Kimkim Trip Reviews for Colombia

4.9
Based on 534 ratings
Read 534 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Colombia on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Great trip
Colombia | Mar 30 - Apr 5, 2023

E
Evan M.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Apr 13, 2023
We had a great time and would never have been able to plan this trip ourselves. Margoth was helpful and friendly helping us iterate through trip plans. The spacing of everything was great - we were never rushed for time or wishing we were busier. Every tour guide we had was excellent (we had 3). Overall great experience. Read more

We had a great time and would never have been able to plan this trip ourselves. Margoth was helpful and friendly helping us iterate through trip plans. The spacing of everything was great - we were never rushed for time or wishing we were busier. Every tour guide we had was excellent (we had 3). Overall great experience.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Capellan de Getsemani
Cartagena de Indias

Beautiful hotel but difficulty with hot water.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The staff here was amazing
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Artisan D.C. Hotel, Autograph Collection
Bogotá

Convenient location, nice room, huge breakfast, friendly staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Convenient location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Felt very clean
Hotel Boutique Sazagua
Pereira

Loved staying here. A lot of the reviews called it “magical” and that’s a good description. The hotel feeds the birds in the morning, and we loved watching them during breakfast. We had a cooking class with Juan Pablo and he was great.

Authenticity & Character
Felt like staying in someone’s house
Location
Staff
Very friendly and helpful staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Half Day City Tour of Bogotá
Half Day City Tour of Bogotá
Bogotá

Great tour with Oscar. Really knowledgeable and friendly guy. We appreciated his company and flexibility

Quality of Experience
Tour guide was great
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cocora Valley,  Salento, & Coffee Farm Visit
Cocora Valley,  Salento, & Coffee Farm Visit
Colombia

Fantastic hike, fun coffee farm visit

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Natalia was awesome, all the drivers were friendly
Transport
Great drivers
Half Day City Tour of Cartagena
Half Day City Tour of Cartagena
Cartagena

The best tour guide! Amaro (I hope I’m spelling that right) is world class. Friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly well liked around town

Quality of Experience
Definitely our tour guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
All great drivers
Local specialist: Margoth Rico
Margoth
Margoth Rico
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on Apr 13, 2023

Thank you so much Evan! And we really appreciate that you took the time to leave a review, thank you!! It was wonderful to have you and Anna in Colombia and it was a pleasure to be a part of your experience in Colombia! Thank you for your feedback and great to hear that you had a great time in Colombia!! That is our most important mission, making sure all travelers have the very best experience in our home country, and thank you for visiting Colombia!

Hasta pronto!
Margoth

Micahel was very knowledgable, patient and at...
Colombia | Apr 1 - Apr 8, 2023

E
Edward P.
Grand Rapids, MI | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2023
Micahel was very knowledgable, patient and attentive. Did a nice job. Read more

Micahel was very knowledgable, patient and attentive. Did a nice job.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Kartaxa Cartagena
Cartagena

This was more like a 3 star hotel. Good location, but few amenities and felt low budget. You could not drink the water in your room - you had to get drinking water from a dispenser in the hallway. No elevator for bags. Not luxe by any means.

Hotel Park 10
Medellin
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia
Bogotá
Activity Reviews
Rosario Islands Day Trip
Rosario Islands Day Trip
Cartagena

Not luxe. Bug bites. Not great.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coconut Workshop
Coconut Workshop
Cartagena

Some liked this and some did not. Its jewelry making and that should be more clear in the description. And I would skip the social justice sermon.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boquilla Mangrove Tour
Boquilla Mangrove Tour
Cartagena

Did not enjoy this. Do not enjoy social justice warrior themed tours. Guide was very knowledgable and friendly - just did not enjoy the content.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee-Culture Tour
Coffee-Culture Tour
Medellín

Guide and location were excellent. This was much enjoyed and surprisingly close to hotel.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Peñol Boulder & Guatapé Boat Trip
Peñol Boulder & Guatapé Boat Trip
Medellín

Guide and driver were excellent. The road is down to one lane and so we sat in the hot car stopped in traffic for an hour or more both ways.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín

Did not really enjoy the content much.

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 10, 2023

Dear Edward,

Thank you for your feedback. I am glad to hear that we were able to give your family a nice trip through Colombia and that you were satisfied with our service. Thank you also for your feedback on the hotels and activities - this always helps us for future planning!

Hope to see you again soon!

Best regards,
Michael and the Chaska Tours Team

Overall we enjoyed the trip thoroughly. ALL t...
Colombia | Mar 26 - Apr 3, 2023

P
Philip F.
Boynton Beach, FL | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2023
Overall we enjoyed the trip thoroughly. ALL the staff including Wendy, Andrea, Andreas, Martin, and, everyone were knowledgeable, kind, caring and very attentive to our special needs. Aside from the physical strains of walking hills where unavoidable, we have no complaints. The hotel in Bogota (Sofitel) was a gem and we loved it. However, the same cannot be said for Park 10 (Medellin). This was one of the WORST places I have ever stayed. It was exactly the opposite of what we had requested.... Read more

Overall we enjoyed the trip thoroughly. ALL the staff including Wendy, Andrea, Andreas, Martin, and, everyone were knowledgeable, kind, caring and very attentive to our special needs. Aside from the physical strains of walking hills where unavoidable, we have no complaints. The hotel in Bogota (Sofitel) was a gem and we loved it. However, the same cannot be said for Park 10 (Medellin). This was one of the WORST places I have ever stayed. It was exactly the opposite of what we had requested. These people were very kind and tried to help, but have no idea how to operate a hotel. We had NO hot water most of the time, no one could adjust the A/C so that we were not cold all the time, no one could get the TV (Direct TV) to produce anything but Spanish speaking channels, numerous technical issues which never were resolved, etc. The original hotel would have been great except the brochure does not mention that most rooms could only be accessed by long, steep, dangerous stairways with no railings. When none of the rooms we were supposed to get were available they were of no help in accommodating us. Really ruined a good part of our stay in Medellin.
So after this long litany of complaints, let me conclude by thanking your entire organization for providing us with a wonderful memory of our anniversary in your beautiful country, with its kind people and welcoming spirit.

Local specialist: Wendy Romero
Wendy
Wendy Romero
Local specialist in Santa Marta | Replied on Apr 06, 2023

Hi Dear Philip & Jo Ann,
Thank you for your feedback which is very important to us!
Your visit was a treasure for us and we are really grateful that you choose us to be with you on the trip and celebrate your anniversary.
We know that you make a big effort and thank you!
Thank you for doing the activities which we talked about by phone, thank you for your patience, and thank you for everything.
I am sorry to hear about the hotel in Medellín. Your feedbacks are really important to us and we will keep working to give our travelers a good experience.
Have a great night,
Best,
Wendy

Amazing!
Colombia | Mar 21 - Apr 1, 2023

T
Timea B.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2023

Amazing service, well thought out itineraries, great bus drivers and amazing local guide in Medellin! Thank you so much!!!

Local specialist: Margarita Moreno
Margarita
Margarita Moreno
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on Apr 03, 2023

Timea thanks for your feedback!
I am so happy to see how you enjoyed this trip.

I will send your comments to our guide in Medellin.
It was a pleasure to help you organize this trip.

Remember that when you want to come back you will have a team waiting for you to show you more of Colombia.

