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active 4 hours ago

Olman Romero

I was born in Turrialba, it is a region famous for hosting the Guayabo Archeological Monument, which is the oldest and most important pre-hispanic archeological site in the country. Turrialba is also known for the active Turrialba Volcano, and for offering the best river in the country to do white water rafting, the Pacuare River.

Since I was little I liked to experience new places and cultures, when I grew up and studied tourism I felt that people should be allowed to know the wonders that our country has to offer.

I have discovered many places, from mountains, beaches, and national parks to cities. Likewise, I love doing adventurous activities such as zip lining, canyoning, rafting, climbing, and horseback riding. I have the experience of having done most activities that Costa Rica is known for, so I can help travelers make the most of their time so they can have an unforgettable experience!

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Family Experiences
Honeymoons
Adventure Travel
Self-drive adventure packages
Luxury Trips
Wellness & Yoga
Birdwatching"

How did you get involved in travel?

"Since I was a kid, I loved to explore new adventures, when I was 15 years old, I had to decide for choosing a carreer for a technical degree for the last three years of the school, so I decided to go for tourism, during that time, I learned a lot about tourism in Costa Rica and its great diversity.

At the same time, I traveled to many destinations such as beaches, volcanoes, rainforest, city, and many off the beaten path places, but the difference was that I visited those destinations for learning, not just for pleasure.

When I finished school, I knew I wanted to continue in the travel industry, so I started working as and adventure guide in a adventure park, then, a good opportunity to start working hotel came to me, so I started working in a hotel amnd continue studying.

The studies led me to work in a travel agency, which is something I love to do, see people happy about their trips makes me happy too."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"There are many experiences!

Trips to the Caribbean Coast, Corcovado National Park, Northern Plains, and Central Pacific Coast, however, one of the best experiences was when I was 19 years old, I visited the Guanacaste Province on the North Pacific Coast for a week.

During that week I rented a motorcycle and explored as many beaches as possible. I discovered beaches like Langosta, Brasilito, Playa Grande, Conchal, Tamarindo, Potrero and Brasilito.

I even was able to snorkel on Capitan Suizo Island and kayak in the ocean, and every day surprised me with incredible sunsets. It was an unforgettable experience."

Olman is part of the following groups: Costa Rica Travel Agents, Costa Rica Family Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Olman

Costa Rica with KimKim
Costa Rica | Mar 11 - Mar 23, 2024

neil
neil p.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024
Thank you to Olman at KimKim who helped build a really exciting and enjoyable itinerary travelling by shuttles, private transfers and buses around Cost Rica. We stayed at some great hotels, some of which had wonderful wild life in and around hotel grounds. The Belmar has its own micro brewery too. The network of transfer vehicles joining up all the key destinations makes it so easy to travel around the country. The trips Olman recommended were excellent (we went on trips around Tortuguero,... Read more

Thank you to Olman at KimKim who helped build a really exciting and enjoyable itinerary travelling by shuttles, private transfers and buses around Cost Rica. We stayed at some great hotels, some of which had wonderful wild life in and around hotel grounds. The Belmar has its own micro brewery too. The network of transfer vehicles joining up all the key destinations makes it so easy to travel around the country. The trips Olman recommended were excellent (we went on trips around Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde and Manual Antonio). Unfortunately the bad weather around Arenal meant we could not see the Volcano as it was cloudy and very wet for three days, but at least the Hot Thermal Springs made up for that. We had to contact KimKim twice by message during our stay and both times they responded within two minutes answering our questions, which was really impressive!

Hotel Reviews
Gran Hotel Costa Rica
San José

Well located for the market and old quarter. Good breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mawamba Lodge
Tortuguero

In the middle of the rain forest with Sloth, monkeys and other wild animals around the grounds. Very nice breakfasts, efficient transfers along the waterways to/from the meeting point and well versed local guides taking us out on canoe/boat. Although the rooms around the gardens do not have aircon, the tranquility and ambience of the hotel gardens easily made up for that !

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean, good showers, no aircon
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Fortuna

The hotel is luxurious and the on-site hot thermal springs are amazing both night and day. Lots of animals to observe around the grounds. The only downside is the cost of F&B. All the hotel cafes and restaurants were expensive, with little choice under $30 for a main course (plus sides/starters/deserts drinks) -so a family of four were spending $200 every night . However, food was excelllent and breakfast was fabulous and included of course.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Belmar
Monteverde

Really nice hotel, located out of town (walkable) with gardens full of colourful noisy birds, their own farm, their own micro-brewery and great food. Cocktails at happy hour, admiring the views was a highlight!

Authenticity & Character
loved that they had their own brewery and farm to table food options
Location
just out of town but walkable
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Parador Nature Resort & Spa
Manuel Antonio

Amazing hotel which felt like we were in the rain forest with monkeys, sloth, iguanas all around the grounds. We had a Vista Room with views of the sea and bay and forest.

