Kimkim Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

Our family trip to Costa Rica was absolutely incredible, and KimKim Travel and Serendipity Adventures, local travel specialist, delivered exceptional value every step of the way. They created a thoughtfully planned itinerary that was perfectly tailored to our family, saving us time, stress, and uncertainty while making the entire experience feel effortless. Bryan, Nancy and Adrian, among others at Serendipity Adventures, worked diligently to make sure everything ran smoothly and worry-free. A special shoutout to our private chef, Sarah, and his assistant, Natalia, whose delicious meals were one of the highlights of our stay at Casa Fantastica. Their food and warm hospitality made us feel completely at home. We had fantastic tour guides and drivers such as Alex our driver who was a wealth of local information. Brian at the Sunset Sailing Cruise made our sailing adventure so much fun with an excellent dinner and drinks. Tucanes Tours made our horseback riding adventure so much fun and we felt safe and well taken care of. The people at Villa Vanilla Spice Tour were so knowledgeable and the vanilla and other products we purchased were such high quality. Very informative tour. Champions Surf School made our surf lessons so much fun and we had a wonderful day at the beach. Casa Fantastica has a wonderful staff from the concierges, Carlos and Sarah, to the cleaning and laundry services people. Very professional and friendly. Again, Chef Sarah at Casa Fantastica was truly remarkable and really made our trip one to remember.

Hotel Review

Casa Fantastica

Our family trip to Costa Rica was truly one we will never forget, and Casa Fantastica played such a special part in making it so meaningful. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed, relaxed, and cared for. Carlos and Sarah, the concierges on the property, were so helpful. The beauty of the home, the incredible views, and the peaceful surroundings gave us the perfect place to slow down and enjoy time together as a family. The cleaning staff, laundry staff and maintenance people were great and so attentive to our needs and requests. A huge part of what made our stay so memorable was Chef Sarah, and her assistant, Natalia. Sarah wasn't just an amazing chef, she became part of our experience. Her warmth, kindness, and attention to every detail made us feel like we were being cared for by a friend. Every meal was absolutely delicious and beautifully prepared. Sitting around the table sharing those meals became some of our favorite moments of the entire trip. Casa Fantastica gave our family the gift of unforgettable memories, laughter, connection, and time together that we will always treasure. We are so grateful for the hospitality and care that went into making our stay extraordinary. Costa Rica will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we hope to return to Casa Fantastica again someday.

Authenticity & Character

This was a luxury home with beautiful bedrooms and bathrooms, an infinity pool and hot tub, and all the amenities you need.

Location

This luxury home is located in Manuel Antonio down a very steep street. Difficult to walk into town from here but a short Uber ride.

Staff

Chef Sarah was amazing. Her meals were so delicious and creative. Her assistant, Natalia, also did a fantastic job. The cleaning staff, laundry staff, and maintenance staff were also great.

Cleanliness & Comfort

This luxury home had everything you could want available to you and the location was great.

Activity Review

Sunset Sailing Cruise on the Brisa Elegante

Costa Rica

This was a wonderful family activity. Sailing aboard a pirate ship in the ocean. What could be more fun. Brian on the staff made our time at sea an adventure and so much fun. We had a wonderful dinner and drinks. Took time out to enjoy the ocean snorkeling, or paddle boarding, or just lounging in the ocean with a pool noodle. We were also able to see dolphins swimming next to our boat. Highly recommend this experience.

Quality of Experience

Fun family adventure.

Food

We had a delicious dinner on the boat and drinks were flowing.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The captain and staff were all fantastic. Brian made our trip so much fun.

Transport

Sailing around the ocean for hours was so much fun.

Our local specialist Olman, was great from beginning to end. He was perceptive from our initial requests and needs for our group of 13. I truly appreciated the hotel selection and Olman, nailed it by booking hotels that catered not only to our large group but also the age ranges for the children on the trip ages (4-13). He recommended the daily excursions and activities and ultimately they were all a success.

I would definately receommend the Kim Kim team to anyone traveling to Costa Rica for the first time.

They booked us with A+ transportation, hotels, and excursion companies.

