Kimkim Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

Holden was fantastic- communicative, professional and insightful.
The island was beautiful and the people universally friendly.
We had great drivers Pablo and Alex.
Birding and wildlife tours with Gabriel and Socio and Carlos were exceptional .
We did have one bad experience with a guide. The tour company was apologetic and refunded that tour.

Hotel Reviews

Hampton by Hilton San José Airport

Alajuela

The restaurant lacks character and comfort. Food was just OK. Close to the airport with a speedy shop shuttle. Desk staff were very nice.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

Beautiful views and a beautiful place to see monkeys. The staff were not quite as friendly as in other hotels the room was a bit antiquated. The facility is very close to a loud road and it is noisy with a lot of diesel fumes at times the restaurant seems to want to rush you in and out quickly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

They could be friendlier and more interactive

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms are a bit antiquated. Bathroom fans loud and should be separated from the light switch as it was loud anytime we just wanted to turn on the light. Outlets hard to access ( behind bed).

Cloud Forest Lodge

Monteverde

The restaurant staff here were amazing, friendly and proficient. The chef was great. The setting wonderful with plenty of bird and monkey sightings.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Nice hotel, friendly staff,nice setting, beautiful wildlife. The room was fine with one exception. The shower was exceptionally hard to use. It was a hanging unit above a hot tub, you really need three hands to use it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Socio was an exceptional guide. He navigated us so that we saw numerous spectacular plants and wildlife. He was very skillful with photography and identification of species.

Quality of Experience

Tremendous guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

They forgot to pick us up but the tour company was apologetic and is investigating why.

Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike

Monteverde

Just just the worst. Horrific Guide.

Quality of Experience

New guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Attitude issues

Transport

Dirty smelly vehicle

Treetopia Zip Lines

Monteverde

Nice guides. Safe and fun experience. Lots of adrenaline.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee & Chocolate Tour

Arenal/La Fortuna

It was educational. We did feel it actually went on a little longer than it should have.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Birdwatching in Arenal Observatory

Arenal/La Fortuna

Gabriel was an incredible guide, we saw a wide variety of birds which he helped to identify and locate. Spectacular setting, lots of fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pablo And Gabriel we’re awesome awesome

Transport

Right on time

Private Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Fun , cool bridges, some wildlife, and some bird sightings

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fantastic, friendly, knowledgeable, thoughtful, engaged, as curious as those of us who had never been here before!

We had a great trip and everything went perfectly! We have traveled with Kim Kim before and I am so impressed with your attention to detail! Our pick up drivers were very professional (especially Kennie) , our adventures let us get a great feel for Costa Rica and it's beautiful and rich history and wonderful and welcoming people. Our hotels were perfect and allowed us to relax and still be close to everything.

Hotel Reviews

Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort

Tamarindo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fonda Vela Hotel

Monteverde

We all loved the family and staff!

Authenticity & Character

They went out of their way to make us comfortable. The authentic breakfasts were a real treat!

Location

Staff

Over the top great!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lomas del Volcán

Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Hanging Bridges Walk

Monteverde

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Could give more time at the beach

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

El Silencio Hike & Visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Food

Food was a buffet style, but good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Farm-to-table traditional Cooking Class - Dinner

Arenal/La Fortuna

Excellent and very hands on! Still waiting for our recipies!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Farm Experience

Arenal/La Fortuna

Very informative and fun!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Boat Safari

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Roads were very bad!

An incredible trip full of fun and great memories . Olman was incredibly patient with my many calls and questions. Our favorite activities were the wildlife boat trip in Tortugero, zip lining in Monte Verde, the volcano hike in La Fortuna and the final night catamaran cruise in Tamarindo.

Hotel Review

Wyndham

Tamarindo

Hotel was quite run down and needs repairs. Great location and views but bedding was torn, sink had leaks and the water pressure on the shower was very low. There was a shortage of towels and issues with the dryers being broken. Breakfast was tasteless and bland. Tables not cleared at breakfast and dirty.

Authenticity & Character

big corporate hotel, very little charm

Location

great view

Staff

Not friendly and overworked, too much asking for tips

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bed linens ripped, sink leaks, shower pressure poor

Activity Reviews

Catamaran Sailing Excursion

Costa Rica

Crew was so friendly and views were amazing

Quality of Experience

comfortable ,

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

crew was awesome

Transport

Long ride from our hotel

Enjoy the Beauty of Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero

Great wildlife and wonderful guide. We saw and learned a lot

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

San Jose - Tortuguero

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very knowledgable

Transport

We had a wonderful trip to Costa Rica, planned by Holden, Nancy and Adrian at Serendipity Adventures. We got to experience everything we asked for, even while raining in the rainforest, and then some. Our long distance drivers were friendly, shared their knowledge of the area and made our rides pleasant. All of our guides were enthusiastic, knowledgeable and fun to spend time with. Mariano guided us through Mystico Hanging Bridges Park, Ron Vargas led us on a birdwatch . and our kayaking guide at Arenal Water sports was very patient and supportive as we began our kayaking in the rain, before it stopped, (offering to switch to pontoon if needed). We enjoyed the chocolate /coffee tour at North Fields and the personlized introduction to Huber's farm Paraiso and cooking with Carmen and Marie offered another look into life in Costa Rica.

