Kimkim Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

The trip was overall amazing. The tours and guides were exceptional. From Keysii at Cahuita Tours to the Panache crew in Tamarindo. The van drivers (Fernando and others) were helpful and on point. We had a little hiccup with phone calls to Amazilla Travel in Tamarindo, but it did end well. Special shout out to Umami Hotel staff, Tony and others for being so hospitable, a lovely boutique Hotel. Royal Corin was very posh and the pools were very nice. Thank you Olman for a well planned vacay!

Hotel Review

Umami Hotel Garden Spa

Puerto Viejo

Great staff. Beautiful people, met some great folks. Easy walk in to town.

Authenticity & Character

Slow and easy

Location

Easy walk to town

Staff

Very accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fresh and clean

Activity Review

Guided Hike in Cahuita National Park

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Thanks to Keysii we had a great trek. Saw all the good stuff

Quality of Experience

Food

Chicken at Cocos was the bomb.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Great boat ride. A saving grace.

The Costa Rican adventure for our family of four was great. We started in San Jose where we hit the Children’s Museum, then hit a Crocodile tour before spending two nights in Manuel Antonio where we enjoyed a guided hike of the park. We loved our hotel - La Vela Boutique Hotel. Great staff, great pool / lounge area, lots of resident wildlife. We then went to Osa Península and stayed at the Aguila de Osa, which had excellent service, beautiful accommodations, and wonderful day trip options. A highlight was snorkeling at Isla del Cano. We ended with a final night and morning in San Jose where we visited the market before driving to the airport.

Kimkim made this trip so easy… the transportation was seamless and on time! I felt we were able to maximize our experience due to the detailed planning. I wouldn’t have been able to arrange everything they did. Our kids (ages 5 and 8) had a great time.

Hotel Reviews

La Vela Boutique Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Park Inn San José by Radisson

San José

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Aguila de Osa Rainforest & Marine Adventure Lodge

Drake

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Parque del Lago Boutique Hotel

San José

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Jungle Crocodile Safari

Monteverde

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Driver Fernando was phenomenal. He took good care of us 4 ladies.

All of the drivers were great. I just don’t remember their names.

Condition of vehicles was 8.

Hotel Reviews

Umami Hotel Garden Spa

Puerto Viejo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Decor, beautiful. Safety good. Staff very good. Would have been nice if they had a real cafe.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort - Adults Only

Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton

San José

Service and accommodations were very Elegant. The breakfast buffet was the best. Everything fresh and décor beautiful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort

Tamarindo

The best pools and best beach access. No elevators. Rooms need to be updated. Desk people not very friendly no smiles.

Authenticity & Character

Location

No elevators or accommodations for handicapped

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Hike in Cahuita National Park

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Catamaran Sailing Excursion & Snorkeling

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Peñas Blancas River Floating Safari Adventure by Raft

Arenal/La Fortuna

Absolutely exciting! I was a little afraid but glad I did it. I wanted to see a big 🐊 we saw a baby one.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

They stuffed to many people in the van.

Using a travel agent we didn't know, was scary. Randall was so professional and helped in such an expedient and complete way, we felt well taken care of in the planning of our 7 day adventure. Each of the four legs of our trip were awesome! The hotels were top notch, the guides were exceptional and very informative. Every tour was different and wonderful in its own way but the adrenaline rush of the zip lining was a highlight. We had a wonderful anniversary trip and would definitely recommend Kimkim to anyone.

Hotel Reviews

Sleep Inn Hotel Paseo Las Damas

San José

A perfect hotel in the center of San Jose. Breakfast was perfect for our travel day. We also felt very safe there with the guards and gates!

Authenticity & Character

It's what you would expect in the city center.