Margarita

Margarita was a wonderful communicator…
Colombia | Mar 21 - Apr 1, 2023

D
Drew H.
San Lorenzo, CA | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2023
Margarita was a wonderful communicator and thoughtful travel coordinator, visiting us during two stops in the Bogota airport. All of the guides were kind, informed and prompt, making our trip seamless and easy (even with 5 children ages 1-8 included in our group). Lee in Medellin was especially wonderful, teaching us a lot of the Colombian culture and landscape. We can’t wait to use KimKim again for our travel planning! Read more

Margarita was a wonderful communicator and thoughtful travel coordinator, visiting us during two stops in the Bogota airport. All of the guides were kind, informed and prompt, making our trip seamless and easy (even with 5 children ages 1-8 included in our group). Lee in Medellin was especially wonderful, teaching us a lot of the Colombian culture and landscape. We can’t wait to use KimKim again for our travel planning!

Hotel Review
Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena
Cartagena
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Margarita Moreno
Margarita
Margarita Moreno
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on Apr 03, 2023

Drew Muchas Gracias!
It was a pleasure to meet all the families!
Seeing how Colombia was surprising you in each city.
I am very happy to read these comments.

Thank you for trusting the team and me to plan your trip!

We will be more than happy to see you again...
🇨🇴
Un abrazo gigante desde Bogota,
Margarita

Great experience with Kimkim and Chaska tours as the local team....
Colombia | Mar 14 - Mar 24, 2023

Jen
Jen J.
Cape Coral, FL | Reviewed on Apr 01, 2023
Great experience with Kimkim and local team. I booked a 10 day trip to Columbia in a hurry just two weeks before departure. This was my first time using KimKim and I will use them again! They connected me to a local agency in Columbia, which is exactly what I wanted. Michael and the team at Chaska put together a great tour, everything was pretty much as expected in terms of hotels, local guides, etc. They booked everything from hotels, to local guides, airport transfers, and more. My local... Read more

Great experience with Kimkim and local team.

I booked a 10 day trip to Columbia in a hurry just two weeks before departure. This was my first time using KimKim and I will use them again! They connected me to a local agency in Columbia, which is exactly what I wanted. Michael and the team at Chaska put together a great tour, everything was pretty much as expected in terms of hotels, local guides, etc. They booked everything from hotels, to local guides, airport transfers, and more. My local guide in the Amazon (Juan) was perhaps the best guide I have ever had in years of travel to 40 countries. He was extremely knowledgeable and helped tailor our time to fit my specific ideas.

One thing I did not realize when first using Kimkim and Chaska is how easy it would be to stay in communication with them via WhatsApp, which was super helpful. You might pay a little more using an agency, but it was so worth it - I will do it again. It was wonderful to show up and know everything was taken care of.

I highly recommend Chaska tours in Columbia and KimKim for connecting me with them!

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 03, 2023
Dear Jen,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences. We are thrilled to hear that you had a great time on your 10-day trip and that our team at Chaska was able to provide you with a great tour that met your expectations.
It's wonderful to hear that you were impressed by Juan, your local guide in the Amazon. We are fortunate to have a team of knowledgeable and passionate guides who are dedicated to making our guests' experiences unforgettable. We are also glad to hear... Read more

Dear Jen,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences. We are thrilled to hear that you had a great time on your 10-day trip and that our team at Chaska was able to provide you with a great tour that met your expectations.

It's wonderful to hear that you were impressed by Juan, your local guide in the Amazon. We are fortunate to have a team of knowledgeable and passionate guides who are dedicated to making our guests' experiences unforgettable. We are also glad to hear that you found it easy to communicate with us through WhatsApp and that we were able to make your trip stress-free.

We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to Colombia in the future for another unforgettable adventure!

Best regards,
Michael & The Chaska Tours Team

Five stars!
Colombia | Mar 12 - Mar 23, 2023

Julia
Julia K.
Livonia, MI | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
I had a wonderful trip to Colombia, and I am so happy that I worked with KimKim to plan this experience. I had three wonderful city guides in Bogota, Santa Marta, and Medellin. I also had a number of hiking guides for various outdoor excursions in Bogota and on the trek to Ciudad Perdida. Each guide was extremely well-informed and did a great job sharing the history and culture of the place along with time for me to just enjoy and take it all in. The trip was a great balance between... Read more

I had a wonderful trip to Colombia, and I am so happy that I worked with KimKim to plan this experience. I had three wonderful city guides in Bogota, Santa Marta, and Medellin. I also had a number of hiking guides for various outdoor excursions in Bogota and on the trek to Ciudad Perdida. Each guide was extremely well-informed and did a great job sharing the history and culture of the place along with time for me to just enjoy and take it all in. The trip was a great balance between activities and free time: I was so happy to have a series of scheduled activities, but I was also glad to have plenty of time to myself to make my own plans or to explore the cities I was in. I wholeheartedly recommend booking through KimKim and working with Wendy and her team in Colombia!

Hotel Reviews
Quinta Ladera
Medellin
Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Best Western Plus Santa Marta Hotel
Santa Marta, Magdalena
EK Hotel
Local specialist: Wendy Romero
Wendy
Wendy Romero
Local specialist in Santa Marta | Replied on Apr 06, 2023

Hi Julia,
We are so glad you had a fantastic trip here in Colombia and that you come and celebrate your birthday with us! You made a mix of activities and we are really proud of the long hike that was done in Lost City.
We will wait for you here again for more adventures and to discover more places.
Best,
Wendy

Touring Colombia stress free!
Colombia | Mar 17 - Mar 26, 2023

Francois
Francois C.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
Not knowing much about this vibrant country we really needed some guidance and KimKim with the assistance of Wendy really helped us. We arrived and left the country stress-free! All arrangements were exactly as per the trip plan.
Highlights:
Street Food tour in Cartagena under the guidance of Willy Gutierrez
Sends Koguiwa Hotel next to Tayrona Park
Tours in and around Bogota under the excellent guidance of Daniel Espejo
Thanks KimKim and Wendy for helping in making our visit memorable!
Read more

Not knowing much about this vibrant country we really needed some guidance and KimKim with the assistance of Wendy really helped us. We arrived and left the country stress-free! All arrangements were exactly as per the trip plan.
Highlights:
Street Food tour in Cartagena under the guidance of Willy Gutierrez
Sends Koguiwa Hotel next to Tayrona Park
Tours in and around Bogota under the excellent guidance of Daniel Espejo
Thanks KimKim and Wendy for helping in making our visit memorable!

Activity Reviews
Guatavita Lake
Guatavita Lake
Bogotá

Definitely with the visit. Interesting history and beautiful nature.

Quality of Experience
Views, historical importance, nature
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable, friendly
Transport
Clean, safe
The Salt Cathedral & Zipaquirá
The Salt Cathedral & Zipaquirá
Colombia

A very interesting visit to a unique site. Worth visiting.

Quality of Experience
Uniqueness of this site
Food
Visited a restaurant in an unattractive area. I think a restaurant in Zipaquira downtown would have been a better idea. The food was ok.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable and well spoken.
Transport
Clean, safe
Discover La Candelaria & The Monserrate Hill
Discover La Candelaria & The Monserrate Hill
Colombia

This tour covers the most important sights and museums of Bogota. Highly recommended.

Quality of Experience
Well-timed visit to views and museums.
Food
Excellent down town restaurant with delicious local food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Excellent, well spoken and knowledgeable guide
Transport
Clean, safe
Hiking in the Tayrona National Park
Hiking in the Tayrona National Park
Colombia

This is a beautiful park with beautiful vegetation and beaches. Beware that there is only one trail that everybody takes. It was very crowded and at times we came to a complete standstill. After about an hour the crowd spread a bit. Then it was more pleasant.

