Kimkim Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

Affordable hotel with very nice breakfast and very comfortable beds. Beautiful grounds. Restaurant within walking distance. Easy to get to town via car/Uber/taxi. Friendly and helpful hotel staff. Cleanliness was average. The toilet are was not closed off from the room, only had a 3/4 door, making privacy a challenge. Showers were fine.

incredible swim in the waterfall. did not matter that there were many people present - it was still so magical.

Guide and trip were stellar. Would highly recommend this activity to anyone.

The guides were so nice and we had a great time. The surf shop was excellent. Highly recommend them.

This was difficult to execute well because it was 2 very different activities merged into one. We were unable to complete the volcano hike because of extreme rain and lightning. We started the hike, but only proceeded to get drenched and muddy before turning around to go back to the bus. The rain made it impossible to even see anything beyond the path below our feet. The guide told the agency we canceled the tour, although the elements (lightening) made it unsafe to continue the hike. The guide was not proactive about guiding for this trip - he was basically an escort. We then sat in traffic in our wet clothes on the bus before arriving at the hot springs resort, only to learn that we couldn't enter the facility until our previously scheduled arrival time. We waited in the lobby there for 30 minutes. Would not recommend these 2 tours together. I'm sure the volcano hike is amazing though! The hot springs were incredible. Highly recommend those to everyone. Food buffet was great there too.

Everything about this experience was incredible.

This hotel had nice views of the volcano. And we enjoyed the thermal pools. However, we did run out of hot water for showers several times (there were 3 of us in a room). It was located about 10-15 minutes from town and restaurants.

The ziplining had spectacular views of the volcano and the lake. And you went 45+ mph on the zips...super exhilarating. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Mariano was our guide and was very patient with our group of 12 taking photos and having fun. Seeing the volcano closer was very interesting.

Of all of the activities we did while in Costa Rica, this one ranked last on our list. It had just rained prior to us starting the night walk, so that may have affected the wildlife, but I was underwhelmed with what we found. Our guide was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable, so that made the walk interesting.

Loved that we had 2 guides for our group of 12. And they made sure that all of us saw the animals and were satisfied before moving on. It was an interesting walk on the path, spotting all kinds of interesting wildlife, including sloths (with babies), monkeys, birds, lizards, etc.

This isn’t a 4 star hotel, not even 3. Water in both the bathrooms would suddenly stop running. At some point in the night the water just shut down for a couple of hours which was awful. Found worms in the bathrooms. Bugs bit us. We left as soon as our excursions were over. Couldn’t wait get out.

Lovely hotel with very convenient location.

Very outdated, had a weird smell, cleanliness clearly not up to par but location wise convenient to town. Definitely could be updated as from the outside it has a very welcoming presence.

Loved the meal and the waterfall. Nature hike was a repeat and way too long. Could have done the volcano hike and cooking class at the farm.

Viktor was an extremely knowledgeable guide for our kayak tour educating us about the plants and animals (big and small) found along the shores of Lake Arenal. Water Sports Arenal ran a tight ship and really made the entire process smooth and efficient.

I had a fun day on Lake Arenal with my guide, Salomon. He taught me about different techniques to target two species of fish - machaca and rainbow bass - along the shores of the lake.

Our family can rarely agree on anything, but we all agreed that this was our favorite adventure in Costa Rica. Even though it never stopped raining, we all enjoyed the excitement and scenery of the river environment. Our guide kept us safe but made sure we got an exciting ride. One of our children was having a panic attack as we were getting geared up, but was smiling by the time we cleared the first rapids.

Before this trip to Costa Rica, I had never experienced tropical rain forest first hand, so I was lucky to experience it throughout our vacation. However, walking through the forest at night is truly a special experience. We were fortunate to see both two and three-toed sloths as well as a variety of frogs, insects, and birds.

The first thing to know is that there really are no guarantees that you are going to see a turtle on this experience. We sat on the beach in the dark at our first site while our guide searched up and down the beach for nesting turtles. Some member of our group seemed unhappy about this part of the trip, but we didn’t mind (probably because it did not rain on us). We had to relocate quickly to a second site that required an 800 meter hike down a muddy road to a remote beach because our guide had heard about a nesting turtles from another guide. However, our effort and patience were rewarded when we got to see one large turtle in the act of concealing her nest, which we were truly lucky to witness.

