Kimkim Trip Reviews for Colombia

Our trip was fabulous. The planning was fast and efficient and the execution of the plan was almost flawless (perfection is boring so this is a good thing). We had wonderful drivers and guides. Our experiences were very well thought out, fun and educational. We learned a great deal about the people and culture of different parts of Colombia.

Michael and his team were available and responsive when we had questions and/or concerns that needed to be addressed. Usually, I do the majority of planning and logistics for myself and anyone that I travel with. It usually turns out well, but it is a lot of work. This is my first time using a service like this and I am now spoiled by having the professionals do it for me. I highly recommend KimKim and Michael and his team.

Activity Reviews

Walking Tour & Street Food

Cartagena

Great tour of the city with a fun and knowledgeable guide. Eddie brought the walled city to life for us and tried to educate us about the wonderful street food. Unfortunately, both of us were off of food at the moment so could not partake in too much of it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Market Visit & Cooking Class

Cartagena

The market was a bit rough (took off one star for that-but my travel companion LOVED the market part) but Gloria (our chef) was no nonsense and knew exactly what she wanted and helped us to select wonderful ingredients with which she helped us make a feast. The food she taught us to prepare was one of the best meals of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Drum & Dance Safari at the Beach of La Boquilla

Colombia

It was just us on the evening we attended so we had a private experience at the beach. The beautiful young people taught us how to use three different drums and to dance. They were fabulous. A great experience for sure.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike Tayrona National Park

Colombia

This was a full day of hiking with a wonderful beach and dip in the sea in the middle. We saw sloths and howler monkeys and capuchin monkeys and snakes (non poisonous) and birds of all sorts. Our guide was very knowledgeable and fun. Eating at the beachside restaurant was lovely and the food was delicious!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rosario Islands Day Trip

Cartagena

My travel companion and I are not great at just sitting on a beach and relaxing. We did kayak for a while, but it just was not to our taste. We were ready to leave about two hours before the boat was ready to take us back. If you can relax, this would be a great experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fruits of Colombia Food Tour

Bogotá

This is a must do when in Bogota. We tasted so many amazing fruits and learned so much from our guide. There are 433 types of fruit in Colombia and even through we only tried 20 or so, we learned how important diversity is to the overall health and sustainability of our food. After this tour, my travel companion and I said that we would have been completely satisfied with the trip if it had to end right then. It would have been worth the time and effort to get there to experience just this.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Dinner - Top Chef Private Dining

Bogotá

Maria arranged for a wonderful dinner in her home. The chef and her team allowed us to try our first Colombian food and we loved it. We also had a great educational discussion with Maria about sustainability and her company's mission to educate travelers about it.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Very enjoyable trip, except for the excessive heat in Cartagena. All guides, except one were great and that one needs some maturing when dealing with people.

Hotel Reviews

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena

Cartagena

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Went out of their way to accommodate. Even celebrated my wife's Birthday

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room we ended up with was at the further point away from the centre of the hotel. Dungy, noisy and musty. An old part?? Needs renewal.

El Cielo Hotel

Medellin

Great hotel and menu, on-the-ball staff.

Authenticity & Character

Only odd thing about it was that the reception was on the 5th Floor!!!! Not something I like.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Boutique Sazagua

Pereira

Once upon a time this would have been quite the spot; but it's worn and not kept well.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cobwebs hanging from high ceilings, Worn wall paper. Needs a total renewal

Reserva Natural Sazagua Valle del Cocora

Rustic, situated in aforested and hilly area.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Artisan D.C. Hotel, Autograph Collection

Bogotá

Top notch.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Depart Colombia

Colombia

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Overall great co-ordination on all our flights and getting us there.

Private Cooking Class and Lunch

Cartagena

Quality of Experience

Food

Great instruction via translator by the chef. Work tables could be more solid/stable.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dinner Reservation at Jardin Restaurant (Sofitel Santa Clara)

Cartagena

Quality of Experience

Good food.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great young waiter.

City Tour of Cartagena Highlights with Food Tasting and Graffiti Tour

Cartagena

Quality of Experience

Too long, too Hot for 5 hours

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alvaro is young ,energetic and friendly. But Alvaro was like a robot having to get through all his memorized items and descriptions. Had to tell him twice that 5 hours in the heat was too much and let's cut it off and head back. He'd be a great guide with the proper tutelage.