Quality of Experience
I would suggest timed-entrance to alleviate the congestion.
Food
Tasty meal on the beach
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly
Transport
Clean, safe
Barú & the Rosario Islands
Barú & the Rosario Islands
Colombia

Interesting excursion although not what we really expected. Being a national park, we expected serene beauty but the area is actually very build-up. There were also a lot of boats arriving from Cartagena making the beaches and snorkeling very crowded. We did go during a national holiday weekend, so maybe that made the crowds even worse?

Quality of Experience
Crowded, build-up not very pristine.
Food
Tasteless and poor presentation
Guides, Drivers and Staff
As always friendly
Transport
Clean, safe
Cartagena’s Street Food: The Soul of a City in Every Bite
Cartagena’s Street Food: The Soul of a City in Every Bite
Colombia

We had an excellent guide who made the experience extra special. Stopped at about 6 street vendors including a visit to an emerald shop.

Quality of Experience
Variety of street-food under excellent guidance
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Professional, knowledgeable, friendly and well-spoken guide
Wander Cartagena’s Storied Streets & Discover the Art of Getsemaní
Wander Cartagena’s Storied Streets & Discover the Art of Getsemaní
Cartagena

This tour covered the most important parts of Cartagena and is definitely worthwhile.

Quality of Experience
Covers the most important sights of Cartagena
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everybody was very friendly and helpful
Transport
Clean, safe
Magical Sunset and Dinner from a Cartagena Island
Magical Sunset and Dinner from a Cartagena Island
Cartagena

Not really a sunset cruise as we left at 7pm when it was already dark. Food not very tasty. Very friendly reception and views from the boat was nice. Gave an idea of the layout of Cartagena.

Quality of Experience
Actually leaving at sunset. Better food!
Food
Not tasty at all
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and very helpful
Transport
On-time, clean, safe
Local specialist: Wendy Romero
Wendy
Wendy Romero
Local specialist in Santa Marta | Replied on Apr 06, 2023

Hi Francois,
Thank you for coming to Colombia and knowing our culture. We were happy you visit us and enjoy the country. It was a pleasure to see you at Gold Museum and have a talk.
Daniel sends you regards and we hope you come again and visit us!
Best,
Wendy

Easiest International Trip We've Ever Taken
Colombia | Mar 16 - Mar 23, 2023

R
Robert C.
Redlands, CA | Reviewed on Mar 27, 2023
We usually take two international trips a year and I normally plan them by myself. However, for a trip to Colombia I saw an internet add for Kimkim which said they would take your suggested ideas for a trip and do a proposed itinerary for no charge. I sent them my thoughts, got a proposal that I thought was pretty good, added some more suggestions which they followed up with and then ultimately filled in gaps with some tours that Kimkim suggested. It was the easiest planning for an... Read more

We usually take two international trips a year and I normally plan them by myself. However, for a trip to Colombia I saw an internet add for Kimkim which said they would take your suggested ideas for a trip and do a proposed itinerary for no charge. I sent them my thoughts, got a proposal that I thought was pretty good, added some more suggestions which they followed up with and then ultimately filled in gaps with some tours that Kimkim suggested. It was the easiest planning for an international trip I've ever done.

Kimkim provided all transfers and guides and all worked flawlessly. Kimkim arranged several internal flights and obtained flight confirmations for us. Kimkim suggested hotels which were in good areas of each city and provided options for two sets of birding locations. I did not like one of the suggestions, which was close to Medellin, and suggested an area I'd read about as one of the top birding areas in Colombia. Kimkim worked hard and ultimately secured as a spot in that birding area that was way outside any cities.

Finally, we had several hiccups along the way. One was a lost cell phone and the other was luggage which did not arrive home with us. We contacted Michael and he provided assistance to us in both situations.

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Mar 27, 2023
Hi Bob,
Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience traveling with KimKim / Chaska Tours to Colombia. We are thrilled to hear that our planning and organization exceeded your expectations and made for an unforgettable trip. We pride ourselves on ensuring every aspect of your journey is seamless, so we're delighted to hear that all the transfers, guides, flights, and accommodations we arranged worked out flawlessly. We're also glad that we could accommodate your preferences for...
Read more

Hi Bob,
Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience traveling with KimKim / Chaska Tours to Colombia. We are thrilled to hear that our planning and organization exceeded your expectations and made for an unforgettable trip. We pride ourselves on ensuring every aspect of your journey is seamless, so we're delighted to hear that all the transfers, guides, flights, and accommodations we arranged worked out flawlessly. We're also glad that we could accommodate your preferences for birding locations and that we were able to assist you in resolving the hiccups you encountered along the way. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you on another one of our tours in the future!
Best,
The Chaska Tours Team

Could not be more thrilled!
Colombia | Mar 9 - Mar 20, 2023

Brett
Brett F.
Asheville, NC | Reviewed on Mar 27, 2023
Our trip was absolutely amazing and I cant imagine having coordinated everything on my own at all. Kim Kim, especially Michael were so helpful, communicative and kind throughout the entire process, I really appreciated it. Our tour guides were all great but a special shout out to Gustavo, Kevin + Miguel- they were above and beyond wonderful! The transportation everywhere was such a new experience for both of us, I felt way fancier than I actually am 🤣 and the lodging was great too, especially... Read more

Our trip was absolutely amazing and I cant imagine having coordinated everything on my own at all. Kim Kim, especially Michael were so helpful, communicative and kind throughout the entire process, I really appreciated it. Our tour guides were all great but a special shout out to Gustavo, Kevin + Miguel- they were above and beyond wonderful! The transportation everywhere was such a new experience for both of us, I felt way fancier than I actually am 🤣 and the lodging was great too, especially Hotel Terrazas! I would 100% recommend kim kim/Chaska Tours to anyone who wants to have a great experience that is made simple for you!! Many thanks again to all those involved for such a unique experience and so many wonderful memories, Colombia is beautiful and I definitely see a return trip in pur future!

Hotel Reviews
Selina Cartagena
Cartagena

Cool building in a good location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tayrona Tented Lodge

Beautiful location with a very kind staff/owner! Basic rooms and necessities in a gorgeous location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very close to Tayrona Park
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Terrazas de Salento
Terrazas de Salento, Colombia

Such a beautiful place I loved it! Great views, nice room, friendly staff and great breakfast too!!

Authenticity & Character
Especially love the atrium!
Location
The gardens and views of mountains were amazing
Staff
Very kind and attentive
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our stay here was perfect in every way!
Los Patios Hostel
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hike Tayrona National Park
Hike Tayrona National Park
Colombia

I think the best thing about this tour was that it allowed private transportation in to the park ahead of a bunch of busses full of people! The park itself was beautiful and our guide was very nice (though apologies I am blanking on his name!)

Quality of Experience
It was a beautiful park and our guide was nice. I think going again I would probably just stay within the park to have more time exploring on our own and to potentially see more night time critters.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very nice driver and our guide did give us some info through our walk but we went on the standard walk through the park at this entrance that everyone entering did so I didn't completely feel that the tour added a whole lot to that experience and think we would have enjoyed it as much if we just walked the park by ourselves. That said, getting in before the buses was a big help!
Transport
Great driver and again glad to be driven in to the park
Visit Cocora Valley, Coffee Farm & Salento
Visit Cocora Valley, Coffee Farm & Salento
Salento

Our whole trip to Colombia was great but this day was absolutely my very favorite! Never in my life have I been to a more beautiful place... Ever! It was pure magic and absolutely incredible! It was also super cool to talk with Gustavo about how he grew up nearby and had been coming there since he was a kid. He even showed us one of his favorite spots away from the rest of the people there in the jungle and it was so special and amazing!