Our stay at Arenal Manoa was wonderful. It is a beautiful hotel spread out over lush gardens and the hot springs were a blessing to have on those rainy days, especially after the rigorous hikes at Mystico. The staff is especially accommodating, with transport offered to get around if needed, umbrellas provided, and several restaurant options. The rooms were spacious and well appointed with many amenities. We waited patiently for our view of the volcano, which finally came.

We had a nice experience at La Mariposa in Manuel Antonio. The staff was very helpful and the hotel offers shuttle service to the beach. There was a lovely pool and excellent restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner overlooking the ocean. Our room's furnishings were older, but clean, comfortable and had a beautiful ocean view with a terrace to watch the beautiful birds and sunsets from.

Our experience with Serendipity Adventures was top rated. Holden, Nancy and Adrian planned a great trip. Adrian was especially helpful on the ground in Costa Rica , ready to help with possible flight and hotel changes due to storms in US.
We highly recommend working with them.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

A pretty hotel at the top of the hill in Manuel Antonio. There were rooms spread out. Our room was one flight up stairs for top floor room with beautiful ocean view. A shuttle is offered several times a day to the public beach. The hotel has a beautiful pool and restaurant overlooking the Pacific ocean.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

A beautiful hotel spread out over lush gardens and the hot springs are a blessing to have on rainy (rainforest) days espedcially after rigorous hikes. The staff is especially accommodating, with transport offered to get around if needed, umbrellas provided in rooms and main buildings, and several excellent restaurant options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lots of beautiful birds to be seen, as well as a sloth or two.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Always accomodating, friendly, helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Rainmaker Conservation Park

Manuel Antonio

The park, while beautiful has a trail that is not as well maintained with railings . It included steep climbs and hanging bridges ( unexpected) that were also not in good condition ( as Mystico). It was difficult to enjoy the beautiful scenery of waterfalls and forest as we made our way through the more difficult trail. our guide, Alex, was very good, and very supportive and patient. He was very knowledgable of the area and we learned alot. He stopped to show anything he thought might be of interest, - animals, insects, etc. Also, the activity was longer than expected as the travel to the park was over 30 minutes.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Picked up on time. Our guide , Alex, was informative on the way to and from the park.

Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Farm Tour

Arenal/La Fortuna

A fun and very well orchestrated tour of a local chocolate and coffee farm. Very thorough, lots of sampling! The tour guides are very enthusiastic and great with public speaking.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private: Birdwatching in Arenal Mundo Aventura Park

Arenal/La Fortuna

We enjoyed the walk through the beautiful garden with Ron, who is very enthusiastic about birding. unfortunately, the birds were not as accommodating as he would have liked, though we/he did see many and shared the list with us afterwards. We had a wonderful time speaking with him over breakfast and learning more about nature in costa Rica. The activity was scheduled for 5:30-7:30. It was actually longer, as we had breakfast after the walk.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Organic Cooking Class

Arenal/La Fortuna

Mariano picked us up along with another couple who shared our walking tour of the farm with Huber. He shared his family's history and experience operating the small farm . We learned about their local plants, produce, spanish names - it was very inclusive and immersive experience. We then joined a cook and other volunteers in the kitchen for some chopping, prepping and tortilla making, before sitting down with them to a delicious meal of orroz con pollo with fresh salad from the garden.

Quality of Experience

Food

everything!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We appreciate Huber, Marie and Carmen sharing the farm and home with us.

Transport

Kayaking on Lake Arenal

Arenal/La Fortuna

We arrived to find the lake choppy due to raining. The guide was very patient, offered to use the pontoon if we felt uncomfortable. We tested the water, rain stopped and we had a very enjoyable kayak ride for 2 hours, close to shore

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

unfortunately do not have the name. Arenal water sports

Transport

Private Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Mariano guided through this beautiful reserve. It was more rigorous and steep than we expected, but Mariano was patient. Very enthusiastic and informative, stopping to find insects, reptiles and other animals native to the forest. The reserve is very well maintained and we felt very safe on the bridges. We enjoyed our time with him

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mariano- very enthusiastic and knowledgeable

Transport

BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO!

This was my 1st time booking with KIMKIM and I must say they are one of the best in the industry! From start to to finish the entire process was seamless and awesome! Gustavo was also incredible! He was available for myself & my clients whenever we needed him or had questions.

I look forward to working with KIMKIM as much as possible and creating happy clients all the way!!!!!

Getting though Immigration/Customs was lengthy, and traffic made the trip from landing to our 1st lodging a 6 hour ordeal.
Volcano Lodge: Room was adequate, but the grounds were amazing - gardens and thermal pools.
Cloud Forest Lodge: Room was large and comfortable. Restaurant and staff were great
Hotel La Mariposa: Room was large and comfortable, great view of the ocean from the balcony. Dinner menu was lacking. Easy short walk to La Milagro for excellent dinners.
All 3 had great breakfasts
Both Kimkim and Serendipity kept us informed as we traveled. All transfers and pick-ups for activities were on-time.
Mariano led a nice hike through Arenal 1968, pointing out interesting features (although the clouds never let us see the volcano). We were never rushed, and enjoyed the waterfall. He was a trouper after his very long day getting us from the airport.
Moisses (Moi) was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide on the river float. He took the effort to separate us from the crowds of other rafts on the river - it was like we had the place to ourselves. Saw monkeys and a crocodile.
The Coffee and Chocolate (and sugar cane) Tour was interesting and tasty.
The Night Walk was a disappointment. Martin spoke very softly, especially for a group of 8-10 people. We never saw anything larger than a finger. Likewise, the Santa Elena hike never produced anything other than insects and plants. At least we could see the forest around us, unlike the Night Walk. I would suggest 1 or the other; not both - too similar.
Andres was an amazing guide at Manual Antonio. Seems like he knows every guide there and kept getting (and giving) tips on what to see and where. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Birds, monkeys and sloths
The Catamaran Tour was fun, and we got to see dolphins and whales. Unfortunately, recent rains meant limited visibility and not good snorkeling conditions. Good meal and very friendly crew.
RideCR had the most comfortable vans. We were pleasantly amazed at how courteous the drivers are in CR, especially given the narrow roads.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