Authenticity & Character
Location
views and situated in the forest
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
 San Jose - Tortuguero
San Jose - Tortuguero
Costa Rica

Efficient transport to the meeting point at the docks. However, the organisors moved our pick forward from 6.45am to 6am and as first pick up, we were on the bus for 50 minutes before we even left the City and the roads were then busy for the first half hour. We were picked up at the dock by Mwamber Lodge boats and enjoyed an amazing trip down the estuary right to our hotel, passing monkeys and birds along the river bank. I would give this part of the journey 5 stars!

Quality of Experience
Food
basic rice and beans
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
we were on bus for 50 minutes picking others up
Enjoy the Beauty of Tortuguero National Park
Enjoy the Beauty of Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero

We saw so much wildlife ! We went on various canoe, kayak and boat tours to spot wild animals and colourful birds

Quality of Experience
unique
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
very knowledgeable and engaging
Transport
boats and canoes down the river
El Silencio Volcano Hike & Visit to La Fortuna Waterfall
El Silencio Volcano Hike & Visit to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Difficult to review as it was wet and cloudy but our guide was enthusiastic and engaging

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Callidryas Sloth Watching Tour
Callidryas Sloth Watching Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna

Saw many sloths. The guide ensured we saw them through telescopes as they are often up high in the trees

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monteverde Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Monteverde Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Monteverde

13 Zip lines within and above the cloud forest, the final one being 1KM long. Great fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The Zip Line guides push you on quite quickly so little time to take photos or look around at scenery
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica

Good sightings of monkeys, deer, birds, sloths and finished with swim at the beach.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 25, 2024

Hi Neil,

Thanks for your good review.
It is great to read you had a terrific time exploring some of the most unique destinations in my country.

I hope you can visit us once again to explore more this incredible paradise.

Pura Vida,
Olman

UNFORGETTABLE COSTA RICA TRIP
Costa Rica | Mar 2 - Mar 10, 2024

Margaret
Margaret C.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Mar 22, 2024
AMAZING Costa Rica trip for 3 generations of my family! For my 40th birthday we took my 3 young children and my elderly parents to Costa Rica (La Fortuna, Monteverde and Playa Flamingo) for a 9 day trip. Olman at kimkim was extremely thoughtful and very knowledgeable about these places and recommended the perfect resorts/lodges and activities my family would enjoy all while considering my children's ages and my parents mobility issues. The highlights of our trip were: seeing 3-toed sloths... Read more

AMAZING Costa Rica trip for 3 generations of my family! For my 40th birthday we took my 3 young children and my elderly parents to Costa Rica (La Fortuna, Monteverde and Playa Flamingo) for a 9 day trip. Olman at kimkim was extremely thoughtful and very knowledgeable about these places and recommended the perfect resorts/lodges and activities my family would enjoy all while considering my children's ages and my parents mobility issues.

The highlights of our trip were: seeing 3-toed sloths with Juan Carlos and Gonzalo of Amazilia Travel in La Fortuna; taking a boat cruise on Lake Arenal and learning about the volcano, seeing caiman and eating empanadas with Yeri of EcoTerra Costa Rica; we loved the night tour with Jesus at Refugio de Vida Silvestre in Monteverde (we saw a palm viper, kinkajou and 2-toed sloth!); the guys at Treetopia were amazing and we loved the hanging bridges and zip-lining; my husband LOVED fishing in Playa Flamingo with Blue Marlin Sportfishing - he caught a 90lb yellowfin tuna and we have been enjoying poke bowls ever since; my personal favorite was watching baby sea turtles hatch and crawl into the ocean at Playa Conchal with a local guide Luis and his cousin Netty.

TRULY AN UNFORGETTABLE TRIP. I cannot recommend Costa Rica as a destination or Olman at Kimkim enough.

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Springs Resort & Spa
Fortuna

AMAZING! The best parts were the hot-springs tubs piped directly into your hotel room, the gorgeous breakfast, volcano views and many hot and cool pools. 10/10 would live here if I could!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Koora Hotel at Monteverde
Monteverde

Great views and tasty food. Restaurant is small and wait staff are not accustomed to small kids.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Peñas Blancas River Safari Floating by Raft
Peñas Blancas River Safari Floating by Raft
Arenal/La Fortuna

SOOOO much fun! I cant even being to count the number of animals we saw.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

We loved Juan Carols and Gonzalo sooooo much, we wanted to take them everywhere with us! My daughter was holding Gonzalo's hand and he was showing her all the birds. What a heavenly day!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano National Park by Arenal Lake
Arenal Volcano National Park by Arenal Lake
Arenal/La Fortuna

Lots of great information! Yeri is clearly very highly educated!!! We all learned sooo much from her and the boat trip was very relaxing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Tour at the Wildlife Refuge in Monteverde
Night Tour at the Wildlife Refuge in Monteverde
Monteverde