Quality of Experience
This question is almost a joke 😂 what is there NOT to like would be my question! It was EPIC and my favorite day on our whole trip!!!
Food
The restaurant we went to for lunch was terrific! I ordered a traditional salchicha plate and it was super yummy!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
I cannot stress enough how wonderful Gustavo was- so glad we had him 2 days in a row, we were very lucky! He's an awesome guy that I could see hanging out with all the time if I lived there! Very informative and professional but also very down to earth and laid back! Kevin, our driver carted us around all over the place for 2 days and was also very kind.
Transport
Kevin was great 🙂
Santa Rosa Hot Springs
Santa Rosa Hot Springs
Colombia

I seriously felt like I was in a painting or fairy tale book here- it was absolutely breathtaking! Our guide, Gustavo was so cool, friendly and informative and eas kind enough to make sure we got the longest amount time at the hot springs that we could even though it made a longer day for him and our driver Kevin. So nice of them both and so appreciated as I never wanted to leave so was happy to have as much time there as possible!

Quality of Experience
One of the most amazing experiences of my life hands down! There is NOTHING I didn't like about it, it was AMAZING!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Both our guide, Gustavo and driver, Kevin were among some of the nicest people that we were able to meet and talk to on our whole trip! They were incredible- cannot stress that enough truly! If I lived near by I would hang out with these two often no question!
Transport
Kevin carted us all over creation (we had him as a driver 2 days in a row hahaha) and was terrific!
Tour Peñol & Guatapé
Tour Peñol & Guatapé
Medellín

I loved this tour as well, other than waking up so early 🤣 The drive out was apparently different than normal due to accidents/traffic on the main highway but it was such a beautiful drive I am glad it worked out that way. Our guide, Sergio, was kind, funny and exuberant! Hiking the peñol de Guatape and exploring the vibrant town as well as taking a boat ride on the lake were all great experiences and the provided lunch was delicious!

Quality of Experience
I was so tired in the morning and a little cranky initially but Sergio's enthusiasm rubbed off on me and get me pepped up for the day!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everyone was terrific and very kind!
Transport
Our driver was fantastic
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín

Our guide, Miguel, was amazing! He was kind, insightful and thorough as he showed us the city and explained how so many things have changed in the last 20 years or so and the reasons behind it. We got to see so much in a short window of time too it was very impressive!

Quality of Experience
I sincerely mean it went I say that the tour was truly fantastic as was our guide! I loved that we saw a d learned about the city, tried various modes of public transportation, tried a local treat of frozen fruits, saw a bunch of amazing break dancers, had a rap group make a song up for us on the spot- all of it! It was terrific!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They both made us feel extremely welcome on our first day to both Medellin and Colombia! Could not have been better.
Transport
Our driver was great too! Kind and professional. Taking the gondolas and escalators was also a cool experience.
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 11, 2023
Hi Brett,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your amazing experience traveling in Colombia. We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time and that our team was able to support you during the whole planning process. We're so glad that Gustavo, Kevin, and Miguel were wonderful guides and that the transportation and lodging exceeded your expectations. We're honored to have been able to provide you with a unique experience that created so many wonderful memories. It's...
Read more

Hi Brett,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your amazing experience traveling in Colombia. We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time and that our team was able to support you during the whole planning process. We're so glad that Gustavo, Kevin, and Miguel were wonderful guides and that the transportation and lodging exceeded your expectations. We're honored to have been able to provide you with a unique experience that created so many wonderful memories. It's fantastic to hear that you fell in love with Colombia and are already thinking about a return trip - we can't wait to welcome you back!
Until soon! :)
Michael

Very responsive and smooth
Colombia | Mar 10 - Mar 19, 2023

Paul
Paul P.
Albany, NY | Reviewed on Mar 26, 2023
Everything was super smooth and when we had a cancellation (because of weather), Michael was super responsive and helpful. We had a fabulous time. We very much enjoyed our time hiking in Chingaza. It was not on our original wish list and yet was maybe our favorite part. The guides were very helpful. We loved meeting the local guide and his family (and dogs). The area was beautiful. I was a little disappointed to not make it to the lake but the altitude was a challenge! Our favorite... Read more

Everything was super smooth and when we had a cancellation (because of weather), Michael was super responsive and helpful. We had a fabulous time.

We very much enjoyed our time hiking in Chingaza. It was not on our original wish list and yet was maybe our favorite part. The guides were very helpful. We loved meeting the local guide and his family (and dogs). The area was beautiful. I was a little disappointed to not make it to the lake but the altitude was a challenge!

Our favorite accommodation was the Senda Watapuy in the Tayrona area. I could have spent a day just lounging and enjoying the birds and plants and beauty of the place. The accommodations themselves were also super comfortable. I would have loved to know what else to explore in that area.

All of our guides were great - personable and knowledgeable and also they were often able to provide restaurant recommendations that were delicious. We ate well!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Kartaxa Cartagena
Cartagena

Great location. Staff helpful and always present. The building was interesting with great places to sit in the interior courtyard. Would definitely stay again. Minor complaint that I think can't be helped in an older building but you could definitely hear the other guests who came in late or left early. Also rooms were very moderate to small size.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Senda Watapuy
Santa Marta

Lovely Beautiful setting. Nice large rooms. Private pools. Great AC. Lux bathroom. Everything was great about this place. One minor complaint was that the restaurant was a bit inconsistent. We got a couple of good meals and some that were not.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sweet Harmony by Xarm Hotels
Minca, Magdalena

this is a lovely setting but definitely a rugged hotel. No AC. No screens. Only air is from open doors. Sleep under a net. If that's ok with you, then this hotel is beautiful and charming. No food available onsite except for the included breakfast. A pleasant walk from town.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
no AC so open door = bugs in room
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Mar 26, 2023
Dear Paul, We are thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time on your trip through Colombia and that everything went smoothly. We appreciate your trust in us as your local travel provider and we are happy that we were able to contribute to an unforgettable experience. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed hiking in Chingaza, even though it was not originally on your wish list. It's always wonderful to discover unexpected gems while traveling, and we're happy that the guides were helpful... Read more

Dear Paul,

We are thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time on your trip through Colombia and that everything went smoothly. We appreciate your trust in us as your local travel provider and we are happy that we were able to contribute to an unforgettable experience.

We are glad to hear that you enjoyed hiking in Chingaza, even though it was not originally on your wish list. It's always wonderful to discover unexpected gems while traveling, and we're happy that the guides were helpful and that you had a chance to meet the local guide and his family.

We are also delighted to hear that your favorite accommodation was the Senda Watapuy in the Tayrona area, and that you were able to enjoy the beauty of the place while also being comfortable. We will take note of your feedback about exploring other areas in the area, and we hope that we can show you the other parts on your next trip to Colombia!

Finally, we are glad that all of your guides were great, personable, and knowledgeable, and that they were able to recommend delicious restaurants for you to try. We believe that good food is an important part of any travel experience, and we're happy that you ate well.

Thank you again for choosing us as your partner on site, and we hope to welcome you here soon again!

