Kimkim Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

4.9
Based on 1,082 ratings
Read 1,082 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Costa Rica on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Costa Rica was beautiful and we did so many g...
Costa Rica | Jul 12 - Jul 16, 2021

Ameer
Ameer S.
Boca Raton, FL | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2021

Costa Rica was beautiful and we did so many great activities ,and we couldn’t have done it without the help of Diego! Thanks again!

Local specialist: Diego Rivera
Diego
Diego Rivera
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jul 20, 2021

Thank you so much Ameer! I really appreciate your comment. It was a great pleasure helping you designing this amazing trip. I hope you can come back soon, and keep alive the Pura Vida spirit!

Everything he suggested was perfect and all w...
Costa Rica | Jun 26 - Jul 8, 2021

D
Diane B.
Oildale, CA | Reviewed on Jul 14, 2021

Everything he suggested was perfect and all went extremely smoothly! Our experience with Olman was great, he listened to our thoughts and desires and he made them happen. We had a truly amazing and memorable trip! Even his estimated travel times was spot on. If I go back to Costa Rica, I would definitely contact him again.

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jul 15, 2021

Hello Diane,

I really want to thank your family for trusting in our experience and services.
I enjoyed planning this adventure in the tropics for you, can't wait to start assisting you with the next adventure in paradise!

Best,
Olman

Family trip to Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Jul 2 - Jul 10, 2021

Sheri
Sheri L.
Laconia, NH | Reviewed on Jul 14, 2021
We loved our trip that Olman planned for us to Costa Rica. Each place we visited was exactly what we had requested. The Hotels were all unique and very inviting. We were sad to leave. The Lost Iguana Hotel and Arenas del Mar were amazing places to stay. We saw more wildlife at these hotels then we did in the nature park! Being woken at 4 am to a howler monkey above our cabin in Tortuguero is something we will never forget! We have so many great memories from our trip. We only... Read more

We loved our trip that Olman planned for us to Costa Rica. Each place we visited was exactly what we had requested. The Hotels were all unique and very inviting. We were sad to leave. The Lost Iguana Hotel and Arenas del Mar were amazing places to stay. We saw more wildlife at these hotels then we did in the nature park! Being woken at 4 am to a howler monkey above our cabin in Tortuguero is something we will never forget! We have so many great memories from our trip. We only needed to contact the travel agency once, but they immediately knew who I was and they were able to answer my next day pick up question. The local guides were passionate about showing us their part of the country. We will definitely be back!

Hotel Review
Lost Iguana Resort & Spa
Fortuna

We absolutely loved staying here. The resort was so welcoming. Food was great and very accommodating. We liked that one pool was cold and one was hot. Toucans flew right up to trees by our room and by the pool. The view of Arenal was breathtaking.

Tips for future travelers

Check out the trails, nice adventure.

Authenticity & Character
Location
View of the volvano
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jul 15, 2021

Hola Sheri,

Thanks for your kind message.
WOW! What great pictures, thanks for sharing them, you saw monkeys, sloths, and toucans, my favorite one is the one of the Volcano, amazing!

I am so happy your family enjoyed this adventure in Costa Rica.
The Howler monkey experience is something you will never forget.

I hope you will our country in the future for new experiences.

Pura Vida!
Olman

Amazing family experience
Costa Rica | Jun 26 - Jul 8, 2021

D
Donna T.
Adrian, MI | Reviewed on Jul 13, 2021
Wow, nothing could have been more fun!! We traveled Costa Rica with our daughter and and two grandchildren, boys who have just completed four years of college. Our agent with KimKim was Olman and we was FANTASTIC. Our trip was wonderful in every way and we experienced an amazing country with unforgettable life time family memories . Our lodging was great giving us a new experience every night. Tours and the guides were wonderful and fun. The timing of each day was perfect, we had extra... Read more

Wow, nothing could have been more fun!! We traveled Costa Rica with our daughter and and two grandchildren, boys who have just completed four years of college. Our agent with KimKim was Olman and we was FANTASTIC. Our trip was wonderful in every way and we experienced an amazing country with unforgettable life time family memories . Our lodging was great giving us a new experience every night. Tours and the guides were wonderful and fun. The timing of each day was perfect, we had extra time to explore on our own.
The Costa Rica food was delicious and we felt very comfortable at home with these perfect. Thanks again to this company, it was Great.

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jul 13, 2021

Hello Donna,

I hope you are all well.
Our team is very happy knowing everything went very smoothly and your family had a great time in Costa Rica.

It is great to know you have enjoyed all the activities and the hotels.
I really like your friends' Boutique Hotel in Uvita, I am going to visit the property in the future to inspect it and send some of our clients to your friends.

Pura Vida!
Olman

Costa Rica - Arenal, Monteverde, Manual Antonio Trip Planned by Diego
Costa Rica | Jun 24 - Jul 4, 2021

D
Denes M.
Corona, CA | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2021
We had a fantastic trip to Costa Rica planned by Diego. He stayed within budget yet was able to get us into very desirable locations. He was very responsive when we had questions/concerns. All the locations we stayed at were great for our family of 5. Every guide was on time and were all very professional and courteous. Our first stop was Arenal at the Los Lagos resort where we had a tour with Marcos of La Fortuna falls and Arenal. He was extremely knowledgeable of the area and pulled... Read more

We had a fantastic trip to Costa Rica planned by Diego. He stayed within budget yet was able to get us into very desirable locations. He was very responsive when we had questions/concerns. All the locations we stayed at were great for our family of 5. Every guide was on time and were all very professional and courteous.