We saw some awesome animals! Jesus showed is so many things - my son's favorite was the click beetles, but we also saw a 2-toed sloth, palm viper and kinkajou.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Aerial Tram, Zip Lining & Hanging Bridges
Aerial Tram, Zip Lining & Hanging Bridges
Monteverde

FUN! Great wildlife guide Alex on the hanging bridges, and the fellas that did the ziplines were all so great and fun and very hard-working!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fishing in the North Pacific Coast
Fishing in the North Pacific Coast
Costa Rica

The hubby caught a 90lb yellowfin tuna and a large dorado, my mom and son smaller tuna. My husband had such a great time he wanted to go fishing again the next day!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 22, 2024

Hola Margaret,

What a great review!
I am thrilled to know your family had a terrific, but what makes this so special is that everyone got involved and enjoyed a lot every park, hotel, and tour you explored!

I am going to share your comments with the guides and my colleagues.

Thanks again for trusting in us!

Pura Vida,
Olman

Fantastic trip made effortless by kimkim
Costa Rica | Feb 27 - Mar 4, 2024

Beth Ann
Beth Ann A.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 07, 2024
Myself (42F) and my 2 children (12M & 13F) just returned home from Costa Rica after an absolutely excellent trip. Our kimkim advisor Olman, made planning our trip across the country effortless. From the rental car (Alamo) to the 3 separate resorts (Hotel Los Lagos in Arenal/La Fortuna, Poco a Poco in Monteverde, and Karahe Resort in Manuel Antonio), every check in was seamless. Our planned excursions, (horseback riding, waterfall hiking, zip-lining, and snorkeling) were scheduled on our... Read more

Myself (42F) and my 2 children (12M & 13F) just returned home from Costa Rica after an absolutely excellent trip. Our kimkim advisor Olman, made planning our trip across the country effortless. From the rental car (Alamo) to the 3 separate resorts (Hotel Los Lagos in Arenal/La Fortuna, Poco a Poco in Monteverde, and Karahe Resort in Manuel Antonio), every check in was seamless. Our planned excursions, (horseback riding, waterfall hiking, zip-lining, and snorkeling) were scheduled on our behalf and transportation pre-arranged, and couldn't have been better. Esteban, from the La Fortuna waterfall horse and hike, Warner, our kayak and snorkel guide from Tucanes Tours, and the guys from Selvatura Adventure Park, were professional and knowledgeable about the country and great with my kids. In all, not having to research and obsess over what to do, and where to go, and how to get there made this an actual pleasurable experience for me as well as for my kids. Olman got to know us through our continued correspondence, and then was able to provide his expert recommendations on hotels, activities, and local restaurants and towns to visit...And once we decided what worked best for my budget and available days, he put everything together and sent me an itinerary. The hardest thing I had to do was wake up and go. When we return to Cost Rica, I will again plan with Olman, and will use kimkim to help plan all of our future family trips.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort
Fortuna

Absolutely gorgeous location and a great resort for kids! Everything about this place was HUGE from the rooms, to the property, the beautiful volcano that dominated the entire landscape. Out of the 3 places we stayed in Costa Rica, this was the favorite of my kids, and I felt completely safe letting them roam around without me glued to their sides. Our room (129) was right across from the top of the slide into the pool, so my kids were in heaven. Our room itself was enormous, with a big bathroom and great beds. The property is extensive with beautiful walking paths with plenty of activities to do directly from the resort. The hot springs and float-up bar were the best after an afternoon of hiking and horseback riding. The breakfast buffet was a fantastic mix of local and traditional breakfast foods, so there was something for everyone and the prices for on-site food options were quite reasonably priced for a resort restaurant. Only a mile or so from the center of La Fortuna, it was easy to visit town and all the excellent eateries and local restaurants. This resort will be first on our list when we return next year.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco
Monteverde Costa Rica
Authenticity & Character
This hotel was very ecologically friendly, and it was evident that they went our of their way to retain the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside while designing the resort.
Location
It is outside of Monteverde proper, but still close enough that you can walk to many restaurants and local establishments.
Staff
The staff at the front desk were welcoming and very friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was a bit small for 3, but everything was very clean and well kept.
Karahé Beach Hotel
Manuel Antonio

This hotel is split into 2 main parts so if you do book here, make sure that you get a room on the ocean side of the resort, so you do not have to cross the busy road to access the restaurant and beach. From the balcony of our room, we could see the beach and could also view the on-site restaurant and pool. My kids were absolutely in love with the resort pet cat, which was really friendly, and my daughter would have taken home had we let her. There was also many other animals that were right on the resort grounds (capuchin monkeys, lizards, agouti, toucans, etc.)-- so much so that we didn't think it was necessary to go on a nature walk through the reserve park, as all the same animals were right on our resort. The only downside to this resort was the prices of the items on the on-site restaurant menu--They were shockingly high, so we made an effort to eat at other local restaurants. Shout out to the Magic Bus, a local eatery right off the beach that we ate at twice, it was that good.