Transport

Rum Tasting with Chocolate Pairing

Cartagena

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Music and Colombian Afro Flow Tour - Cultural Immersion at a Comuna

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guatape and El Peñol

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

City Tour of Medellín Highlights (with Local Market)

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Cooking Class and Dinner

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Food

Thermal Waters Santa Rosa de Cabal

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Authentic Coffee Farm Visit and Meeting a Local Family

Colombia

Quite the experience and more so by meeting with the family and learning about their small business

Quality of Experience

Food

Thorougly enjoyed the excessive meal cooking by the owner's wife

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Colombian Drinks and Cocktail Tasting Experience

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cocora Valley, Salento, and Filandia Coffee Town

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Colourful and entertaing.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aguardiente Tasting (Local Colombian drink)

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The general manager of the hotel did the experience. Quite a funny and off-the-wall person

Transport

Short Local Cooking Class: Learn about the Arepa

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Kind of a hodgepodge of grinding and making varioos arepas

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Street Art, Tejo Game and Chocolate Activity in Bogota

Bogotá

Quality of Experience

Enjoyed playing Tejo. Chocolate experience was interesting but more appropriate for a professional blind taste test. Rather than do the test; just a tasting with explanations is more appropriate

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

City Tour of Bogota with Gold Museum!

Bogotá

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monserrate Hill with Transportation

Bogotá

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Local Fruit Market and Street food Tour

Bogotá

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to Colombia!

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Local guides/drivers were prompt, pleasant and anxious to please. Tourism and hospitality is recognized as essential to improve quality of life. Our program included Bogotá, Salento, Pereira, Medellin, Guatape and El Penol, ending in Cartagena. Enjoyed all of the activities and hotels with the exception of our room in Cartagena which was at the end of a long corridor, dark and musty...not a great image for a tourist given the rest of the hotel. Improvement with guide in Cartagena to better know the needs of their clients...very hot city and a walk about for 5hrs is not sensible nor was it fun...excessive details about the fort etc., was way too much. Other guides were knowledgeable, fun and genuinely cared about their jobs and their clients. The Colombian people are generous, pleasant, quick to smile and proud of their country. Language in hospitality needs to include more English for an easier rapport and better understanding of what is being requested. Our program provided me with a better understanding of this interesting country and am very happy to have visited.

Hotel Review

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena

Cartagena

The hotel looks beautiful and has lovely food...unfortunately we did not have a nice room...at the end of a long corridor on main level , dark and musty.

Activity Reviews

Depart Colombia

Colombia

A tour guide arrived at our VBRO, same young chap we had met before......he waited with us until the driver arrived...we were not aware a guide was to accompany us...and off we went to the airport where we were dropped off outside....every other guide that we had accompanied us inside the terminal to ensure a smooth transition, and that's when we tipped....without meaningful service, no tipping. The driver was new to us and the seat belts were non workable in the rear and when we pointed this out we were advised that the car had been cleaned and they hadn't pulled the clips back through....whatever the reason, the client should not be put in that position.

Private Cooking Class and Lunch

Cartagena

A very well spoken knowledgeable chef taught us lots about the cuisine and how to actual tackle some items that were new for us. We enjoyed all of the dishes that we made and have a much better understanding of the work and effort that goes into some of the Caribbean dishes. Loved the aprons that were easy for me to get home...great memory jogger of a fun time.

Dinner Reservation at Jardin Restaurant (Sofitel Santa Clara)

Cartagena

Many kind wishes were sent my way for my BD celebration....even the hotel dining staff had a lovely dessert for me and sang happy birthday. The meal was delicious, beautiful presented and we enjoyed. There seems to be the thought that if you remove a plate as soon as finished it is efficient...not so when you are eating with another person ... my question which never has been answered is why does Colombia mark up their price of wine so significantly? If tourism is the goal, expect wine drinking goes with that....we were able to find delicious wines in the local grocery for a reasonable amount.