Our first stop was Arenal at the Los Lagos resort where we had a tour with Marcos of La Fortuna falls and Arenal. He was extremely knowledgeable of the area and pulled over a few times to get close up views of sloths along the road side. We also had a great time with our guide Luis whitewater rafting. He made the trip exciting yet kept everything very safe. We also had a great time canyoning in the area. Diego also scheduled a family photo session for us at the hotel which worked out perfectly with our schedule.

Next, we moved on to Monteverde where we stayed at the Cala Lodge with a deck view of the cloud forest. First, we had a night tour with Olman who located animals and insects that we would never have been able to see without him. From the lodge room deck we saw Toucans and various other wildlife and it was very peaceful. We had a great day there with a hanging bridges tour with Roy and ziplining which the whole family enjoyed.

Finally, we went to Manuel Antonio and stayed at the Gardens Espadilla Hotel. The first day we went with our guide Gilberto horseback riding who really knew his stuff as he is very experienced in training and handling horses. The horses behaved very well for us inexperienced riders and we were able to swim under a waterfall and had an excellent lunch prepared by the locals. We also went to Manuel Antonio National Park for a day of lounging on the beautiful beach and some hiking to viewpoints, which was located walking distance from the Hotel which was very handy.

All in all, the trip was great and Diego did an excellent job planning everything and providing the information we needed. Highly recommended.

Local specialist: Diego Rivera
Diego
Diego Rivera
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jul 07, 2021

Hi Denes, it was a great honor helping you with this fantastic travel experience. I really enjoyed designing your family vacation, and I'm more than happy to hear that you had a wonderful time in Costa Rica. I hope you and your family keep alive the Pura Vida spirit!

Adriana organized an extraordinary tour of Co...
Costa Rica | Jun 21 - Jun 28, 2021

Adele
Adele B.
Sunnyvale, CA | Reviewed on Jul 01, 2021

Adriana organized an extraordinary tour of Costa Rica for my mother and me. Not only were our hopes for the trip surpassed, but the ease of travel was absolute perfection. We had a relaxing and adventurous time and we will definitely be recommending kimkim to our friends

Local specialist: Adriana Prado
Adriana
Adriana Prado
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jul 01, 2021

Hello Adele,

Thank you very much for your message and kind comments,

I am so happy to hear that you and your mother enjoyed your trip to Costa Rica and that the trip & services full-field your expectations. I was more than glad to assist you and organize this family trip for you and if you decide to visit us in the future, contact me and I will organize a new great experience for you. :)

Warm regards,
Adriana

Unforgettable Costa Rica Family Trip
Costa Rica | Jun 12 - Jun 22, 2021

Huyen
Huyen C.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2021
Our family travels often and this is the first time that our children (teenager and young adults) unanimously declared that this is the best trip.
Olman was extraordinary from the beginning - he was patient, answered all questions and tailored our trip perfectly to meet our need. From the time we landed in San Jose to our departure gate, all the details, small or big, were flawlessly executed , from transfer to our 4 different destinations to the hotels, to automatically upgrading us to...
Read more

Our family travels often and this is the first time that our children (teenager and young adults) unanimously declared that this is the best trip.
Olman was extraordinary from the beginning - he was patient, answered all questions and tailored our trip perfectly to meet our need. From the time we landed in San Jose to our departure gate, all the details, small or big, were flawlessly executed , from transfer to our 4 different destinations to the hotels, to automatically upgrading us to get a private guide (Manny) and a great driver (Leo) and arranging for our Covid test to be done at the hotel bypassing need to travel to clinic (all above and beyond our expectation).
Our favorite was the cloud forest zip line! And of course the warm hospitality of Costa Ricans welcoming tourists back. I am already thinking about for our next trip and definitely using kimkim

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 24, 2021

Hello Huyen,

All our team is so happy with your visit to our country.
It is great to know you liked the upgrade for the private driver and guide we offered to you.

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.
We are sure this was the first time using kimkim, hoping to work with you again in the future for the next adventure.

Pura Vida!
Olman

Amazing Costa Rica Family Vacation
Costa Rica | Jun 11 - Jun 18, 2021

M
Melanie B.
Pearland, TX | Reviewed on Jun 22, 2021
What an amazing experience we had on our vacation. This could not have been done without the help of KimKim (Olman, our specialist). We had a family of 5 and 3 of them being teenagers. Our excursions and transfers all booked for us made our trip very relaxing not to have to worry about anything. The guides chosen by Olman could not have been better. Hotel Arenal Springs and Resort is amazing. The staff is there for your every need. Highly recommend staying there. Hotel LaMariposa has... Read more

What an amazing experience we had on our vacation. This could not have been done without the help of KimKim (Olman, our specialist). We had a family of 5 and 3 of them being teenagers. Our excursions and transfers all booked for us made our trip very relaxing not to have to worry about anything. The guides chosen by Olman could not have been better. Hotel Arenal Springs and Resort is amazing. The staff is there for your every need. Highly recommend staying there. Hotel LaMariposa has what I would say the best view in Costa Rica. The rooms are minimal but the staff and view make up for that. I highly recommend using KimKim for a family vacation.

