Kimkim Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

Overall a great trip.
We had a bit of back and forth about our planned accommodations, but after that, we had three great hotels- resorts and nice trips to attend.
Manoa Hotel in la Fortuna has the most beautiful gardens and a ton of birds- tucans, wild peacocks, and a ton of egrets and small birds. We had a hiking trip around the Arenal volcano forest and we had a great guide named Carlos. Very knowledgable about nature and history and geology. Then we went to hot springs spa- totally not worth it, unless you enjoy to share a warm, crowded small body of water with a bunch of strangers who are served drinks and never leave to pool to go to the bathroom. They had a very nice buffet restaurant. one downside- our driver forgot about us and it took the front desk to call and investigate before someone showed up 30 minutes later to get us to our hotel. He appeared surprised that he wasn't tipped.
Poco A Poco in Monteverde- nice, compact hotel, with its own trail into nearby jungle. I arrived there with a bad stomach issue and they had a room for us in 10 minutes, even though the check-in wasn't for another 3 hours.
All the trips we booked- cocoa plantation, night jungle trip and the canopy bridges the next day were enjoyable, in my husband's view ( I was sick for 2 days, so I didn't participate)
And then Shana by the sea near Manuel Antonio National park - forget the sea. water is not clear, nor blue. No surprise, it is on a Pacific side. The path- very steep-takes you to the secluded beach with dark colored gravel. But first you have to wade thru a dark murky pond with water coming out of Mongrove forest. Not big, maybe 25 feet wide, but enough to make you not trust the water. Don't bother to go there, better spend time at the pools. Beautiful pools and gorgeous views make up for no beach. The staff, especially Carlos in the front office, are extremely helpful and nice.
We had added attraction of Capuchin monkeys visit the hotel every afternoon. Nice but they steal stuff- keep your balcony doors closed. Again, lots of colorful big and small birds .
And Views to die for.
I highly recommend a tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. We managed to see both kinds of sloths, an anteater, monkeys, birds, inland crabs, deer, the famous colorful frogs, lizards ,even a tiny snake.
Downside- we visited in a week before Easter so all locals had time off and the park was beyond crowded.
I was pleasantly surprised that Eli, our guide, managed to find animals for us to see. I imagine that any less busy time of the year only adds to the allure.
Overall, a nice trip, well organized,
To those who expect a real jungle experience- you may be surprised . The trails and paved with gravel, there are water stations along the trails. Very civilized.

Gustavo Camperos, our kimkim specialist, was absolutely amazing in every aspect of trip planning. On this type of performance feedback evaluation, I tend to be a "tough grader." Hence, my "absolutely amazing" rating speaks volumes. To provide a bit more detail: Four of us (myself, my wife Joan and our two friends, Jon and Deirdre) began our interaction with Gustavo by first describing our "vision" for an eight-day trip to Costa Rica. This included many details such as the type of hotels we like, type of activities we wanted to pursue, the amount of territory we wished to cover and our desire to have drivers from location to location rather than rent our own vehicle.

What followed the above is best described as an "iterative process." That is, we went back and forth with Gustavo many times using the kimkim messaging system, email and Zoom. As things progressed, we observed our evolving itinerary get better and better. At each step along the way, we requested changes which we viewed as incremental improvements. For example, add one day at location X and subtract one day at location Y, swap the hotel at location Z for one which is more upscale, add guided bird-watching and volcano hikes at location Z, etc. In this context, we easily monitored the dynamically changing trip itinerary and cost and could customize our "adventure" to any level of luxury which suited our fancy. In achieving all of the above, it was a sheer pleasure working with Gustavo. Over and above the fact that he lives in Costa Rica and gave highly-expert advice on the "best things" to see and do, he would rapidly respond to our large number of queries. To add icing to the cake, the week before our departure. he suggested that we meet on Zoom to review the final itinerary to make sure all details were to our satisfaction. Finally I should also mention that throughout the course of our planning, we also had a number of interactions with kimkim associate Greg Fendler who helped make sure that all our logistics were solidly in place. We were also very happy with the work which Greg did on our trip.

Kudos to kim kim. Thanks to your dedicated travel experts, our trip to Costa Rica was excellent. The trip went off without a hitch exactly as planned.

Our trip to Costa Rica with Kim Kim was amazing! Everything was done exactly as it was described. All the transportation arrived as expected exactly on time. We stayed at four different hotels or resorts. Each one was unique, beautiful and comfortable, even luxurious in the case of the resort -Manao- we stayed at in La Fortuna, under the Arenal volcano. There we watched hundreds of egrets roosting in the trees across from our dinner table and relaxed in a few of the many hot spring pools located on site. The nature tour we took just outside the town was the best among all the many excellent opportunities we were booked into. The guide was super knowledgeable and helped us get fantastic pictures of sloths, birds and crocodiles with his spotting scope. We even got to spot a gorgeous trogan which was the bird my husband had hoped to see. The cooking class and tour of the organic farm was also so much fun and educational and both our tour guide and cooking instructor were full of fascinating info about plants and the locale cuisine which was even more delicious because we helped prepare it. I loved making tortillas!
All that being said, my favorite place was Sarapiqui. We stayed at a marvelous gem of a resort called Ambigua, which is surrounded by a jungle like garden. In the evening the red eyed tree frogs come out all around the dining area providing me with amazing photos. The night hike we were booked into on the grounds was magical. The guide, Tavo , went out of his way to make our time with him full of glimpses of all sorts of night creatures from bulletin ants to kinkajous. The pool was lovely and refreshing and the reflexology in their spa was the best I have ever had. Our nature tour at a local ecological institute was full of toucan and parrot sightings as well as many other birds and sloths. The guide was most excellent.
Our stay at Tortuguero was awesome as well with special kudos to our two day guide there- Raymond, who clearly knows his stuff and has a great affinity for the natural bounty of his country as well as a great sense of humor. The only disappointment was that an optional hike was too rigorous for me to attempt and we wished there was an alternative choice.
A huge thanks to Kim Kim, Olman and the team in Costa Rica (Aleska Tours I think was the name and they were able to change our airport pickup time with one phone call), for creating and managing our unforgettable and magical visit to Costa Rica ! Everyone and everyplace was no less than fantastic!

