle environment in which we're located. We train our staff to handle such encounters safely and efficiently, but we recognize the importance of preventing them from happening in the first place. Your feedback about the pathway lighting and room door gaps is invaluable, and we're committed to addressing these issues promptly to enhance our guests' safety and comfort.Makanda by the Sea prides itself on offering an array of amenities designed to create an unforgettable experience. From the tranquility of our Shanti Spa and the state-of-the-art gym to unique experiences like our magnificent floating breakfast and the culinary journeys at the Arbol restaurant, our goal is to provide a luxury retreat that exceeds expectations. Our private wild beach and the variety of tours available allow guests to explore the rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes of Manuel Antonio, enhancing the luxury and romance that define Makanda by the Sea.We understand that for the price point, guests expect nothing short of excellence, and we are dedicated to making continuous improvements based on the feedback we receive. Beyond the beauty of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica offers a plethora of incredible destinations such as the serene beaches of Guanacaste and the vibrant city life of San José, each offering unique experiences to our guests.We value your input and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future, to experience the enhancements made to ensure Makanda by the Sea not only meets but exceeds the standards of a 5-star luxury hotel, reflecting the beauty, luxury, and exceptional service we strive to provide, alongside the enchanting allure of Manuel Antonio and the diverse attractions of Costa Rica.

8/10 Good

kerr

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
beautiful rooms, very helpful staff, some wildlife in the lovely grounds, but still not sure if it's worth the extra money. this is the second time we've stayed there and both times our enjoyment of the pool was impaired by the construction noise.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Makanda Family on Feb 28, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent stay at Makanda by the Sea in the stunning Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. We're delighted to hear that you appreciated our beautiful rooms, helpful staff, and the presence of wildlife within our lovely grounds. These elements are central to the unique experience we strive to offer, blending luxury with the natural beauty of Manuel Antonio.We understand your concerns regarding the value and the impact of construction noise on your enjoyment of our pool area. As we seek to improve and expand our facilities to enhance our guests' experiences, we regret any inconvenience this has caused you during your stay. Please rest assured, we are committed to managing such activities with minimal disruption to our guests, and your feedback is crucial in helping us refine our approach.Makanda by the Sea is designed to offer an escape where luxury meets nature. Our Shanti Spa and gym equipped with the latest technology are just a few amenities that exemplify our commitment to providing a high-quality, relaxing experience. The magnificent floating breakfast, wonderful breakfast options, and unforgettable meals at the Arbol restaurant further contribute to the luxurious ambiance we aim to create.Our private wild beach offers a serene retreat, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the tranquility of Manuel Antonio's natural landscape. This, combined with a wide variety of tours, enables our guests to explore the rich biodiversity and stunning scenery of the area.We're situated in a prime location that not only offers easy access to the beauty of Manuel Antonio but also places us within reach of other popular destinations in Costa Rica. The vibrant cloud forests of Monteverde, offering unique wildlife and adventure activities, and the laid-back charm of the Nicoya Peninsula's beaches, provide diverse experiences for our guests looking to explore beyond Manuel Antonio.We sincerely appreciate your loyalty in choosing Makanda by the Sea for your visits to Manuel Antonio, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back. Our goal is to ensure that every stay with us is better than the last, offering peace, luxury, and an immersive experience in the heart of Costa Rica's natural beauty. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us achieve this, and we look forward to demonstrating the improvements made in response to your insights, ensuring your next stay is truly worth the investment.

10/10 Excellent

kamal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing hotel and experience!
Incredible hotel with amazing designs, great rooms, incredible views. Great cocktails! Food is good but can get better. Amazing beach and great friendly staff. Would definitely stay there again! My girlfriend and I had a great experience
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Response from Makanda Family on Feb 28, 2024
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at Makanda by the Sea, located in the breathtaking Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. We're thrilled to hear that you and your girlfriend had an incredible stay, highlighted by our hotel's amazing designs, great rooms, and the unforgettable views that define our unique location.It's fantastic to know that our cocktails made a great impression and that you found our private wild beach and friendly staff to be highlights of your visit. These elements are essential to the Makanda experience, as we strive to create a serene and luxurious retreat that harmonizes with the natural beauty of Manuel Antonio.We appreciate your feedback on our culinary offerings. Our Arbol restaurant aims to deliver unforgettable lunches and dinners, blending local flavors with international cuisine, and your insights are invaluable as we continuously seek to enhance our menu and dining experience.At Makanda by the Sea, we pride ourselves on offering amenities and services that cater to the desires of our guests. From the tranquility of our Shanti Spa and the state-of-the-art equipment in our gym to unique experiences like our magnificent floating breakfast, every aspect of our hotel is designed with luxury and relaxation in mind.Beyond the confines of our hotel, Manuel Antonio offers a wealth of activities and attractions. Our wide variety of tours allows guests to explore the rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes of the area, from adventurous excursions to serene moments on our private wild beach.While the allure of Manuel Antonio captivates many, Costa Rica's diverse landscapes offer more treasures. The peaceful, turquoise waters of the Gulf of Papagayo and the vibrant, cultural richness of the Caribbean coast in Puerto Viejo provide contrasting experiences, enriching the Costa Rican adventure with their unique charm.We're honored that you would choose to stay with us again, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Makanda by the Sea. Your next visit will offer even more opportunities to indulge in the luxury, great views, and exceptional service that define the Makanda experience, alongside the enchanting beauty of Manuel Antonio and the diverse attractions of Costa Rica.