Hotel Reviews

Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo

Guanacaste

Staff was friendly and accommodating. Our air conditioner did not drop down to what I would consider cold, so we slept without a blanket. No big deal. Food was just ok, nothing to rave about. Had one issue with bar tender where he charged the gin and tonic separately.....After confirming with front desk that a gin and tonic is one drink and not two separate ones, they credited me back the difference. So no complaints. All and all it was a good hotel that was on the beach and a lovely staff. My only suggestion is that they get some more shade umbrellas around the pool lounge chairs. Shade from the sun is limited if you want to lounge around the pool.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

La Fortuna

Great hotel for families with old or young children, or couples. You can be social or private. This hotel caters to both. Its location is a true Costa Rican gem. Nestled at the base of the volcano, the views are amazing. It is just a short taxi ride to downtown Fortuna. The breakfast was a great mix of local cuisine with also tourist friendly options. My only negatrive comment was that that restaurant prices were slightly higher than i would like and the overall dinner was nothing extraoridinary.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sky Tram & Ziplines Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

It was A great experience, would definately recommend it to anyone looking for the adventure

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guided Nature Walk at Danaus Ecological Park

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Peñas Blancas River Floating Safari Adventure by Raft

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fantastic trip! All the drivers were professional and on time, if not early. Hotels were great. Our favorite was Poco a Poco in Monteverde. Communication throughout the trip was easy via the app.
I didn’t have to lift a finger in planning. Will definitely use KikKim again.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco

Monteverde

6 stars if I could. Beautiful grounds, fantastic food on site(breakfast buffet and restaurant), walkable to restaurants and a couple shops, friendly staff. Everything was above and beyond. Amazing views everywhere. Covered hot tub and pool so can be enjoyed when raining. Free marshmallows for the fire pit. Fun disco bathroom. I could go on and on. Whole family loved this place.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

AC in rooms only works with a key that is welded to the room key so it can only be used while you’re in the room and it takes a good hour to cool down when you get back to the room - and that’s with all the fans on. I’m all for conserving energy but even keeping the room at 85° while we were out would have been wonderful to keep the humidity down and allow clothes/swimsuits to dry. The bathroom is never air conditioned. Imagine having an upset stomach in a humid 90° bathroom. Balcony and views were fantastic though and monkeys were everywhere which was fun. Food on the premises was just OK and expensive. Need to call a shuttle to get anywhere on the property or walk up hill on dangerous roads a distance. Staff was friendly and room was clean .

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

La Fortuna

Friendly staff, great breakfast, clean rooms, fun hot springs pools, waterslide fun for kids. Ambiance was beautiful. Wish we could walk to other restaurants and shopping but that has nothing to do with the hotel, it’s common for the area I think. Uber was easy to use .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Whitewater Rafting on Naranjo River (Class III & IV)

Costa Rica

Guide was amazing-he gauged the kind of experience we wanted and tailored the trip to that. For instance, we were more adventurous than the other raft that went with us so our guide made sure to get us fully in the rapids where the other guide was a little more subdued. Guide was very safe and knew the river well. No one fell out unless we wanted to. It was the perfect amount of heart-racing fun. Great pics to buy at the end for $40USD so no need for a waterproof camera. Lunch was typical Costa Rican fare at the end.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Nature Hike

Manuel Antonio

Guide brought a Swarovski spotting scope and took pictures through it and shared them with us. It allowed us to really see animals close up. It was crowded compared to other “hikes” we did on the trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure

Monteverde

Expected the zip lining to be cool but didn’t expect the beautiful nature walk through the hanging bridges. Guide was so sweet and knowledgeable and truly loved this land. Our family of 4 (2 adult kids)had a fantastic time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cloud Forest Hike in Juan Castro Blanco National Park

Arenal/La Fortuna

Absolutely beautiful hike with 2 waterfalls and lush scenery. Guide was great and took pictures to share with us afterward. Overall our family of 4 (2 adult kids) had a great time and consider it our favorite hike of our trip. Lunch was great as well.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Excellent trip from start to finish! Everything went exactly as planned, and every company we worked with was outstanding. The accommodations, tours, and private transfers all exceeded our expectations. Thank you for making our vacation so seamless and memorable!