Sunny greetings from San Agustín,
The Chaska Tours Team

Michael was a font of information and a great...
Colombia | Mar 10 - Mar 18, 2023

Daphne
Daphne B.
Coney Island, NY | Reviewed on Mar 25, 2023
Michael was a font of information and a great collaborator for planning a trip with my two teenagers to Colombia. We went from Cartagena, up the coast through Tayrona National Park, to Minca, and left from Santa Marta. Michael was very attentive to details and customized the trip according to our varied interests and our budget. We especially loved going to the market and cooking in Cartagena, and also our bicycle tour there. The jungle bungalows in Tayrona were so sweet, complete with a... Read more

Michael was a font of information and a great collaborator for planning a trip with my two teenagers to Colombia. We went from Cartagena, up the coast through Tayrona National Park, to Minca, and left from Santa Marta. Michael was very attentive to details and customized the trip according to our varied interests and our budget.

We especially loved going to the market and cooking in Cartagena, and also our bicycle tour there. The jungle bungalows in Tayrona were so sweet, complete with a gemlike pool and a resident dancing parrot. Our tour of La Victoria coffee plantation, where the machines have been in use since the 1890's, was so interesting followed by a hike to the local waterfall.

We felt happy for easy transfers, nice accommodations, and most of all for the friendly, knowledgable people we were connected to along the way.

Hotel Reviews
Sweet Harmony by Xarm Hotels
Minca, Magdalena

This hotel set on the hill above Minca was simple and comfortable. We were in the main building in rooms with a very nice shared patio and a gorgeous view. Going down the hillside to the river were individual bungalows. We enjoyed swimming in the river. The staff was very nice and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable. Ceiling fans, not AC, in our rooms, but the night was cooler than the day.
Villa Maria Tayrona, a Kali Hotels
Los Naranjos

We loved this hotel. It's a gorgeous setting with beautiful individual bungalows set along paths on the jungle hillside and a lovely blue swimming pool. Lila the dancing parrot made us laugh, and everyone who worked there couldn't have been nicer. Yummy breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
So comfortable and clean. Not a lot of hot water.
Activity Reviews
Santa Marta City Tour
Santa Marta City Tour
Colombia

Our guide Al here was a bit odd. We were also worn out, but we jumped ship on this tour halfway through.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee Farm & Village Tour
Coffee Farm & Village Tour
Minca

This was much more fun than we anticipated. The 130-year-old machines from England, our knowledgable guide Jamie who grew up on the farm, and learning about the process from little plant to roasted bean was so intertesting. Our hike to Marinka falls for lunch and a swim after made for a really nice afternoon.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tubing on Don Diego River
Tubing on Don Diego River
Colombia

Our guide knew a lot about local history and the Tayrona people. We somehow didn't realize we had a hot, 45 minute uphill hike before we got to the river. There was a pretty little museum of artifacts at the top. The river trip guide was a very nice, but the river itself was beyond sleepy. We met other people who had gone down rivers with a bit more current. A sleepy, sunny morning on the water.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike Tayrona National Park
Hike Tayrona National Park
Colombia

This park is so pretty. The teenagers opted out of the hot hike, but I spotted capuchin monkeys, birds, an anteater, and sloth. My guide was very good and passionate about the area. He knew a lot about the history, the Kogi people and culture, and the nature. I swam at La Piscina. Cabo San Juan was crowded with Santa Marta daytrippers who came by boat. I had the best ceviche of the trip on the beach there.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Market Visit & Cooking Class
Market Visit & Cooking Class
Cartagena

One of our favorite things. Good to get out of the Old City. The market is not a pretty setting, but there was a lot of activity, and our chef-teacher picked delicious items all the way through. The cooking class was on a shaded hotel room with an outdoor kitchen in Getsamani. Delicious and fun.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rosario Islands Day Trip
Rosario Islands Day Trip
Cartagena

It was a gorgeous day for a boat ride, but our landing spot on a small private beach with lots of other people was a little disappointing. We each had a shaded chair, and the people working there were nice, but we were very close to everyone else and beach just so-so. Snorkeling also (an extra fee) was fine but not great. Maybe there is another destination in the Rosario Islands that is prettier and more special?

Quality of Experience
Destination spot.
Food
Authentic. Homey.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Carolina was right there to pick us up and make sure we got to the right boat on time. Boat drivers were OK
Transport
Car to and from was great. Boat a little dangerous (says the one who captains day charters in our group).
Cartagena Bike Tour
Cartagena Bike Tour
Cartagena

Jorge, subbiing in for Carolina, was so knowledgable and articulate. We tried corozo juice from a street vendor and local sweets. Jorge had an easy way of conveying the history of the city through streets, statues, and architecture all the way back to the 1600's. Plus we saw a sloth and monkeys in the parks. A great afternoon.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our driver Harold in Cartagena was great.
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Mar 26, 2023
Dear Daphne, Thank you for sharing your wonderful travel experience in Colombia and for choosing our services at KimKim. We're so glad to hear that our team was able to provide you with great collaboration and a wealth of information to help plan your trip with your two teenagers. I really enjoyed seeing the pictures of your kids having fun together! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your journey from Cartagena up the coast through Tayrona National Park to Minca, and that we were... Read more

Dear Daphne,

Thank you for sharing your wonderful travel experience in Colombia and for choosing our services at KimKim. We're so glad to hear that our team was able to provide you with great collaboration and a wealth of information to help plan your trip with your two teenagers. I really enjoyed seeing the pictures of your kids having fun together!

We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your journey from Cartagena up the coast through Tayrona National Park to Minca, and that we were able to customize the trip to suit your varied interests and budget. It's wonderful to hear that you were especially pleased with the market and cooking experience in Cartagena, as well as the bicycle tour, the jungle bungalows in Tayrona, and the tour of La Victoria coffee plantation, followed by the hike to the local waterfall.

We always strive to make sure that our travelers have an enjoyable and stress-free experience. We're happy to hear that the transfers were easy and the accommodations were nice, but most of all, we're glad to hear that you were able to meet friendly and knowledgeable people along the way.

Thank you for choosing Chaska Tours to help plan your trip to Colombia, and we hope to have the opportunity to assist you with your next trip soon. :)

Best regards to your two teenagers,
Michael and the Chaska Tours Team

An Amazing and Wonderful Trip of Colombia
Colombia | Mar 9 - Mar 20, 2023

Steven
Steven Y.
Asheville, NC | Reviewed on Mar 25, 2023
Our entire trip to Colombia was fantastic. From the very start, all the way throughout the trip, Michael at KimKim did a fantastic job helping us plan the trip and communicating. During the trip, we had a series of amazing tourguides. In fact, we truly felt like royalty because we were treated so well.
In Medellin, our tour guide, Miguel, did an absolutely outstanding job leading us through the 'Medellin Transformation Tour'. He gave us a great experience and insights that we would never of...
Read more

Our entire trip to Colombia was fantastic. From the very start, all the way throughout the trip, Michael at KimKim did a fantastic job helping us plan the trip and communicating. During the trip, we had a series of amazing tourguides. In fact, we truly felt like royalty because we were treated so well.
In Medellin, our tour guide, Miguel, did an absolutely outstanding job leading us through the 'Medellin Transformation Tour'. He gave us a great experience and insights that we would never of had otherwise. We very highly recommend Miguel's Medellin Transformation tour to anyone visiting Medellin.
While we were in the beautiful Pereia / Salento region, Gustavo led us on an amazing two day tour that included bathing in volcanic hot springs, a beautiful hike to see giant Wax Palms, to a personal tour of a small coffee farm.