Location

Staff

They found and returned our cell phone!!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Country Inn

La Fortuna

Quiet and very protected from the highway. Loved it!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jaguarundi Lodge

Monteverde

Secluded hotel with a bit of walking necessary. Restaurants, etc. were a short walk away but mostly up and down hill. Lots of fun unusual animals in the area.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

A really fun hotel spread among the forest. As said in another review, the highway noise was a bit loud but the howling monkeys and the Toucans were worth leaving the patio doors open. A huge room with hots of amenities! Not a lot of restaurants nearby unless owned by the hotel. The beach was a 5 minute walk down but a 20 minute walk up!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Arenal Volcano - Mountain Biking

Arenal/La Fortuna

Enjoyed the ride (not too strenuous) and our guide did a great job. We heard howling monkeys on our first day's adventure, crazy!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano Hike & Baldi Hot Springs & Dinner

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide was really great (can't remember his name). He found a sloth in a tree on the way back down and stopped and let us all get pictures! The volcano was beautiful because it was clear that day and the hike was educational and fun (eating fruit). The Baldi Hot Springs were fun and dinner was ok.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our guide set up our return trip from the Baldi Hot Springs which we didn't expect.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Hike

Monteverde

Small but beautiful. We found many Questrals!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monteverde - Zip-lining tour at the Selvatura Park

Monteverde

Another check on our bucket list! What an adrenaline rush!! Worth the time and cost!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio - Jungle Night Walk

Manuel Antonio

It had just rained but our guide worked really hard to find the frogs and insects. He did a great job!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Catamaran and Snorkeling near Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio

It was a very nice afternoon and early evening. The water was quite murky so the snorkeling was not as good as I'm sure it is some days.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

San José City Tour

San José

It was nice to see the city center and hear a bit about the culture and history of the country. Our guide sat below in the double decker bus so we could not ask questions but we were serenaded with wonderful music as we drove through the city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Costa Rica was absolutely awesome thanks to the shuttle service, hotels and excursions we planned on Kimkim. We arrived at the airport and our driver from Ride CR was there to meet us as expected. Albeir was friendly, professional and attentive to our needs. When we requested a lunch stop on our 3 hour trip he chose a small restaurant overlooking Lake Arenal and the volcano that had delicious, affordable food and was just busy enough. ALL of the drivers at Ride CR were punctual, professional, friendly people (Tim, Albeir, Marcos, etc.) Each one was sure to point out sights and provide optional stops for photo ops, points of interest and tell short stories about life in Costa Rica. We enjoyed the travel within our vacation because of this.
All of the hotels we stayed at were as described. Check-in and check out were a breeze. The only excursions we chose were a night hike and a sea kayaking and snorkeling trip. The team that picked us up and guided these adventures were friendly, knowledgeable and supportive.
I would highly recommend Kimkim to plan another vacation for us. It was so easy and made what would have been a logistics nightmare as simple as clicking a button.
Thank you Brittni and Jessica at Kimkim for your time and energy answering questions and the support.

Hotel Reviews

Catarata Eco Lodge

San Carlos, Costa Rica

The Catarata Eco Lodge was clean and had an amazing view of the volcano. The grounds were filled with beautiful flowers, lush greenery and was well groomed but still looked very natural. The pool was nice and was well maintained. We ate in the restaurant for dinner one night and the food was OK. Birds and howler monkeys were in abundance! They are a 10-15 minute walk downhill to the outskirts of La Fortuna whee there were a few restaurants, coffee shops a market and artisan shops. It was safe to walk to and from this area but at night we chose a cab due to our concerns with wildlife and walking on a dimly lit road that has cars at night. One negative to the Catarata Eco Lodge was that the rooms are all open near the top of the wall (there are screens) which makes privacy between the rooms is non-existent. We could hear our neighbors sneeze, use the bathroom and almost participate in their conversations. Luckily, we were only in our room at night and fell right to sleep from a busy day.

Authenticity & Character

Colorful, lush and clean

Location

10-15 minute hilly walk to shops and restaurants

Staff

Friendly, knowledgeable

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean room, beds were hard but fine if you like that

Mar Inn Costa Rica

Monteverde Costa Rica

The Mar Inn was clean, comfortable and had a fabulous view over the mountains and offered a peek at the pacific. Like most other places in Monteverde it is on a hill. Be prepared to walk down a decent hill to go into town (less than 10 minutes) and back up for a market, lots of shops and restaurants. When we checked in we were offered a 'free' upgrade to a slightly bigger room with an amazing balcony. Of course, we gratefully said 'yes!' . All was great until the following day we wanted to nap but it was hot in our room, we looked and looked for the remote for the wall mounted fan unit (no ceiling fan) and couldn't find it. We went to the front desk and were told that because we took the 'upgrade' it would be $10 per day extra for AC or the fan. We politely declined. I would recommend this place but be certain t ask for details if offered an upgrade.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Like anything else in Monteverde, on a hill