Nice large corner room with balcony and views on 2 sides. Nice views to the ocean. Easy to get to other restaurants and shops by a short walk or the local bus ($1 per passenger, every 15-20 minutes). Very good breakfast. Did not seem like dinner choices were authentic/local.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cloud Forest Lodge

Monteverde

Pleasant and welcoming staff. Large room. Emphasis on sustainability. Nice dining room. Good menu with varied, authentic options.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Volcano Lodge, Hotel & Thermal Experience

San Carlos, Alajuela

Adequate, small room. Beautiful grounds. Thermal pools were very enjoyable. Great breakfasts and enough choices of local dinner options.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Catamaran Tour with Meal

Costa Rica

Saw whales and dolphins. Surprisingly good meal.

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

We had a great guide and saw lots of wildlife.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike**

Monteverde

Night Walk at Children's Eternal Forest

Monteverde

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Coffee & Chocolate Tour

Arenal/La Fortuna

Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River

Arenal/La Fortuna

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal/La Fortuna

Day 1: Picked up from the airport by Alex.  Very informative about the country during the 3.5hour drive to La Fortuna.  He was also very caring and patient when two of our travelers became motion sick.  He took his time and did everything possible to minimize the impact of bumps and curves - well done, Alex!!
Arenal Springs Resort accommodations were beautiful and the staff was helpful and kind.  Food at the restaurants was excellent; however, prices were much higher than anticipated and, as the resort is rather remote, alternative dining options were not practical.  We opted for private transfers during our vacation so did not have a rental car and an uber for 6-people proved challenging so we stayed on property for meals.  Our breakfast was included, the buffet was full of great options ... nothing lacking.  There are two rooms per building; if occupants of both rooms are showering at the same time, hot water can be sketchy.  The property is well kept, clean and beautiful.

Day 2: Coffee/Chocolate/Sugar Cane tour led by Valerie was informative and fun.  She shared stories about her family as well as the country's history and future with each of these three crops as well as how each is processed.  The sampling was wonderful with sugar juice and sugar alcohol (WOW);  various types and roasts of coffee and the chocolate - dark to milk was DELICIOUS.  I would highly recommend this tour and Valerie.

In the afternoon, we enjoyed a beautiful hike through the Arenal Hanging Bridges with Mariano.  A gorgeous walk with several hanging bridges to test our stability - LOL.  Mariano was an excellent guide: informative, fun and really patient.  A great afternoon that was relaxing, not strenuous.

Day 3: Big Arenal Mundo Aventura Zipline.  For those of us who could participate, this was wonderful.  After watching the video and seeing the warnings we discovered that half of our group (3 people) could not go.  We were super disappointed in finding this out after we had paid.  The zipline itself was not the problem, but rather the very difficult hike from the tractor drop-off point to the first zipline ... that hike was a beast, even for those who are fit.  IMO, this absolutely should have been included in the description as we would have made different selections or, at a minimum, reduced the number of participants for the activity.  I don't know how alternative zipline options are set up but this was a non-starter for ANYONE with health challenges and there is no practical way to stop once you have started.  For the 3 who partook in the adventure, the 12 lines were fun with varying lengths (from 660ft - 3800+ft) and various avg speeds (21mps-34mph)