This was our first time seeing a mangrove habitat, so we did not really know what to expect. We saw a wide range of wildlife: fish, birds, crocodiles, and monkeys. One thing that made it a truly unique experience is that it rained harder than I have ever seen the sky rain. I did not know that rain could look, sound, and feel like that until this tour.

I really didn’t know if I would like zip lining because I do not love heights, but this was truly a special experience. Not surprisingly, we went on a very rainy day, but the first zip lines at the top of the mountain felt like flying into nothingness…we went right through the clouds. Lower on the mountain, one of the last zip lines passes through a tunnel of rain forest trees. We felt safe throughout our experience.

The crew took care of everything. They made sure we were safe and comfortable throughout, and fed us really well. Cocktails on the boat at sunset was also really nice. The snorkeling was not great because of the murky water, but our guide still managed to find wildlife to show us.

Grounds are very nice and you feel like you are in the jungle. The rooms are very old and filled with bugs. If your expectations are that of an old camp lodge then you will be ok. The pool area was nice and the restaurant was decent. The staff was very nice.

This hotel is a 2 minute walk to Manuel Antonio National park. The hotel also feels very authentic. Almost like a bed and breakfast. Unfortunately, the bedrooms are small and old. And the breakfast is meh. It’s a small walk to the beach, but because it’s so close to the national park entrance, the beach here is very crowded. The staff is fabulous. I also Loved the monkeys running all over the premises. The pool is not good. You will need a car or taxi for most restaurants.

This place is a “tail of two cities.” Let’s start with the good: the actual hotel rooms are beautiful. They must have been recently updated. The manager Roberto is fabulous and you can tell he really cares. The rest of the staff tries really hard but it’s obvious they are very understaffed. The bad: with the exception of the rooms, the place is a bit of a “sh… hole””. The owner is absent and it shows. This place has so much potential and I hope It reaches that potential. It needs paint and landscaping, and better amenities. The pool furniture is a tetanus shot away from dangerous. The beach is public but the hotel doesn’t really have any chairs or umbrellas etc. It’s so close to being a hidden gem; but unless the owner shows up or someone with deep pockets comes and invests in the property; it will eventually fail.

The rooms are pretty good. They have a minimalist feel with very large windows to look into the cloud forest. The hotel is close enough to the center of town but the hotel and town have very large hills. So if you can’t manage the hills you will need help or a car. The rest of the hotel is dated. There is no air conditioning at all. We were there in December so it was manageable but if it was warmer; it would have been awful. The breakfast buffet was good.

Amazing and so much fun. The zip lines and the guided walk were fabulous.

Who doesn’t like chocolate and coffee. We made our own chocolate and drank as much coffee and hot chocolate as we liked.

We didn’t see as much animals but our guide was so knowledgeable about the plants. The waterfall is literally 500 stairs down and then up. Be ready to make that hike!

Wow! Incredible. Our guide was amazing. Your hair will stand up on your neck as you walk with flashlights past venomous snakes and spiders.

The hanging bridges would have been great but we honestly did the one in La Fortuna 2 days before. This was a waste of time and old and needs updating.

These guides just know where to look. This is an easy hike to as most of the trails are paved. Know that no food is allowed in the park and the one snack bar has a line of almost 45 minutes. This was our best view of the sloths.

This was pretty good. Lots of fun. Drinking and BBQ.

There is no introduction. Honestly, you are better off going up about another 30 minutes toward Jaco.

The horses don’t run or maybe it would have been a 5. Make sure to go near sunset. Pacific sunsets while horseback riding thru the water is a slice of heaven.

The all you can eat breakfast was incredible!!! We loved the warm spring hot tubs !!

The bad news is I can never go zip lining anywhere else because I just experienced the BEST and MOST AMAZING ZIPLING ever !!! Anyone who is going to Cosya Rico has to zip line here ! There were 11 in our group and I loved how we were able to stay together and watch everyone in our group take off and land. The staff was incredible , they handled all the equipment, all you had to do was enjoy the ride !!!!!