Staff

Responsive and available during posted hours

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds were hard but if you like that you'll be fine

Karahé Beach Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Clean, quiet and so convenient to the beach and shops and restaurants. The Karahe had the most comfortable beds and a balcony that just beckoned you to sit out on and listen to the birds, watch monkeys and hear the surf. This hotel was also very conveniently located- a brief walk down the beach (15 minutes) and you're in a little beach village that had a convenience store, beach shops and restaurants. If you wanted more options the bus takes you a quick 5-8 minute ride up the very steep hill for less than 50 cents per person to an abundance of options for dining and shopping or 20 minutes to Quepos for anything you would need or want. I would not recommend the restaurant here for dinner as the food was overpriced (even for a tourist spot) and rather unappetizing. (it seemed like they piled shredded lettuce and drizzled ketchup and mayo over our chicken tacos) The staff were helpful and friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walkable to dining and shopping options. Easy beach access

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless grounds and room. Super comfy beds

Activity Reviews

Monteverde Cloud Forest Night Walk

Monteverde

Knowledgeable guide found tree frogs, nesting birds and explained things about the flora and fauna of the area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling Adventure

Manuel Antonio

Had a great time. Charlie was a fabulous driver and Marcos was a knowledgeable and attentive guide.

Quality of Experience

Food

Food was a buffet at the Tucanes restaurant. Delicious but a bit disorganized.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ummm…Kimkim was awesome. And I’ve already recommended them to my closest friends….people I’m very considerate of who I recommend. Easily THE best planning service we’ve used. And such great local market intel that made our trip. Every recommendation was spot on…and we took them all to make the trip of a lifetime. We will definitely use kimkim again!!!

Activity Review

Manuel Antonio National Park Nature Hike

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an amazing time in Costa Rica and greatly appreciated the work Bryan did to plan and coordinate all of the incredible experiences. While we are traveling, any time we had a question, issue or needed to make a change, the Kim Kim team was responsive and helpful- which made us feel like we had a friend in Costa Rica to ensure we had a great time. Overall- truly amazing experience and once in a lifetime adventure for our family!

Hotel Review

Nayara Tented Camp

Fortuna

What a dream…I cannot recommend of express more how incredible this hotel and their staff is, every aspect of the stay was well thought out, and executed. From the facilities to the food to the little things (like providing free laundry service and frog exploration tours at night with their amazing driver) this place sets the bar for excellence.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Surf Lesson in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Canopy Zip Line Tour and Fauna Exihibitions at Selvatura

Monteverde

The absolute best experience- we LOVED it!!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pura Vida!

This was a once in a lifetime trip for our group of friends to be able to take together and using Serendipity Adventures with the help of Bryan Leon made our trip the best we all have ever experienced.

Bryan was very helpful and quick to respond to all of our questions and concerns. And the whole team at Serenity Adventures were very attentive and helped to fix any issues we had.

We did a 7 day tour through multiple cities in Costa Rica with 1-2 excursions almost every day. We were able to enjoy all our transports, meals, and excursions set up by the company without any issues. And if we did have any problems, we were easily able to contact the travel agency at any time.

Overall, this trip was wonderful for each and every one of us because we were able to use Bryan’s help to customize each day to our liking from meal accommodations, to different hotels and excursions that better suited our wants and needs.

I would highly recommend using Serendipity Adventures for your next Costa Rica trip for the best experience possible!

Hotel Reviews

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Beautiful hotel, food was amazing and service was wonderful! I can’t wait to go back!

Authenticity & Character

Cute hotel property, beautiful wildlife

Location

Perfect volcano views

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco

Monteverde

This hotel was a very lovely hotel. Rooms and bathrooms were spacious and breakfast was amazing! Views and wildlife were a huge plus!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Westin Golf Resort and Spa, Playa Conchal

Playa Conchal

This was one of the best all inclusive resorts we have ever stayed at. The beach front property was perfect and the water was amazing. The food and drinks here were the best I have had in a resort type setting. They whole staff was very accommodating and everyone was so attentive and helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide was very helpful and attentive! We saw monkeys, snakes, and a sloth with him.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mambo Combo: Canyoning and Rafting