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 22, 2021

Hello Melanie,

All our team is happy to know your family had a great vacation in Costa Rica.
I really want to thank you too, for always letting us know all the details and special wishes for your family.

Personally, I really enjoyed planning this adventure in the tropics for you.
I hope you will visit our country in the future so you can explore more amazing Costa Rica!

Pura Vida!
Olman

Perfection!
Costa Rica | May 15 - May 23, 2021

R
Ryan D.
College Station, TX | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2021

The trip was incredible and Randall was incredible as well. There were lots of complicated logistics involved in this trip and everything (seriously, EVERYTHING) went off without a hitch. Transportation was perfectly planned and executed, and everyone he worked with for tours and transport was extremely friendly. The trip itself was SO fun. We couldn't have asked for a better week.

Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 08, 2021

Dear Ryan,

I want to thank you for your review of the trip and the great experience that you and Shannon had in our country in May. The main purpose of us is to create great experiences for all travellers and to read messages like yours and to confirm that the trip ran smooth, fills my heart of entire satisfaction.

You know, anytime you want to take another week full of fun and also relaxation, just let me know, there are so many beautiful areas in our country that you would love to visit ;)

Best,
Randall

Amazing travels in Costa Rica!
Costa Rica | May 29 - Jun 5, 2021

Corine
Corine F.
Santa Fe, NM | Reviewed on Jun 07, 2021
Absolutely wonderful trip! At the end of May 2021, we traveled to Costa Rica to celebrate our son's graduation from high school. From beginning to end, Olman ensured that our travel plans were both clear and streamlined. We started our adventure in San Jose, where we were picked up by the amazing and knowledgeable Fisroy who drove us to La Fortuna and Arenal. On the way, we stopped at the Doka coffee farm and a beautiful waterfall for local fruit. Once in Arenal, we spent a couple of... Read more

Absolutely wonderful trip! At the end of May 2021, we traveled to Costa Rica to celebrate our son's graduation from high school. From beginning to end, Olman ensured that our travel plans were both clear and streamlined. We started our adventure in San Jose, where we were picked up by the amazing and knowledgeable Fisroy who drove us to La Fortuna and Arenal. On the way, we stopped at the Doka coffee farm and a beautiful waterfall for local fruit. Once in Arenal, we spent a couple of days in the area, exploring the volcano via moped, rafting down the Penas Blanca, and participated in a tour of an organic farm followed by a cooking class. All drivers were on-time and every adventure was both fun and educational. We then headed up to the Cloud Forest where we ziplined through the canopy of the rainforest and walked multiple bridges. We also participated in a night walk where we spotted multiple exotic birds and came face-to-face with a pit viper! The accommodations at the Senda were wonderful...amazing organic food and ecofriendly bungalows. I can't say enough good things about this adventure. We experienced the most delicious coffee, saw multiple sloths, snakes, crocodiles, exotic birds, and met so many wonderful people. Many thanks to the KimKim staff. We look forward to scheduling another adventure for 2022 to celebrate our second son's graduation!

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 07, 2021

Hello Corine,

What beautiful photos! :)
All our team is very happy knowing you had a terrific time in Costa Rica.

We hope you have collected many incredible memories during this trip, and most important you had quality time with your family.

Thanks again for trusting in our team, I can't wait to start planning your second son's graduation in 2022.

Pura Vida!
Olman

Olman was extremely helpful with planning. Bo...
Costa Rica | May 26 - May 30, 2021

K
Kimmy B.
Katy, TX | Reviewed on Jun 03, 2021

Olman was extremely helpful with planning. Both accommodations were just as described with friendly staff and nice rooms. The travel accommodations were also always on time and the drivers from each company were knowledgeable about the country and extremely friendly. The only discrepancy came to the nature hike in Manuel Antonio with Tucson Tours. Our itinerary said pickup time was 7:25; however the actual pickup time was 7:15 and the shuttle almost left without us. All in all it was a great experience. Thank you!

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 03, 2021

Hello Kimmy,

Thanks for your review, I really appreciate it.
We are so happy you and Tori had a good time in Costa Rica, after a year without traveling due to Covid it is great to know and see on the pictures you had a great time in our country.

Thanks for traveling with us.

Pura Vida!
Olman

Maricruz planned a great trip for our family of 5
Costa Rica | May 15 - May 22, 2021

V
Vivian D.
Live Oak, TX | Reviewed on Jun 02, 2021
Maricruz was a great resource and help for us when booking our family trip to Costa Rica. She was conscious of our budget and our interest. The best part of our trip was definitely our guide, Jose. He was very knowledgeable, patient, flexible, and a great companion throughout the trip. He recommended a lot of great places to eat at and also additional activities when we felt up to it. We enjoyed the different cities of Costa Rica that we were able to see, the hotels were nice to stay at, and... Read more

Maricruz was a great resource and help for us when booking our family trip to Costa Rica. She was conscious of our budget and our interest. The best part of our trip was definitely our guide, Jose. He was very knowledgeable, patient, flexible, and a great companion throughout the trip. He recommended a lot of great places to eat at and also additional activities when we felt up to it. We enjoyed the different cities of Costa Rica that we were able to see, the hotels were nice to stay at, and the activities were very fun. Maricruz definitely made this trip a stress free experience from the initial planning stage all the way until the end of our trip. She was also very quick to respond to any questions we may have had.

