3.21.26
In the summer of 2013, my husband and I took a memorable trip to Costa Rica, where we stayed at Makanda by the Sea Hotel in Manuel Antonio. With just 27 rooms, this adult-only boutique hotel sits high above the ocean and offers incredible views—especially from the pool.
Each morning, we were treated to the fluffiest pancakes imaginable, delivered right to our room along with fresh-squeezed juice (YUM!). We enjoyed breakfast on our private patio, sipping coffee while a troop of monkeys moved through the trees overhead. The room itself was spacious, and the staff added beautiful touches like fresh heliconia flowers daily.
One of the highlights was the hotel’s private beach. It required a jungle hike to reach, but once we arrived, we had the place to ourselves—well, except for the crabs scuttling on the sand and the “baby” boa constrictor wrapped around some rocks in the water! I didn’t stick around to admire it for long—I promptly hustled to the other side of the beach. Still, the 20-minute trek through the jungle made it feel like a true adventure.
Another unforgettable moment was our guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. We stumbled into it by chance—we were just looking for a parking spot when some locals offered a guided tour. It turned out to be a lucky break: since we were visiting in the off-season, we ended up with a private guide at no extra cost. With the help of a magnifying device on a tripod, our guide pointed out all sorts of wildlife we wouldn’t have seen otherwise—sloths, snakes, spiders, frogs, bats, monkeys, birds… it was spectacular! The tour ended at the beach, where we soaked up the sun and floated in the warm ocean.
We also joined an ATV tour through the countryside, learning about the region’s palm oil production and tearing along dirt trails. The guides were fantastic, adjusting the pace of the ride to match the group’s vibe—fast and thrilling when we wanted it, slower when it felt right.
There’s so much to do in and around Manuel Antonio—ziplining, white water rafting, catamaran cruises, sailing, tours focused on coffee and chocolate, and sampling the local dishes. We loved exploring the nearby town of Quepos, a little fishing village just down the hill.
