Adults-Only Luxury Hotel in Manuel Antonio: Makanda by the Sea
Makanda by the Sea is Manuel Antonio's only adults-only luxury boutique hotel with private pool villas, Pacific ocean views, a jungle spa and a restaurant with a wine list that reaches to Château Lafite Rothschild. This guide covers the property's accommodations, dining, spa and what a typical day looks like for guests who choose Makanda for a romantic or couples retreat in Costa Rica.
Official secure booking on makanda.com
Private Pool Villas in Manuel Antonio
The private pool villas at Makanda are the defining accommodation choice for couples who want complete seclusion within the hotel. Each villa has a private plunge pool on the terrace facing west over the Pacific — large enough for two to swim comfortably, positioned to face the ocean rather than the property interior. The Honeymoon Junior Pool Villa and Honeymoon Grand Pool Villa are designed specifically for couples, with layouts that prioritise privacy and romance over square footage for its own sake. The Sky Penthouse Private Pool at the top of the property has the widest Pacific panorama and a private infinity pool. All pool villas support the floating breakfast experience — breakfast served on a tray in your pool, arranged by reception the evening before.
Suites with Ocean Views
For guests who want Pacific views and the adults-only Makanda experience without the full private pool commitment, the suite categories offer the same quality of finish and atmosphere at a more accessible price point. The Tropical Suite starts at 80 square metres with a private terrace and Pacific views. The Pacific Jacuzzi Suite adds an outdoor jacuzzi on the terrace — one of the most popular room choices for couples who want a private water feature in a more compact format than a full pool villa. Every suite has Carrara marble bathrooms, hardwood interiors, climate control and west-facing views. All guests access the same adults-only infinity pool, Árbol Restaurant and Shanti Spa regardless of room category.
A Day at Makanda by the Sea
A typical Makanda day looks like this: wildlife on the hotel grounds at dawn before breakfast, breakfast at Árbol Restaurant at 7:30am with fresh tropical fruit and Costa Rican coffee, a morning activity — national park visit, waterfall hike or surf lesson — returning by mid-morning, late breakfast or early lunch on the pool terrace, afternoon at the adults-only infinity pool watching the Pacific horizon, happy hour at the pool bar at 4pm as the sky begins to change, dinner at Árbol as the sun drops below the ocean. The rhythm is easy to fall into and difficult to leave. Most guests describe the pace as the best part of the stay alongside the wildlife and the views.
Dining and Cocktails at Árbol Restaurant
Árbol Restaurant is open every day for breakfast (7:00–10:00), pool terrace lunch (11:00–18:00), happy hour (16:00–18:00) and dinner. The evening dinner service offers a Signature Set Menu — New Costa Rican cuisine with cold starters including Angus beef tartare and Brioche with foie gras, hot starters of Octopus and Clam chowder, and mains of Lobster tail, Tenderloin and Sea bass — at $65 for two courses or $95 for three. The cocktail menu includes five house signatures, a full classic range and a premium spirits selection with Ron Zacapa XO, Don Julio 1942 and Macallan 18 Year Old. The wine list covers by the glass at $18 through to collector bottles. Reservation recommended for dinner — book at arbolrestaurant.com.
Shanti Spa for Couples
Shanti Spa at Makanda sits on a private terrace with 270-degree Pacific ocean views above Manuel Antonio. The Couples Massage — two therapists working simultaneously on both partners — is the most popular treatment: 60 minutes at $340 for two, 90 minutes at $500. Individual treatments include Swedish massage, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, body wraps and organic facials from $130 per person. Multi-treatment packages run 3 to 3.5 hours and combine massage, exfoliation, facial and scalp massage into a single immersive session. The Spa Day option gives a private group exclusive access to the full spa facility with Makanda dining. Book spa appointments as early as possible — couples massage slots fill first.
Booking Makanda for a Romantic Stay
Direct booking through makanda.com gives you the best available rate and direct communication with the hotel team before arrival. Mention your occasion — honeymoon, anniversary, or simply a dedicated romantic trip — at the time of booking and the team will coordinate touches throughout your stay. The floating breakfast, spa treatments and special dinner arrangements all work best when requested in advance rather than on arrival. Browse the nine room types at makanda.com/en/rooms to choose based on your priorities. Read the reservation policy before confirming — it covers deposits, payments and cancellation clearly. Contact reception@makanda.com with any questions about specific rooms or current availability.
Direct booking tips before you travel
If you like to plan with zero surprises, review our official Reservation Policy before arrival so you know exactly how deposits, payments, and cancellations work.
Useful links for planning your stay:
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Official secure booking on makanda.com
