Manuel Antonio, Costa RicaQuepos
Makanda by The Sea
Maximalist rainforest villas
Quepos Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Opened
1985
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe ResortOutside the door
Maximalist rainforest villas
Adults-only villas bring mid-century Hollywood glamour into the rainforest, set high on a bluff over the Pacific.
What it’s good at
Notable
River-pebble spiral mosaics and Carrara marble meet open jungle canopy architecture on the bluff.
Listed
Dedicated golf carts shuttle guests to the beach, with floating breakfasts served poolside.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
invested heavily in a wholesale redesign that mixes Balinese elements with mid-century Hollywood glam, custom art details and hand made mosaic decorations across the public spaces.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Manuel Antonio National Park is ten minutes away. Down the bluff, golf carts run to a secluded Pacific beach.
1 of 4
The rooms
Every room looks west toward Pacific sunsets from private terraces, and select villas have their own plunge pools.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
Floral mosaic tiles line the infinity pool, where swing chairs hang from a wooden pergola beside the jungle.
The hot tub
A circular hot tub rests beneath hanging teardrop pendants, framed by bougainvillea inside Shanti Spa.
The gym
Full-height glass windows look onto the jungle, and a painted palm tree mural spans the ceiling.
Árbol Restaurant
Open-air dining decks sit under white sail canopies and sculptural chandeliers, looking out across the jungle to the sea.
How it began
The hillside was bare cattle pasture before its 1985 founders planted over 10,000 trees to restore the rainforest.
Manuel Antonio
More like this
Los Altos Resort & Spa - SLH
“Hillside rainforest villas”
Gaia Hotel and Nature Reserve - Manuel Antonio
“Terraced rainforest lodge”
The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.