The best customer service during a challenging time

Costa Rica | Dec 1 - Dec 15, 2021

We had a lovely room overlooking the jungle and the bay. The grounds of the hotel were very unique and we felt like we were definitely on vacation each time we stepped outside. You see monkeys and birds all around the property - monkeys even showed up for breakfast - just be alert because they'll try to steal your food! The staff was very helpful and accomodating. There is even a private beach area at the bottom of the hill that staff will gladly take you to and from via golf carts. We happened to be there at the end of the rainy season so the walkways are slippery if you're not wearing shoes with soles that grip. The food is excellent as well. Makanda was just was a wonderful getaway from reality.

Bring shoes with soles in case of rain....also pack a rain coat.

We were very lucky in our room assignment - off the walkway, toward the back to allow for more privacy (and a place to dry our laundry with it not being in the public view). The food is excellent and I highly recommend the farm to table dinner that's offered. The farm is owned by the hotel owner and they grow all the vegetables and herbs for the hotel, organically. That dinner is a unique experience and everyone should try it. A short walk to the beach and you have access to tidal pools deep enough to swim in. You can walk for miles along the shore - just remember your sunscreen! There are a couple of cabanas by the pool that we employed during the hot afternoons and we enjoyed drinks and lunch by the pool as well. That's a great way to spend a warm day. The hotel is within walking distance (if you don't mind walking a mile or two) to downtown and amenities. I had a medical emergency our first night there and the night clerk was very helpful in finding a 24 hour urgent care clinic that was open for me to go to. All was well in the end and really, we can't say enough good things about Cala Luna. I think the villas with the plunge pools would be an excellent place to stay here, had we planned a bit better - more privacy, private pool. All in all, Cala Luna is an oasis in very busy Tamarindo.

Make sure you fully shut the door when going to bed or one of the resort cats might pay you a visit in the middle of the night. It was a surprise but makes for a very funny story.

Perfect!!! This was a trip postponed twice due to the pandemic and was originally scheduled to celebrate a milestone anniversary. When the staff asked us if we were celebrating anything, we told them that story. When we arrived at our room, there was a rose petal display on the floor, champagne, chocolates and fruit to help us celebrate! It was so very wonderful and thoughtful! Laundry is included, which, toward the end of a two week vacation, is very necessary. Food at every restaurant was over the top delicious and the staff is spectacular. The grounds are gorgeous too - take a walk up to the tented camp area and take advantage of the hot springs and the freezing cold plunge pool. Our room was perfect - huge, outdoor shower (as well as an indoor one), large bathroom and a fabulous hot spring warmed plunge pool! We used that quite a bit. We stayed here at the end of the raining season so it, of course, rained. That shouldn't deter you - there are umbrellas everywhere and if you don't feel like walking in the rain, you can call the front desk for a golf cart ride to wherever you need to go. The staff is very helpful with anything you need whether is be making reservations for dinner or setting up an excursion. They are happy to help so don't be afraid to ask. We actually based our entire trip around this resort - I had read about it and how wonderful it was so we had to stay here....the article was spot on!!! We would go back in a heart beat!

Celebrate whatever here - they really make your special day even more special.

Our guide was extra friendly and informative, he had a vast knowledge of the flora and fauna plus he was very adept at taking photos with cell phones through the viewfinder of his telescope. We had some free time during the tour to explore the beach on our own before heading back through the jungle. The park is gorgeous and they are very strict about handwashing and mask wearing through the entrance gate. There is so much to see in this national park - it should be a national treasure! We saw birds, monkeys, iguanas, caimans....just a great place to explore!

I'm glad the boat wasn't filled to capacity - we wouldn't have been able to interact so easily with our other snorklers as much. Drinks were delicious as well as dinner - and the sunset was amazing. The crew guided us around the bay before we started snorkling and we encountered a pod of spotted dolphins who swam along with the boat. There weren't a ton of different fish to see but it was calm and the water was warm. The boat has a slide that nearly every passenger went down! It was a very pleasant and relaxing time spent on and in the water.