Local specialist: Maricruz Pereira

We enjoyed using this company!
Costa Rica | May 24 - May 29, 2021

Jackie
Jackie S.
Kankakee, IL | Reviewed on Jun 02, 2021
Olman was very helpful in helping me set up an itinerary that best fit my family and I’s wants. I had never used a specialist to help plan my vacation but this time I wanted someone to set it for me since I was going to a new country and was not too familiar with the surroundings. It can be stressful planning activities and hotels on my own but this was such a breeze having someone do it for me! Our transportation to and from the airport/hotel/activities was on time every time. The activitie... Read more

Olman was very helpful in helping me set up an itinerary that best fit my family and I’s wants. I had never used a specialist to help plan my vacation but this time I wanted someone to set it for me since I was going to a new country and was not too familiar with the surroundings. It can be stressful planning activities and hotels on my own but this was such a breeze having someone do it for me! Our transportation to and from the airport/hotel/activities was on time every time. The activitie tour guides were very kind to us and knowledgeable. I would definitely use KimKim again. This was my first time using them and I had a great experience!

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 02, 2021

Hi Jackie,

Thanks for your kind review.
We are so happy and grateful to you.

It is great to know everything was good during your trip, I hope you will visit our country in the future, we will be more than glad to assist you.

Pura Vida!
Olman

Mom's Costa Rican Bday Celebration
Costa Rica | May 11 - May 16, 2021

N
Nachelle A.
Bonita Springs, FL | Reviewed on May 27, 2021

Our local specialist, Randall, helped customize my mom's birthday celebration in Costa Rica. The only complaint is that we couldn't stay longer from our drivers picking us up from the airport to taking us on our adventures and other cities. We enjoyed our trip and will definitely be using KimKim again!

Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on May 27, 2021

Hi Nachelle,

I want to appreciate your feedback about the trip that we organized for you to celebrate your Mom's Birthday, I really hope that she has also enjoyed the trip entirely and that we can have you again in the future.

All the best!
Randall

Wonderful Costa Rica experience !!
Costa Rica | May 1 - May 9, 2021

M
Meralee B.
Arlington, WA | Reviewed on May 19, 2021
The planning was excellent! Olman was very helpful, and knowledgeable, with great suggestions, patience with adjusting itinerary, and attentive to our needs. He did an amazing job of arranging things, and dealing with the changes and requirements caused by COVID, including the testing issues. I have already recommended him to several people!
The places where we stayed, and the activities planned, were all good. We were pleased with Tirimbina, as we anticipated, with delicious food ad...
Read more

The planning was excellent! Olman was very helpful, and knowledgeable, with great suggestions, patience with adjusting itinerary, and attentive to our needs. He did an amazing job of arranging things, and dealing with the changes and requirements caused by COVID, including the testing issues. I have already recommended him to several people!
The places where we stayed, and the activities planned, were all good. We were pleased with Tirimbina, as we anticipated, with delicious food ad friendly staff; We loved the chocolate tour and our tour guide ( a young man) was excellent! and very informative!
We enjoyed the rainforest tour at Tortuguero, the dining area staff at Mawamba was very friendly and professional, the lodging was average. (There was a misunderstanding about the canal tour time, but Laura came and got us out of bed, and was very gracious about it.)
The Azania Bungalows turned out to be the best! with great food and lodging, beautiful gardens and wildlife, and right close to the beach. Staff was great! We highly recommend it! Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, so we didn't get any relaxing beach time.
Jose drove us from SanJose to Tirimbina, and demonstrated much patience when he had to drive his vehicle over rough roads, out in the rural area of Tirimbina, only to find out that the Tirimbina Lodge was in a different location. It was a little rural "detour" but all ended well.
Fisroy was our primary driver, doing all of the airport arrivals and departure, as well as the trip to Puerto Viejo. He made himself available to us at all times and always went the "extra mile" to make sure things went smoothly. He gave us a great guided tour through Cahiuta National Park. He even offered to do Manzanilla the next day as well, but the weather did not cooperate in Puerto Viejo (clouds and rain). He also took the time to search out some restaurants with great local food. He added a real personal touch to all of our time with him. We so enjoyed it !
Thanks to everyone involved, including Alejandro who spoke with me on the phone within hours of our departure for Costa Rica, to assure us that our trip was still going to happen as planned (in spite of unexpected COVID restrictions).I am thankful that KimKim/ Amazilia provided direct phone access!
We look forward to another trip planned through you in the future!

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on May 19, 2021

Hello Meralee,

Thanks a lot for your kind message.
I really enjoyed all the planning process with you, it is great to know you have recommended our services to friends.

Fisroy was always communicating with us, he did an amazing job, we are happy about that.

We hope you will be able to visit us again in the future.