Authenticity & Character
It was evident that the hotel has done a lot to retain the natural vibe of the area. There was a significant amount of wildlife that could be viewed on the resort grounds, so much so, that the local troop of capuchin were present on the grounds and around the restaurant almost all day long.
Location
This resort was right on the beach and close to a few other Manuel Antonio resorts, but of note is that this hotel is at the bottom of a great big hill that all the resorts are on, so many restaurants, etc. are a hike along a busy roadway. Walking along the beach and popping in and out of the other resort grounds was easier than accessing them from the street.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
When we first checked in, the sink in our room was damaged and there was water all over the floor, but management jumped to get it fixed and it was repaired by the time we returned from lunch. Other than that, the balcony had a fantastic view, and the beds were soft and clean.
Activity Reviews
Horseback Riding to the La Fortuna Waterfall
Horseback Riding to the La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Horseback riding up the mountains is a unique way to appreciate the surrounding countryside. The horses were well taken care of and were used to people. Our guide, Esteban, was fantastic and clearly cared about the horses in his charge. He was knowledgeable about the area and very personable. In addition to the horseback riding was the waterfall itself. Down 500 steps into a river gorge, the climb down and then back up is pretty strenuous, but it was truly magical to be able to swim in the river and feel the spray from the water hitting the rocks.

Quality of Experience
The unique combination of the activity and being a part of nature.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Estaban and his dog, who accompanied us on our ride and hike, were fantastic!
Transport
Monteverde Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining - Self-Drive
Monteverde Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining - Self-Drive
Monteverde

We had originally just booked this for the zip lining and hanging bridges, but ended up adding on the sloth rescue, which really was a great decision. Zip-lining was a fantastic, outside the box adventure, that couldn't have been more exhilarating. The guides that were at each platform made safety their number 1 priority, so even though we were several hundred feet in the air at times, I felt completely safe for both myself and my kids (12 & 13). The hanging bridges were a nice walk throughout the park. We did not join a guided tour, and just walked at our own pace. The sloth rescue/rehabilitation unit was phenomenal! It was amazing to be able to view and learn about these animals and the rehabilitation process of the park. In all, we spent about 5-6 hours completing the zip line course, the hanging bridges walk, the sloth habitat tour, and having a light lunch at the onsite restaurant. It makes for a full afternoon, so great for those looking for several activities in a single place.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We did not utilize transport to or from the park, but the drive from the hotel to the park was very exciting and all rural dirt roads.
El Silencio Volcano Hike
El Silencio Volcano Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

This hike was nice, but nothing special. It was neat to learn about the prior volcanic eruptions that impacted the area, and while it is the closest you can get to the volcano, this was a pretty strenuous uphill hike for a mediocre photo op.

Quality of Experience
This was a nice experience, but it does not compare to other activities in the area.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very knowledgeable and funny.
Transport
The pick up and drop off at the hotel was timely and without issue.
Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling
Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling
Manuel Antonio

Our guide, Warner, made this activity for us. He was a fantastic source of local wildlife knowledge and was able to help tow my son back to the dock when he was too tired to paddle. It bears noting that the majority of the time on this excursion is spent in the kayak. The snorkeling was great, with lots of fish and sea-life to see, but the time in the water could have been longer. In addition to the kayak/snorkeling, the included lunch was fantastic. Typical fare, the chicken, rice, beans, and soursop juice was great, but what was really amazing was the dessert of warm pineapple al a mode with caramel drizzle. It was de-lish and an excellent way to end the excursion.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 07, 2024

Hello Beth,

Thanks for your excellent review!
I am so happy to know you had an amazing in my country with your kids. I will send your kind words to the guide who created a unique experience for you.

I will be waiting for your message to start planning your second adventure in the tropics!

Pura Vida,
Olman

Self-Drive Adventure Exploring the Pacific Coast and Central Highlands - 21 Days
Costa Rica | Feb 7 - Feb 27, 2024

Garritt
Garritt V.
Wenatchee, WA | Reviewed on Mar 03, 2024
We had a amazing second trip to Costa Rica thanks to Olman! Again, he was extremely helpful setting up just the right mix of adventure, culture and relaxation. All of our accommodations and activities were prearranged adding to the ease and enjoyment of this trip. The plan was to experience and explore the wonderful and unique culture of Costa Rica as we self-drove through the country. We were able to enjoy a Local Flavors Cooking Class where we were taught how to prepare a traditional... Read more

We had a amazing second trip to Costa Rica thanks to Olman! Again, he was extremely helpful setting up just the right mix of adventure, culture and relaxation. All of our accommodations and activities were prearranged adding to the ease and enjoyment of this trip. The plan was to experience and explore the wonderful and unique culture of Costa Rica as we self-drove through the country. We were able to enjoy a Local Flavors Cooking Class where we were taught how to prepare a traditional chicken and rice lunch, complete with ceviche and corn tortillas. Additionally, we were able to participate in the making of homemade Chocolate and Coffee; observe the harvesting of Sugar Cane; explore the Nauyaca Waterfall; and enjoy a vast array of local dishes. The people of Costa Rica are most gracious and welcoming. We always felt right at home; so much so that there may be a third trip in the future. Pura Vida!