This guided tour eas like going on a tree sure hunt without having to hunt ! The guides found / spotted all these amazing animals and insects big and small and we viewed them through their telescopes ! They even took pictures with our phone through their lens of the telescope so we have amazing pictures ! The guides found was so enthusiastic when animals were spotted and that enthusiasm transmitted right to us.

This was one of the highlights of our trip. We paddled a double kayak across the ocean ( it was a long way :) and then snorkeled or relaxed on the beach before paddling back. It was such a beautiful experience. Everyone made it from ages 15-82 !!!

The hotel room was very basic but we were not spending much time there. The gardens were beautiful. The wildlife while eating our meals kept us entertained! The pool was clean and enjoyable. The staff were so friendly and accommodating. We enjoyed our time there.

This hotel was in a private garden setting. The room had everything you need. The staff was very nice and the breakfast buffet was delicious. It was very close to La Fortuna, but quiet enough to be relaxing. The grounds were kept well and the pool area was clean and inviting.

Don’t skip this.

This was a lot of fun and it was all due to the staffs’ attitude. It was rainy and people were glum, but they got everyone up and going. The food was good, too.

It was pouring most of this trip, but our guide, Chris, made it work. We had an amazing experience and learned so much. Don’t skip this!

I’ve never done this before, but it was exhilarating! Our guide was experienced and gave great instructions. He also made it so much fun with his humor and enthusiasm.

Montaña de Fuego Mountain Resort & Spa had very nice rooms, but I was surprised by the lack of lighting on the paths, making it difficult to walk at night. The thermal pools were also not as warm as I expected. The garden was beautiful though, and the facility itself was lovely.

Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco in Monteverde was a quaint hotel with great service. The staff were lovely, making the stay highly recommendable.

The Wyndham had a great location with a nice view over the city and beach. However, they routinely ran out of towels, both for rooms and the beach. At times, the rooms weren't serviced even after requesting housekeeping.

The Hanging Bridges Guided Hike was a wonderful experience. Although I didn't do the zip-lining due to my knee, I exchanged my ticket for the Sloth tour, which I really enjoyed. The park was well-maintained, and there were plenty of activities available for everyone.

The Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Experience was a delightful and educational tour. It was fascinating to see the process and try various samples. Walking through the plantations and learning about these products was a wonderful and tasty experience.

Can't say enough about the quality of this hotel, the SERVICE (especially), and the huge comfortable rooms. Although it was a bit beyond what I normally spend on hotels, it was completely worth the cost in my opinion. Literally the only (and I mean ONLY) nitpick I have are the pillows. They were quite large and firm, and my wife was not able to sleep on them. But overall, A+! And that goes for the bartenders, front desk staff, and their Whatsapp facilitators that helped me out multiple times!

This was the best activity - enjoyed the views of the Arenal Volcano from close by.

I have mixed feelings about Hot Springs - the activity was late in the evening - the dinner was good but the hot springs were ok especially with limited visibility in the dark.

You absolutely need a guide here, since they will show you close up views of animals, spiders, birds etc. The beach is also great but we did not really use it.

We went through Coffee and Chocolate tour - there was nothing mentioned about Sugar Cane - guess it wasnt that important for us, but would be nice to not include it from the beginning, so not create any expectations. Also, not sure if the pricing we paid was "extra".

First night poor, no air conditioning, mechanical building noise and outside noises that of course the hotel cannot control. 2nd night good enough.

For being in an isolated area, very nice. When not touring one has few options. Lodge could provide more activities, especially due to rainy weather, (when the swimming pool was not always suitable) and an ‘iffy’ internet connection in the rooms. In the public areas of the lodge, internet was ok if not always at its best, but then, one is in the isolated tropical forest, We enjoyed lying in hammocks under a covered, open space while it rained. Some tourists brought cards and games with them, which was a great idea for the free times.

Ok place, but too musty for me. Make sure room is accommodating for your age and physical needs. We had two stories with very steep stairs. Restaurant ok.

Nice and comfortable.

Simple place. Nice enough.

Loved!

Long trip. Food stop area pleasant. Transfer point from bus to boat is rustic, including bathrooms. Final boat trip to park is fun!

Despite the rain which fortunately let up, wonderful experience. Friendly knowledgeable guide!!!