In the afternoon, we relaxed and enjoyed an educational experience on a farm learning of various medicinal and edible plants wrapping up with a dinner made from those ingredients.  Mary was GREAT and has a true love of the environment and nature ready, willing and able to answer all of our questions.  While we participated by chopping ingredients, the whole group was disappointed in the fact that this was positioned as a "Cooking Class" but neither did we cook nor get the recipe for the dinner that was served ... both of which have been our experiences at other classes around the world.  This was a 4* experience that could have been 5* had those two items been included.
Day 4: The day was spent with a Private Transfer from Arenal to Monteverde.  Our driver, Andrea, was delightful.  The 3.5 hour drive was the worst drive any of our group had ever experienced ... a non-stop winding road that was paved, but rougher than many gravel roads with abundant potholes.  Again, this should have been mentioned as two of our passengers suffered from extreme motion sickness.  We discovered, later, when visiting with another traveler to Costa Rica that there is an alternative way to transfer between these two points - by a 1.5 hour ferry.  This is likely the option we would have selected had we known just how poor the roads were.  Honestly, the terrible road condition is unacceptable given the amount of time you have to be one it - a portion of the drive would have been tolerable, but not the entire 3.5 hours.  There is nothing that Andrea could have done to make this better.    
The Cloud Forest Lodge was spectacular.  Secluded and quiet with one of the largest room/bathroom/balcony combinations I have ever experienced while traveling!  Once again, the food was delicious.  Breakfast was included here, with a full menu.  Ingredients were fresh and service impeccable.  In the evenings, as the temperatures dropped, there is a lovely area with a fireplace where many guests gathered and visited.  It was cozy and comfortable - a real addition to the visit.  There are three  rugged trails on property that are all worth exploring.  As with Arenal Springs,  the resort is rather remote making alternative dining options impractical.  Food was not out of line expensive here.
Day 5: Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike with Sergio was wonderful.  Sergio is passionate about the environment and his enthusiasm is contagious.  We were lucky enough to see a male Quetzal, the most beautiful bird in the world for good reason - GORGEOUS.  Sergio explained the various trees and plants along with the life cycle of the Cloud Forest.  This walk was conducted at our pace and Sergio was thoughtful and thorough when answering our questions.  He made this hike memorable for all of us.
Day 6: Our Private Transfer from Monteverde to Tamarindo was pleasant as we had been advised of the poor road conditions, once again, and took dramamine to prevent motion sickness during the 3.5 hour transfer.  We were so happy to see Alex again!
The Cala Luna Boutique Hotel and Villas was spectacular!  The rooms were the best of our trip and the property is stunning.  Every area of the property felt private.  On the other hand, the food here was the worst of our visit.  Some of the items were good, but for the most part the menus offered little to no options for people who are picky eaters and the prices are high. The good news is that this property is not as secluded as the first two so you could easily get into town where there is an abundance of restaurant options.  The included buffet breakfast was very disappointing with little selection and warm items were always cold.  The food is not at all on par with the property ... so disappointing.

Day 7: Was a Sunset Catamaran tour that was out of this world wonderful.  A beautiful catamaran, a fun group of guests and a crew that took excellent care of us with food and drink.  We anchored for about 90 minutes for snorkeling/kayaking/swimming/staying on the boat; it was perfect.  The sunrise didn't disappoint.  The drive to the harbor was longer than expected (45 minutes) and well worth it, a mention of the length would have been beneficial.  Our itin said that this activity would be from 12:45 to 4:45 however we did not return to the property until 7:00; the only challenge we had is that only two of the three couples went on the catamaran so the coordination of our evening activity did not work as planned due to an arrival 2+ hours later than anticipated.  I wouldn't change the activity, just the timing shared as part of the itin.
Day 8: Private transfer to airport was smooth and efficient.
Communication during the trip was prompt and efficient - thank you.  It made everything so stress-free.  The Kimkim App worked perfectly and communicating with WhatsApp worked great.  

Hotel Reviews

Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas

Guanacaste

The Cala Luna Boutique Hotel and Villas was spectacular! The rooms were the best of our trip and the property is stunning. Every area of the property felt private. On the other hand, the food here was the worst of our visit. Some of the items were good, but for the most part the menus offered little to no options for people who are picky eaters and the prices are high. The good news is that this property is not as secluded as the first two so you could easily get into town where there is an abundance of restaurant options. The included buffet breakfast was very disappointing with little selection and warm items were always cold. The food is not at all on par with the property ... so disappointing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cloud Forest Lodge

Monteverde

The Cloud Forest Lodge was spectacular.  Secluded and quiet with one of the largest room/bathroom/balcony combinations I have ever experienced while traveling!  Once again, the food was delicious.  Breakfast was included here, with a full menu.  Ingredients were fresh and service impeccable.  In the evenings, as the temperatures dropped, there is a lovely area with a fireplace where many guests gathered and visited.  It was cozy and comfortable - a real addition to the visit.  There are three  rugged trails on property that are all worth exploring.  As with Arenal Springs,  the resort is rather remote making alternative dining options impractical.  Food was not out of line expensive here.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Arenal Springs Resort

La Fortuna

Arenal Springs Resort accommodations were beautiful and the staff was helpful and kind. Food at the restaurants was excellent; however, prices were much higher than anticipated and, as the resort is rather remote, alternative dining options were not practical. We opted for private transfers during our vacation so did not have a rental car and an uber for 6-people proved challenging so we stayed on property for meals. Our breakfast was included, the buffet was full of great options ... nothing lacking. There are two rooms per building; if occupants of both rooms are showering at the same time, hot water can be sketchy. The property is well kept, clean and beautiful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

view of volcano and grounds

Staff

Loved the daily "towel art"

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sunset Catamaran Tour

Costa Rica

Sunset Catamaran tour that was out of this world wonderful. A beautiful catamaran, a fun group of guests and a crew that took excellent care of us with food and drink. We anchored for about 90 minutes for snorkeling/kayaking/swimming/staying on the boat; it was perfect. The sunrise didn't disappoint. The drive to the harbor was longer than expected (45 minutes) and well worth it, a mention of the length would have been beneficial. Our itin said that this activity would be from 12:45 to 4:45 however we did not return to the property until 7:00; the only challenge we had is that only two of the three couples went on the catamaran so the coordination of our evening activity did not work as planned due to an arrival 2+ hours later than anticipated. I wouldn't change the activity, just the timing shared as part of the itin.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike

Monteverde

loud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike with Sergio was wonderful. Sergio is passionate about the environment and his enthusiasm is contagious. We were lucky enough to see a male Quetzal, the most beautiful bird in the world for good reason - GORGEOUS. Sergio explained the various trees and plants along with the life cycle of the Cloud Forest. This walk was conducted at our pace and Sergio was thoughtful and thorough when answering our questions. He made this hike memorable for all of us.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Organic Cooking Class