We spent 10 fantastic days in Costa Rica. We started in Arenal and stayed at the Arenal Springs Resort and Spa, great staff and a beautiful property. We had three tours, a volcano tour with Mariano, a bird tour with Mau, and a night tour with Pablo. Loved all three. The guides were really friendly and informative. We learned a lot.
Next we went to Monteverde, we drove route with the new bridge. The view was worth it but make sure you have a 4x4 and check water levels at the rivers. We stayed at the Koora. I would go back to Montverde just to stay here. The staff here is the best I've met in all of my travels.
We ended our trip in Tamarindo for a few days of sun and relaxation. It was our first time having a close up look at Howler monkeys. We will be going back to Costa Rica!

Hotel Reviews

Koora Hotel

Monteverde

This hotel has the best staff of any place that I've stayed. I wanted to hug them when we left. This will make me seek out more Seaglass properties.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

They are so friendly and so professional.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Springs Resort

La Fortuna

Beautiful property, friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Sloth Observation Tour

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We really appreciated how experienced they were. Showed us how to locate them in the wild.

Transport

Private Night Excursion in Rainforest and Wild Frog Sanctuary

Arenal/La Fortuna

I love frogs and lizards, I do not love spiders and snakes. I left this tour feeling more comfortable and more educated. Pablo was an excellent guide, extremely knowledgeable and answered my five billion questions. He even spotted a juvenile Sloth for us to see, we were able to see it moving around.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private: Birdwatching in Arenal Mundo Aventura Park

Arenal/La Fortuna

Mau is a great guide! His passion for birding is contagious. My husband and I have now downloaded the Merlin bird app to use in every place we visit. Take this tour!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal/La Fortuna

We spent five hours with Mariano. We learned so much about the history of Costa Rica, the plants and the animals. We had lunch together at the Red Frog, great casual food. Loved the coffee!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimkim and Serendipity Adventures were fantastic to work with! Bryan, Adrian and Nancy did a fantastic job planning the trip, adjusting it for me and the supporting us during the trip for anything we needed. Our family vacation was fun and seamless due to this team. Thank you!

We had a great time in Costa Rica. The trip was worry-free and well planned. We went on the mountain hike and loved it. Our guide, Oliver, was wonderful. He was knowledgeable and made it fun for us older folks. The river adventure was awesome as well. Our guide, Henry, was great. The food was amazing and the people were so friendly. Three Monkeys were always early to take us on the next adventure. Our drivers were friendly and kept us informed of where were and where we were going. We hope to return to Costa Rica in the future and will use Serendipity again. Thank you for a wonderful trip.

We had a great time! All guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful, and all activities were fun and enjoyable. Our whole family loved the beauty of the country and the wildlife, as well as the beautiful weather. Our accommodations were great and all recommendations were helpful. Thank you for great memories!!

I had the best time in Costa Rica. Adam was so helpful and the place we stayed was amazing. I missed my flight getting there and Adam arranged for someone to pick me up at the airport. That was so nice because it was upsetting and stressful and having Kim Kim to help me made it so much better.

The place we stayed was amazing. We all want to go back and bring our families. The people at our resort were all so nice. It was like a wellness retreat. We loved the people, the place, the food and the tour we did ( the hike and waterfall) we all enjoyed.

I would let people know to bring cash 😊
I will call Adam again to help with another trip.

Hotel Review

Hotel Aguas Claras

Puerto Viejo

This place is so special and amazing. We all loved it. The people are also very friendly and food was delicious. We all want to come back.

Authenticity & Character

What makes this place so special is how you are in paradise and not too big or crowded. It is a 4 hour drive from the airport but worth it. You stay in a beautiful house surrounded by trees. The people are so personable and friendly and the food is amazing too. You eat lunch on the beach with only a few tables which makes it so special. I would highly recommend this place.

Location

It is a 4 hour drive from the airport but was worth it. It is truly gorgeous.