Thanks for your message & Pura Vida!
Olman

We had such a great trip. Everything was plan...
Costa Rica | May 8 - May 14, 2021

J
Jewel B.
Tampa, FL | Reviewed on May 17, 2021

We had such a great trip. Everything was planned out for us and our local specialist Yenyi helped us with everything we needed including rescheduling multiple times due to the pandemic, arranging our covid testing and providing us with great recommendations while in Costa Rica. Would use kimkim again and recommend to others.

Local specialist: Yenyi Fu
Yenyi
Yenyi Fu
Local specialist in California | Replied on May 24, 2021

So happy to hear that you had a great time in Costa Rica! Looking forward to helping you with your next trip soon!

Best,
Yenyi

First time in Costa Rica! My 2 teenagers and...
Costa Rica | Mar 19 - Mar 29, 2021

Karen
Karen A.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Apr 11, 2021
First time in Costa Rica! My 2 teenagers and I went to Costa Rica for 12 days. Olman and Alexander did a great job in scheduling all the places and adventures I requested. From the first day to the last day in Costa Rica went smoother than I could ask. The first official day was guided by Alejandro, he did an amazing job educating us about Costa Rica: the people, culture, animals and different terrain. Alejandro took us to La Paz waterfall gardens. #lapazwaterfall which was full of... Read more

First time in Costa Rica! My 2 teenagers and I went to Costa Rica for 12 days. Olman and Alexander did a great job in scheduling all the places and adventures I requested. From the first day to the last day in Costa Rica went smoother than I could ask. The first official day was guided by Alejandro, he did an amazing job educating us about Costa Rica: the people, culture, animals and different terrain. Alejandro took us to La Paz waterfall gardens. #lapazwaterfall which was full of animals and 5 waterfalls. From San Jose we went to Manual Antonio. Manual Antonio was absolutely gorgeous, we went to the beach, kayaking and snorkeling on the Pacific Ocean and had a home made lunch after the advantage, which was delicious. The guide was very nice, pointing out wildlife, such as the Howler Monkey calling, birds overhead and the fish we saw snorkeling. #tucanestours We had a wonderful home made lunch after. We saw lots of different wild life on our own. From Manual Antonio we went to La Fortuna. No words can bring justice to the Arenal Volcano, we got there at night and weren't able to see anything. In the morning I open the curtains to our room and right in front of us was the volcano. Beautiful site, hotel room was amazing and all the wildlife around was crazy! We did a few activities while in La Fortuna, zip line and white water rafting, #waverarafting, with an amazing lunch at an organic farm. The next day was horse back riding to a waterfall #chaveztours and a hike to the farthest point on the volcano that you can hike, #eciterra,costrica. All the transportation, guides and adventures were amazing and happy we did all of them. From La Fortuna we went to Tamarindo. What a view! The sunsets were amazing! We took surf lessons, the surf teacher exceeded my expectations, he was so helpful and passionate about what he does, #surf.every.day. Arranging 12 days with pick up, drop offs, transportation to and from activities, scheduling required Covid testing and transportation to the airport, with an estimated 859.1km ( 533.8miles) only a few minor hiccups, we were always on time to everything and Olman and Alexander responded to messages in a timely manner. I would recommend using Kimkim for any type of travel, I would highly recommend Olamn and Alexander if you want to visit Costa Rica.
Pura Vida

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 12, 2021

Hello Karen,

Thanks for sharing your experience in Costa Rica, we are so happy you had a great time and happy to know you discover and learn about our country!

We hope this is not going to be the first and last visit to our country, we will be more than glad to assist you in the future to explore more amazing Costa Rica!

Thanks for traveling with us!

Pura Vida!
Olman

Best family trip ever! Pura Vida!
Costa Rica | Mar 26 - Apr 4, 2021

Jeanette
Jeanette W.
Lynbrook, NY | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2021
We can't thank Alexander enough for planning an amazing vacation for our family! Everything went incredibly smoothly. We visited the Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest and Manual Antonio Beach. Alejandro was the best guide anyone could ask for! His superior knowledge of the animals and the plants, the geology of the area, the climate and weather patterns and the general culture of Costa Rica helped us learn so much, while having a fun time. We got along so great with him and even... Read more

We can't thank Alexander enough for planning an amazing vacation for our family! Everything went incredibly smoothly. We visited the Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest and Manual Antonio Beach. Alejandro was the best guide anyone could ask for! His superior knowledge of the animals and the plants, the geology of the area, the climate and weather patterns and the general culture of Costa Rica helped us learn so much, while having a fun time. We got along so great with him and even miss him! We were so impressed with how safe we felt in Costa Rica during the pandemic. Everywhere you go they take your temperature, have you wash your hands, maintain social distancing, and ask for you to wear your mask. We were happy to comply with these simple safety precautions, as they allowed us to relax and enjoy ourselves without any worries. Every hotel chosen for us was beyond beautiful and exceeded our expectations. All of the tours were informational and helped us to reconnect with nature. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank everyone at KimKim who helped us create such wonderful memories. Pura Vida! :)

Local specialist: Alexander Paulini
Alexander
Alexander Paulini
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 13, 2021

Hi Jeanette!
Thank you very much for your trip review. It makes us very happy to read about all your experiences while traveling around Costa Rica. Stay safe and we hope to greet you and your family one more time in our beatiful country.
Pura Vida!
Alexander