The people of Colombia were wonderful and we felt safe the entire time.
The bottom line is we had a great time and we highly recommend anyone interested in meeting new people and seeing the beauty of nature to visit Colombia and consider using KimKim's services to make the trip truly memorable and stress free.

Hotel Reviews
Tayrona Tented Lodge

This is a great hotel for value seeking travelers. It is right on the beach just a two minute walk from Consteno Beach Hostal. Two great resturants and bars are next door and the staff was very helpful and friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Terrazas de Salento
Terrazas de Salento, Colombia

This was truly the most amazing hotel we have ever stayed. The staff was fantastic. The building was beautiful and the view was breathtaking.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Los Patios Hostel

This hotel was centrally located to a lot of fun activities and night life. The staff were fantastic. The room was clean. The hotel and surrounding area are very welcoming and LGBTQ+ friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hike Tayrona National Park
Hike Tayrona National Park
Colombia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Cocora Valley, Coffee Farm & Salento
Visit Cocora Valley, Coffee Farm & Salento
Salento

Gustavo was an amazing tour guide. We could not have hoped for a better experience. We highly recommend anyone visiting Colombia to consider taking this tour. If you do, ask for Gustavo, you won't be disappointed!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour Peñol & Guatapé
Tour Peñol & Guatapé
Medellín
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santa Rosa Hot Springs
Santa Rosa Hot Springs
Colombia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín

Our tour guide, Miguel was absolutely amazing. He really took the time to explain the history and current state of the city of Medellin and the Comuna 13 district. We visited several locations with historical significance as well as had several great interactions with local artists. We could not imagine a better tour or a better tour guide. We *highly* recommend the Medellin Transformation Tour and Miguel.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Mar 26, 2023
Dear Brett & Steve, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience in Colombia and for choosing Chaska Tours to help plan your trip. We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time throughout your entire journey, from start to finish. We're especially glad to hear that we were able to assist you with your travel arrangements and that our tour guides, Miguel and Gustavo, provided such excellent service and expertise during your tours in Medellin and the... Read more

Dear Brett & Steve,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience in Colombia and for choosing Chaska Tours to help plan your trip. We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time throughout your entire journey, from start to finish.

We're especially glad to hear that we were able to assist you with your travel arrangements and that our tour guides, Miguel and Gustavo, provided such excellent service and expertise during your tours in Medellin and the Coffee Region. We're proud to have such knowledgeable and passionate guides on our team who truly bring the local culture and history to life for our travelers.

It's also great to hear that you felt safe and comfortable during your time in Colombia, and we appreciate your recommendation to anyone looking to experience the beauty of nature and meet new people. Our goal is to make travel as stress-free and enjoyable as possible, so it's wonderful to hear that we were able to help make your trip truly memorable.

We hope to have the opportunity to help you plan your next adventure soon!

Best regards,
Michael on behalf of the whole Chaska Tours Team

Outstanding Colombian coast adventure with a toddler!
Colombia | Jan 29 - Feb 4, 2023

Story
Story E.
Wayne, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 21, 2023
We had such an amazing experience from start to finish working with KimKim and Margoth. Our trip to the Caribbean cost of Colombia was incredible! The easy communication was so appreciated. They even arranged Spanish-speaking guides to help us get from point A to point B on our daily adventures, which while traveling with a toddler totally prevented some additional stress. Margoth helped us plan and execute this trip flawlessly! We loved the guides and driver/services arranged for us... Read more

We had such an amazing experience from start to finish working with KimKim and Margoth. Our trip to the Caribbean cost of Colombia was incredible!

The easy communication was so appreciated. They even arranged Spanish-speaking guides to help us get from point A to point B on our daily adventures, which while traveling with a toddler totally prevented some additional stress.

Margoth helped us plan and execute this trip flawlessly! We loved the guides and driver/services arranged for us and would love to meet them again in the future! Christian was awesome, and maybe someday we will join him for a lost city hike when our son's legs are longer. She was super easy about making changes and offering suggestions to work within our budget and the unpredictability of traveling with young kids.

Would use KimKim again in a heartbeat and recommend Margoth without hesitation!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Sophia
Cartagena

Comfortable and spacious. Nice breakfast in the morning and excellent location. Roof top pool was small but pleasant.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sierra Alta
Minca

This place is absolutely incredible!! The staff and the food were amazing and the ride up the mountain was a fun adventure for an outstanding view. They have 2 sweet German Shepards that we really enjoyed hanging out with, and our room was comfortable and clean. Don't hesitate if you'll be spending time in Minca, you won't regret a stay here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Senda Watapuy
Santa Marta

Senda Watapuy is a really special place. Beautiful view and location, wonderful staff and great food/bar service. Would easily spend another vacation there, or at the sister site nearby.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Short Chocolate making Workshop for Children
Short Chocolate making Workshop for Children
Cartagena

This was a fun activity, but not easy to do with a tired toddler. The owner/main tasting leader was out that day and we had a stand in. She was really sweet and did a great job. We ate a TON of chocolate and enjoyed that we left with a goody bag of our chocolates to enjoy on our travels home.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dinner Reservation at Juan del Mar
Dinner Reservation at Juan del Mar
Cartagena

We loved Juan del Mar! Great music, delicious food, and a fun outdoor scene/square.

Dinner Reservation at Candé (live music)
Dinner Reservation at Candé (live music)
Cartagena

Nice restaurant, authentic dishes and fun atmosphere.

Day Pass at Tierra Bomba Island at Makani Beach Club
Day Pass at Tierra Bomba Island at Makani Beach Club
Colombia

Beautiful facilities. We rented one of the Ohana beds so our son could nap and were very comfortable. Great location to spend the day with or without kids.

Dinner Reservation at Alma
Dinner Reservation at Alma
Cartagena

Food was incredible and beautiful space.

Walking Tour of Cartagena Old City
Walking Tour of Cartagena Old City
Colombia

We had a great tour of the Old City and really enjoyed our guide. He was friendly and checked in often to make sure we were engaged, and our questions were answered. The Old City is beautiful with so much history and it was super helpful to have a guide point out the subtle details in architecture and colonial vs post-colonial historical sites. 2 hours went by fast!

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Minca Tour and Coffee Farm
Minca Tour and Coffee Farm
Colombia

This experience began while driving down the hill to the farm, which is also a craft brewery. The property itself is beautiful and the cafe is a fun place to hang out. We met some interesting people and would easily have stayed awhile longer after our tour to socialize. Our tour guide was fun and engaging, and the coffee delicious! Very cool coffee farm with a lot of history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day at Playa del Medio (or Playa del Amor) - Tayrona Park
Day at Playa del Medio (or Playa del Amor) - Tayrona Park
Colombia

Playa del Medio was beautiful and almost empty! Only one other couple arrived making the beach pretty exclusive. There is a restaurant that was closed while we were there, possibly only staffed on weekends, but we were able to bring our own picnic and drinks. The beach is clean and it's a short boat ride from the Neguanje park entrance. The surf was calmer and nice for swimming.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Colombia!
Welcome to Colombia!
Colombia

Easy communication with our guide and driver. Christian met us at the airport and drove with us to Tayrona area, gave us a great history of the coastal cities.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Margoth Rico
Margoth
Margoth Rico
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on Mar 21, 2023

Hi Story,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review, and it was a pleasure having you and your family in Colombia. We hope you do come back to Colombia and climb the Lost City when your son is older ;). Thank you for making us a part of your trip and your Colombian adventure and I will share your comments with our team, Christian, guides, drivers and hotels.