Hotel Reviews

Pachira Lodge

Tortuguero

Our first encounter with the natural wonders of Costa Rica. When we arrived we were all greeted with a refreshing drink and welcoming faces. Considering it is located very remotely, the resort has the routine well organized but still feels relaxed. Service at the desk was excellent and always cheerful. The hotel is nestled within the jungle and has a few trails right around itself., but it carries off a luxurious feel as well with a lovely pool and bar and patios right on the river. All personnel were lovely and our guides were exceptional. Food was similar from meal to meal but always fresh and tasty.

Authenticity & Character

Jungle canopy and location

Location

Very near to National Park and preserve and within an actual jungle complete with howler monkeys

Staff

Our guide Raymond

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spa was squeaky clean as was everything (except the nationwide toilet paper disposal system which was never explained adequately in terms of how to properly handle toilet paper in a sanitary manner and was cause for smells in the room)

Auténtico Hotel

San José

Beautiful pool and dining area. Outstanding service and exceptional food. Lobby a bit small and room adequate.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful garden around pool and delicious typical dishes.

Location

Close to airport but far from other sights

Staff

Service outstanding even gave us a box breakfast when we left too early for dining room to be open.

Cleanliness & Comfort

all was clean and adequately comfortable

Ara Ambigua

Heredia

This hotel is the home of our fondest memories of Costa Rica and a prime example of Pura Vida! Surrounded by beautiful gardens blooming vegetation, and much wildlife. This is a magical place! We watched red eyed tree frogs come out at night while we ate dinner and were able to experience a night hike right on the grounds. This unforgettable trek with Tavo gave us a sneak peek at many nocturnal creatures we would never see on our own. The pool was lovely and relaxing, the spa provided me with the best reflexology I have ever had and the staff was exceptional in helpfulness. Highlights were the frogs, birds , iguanas, and basilisk lizards, and lovely murals.

Authenticity & Character

Nature, architecture and delicious food

Location

Close to chocolate factory and nature preserve. Quiet set back from road.

Staff

Friendly , patient, helpful, speak excellent English

Cleanliness & Comfort

All was clean and comfortable

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

This place is awesome! It sits back well off the main road which provides the guests with an amazing view of the volcano, and also some exquisite natural settings all around. Our first dinner there we were seated where we could see hundreds of egrets roasting in the trees for the night, which was unforgettable. The front desk was quite helpful in managing our connections with our tours that we were taking in the area. our room was absolutely perfect and unique. We could see Arenal volcano from our patio and at the same time experience the natural beauty of the area and local vegetation. The bathroom of the room was most amazing with a tropical plant in the floor and a luxurious shower. During the day when we weren’t taking a tour, we were relaxing in the many beautifully designed thermal springs on site. The pools are phenomenal and one day we had lunch served at the bar actually on the edge of the pool . The restaurant is pricy but the food is excellent. The included breakfast was a huge buffet with more choices than can be named- all fresh and tasty. The only downside is that the lobby is not very comfortable and there was no way to get any forgotten toiletries at the resort.

Authenticity & Character

Natural setting, architecture,food

Location

As I said great view of volcano and access to hot springs. Downside was that it was far from town and there is no shuttle, so without a car we were unable to see the town unless we wanted to pay dearly for taxi ride.

Staff

Everyone tried to be helpful but service wasn’t quite as personal as elsewhere. Quickly rectified problem with laundry, though and cleaning staff did amazing job on room.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fantastic level of cleanliness- not sure how they do it in such a big place

Activity Reviews

Birdwatching Tour at La Selva Biological Station

Sarapiquí

Guide was exceptional knowledgeable and well spoken. The center was fascinating-I especially enjoyed seeing toucans and walking on the bridge across the river and seeing the nesting birds there.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver was a woman with a kind and relaxed manner who made us feel welcome. She even presented us with little souvenirs of Costa Rica!

Transport

Always on time and courteous

Guided Nature Walk at Danaus Ecological Park

Arenal/La Fortuna

This was our favorite guided hike and preserve. The guide had exceptional knowledge and great enthusiasm for what he was doing. He helped us take pictures using his spotting scope and found many birds. He was never in a hurry and told us one of the most memorable stories we heard on our trip. The preserve is outstanding with so much to see from alligators to shunting and so many birds!

Quality of Experience

We were delighted to be served fresh fruit and water at the end of the hike. Also loved the native craft area and learning about the art and the people who craft it.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

So much enthusiasm and knowledge

Transport

On time comfortable communicative

Traditional Cooking Class - Dinner

Arenal/La Fortuna

Fantastic way to get closer to the people, food and customs of Costa Rica. Also delicious! We also got unexpected presentation on sugar cane which was fascinating!

Quality of Experience

The cook was a lively woman who did not speak much English but managed to communicate with us well enough and with enthusiasm. She had so much energy and skill!

Food

Loved eating what we had a part in preparing.everything was so fresh and very delicious and all typically prepared.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We learned so much from our guide about the plants. Our favorite part was his humorous presentation about sugar cane!

Transport

Enjoy the Beauty of Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero

Absolutely amazing! Raymond our guide . Was extremely competent and patient as our leader for three days. He made every effort to provide us with knowledge and opportunities to see even rare wildlife. His affinity and understanding of the natural wonders of his country and his sense of humor made it all very special. His command of English is also quite impressive. Ray is a great example of Pura Vida and a Costa Rican we won’t forget!

Quality of Experience

Ray and jungle location

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Always eager to help, friendly and cheerful. Captains of boats went out of their way to show wildlife.

Transport

Always on time. Captains and Drivers were friendly and communicated well. Vans and buses and boats were clean and comfortable with the exception of life preservers which were bulky and hot.

Amazing trip! Serendipity Unforgettable Adventure in Corcovado National Park & Arenal Volcano

Our recent trip to Costa Rica was nothing short of incredible, and we owe it all to our fantastic guide, Brian, who crafted the perfect itinerary. We started by flying into San José, where we spent a day exploring the vibrant city and getting a taste of Costa Rican culture.