Arenal/La Fortuna

This was a thrilling experience, especially for those who had never done it before. The tour guides were very helpful and instilled confidence in everyone. The adventure included rappelling down waterfalls and mountains, as well as ziplining. The whitewater rafting was more on the mellow side, which was perfect for me. The guides were great, and the two different tour companies communicated well to ensure a smooth transition between activities.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee & Chocolate Tour

Costa Rica

This was a fun experience, but we felt rushed toward the end due to having to go on a guided night tour immediately after. We could have used an extra 30-40 minutes at the coffee farm to fully enjoy the experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Children's Eternal Rainforest Night Walk

Monteverde

This tour was interesting and full of bugs and critters. We saw snakes, tarantulas, and other creatures. It was a unique experience, but not for those who are squeamish around bugs.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Hike

Monteverde

This was a nice hike, but it felt repetitive after the previous day's tour. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable, and we saw many animals like birds, monkeys.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure

Monteverde

This was a well-organized and safe experience, with sturdy equipment and experienced guides. The company had clearly been doing this for a long time, and we felt secure throughout the adventure

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bryan did a great job in mapping out our first trip to Costa Rica. It was an amazing experience to say the least. He certainly helped us get a flavor of the country and we are looking forward to our return!

Hotel Reviews

Amor Arenal

La Fortuna, San Carlos

Absolutely amazing service, food, accommodations... amazing everything! We will stay here again. Top notch!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gaia Hotel & Reserve—Adults Only

Manuel Antonio

The hotel is dated, the rooms aren't clean and the grounds are somewhat unkempt. The restaurant serves a mediocre breakfast and I would avoid dinner or other meals -- it just isn't good at all. We also encountered our first instance of bed bugs. We didn't know until the last day that we had been terribly bitten. We addressed this with the concierge so that they could remedy the situation. Both the concierge and the manager brushed it off and told me that I must have been bitten by something else. I also sent pictures of my bites and urged them to take my statements seriously. In return, I received an email from the manager saying that it was not an issue. I would not recommend this hotel and would also suggest those choosing to stay there to check for signs of bed bugs before occupying the room. This was an overall bad experience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It isn't really in walking distance to anything.

Staff

The only saving grace for our stay was Clarence. He was attentive and amazing.

Cleanliness & Comfort

If I could give this zero stars, I would.

Buena Vista Chic Hotel

Alajuela

Decent hotel, clean but a little dated. It isn't really near anything and is somewhat off the beaten path. But, there are amazing views of San José from this hotel. The restaurant is just "ok."

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Local Flavors Cooking Experience

Manuel Antonio

Our guide and the ranch were both awesome. It was fun to pick our own produce and make our own dinner from the goods.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Waterfall & Volcano Hiking Adventure with Lunch

Arenal/La Fortuna

The hike and included lunch were both amazing. We loved our guide and would definitely recommend this trip!

Quality of Experience

Food

the Casado at the local Soda was incredible!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee & Chocolate Tour

Costa Rica

This was decent, but there are likely better tours with better tasting coffee and chocolate.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ecotermales Hotsprings

Costa Rica

The hot springs and facilities are both really nice. The food is not that great.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park

Costa Rica

Our guide made this trip! It was absolutely outstanding and beyond my expectations.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Costa Rica

A wonderful and vast experience. You can spend a couple of hours or easily an entire day.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I love KimKim and would use the platform from now on, travel was easy, you can trust their reviews and the staff responds quick and made excellent recommendations for my friends 30th birthday. It was a blast!

Activity Review

Horseback Ride to La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal/La Fortuna

We had the best time horseback riding to La Fortuna waterfall. Our guide Cell was amazing and the horses were beautiful. I will say the hike is not for the weak, the horses gallop don't walk, and water shoes are needed, but the waterfall was absolutely breathtaking!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Don Juan Coffee, Chocolate and Night Hike was such a wonderful experience! I did not anticipate learning as much as I did about the processes. Our guide Monica was lovely, knowledgeable and energetic. She answered questions with ease and engaged intelligently in political matters as they pertained to the agricultural sector. The night hike was a pleasant contrast to the experiential learning of coffee and chocolate production. While we did not see a few animals (a frog, a banana leaf spider, a sleeping Mutmut in a tree, and a roaming kinkajou), it was less exciting than I had anticipated, but walking in their forest provided a fun activity. Thank you to Gustavo and Jessica at KimKim for the recommendation! Pura vida.