Hotel Reviews
Parador Nature Resort & Spa
Manuel Antonio

Far and away the Parador is our favorite place to stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Located high above the Pacific Ocean on a quiet tropical peninsula, the Parador offers a host of activities to enjoy. Swimming, sunning, nature walks, exploring farmers markets and going to the beach.
Staff
The Parador's staff are extremely personable, professional and efficient. No detail goes unnoticed. They are the best staff we have experience in Costa Rica.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Parado is pristine. Nothing is ever out of place, be it the dinning areas, the pool areas, the general grounds or your room. They are always need and clean.
Hotel Lomas del Volcán
Fortuna

Hotel Lomas del Volcan is an amazing property nestled in the tropical rainforest at the base of the Arenal Volcano. The luxury bungalows provide a unique lodging experience where you can enjoy nature from your room.

Authenticity & Character
The luxury bungalows afford you the opportunity to experience local architecture in a tropical rain forest situated at the base of the Arenal Volcano.
Location
The views from your bungalow are spectacular. Secluded or social, you decide. Hotel Lomas del Volcan provides them both.
Staff
The staff was authentic and always willing to help you out with the local language.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The facilities, rooms and property were kept very clean. The bungalows come with all the amenities of home.
Azura Beach Resort - All Inclusive - Adults Only
Samara
Authenticity & Character
This resort offered everything as advertised - truly an all inclusive. With five restaurants and four bars - all meals, snacks and libations were easily accessible.
Location
Located steps away from Playa Samara, the Azura offers a host of beach and ocean activities. The resort is very quiet. And for those looking for more activity, the town of Samara is only a 5 minute drive away or a 30 minute walk along the beach.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms and property were well kept. Given the open air design, it is not uncommon to find a leaf or two blowing through the hallways or floating in the pool.
Activity Reviews
Local Flavor Experience -  Cooking Class
Local Flavor Experience - Cooking Class
Manuel Antonio

What a fun day. Our guide Cesar did an amazing job. From immersing us in the culture of the farmer's market; to educating us on the Coast Rican use of vegetables, herbs and spices; to putting the finishing touches on our tortillas. He was a wealth of knowledge. If you want to experience the true taste of Costa Rica, this activity is for you.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano Canyoning Adventure
Arenal Volcano Canyoning Adventure
Arenal/La Fortuna

The ultimate Costa Rican activity. Imagine jumping off of a platform 165 ft. (55 mtrs) above the canyon floor, with a waterfall raging along side you in a lush tropical setting with only a rope, a harness and a helmet; then this activity is for you! The guides are extremely skilled, helpful and safety conscious. They continually encourage you to take it to the limit for the ultimate experience.

Quality of Experience
We liked it so much last year, we came back this year for a second time.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Allen was our guide. He is incredibly good at his job and was always encouraging us to "let it rip". He is a great host.
Transport
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna

A very fun, educational and delicious adventure. Our host Brian was extremely informative and entertaining. We had no idea of what it took to make a chocolate bar or a cup of coffee. Now we do. Thanks Brian.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs
Visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs
Arenal/La Fortuna

There is no better place to eat, drink, soak and relax than at Ecotermales Hot Springs. After a day of adventure, what better way to remove the aches and pains of the day. With six pools, ranging from 90 to 106 degrees (32 to 41 C), you are sure to find one to your liking.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Samara Trails Nature Hike
Samara Trails Nature Hike
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 05, 2024

Hello Garrit,

Thanks for your review.
I am thrilled to know you had a second amazing trip exploring more of this unique country!

Let's hope the time will allow us to work on the third adventure!

Pura Vida!
Olman

A fantastic time in Costa Rica!
Costa Rica | Feb 19 - Feb 29, 2024

Bill
Bill K.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Mar 01, 2024
Olman, my travel agent had everything planned out perfectly! I went to three places, and each was totally different. Manuel Antonio= world class sunsets and one of top five beaches in Costa Rica. The visitors and picos (locals) applaud the sun as it sets. Monteverde was next. Rainforest and zip lining. Between the self guided rainforest and hanging bridges, the zip lining, and the guided night tour, I was at the park for nine hours. Amazing and awe inspiring! Last was Tamarindo. Another of... Read more

Olman, my travel agent had everything planned out perfectly! I went to three places, and each was totally different. Manuel Antonio= world class sunsets and one of top five beaches in Costa Rica. The visitors and picos (locals) applaud the sun as it sets. Monteverde was next. Rainforest and zip lining. Between the self guided rainforest and hanging bridges, the zip lining, and the guided night tour, I was at the park for nine hours. Amazing and awe inspiring! Last was Tamarindo. Another of the top five beaches in Costa Rica. The beach was probably 100’wide and about 1/2 mile long. I felt like I was the only one there!

