First of all, it’s gated community. 24 hours guard in the front. Every unit has its own private entrance and private space. And I believe every unit has its own view of the ocean.

Stayed in April 2025

All in all, it's a nice hotel, but the value for money just isn't there. If you're expecting luxury, you'll only get above-average quality at best. There's definitely room for improvement. In the end, it’s a pretty hotel that doesn’t live up to its promises. For the price we paid, we had far better experiences elsewhere on our trip.

This was the final and also the most expensive hotel on our six-stop journey through Costa Rica – unfortunately, it ended up being only the second-worst. Four of the six hotels we stayed at offered a significantly better overall experience. The grounds and the room are undoubtedly beautiful, but they do not justify the steep price in any way. Service is decent, but for a 5-star hotel in this price range, it's rather average. The same applies to the food: it's good in terms of taste, but absolutely overpriced. During our trip, we enjoyed much better culinary experiences at far more reasonable prices.

Stayed in April 2025

Food in the main restaurant in the evening wasn’t to our liking, which was a shame because it had a wonderful position and outlook. We ate outside of the hotel most nights. The welcome needs to be tightened up. Our driver was told to drop us off at the gate, there was no one there to welcome us. We then had to walk to the reception because there was no golf cart. There was also works going on at the entrance so the initial impression wasn’t great tbh and not what I expected of a hotel at this price point. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Room had damage. Communication from front desk was poor. Had to chase timings for pick up for tours. Wasn’t told that the full cost of the tour hadn’t been put on the room and had to pay more on the day, which wasn’t an issue but would’ve been nice to have been told.

Wonderful pool and poolside bar. Clean. Comfy beds. Nice outlook. Short walk to a lovely beach. Free sunscreen available at the pool is a nice touch.

Stayed in March 2025

The room had a musty smell. To be expected considering the resort is on a hill side jungle.

The location, property, amenities and staff was wonderful.

Stayed in March 2025

Food and drinks are very expensive for what you get. $300 dinners and leaving still hungry.

This is our second time staying at Makanda, the hotel itself is breath taking! The hotel staff is so helpful and incredible. The rooms are extremely comfortable and the architecture is lovely! Loved waking up to monkeys outside of our room!

Stayed in January 2025

We enjoyed everything! Staff was great, kind and really helpful. The room, the hotel itself was gorgeous. We saw more animals in the hotel’s surrounding than in Manuel Antonio. Pool area chic and relaxing.

Stayed in January 2025

Reception staff always busy. Watch out for a last-minute mini-bar scam - we settled the bill to then be informed that we taken whiskey (the most expensive!) and a bottle of Evian water, we hadn't touched the minibar. However we'd returned to the room just before check out time and saw the bottles had been removed from the minibar and were left on a glass table which looked strange. We argued and they didn't charge us thankfully

Stunning grounds, access to the beach, pool areas and rooms. Creative luxurious bedroom bathroom and common areas. Mostly delightful staff and being taken around by buggy's was helpful given the steep gradients

Stayed in February 2025

We visited during the rainy season. Because of the steep decline of the slippery terrain (safety reasons) we had to be transported everywhere. That was a smooth and fantastic service with friendly drivers. We just wished that we could have been more physically active during our stay.

The staff was very attentive and kind. Food in the restaurant was delicious. The room was extremely comfortable and spacious. Loved all the pools. We enjoyed the beach. The location of the hotel is magical you feel like being up in the tree tops. We observed 3 of the 4 types of monkeys playing around, so fun. We thought the DJ was a fun event.

Stayed in October 2024

Location and service was oustanding. The view was breathtaking. Perfect spot for a relaxing week

Stayed in November 2024

Nothing not to like. Would prefer some traditional dishes on offer, or South American fare.

The room was wonderful, the staff helpful and exceptional, and the private beach was incredible, such an unforgettable highlight.