Best Wishes from Colombia,
Margoth

A great family vacation
Colombia | Mar 4 - Mar 11, 2023

Christopher
Christopher B.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Mar 19, 2023
I had a wonderful time with my two young adult children in Cartagena and the islands. From the very beginning, I worked with Michael to plan a trip that had something for everyone -- some culture and insights into Colombia as well as some rest for the family. The choices of hotels were great -- the Cartagena hotel was in Getsemani, a very cool area and outside some of the crowds of the Centro, and had a great rooftop pool. The hotel is Isla Mucura was also fantastic. We had pretty much... Read more

I had a wonderful time with my two young adult children in Cartagena and the islands. From the very beginning, I worked with Michael to plan a trip that had something for everyone -- some culture and insights into Colombia as well as some rest for the family. The choices of hotels were great -- the Cartagena hotel was in Getsemani, a very cool area and outside some of the crowds of the Centro, and had a great rooftop pool. The hotel is Isla Mucura was also fantastic. We had pretty much one driver who had lived in the US and was very knowledgable about the area and gave insights into Colombian life. The young ladies who were our tour guides were both very enthusiastic about Colombia and where they lived and we very much enjoyed touring with them. We had a few excursions, including a bike tour of the old city, an evening dinner cruise and a tour of the mangroves outside of Cartagena, all of which taught us various aspects of the region. Thanks to Michael and the team he assembled for a memorable trip!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Punta Faro
Isla Mucura

I loved every minute of the resort -- perfect for a very quiet few days away. The facilities were nice -- not too fancy but felt like you were at one with the nature around you. It is a decent sized facility with a lot of opportunity to walk and do water sports right off of the beautiful beach. My family did a bioluminescent plankton tour and said it was incredible as were the spa facilities. The 2 hour ride was very pleasant there -in the hotel's boat - the return was through rougher waters so be mindful if you have issues with boats. Every night, they moved the location of the dinner outside and it was lovely.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
GHL Hotel Armería Real
Cartagena

Nice accommodation with a great rooftop pool and friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
About a 10-15 minute walk from the Centro, a short taxi ride away.
Staff
Very friendly and helpful staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Cartagena Bike Tour
Cartagena Bike Tour
Cartagena

I thought it was great -- think it could have been a little longer to give us more information. Our guide Carolina was very knowledgable and friendly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Caribbean Dinner Cruise
Caribbean Dinner Cruise
Cartagena
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boquilla Mangrove Tour
Boquilla Mangrove Tour
Cartagena

It was a good introduction to the area and the surrounding fishing culture.

Quality of Experience
I felt as if I was getting a local experience.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Barranquilla Express Tour
Barranquilla Express Tour
Colombia

The guide was absolutely fantastic and told us many many things about the city and its history. The town was nice enough and had some lovely parts but the main attraction was the museum of the Carnival - the biggest event in the city every year and one of the biggest Carnival celebrations in the world. Aside from that and the architecture of the area, I am not sure it warranted a separate day trip from Cartagena -- would have been a good tour on the way to the national parks from Cartagena.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was great and had wonderful energy.
Transport
The was a demonstration which required us to detour on the return -- made it a 3 hour trip one way. Not the drivers fault of course.
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Mar 19, 2023

Dear Chris,

thank you very much for your kind words and your detailed travel report. It's great that we managed to put together a nice trip for your family that showed you the nature and culture of the country. I hope you will have great memories of the country for a long time and you were able to relax and discover it well.

We are looking forward to your next visit!
The Chaska Tours Team

A country of many jewels
Colombia | Feb 15 - Feb 28, 2023

Carine
Carine D.
Belgium | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2023
Our tailor-made trip to Colombia was prepared in detail together with Michael Gold (Chaska Tours). The trip itself went very smoothly. During the trip, Michael was always ready to take questions and responded very quickly.
Our journey started in Begotá, a large and quite busy city that takes some getting used to, but it is a vibrant city where you can stay for days with its beautiful museums and architecture. A day trip to Chingaza National Park (hiking) with its beautiful nature was also...
Read more

Our tailor-made trip to Colombia was prepared in detail together with Michael Gold (Chaska Tours). The trip itself went very smoothly. During the trip, Michael was always ready to take questions and responded very quickly.
Our journey started in Begotá, a large and quite busy city that takes some getting used to, but it is a vibrant city where you can stay for days with its beautiful museums and architecture. A day trip to Chingaza National Park (hiking) with its beautiful nature was also more than worth it. With a night bus we went to Neiva where the Tatacoa desert pleasantly surprised us (be sure to do both the red and the gray part!). We can also highly recommend the archaeological site of San Agustin and Puracé National Park. Salento (region of coffee and coffee plantations), Peñol and Guatapé (make sure Sandy of Guatapé Tours is your local guide) should also not be missing from the list. Finally, Medellín (and certainly Communa 13) should not be missed on a trip to Colombia (stay in El Poblado, not in the center of the city).

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Casa Deco
Bogotá

Very nice and clean rooms, extremely friendly and helpful staff and excellent location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Campana Hotel Boutique
Medellín

OK hotel, friendly staff. Close to restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Toilet did not work and could not be fixed the evening of the breakdown. Other room was offered, but only the day after.
Hotel Casa de las dos Palmas

Very nice and clean rooms, super friendly staff and very close to the city of Salento without being right in all the noise.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Super friendly staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Could be a bit noisy at times during the night. Not so much because of the enormous traffic, but because of the poor isolation
Hotel Puerta de San Antonio
Cali, Valle del Cauca

The hotel could do better in terms of friendliness. Also the breakfast was average and the room itself looked a bit worn out.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel La Plazuela
Popayan

The location of the hotel is very good (in town) and the breakfast is good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Finca El Maco
San Agustin

Quiet location with very nice "lodges" and a beautiful garden. Also the restaurant is a pleasant place to be and delicious meals are served. Also breakfast was very good.

Authenticity & Character
Our lodge was a nice place to be. Shower outside, nice plants in the bathroom.
Location
Quiet and close to town.
Staff
All staff were ready to help and all of them tried to do their best to speak English
Cleanliness & Comfort
Top!
TATACOA STAR ECOHOTEL
Villavieja, Huila

Basic hotel, but it has what you need.

Authenticity & Character
The colourful style of the hotel and the breakfast room
Location
Close to Tatacoa desert, but nothing else in the neighbourhood.
Staff
No single word of English was understood
Cleanliness & Comfort
No hot water during the day.
Hotel De La Opera
Bogotá

Very nice hotel in a traffic-free street right at the centre of La Candelaria, just 1 street away from Plaza Bolivar.