6/10 Okay

Srinivasan

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We stayed at the Makanda for 4 days during our honeymoon trip and feel absolutely in love. We had the grand honeymoon suite and it was even better than the pictures online. We woke up every morning to monkeys playing on our porch and toucans in the trees. We had a private pool and hot tub and the view was out of this world. We actually saw more wildlife from our hotel room than we did when we went to hike the Manuel Antonio national park! We ventured down to pools which were both stunning. There is a saltwater pool with a swim up bar and our bartender Elias was incredible. Not only were the drinks he made us delicious but he went out of his way to point out all the wildlife around and even showed us a sloth! Though I will say this hotel is on the side of a mountain and did get pretty steep at times. However there was staff in golf carts that were ready to take us anywhere we needed to go and were so helpful with our luggage and anything else we needed. We also ate at the Resturant a few times and would highly recommend eating here! The food was amazing and the service was also fantastic. This hotel is also a quick drive to either Quepos or Manuel Antonio! Overall, this hotel blew us away with the friendly staff, ample wildlife, amazing food and incredible views. I would recommend to anyone traveling to Costa Rica and staying near Quepos! You will love this place!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

ALONGKORN, Honolulu

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sara

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael, portland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

2/10 Terrible

ryan, long beach

Liked: Staff & service
No night attendant! Dangerous property ! Very up and down hillside. Service for Costa Rica standards was ok. Design of property cool and food better than average. The property is NOT close to the beach. Access in and out of the property is not great- it’s not near anything. Overall the Hotel incorrectly advertises access to beach. Also, the overall hilly and sliding nature of the property is a disaster waiting to happen. I have traveled to Costa Rica many times and this hotel is not on par with Pura Vida.

10/10 Excellent

Melissa

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Unique stay
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Roberson

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stevie Pearl White

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Makanda is such a beautiful place to be. The team are so accommodating, the food is wonderful and there is so much wildlife to enjoy. We were sad to leave. We will definitely be going back.
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

janny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Amazing !!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

ALEJANDRA

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The best hotel in Manuel Antonio
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hyghly

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

JOSE

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mario

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

tahlia

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Benjiman Dayne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We had an amazing time. Highly recommend
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

kenetria, Houston

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Makanda has the best looking rooms and beautiful property. The decor says luxury, modern. The staff is super accommodating and friendly. Alexander and Andreas took good care of us with drinks at the pool and dinner service. The area for improvement to live up to the 5 star status is room prep. Upon arrival I was concerned that several things were out of order: electronic toilet trash can (important- I’ll explain), magnifying vanity mirrors, bedside reading lamp, room card key, weighing scale, a/c unit bacteria detection). Most things were fixed by the next. I was ready to give a harsh rating when i went to bed because high star rating- high expectations. Although all fixes weren’t made immediately like I would expect, those we reported were completed by day 2 of our 3 night stay. A few things to know about the property: steep walkways- I would not recommend or else I would stress extreme caution for anyone with walking limitations. They ask you to not flush toilet paper- a big reason to have operable touch less and/or electronic opening toilet trash cans. Overall I would love to return again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kasha

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property Beautiful location Amazing attention to detail Alex and Christopher were stand out service providers during my stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Perfect place for rest and relaxation
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Monica, Naples

Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Property was gorgeous!!! It lived up to exactly what it said! It’s more a jungle experience so if your not into the wild life or rain forest I would say this isn’t for you but it’s got a view to die for!! It was worth every penny and the whole experience!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aida

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Perfect stay at the perfect property! It has it all, beautiful amenities, professional and friendly staff, gourmet food, wild life better then at any park. Miss it already and would highly recommend anyone who is heading that way.