Corcovado National Park & Drake Bay

The real adventure began the next day when we flew by commuter plane, took a car ride, and then hopped on a boat to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. The journey was an experience in itself—spectacular views, an exhilarating boat ride, and the excitement of arriving at our resort. From the moment we arrived, we felt completely at ease. The resort staff was incredibly welcoming, ensuring that our stay was seamless and enjoyable.

One of the highlights of our time in Drake Bay was snorkeling at Caño Island Biological Reserve. The underwater world was vibrant, with crystal-clear waters and an abundance of marine life, including tropical fish, colorful coral, and even a sea turtle or two. It was like swimming in a live aquarium!

Exploring Corcovado National Park was an unforgettable experience. The park is a true gem of nature—untouched, wild, and teeming with diverse wildlife. We spent a day hiking the lush trails, and the best moment by far was watching monkeys jump from tree to tree, showing off their acrobatic skills. Along the way, we spotted sloths, exotic birds, and other wildlife that made every step of the hike feel like a new discovery.

Arenal Volcano: The Adventure Continues

After our time in Drake Bay, we took a commuter jet back to San José, and the views from the plane were unreal! The lush green forests, rivers, and mountains below created a breathtaking panorama. From San José, we traveled by private transportation to Arenal, where the journey itself was scenic and filled with anticipation.

Upon arriving at our resort, we were greeted by a spectacular view of Arenal Volcano from our room window. The sight of the towering volcano surrounded by rainforest was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Arenal’s natural beauty set the tone for the next part of our adventure.

The resort’s hot springs were the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploration. The warm waters, nestled in the heart of the jungle, were both relaxing and rejuvenating. Soaking in the springs with the sounds of nature around us was a surreal experience.

One of the highlights in Arenal was our hike and river float. We explored the surrounding rainforest, where we encountered sloths hanging lazily in the trees, monkeys swinging overhead, and an incredible array of birds. Floating down the river was a unique way to observe wildlife—so peaceful and serene, yet teeming with life. We even spotted bats fluttering through the air, adding to the sense of wonder and discovery.

Accommodation & Service

Both of the resorts we stayed at—one in Drake Bay and one in Arenal—were exceptional. From the cozy, welcoming atmosphere to the attentive service, every detail was thoughtfully taken care of. The food was always delicious, with fresh, local ingredients and flavors that made every meal a treat. We especially loved the tropical fruits, rice and beans, and the variety of fresh fish dishes.

Local Culture & Food

We also had the opportunity to experience Costa Rican culture firsthand. Everywhere we went, locals greeted us with warm smiles and a genuine sense of hospitality. It was clear that the “Pura Vida” lifestyle is not just a phrase but a way of life. The food was another highlight of the trip. We savored the rich flavors of Costa Rican cuisine, and every meal felt like a celebration of the country’s incredible natural resources.

Overall Impressions & Tips for Future Travelers

This trip to Corcovado National Park and Arenal Volcano was the perfect combination of adventure, nature, and relaxation. From the wildlife encounters in Corcovado to the breathtaking views of Arenal, Costa Rica truly has it all. If you're someone who loves outdoor adventures, stunning landscapes, and vibrant wildlife, this is the destination for you.

A few tips for future travelers:

Best time to visit: We traveled during the dry season, which was ideal for hiking, wildlife spotting, and enjoying the hot springs.

Pack wisely: Lightweight clothes for the heat, sturdy hiking shoes, and a good camera for all the incredible wildlife.

Prepare for adventure: Costa Rica is all about immersive experiences, so be ready for a mix of transport (planes, cars, boats) and lots of outdoor activities.

This was truly a trip of a lifetime, and we can’t recommend it enough. If you’re looking for an adventure that combines nature, wildlife, and stunning landscapes, Costa Rica—especially Corcovado and Arenal—should be at the top of your list!
Jodi
y guides were above amazing! Thank-you so much for an amazing trip and experience!

Hotel Reviews

Studio Hotel

San José

Only there for a quick night, but comfortable, and walking distance to restaurants and bars.

Authenticity & Character

Super!

Location

Close to lots of food/bars

Staff

So friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wonderful

Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge

Attention to customer service was above and beyond. They even cut fresh aloe for our sunburn from snorkeling.

Authenticity & Character

Really cared about guests

Location

Beautiful!

Staff

Always remembered names, and was so personal!

Cleanliness & Comfort

So clean and ready for our arrival!

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

La Fortuna

Beautiful view! Staff was always pleasant and helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Great personal attention

Location

Beautiful views, and close to town!

Staff

Friendly service.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable and clean!

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour to San Pedrillo (Corcovado National Park Station Ranger Station)

Corcovado National Park

Amazing everything!

Quality of Experience

Great guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Wonderful!

Transport

We walked

Private Sloth Discovery Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Great guide and view of sloths!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Highly recommend KimKim services for travel planning. We spent 10 active days in Costa Rica that were planned by Olman as a family of 7 that included 3 children. Every part of the trip went smoothly with the transportation arriving on time, activities were spaced to avoid rushing, there was time to add our own activities as we wanted.
Questions during the trip were answered to provide any clarity needed for currency, customs, tipping and travel arrangements.
The combination of group tour activities and private guided tours was excellent. They provided a basis for us to explore on our own with the knowledge gained from the tours.

I will be using KimKim again for an upcoming tour in Japan.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel La Pradera del Arenal

Fortuna

Hotel La Pradera del Arenal was fantastic. The accommodations were just what I expected for the price, and having activities like the ATV event right at the hotel was very convenient. The ease of access to activities really enhanced our stay.

Tropical Gardens Suites and Apartments

Playas del Coco

The last place we stayed, Tropical Gardens Suites and Apartments, was not what I expected. It seemed a bit rundown, almost like a timeshare trying to rehabilitate itself and only halfway through that process. I would not recommend it unless visitors have low expectations.

Activity Reviews

Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal/La Fortuna

The hike to La Fortuna Waterfall was amazing, especially having a private guide who was exceptional. It felt personalized and I would highly recommend the guide we had to anyone visiting La Fortuna.

Arenal 1968 Hike & Visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

The Arenal 1968 hike followed by the visit to the Ecotermales Hot Springs was a highlight. The Hot Springs were nice, and dinner there was excellent. It was a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Peñas Blancas River Floating Safari Adventure by Raft

Arenal/La Fortuna

The Peñas Blancas River Floating Safari Adventure by Raft was great. Despite being part of a larger group, we were in our own raft with a guide, which made it a personal and enjoyable experience.

Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Experience

Monteverde

The Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Experience was fantastic. The whole day was well-paced and enjoyable, allowing us to fully experience without feeling rushed.

Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining

Monteverde

The Selvatura Park Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining was incredible. It was well organized, not scary, and probably the number one activity for the group. The focus on safety was clear, which made it all the more enjoyable.

Catamaran Sailing Excursion & Snorkeling

Costa Rica

The Catamaran Sailing Excursion was very well organized. The open bar and fresh squeezed lemonade were delightful surprises. While the snorkeling wasn't as expected due to water conditions, the overall experience was enjoyable and lasted longer than anticipated.

We had a wonderful visit to Costa Rica and enjoyed every minute of our time!
Thanks for coordinating everything and having everything planned made it so much easy to explore and enjoy the nature and wildlife.
The tour guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. Special thanks to Alex with whom we drove couple of times. He is very kind and shared a lot of great information with us.
Wilman was also very responsive and accommodated some last minute changes.
Loved visiting the Arenal 1968 park, nature walk in Manuel Antonio national park, zip line and night excursions in the rainforest!guide took all photos for us and shared them for a memorable experience! Hotels were also wonderful with great customer service and rooms very spacious.
Overall a great experience!!

Our driver, Alex was amazing. He was full of wonderful information about Costa Ric. A very personable and interesting man. Due to a medical situation, I could not join in on all of the scheduled activities. The ones I participated in were wonderful. Our hike guide on the zipline tour was full of wonderful information about the plants, insects, birds, snakes, etc. on our walk. Also, the repelling company was wonderfully run with engaging, interesting people. I wasn't able to repel, but joined the group for part of the adventure.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

La Fortuna

Loved this hotel and the amazing grounds. The food was good. The pools and pool bars with wonderful. We were located on the backside of the property. Often we walked to the pools/restaurant but, when we asked for a driver, they were prompt and well run.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

Beautiful rooms and grounds! Loved all of the wildlife around up. The grounds were emasculate. The restaurant was good with a lovely setting.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

I could not participate in ziplining but loved the guided wald.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Sailing Cruise on the Brisa Elegante

Costa Rica

Wonderful experience! Lovely couple that owns this business. They have done everything right.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lost Canyon Waterfalls & Rappelling Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

I could not participate in this activity but went along and stayed in the operation hq. Lovely family that runs this professional business.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal ATV Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

I did not participate

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

We had an amazing guide. The park was very busy and a bit underwhelming from all of the hype.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wow, top two trips of my life! Everything we were interested in, it was accommodated for. We stayed at lovely hotels, were safe the whole time as well had memorable experiences. As someone who has a lot of more traveling to do in her life, I will continue to book with Kim Kim! Thank you for a wonderful family trip!

Costa Rica for Family of 5! We had an amazing time on our trip. The first part of our trip was in La Fortuna. We had adventures every day with amazing guides such as Diego. Our kids saw sloths, enjoyed the hot springs and swam under a waterfall. The hotel was lovely and perfect for our family. The hot springs was a fun family evening activity.
The 2nd part of our trip was in Manuel Antonio. The hotel was amazing with incredible views and amazing staff. We had an once-in-a -lifetime experience with our guide, Sosio through the National Park. All of the tours were incredible and top notch.
Our transportation to and from airport, between hotels with Alex was always on-time and pleasant

Hotel Review

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

La Fortuna

Our stay at Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort was delightful, though the only downside was the trolley service which was not always available and often took some time to get from place to place. Otherwise, the hotel was a lovely place to relax.

Activity Reviews

Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

The Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure was simply amazing, especially for older kids. My preteens absolutely loved it, even though it was a bit scary. The thrill and excitement made it a memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Waterfall & Volcano Hiking Adventure with Lunch

Arenal/La Fortuna

The Waterfall & Volcano Hiking Adventure with Lunch was breathtaking. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience with stunning views and a sense of adventure.

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

The Manuel Antonio National Park guided hike was a must-do activity. The guides were incredible and provided a top-notch experience. Our whole family felt that this activity was essential to our trip.

Olman was very prompt and responsive to our requests and organized a good itinerary for us, a party of 3. All the hotels were great with very comfortable beds and good breakfast. All our Costa Rica guides were top rates as were the drivers. Only one main feedback is, we wished we were advised of the terrible traffic back to San Jose from Monteverde leaving around noon. We could have left earlier with private transfer.

Activity Reviews

El Silencio Volcano Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Great guide on history of volcano and nice short hike. Not outstanding beauty

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Rainforest Hike with Lunch

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Boat Safari

Arenal/La Fortuna

The best activity with great guides and nice boat rides. Our main guide was outstanding in showing the wildlife..we saw very nice birds and different types of monkeys. The boat driver and guide were instrumental in these experiences. Food were great too!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our group of 6 had a wonderful time in Costa Rica, first staying at the Hotel Los Logos in La Fortuna, then at the La Mariposa Hotel in Manuel Antonio. The rooms, staff and meals in both hotels were spectacular. All arrangements through Kimkim and Serendipity Adventures were flawless. The activists arranged through Serendipity, in La Fortuna, including zip lining, rappelling off of waterfalls and riding ATVs; all were great fun.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

La Fortuna

Wonderful suite, excellent staff and delicious meals including a huge buffet breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Charming buildings and pools

Location

Beautiful views and central for day activities

Staff

Very timely when requesting shuttles

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms and restaurant were spotless

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

A gorgeous hotel centrally located in the town for walking to nearby restaurants. A big plus were the dozens of white faced monkeys who were everywhere.

Authenticity & Character

Clean lines and spectacular views of the Pacific

Location

Conveniently located to the town

Staff

Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

The entire grounds were spotless

Activity Reviews

Arenal ATV Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

We visited some pretty area that we wouldn’t likely have seen

Quality of Experience

Less driving on highways

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A very friendly guide

Transport

The ATVs were in great condition

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

The Park walk was underwhelming. We saw more animals at our hotel.