City Tour of Cartagena Highlights with Food Tasting and Graffiti Tour

Cartagena

Felt our guide was inexperienced, not well organized and didn't seem to know how to relate to the client. As senior clients walking about in 41 degree weather for 5 hours is not OK....we ended our walking tour before seeing the market or taste testing. Our introduction to Cartagena was not a positive lasting impression. Our hotel room was not up to the standard of the other places we had enjoyed. The overall impression of the hotel is most positive, beautiful grounds, pool dining areas but our room was at the end of a long corridor on the main floor and it was dark, dingy and needed refurbishing...the picture over the bed was a frame only. Our dining experiences were all positive.

Rum Tasting with Chocolate Pairing

Cartagena

Cartagena takes a little time to get oriented ... our guide walked us to this event which was essential for us as it was an evening event. The owner and presenter of the event was friendly and fun and enjoyed his job. We enjoyed learning about the different flavour profiles and how they were created and the little tapas to aid with the palette were delicious. On our walk back to the hotel we were able to see the party buses and how night life lives in this city.

Music and Colombian Afro Flow Tour - Cultural Immersion at a Comuna

Medellín

Essential to experience this neighborhood in order to better understand the massive changes that have taken place by those living in very poor dangerous conditions.

Guatape and El Peñol

Colombia

Other than the rain, we enjoyed getting to the area as well as learning about La Piedra rock. No pressure to climb and didn't.

City Tour of Medellín Highlights (with Local Market)

Medellín

Enjoyed the exhibition of sculptures by Botero. Our guide shared comical information which kept the history fun and memorable.. the wonderful metro cable up to Santo Domingo was enjoyable and knowledgeable and an amazing method to move people through this massive city in a cost efficient manner.

Quality of Experience

Private Cooking Class and Dinner

Colombia

Well organized with an interpreter and set up efficient for us to easily manage the steps. Enjoyed the class, the chef, the gift of columbian pots and the experience.

Thermal Waters Santa Rosa de Cabal

Colombia

We enjoyed taking the path with our guide at a leisurely pace to see the thermal waters. Quite a stunning area of natural beauty.

Authentic Coffee Farm Visit and Meeting a Local Family

Colombia

One of the best activities and learning experiences in Colombia. From costume setting, to picking the beans and walking through the fields and learning about the many steps that are taken to produce this bean was amazing. The lady of the manor prepared drinks and snacks and then a sizeable lunch for all of us to enjoy. Language wasn't difficult with a fluent guide and gestures and smiles all added to the enjoy,ent.

Colombian Drinks and Cocktail Tasting Experience

Colombia

Relaxed, fun and playful experience.

Cocora Valley, Salento, and Filandia Coffee Town

Colombia

Amazing valley and seeing these magnificent palms was awesome....our guide was very knowledgeable about the area and shared this with us in an easy to understand discussion. He was happy to accommodate a request to show me an avocado tree and took the time to explain the growth etc. Both Salento and Filandia were colourful and easily walkable locations.

Aguardiente Tasting (Local Colombian drink)

Colombia

Very generous manager and chef introduced us to your national drink. We had lots of laughs and can see why this is such a social beverage.

Short Local Cooking Class: Learn about the Arepa

Colombia

Enjoyed my time with the chef learning about the different corns and how they are treated. With the help of his kitchen staff, the final presentation was delightful.

Street Art, Tejo Game and Chocolate Activity in Bogota

Bogotá

Colourful, insightful and fun...enjoyed the street art. Most fun for us was playing tejo accompanied by a mulatto local beer...chocolate pairing made us feel like we were in a lab doing a very detailed taste tasting...far too much technical stuff for regular tourist...this program needs to be delivered in a more relaxed fun manner.

City Tour of Bogota with Gold Museum!

Bogotá

The museum was delightful...our guide told us about a few key issues and then we took whatever time we wanted to look at the various exhibits.

Monserrate Hill with Transportation

Bogotá

Enjoyed the cable car ride up the hill and learning about how it was developed. The site at the top was beautiful and we carefully maneuvered the slippery paths...rainy day ..

Local Fruit Market and Street food Tour

Bogotá

Many fruits are new to the tourists and it is nice to be able to try them. The arepas made by a special lady were the best I ate compared to the many I tasted through out Colombia. The flower market was colourful and nice to see .... wasn't too sure the vendors were too happy with us walking through as they were getting ready to close....might we worth considering talking with a vendor to learn more about the business and even receive one flower as token....