Stayed in December 2024

The whole environment was simply fabulous! The room, our terrace, the pools, the service and the food... everything was just perfect. Even nature was on our side with a sloth on the premises and a whale jumping in the distance.!! Walking around can be a challenge due to steep walk ways. But the Hotel is offering internal transport services.

Stayed in October 2024

Room was amazing

Stayed in September 2024

We were lucky with our room but some rooms were further down and it’s all on a hill…however a quick call to reception and a golf buggy will pick you up so no problem! Also it rained so can confirm that the hills are perfectly safe when wet!

Amazing place where we ended our honeymoon and are already planning on an anniversary holiday back! The place is incredible, so perfectly designed to fit with its surroundings. The staff were amazing, the food incredible and facilities and views a dream. What a place…

Stayed in September 2024

Alcohol was pretty pricey.

Amazing views and pools!

Stayed in September 2024

Beach is a little disappointing, but the pool compensates.

Very nice hotel! Amazing pool and view!! The restaurant is very good! The park Manuel Antonio is near the hotel. Higly recommend!

Stayed in September 2024

Hard to find at night. The navigation maps are not very good if you are coming in driving your own car.

The room was amazing, the staff was very nice and helpful, the pools were both great, spa and massage therapists were great for our couple's massage.

Stayed in July 2024

Amazing facilities, staff extremely helpful and polite, the views are incredible, the room so spacious, and the food at the restaurant so good I never tried anything outside Makanda. Also really good spa!

Stayed in August 2024

Piscina, palestra

Stayed in August 2024

Not enough parking spots, very dangerous and slippery sections of the roads and trails to the rooms

Beautiful experience, very nice decor, the entire hotel infrastructure is amazing

Stayed in July 2024

We had a terrible experience at the spa. Out of the four guests in our party, only one of us enjoyed the massage. All four of us agreed the massage table head cradles were extremely uncomfortable. It seemed like three of our therapists were still training, and the massages were very expensive. There was no relaxation room, and showers were only available in some rooms. We get massages often and have never experienced such a bad massage, even at cheap shopping mall places. We didn’t enjoy any of our breakfasts at the property. We kept ordering different things hoping something would be good, but we never found anything we liked. I recommend going off the property for breakfast. Staff were very friendly and attentive once we arrived, but the property was very slow to respond to emails and messages before we arrived. It sometimes took 1 week to get a response. We were also given incorrect information about one of our tours we booked through the property. Communication needs to be improved.

The rooms and pools are beautiful, and the property is near the area’s best beaches. We appreciated that the property provided sunscreen and bug spray. The staff are all very friendly and went out of their way to make sure we had a good experience while we were staying at the property. We enjoyed a very good wine dinner at Arbol restaurant, and we enjoyed the drinks we ordered at poolside bars.

Stayed in June 2024

The power went out a lot there.

Location was perfect

Stayed in June 2024

Hard to find something we did not like. Reading other reviews, people say it is expensive. We believe given the quality of everything, it is adequate. What might be expensive are the drinks. There is a happy hour from 4-6pm though.

Everything! The design is done with incredibly good taste. The location/plot is full of wildlife. We went to 5 tours prior to our stay here to see wildlife and we saw less than what is on site (all types of monkeys, birds, sloths from close proximity, etc). The beach is also nice, black sand, but we preferred to stay at the pools. The rooms are fabulous and designed with impeccable taste. Regarding the restaurant, we often go to these elegant hotels but usually the restaurant does not stand up to the hotels. This is NOT the case for Arbol. The restaurant, Arbol, was great: breakfast, lunch and dinner, it was so good we ate all meals there! It is refined and delicious. Staff is also extremely attentive and helpful. The gym is small but sufficient for 1-2 trainings. We will definitely come back.

Stayed in May 2024

The included breakfast was basic. But still nice.

Attention to detail was exceptional.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing ! Maybe the food for diner wasn’t the best and not very generous plate

Amazing. Private beach . Staff exceptional .room perfect

Stayed in April 2024