Quality of Experience

Not worth the time.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nothing

Transport

Nothing

Lost Canyon Waterfalls & Rappelling Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Rappelling off of several waterfalls was thrilling

Quality of Experience

Our guide was extremely helpful and informative

Food

The local food was good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide pointed out special things in the forest

Transport

An open truck took us to the top of the canyon

Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

I have a fear of heights but I was assured that I could zip line safely.

Quality of Experience

Each of the six lines was exhilarating

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very helpful outfitting me in my gear and explaining what to do

Transport

Nice lift from base to top

Sunset Sailing Cruise on the Brisa Elegante

Costa Rica

The ship was lovely and the crew were very friendly

Quality of Experience

Lots of fun on the ship and floating in the ocean

Food

The meal served was very good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff couldn’t have been friendlier

Transport

The ship is in excellent shape

Our vacation was wonderful! I cannot thank Kim Kim and Serendipity Adventures enough for all of their guidance , support , and expertise! We didn’t have to need or want for anything. They were with us every step of the way, checking in, making sure everything was to our expectations and so helpful in answering all of our questions and making sure we were happy. Our guides were exceptional. I will use KimKim in the future for travel plans. It was so easy. I feel our vacation was above and beyond our expectations solely because we used KimKim. Holden put our trip plans together and was always available for questions. Wilmar and Serendipity Adventures were always checking in and making sure we were happy. Our two guides that stand out the most were Mariano for the LaFortuna area and Socio in Manuel Antonio. The best experience!!

Hotel Reviews

Arenal Springs Resort & Spa

La Fortuna

Beautiful views from our room. Breakfast was amazing! Friendly staff and clean rooms and wonderful amenities ! Beautiful location!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

Amazing ocean views from our beautiful room. We had monkeys on our deck that were fun to watch and a sloth that was in the tree right next to our room. It was so close!! It was an amazing experience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Fun

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Arenal Volcano & 1968 Reserve Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Mariano was extremely knowledge and friendly. We had a great time learning and seeing the sites

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Sailing Cruise on the Brisa Elegante

Costa Rica

Beautiful.

Quality of Experience

O

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

O

Transport

Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Nature Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Fun to see all the beautiful butterflies

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private: Manuel Antonio Park Guided Hike

Manuel Antonio

We would not have seen most of the animals that we saw without our amazing guide Socio! I would not recommend this trip without a guide. The park was absolutely beautiful

Quality of Experience

K

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sukia Nighttime Nature Walk

Manuel Antonio

We saw lots of frogs! So cool

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Serendipity Adventures was the tour company assigned to us via Kim Kim. Holden, Mariana, Nancy and Wilman are all exceptional. They planned an amazing trip for us that suited our interests and ensured everything ran smoothly. Everything was extremely organized, punctual and communication was seamless.

Special mentions to: Alex and Rodney our drivers and tour guides Andres, Mallo, Stephanie and Olger.

I highly recommend booking your Costa Rica trip with Serendipity.

This was our first trip to Costa Rica and we only had a week- so tried to hit 3 of the major areas based on an already suggested route by the kimkim team. Worked out great! Really got a feel for the country and what we would do more of on the next trip. So glad I went with the local drivers instead of trying to rent a car. For the time we had, we surely would have lost time finding our way and the roads were quite rough in some areas. It was great to have a local driver who knew the roads and where to go - much less stressful than driving. All our drivers and guides were great. Manuel Antonio park and area was definitely a favorite due to sloths, beaches and beautiful views.

Hotel Review

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

Great views and services.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure

Monteverde

Great overall experience at the park - bridge guide was very knowledgeable and zipline team made everyone feel comfortable and safe.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Nature Hike

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano Hike & Paradise Hot Springs Experience with Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

Hike was good - guide was knowledgeable and interesting. We had a partly day but views were still nice. Hot springs were ok - better pools than our hotel; but would do something else next time as most hotels have something similar.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monteverde Cloud Forest Night Walk

Monteverde

This walk is very dependent on what you see. The night we went was not super interesting - bugs and a couple birds.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Booking our family's trip to Costa Rica with kimkim was easy and streamlined. We simply told Gustavo what we were interested in doing & seeing, and what level accommodations we wanted, and he came up with a fantastic itinerary, including transfers between airports, hotels and activities, as well as great activities that we only needed to tweak a little on our initial call with him. In Monteverde, we particularly loved the zip lining at Treetopia Park Monteverde, our birding guide, Oscar with Ocotea Tours & Transfers (who was very flexible and indulging based on our birding priorities), and our coffee & chocolate tour with Katherine at Don Juan Monteverde. The treetop dining experience at San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience was fun too, and the food was delicious. In Sámara, we enjoyed our fishing and snorkeling adventure with Sámara Adventures, even though we didn't catch fish--but we saw lots of dolphins right up close to our boat! Our hike at the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve was good too--lots of wildlife. I would say that the Scarlet Macaw Refuge and Breeding Center Experience was a little disappointing; it was scheduled for 3 hours but only lasted about 1.5 hours including transportation; we had hoped to see the actual breeding facilities but only saw the macaws being fed by staff. This was great, but since we were staying at nearby Punta Islita, we had seen several of them flying around and eating in the trees on the resort property by the time we attended the experience. I will say that Punta Islita is a good 30 minutes away from Sámara, and 2 of our 3 experiences were in Sámara, so there was a lot of driving. The Hotel Punta Islita offers many of the same tours and adventures that we had with Sámara Adventures--so maybe we could have had fishing/snorkeling and hiking without as much driving if we'd used the hotel's options instead?

We loved our accommodations at the Cloud Forest Lodge in Monteverde and the Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection near Sámara--especially the views and wildlife (mostly birds) at Cloud Forest, and the pool, beach access and wildlife (including howler monkeys & scarlet macaws) at Punta Islita. While both these accommodations are beautiful and fairly luxurious, they are both removed from local culture, making it more difficult to explore the nearby (far in the case of Sámara--about 30 minutes away) towns, restaurants and cultural life on foot without having to call a taxi or other ride service. They did have all the amenities we needed on site, but we found ourselves eating at the same hotel restaurant (which were still excellent) for most meals in each hotel. I wanted to have some local gallo pinto, but the hotel restaurant versions were not the same as the gallo pinto I got at sodas when I was in Costa Rica many years ago--and we never found the time to find a soda or smaller restaurant at which we could get authentic gallo pinto (though if we'd made more effort to call a taxi for a ride into town in Monteverde for lunch or dinner one day, I'm sure we could have found some!). In addition, neither of these accommodations seemed to have good suite options for a family of 3--2 adults and a teen son--that would allow for much privacy (Cloud Forest Lodge was better in this sense--at least there was a large bathroom). They would be better suited for a couple, or you'd have to book more than one room/suite.