Welcome to Colombia!

Colombia

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our trip to Colombia was put together by Michael and it was an amazing adventure. We enjoyed all the places we visited and the experiences we had. We took in many historical and cultural activities as well as many nature excursions and hikes. It was tailored to what we like to do and our tour guides were very knowledgeable and helpful. The trip went very smoothly with all the details looked after. We loved visiting Solento and the Corcora Valley with a hike to the top to see the hummingbirds. San Augustin and the Archeological Park was excellent. Purace National Park was amazing and we were able to see the condor birds up close. The Tayrona National Park is beautiful and well worth visiting. All the cities we visited were very interesting and the Gold Museum in Bogata is definitely worth taking in. The trip was fantastic and we didn't want it to end. Thank you Michael and Chaska Tours.

From initial planning to ultimately finishing the trek in the beautiful Cocora Valley, we couldn’t have been more pleased with every aspect of this journey. The attention to detail and our needs were amazing and the care and knowledge of our outstanding new friend, our guide Benjamin, was simply the best.

We would recommend KimKim and this specific trek to our journeyman friends in search of truly diving into the culture and natural diversity of Colombia’s Los Nevados National Park.

Michael and Chaksa tours planned a fabulous tour of Colombia for my family including two adult kids in their 20s. Medellin was fascinating and our tour guide Liliana was awesome - very knowledgeable, patient, caring and flexible. Our hotel Sites was very nice and in a lovely, safe neighborhood. Our trip to a local flower finca (farm) was wonderful and we loved shopping in the charming town of Guatape. Senda Watapuy hotel right outside Tyrona National Park was a jungle paradise. Our kids loved the hike to a pretty beach and kayaking a river all the way to the ocean. Then in Cartagena, our guide Isaac was amazing. We loved the old town, making empanadas in our cooking class, and the boat ride in the mangroves was not to be missed.

KimKim provided the drivers to meet me at the airports/hotels/preserves. All were on time. A couple of drivers could speak no English, (and I can speak no Spanish) so that made for interesting rides.

The major problem here was my cell service provider. After getting back home, I contacted them and, hopefully, this problem has been corrected. I had a translator app on my phone but it was useless when not connected to Wi-Fi.

I also had a couple of guides who were just awesome. They were knowledgeable of the areas, bird identification and willing to help/answer all questions. Could not have been a more pleasant interaction with them and their English was very good.

Destinations:
Paramuno Birding-Trail in Monserrate
La Minga Ecolodge
Tinamu Natural Reserve
El Dorado Nature Reserve

The birding at Paramuno Birding-Trail was absolutely amazing. After spending hours here, I’m hoping the other places are as good as this is. They were! It just kept getting better.

At La Minga Ecolodge, after two days here, I was convinced this is the best place for birding. Lina, (Host?) although could speak no English, was just great. (I had Wi-Fi here) The food/preparation was excellent.

The downside here is your shower water is lukewarm at best. They have one of those “Tankless Water Heaters.”

Tinamu
No English spoken here either and Wi-Fi saved the day. The birding is just amazing here and even better if you’re willing to hike.

Sandra, the host, fed us very well and the food/preparation was outstanding. Some of the best soup I’ve ever had.

They do have hot showers here. Definitely my favorite place.

El Dorado
Excellent birding here if you’re into hummingbirds. This is rugged country and not an easy place to get to from Santa Marta. The 4-wheel drive road is long and brutal.

Once in El Dorado, my room to the restaurant (the only two places I could get Wi-Fi) are far apart and all uphill. You either walk a steep trail or catch a ride on a three wheeled contraption provided that you called the restaurant ahead of time. So, a couple of times, I had to walk the trail.

This place also has HOT water.

Once again, the food/preparation was outstanding. I had hot chocolate at other locations but chocolate at this place was the best.

I could not give two locations the top spot so I would rank Tinamu 5 stars for birds AND personnel and El Dorado 4.75 stars for birds. Because of the remoteness of El Dorado, they did not have the personnel but what they did have, they were great also. (Fred, in the restaurant)

Conclusion
I could and will visit these places again but will also be looking for new places to explore.