Hotel Review
La Mariposa Hotel
Manuel Antonio

I cannot say enough wonderful things about La Mariposa in Manuel Antonio. It is the premier spot for watching the amazing sunsets. The entire staff greets you by name. A tropical floral arrangement and voucher for a bottle of house wine awaited me in my room. It was my birthday and I waited too long to reserve a sunset dinner table (it was 3:00 for a 5:30 sunset) everything was booked. I mentioned that it was my birthday. The guy excused himself and came back a few minutes later. He had reserved the primo table on the patio for me! I always try to have a few strange requests for the front desk. They either knew the answer or researched it for me. The entire staff was well informed, extremely courteous. It was probably one of the best experiences I have ever had.

Authenticity & Character
Everybody was “Pura Vida” the greetings felt genuine. Everybody seemed on the same page.
Location
Best sunset in Costa Rica
Staff
Everyone. The dining room guy MADE a space for me at a sold out dinner(Best table for the sunset). Everyone greeted me (and everyone else) by name.
Cleanliness & Comfort
They were constantly cleaning. Everything was discrete. In the early morning, one guy was trimming the trees with a machete (no power saws). Another was raking up the leaves. Another was sweeping. Still another was cleaning the leaves out of the pool. I never heard anything power.. blowers. There was always someone cleaning, whether in the restaurant, the pool, public areas, flowers. Even the parking lot was spotless!
Activity Reviews
Night Tour at the Wildlife Refuge in Monteverde
Night Tour at the Wildlife Refuge in Monteverde
Monteverde

The guides are very knowledgeable, and the groups are small. One good thing is that the guides use WhatsApp to tell the other guides about “finds” so the other guests can be included.

Quality of Experience
Very knowledgeable guides
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everyone was very polite and helpful. The road to the facility is not a road-it is a 4 wheel adventure. Very steep, rocky, slightly muddy full of huge ruts. Once you reach the destination, everything is paved in the parking lot
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica

The park is very nice, but very busy. They push 2000 people a day through, and at the start, it’s like a cattle call. The guides are very good at spotting (animals) to small groups of about 20 people, but they are on a time schedule (get in, get out, next group). If one group sees something, all the other groups join in, so there are 30 people pointing, talking and taking pictures. The beach inside the park is one of the top 5 in Costa Rica, and the water is a perfect temperature. Beautiful!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monteverde Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Monteverde Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Monteverde

A great experience! I combined the hanging bridges, zip line, and night tour in one LONG day. But it was worth it! Spent about 3 hours in the hanging gardens. Averaged 100 pictures an hour. There was something new at every turn! It’s cool ( end of February and about 50 degrees F and a 39 mph wind with mist. I had a sweatshirt and jeans and was comfortable. You can hear it raining, but by the time it gets through all the leaves, it’s like a mist. I never got “wet”. The zip line is terrific! I was second in line behind a 84 year old person from England! There’s a lot of climbing (bridges are fairly level), but it’s worth it. The day I was there, the mist was pretty thick (like a fog). When you zip lined, the water was hitting your face like tiny pellets. Didn’t hurt, but stinging.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 01, 2024

Hello Bill,

Your photos from Costa Rica are amazing! I'm thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time celebrating your birthday. I enjoyed planning your itinerary, and it's great to see that everything paid off.

Pura Vida,
Olman

Amazing experience!
Costa Rica | Feb 11 - Feb 18, 2024

F
Fayruz K.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Feb 23, 2024
The KimKim experience was a wonderful one from start to finish! They planned for us a 7-day Costa Rica experience that was tailored to our needs and included time in Manuel Antonio as well as La Fortuna. Activities included horseback riding, zip lining, national park hikes, volcano hikes, thermal springs and more. All the activities were super fun, transportation to and from the locations were luxurious and on time. All the drivers and tour guides were super nice and knowledgeable. Olman and... Read more

The KimKim experience was a wonderful one from start to finish! They planned for us a 7-day Costa Rica experience that was tailored to our needs and included time in Manuel Antonio as well as La Fortuna. Activities included horseback riding, zip lining, national park hikes, volcano hikes, thermal springs and more. All the activities were super fun, transportation to and from the locations were luxurious and on time. All the drivers and tour guides were super nice and knowledgeable. Olman and Graciela, who managed the tour from the KimKim side, were extremely accommodating and eager to build the trip we had envisioned. When we decided to extend the beach stay by a day at the last minute, Graciela was able to make it happen. I highly recommend KimKim for any vacation experience!

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 23, 2024

Hi Fayruz,

Thanks for your review.
We are so happy to know you had a great time exploring the tropics!

Thanks for everything!