Overall, we LOVED our trip to Costa Rica, and particularly loved the fact that booking with kimkim made it easy, with an easy-to-follow itinerary, so that we didn't have to worry about ground transportation (especially between airports & hotels) or scheduling of tours while in-country. It was great to have a schedule to follow, but also enough downtime to relax and enjoy the beauty of Monteverde and Punta Islita!

Hotel Reviews

Cloud Forest Lodge

Monteverde

Beautiful surroundings and views. Endémica restaurant is fantastic with so many delicious options and a beautiful fireplace and balcony. Very friendly and accommodating staff. Removed enough from Monteverde that you must call a cab to go into town. A little more difficult for families--we had the largest suite, the Tityra Junior Suite for our family of three (parents & 1 teen son), and it's still only one large room (with king bed & a daybed) with a large bathroom. In the future, I might book 2 different rooms. The nature trails around the property were great for hiking and some wildlife, and the bird viewing as well as cloud forest views from the balconies were excellent.

Authenticity & Character

in the middle of the cloud forest

Location

beautiful natural surroundings and wildlife

Staff

very friendly; we loved our waiter at Endémica Restaurant (who I think was the manager but can't remember his name!)

Cleanliness & Comfort

everything squeaky clean

Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection

Bejuco

Beautiful surroundings, excellent pool, excellent beach access with great restaurant at the beach and beach-side service. Great amenities and options for activities--surfing lessions, bird watching, monkey sighting, etc. Excellent restaurant at the hotel itself. The mountain view room was excellent for wildlife sighting--we saw howler monkeys in the valley below and scarlet macaws in the tree above our little "yard".

Authenticity & Character

Great wildlife opportunities, beautiful beach, staff was wonderful. There is a cultural museum (which we didn't visit) but removed from opportunities to actually meet and mingle with local people.

Location

Absolutely beautiful with lots of wildlife and great beach, but removed from "nearby" town so no real opportunity to experience local culture.

Staff

Very accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean.

Activity Reviews

TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure

Monteverde

LOVED the ziplining! The hanging bridges were great too--saw lots of wildlife including many birds and a snake!

Quality of Experience

Ziplining was awesome! Hanging bridges were fun but more like checking a box.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ziplining staff was amazing. Our hanging bridge guide seemed to play favorites with some in our group a bit which could be a little off-putting.

Transport

Private Curi-Cancha Bird-Watching Experience

Monteverde

Oscar, our birding guide, was fantastic! Knowledgeable, and very accommodating to our birding priorities!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Werner Sauter Biological Reserve Hike (Seasonal)

Sámara

Saw lots of wildlife including many "lifer" birds as well as howler monkeys! Learned lots about the local flora as well--very interesting. Great view of Sámara beach during the hike.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Experience

Monteverde

Katherine, our guide, was fabulous! We loved chatting with her and learning from her. I would highly recommend this experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Treetop Dining Experience with Wine Pairing

Monteverde

The food was excellent and the service fantastic. The view was amazing!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Adventure Fishing and Snorkel

Sámara

We loved this adventure! Unfortunately, we were there during a season when the fishing wasn't great so we didn't catch anything--but our son (a seasoned fisherman) was OK with that ("that's why they call it fishing and not catching"). The boat ride was beautiful and we saw lots of dolphins right alongside the boat. The snorkeling was great too--our son spotted a ray as well as a turtle for us all! The boat driver & fishing guide were fantastic as well--and the fruit at the end of the ride was incredibly delicious!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Scarlet Macaw Refuge and Breeding Center Experience

Sámara

It was fun to learn about the breeding project that has been so successful at reinvigorating the scarlet macaw population in Costa Rica--what a great accomplishment! In terms of seeing the macaws, we were led to the area where food is put out for them, which our guide did, and tons of them came to eat the food provided (these were birds that had been bred & hatched at the center then released into the wild after 2-3 years--the center provides less than 50% of their daily nutritional requirements--can't remember exactly how much--20-40%??--so that the released birds can learn to forage and survive on their own but have a backup just in case). So we learned a lot about the project and are happy that we were able to support the project. But we were hoping to see the actual breeding center itself--where the eggs are laid/chicks are hatched, and that wasn't part of the tour. Also it was billed as a 3-hour experience, and only lasted about 45 minutes (plus transportation there & back--about 10 min each way).

Quality of Experience

seeing the breeding area itself

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Terrific trip! The people at Serendipity Adventures (Bryan, Nancy, and Wilman) were very attentive local specialists who provided good guidance. Wilman was very responsive about everything while we were in Costa Rica, including making last minute changes we requested to our excursions and communicating with the drivers. Alex was an outstanding guide and driver, very knowledgeable and friendly. We loved our guided hanging bridges hike with Mariano and he was very generous to take us around town afterward when we had downtime before our next excursion. We enjoyed the cacao and coffee tour with Alex. Jorge was a great safari float guide—we got to see many animals! Andres was an extremely knowledgeable guide of the Manual Antonio national park.

The setting of Arenal Lodge was beautiful. Be sure to inform guests ahead of time that it is located very far outside of town. La Mariposa hotel is beautiful and well situated with walking acesss to restaurants and shops and a stunning view of the ocean.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Arenal Lodge

Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto

San José

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Very crowded!!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee & Chocolate Tour

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Río Peñas Blancas Safari Float

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fantastic trip to Costa Rica covering Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and San Jose with my family of 4. The trip was planned and organized by Bryan, Nancy and Wilman of Serendipity Adventures and did an amazing job of planning everything from rental car, accommodations and booking trips and adventures. They were readily available to respond any questions we had during the travel itself. I especially loved how they would give recommendations for local restaurants to consider for lunch and dinner (breakfast was always included with the stay).