Authenticity & Character
Authentic style, colourful, courtyard
Location
Right in the centre
Staff
Very friendly staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean, great breakfast
Activity Reviews
Tour Peñol & Guatapé
Tour Peñol & Guatapé
Medellín

Excellent tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sandy was truly excellent.
Transport
City Tour Medellín
City Tour Medellín
Medellín

Medellín is an amazing and vibrant city that we loved very much, especially the visit to the legendary Comuna 13. Do also take the metro when you are in Medellín.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Cocora Valley, Coffee Farm & Salento
Visit Cocora Valley, Coffee Farm & Salento
Salento

Amazing nature and landscapes, including the 60 metre wax palms.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit of Silvia and the Guambiano-Misak community
Visit of Silvia and the Guambiano-Misak community
Silvia

Nice experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike the Puracé National Park
Hike the Puracé National Park
Puracé
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Archaeological Mountain-Bike Tour
Archaeological Mountain-Bike Tour
San Agustín

Very challenging bike tour because of the enormous steep slopes of the mountains. But it was certainly worth the effort!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to Tatacoa Desert
Visit to Tatacoa Desert
Colombia

Amazing nature!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Hike in Chingaza National Park
Day Hike in Chingaza National Park
Bogotá

We enjoyed the hike, the amazing views, the rich nature and the lagoon.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bogotá Walking Tour
Bogotá Walking Tour
Bogotá

We very much enjoyed Museo del Oro and Museo Botero. Good guide (Elisabeth).

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Mar 13, 2023

Dear Carine and Frank,

it is very nice to hear from you. It was a pleasure to accompany you through Colombia. It was also a great joy to meet you in person in San Agustín and to talk with you in person. Thank you for your comments about the hotels and tours you did!

Best regards from San Agustín,
Michael and the Chaska Tours Team

P.S. Thanks also for all the great pictures! I'm glad to see that you had a lot of fun and were able to discover the diverse natural areas.

Great holiday.
Colombia | Feb 21 - Mar 6, 2023

Priscilla
Priscilla R.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2023

Everything was taken care of and if you wanted last minuted chances, this was possible too. Kimkim organized it all very well in cooperation with you and were flexible. They really want you to have a great experience and holiday!

Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on Mar 12, 2023

Hi Priscilla, Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review and it was a pleasure meeting you and Nena. Thank you for making us a part of your trip to Colombia and sending you my very Best Wishes!

Felipe

Colombia experience
Colombia | Feb 14 - Feb 28, 2023

J
jeffrey C.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2023
David was very responsive and helpful. There were some minor glitches, but David did his best to do service recovery and make things right. Francisco in Villa de Leyva was incredibly knowledgeable in multiple fields.
Daniel in Medellin was very engaging and went out of his way to help us. The driver in Medellin (we never got her name) was also lovely and lively.
Guillermo in park Tryona was also terrific.
Read more

David was very responsive and helpful. There were some minor glitches, but David did his best to do service recovery and make things right.

Francisco in Villa de Leyva was incredibly knowledgeable in multiple fields.
Daniel in Medellin was very engaging and went out of his way to help us. The driver in Medellin (we never got her name) was also lovely and lively.
Guillermo in park Tryona was also terrific.

Hotel Reviews
Villa Maria Tayrona, a Kali Hotels
Los Naranjos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Canabal Hotel Boutique
Cartagena de Indias

Problems with hot water but staff was accommodating as best they could

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel y Spa Getsemani
Villa de Leyva
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Quinta Ladera
Medellin
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
BH La Quinta
Bogotá
Authenticity & Character
Location
I’m
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
GHL Capital
Bogotá
Authenticity & Character
Location
Airport hotel
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Boquilla Mangrove Tour
Boquilla Mangrove Tour
Cartagena

Could have skipped entire day

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santa Fé de Antioquia – Hidden Colonial Treasure
Santa Fé de Antioquia – Hidden Colonial Treasure
Medellín
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to Minca: Coffee, mountains and waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Visit to Minca: Coffee, mountains and waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Colombia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín Transformation Tour
Medellín
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour to Ráquira pottery town & La Candelaria Monastery
Tour to Ráquira pottery town & La Candelaria Monastery
Villa de Leyva

Never made trip due to time

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Daytrip: Silletera Culture in Santa Elena & La Piedra de Guatapé
Daytrip: Silletera Culture in Santa Elena & La Piedra de Guatapé
Medellín

Great experience with the flower grower

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Walking Tour of Villa de Leyva
Walking Tour of Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira
Visit the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira
Colombia
Quality of Experience
I’m
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fruits of Colombia Food Tour
Fruits of Colombia Food Tour
Bogotá
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: David Roa Martín
David
David Roa Martín
Local specialist in San Agustín | Replied on Mar 13, 2023

Hi Jeffrey,

Thank you very much for your feedback, for this and all the feedback you sent us during your trip. It has been really valuable for me and our team and we have taken note of all your observations for future journeys.

It was a pleasure for me to assist you from our first call to the last message we exchanged upon your arrival home. I am glad to read that Diane and you in general enjoyed your trip and we hope that Colombia holds a memorable place among all the trips you have made to other countries.

It was very nice to meet you :) See you next time!

We enjoyed every aspect of our trip. Our guid...
Colombia | Feb 27 - Mar 8, 2023

G
Gillian S.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 10, 2023
We enjoyed every aspect of our trip. Our guides were amazing. The hotel and restaurant suggestions were well researched. Read more

We enjoyed every aspect of our trip. Our guides were amazing. The hotel and restaurant suggestions were well researched.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Habitel
Bogotá

great location

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Courtyard by Marriott Bogota Airport
Bogota

effecient and great location to airport

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Casa San Agustín
Cartagena de Indias

stunning!!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Patio del Mundo
Medellín

Lovely house and great staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Boutique Sazagua
Pereira

Food was just OK Our room was beside the spa -- it was quite noisy

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
BOG Hotel
Bogotá
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
The City of The Eternal Spring & Comuna 13
The City of The Eternal Spring & Comuna 13
Medellín

We loved the history of the city. The art, people and music were amazing.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Exclusive Cocora Valley, Salento & Filandia Experience
Exclusive Cocora Valley, Salento & Filandia Experience
Colombia

beautiful landscape

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Horseback Riding on the Coffee Landscape
Horseback Riding on the Coffee Landscape
Colombia

Beautiful horses, barn and landscape. It would have been nice to be on a trail -- we were on a road with cars etc. which took away from the ride

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Traditional Farmers Market
Traditional Farmers Market
Bogotá

amazing -- loved the experience

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Andrea Morita
Andrea
Andrea Morita
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on Mar 11, 2023

Dear Gillian,
Thank you so much for your kind and lovey feedback. I am so happy you had a good time in our country. Thank you so much for enjoying all the experiences we have prepared for you and the service of our tour guides.
Colombia waits for you always with open arms,
Andrea

One of the BEST Travel Experience we ever had!
Colombia | Mar 26 - Mar 30, 2022

Phoebe
Phoebe c.
Leesburg, VA | Reviewed on Mar 06, 2023

I wrote a review on google I believe already. But I want to also post on here and give a shout out to Kim Kim Travels, specifically, the team of Margoth and Philip in Colombia. This was the first trip I had planned by KimKim & Co and I was hestitant at first. But this team SUPER EXCEEDED All my expectations for a 5-star travel experience! Every detail was cared for and super classy and top notch. We traveled from Bogota, to Perreira, to Cartegna and the island of Baru. Every city, AMAZING experience! As a result, I did my next trip to Portugal with KimKim!

Local specialist: Margoth Rico
Margoth
Margoth Rico
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on Mar 06, 2023

Hi Phoebe,
Thank you so much for your review! MUCHAS GRACIAS! :) You are the best and thank you for taking the time to leave a review here as well! Thank you as well for traveling with kimkim to other destinations, and we always love to hear about your other trips and experiences with kimkim. It is a pleasure meeting you and we hope you come back to Colombia in the future!

My very Best Wishes,
Margoth

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