Makao Beach Hotel

The staff were the best part of our stay, from the front desk woman to the bartender, waiter, and owner. My girlfriend and I stayed a few days and had a great time. Breakfast with a view of the beach was excellent. The owner, Gonzalo, was friendly and easy to talk with. He joined us for a nice chat over dinner, and I enjoyed hearing how the hotel became what it is today. The restaurant’s ceviche and club sandwich were both great. I’d also recommend the mango juice with water. Thanks, Gonzalo, for looking after us so well!

The ocean view at sunrise is breathtaking, and it’s a great spot for beginner surfers. I felt safe and relaxed, and really at home. Everyone was kind and helpful. The owners made us feel like part of the family. It’s a clean, cozy place with lots of charm, and the homemade food is delicious and made with care. A lovely stay!

The location right on the beach is great, and the food is good. The staff are kind. But the rooms are wide open to the outdoors, so be prepared for a lot of noise while sleeping: music, dishes being washed at the restaurant next door, big waves, and people talking outside. There aren’t enough places to lie down by the sea, so you have to go to other hotels to spend the whole day at the beach. The laundry service was very poor. Most of my clothes were stained and ruined, and I’ll have to throw them away. The towels’ cleanliness is questionable too. For the price they charge, I’d look at other hotels if you expect that level of quality.

The staff are friendly enough, but we kept having to track someone down to order food or drinks. The WiFi is painfully slow and drops out all the time, and the showers keep switching from hot to cold. The toilet blocks, and the room key is unreliable, so you can get locked out and have to find a staff member. There’s only a fan in the room, no air conditioning. Along the beachfront there are lots of other places with good reviews, a pool, and half the price. I don’t usually write reviews, but hope this saves someone money and helps them find somewhere better.