I don’t know why hot water seems to be a luxury in some locations in Colombia, but each place tells you to use as little hot water as possible.

KimKim did an outstanding job putting an itinerary together for me and I would not hesitate to use their services again. Well done, KimKim, (Michael Gold) well done!

We went to Columbia in the first half of February and visited Bogota, Medellin, Tyrona National Park and Categena. The trip was organized by Michael from Kimkim. Michael did an outstanding job in planning and booking us with enjoyable and interesting tours. Michael was available and responsive via whatsapp for any questions regarding our Itinerary. Most of the tours were private, or small group where we had the same guides and drivers in each location. Columbia is a very diverse country with a rich, interesting and conflicted past and breathtaking scenery. Each place was a like a new vacation. We worked with Michael to customize some aspects of the trip to suit our interests(including bucket list paragliding adventure in the mountains above Medellin) Can't say enough about the guides we had, shout out to Maria, Ciello, and Wlson and the drivers who were always there to keep us on time(kudos to Emerson who also spoke great english and was a wealth of information). Our accommodations were all in strategic locations, clean and comfortable. There is much said in North America about the safety of Columbia, As seasoned travelers, we exercise caution where ever we go. We never felt any sort of danger in the areas we travelled in Columbia and other than a flip the bill taxi scam when we were on our own(recommended to use Uber) we found the people of Columbia warm and friendly. This was a fantastic vacation, thank you Michael, and KimKim

Michael Gold with KimKim organized a very personalized itinerary for us. He was always available on Whats App when we had questions. We experienced a nice variety of experiences in Columbia and had quick and easy transfers between the activities. We felt very safe and welcome in the country. The guides all spoke English and were knowledgeable and helpful at all times.

Hotel Reviews

GHL Hotel Armería Real

Cartagena

Nice location where we could walk through the Getsemani area and also the old historical district. The staff was very helpful. Pool on roof was refreshing and had a great view.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chiniuu

When we arrived we didn't like our room and the staff upgraded us to nice room on the second story with a beautiful room with a view of the beach and two swim pools. The hotel was advertised as 4 star but we felt it was more like a 3 star. The wifi didn't work unless we walked over to the restaurant. At one point we were locked in the room for over an hour because of old locks. The staff was kind and did their best and actually changed out the lock that same day and even provided us with a free dinner which was one of the best dinners we had on the whole trip. The restaurant was slow but the food was amazing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Senda Koguiwa

Santa Marta

A beautiful hotel with very nice landscaping and swim pool. Big clean room. Nice restaurant next to the pool.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Movich Casa del Alferez

Cali

Modern hotel with nice restaurant. It was a nice retreat in the middle of our trip.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Homestay in Silvia

An interesting stay with a local couple in their home. Clean and comfortable room. Hostess Vivi was super kind and friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Camino Real

The staff was helpful in moving us to an inside courtyard room which was quieter. Great old building right next to the downtown plaza.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Finca El Maco

San Agustin

We stayed in the Tiki hut which was fun. Outdoor shower with tropical flowers and bird sounds was fun. Restaurant on sight was good. Not close to town though.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel De La Opera

Bogotá

Great location! Nice rooms in historical building. Friendly and helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Social Dinner-Experience: Colombian Food

Bogotá

A highlight of the trip. We were a little concerned about what was going on the drive and the arrival at an apartment building. Once we got into the apartment we were treated to a very special dinner made by two cooks and a kind hostess. It was fun getting to see a modern apartment in Bogota suburbs. The hostess was very helpful and told us about the local fruit and vegetable market which we visited the next day on our own.

Quality of Experience

Food

Excellent!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bogotá Walking Tour

Bogotá

There was confusion and miscommunication several times on the tour where we didn't understand what was included and what we really wanted and expected. At the end we felt disappointed we didn't get more history of Bogota and Columbia.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira

Colombia

We wished we had skipped this activity because it took so much time to drive their and back.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Loved the Trip, the activities were really cool. the glamping in the coffee region was fantastic. Only drawback sometimes was commute to / from activities. Would like to waste less time in the car if possible.

Margoth and team designed a trip that was perfect for us. All internal flights, accommodations, transfers and tours were well organized. Our guides and drivers were friendly and knowledgeable and everything worked seamlessly. I would highly recommend the Kimkim team.