Activity Review

Chocolate & Night Hike Experience

Monteverde

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our return driver was so kind! I am sorry not to remember his name!

Transport

Patient and attentive drivers in clean and large vehicles

I had never used a travel agency before while planning a trip. I will never not use one. KimKim was outstanding from beginning to end. The planning was easy and their assistance on the trip was invaluable (arranging transfers and even facilitating refunds when a tour got canceled).
All the guides were great but especially Kenneth, our hiking guide, around Arenal and Hector our guide with the horseback riding in Uvita. Hard to pick out favorite experience, but repelling down the waterfalls in La Fortuna, zip lining in MonteVerde and the horseback riding in Uvita were all fantastic and memories to last a lifetime.

Hotel Reviews

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Excellent place to stay for a family. Great views. Great pools. Breakfast is superb. Even saw a sloth on campus. Only downside for some of that it is far from downtown, so if you don’t have a car, you have to only eat at resort or take a taxi.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

El Establo Mountain Hotel

Monteverde

Amazing views. Beautiful rooms. We were a little worried when we hear no AC, but is was fine at night as it gets breezy and cool there even in the hottest part of the year.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa

Playa Ballena

Nice views. Rooms are nice. Breakfast is ok. It is a boutique hotel so feels a little dated. Main issue was being hot in the room. It was very hot when we were there and our AC never got our room cool. The power would frequently blink off for a few seconds or even a few minutes. This would reset the AC and we would wake up sweating and have to turn the AC back on.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The AC

Activity Reviews

Cowboy Experience, Rancho La Merced

Costa Rica

Super fun for the whole family. Hector was amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide Kenneth was the best of our whole trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Family Biking Tour

Arenal/La Fortuna

Nice ride with nice bikes. Guide was great. First half is nice and flat. Gets quite hilly after the snack break. It was hot that day. They have support van following so my daughter was able to get in van when the hills got too steep.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal ATV Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Very fun. My son’s favorite part of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Pop

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All Day Adventure at Selvatura, including Zipline, Hanging Bridges, and Fauna Exhibitions

Costa Rica

Zip lining is the best you’ll ever do.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nature Walk in Ballena National Park

Uvita

Transport was a very old, dirty van complete with cut toenails on the floor. We waited an hour the guide to show up at the center. We were repeatedly told to wait 10 more minutes. After 70 minutes we had to beg them to let us leave and take us back to our hotel.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horseback Riding Playa Hermosa, Uvita

Uvita

My favorite part of the whole trip. Once in a lifetime views.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lost Canyon Waterfalls & Rappelling Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Super fun and memorable. Don’t miss it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Waterfall was our favorite followed by the hanging bridges. Our guide, Mau, was amazing. Sloth tour was great and so was our guide. Zip line was safe and efficient, but felt more like an exercise and rushed. Night tour was too crowded with many large groups. Loved the beach at Carrillo. The snorkeling is nothing like the pictures. There are few fish and only dead coral. Our guides were very nice though and the kayaking was not difficult. Our last private transfer back to the airport was pleasant and the only ride we had that wasn’t nausea inducing.overall, a great trip!

Hotel Reviews

El Establo Mountain Hotel

Monteverde

The rooms are very far away from the pool and restaurants with very steep hills. The transportation service is slow to respond for requests for rides. Views are great from the room but you can hear conversations in the rooms next door and below you. I would not stay here again

Authenticity & Character

Seeing lots of birds and a few animals

Location

Better transportation

Staff

Very nice

Cleanliness & Comfort

Queen size bed would be better

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Loved walking to breakfast and dinner. Room was big and clean. Lots of birds to view especially from the hot springs area and hummingbirds from our room. Food was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

A little removed from activities

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nammbú Beachfront Bungalows

Sámara

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right next to the beach!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds could be bigger.