Staff

They all were so nice 😊

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Cahuita National Park Snorkel & Rainforest Hike

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

We weren't able to do the snorkeling but the hike to the waterfall was a lot of fun. I would let people know to bring some cash.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a wonderful family trip. It was great getting to spend time with our adult children for a whole week. We loved the experiences that were booked-had a great time with all of them. The problems arose with transportation being to our hotels and to different excursions. It started at the airport and tying to find the driver. My husband was texting the driver because we had a long customs wait. When we tried to call the number wouldn’t work so had to keep walking around until we stumbled upon him and he was where he said he would be waiting. We were given times to meet our drivers for excursions and miss transportation because we were given the wrong time. Had to contact excursions and get on the next van. Our next excursions was a catamaran tour. My husband contacted the company and we found we had to walk down the beach to meet the group. We walked down the beach and they did not have our name on the reservation. We were given the wrong place to meet however the gentleman with the excursion company was able to contact someone and they had space on the boat where we were. Catastrophe averted again. Everything turned out fine but when spending this much money for a trip-all of the details and hassles should have been taken care of for us. We are seasoned travelers from all over the US, Europe,Central America, and Africa-when I am in charge and planning things then I expect to handle lots of issues but when I pay for another-I expect them to handle the details.

Our trip was amazing! And the Kim Kim team were a pleasure to deal with! Always respsonive and ready to help! They made our trip easy and stress free and also tailored our trip to our liking! Would highly recommend.

What a magical trip - all thanks to Adam, his team (Lea, etc) and KIM KIM! They were amazing to work with! They kept in constant communication prior, during and after the trip. We chatted by phone regarding the itinerary prior to departure. We had 2 late adds - and they coordinated adding them to our itinerary. Then my stepdaughter missed her flight and Adam/team helped secure her a late night ride to the hotel. The hotels (Nayara and Hotel Aguas Claras) were amazing! We will never forget them. The activities Kim Kim picked were spot on. Zip Lining, Horseback riding, hot springs, hikes, etc. They also arrange all the transportation.
We plan to use Kim Kim for our next trip!

Hotel Reviews

Nayara Tented Camp

Fortuna

I've traveled the world - stayed in many nice places, but Nayara has them all beat. The turn down procedure, the grounds, the pools the amazing spa experience. Most of all the people. All the restaurants were wonderful. We will return

Authenticity & Character

One of the most amazing unique places in the world.

Location

Perfect location for accessing other activities - but you feel secluded as well.

Staff

Kind, genuinely friendly, accomodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Absolutely clean!!!! and comfortable. We didn't want to leave!!!

Hotel Aguas Claras

Puerto Viejo

The people, the grounds, the pools, the food everything was stellar! The rooms were amazing. Clean, big, and unique. We will return here!

Authenticity & Character

The room was so beautiful. Huge outdoor kitchen/coffee/sittinbg area.

Location

Staff

NIcest people in the world. Friendly and accomodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Super clean!!!

Activity Reviews

Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Very well run and we felt very safe! Fun. Once in a lifetime experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Friendly and safe!

Transport

Tabacón Hot Springs Experience with Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

We opted not to do this excursion and relax and enjoy our location/hotel

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horseback Riding on the Beach

Costa Rica

Our guide was amazing. Very informative and friendly. He made the ride more enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cahuita National Park Snorkel & Rainforest Hike

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Snorkeling was cancelled due to rough waves

Graduation trip for a family of 5, of which 3 are active teenagers/college students. We were looking for adventures and sure got it - Holden and the team picked lots of activities with a good balance of adrenaline and balance in nature for 10 days. The hotels were just our cup of tea, local comfort with rooms beautifully nested in the rainforests, yet safe from insects (which was a big stipulation for the mom, no visibly present arachnids - the hotels even mentioned that they did a special swipe daily). Holden and Serendipity were very accommodating to our changes and questions throughout the planning and exploration of the itinerary. All the guides were fantastic - be it Mauricio for awesome animal spotting, Bryan for rafting, Andres with AMAZING passion and knowledge of the cloud forest, or William and Gordie making me feel comfortable diving into a perceived abyss called waterfall repelling - drivers on time, service in hotels top-notch. Adrian even sent the forgotten airpods from one hotel to another, which was extra appreciated.

