Kimkim Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

A great hotel at the heart of San Jose: roomsare spacious and newly done, and service is top. I am glad we chose this center of town location.

Top notch hotel set up in a gorgeous park. Everything is superb including different restaurants. But pricy.

The hotel is underwhelming. Room was small. Only security at night. Toilet got clogged (happens) but security didn't speak English and no one could solve problem. Over priced.

A must visit. Although the short version of the visit is sufficient.

Our guide Andres is a star. This was a tremendous visit. A definite highlight of our visit. We'll send people his way.

I loved the visit to San Jose and its museums. Our guide was great.

A cacao farm is a must visit! We asked for a quick versions and loved it.

We'd rate this more like 4.5 stars. Location was amazing! - nestled among the native vegetation made us feel like we were in the jungle. We saw many local animals (birds and lizards) from our back patio which looked directly at Arenal Volcano. This property was a little more spread out which required a little more walking (not a problem for us) but also contributed to a feeling of being more remote. The restaurant, spa and pool area were all a short walking distance from our room. Breakfast was included. One restaurant on-site: great morning breakfast buffet with quite a variety and dinner selections let us explore local flavors. We both had a massage - nice outdoor setting and very relaxing. Rooms were nicely decorated, air conditioning was great, back patio with large sliding glass door was excellent. Reception area quite far from our room prevented us from spending much time there and developing any relationships with staff. Rooms are small duplex style - limited insulation between rooms made it easy to hear neighbors next door.

Amazing location, staff and accommodations! Nestled up in the mountains with incredible views of the Nicoya peninsula and Pacific ocean, this was our favorite for our emtire trip. Nestled in the cloudforest between Monteverde and Santa Elena, the climate was cooler than we expected in Costa Rica - but we loved it! Small mountain villages with plenty of site seeing opportunities - coffee & chocolate tour, cloudforest, nature preserves. Allowed us to experience the variety of ecosystems that Costa Rica has to offer. While here we saw beautiful Resplendant Quetzal and Motmot birds. We also saw a variety of insects and a couple vipers on night tour. Staff was fantastic, food was delicious, views were beautiful, bungalows were private and secluded. Don't miss this one - we highly recommend!

Conveniently located right next to Manuel Antonio National Park entrance for easy access. Nice kind staff. The hotel itself seemed a little more dated and not as well maintained as other properties we visited. The rooms were more traditional than modern. Nice pool area with snack/drink bar. Property is not on the beach but there are marginal views of ocean from 5th and 6th floors. Beware of rooms on 5th floor - raccoons (or Coati) fighting in attic at 3:00-4:00 am for all three nights of our stay. Issues with hot water availability. Not really our preference of smaller, quiet, serene boutique hotel.

Secluded private resort at the far end of town provided for a nice mix of quiet with everything Tamarindo has to offer - tours, restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Open air reception area overlooking beautifully landscaped property. Rooms nestled among the native vegetation provides for a feeling of authenticity and remoteness. Pool, restaurant, bar and beach are just beyond rooms. Beautiful setting - you can lounge near pool, under trees overlooking ocean or out on sandy beach. Rooms are well kept, nicely decorated and well stocked. Looking for a boutique hotel with the right balance of seclusion and tourism, look no further.

Great beach location on quiet Potrero Bay. Rooms nestled into thick vegetation making it feel more private and secluded. Natural modern stying of rooms and close proximity to beach, pool and restaurants. Breakfast included. 2 restaurants on-site: one traditional and one tapas bar. Other restaurant choices walking distance nearby. Kind helpful staff. Our room had issue with availability of hot water.

A fantastic way to learn more about Costa Rican life outside the tourist towns. Fifst we stopped by the Mercado in Quepos to see where everyone shops. Then Toucanes Tours took us to their rancho located outside of town. They had several different animals on the ranch, we hand picked some herbs and vegetables. Then we cooked! It was just my wife and I - we had a great time learning to make plantain ceviche (delicioso!), rice, chicken and handmade corn tortillas! What a great meal to share with great new friends!

We showed up early and wandered around Hacienda el Viejo - what a beautiful historic building that just takes you back in time. Boat tour, guide and boat drive were all great - we saw a record 52 crocodiles, white faced monkeys, birds and lizards. We ate lunch at the Hacienda after the tour - fantastic meal!