Arenal/La Fortuna

In the afternoon, we relaxed and enjoyed an educational experience on a farm learning of various medicinal and edible plants wrapping up with a dinner made from those ingredients. Mary was GREAT and has a true love of the environment and nature ready, willing and able to answer all of our questions. While we participated by chopping ingredients, the whole group was disappointed in the fact that this was positioned as a "Cooking Class" but neither did we cook nor get the recipe for the dinner that was served ... both of which have been our experiences at other classes around the world. This was a 4* experience that could have been 5* had those two items been included.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Big Arenal Mundo Aventura Zipline

Arenal/La Fortuna

Big Arenal Mundo Aventura Zipline. For those of us who could participate, this was wonderful. After watching the video and seeing the warnings we discovered that half of our group (3 people) could not go. We were super disappointed in finding this out after we had paid. The zipline itself was not the problem, but rather the very difficult hike from the tractor drop-off point to the first zipline ... that hike was a beast, even for those who are fit. IMO, this absolutely should have been included in the description as we would have made different selections or, at a minimum, reduced the number of participants for the activity. I don't know how alternative zipline options are set up but this was a non-starter for ANYONE with health challenges and there is no practical way to stop once you have started. For the 3 who partook in the adventure, the 12 lines were fun with varying lengths (from 660ft - 3800+ft) and various avg speeds (21mps-34mph)

Quality of Experience

more information about the activity BEFORE you zipline ... the hike is impossible for people with health challenges

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

In the afternoon, we enjoyed a beautiful hike through the Arenal Hanging Bridges with Mariano. A gorgeous walk with several hanging bridges to test our stability - LOL. Mariano was an excellent guide: informative, fun and really patient. A great afternoon that was relaxing, not strenuous.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Farm Tour

Arenal/La Fortuna

Coffee/Chocolate/Sugar Cane tour led by Valerie was informative and fun. She shared stories about her family as well as the country's history and future with each of these three crops as well as how each is processed. The sampling was wonderful with sugar juice and sugar alcohol (WOW); various types and roasts of coffee and the chocolate - dark to milk was DELICIOUS. I would highly recommend this tour and Valerie.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Great trip. Guides were terrific. Hanging bridges and volcano tour led by Mariano. Sloth tour(where we actually saw them)
led by Manuel and Ernesto. Monteverde led by Andres. All made the tours very special.
Worked with Holden from Serendipity Adventures to plan the trip. Again excellent. Last but not least was Adrian who answered all our questions as they came up. All in all an excellent adventure.
By the way we chose to rent a car and drive. We loved it but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are comfortable with small roads and sometimes challenging driving conditions.

Hotel Reviews

The Coast Beachfront Hotel

Tamarindo, Guanacaste Province

This was our least favorite of the hotels. Good location for the beach. Average rooms. Small crowded pool. No restaurant or services. Would not choose it again. Would look for a more self contained resort outside of town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cloud Forest Lodge

Monteverde

This was the most dramatic hotel on our trip. Amazing location. Not easy to get to if you are driving but worth the trip. Good food and nice rooms and terrific staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lomas del Volcán

Fortuna

This was our favorite hotel of the trip. Peaceful. Wonderful rooms in separate little cottages. Great pool, good food and excellent staff. Would be happy staying there for a week.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to town but very private and peaceful

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport

Liberia

Fine airport hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Next to airport

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Tamarindo Mangrove & Estuary Boat Tour

Costa Rica

Skipped this one as I was not feeling well. Plus Tamarindo is extremely hot.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private: Half-day Guide Tour in Curi-Cancha Reserve

Monteverde

Again the guide makes the trip. Andres was terrific.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968

Arenal/La Fortuna

Wonderful excursion. Again the guide makes the trip. Andres was extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend time with.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sloth Observation - Day or Night Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

We actually got to see sloths. The guides have a familiar route they take. Good chance of seeing sloths since they know where they are and obviously the sloths are not moving very quickly. Easy trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Great trip made special by our guide Mariano.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mariano

Day 1: airport shuttle from San Jose to LaFortuna: Ride Cr, driver, Christopher. He was waiting for us with a sign, barely spoke English, did not offer water, did not explain what the drive would be , minimal comments on the 3 1/2 hour drive, we had to ask to stop for a break.
ROyal Corin REsort was EXCELLENT!! Extremely clean, very helpful staff, most spoke English, Daily breakfast was a huge buffett with many items, food was delicious. room was large, comfortable and clean. thermal pools offered a variety of temps. However, there was no hydro massage, the jets were weak. restaurant up stairs has fabulous service and food. lower level, main restaurant was closed, but offered gthe menu on top floor restaurant

Day 2: sloth & bird hike in La Fortuna, La Jacamar Natural Tours, Rodney. HE WAS FABULOUS! spoke English, truly an expert guide, spent extra time with us, provided a scope to see the animals, shared photos. offered additional information about the area and Costa Rica.

Eco Termales Hot Springs,Jacamar driver was great. The Springs staff was not friendly or welcoming and did not offer explanation of the facilities, offered minimal comments, there was nice variety of springs and all appeared to be clean. Nice that drinks were offered at the springs, the food was medium quality and variety.