Carlos helped us plan our trip for March 2020...
Costa Rica | Mar 19 - Mar 31, 2021

T
Teresa S.
New York City, NY | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2021
Carlos helped us plan our trip for March 2020, but we unfortunately had to cancel due to covid. When 2021 came around, we rebooked our trip with Maricruz. She was incredibly accommodating and tolerated all my ambivalence about traveling during covid! She answered all our questions during the trip as well and even got us an incredible upgrade to a new hotel. We always felt like we had someone to help us out with anything and this was important to us since we'd never been to Costa Rica... Read more

Carlos helped us plan our trip for March 2020, but we unfortunately had to cancel due to covid. When 2021 came around, we rebooked our trip with Maricruz. She was incredibly accommodating and tolerated all my ambivalence about traveling during covid! She answered all our questions during the trip as well and even got us an incredible upgrade to a new hotel. We always felt like we had someone to help us out with anything and this was important to us since we'd never been to Costa Rica and so wanted to move around a lot without much challenge (life in NYC is already challenging). Even when there was a problem with our itinerary, she fixed it up immediately

I want to assure you that Costa Rica is as safe a place as any to travel during covid - people wear masks everywhere, you must wash your hands before entering a restaurant or any place, and there is hand sanitizer everywhere. Plus you're almost always outside. They take yours and their health very seriously. Go now before the crowds return! We've traveled a bunch and Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful and varied places we've seen.

That said, this trip was awesome from the moment we were picked up by Juan Pablo!
He was our guide for the first day - he was informative, engaging and kind. When we expressed interest in pejibaye, he took us to a road side stop to try some which was delicious and fun.

We stayed at Casa Luna the first two nights - wonderful hotel where we saw toucans and other amazing birds in our backyard during our morning coffee. We went to the rainforest and on our way to the hanging bridges our guide pulled over on the street because he spotted a sloth in the tree. So fun.

Always hire a guide for any of parks. They take you in, and find wildlife you'd never find on your own. They carry a scope and plop it down so you can see firsthand while explaining everything you could want to learn about the animals, ecosystem, etc.

From here we went to Monteverde - a beautiful area of Costa Rica. We loved the views from our hotel, El Establo and the proprietor was very accommodating and kind. Actually, we were met with knowledge, kindness and consideration all over CR. Take a night walk - the sounds of the forest will fill your soul.

Do the crocodile tour for sure in Jaco! Our guide Adrian and the driver of the boat (whose name I forget) were incredibly knowledgeable about the birds and the ecosystems. We met the crocodiles Osama Bin Laden, Mike Tyson and Bill and Hillary Clinton. More than we could have asked for.

We ended our trip at Manuel Antonio - beautiful beach and waves - surfing, swimming and relaxing under the trees. Monkeys and iguanas entertained us while we lay on our lounges listening to the sounds of the ocean. We stayed at Karahe for 2 days which was right on the beach but then upscaled to Sí Como No where we had amazing views, lots of wildlife to enjoy and wonderful service.
Either choice is worth your time.

Go now and book your trip with KimKim!

Local specialist: Maricruz Pereira
Maricruz
Maricruz Pereira
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 08, 2021

Hola, Teresa! Thank you so much for your review and report!! It was a pleasure working with you, and I'm super happy that you could take the trip and enjoy our country so much!
I will forward your nice words to José Pablo, Adrián and your local outfitters, they will really appreciate them.
Pura vida!
Maricruz