Beautiful natural setting, clean facilities and reasonable amount of people. From what we understand, they limit number of people to ensure a positive experience. Our dinner meal was included - a traditional buffet with several local food options. Bar available for snacks and drinks. Beautiful to go just before dark so you can see both during day and night with dramatic lighting. Pools of varying temperatures and a few different pool settings from private & secluded pools to large open public.

Hanging bridges was a great excursion to see the jungle from different levels, different animals and amazing views. Our Guide, Marco was very knowledgeable and explained the balance of life in the jungle and roles of the different animals and plants - symbiotic relationships, very interesting! A lot of different plant life and monkeys too.

Learned so much about chocolate and coffee - from plant to harvest to consumption, fascinating! Informative and educational. New gained appreciation for the chocolate and coffee we consume!

First introduction to all the ecosystems within Costa Rica - from dwarf forest mountaintops to dry lowlands. Our guide, Andreas, described in great detail all the ecosystems and what to expect. We chose to spend our time in the Rain shadow forest with greatest chance to see Resplendent Quetzal - we were not disappointed! We saw five differnet Quetzal (female, juvenile and male) - spectacular! We also saw the Motmot - beautiful! We also saw several other birds, including a variety of hummingbirds and one special Coati sunbathing on a log. An amazing experience!

An amazing ecosystem with a large variety of plants & animals and several amazing beaches. Unfortunately, too many people made it feel like groups competing with each other to view and experience the park. Still, it was amazing what we did see: dragon flies, lizards, iguana, sloths (2 & 3 toed), many birds and monkeys (white face Capuchin and Howlers).

Kayaked from Quepos marina to rock outcropping where we snorkeled and saw several different fish. Then a short distance to Biasanz beach where we enjoyed some cold fresh fruit before heading back. Along the way we saw and discussed several types of birds. Calm bays and beaches to launch and land so not big waves - A great time out on the water! Driver spotted some Scarlet Macaw's near seawall in Quepos, so he pulled over to let us see - very accommodating.

We saw everything: Aguti, monkeys, butterflies, grasshoppers and lots of frogs and toads. Our goal was to see famous red eyed tree frog and we saw several. Only wildlife refuge in Manuel Antonio - also had several crocodiles that had been rescued. a great night tour!

We went out at night and saw mothers coming up on the beach to dig holes and lay their eggs. We also saw baby turtles coming to the surface of the sand and making their way to the ocean - how special to see this whole process. We learned so much about turtles - informative and educational.

Very interesting to learn more about the mangroves and the animals that live there. We saw many different birds. a couple crocodiles and several howler monkeys. Beautiful boat tour in the mangroves with a humorous tour guide, Moises.

We went on the hanging bridges, and ziplining at sky adventures. It was absolutely amazing. The guides in Costa Rica really work hard to show you what is out there. During the hanging bridges we walked through the rainforest, and our guide Carlos so much informative. He told us lots of interesting facts, and pointed out so many creatures in the forest. We saw a tarantula, 2 different viper snakes, he kept us at safe distances, and took pics for us. The groups for our walk was small, so you could really be involved, the groups for the ziplining are much bigger, so you do a lot of waiting. The ziplining was lots of fun, and all the guides were really good. I would highly recommend you visit this place, as there's lots of different activities you can try. The shuttle to and from our hotel was great.

The views from this resort are spectacular. The food was excellent, the staff was courteous and the vibe was laid back and quiet.

The grounds are breathtaking. You are surrounded by rainforest wildlife. The bungalows are quaint and comfortable. The food is amazing; especially the morning fruits and juices.

Christine is an incredible hostess. Set in the low rainforest, you awaken to the Howler monkeys, Toucans and a host of other amazing birds. And with the family style dining, you make new friends from around the world.

A fun and memorable experience traveling up and down the Tarcoles River. We saw a few crocodiles and a lot of native birds. This activity includes an trip into a Mangrove forest.

Our guide Kevin was excellent. He was extremely knowledgeable about the native plants and animals. On this hike we encountered Monkeys, Sloths, Toucans, Red Eye Frogs, Land Crabs and much more. Make sure to pack your swim suit. The water at Playa Manual Antonio is warm and refreshing.

We had a great time with our aipline guides Scott and Ureas. The scenery is amazing, the lines are long and fast and you are left wanting to go again. The Hanging Bridges are a unique experience. Be prepared to have a little bounce in your step as you cross several bridges suspended over the tropical cloud forest.