Activity Reviews

Zip Line (Canopy) Monteverde

Monteverde

A bit rushed and robotic but fun to fly over the trees

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Isla Chora Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour

Sámara

The reef is not like the pictures. It is a dead reef so the fish are few but did see two eels.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide, Mau, made this a great trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The jerky lotion of the stick shift car is difficult for those with car sickness. The rods are full of potholes and are very curvy

Sloth Tour (Sloth Territory)

Arenal/La Fortuna

Loved our guide and small group. Made it nice and quiet to hear the forest.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Night Walk

Monteverde

Way too many people in our group and other groups. Could here more humans than the night sounds.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was very friendly and knowledgeable

The details and the planning for the trip were excellent. We changed plans many times prior to finalizing - I loved the flexbility of the planning - I was in charge. However, about 2 weeks prior when I was emailing Paulina, she never responded. A new person was assigned to my account and that went fine after that, but I had to escalate. During the trip, there was one hotel where our rooms were on 2 different floors - we were travelling with 3 kids. The hotel said there was no comment in the reservation that said they had to be together - so either the hotel was being difficult or there really wasn't a note. That was the only hiccup. The only other issue was the pick-up times for our events were so early - and I didn't realize that until one week prior. I should have asked more questions as to WHEN the trips were planned so I could have modified them. We were being picked up twice at 6:30 a.m. when the hotels' free breakfast didn't start until 6:30 a.m. - making it as if we really didn't get a free breakfast. I would look into those details if I were to use them again. Having said all that - the service of the drivers was excellent - everything went off without a hitch.

Olman was super helpful and accommodating based on our various requests.

Charlotte was a great help in crafting our itinerary for our second trip to Costa Rica. The activities in Turrialba with the Serendipity team were top notch in terms of experience, safety, and feeling cared for by the guides. Andres ensured that all elements of our trip were safe and that we had a great experience. He's clearly very seasoned and professional. Sergio, Cesar and Daniel were great with canyoning, and the meal we shared together at Sergio and Cesar's mom's house was exceptional. It was so nice to learn about their family. They were very very careful and followed strong safety practices. For our river rafting overnight trip, Andres continued to be at the helm and ensuring all went smoothly. Alejandro was an exceptional guide, extremely positive and knowledgeable, and so so skilled with the raft. Jose Luis was a great guide, taking us on an unforgettable hike at the camp that took us through creeks and then met with the river. Douglas was great at navigating the ducky, it was a fun experience to ride with him. Alex was great at helping with it put-in, camp, and put-out. Overall the team worked so well together, we had great food and great experiences with them. Thank you to the Serendipity team!!! The rest of our trip in Puerto Viejo was not as great as Turrialba, the chocolate tour was a bit too long and we got bit by a lot of bugs. The snorkeling trip was not as small a group as I expected, and there wasn't a snorkeling guide. The hotel was great location and the room was very good for our family, that was a great suggestion from Charlotte. If I were to redo the itinerary, I would keep all of the Turrialba activities, skip the chocolate tour, and see if we could book a smaller snorkeling trip with a snorkeling guide. The airport hotel was great for us, too. Overall the Serendipity team was fantastic!!!

First time using KimKim and had a great experience using the platform. Kudos to Bryan, Nancy, Charlotte and the rest of the Serendipty Travels team for helping us coordinate an itinerary for a multigenerational trip to Costa Rica with travelers flying in from different cities on different days. The hotel and activity recommendations were spot on for our families (each with 3+ school aged kids). The transfers from airport, hotels, and activities were seamless. We felt we were taken care of and in good hands. The team was also very responsive when we had inquiries during our trip. Thanks to KimKim and the Serendipity Travel team for making our Costa Rica trip a success!

Costa Rica is a stunning country, full of natural beauty and adventure opportunities. Our customized itinerary took us through 3 major areas with specific activities, hikes and adventures planned and tailored by the travel experts at KimKim. Jessica and Brittany did a phenomenal job of curating the activities based on out likes and dislikes and made excellent recommendations for hotels and going out of the way to help us get the accommodations of choice .

Arenal:
The Arenal area is known for its impressive volcano and hot springs. The volcano, while currently dormant, is still a breathtaking sight, especially when viewed from our Hotel Room (Manoa Hot Springs). Just sitting outside in patio, immersed in nature, we could experience the timelessness this place provides. The natural hot springs are the perfect way to relax and unwind after a day of exploring the surrounding area. Other popular activities in the Arenal area include hiking, ziplining, and white water rafting. We didnt engage in the latter but enjoyed the hikes and nature walks immensely. The Ziplining is at a whole other level and elevation... a must do.

Monteverde:
Monteverde is a cloud forest region known for its biodiversity and stunning scenery. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a must-visit for any nature lover, with miles of hiking trails that wind through the misty forest. The whole atmosphere is surreal and out of a movie. The weather is unpredictable but still fun with a constant mist that ever pervasive. During our visit here took a guided night hike and saw an incredible array of animals, including tarantulas, snakes, and sloths. Another highlight of our time in Monteverde was visiting a coffee plantation and learning about the process of growing and roasting coffee, Chocolate and and Sugar. Costa Rica produces some amazing coffee BTW.

Manuel Antonio:
Manuel Antonio is a coastal area known for its beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife.
Our Hotel - La Mariposa, gave us a lovely room on the top floor with sweeping views of the gulf and beyond. The Manuel Antonio National Park was the highlight of our trip, with hiking trails that lead to stunning views of the coastline and plenty of opportunities to spot exotic birds and animals. We spent most of the day lounging on the beach , swimming in the clear blue water, and watching monkeys and iguanas in the nearby trees. The kids especially had a blast with the monkeys.

Hotels: With the exception of a Hotel near the Airport which was decent, all other stays were excellent and we were totally satisfied.

Special props to the Staff at Hotel Ocotea for a memorable stay. Folks there went out of their way to make sure we had a good time.

Activities - perfectly planned - all tours went exactly as described and on time.

Transfers: On time, everytime. Comfortable most times and great drivers who took care of any issues.

Bookings/cancellations/changes: KimKim was very responsive in accomodating all our needs and communication was excellent throughout.

Overall, our Costa Rica trip was an unforgettable adventure filled with natural beauty and thrilling activities. Thanks to Kimkim for making it a memorable trip

Hotel Reviews

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Great hotel - awesome location and views. Great breakfast. Nice rooms and feel close to nature . Only downside is distance e to La Fortuna restaurant activities - have to take a taxi .

Authenticity & Character

The view and the layout - each room feels like a part of nature

Location

Beautiful volcano view

Staff

Excellent

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Mariposa Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Beautiful location and amazing views . Very kid friendly . Close to good places .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hampton by Hilton San José Airport

Alajuela

Nice airport hotel - shuttle runs 24 hrs every 15 mins

Ocotea Boutique Hotel

Santa Elena

Amazing boutique hotel - absolutely loved it . The view from the roof top bar is breathtaking. Staff is the best we have ever encountered. Close enough to town to walk to great restaurants.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Beautiful sunset view - surreal

Staff

The best ever

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Cloud Forest Night Walk

Monteverde

Amazing experience at night in the forest - amazing guide from the rainforest reserve - very knowledgeable and informative

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sloth & Bird Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

The best activity we had in arenal - kids loved it . Manageable trail with tons of animals and birds . Great guides

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Amazing experience- well run , great guides for the hike and e tire zip line part feel safe and exhilarating

Quality of Experience

Hi

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Experience (English Tour)

Monteverde

Excellent tour with very informative guide . Loved the history of the products . We had a great guide

Guided Walk at Curi-Cancha Reserve

Monteverde

The biodiversity is astounding . Saw amazing birds and animals . Guide was great and informative

Visit Kids Saving the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary

Manuel Antonio

Did not do the activity- we cancelled

I have just returned from an amazing trip to Costa Rica.
Bryan was our local specialist and was on hand to organise everything.
HIs advice, planning, flexibility and response speed was outstanding and I cannot recommend the service enough.....and I am fussy!
Costa Rica was fabulous for our family with a 7 and 10 year old, we had apacked set of activities but it all worked out perfectly.
Any small issue we had, which was frankly minor, the local team addresses within 20 minutes and always responsive.

So all in all thank you Bryan and team....will definitely book again .

All the best Daniel

We had the trip of a lifetime to Costa Rica. Charlotte organised our itinerary to our exact needs, and we had some fantastic local guides including Eddie who took us sea kayaking and guided us through Manuel Antonio. We saw more wildlife in a day than we would see in a lifetime elsewhere.
We were also very lucky with the weather, and the kids showed the adults the way during activities such as white water rafting and canyoning. A first for the whole family.
I can't recommend Costa Rica enough, and if you are looking for further inspiration then Charlotte will be sure to have plenty of suggestions. We will be back.