Pura Vida,
Olman

Wonderful trip to Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Feb 7 - Feb 15, 2024

L
Laura D.
Loudon, TN | Reviewed on Feb 16, 2024
First of all, Olman was wonderful. The planning of the trip was so easy and the hotels he chose were awesome. Our questions were answered quickly and helpful. We would never have had such a great trip if not for Olman's insight to Costa Rica. Read more

First of all, Olman was wonderful. The planning of the trip was so easy and the hotels he chose were awesome. Our questions were answered quickly and helpful. We would never have had such a great trip if not for Olman's insight to Costa Rica.

Hotel Reviews
Park Inn San Jose by Radisson
San José

For a one night stay is was good. Room was clean and roomy, and had a great view of the city.

Authenticity & Character
Location
To begin a trip around Costa Rica's center and Pacific side, it is a great starting point.
Staff
When we had a question at checkout, the gentleman at the desk was so helpful in checking our pickup in Spanish for us.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Lomas del Volcán
Fortuna

What a beautiful hotel with individual cottages. Your own private world :)

Authenticity & Character
Location
The hotel was away from town so quiet ........ but it was too far to walk.
Staff
From the reception staff to the breakfast staff so very pleasant :)
Cleanliness & Comfort
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
Monteverde

This hotel made you feel you were right in the forest with all the birds. Very quiet and easy to walk to Monteverde.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Great location from downtown Monteverde. An easy walk :)
Staff
All the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Mariposa Hotel
Manuel Antonio

This hotel had the most beautiful views of the ocean.

Authenticity & Character
This is a twofold answer. It has a lot of character because it is older..... but that is also why we did not give it a 5 star. Just needs a little updating in the bathrooms.
Location
Staff
We wish we had gotten his name, but the gentleman who was at the reception was wonderful. Has been at the hotel for years, and his knowledge of everything was great :)
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Arenal Guided Hanging Bridges
Arenal Guided Hanging Bridges
Arenal/La Fortuna

We had a wonderful guide (sorry we forgot his name). You could tell he loved his job.

Quality of Experience
Our guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zip Lining in Arenal Volcano
Zip Lining in Arenal Volcano
Arenal/La Fortuna

It was a lot of fun, but wished I had added the one with the superman canopy.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde

Our guide was wonderful but the day was hot and no clouds, so the experience was not perfect. No one's fault except mother nature.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was great.
Transport
Night Tour at the Wildlife Refuge in Monteverde
Night Tour at the Wildlife Refuge in Monteverde
Monteverde

First of all the guide was great, but because it was so hot and humid the experience was not the best for us. And for a straight walk, there were a few high steps and short hills to maneuver. Being in February we were told it might be cool...... but that was not the situation.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Catamaran Adventure with Snorkeling - Ocean King
Catamaran Adventure with Snorkeling - Ocean King
Manuel Antonio

This was a plus after spending some days in hot weather (February is not cool in Costa Rica), at least for us it wasn't.

Quality of Experience
Food
Everything
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The staff were a lot of fun and the music was great.
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica

First off our guide was great (wish we wrote his name down). This was a nice hike as all the trails were flat and easy to walk. It is a wonder how the guide was able to find location of critters in the trees.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 16, 2024

Hello Laura,

What a great holiday!
I want to thank you for your review, I am so happy to know every tour and hotel offered a great experience.

Pura Vida,
Olman

Overall comments on our Costa Rica experience with KimKim
Costa Rica | Feb 1 - Feb 12, 2024

J
Julie T.
Davis, CA | Reviewed on Feb 13, 2024
Back in 2019, when Olman first started working on our trip, he initially told us that we'd be able to get our deposit back because of Covid 19 closing down travel. But, unlike other trips we had booked for this time, KimKim wouldn't allow us to get a refund, so he had to retract this. We couldn't travel within a year, so we lost our travel insurance too. I would have given 5 star on booking had it not been for this, in addition to close to an hour wait at La Paz Gardens because reception... Read more

Back in 2019, when Olman first started working on our trip, he initially told us that we'd be able to get our deposit back because of Covid 19 closing down travel. But, unlike other trips we had booked for this time, KimKim wouldn't allow us to get a refund, so he had to retract this. We couldn't travel within a year, so we lost our travel insurance too. I would have given 5 star on booking had it not been for this, in addition to close to an hour wait at La Paz Gardens because reception could not verify we had paid for entry. The manager said he tried KimKim emergency number, but there is discrepency on accuracy of this from travel agent. But, other than that, all drivers and tours happened as outlined. Olman listened to my request for high end accommodations, and we were not disappointed. The Hotel Belmar Orchid room was astounding. It has several flights of stairs but valets carried luggage. It was our favorite place to stay. Every hotel had English speaking staff and very friendly. Makenda by the Sea is hillside, and just warn future bookers that if you can't walk steep stairs or walkways, you must ask for a golf cart driver (which is readily available) and the private beach is only available by resort transportation and not a very safe place to swim. It is also skewed to young honeymooners, which is just an ambience observation. The resort really has no walkable paths to Manuel Antonio or Quepos, so dependent on taxis. As beautiful of a resort it is, it felt a bit confining. Minor issues in the scheme of things. We had no problem with any of our tour guides, but the venues were teaming with visitors because of high season and it did detract from the beauty at times. All the guides love Costa Rica and want to share their homeland with others. Our airport drivers were on time and polite. My husband spoke a little Spanish which was invaluable especially on the ride back to San Jose. Just a shout out for the airport hotel I chose to stay at: Fairfield by Marriott airport hotel. I would recommend it to your future Kim Kim travelers. Rooms appear newer, shuttle bus timely every 30 min to airport, and hotel buffet breakfast better than most chains. Across the street are 3 restaurants, which receptionist recommended Peruvian restaurant Aji Limon. Low key and owner speaks English. Very decent considering location! Takes credit cards, and American dollars. Although the traffic was at times terrible and tours were crowded, it was to be expected at high season. At no point did we feel unwelcomed. The road situation made us so grateful for private drivers. Thanks to Olman for his patience, answers to all my questions, and politeness. His itinerary was a great introduction to Costa Rica.