Our Flawless Costa Rican Vacation
Costa Rica | Feb 26 - Mar 18, 2021

C
Chet G.
Coeur d'Alene, ID | Reviewed on Apr 03, 2021
Kim Kim,
Diego was amazing! We told him who we were (old but not dead) and what we wanted (more forest than beach) and he listened. His plan was a 21-day drive and stay adventure that was perfect for us. Going on a great adventure means (safely) getting out of your comfort zone – anxiety without harm. Some of the roads were narrow, steep, and twisty, but traveled without incident and minimal held breaths. The fifteen-minute walk alone through the dark forest to our Treehouse was full of...
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Kim Kim,
Diego was amazing! We told him who we were (old but not dead) and what we wanted (more forest than beach) and he listened. His plan was a 21-day drive and stay adventure that was perfect for us. Going on a great adventure means (safely) getting out of your comfort zone – anxiety without harm. Some of the roads were narrow, steep, and twisty, but traveled without incident and minimal held breaths. The fifteen-minute walk alone through the dark forest to our Treehouse was full of noises and imagination but also the satisfaction of finding some of the critters we had been shown on our guided night walk. Sure, the provided google map route took us on a 3k “short cut” on a one-lane stone road through a dairy herd, but it came out at
the right place and when was the last time you had cow breath in your window.
The trip was not all adventure, there was a lot of learning. We went on tours and saw frogs, snakes, butterflies, frogs, monkeys, sloths, frogs, dolphins, cacao plants, frogs, iguanas, coffee plants, frogs, spiders, one giant crocodile and heard the stories of each. Having a guide is a must. We could have traveled the same paths and we would not have seen a thing. The guides Diego found were terrific at explaining the fauna and flora and being patient while we took five minutes to see what they were pointing at. Sloths were really hard to see. I would find it, take my eyes off it, and never find it again. Maybe the guides have some secret power to “show” us what we want to see, even if it is not there. But then they take a picture of it – and send us the picture. Superb!
Finally, there were the accommodations that ranged from a “primitive” (not) treehouse with a king-size bed and full bath to truly luxurious room with a private hot tub. Of all the places we stayed my best memories were the showers. One shower had glass walls looking out into the forest canopy, one had two showers, one inside and one in an outside garden, and another shower had a glass wall viewing the forest and Avenal volcano.
Throughout our visit we were impressed with the sanitation measures in place at businesses and in the parks regarding COVID. Always someone at the entrance to make sure everyone has a face covering, and they wash their hands - at businesses both large and small.
Diego put all of that together for us and took the time to check in with us throughout the journey to make sure all was well. This adventure went off without a single glitch. Amazing, I cannot orchestrate my breakfast at home for twenty-one days without something going wrong. We are including a summary of some of the people, places, and things we enjoyed the most.
1 Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel 27-28 Feb
Kenneth and the staff at the hotel answered every question and request to make our 2-night stay hiccup free. Our bungalow was spacious and elegant, with lots of natural light during the day from floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as reading light for evenings. Two spacious showers, one indoor and one an enclosed outdoor shower complete with luscious flowering plants. A gorgeous, roofed deck so we could sit out even when it rained. Everything was supplied.
The open-air restaurant is surrounded by so many lush tropical plants it is like sitting in a garden, and the food. Well, one of us is an omnivore and one a vegetarian and we each had choices that were delicious, with some suggestions by the chef. They had positioned in the “garden” a stand with fresh fruit which attracted the birds so we could photograph them up close!
They arranged a guide, Joseph, to give us a night walk around the property where he explained what we were seeing, and hearing (very reassuring). We got to see colorful frogs and friendly snakes and even footprints in the dirt of something I do not remember the name of. Frosting on the cake was Joseph forwarding us the close-up pictures he took on the tour. He is an accomplished photographer!

2 Tenorio Volcano National Park Tour with Jonier 28 Feb
We were the only two people on this tour so we had the delight of Jonier telling us everything we were seeing and what to look for, the history and uses of the Park, some stories and customs of the area and foods we should be sure to try. He kept a good pace for us and made sure of our footing on some of the slippery or steeper parts, answering all our questions as we went along. He is so personable and knowledgeable it is apparent he enjoys his profession as a licensed guide.

3 Boca Tapada, Maquenque Ecolodge, Tree House 1-2 Mar
What an adventure this was! After driving twenty-five kilometers on a dirt road, we arrived in the Lodge’s parking lot with no hotel in sight. There was a restroom and a phone on the wall which connected us with Reception, who then sent a boat to pick us up (we could see the boat and landing across the river). Once across we walked 10 minutes along a gravel walk with lush Costa Rican “forest” on either side. At Reception we were greeted by Vicki who coordinated our entire stay beautifully and arranged for one of the staff to carry our suitcase up the gravel path for another 10-minute walk to our very own treehouse. Forty-eight steps up we found a gorgeous deck looking out over the jungle, and inside a king size bed in an amazingly comfortable room, with complete bath, including shower with windows on two sides looking out over the jungle.
The grounds are lushly forested with a beautiful “lagoon” complete with caiman whose eyes shine in the gleam of nighttime flashlights. The open-air restaurant serves
delicious fare for both the guests, and the birds who flock to a short platform covered with fresh fruits which attract them, making birding an up-close-and-personal experience.
During our two-night stay we took two tours, both with our excellent guide Jose. On the night walk he led us around the property where he pointed out the caiman’s shining eyes, plus colorful frogs, friendly snakes, and night-blooming flowers.
On our daytime boat tour up the river to the Nicaraguan border Jose pointed out iguana, crocodile, many types of birds, old homesteads along the shore, and gave us a snapshot of the history of the area – including the fact that his father made the furniture at the lodge, harvested from a local farm.

4 Tirimbina Lodge and Rainforest Center Chocolate Tour, 4 Mar
What a wonderful tour through the rainforest this was. Because of COVID we were the only two guests on the tour, so we were able to pepper our guide William with all our questions. He told the stories of everything (including the beautiful birds) we were seeing around us, both on the trails and across the hanging bridge that led across a deep ravine. When we reached the cacao plantation, he explained the history of chocolate cultivation and we saw cacao trees and tasted the white, sweet fruits inside the pods. Then there was a demonstration of the numerous steps the indigenous people followed to make chocolate. These same steps are followed today except using machines instead of using hand power. And then, the absolute best part, getting to taste the chocolate at several points in the process, including the so-marvelous, finished product of silky-smooth warm chocolate.
The Tirimbina Reserve is a scientific area, dedicated to studying butterflies, cacao, chocolate, and nutmeg. To preserving and understanding nature and its processes.