Overall we had a great time. A few bumps along the way. Three of us got sick on different days on Isla Baru so that slowed us down a bit. But we still managed to have a good time
Time in Cartagena was well planned and and tours were well appreciated. Tour guide Anna did a very good job. We enjoyed our time very much.

Our trip was wonderful our activities were great the people are so friendly and are eager to help in anyway they can.
I would recommend this trip again and again

Hotel Reviews

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena

Cartagena

The people are so friendly and helpful such a beautiful hotel food was amazing

Authenticity & Character

The age of hotel and how beautiful it is and wonderful staff and food

Location

Good location lots of things to do around

Staff

Friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable

Sofitel Baru Calablanca

Cartagena

They people are so friendly and helpful the food is wonderful

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

So friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms are clean and comfortable

Activity Reviews

Local Colombian Emerald Workshop

Cartagena

Wonderful activity

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Coffee Tasting with Honey Pairing

Cartagena

I now alot about coffee great activity

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ceviche and Coconut Lemonade with Transportation

Cartagena

This was a wonderful experience I would recommend it

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a great time in Columbia and everything being organized by David worked 100 procent. All the guides did a super job, the same as the drivers we had. We will of course do promotion for you in our neighborhood and will certainly come back to you for our next trip to Columbia. All our thanks go to David and his team.

Hotel Reviews

Hacienda Venecia Coffee Farm

Manizales

The next highlight on our trip. What can one do better. The owner lives together with the guests in the same house. Very personal situation. Staff and family very friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very special in the middle of a coffee farm with a lot of animals.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Quinta Ladera

Medellin

Good little hotel, quiet although the situation in a very lively neighborhood.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Bantu By Faranda Boutique

Cartagena

The highlight of our trip. Super crew, nice food, situation in the city absolutely super.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Camino Verde

Tolú

Very good hotel, problems with the wifi, street from Tolu to the hotel deserves to be reconstructed from the beginning to the end.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Gloria

Mompox

Good hotel, nice crew, good food. Sometimes a bit loud at night from the neighborhood.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit to the Bogotá Botanical Garden

Bogotá

José Luis know such a lot about plants. It was a fantastic visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira

Colombia

We are very glad to have seen the Salt Cathedral finally (Third visit of Bogotá!)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bogota's Essentials (City Tour & Monserrate)

Bogotá

José Luis is a very accurate and friendly guide who did a great job with us. His German is very good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fruits of Colombia at a Local Market

Bogotá

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Biking in Bogotá

Bogotá

Very special experience in this enormous city with two very engaged guides.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Charming Towns and Special Coffees Córdoba / Pijao / Buenavista - Sustainable Destination in the Quindío Mountain Range

Colombia

Wonderful experience on a very long tour.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee Tour in Venecia Coffee Farm

Manizales

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hydrangea Tour in La Ceja and Pottery Workshop in Carmen de Viboral

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

City Tour Medellín

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Danna is a very nice person with a good knowledge of all the important points of this fantastic city.

Transport

Rosario Islands Day Trip

Cartagena

I would not send guests to this Island any more. Two hours of boat trip to wait three hours for the trip back on a very small beach without any possibility to walk about on the island.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking tour in Cartagena's Historic Center

Cartagena

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat Ride: The Ciénaga de Pijiño

Mompóx

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking Tour in Mompox

Mompóx

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I'm good at writing, but am unable to string together a list of superlatives to describe just how awesome KimKim, their Colombian representative Michael Gold, and the local guides/drivers were on our recent trip to Colombia.
Michael assembled the perfect trip to fit our priorities and time frame. He adapted to a one day weather travel delay we encountered in the United States - rebooking hotels, excursions, and flights.
The guides were friendly, accommodating, flexible, and well-informed. The "handoffs" with drivers were seamless.
I highly recommend KimKim without reservation.
Craig H.

Cristina was a wonderful planner!

She was a great communicator and handled all our questions and changes beautifully.

We really appreciated having the service available to us. It’s great to know you have someone you can reach out to for questions and help with planning. Makes the trips that much more relaxing.