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 13, 2024

Dear Julie,

Thank you for your review and recommendations.
I appreciate your feedback and will pass along the information to my colleagues to help us improve our services.

I hope your visit to our country was enjoyable and I look forward to welcoming you back soon.

Best regards,
Olman

I was feeling overwhelmed in December trying ...
Costa Rica | Jan 5 - Jan 21, 2024

Kathy
Kathy D.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024
I was feeling overwhelmed in December trying to pull a January trip off last second. That's when I found KimKim and though a motor hesitant went ahead and booked through them. Olman was great at understanding my requirements and interests and offering a few suggestions until we had the perfect itinerary for us. The trip was also perfectly executed from our airport pickup to dropoff. Tours, hotels, and especially transfers are all the mundane work about a vacation that's not fun. The... Read more

I was feeling overwhelmed in December trying to pull a January trip off last second. That's when I found KimKim and though a motor hesitant went ahead and booked through them.

Olman was great at understanding my requirements and interests and offering a few suggestions until we had the perfect itinerary for us.

The trip was also perfectly executed from our airport pickup to dropoff. Tours, hotels, and especially transfers are all the mundane work about a vacation that's not fun. The Kimkim team took that off our hands entirely which just left us to enjoy.

My favorite excursion was the white water rafting! And followed closely by the ecotermales hot springs in La Fortuna... But I love good hot springs. Our guide, Alan, in the Manuel Antonio park was also so nice and knowledgeable.

The restaurant recommendations were also top notch!

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 23, 2024

Hello Kathy,

Thanks for your review!
Nice pics!

I am so happy to know every tour, transfer, and the hotels were according to what you expected or even better.

We hope to have you in our country once again!

Pura Vida,
Olman

Superb Panama and Costa Rica trip!
Costa Rica | Dec 26 - Jan 8, 2024

Teresa
Teresa R.
Portugal | Reviewed on Jan 15, 2024
We just spent two weeks in Panama and Costa Rica, a trip entirely organized by kimkim — catering to our desires and including our suggestions — and it was simply wonderful! I confess we were a bit apprehensive, as we found kimkim online while researching destinations, and we didn't know anyone who had used this platform before, but we're glad we took the risk! It was a super personalized trip, from the planning phase where Olman - our 'trip planner,' a local expert — was extremely accessible... Read more

We just spent two weeks in Panama and Costa Rica, a trip entirely organized by kimkim — catering to our desires and including our suggestions — and it was simply wonderful! I confess we were a bit apprehensive, as we found kimkim online while researching destinations, and we didn't know anyone who had used this platform before, but we're glad we took the risk! It was a super personalized trip, from the planning phase where Olman - our 'trip planner,' a local expert — was extremely accessible and available to answer all our questions and accommodate our requests. We even had a video call where we could meet him and ask some questions. Everyone we encountered was incredibly friendly and polite, from the transfer drivers (Fernando, Danilo, Ricardo, and many others!) to the guides of the visits and activities, and the hotel staff. Thanks to everyone, especially Olman and Graciela, for their availability, friendliness, and professionalism. We absolutely recommend kimkim for trips with multiple stops and activities, and we look forward to organizing the next trip with kimkim! Pura vida!"

Hotel Review
Hotel Eclypse de Mar Acqua Lodge
Isla Bastimentos

Wonderful place in Bocas del Toro! Staying on Bastimentos Island was great! More peaceful and paradisiacal, with the bonus of picturesque water taxi rides whenever we wanted to go to Colon. Thank you Olman for choosing this magical hotel for us!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The coffee was great!
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 15, 2024

Hello Teresa,

Thanks a lot for your review.
I love to read to you had a great time exploring Panama and Costa Rica. All our staff is really happy with this review.

I hope this won't be your last time visiting Central America, there is much more adventure and unique destinations to explore.

Pura Vida!
Olman