5 Pierella Butterfly Farm & Ecological Garden Tour, 5 Mar
From a 20x20 M plot of bare land in 1995 to the lush rainforest it is today, William and Krystal have grown a thriving butterfly operation and the tour they gave us was totally eye opening. How could the vegetation grow this lush in such a short time, with such an abundance of varieties of both flora and the beautiful butterflies?! It’s beautiful.
It is obvious this is more than a business to them as their passion for this forest and its residents suffuses all their stories and the excitement they express in their explanations. They are reclaiming the rainforest.
Beyond learning the lifecycle of butterflies and seeing so many varieties in their stages of development, William showed us a sloth, and found for us the rare white bats (tiny little white bundles nesting on the underside of a heliconia leaf). Then Krystal took over and pointed out colorful frogs and birds she located by their calls.
As if the personal tour wasn’t enough, Krystal showed us how chocolate is made, using cacao pods from the trees growing on their land, then fed us a delicious (and bountiful) typical casado lunch.

6 Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve 6-7 Mar
The 9K drive down to the hotel from the paved highway got our attention. Suffice to say the road is narrow, steep, and twisting (and even paved in sections) but totally manageable. The hotel and grounds are superb, from reception to the restaurant, trails, rooms (we had a junior suite), to the spa where I received a blissful massage. The entire staff made sure our 2-night stay put smiles on our faces.
In early March when we were there it got cool (40’s F) at night so the blankets on the beds were most welcome. And my jacket came in handy for my 0530 Quetzal Birdwatching tour when it was still dark.
The tour itself was an astounding success! My guide (Melvin I believe) drove us up the road a short distance, parked, got out his scope, heard a Quetzal calling and immediately sighted the colorful male bird in a nearby tree. We watched it long enough for M to take a video of it on my camera, through his scope, giving me both visual and audio. It then flew to another close-by tree where a female was perched and whose picture we also got, through his scope. What a morning! And what a considerate guide to get those photos for me!
Our room was very spacious and comfortable with lots of windows for natural light, bedside lighting for reading, and an elegant bathroom with candles beside the tub.
As a vegetarian I appreciated the staff and kitchen working with me on menu choices while my omnivore husband enjoyed the entire menu happily. The fresh fruit plate at breakfast was something to look forward to as well.

7 Cuna del Angel Hotel - Uvita 8-9 Mar
This is a lovely hotel, just north of Uvita town and quite near the beach, with beautiful grounds immaculately kept. The hotel restaurant is entirely gluten free and its open sides provide beautiful views of the lush forest and the Pacific Ocean. I also received a particularly excellent facial from Yolanda in their spa. The air conditioning was appreciated in this humid part of Costa Rica.
During our 2-night stay there we visited the nearby beach community of Dominical which we really enjoyed. So laid back – complete with natural foods grocery (Mama Toucans), a café with veg and vegan options and free wi-fi, and many vendors along the sandy beach drive (hippie comes to mind) shaded by palm trees blowing in the warm breezes. We had a good lunch at Phat Noodle too.

8 Bahia Aventuras 9 Mar
The crew from Bahia Aventuras led us on a snorkel tour in the warm waters of the Marino Ballena National Park. We were so impressed with their excellent equipment and the care they took to make sure we were at ease every step of the way, and to make sure we saw a variety of marine life. Our companion boat stayed near us the entire time and was our café on the water during our trip back to shore. It was an excursion I highly recommend.

9 Manuel Antonio National Park 11 March
Andray was our excellent guide for the morning through this park - the guy who was able to show us sloths in the trees - and any guide who can make it possible for mere mortals to discern a sloth high up in a tree, surrounded by leaves and branches, is a gem by any standard. All the way through the park he told us the history of the area, the natural habits of the creatures living in the park, and on to the beaches which are beautiful and situated in small coves where swimming is a treat! We highly recommend both Andray and this park as well worth it.

10 Amor Arenal Hotel 14-16 Mar
From the moment we arrived at Reception to the moment we drove away, the entire staff of this luxurious rainforest lodge made sure our 3-night stay was exceptionally enjoyable. The grounds, our “cabin”, the restaurant, pools, everything, put big smiles on our faces. Breathtaking was the jolt I felt when we entered our cabin and I saw the woods – in floor, walls, ceiling – stunning, especially when enhanced by the spacious windows and the lush greenery outside those windows. Simple, elegant, and totally fitting in the rainforest setting. Spacious enough in our room in fact, to use the yoga equipment supplied in the closet! So thoughtful.
The pools were refreshingly salt water and there was both sun and shade around them for enjoying them in any temperature. The open-air restaurant was its own tropical garden, complete with delicious food and beverages at every meal. We highly recommend this lodging to anyone staying in Costa Rica.

11 Organico Fortuna Restaurant 15-16 Mar
So good we went twice in two days! I’m vegan and was overjoyed to find an entire selection of vegan dishes and drinks. Plus, my omnivore partner got a delicious fish dish and, he thought, the best meal of our 21-day stay in CR. The service both visits was so friendly and helpful in describing the dishes it was simply hard to limit what we ordered!
The setting is relaxing with light, bright surroundings, and comfortable chairs. A definite recommendation to visit and dine.

Local specialist: Diego Rivera
Diego
Diego Rivera
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 05, 2021

Thank you very much for this detailed and useful feedback. It was a great honor to help you design this amazing trip. I really enjoyed meeting you, and I hope you can come back in the near future, there are other regions that you can explore during your next trip.
Keep your spirit of "Pura Vida" with you and please stay in contact!
Diego.

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