Hotel Reviews

Minca Ecohabs

Minca

Interesting experience, like sleeping outdoors.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

People were great, however, the breakfast we arranged didn’t get prepared and delivered.

Cleanliness & Comfort

No hot water and low water pressure

Tay Beach Hotel

Santa Marta

Nice property right on the beach. Rooms were spacious and clean. Restaurant had pretty good food. Nice pool and bar areas

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

lol

Cleanliness & Comfort

No hot water and power went out twice, however, we heard that is common for the area, not just hotel.

Casa Mara

Cartagena

The rooms were ok. Our first room didn’t have much water pressure. There were a lot mosquitoes in the lobby. There were stains on the sheets.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walking distance to the main streets and attractions

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our first room didn’t have much water pressure. There were a lot mosquitoes in the lobby. There were stains on the sheets.

Activity Reviews

Rosario Islands Day Trip

Cartagena

Trip to the island not as pictured. You needed to rent a private boat once you arrived on the main island to go to the beach with the turquoise waters.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nature, Waterfalls & Coffee Farm in Minca

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike Tayrona National Park

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

lol

Transport

Cartagena City Tour

Cartagena

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Overall, our trip to Colombia was fabulous! The experience of working through Kim Kim and our local specialist was so easy. The teams were responsive, and they put together a custom vacation that appealed to all of our preferences. We're quirky in that we like both rugged outdoorsy experiences and high-end dining and hotel stays. This trip was the perfect marriage of the two. Our guides for the city tours spoke impeccable English and were highly knowledgeable of the culture and history of the region. The only item on the agenda that we probably would have skipped in retrospect was the Tango experience - food was lackluster and while the performance was nice, we left halfway through as it had been a long day.

Hotel Review

The Charlee Hotel

Medellin

Luxurious and fun! The ideal way to end our trip.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right in the heart of the Poblado.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Trekking in Los Nevados National Park (2D1N)

Colombia

What a special trip! This landscape is beautiful, and our guide Paula was outstanding.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our driver was excellent. The drive times were poorly predicted - both much longer than it said on our itinerary.

Our family had an amazing time in Colombia. The four of us have some different interests, but Margarita was able to tailor the tours such that we all had a great time whilst learning about the country along with its history and culture. Margarita was very patient and attentive to our requests, and always responsive from the planning stage until the end of the trip. All the tour guides (Majo, Luis, Jessica, Sofia, Carolina) and drivers selected for us were very dedicated, passionate, kind, helpful and fun! They all definitely went above and beyond our expectations. A special shout out to Jessica, our guide in Medellin - despite running into a personal challenge, she put her focus to take care of us first and maintained a positive atmosphere. This trip definitely left us with nice memories, and we are deeply impressed by how Colombia has evolved from its troubled past into a thriving, beautiful, and enjoyable country.

Our trip to Colombia was amazing! I cannot say enough great stuff about our visit to Bogota with home dining with Maria Jose, fruit tour with Nicolas, Street Art tour with Deanna and playing Tejo, visit to the Salt Cathederal with Deanna as well. Our lodging at the Hyatt was also top notch. Food and hosptialy were great throughout trip. Transfers were safe, comfortable and wonderful. Visit to Cartagena with Gustavo as guide was also amazing. We loved our market and cooking experience with Dona Gloria and touring with Gustavo trying street food and exploring old town. Evening party for NYE at Bastion was superb. Spending the first day of the New Year in the Mud Baths was great and transfer to Baru by boat to Isla Encanto was great and our stay there was relaxing and perfect way tot end the vacations. We will surely be back and recommend to all who ask!

Out trip to Colombia was fantastic thanks to Michael and his team. The trip he planned was perfect for our family of 5 (3 kids under 9). The kids were engaged with the activities. Our days were filled with activity but not too booked. Our guides were especially awesome. In Bogota, Maria Jose and Nicholas introduced us to local cuisine and fruits we had never seen before. Deanna was so gracious to meet us at the airport and show us the city and the Salt Cathedral (very cool!). In Cartagena, Gustavo was a fantastic tour guide for our three days and really showed the city and took care of us. All the guides offered their personal contact information while we were there and made sure we were taken care of. We would highly recommend Michael and his team as well as any of our tour guides!