Day 3: safari float, Jacamar driver and guides spoke English and offered much information. the boat itself was uncomfortable. I would suggest a stop along the way for a small break. the guides were helpful and well informed of the area and the river.

Lake Arenal sunset cruise, Jacamar Tours, guide was good, cheese, snacks & drinks were good. they pointed out several birds and offered a lot of information about the area. It was a little boring and lasted a little long for us. I understand it was designed to be that way and relaxing, but it is my personal choice, I woul not do it again or recommend it.

Day 4: sky tram, sky adventures. zipline experience was excellent, guides gave very good instruction, views were amazing. sky adventures scheduled too much time between the zipline and the hike. Therefore, we had to shorten the hike in order to get back to the bus for the return. Maria, our hike guide was fabulous. offered much information and spoke English.

Day 5: shuttle from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio, Interbus Costa Rica. Larger more comfortable bus, was full of passengers (approx. 12) David was our driver, he did speak minimal English and did not comment or point out much on the drive. There were 2, 20 minute stops which made the trip more comfortable. He did not offer water.

arrived as Issimo, If I knew it was such a small seculed hotel, I would have nt chosen it. Angie, our travel agent, indicated she thought it was within walking distance to attractions & town.
the Jr. Suite was very disappointing. extremely small, not place to put away clothes, had to walk down several very steep steps to get to the room. the room smelled, ac wasn't working properly, sink area super tiny, shower floor was slippery. I spoke with Olivia from Kimkim and requested to be moved to another hotel. She said this could not be done. We spoke with hotel manager about being moved to another, possible larger & more comfortable room. Gustavo did reply on Jan 26th and was able to confirm us moving to a different room. The new room was much more comfortable, smelled better and was larger. Fortunately, we were able to taxi into the nearby town. AGain, if we knew it's location and the size of the room in advance, we would have asked for a different hotel before traveling. The staff at Issimo were fabulous, most spoke English, the breakfast every morning was delightful. Our new room was clean as well as all the facilities. I will say though, that I did see a spider and ants in our room. The view, was the best part about the hotel. The did offer complimentary hotel golf cart shuttle to very nearby beaches or bank, pharmacy.

day 6: national park nature hike, Paddle 9: Korry, our guide was definitely a 10 our of 10. He took much time to explain a lot of things alonge the way, pointed out many animals, birds, etc. He spent extra time with us, shared much information about the country and the town. and shared his photos with us. he provided binoculars and the scope to see animals. small group was best, as only 4 of us with Korry. He spoke fabulous English.

day 7: catamaran adventure, Tucanes Tours. comfortable boat, drinks included were poor quality, had to buy our own beer. I called Tucanes tours in advance and was told beer & cocktails were included. Only the poor quality cocktails were included. (watered down) great views, offered snorkeling, swimming and waterslides. The guide who did the talking to the entire boat, spoke mostly in spanish and very little in English. The quaity of the bbq, was medium. pre-cooked skewers of fish and peppers & onions. the views were amazing, saw whales. sunset was amazing and the ride was impressive.

Day 8: transfer to San Jose, Ride CR: david was our driver, he did a great job with a nice stop and break along the way. AGain, they did nor provide water, but I prepared and took my own.
He poited out points of interest, his English was minimal, but we managed to communicate well.

summary, we loved Costa Rica and learned so much from the locals and guides. I will go back, and now that I know more, will plan a little differently. Gustavo, I geatly appreciate your assistance. We always felt safe, hotels were so welcoming.

John & Susan Boggess

Hotel Reviews

Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel & Spa—Adults Only

Manuel Antonio

somewhat seculed, had to shuttle or taxi everywhere, very quiet & small. would be perfect for those who want quite, calm. no entertainment, staff was extremely friendly and helpful.Don't get a Jr suite, pool was 5 ft deep, then a large drop off to deeper water. No shallow area.

Authenticity & Character

Location

views were amazing,

Cleanliness & Comfort

spider and ants in my room

The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort - Adults Only

Fortuna

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Morning Catamaran Adventure with Barbecue

Manuel Antonio

the main guide spoke mostly in Spanish, minimal communication in English, The quality of the food was medium, only watered down cocktails were offered. We had to buy the beer, even though I called ahead and was told beer was included. HOwever, the experience, the views, the activities were great. Sunset was amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Manuel Antonio National Park Nature Hike

Manuel Antonio

our guide was fabulous, spent extra time with us and offered so much information about the coungtry and the town. pointed out many animals, offered the scope to see better and shared his photos.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

a must do in Costa Rica, guides were excellent in giving information and instruction.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Arenal Sunset Cruise with Wine & Cheese

Arenal/La Fortuna

views were amazing and guides were very informative. it was a bit long, we thought it would be a small groupl

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Río Peñas Blancas Safari Float Experience

Arenal/La Fortuna

boat was uncomfortable, suggest a short break

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

EcoTermales Hot Springs Experience with Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

staff was not welcoming and did not tell us what the experience would be, food was medium quality, the springs were a good experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

better communication by the staff at the facility.