Saw Whales! Extra special guides as hosts who kept us safe and provided levity!!!

This was a perfect hotel for an 11-party group. The breakfast buffet included an omelet station which was really nice.

Family run hotel which had a very nice personal homey feeling. The rooms did not have air conditioning. The December temperature was in the high 60s and low 70s so we didn't need cooling, but it was rainy and humid. I would refer to this hotel as a "budget" level hotel.

Very nice hotel outside the touristy areas of Samara. There was a beautiful courtyard area, with a beautiful pool and playground for young children. The rooms were spacious with a mini-fridge and large clean bathroom. There are two restaurants advertised at the hotel - This is critical because there are no restaurants within walking distance to the hotel. The lobby hotel was very good - very responsive and yummy dishes. The second restaurant - Hachidori - was marketed as an "asiatic" restaurant with sushi, ramen, and pad thai on the menu. Our experience was astoundingly bad (thus the three stars) - we waited 2 hours for our food, the food was barely edible, and we even didn't get our entire meals. It took us an hour to figure out that the food was being cooked at the lobby restaurant and walked over to Hachidori. Clearly the cooks didn't know how to cook this cuisine and there was no expediting to this restaurant. This experience, while isolated, defined our experience at this hotel.

What a great nature walk at the volcano. Our guide, Franklin, was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and plant life. We learned a lot about each plant and their medicinal properties. Unfortunately, it was rainy and foggy that day and we couldn't see the volcano.

Absolutely the best activity we did in Costa Rica - The perfect blend of water, rappelling, and zip lining. Guides were very professional and we felt safe the entire time. Our family does a lot of adventure activities on vacation, and we have experienced nothing like this before. Lunch was great too! Just do it. You won't regret it.

Great adventure! We went at the end of the rainy season and the water was high! We've been on several white water rafting trips and this one was the most thrilling! Our guide, Carl, was super professional and calm. He gave great instructions and literally navigated us through rough waters. My only negative was that it was a gigantic group with numerous rafts going at the same time. But, when one raft flipped over, I appreciated how the other guides stopped and helped.

The private beach was amazing and the staff were wonderful and helpful. I will stay here again on my next trip to Costa Rica!

Charming hotel located right next to shops and food.

My husband and I visited this 20 years ago on our honeymoon and it was just as we remembered it but better!

Our favorite experience of the trip. Suspension bridges were thrilling and we saw a tarantula in the rainforest. The ziplining was exhilarating. The staff were supportive and provided for our safety. Ziplining into the cloud forest was such a thrill.

The lodge is designed in a way that you feel you are in the jungle. We saw both Howlers and Spider monkeys up close on the lodge grounds. Additionally we saw sloths, Jesus Christ Lizard, Toucans, Bare Throated Tiger Herons, and leaf cutter ants without leaving the lodge

The combination of location (in the jungle, but right across the street from the beach) and the beauty of the grounds itself make it a wonderful place to stay.

This lodge is absolutely beautiful. The grounds are picturesque and the birds that we saw (toucans, toucanets, motmots, bluegrey tanagers) were fantastic. Staff was fantastic, food was delicious. We were truly welcomed and made to feel at home and cared for.

We toured with Franklin, he was fantastic. Knowledgeable and entertaining, he providing facinating facts and information about the volcano and the plants and animals we encountered on the hike. We would absolutely recommend him. He also helped us spot both toucans and sloths while in transit from the park to our restuarant.

Provided an experience were we truly felt we were out in the jungle and interactions with animals we didn't find anywhere else. We absolutely recommend a boat tour of the park. It is the only location in Costa Rica where we saw Spider, Howler and Capuchin monkeys all in the same day. It was also a great way to see both cayman and crocodiles. Our guide, Marco, and the captain of boat, Michael were both excellent.

Our tour guide Carlos was excellent. Very knowledgeable and helped us see so many things we would not have if we had gone on our own. The wildlife and plant life were stunning. The only thing we were not able to do was to try snorkeling - but we knew the odds of doing that were low given the time of year of our visit (Dec).

Our guide, Andrey was phenomenal. Knew so many things and was able to show us a huge variety of both animal and plant life on the way. As with other hikes, we would have missed so much if not for him.