Hotel Reviews

Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas

Guanacaste

As the prior hotels, situated in a beautiful setting, embedded in the flora with birds everywhere. Each room is in its own house/hut with large bathrooms and a swing on the porch (mosquitoes were in high season, so not used; bring that repellent). The massage here outside in the forest was amazing with Andrea. The staff upfront was superb, offered quick golf carts, and was incredibly helpful. Restaurant for lunch and dinner with excellent food and drinks (plus daily happy hour). Breakfast could use a little more variety and maybe not charge extra for omelets or egg stations (did not see that anywhere else), but was very accommodating to prepare our catch for dinner (mahi mahi). All and all beautiful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

a bit of a hike from the town but doable, just not a

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cloud Forest Lodge

Monteverde

Loved this place, minimalistic (almost Scandinavian feel) to the room with a balcony and seats to look out at the local ocatis playing around. Huge bathrooms. The highlight is the restaurant - we were shocked how amazing the food was - the chef is top-notch, and we are foodies! Everything was superb! The desserts were a must, and the restaurant staff was truly amazing - Marco and Fernando! The outside with the hummingbirds was a beautiful setting for lunch or dinner. Breakfast is a la carte, so no buffet - but excellent. The indoor lounge with the fireplace is cozy for a book, as you have no TVs, which I personally loved. :-) Our only wish was there was a pool (maybe instead of the glassed lounge outside), but that is just minor wishful thinking. You have umbrellas and ponchos available to use (and rain boots + hiking sticks), which you will use!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

The setting is beautiful, and service is impeccable from the front desk to the maintenance staff. The best part of this hotel is the hot springs, a total gem for relaxation. Loved the setting of the rooms, standalone houses nicely built into the nature, yet free of insects inside. You can see and hear birds everywhere, and it is a live rainforest - beautiful in and out. The onsite restaurant is great for breakfast but limited in the menu for lunch/dinner and a bit high in prices compared to the US standards (same for the spa). A short uber ride to La Fortuna for a bit of a dinner adventure was great for diverse food options, though. Overall, a beautiful place .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Embedded in the rainforest and standalone small houses for privacy

Staff

Curteous and fast, definitely - remembered our names

Cleanliness & Comfort

The only downside was the water pressure (super low) but totally manageable for 3 days

Activity Reviews

Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968

Arenal/La Fortuna

Mauricio did a great job walking up the volcano with us - it is not too strenuous but gets a little rocky later on. The history of the volcano and the overall lake + the continuation of the bird watching was amazing .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Treetopia: Tram, Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges

Monteverde

This is a public, commercial place with 7 ziplines which are fun, fast and some quite long and two of you go together. It is high up in the cloud forest so it was misty/rainy and more cold than we expected (long sleeves and pants + rain jacket is a must) - don't be fooled by the weather on the ground. I think we lucked out and it was rather empty so it was just us and another family paired up. While scary upfront, the crew was amazing - did a great job with instructions and guidance (reassuring and repeating :-)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day - Fishing Charter

Costa Rica

A good trip if you want to watch and let the crew or the boys do the job as the fish are huge and takes serious strength to pull them out! Two mahi-mahis took a while to get - just like any fishing, it takes patience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Whitewater Rafting Sarapiquí River (Class III-IV)

Arenal/La Fortuna

So much fun - Bryan our guide and Adrian, our kayaking support were awesome. Figuring out which way to go so we don't flip (which we didn't but a few of us fell out which was kind of fun). The rapids are fun and there are good calm spots/breaks in between to rest. The time flies (14 kms) very quickly and you learn those commands just as fast. We will never forget Adelante, vamonos and a few more that's for sure.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River

Arenal/La Fortuna

Great start of a vacation to ease into the wildlife - Mauricio was a great guide, pointing out so many animals—crocodiles, sloths, toucans, iguanas, lizards, macaws, and so much more. Truly an amazing, laid-back, easy-to-take-a-picture ride on a river trip. Mao knew everything about every bird/creature and shared amazing stories. The howler monkeys were especially amusing with the howls and cheekiness. Loved it!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Canyoning Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Booked this for the teenagers for the adrenaline and was a bit uneasy about it myself, as I don't like heights. Both the guides were excellent, making us all comfortable, explaining everything, and helping the weakest links (me) navigate the slippery walks and jumps. It was super fun and doable (how elegant it was, don't ask - and how much screaming there was). Didn't care - saw gorgeous waterfalls, learned some new skills, flew through the rainforest, and definitely got wet - but it was controlled and safe - and yes, lots of fun!