Hotel Reviews

Chira Glamping Monteverde

Puntarenas

Fantastic stay with amazing views. Large area to yourself, hot tub, and views

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Mariposa Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Great stay

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Buena Vista Chic Hotel

Alajuela

Authenticity & Character

Location

Amazing spot but a bit away from San Jose

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Cloud Forest Night Walk

Monteverde

Day at Selvatura including Hanging Bridges and Fauna Exhibitions

Costa Rica

Coffee & Chocolate Tour

Costa Rica

Fantastic experience

Private Surf Lessons in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Catamaran Adventure with Barbecue

Manuel Antonio

Wonderful trip with great guides, perfect arrangement of pickups and drop offs. Itinerary was fantastic

Our first experience using KimKim was great. I am usually the family trip planner and I was thrilled that KimKim and local travel agents at Serendipity in Costa Rica handled all the details. We still got to weigh in on our preferences (e.g., we prefer calm, tranquil hotels) and let them know if we wanted fancier or more basic accomodations. But, overall it was much less work for me! And in the end, every detail of the trip went smoothly. All of the transfer drivers were on time and courteous. All the tours were great. And the folks from KimKim/Serendipity were always available via WhatsApp to answer our questions (e.g., Where do you recommend that we go to dinner tonight outside our resort? Whats the best way to get there?). I will definitely use KimKim for our next big trip! Thank you all. Well done!

My husband and I attended a destination wedding in Costa Rica. We expanded our trip with vacation time and hired KimKim to work out a tour plan. The Costa Rica specialist who designed the trip was Gustavo and he did a great job. We filled out a form giving our preferences and activities that we liked and then had a video chat to move toward finalizing the plan. He was sensitive to things we did not want to do. We enjoyed all of the activities suggested by Gustavo. Further, he booked us into hotels that we enjoyed as well. The hotel in La Fortuna was excellent as were the tours in that area. Per our suggestion, the hotel in Monteverde was more 'adventurous' and that was enjoyed as well.

We want to give a special thanks to long-suffering Greg, who set up all of the tours and made the reservations. I wanted to add one particular tour in Monteverde and he graciously set it up even though it was not on the original list. There was time to do it and he fit it in. He was most helpful throughout the trip. It turns out that the 'extra' activity was by far my favorite of the whole trip. It was a private birding tour in Monteverde and we just loved it. Don't miss the fabulous birds in Costa Rica.

All of the tour guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. We unfortunately did not know Spanish, but all guides spoke good English. They were most helpful. Most all of our tours were private ones but we enjoyed our very few group ones as well. KimKim also arranged private transportation for us since we chose not to drive. There were several hours-long trips. The drivers were all prompt and friendly. Their English was minimal but Google Translate took care of anything we needed.

KimKim suggested Faye travel insurance. We took their suggestion. At one point we needed to contact them and aid was offered promptly. I found them excellent to work with.

All in all, we had an excellent experience with KimKim and would use them again.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

We stayed at this hotel because it was the site of a destination wedding to which we were invited. This hotel is situated on a hill and extends pretty much from top to bottom, counting the restaurants. There are numerous room areas (designated A through E) that are scattered from reception (near the top) to the bottom of the hill. A is at the top and E, where we stayed, was at the bottom. Some units are part of a larger building, bungalows (which we had) look more like singles. The hotel has an aeronautic theme, so some rooms include the nose of a plane. Staying at area E meant that we were close to the lovely beach, but a bit of a distance from other areas, including reception. The hotel readily provides transport from area to area on demand, but my husband and I walked most of the time. That meant a fairly steep walk up to pool areas or to reception or to the restaurants. Despite our ages (70s) we were able to do it successfully. This hotel is not meant for those with mobility issues. Our unit had a balcony overlooking the beach. It would have been idyllic, but the noise from the main road below was very intrusive. We were able to tune out regular car noise, but there were many busses, trucks, motorcycles and vehicles with no mufflers. That was highly annoying. Each room has a kitchen. Although they claim the kitchen is fully stocked, we did not consider ours 'fully stocked'. Minimally is how I would describe it, though there was a cook top and refrigerator and microwave, some silverware and dishes. The biggest problem was the very weak light in the kitchen. We like to cook our own breakfasts and one could barely see in that kitchen even when the other lights in the unit were on. However, the rooms were large and comfortable and very clean. Maids come daily. Despite our hanging up our towels, the towels were changed every day. I found that surprising considering the ecological bent of Costa Rica. The only restaurant we used was Anaconda for lunch. We found it a very pleasant restaurant with good food. We especially enjoyed the lox sandwich. We only used the adults only pool which was half way between our room and reception. It was a very nice pool with a bar attached. It had great views all around it. There is a path for a short hike shown on the map but don't try to take it. It's largely impassable and not worth the trouble. One gets enough exercise hiking the regular hills in this hotel just to get to reception, restaurants, etc. All that said, the views from anywhere on the hotel property are exceptional. The foliage is lovely. We saw many birds, especially macaws and kiskadees and green parakeets. There were also white-faced monkeys and, somewhere off the premises, a howler monkey. It was only a short walk from our unit to the beach, which is a very beautiful beach. We can recommend this hotel, but with the stated reservations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

We had one unfriendly porter, but otherwise the staff were friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lomas del Volcán

Fortuna

Hotel Lomas del Volcan was an excellent hotel. The rooms were spacious and clean. The bathroom was large and luxurious. There was no refrigerator in the room but there was really no need for one. The breakfast buffet was included and provided a wide choice of food. Service was excellent. For dinner, one could eat at the bar, the pool, or the restaurant if one wanted more formal, bigger dinners. The food was good. My husband and I especially appreciated the fabulous landscaping at the property. It was obvious a great deal of care went into it. There were beautiful flowers, trees and shrubs everywhere. There were a fair amount of birds and many people joined birdwatching groups to admire the birds. We also enjoyed the monkeys. Mostly there were spider monkeys which one could see best in the early morning or evening. We never saw the howler monkey but its howls reverberated early in the morning and in the evening. I was fascinated by it so it never bothered me. The service at the hotel was excellent in general and they were highly responsive if we needed something. The hotel is situated a bit far from the town. You would have to get a taxi if you wanted to go into town for anything, but we didn't really need to. We had a local tour every day and were occupied when we returned to the hotel. There is a walking trail that one can take, but we didn't see anything special on it. It's best to walk the main grounds of the hotel and admire the foliage and the bird population. All in all, we recommend the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

The landscaping.