10/10 Excellent

Will

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing hotel, beautiful property…the architecture, design details and of course the insane jungle ocean views perfectly showcase this iconic destination in Costa Rica
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wild life inside the property, decoration and food
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The facilities are outstanding. Everything is very well-designed and gorgeous. The views are unique; we also fell in love with the pools. It's the perfect place to relax and unwind. The food was terrific. They have a high-end Chef, and it shows. The signature dinner, in particular, was excellent. The meals by themselves made the whole trip worth it. Lunch with a beer by the pool was also great—one small suggestion: increasing the variety of imported beer beyond Corona and Modelo would be nice. We're also delighted with the service from the restaurant staff and the golf-car drivers. That said, we found the front desk staff a little dry. During checkout, they showed no interest in whether we had a good time (we did!) or if we're planing to come back (we are!). It was one of the friendly golf-car drivers who showed interest in our stay and wished us a safe trip home.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

2/10 Terrible

Brian

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The hotel is nice but not worth the price. The food was a major disappointment. They don’t change the oil and any fried food tastes like old, gross oil. We had way better meals out in town. Drinks are extremely overpriced as is everything at this hotel. The worst part was they only have a thin, white transparent curtain which allows the light to enter the room at 530-6 am every morning. The hotel is designed so the sunrise is on the other side but it is still very bright in the room at 6 am making it almost impossible to get a decent nights sleep at this “5 star resort”. I have never stayed at a hotel that didn’t provide something as simple as dark curtains to improve the quality of sleep for their guests. If you enjoy waking up at 6am while on vacation then this is the place for you. I would recommend spending your money at a different resort. This place wasn’t worth the price.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Heaven on Earth
Paradise, literal paradise. We've been all over the world and this is by far one of the most beautiful, calm, and positive places we've ever been. Once you are inside Makanda, you really don't want to leave. While we did a lot around Quepos and loved Costa Rica as a whole, the simple moments inside Makanda are some of the best we've ever experienced. The food is fantastic. The staff is beyond helpful, kind, and friendly. The property is spotless. The wildlife, the environment, the beauty... I could go on forever. Yes, there is a lot of construction going on around the property because the area is growing. It can be noisy at times, but it didn't start until late morning and wasn't awful. It's so peaceful there you just block it out. It's not easy to get here, the roads are tough, and you absolutely should not drive yourself. If you want to go to other areas nearby, you'll need a taxi, it's not walkable beyond a few shops and other resorts/restaurants (which are great though). But, the staff at Makanda makes transportation and tours seamless. I cannot say enough about how much I loved this place.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Management on Mar 16, 2023
Thank you for your kind words, looking forward to host you again...!!!

10/10 Excellent

Helene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Abbey

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel was wonderful, it had an artsy exotic feel to it. Absolutely Beautiful!
Response from Management on Mar 16, 2023
Thank you for your kind words, looking forward to host you again...!!!

6/10 Okay

Mario

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Response from Management on Mar 16, 2023
Thank you for the score...!!!

8/10 Good

Renee

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The most accommodating staff. The property is so beautiful with so much wildlife. Enjoyed our stay to the fullest!
Response from Management on Mar 16, 2023
Thank you for your kind words, looking forward to host you again...!!!

10/10 Excellent

Larry

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The actual surroundings once in the property are spectacular. Getting there is a different story. Roads leading to property are third world in Antonio Manuel as expected. It’s a nature buff who wants luxury on steroids. Staff magnificent food and bev the same. Highly recommend.
Response from Management on Jan 10, 2023
Thank you for choosing Makanda, looking forward to host you again...!!!

10/10 Excellent

Haim

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent hotel, best service, great staff
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Response from Management on Jan 10, 2023
Thank you for choosing Makanda, looking forward to host you again...!!!

10/10 Excellent

Briana

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were great! Property and wildlife was unique and beautiful! Highly recommend waterfall tours and exploring local restaurants and beaches!
Response from Management on Jan 10, 2023
Thank you for choosing Makanda, looking forward to host you again...!!!

10/10 Excellent

Duane, Franklin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I have been privileged to stay in many of the world's finest 5-star hotels, and I have never seen a more amazing, unique and majestic resort as Mankada by the Sea. I cannot begin to describe the exquisite detail in every corner of the the resort. From the suites to the multiple pools and lucious property - including hundreds of monkeys and beautiful birds, this is truly one-of-a-kind. I would be remiss to not include a huge shout out to the very kind, helpful and efficient staff - and the restaurant team and very unique menus. By all metrics, I would consider this a 5-star resort in every area. My three nights there will be cherished - and will certainly draw me back in the future.
Response from Makanda Management on Nov 8, 2022
Once again, Thank You for choosing Makanda...We're already looking forward to host you again!

10/10 Excellent

Heidi Lynn

Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lexi

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Makanda was a beautiful resort! We got upgraded to the penthouse and the design was impeccable. The staff was so accommodating and so nice! Drinks were wonderful, views were wonderful, it was all just wonderful!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Response from Management on Sep 24, 2022
Hola Lexi!Thank you for choosing Makanda and taking the time to share these kind words, looking forward to host you again...

4/10 Poor

Per

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Frederick

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The pictures do not do this property justice it was even more beautiful in person! The staff was amazing. Wildlife easily in view and spectacular views from the room. Would highly recommend!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Phillip

Pura Vida!
Beautiful hotel. luxurious and modern. Online pictures are amazing but don’t do the property justice. So much better in person. You will see more wildlife at the property then on a tour of the national parks. Our waiter Alex was great, funny and so helpful with anything we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022