Quality of Experience

Unique, adventurous

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

William and Gordie were great, fun and doing everything to make the trip amazing.

Transport

Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike

Monteverde

Andres - no words needed. The guy is a magician and an encyclopedia on steroids - the passion for nature and everything that moves or is green is unmatched. It was a joy to watch him and listen to him as he lit up with every part of the rain and cloud forest. Teenagers wanted to spend more time with him and pick his brain, for which he should get a prize. We have all learned so much and didn't want it to end. Truly a remarkable tour, you have to do it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Every single person that worked at our resort, Aquas Claras, was wonderful. We loved Dani & Jose at the front desk. The people at the restaurants & bars were awesome too. (Jazmin, Ariet, Jefferson, Fray, Leandro) Our resort offered yoga & massages. It was all so amazing! The house where we stayed was private & beautiful!

First, everyone at Kimkim listened to me carefully and were able to design the exact trip I requested. Overall every scheduled tour was really good with only one guide was a bit disappointing. Considering the number that we had is outstanding. The guide for the Volcano hike was outstanding. The raft guide was also very good especially with sighting animals. We really enjoyed the Jaguar Rescue which was my favorite tour even though there were no Jaguars! The number of animals was so varied it allowed us to see examples of just about every animal native to Costa Rica. The rate of release of rescued animals was extraordinary .

The volcano hike had planned paths that were good for a strong hiker but not a walker. For me the number of small rocks, extreme variation in walking elevations was extremely difficult. I should not have done it but I got through it and made finishing longer for the younger hikers. I think the description of that hike needs to include a caution. There was plenty of other things to see and paths to walk including a nice food/drink pavilion including restrooms.pp

I will likely use Kimkim to help me plan other trips.

Oldman did a great job getting everything booked. Our Arenal guide, Monica, was amazing and knowledgeable. Our driver/guide for Poas was also great. We really enjoyed the entire trip, especially the stay in Samara. We don’t usually do beach vacations, but two slow days at the end of this trip, away from the tourists (like us), really fit our needs greatly that we didn’t even know we needed. I will definitely recommend Kimkim to friends

Hotel Review

Nammbú Beachfront Bungalows

Sámara

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close access to the beach and nice views

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

El Silencio Hike & Visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

We loved the El Silencio hike and our guide Monica. Ecotermales was a fun hot spring, but we’ve been to several so this was not new for us.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had 2 great guides / drivers on 4 hrs plus trip across from San Jose to Carribean . Both of whom were outstanding in sharing their knowledge of Costa Rica. We stayed initially at the Cahita Inn which was very nice., And then at Aguas Clares which was outstanding! The hotel also booked. a tour to Manzanillo park and Project Ara. Which was highlight of trip.
Although we are a change to our trip which led to some miscommunication and frustration with trip specialist, overall trip was successful.

Costa Rica was our 4th trip with KimKim and it was wonderful. We explored the Arenal volcano and lake in La Fortuna, the cloud forest in Monteverde and the beautiful coast and Manuel Antonio State park in Quepos/Aguirre. The trip included hiking, horseback riding, viewing wildlife and enjoying beach activities. The Koora Hotel was exceptional.

Hotel Review

Koora Hotel

Monteverde

First-class boutique hotel with spectacular views and even better service. We enjoyed a two-floor suite which was beautifully appointed. The food was exceptional and the staff was kind, attentive and always accessible. Highly recommend and would absolutely stay again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Morning Catamaran Adventure with Barbecue

Manuel Antonio

Nice activity if you'd like to see the beautiful coast line by boat. The crew were very good and the catamaran is spacious and well maintained. we enjoyed snorkeling in the cove and were able to view dolphins jumping alongside the boat.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Manuel Antonio

This is a must do for the area. would have preferred a longer guided hike in the park with more time to enjoy the beach. the main trail is very crowded with tourists and guides. we did see numerous birds, sloths, monkeys, insects and diverse landscapes.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Organic Farm & Spice Garden Visit

Manuel Antonio

This was just ok. This experience is likely dependent on the guide. we were disappointed that we did not learn much about chocolate and coffee harvest and production and the quality of the tour and food was poor. would skip this.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

El Tigre Waterfalls Excursion

Monteverde

spectacular falls. kids loved swimming in the pools and climbing over the rocks. must see.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch

Arenal/La Fortuna

Must do. Jay was our tour guide and was the best guide we have ever had. He was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the flora/fauna of the region. Beautiful hike, wonderful guide.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Costa Rica was wonderful. The people there are genuinely happy to have you there and show you their beautiful country. The first stop was Fortuna. We stayed at the Arenal Manoa and Hot Springs. None of us was ready to leave. It was fantastic, and so many things to do in Fortuna. You must get a massage. It is an open-air studio situated on the riverbank. We ziplined on the first full day. I was not sure about ziplining and almost chickened out. The guides with Sky Adventures Arenal were really fun and did not push you beyond what was comfortable; they helped you feel safe, and it was a really fun day. That evening, we had a traditional cooking class. Kathy was amazing. It was a private class, so she was able to tell us a lot about the history of the food we were making. It was one of our favorite days. On the second day, we hiked to Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Waterfall. Our guide Melony was aceses!! She and our driver spotted a sloth- the only one we saw the whole time- a few scarlet macaws and a toucan. She seemed to really enjoy her job and was up for whatever we wanted to do. The next day was the coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane farm. It was interesting, but a long tour that covered a lot of the same things. We transferred to Nosara, and our place there was top-notch!! Our host at the Hotel Guiones was just lovely. She was so warm and welcoming. Jorge ran the front desk and was just as amazing. Henry, the chef, made magic with his food. Jorge booked a private boat for us one afternoon, and we went fishing. Such a great trip, and we caught several huge fish. They cleaned and filleted them for us. We brought them back, and Henry made a three-course, traditional Costa Rican meal for us that was the chef's kiss!! Henry makes breakfast every morning as well. I have celiac disease. He was very careful with my food and even made the most delicious GF bread I have ever eaten. We went snorkeling, and everyone saw a lot of fish and had a great time!! We had a wildlife-and-waterfall adventure hike scheduled, but it was canceled at the last minute. Be sure to check in with your excursion outfits because they do. not have your names; the agency that scheduled the tour has them, and we did not get the message. The third stop on our trip was Tamarindo. It was much more commercialized. The boys went scuba diving and had a great time. My daughter and I had a massage in our room, which was great, and walked around downtown. The beaches in Nosara and Tamarindo were super nice. The sunset was beautiful every day!! It rained a bit in the afternoons, but it never kept us from doing what we wanted to do. Every excursion had pineapple and sometimes watermelon for a snack. Best I have ever eaten, and I am from the south in the US, where watermelon is so good. Overall, it was a great trip. 100% we will visit Hotel Guones in Nosara again. I also forgot to mention that they have a chocolate shop there at the hotel that is to die for. They make their chocolate on site. I hate that we did not get more. If you have celiac disease, ask a lot of questions; people seem to be educated as to what gluten is and they can help you.

Our family of 9 had an incredible trip to Costa Rica thanks to Elena and Adrian. They were both helpful and communicative both during planning and while on site. Arenal Springs Resort & Spa in La Fortuna was the perfect first stop and had everything we could have wanted - hot springs on site that we visited daily, excellent service, beautiful surroundings, and a secluded peaceful environment. The buffet breakfast was delicious each morning offering tons of options. All of our excursions for perfect for our group - volcano hike plus waterfall (doing both back to back same day was a little much for the adults though), water water rafting and ziplining at Sky Adventure (the most memorable)! We love this property. The only downfall was it was not walkable to most restaurants and since we didn't have a vehicle it required many taxi rides. The view at La Mariposa in Manuel Antonio could not be matched, though the staff was not nearly as helpful here. We loved that it was walkable to tons of shops and restaurants though. The animals and wildlife in M.A. are spectacular, as was our guide for our nature hike in the national park. The catamaran we took was fun, though had a LOT of other people which was a bit of a bummer since we have done smaller boats in other places that felt more quaint. The bbq lunch on board was delicious though. We had the same driver the entire trip and I can't recommend Alex enough. He was always helpful and knowledgeable and offered great food recommendations. I hope we will be able to return to this beautiful country one day to explore other areas.