Location

It was secluded and beautiful. There were good views of the volcano.

Staff

The maid for our room would make origami from the towels. One day it was an elephant, another day it was two swans 'kissing'. It was a bit special.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nothing to add. The grounds and rooms were always clean and neat.

Los Pinos - Cabañas & Jardines

Monteverde Costa Rica

My husband and I enjoyed this experience. Los Pinos is not a 'traditional' hotel. Guests have their own cabin; our cabin was clean and comfortable and had a rustic-look. We had a 'junior' cabin, which meant that we had one queen-sized bed. Some cabins were a bit smaller but most were larger and could accommodate families. Each cabin has a fully-stocked kitchen. Ours was stocked with vinegar and oil for salads, salt and pepper, coffee and tea. There was a toaster oven, a cook top, refrigerator and plenty of dishes and pots and pans. We looked upon this hotel as 'glamping'. Los Pinos was situated on its own preserve on a hill. Monteverde is, of course, very hilly. Having no car, we had a short uphill walk to our cabin from the registration area. Our suitcases were transported to our cabin. The site was private and wooded, just as we like. There was a picnic table and chair outside the cabin on the porch but it was generally too chilly for us to make good use of them. We were there in late March. The cabin was very spacious and warm indoors. Some might be put off by the fact that one could not put toilet paper down the toilet, but it didn't bother us terribly. It was, however, very difficult to remember to do so as habit is so strong. The bathroom was well ventilated and there was no bad smell. Maid service came every day and removed the trash. We very much enjoyed the ecological point of view espoused in Costa Rica. The person working in reception was always most helpful even though we required little. There is a private reserve with a trail that one can hike but we found nothing of note on the hike . We do not really recommend this activity. It was fine for the exercise. There is a nice lookout at the top, but the day we were there it was quite cloudy. Best to walk to Curi Cancha and walk around that lovely park. Be sure to eat at Stella's on the way.

Authenticity & Character

The cabins and their wooded locale.

Location

It was close to restaurants, a bakery, a bank and a supermarket.

Staff

The manager in reception was always helpful and friendly and maid service was very good.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

EcoTermales Hot Springs Experience with Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

It was a beautiful hot springs. We had the dinner and it was very good. We aren't ones for sitting in water for long periods of time nor for drinking extensively in the pool, so it was not a long experience for us. It was, however, very relaxing.

Quality of Experience

Food

Dinner was buffet which was very convenient.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Waterfall & Volcano Hiking Adventure with Lunch

Arenal/La Fortuna

The guide was friendly and knowledgeable. The hike was excellent. The guide told us a lot about the area and pointed out interesting animals and birds, particularly the birds. It was a group hike and it was interesting meeting the various travelers. The waterfall experience was a bit less so for us. We were the only ones on this part of the trip and had no idea what to expect. It turns out that the waterfall is 500 steps down and 500 back up. You can swim in the pool but one has to clamber over huge rocks to get there. After we got back to the top we were taken to a private farm to table lunch at a restaurant owned by the tour company. It was a lovely secluded site, but the food was so-so. We enjoyed the day, however.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Maleku Cultural Immersion Day Trip

Arenal/La Fortuna

My husband and I enjoyed this activity start to finish. It gave one a perspective on the life of the indigenous peoples back in time which gave way to present days issues. The demonstrations were fascinating. They demonstrated a wedding ceremony, how they made their clothes and how they made bows and arrows. I actually shot an arrow and hit the target. Big win for me. The lunch was delicious. We highly recommend.

Quality of Experience

The indigenous peoples genuinely cared about teaching us something. They were very friendly.

Food

Good lunch.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All were polite and pointed interesting things out to us on the way.

Transport

Comfortable van.

TreeTram & Hanging Bridges Adventure

Monteverde

It was an interesting excursion. The bridges were sturdy and easy to walk. The views were excellent. It was worthwhile. We took the ride to the top, but it was so very cloudy and rainy that we couldn't see too much. We were grateful that we did not do the zip lining in the cold rain. Our guide was very good, though and enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Curi-Cancha Bird-Watching Experience

Monteverde

This is a great activity. We had a private tour. The guide was friendly and fun. We saw at least 20 birds, including the elusive quetzal. It was a great activity, probably the best of our trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Organic Spice Farm Experience

Manuel Antonio

We very much enjoyed this tour. It took about 45 minutes to get there from our hotel, but the surroundings were interesting to watch during the ride. The guide at the farm was excellent. We learned a lot about vanilla and saw examples of the plants and orchids. The guide showed us many spice trees and plants on the farm and described in good detail how each was harvested. We learned a lot. Best yet, we got to sample some of the vanilla and chocolate in drinks, cake and ice cream. It was a lovely tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike

Monteverde

This tour focused heavily on the plants and the cloud forest itself, rather than the birds and all of the animals. The guide was excellent and his passion for the environment was evident. We really enjoyed our time with him. Although he focused on plants, he identified a few birds for us and teased a tarantula out of its hole so that we could get a good look. We gained a lot from this tour and highly recommend it to others.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Isla Damas Kayaking Adventure

Manuel Antonio

My husband I like to kayak but this trip fell a bit short. We took the trip in the late morning and that may have made a difference. It was very hot and anything interesting was probably hidden away. There ended up being two guides for us two people. One, the secondary guide, was quite interesting and talked a lot to us. The main guide was informative during the ride, but got quieter during the trip. Basically, we paddled through mangrove trees for an hour or so. It gets very repetitive. The best part was the last 10 minutes when we actually saw two interesting birds. It wasn't our best trip. The kayaks are not propelled by paddles as we are used to. They are propelled by pedaling, as in a reclining bicycle. Steering them is also very different from our norm, and it took a few minutes to get used to. I would not really recommend this tour, but it could be better at a different time of day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They were perfectly good, but not stellar.

Transport

Transport was fine; on time and a good van.