Transport

Sloth & Bird Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

guide was fabulous, saw so many animals

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My wife and I had a great trip to Costa Rica -- we didn't have time to plan it, but had some ideas. Adam was very attentive and had great suggestions as starting points and adjusted the plan to our desires. Kimkim's communication with us was just right -- not too much but just enough. Once we were in Costa Rica and had travelled some, we realized we needed to instead rent a car and drive ourselves (my wife suffers from motion sickness, but if she drives it's much better) -- Kimkim came through for us with the adjustment and got us a car for the rest of our trip. We enjoyed all of the guided trips we went on and saw lots of Costa Rican wildlife and birds. Overall, Kimkim was responsive and helpful before and during our trip and we had a wonderful first trip to Costa Rica. Thanks Kimkim!!

The trip was wonderful. It was well put together and made it easy to see the different areas of Costa Rica. The activities and guides were on fun and educational. Enjoyed seeing all the rich diversity and climates the country has to offer. The Accommodations were all wonderful and provided the luxury and uniqueness we were looking for. The tour was very well put together we lots of activities but also having time to relax and enjoy the beauty of the rainforest and beaches. Everything flowed easily allowing us to enjoy our vacation on not stress about transfers or planning.

Hotel Reviews

Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel

Tamarindo

Awesome beachside resort.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cloud Forest Lodge

Monteverde

The location and views were amazing. An extremely peaceful place to relax.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

Fortuna

The hotel and service was wonderful and the thermal springs are amazing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our trip was amazing from start to finish. The whole team helped make our dream vacation come true. We ran into unforeseen circumstances before our scheduled departure and everyone did everything they could to help us move things around so we could still do the trip. Once in Costa Rica every transfer was on time and every hotel was perfect. rideCR drivers were particularly great, they were more like tour guides than transfer drivers. The agent recommended tours were the highlights of each location. Would definitely recommend using KimKim!

Hotel Reviews

Volcano Lodge, Hotel & Thermal Experience

San Carlos, Alajuela

This hotel had a lot to offer. The hot springs pools were incredible and the included breakfast was the best we had anywhere in Costa Rica! The only downfall was the lack of activity, we never saw anyone else in the hot springs pools or at the bar.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Karahé Beach Hotel

Manuel Antonio

We loved Karahe! We saw more wildlife on the property of this hotel than in the national park. We stayed on the beach side of the property and I would recommend that. The beach was incredible and the staff were very helpful and friendly. Would 100% stay here again if we ever come back to Manuel Antonio!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Only steps from a perfect beach!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Lost Canyon Waterfalls & Rappelling Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

This was the highlight of our trip! The guides were so much fun and super helpful. Rappelling was incredible and the journey traveling between waterfalls was just as action packed. We didn’t stop smiling the whole time!

Quality of Experience

Better than expected!

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an excellent experience working with KimKim Travel as our travel consultants for our Costa Rica trip. From start to finish, their team was incredibly responsive and flexible, crafting a thoughtful one-week itinerary that was well suited overall for our family of three—traveling with a 24-week pregnant wife and a one-year-old is no small task. All on-the-ground logistics were seamless, including airport transfers and daily tours, which made the trip feel very stress-free. Highlights included the Sloth and Chocolate tours in La Fortuna, where we loved seeing sloths, snakes, butterflies, and frogs, and our time in Monteverde, which was beautiful despite some limitations. As constructive feedback for the future, while certain activities may technically be labeled as infant-friendly, we would caution against recommending experiences like the Hanging Bridges in the Cloud Forest and Treetopia to families with pregnant travelers or babies—weather conditions, lack of stroller-compliant paths, and wind made these activities challenging and, in the case of Treetopia, distressing for our baby. We don’t hold this against KimKim, but hope it’s helpful guidance going forward. We’re especially grateful that they were able to move our trip up by an entire month due to unforeseen circumstances, with special recognition to Bryan and Nancy for their support and flexibility. We also appreciated Adrian from Serendipity Adventures, who proactively reached out via WhatsApp before our arrival and was extremely responsive in managing and adjusting logistics while we were in Costa Rica. Overall, it was an excellent trip, and we would absolutely work with KimKim Travel again.

Had a wonderful time in Costa Rica. Grateful for the local guides who set us up with seamless transportation to and from every location and exploring some adventures, we wouldn’t have thought of otherwise like Whitewater wrapping for six hours hikes to waterfalls and birdwatching in the cloud for us. Would highly recommend.

I can’t thank Kat, Kate and the rest of the great team at Kimkim enough for the incredible job they did creating our Costa Rica vacation! From the fabulous hotels to creative adventures to all the minute details each day involved, they did the best job imaginable, always available to answer questions, even on weekends and at night! Each location they booked for us was amazing, from La Fortuna (volcano! Frogs!) to Montverde (Santa Elena cloud forest! Coffee, chocolate and sugar cane tour!) to Nosara (swimming in the Pacific! Private kayak tour! Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary!). The hotels were all wonderful, with excellent food, friendly and helpful staff, and lots to do. Every driver was on time, every tour guide friendly and knowledgeable. I could never have created this amazing trip without Kimkim! Thanks to you all!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge

Nosara

We had a lovely suite, with separate bedrooms for my son and me. The view from the main bedroom was of the ocean and the rain forest, and the sound of birds was a delight. There are two infinity pools on the property, and the ocean is a short walk away - swim in the Pacific! They also offer night tours, kayak tours, and other fun adventures. They have two restaurants, both with great menus, even for vegetarians. The front desk staff was always there to help with transportation, to set up a tour, or to answer our questions.

Authenticity & Character

It felt comfortable from the moment we arrived. It is a fun property to explore, and there are hiking trails right there.