Even though the Arenal Volcano had it's head in the clouds the views from the vistas were breathtaking. Our guide Franklin was the absolute best. His knowledge and passion for the area was infectious. It was a great learning experience.

Wet, Wild & Wonderful. What an incredible experience as you rappel down through a tropical canyon with waterfalls on either side of you. The guides are fun loving, professional, safety conscious and make it a day you won't forget.

A very beautiful walk through the rain forest with multiple vistas from which to view the Celeste River and Waterfall. We also had a lot of fun with our driver Fernando and our guide Wilton. They really added a touch of Pura Vida to our day!

Old hotel being renovated. Working through kinks as of writing; would recommend trying somewhere else for the price. Location is also less walkable than most in Monteverde.

Had a great experience especially bird watching across the property including from our porch.

One of the most authentic feeling activities from our trip. Junior has his own (with his business partner and wife) small farm and showed us around. Felt less commercial than the other coffee options in the area, which was nice. Price was also reasonable. Bring extra money to buy coffee!

Our guide was amazing! Took his time and helped us see some amazing wildlife! He used our phones and spotting scope to get beautiful pictures

Modern, clean, and great location

I loved it here. So close to the national park and beach. It is surrounded by the park so you hear all the beautiful sounds of nature. The grounds are manicured beautifully and the staff is so nice. The food for all meals was great too. Would definitely stay here again.

The view is gorgeous and the best part of the hotel. It is on a steep hill, if someone is not able to walk well, but you can request a shuttle ride. All the furnishings were uncomfortable. The bed was hard, there was a cheap sofa facing a wall that only served to put luggage on, no inside chairs, and patio chairs also uncomfortable. Pool lounges uncomfortable too.

This hotel had the best bed and room setup. The bed was so comfy and fluffy comforter made it so cozy. It was better than other more expensive property beds. There were upholstered chairs by the windows for reading or whatever which other properties didn't have either. We found a trail in back, and saw lots of birds and animals.

This property was gorgeous and we had a stunning view of the volcano. You had your own cabana, so it was very private and seemed like there wasn't other guests. The breakfast buffet had everything and overlooked a small pond with lots of wildlife. There were also sloths in the trees. We did take advantage of both pools and the termales. The bed wasn't as comfy as Hotel Heliconia was probably the only critique.

I loved that the owner had a bird feeder in front which attracted so many kinds of exotic birds, and some squirrels too. It was great viewing and photo ops. The room had gorgeous floor to ceiling windows, but you didn't get much of a view because of the height of the vegetation. It did make it private. You had to go to the restaurant deck to get the view of the volcano. It was very nice relaxing on this deck. The canvas chairs that went with with the small table by the windows were too low for the table, and uncomfortable. There was a sofa which was good, but no good reading lighting to read in it. The water never was very warm. The grounds were very pretty, and it was quiet. It is a bit remote, so we made a stop at a market for some things before stopping. There is a walking trail to an observation deck over a pond, which was dense with foliage where we saw howler monkeys and birds.

The location of our room was across the street from the oceanfront, which although not on the beach, was still convenient. I liked the grass beachfront, as it was breezy/windy and there was sand blowing. With the grass you didn't get sandblown. I did prefer the more sandy beach at the near Playa Langosta, however as I said, the grass here was a plus. And Playa Langosta was not too far to walk if you wanted to enjoy that Our room was in a multi level/unit building near the auto entrance and at the beginning of the passage. We got a lot of noise with people passing by, especially on Saturday when they are drunk and really loud. And at night, when the auto arm was raised, you got beep beep beep up, then the same down. We did not get good sleep here. The room had a nice patio oriented toward the pool, which although not the beach, was still nice. The breakfast buffet was really good. There are plenty of stores and eateries close. I would actually rate this hotel a 3 1/2 due to the noise and close proximity to neighbors.

I got to be like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous for an afternoon. The catamaran was amazing, the largest of any other tour company out there. Got to see the coastline, and lots of dolphins, and nesting habitats on the small isles. We didn't end up snorkeling, as there was a red sea so visibility was reduced. We also didn't jump from the boat to the water, due to our age. The young people really enjoyed that. The dinner provided was very good and ample. There was also fruit prior. And you got 4 drinks per person, which we didn't even use all of. The beautiful sunset was a perfect ending. What I didn't like was that the music was deafening. You could hardly speak with the person you came with. The music selection was good, but just too loud. I also didn't like that the transportation bus made many stops to pick up other guests, understandable, but then we all had to disembark at the Boat Headquarters in town to receive our bracelets for the tour. This was inconvenient and time consuming when we were all amped to start our experience. The driver had all our names, so why wasn't it possible for him to go in and collect our bracelets and give them to us, and we're on our way. That is my suggestion for your team for the future.

I was really impressed with our guide for pointing out not only the obvious sloths, monkeys, but the flora and minuscule creatures that one would overlook. The guide was so adept at not only finding the wildlife, but getting the perfect photo and video for you. We did see many sloths, white faced monkeys, howler monkeys, and an endangered squirrel monkeys which was a rare treat. The tour ends on a beautiful beach where you can swim or relax away from the public beaches.

This walk was fun in that you are on trails in the night with your flashlight, provided by them, seeking out creatures of the night. It reminded me of being a kid. We mostly located species of birds roosting for the night, and it gave you the opportunity to see them pretty close up as they didn't fly off. It was interactive for the group (small) to participate in locating items of interest too. The tour begins with a beautiful sunset of the area that the children helped save before setting off on your adventure.

The jungle is so lush and beautiful Spent so much time just looking at everything. The bridges were a lot of fun swaying with the wind, as well as providing a view from higher up. The sloth sanctuary exhibit at the end provided up close viewing of these animals which was fascinating, and the guide was knowledgeable. There was also a butterfly exhibit and a reptile after, both enjoyable and less crowded than the sloths.

I had such a fun time with this. The lesson was actually at Langosta Beach, not Tamarindo, which is a short ways away. This worked out fine as the beach is sandier and better for beginners. It turned out I was the only one in the group, so it was really a private lesson. I was able to get up my first try, and I am 68 years old. What a kick. The instructor guides you out on the board, then pushes you onto a wave, so it is not too difficult. Staying up is the harder part. The water was warm and shallow, and it was aslo a great respite from the heat.

This was a not to hard hike along the beautiful blue river culminating with the gorgeous blue waterfall. Our guide was very knowledgeable with the explanation and geography which makes this color occur. A bonus was the giant tapir which made an appearance.

The hike was not too difficult, and it had 3 levels of difficulty to choose. I chose the longest route, and it was still a pleasant hike although it rained and we didn't have a view of the volcano or lake.

The warm water felt great as it was intermittent rain so was good to submerge in warm water. The water fall area was great on the back. The included dinner was very good.

It was relaxing going down the river and spotting the wildlife, but adventurous enough not to be boring. You are in a raft and do have to paddle in parts, so you got some exercise too. You do spot animals, but you are traveling down a river, so you don't get as great watch as if you were still. I didn't know about the chocolate presentation after, and thought it would be boring, but it wasn't. And the chocolate was delicious.

Fantastic guide! Learned so much!! Beautiful!!!

We enjoyed our stay. The rooftop restaurant view. Delicious breakfasts and rich, strong coffee. Attentive, courteous staff. Good location for walking to museums, parks, and desired site. Clean, comfortable, spacious room.

We loved staying in the villa. Quiet location with superb view of flora and fauna. Timely shuttle service to/from the common areas. Enjoyed the many pools and water slide. Las Palmas wait staff took good care of us in

What a view! We stayed on the second floor, overlooking the valley and town. Spectacular sunsets. Mileydi was especially kind and helpful to us. Tasty lunch and dinners at the restaurant.

Great location next to Manuel Antonio Parque and a short stroll to the beach. Attentive staff at check-in and helpful to us throughout our stay. Enjoyed the main and sixth floor pools, plus the view of the Pacific from the rooftop eating area. Clean, comfortable rooms.

Chris (sp?) pointed out so many birds, insects, and plants. The hanging bridges afforded spectacular views. Enjoyed the tram and climbing the observation tower.

Loved the different pools with varied temperatures. Exciting water slide.

Bryan and Abner made this trip fun. We enjoyed conversing with them on the rides to and from our hotel, floating down the river, and at the cacao presentation.

Absolutely breathtaking.

Loved the in-depth explanations of coffee growing, harvesting, roasting, and characteristics. Enjoyed the sugar cane and cacao presentations tastings.

Lucky we that Andres guided us. What a lively, intense, patient, thoughtful encyclopedia of knowledge and wisdom he proved to be. Enjoyed the trails and beaches after our tour.

A relaxing way to conclude our Costa Rica trip. Tasty fish dinner. Surprised that you offered four drinks per passenger, and they were kind of strong.