Location

Right on the beach, amazing sunsets every night!

Staff

We were treated so well by all the staff, from the front desk to the wait staff to all of the drivers and tour operators.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and so comfortable! They make their own toiletries, so no need to bring shampoo, conditioner or body soap!

Cloud Forest Lodge

Monteverde

Lovely grounds, great views, a friendly and helpful staff, and our room as comfortable (and large!) Also, the food is gourmet-quality, just fabulous, and the chef deserves kudos for his creativity!

Authenticity & Character

The main building has character, with its indoor, patio and outdoor seating, allowing diners to watch the two hummingbird feeders and the bird feeder, to get great views of lovely tropical birds.

Location

We wanted to explore the cloud forest, and this hotel is perfect for that.

Staff

Everyone went out of their way to be helpful, and the dining room staff were all very attentive.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our room was large and comfortable, the bathroom too, and all very clean, with toiletries provided - you can leave your shampoo, conditioner and body soap at home! Theirs is made with local products and is terrific.

Lomas del Volcán

Fortuna

Individual, private bungalows were a plus, as well as the friendly and helpful staff. The grounds are gorgeous, and the pool was lovely. We enjoyed the food at both restaurants, as well as the hiking trail on the property. I would stay there again!

Authenticity & Character

The attention to detail was notable - everything is very clean and inviting.

Location

Located in a rain forest, where we could take a night tour to see amazing frogs and other animals.

Staff

A huge thank you to Alejandro and Joseph! You were so helpful, and so friendly! Thank you both! ♥️

Cleanliness & Comfort

The whole place was spotless, the beds were very comfortable and the shower was great!

Activity Reviews

Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Experience

Monteverde

What a fun tour! Our guide, Mario, was funny, friendly and very knowledgeable. We got to see first-hand how coffee beans grow, the process for roasting them, and the various kinds of coffee produced (I did not know that espresso has less caffeine than regular coffee! (Well, quantity plays a role.) We got to taste seeds of the cacao pods, watch them turned into paste after roasting, and learned that chocolate is literally the blending of cocoa and milk: choco-latte! Sugar cane was also fun to learn about, and you can help press the cane to express the liquid if you’re strong enough! Getting to see coffee beans, cacao pods and sugar cane as they’re grown on the farm was so educational - and delicious.

Quality of Experience

Couldn’t have had a better guide!

Mangrove Kayak & Standup Paddle Board Adventure

Nosara

What a wonderful kayak adventure! Just us and our guide, David, who was knowledgable, funny and patient. He pointed out gorgeous birds we might have missed, provided us with a snack of ripe pineapple and coconut water during our break on the beach, and made us feel comfortable in our surroundings. Thanks so much for a great kayak tour, David! ♥️

Just returned from 12 days in Costa Rica. I was overwhelmed trying to plan it on my own and KimKiim was fantastic. We had to make some last minute changes in terms of pick up times and Serendipity Tours, the local Costa Rica team, was super-accommodating and always available through WhatsApp, even after hours and on weekends. Everything went seamlessly. We stayed in four spectacular hotels - Tabacon Resort in La Fortuna, Rio Celeste Hideaway, Korea in Monteverde and Capitan Suzan in Tamarindo. Never thought that we would try zip lining but Treetop in Monteverde was fantastic. We felt safe, the team told us what to expect and we spent more than an hour and a half zip lining with an option to Bungee jump afterwards. Fantastic trip.

Thank you for all the help and making this trip unique for our second trip. Really helped curate a special itinerary.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge

Nosara

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tifakara by the Waterfall

La Fortuna

Amazing location near the waterfall great customer service and very cute boutique hotel room rooms

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sunset Party Catamaran Sailing

Nosara

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Isla Chora Boat Excursion & Snorkeling

Nosara

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Río Balsa Whitewater Rafting Adventure (Class II-III)

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

EcoTermales Hot Springs Experience with Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We enjoyed all the places we stayed, especially Lomas de Volcan. All the activities were well-chosen and worthwhile. All the transfers were seamless and easy. Great river rafting with Jesus, but really, all the Costa Rican naturalist guides were enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We learned a lot!

We really had a great time. RideCR picked us up at the airport and later dropped us up at the airports. It was a long ride but they stopped for a break both ways. Hotel Eco La Fortuna had a great breakfast buffet every morning. The river float was peaceful with juice drinks and cakes afterwards. The Arenal Volcano hike was too physical for us but the another couple was a physical trainer and he was so helpful getting Neil and I through it. To our surprise our hike included a trip to the hot springs and lunch afterwards. Since we had already booked Ziplining for the afternoon our Jamacar guide arrange for the hot springs and dinner afterwards and picked us up at 8 pm afterwards. We transferred to Nosara the next day. We stayed at Living Hotel in Nosara which was quite quaint. Experience Nosara took on a bird watching tour. It was suppose to to be a hike but he offered us a kayak drift instead which we were thrilled about after the Volcano hike
It was a great trip.

Hotel Reviews

Living Hotel

Nosara

Small comfortable bungalow with an outdoor patio and hammock. Dining and shopping available just outside the lobby. Beautiful and quiet pool with lounges just a short walk from our room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Eco Arenal

Fortuna

Beautiful flowers and tropical birds in the landscaping , a great breakfast buffet on an open veranda.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Río Peñas Blancas Safari Float Experience

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport