Kimkim Trip Reviews for Guatemala

4.8
Based on 140 ratings
Read 140 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Guatemala on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

WOW is all I can say about this trip. I went ...
Guatemala | Nov 2 - Nov 12, 2022

D
Deanna F.
American Canyon, CA | Reviewed on Dec 13, 2022
WOW is all I can say about this trip. I went to Guatemala for 12 days and booked my trip with Eduardo. We wanted a combination of thrill and sight seeing, and they did not disappoint. We rode mountain bikes, saw the volcano on horse back, and did a 30 foot jump into Lake Attilan. The ATV ride and ziplining we also great. Staying in Tikal jungle and after a day of looking at the rings, we went night hiking looking for jaguars. Our Guide Willy was fantastic. Everyone was so kind and helpful.... Read more

WOW is all I can say about this trip. I went to Guatemala for 12 days and booked my trip with Eduardo. We wanted a combination of thrill and sight seeing, and they did not disappoint. We rode mountain bikes, saw the volcano on horse back, and did a 30 foot jump into Lake Attilan. The ATV ride and ziplining we also great. Staying in Tikal jungle and after a day of looking at the rings, we went night hiking looking for jaguars. Our Guide Willy was fantastic. Everyone was so kind and helpful. The accommodations were beyond my expectations with gorgeous boutique type hotels. We worked closely with Eduardo to plan the perfect holiday. Thank you Kim Kim for the best trip ever.

Hotel Reviews
Casa Encantada
ANTIGUA
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Atitlán
Panajachel

O.m.g. the views

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Convento Boutique Hotel
Antigua Guatemala
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Jungle Lodge Tikal
Peten
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Barcelo
Guatemala City
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Antigua Walking Tour
Antigua Walking Tour
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zipline Tour at Santo Domingo del Cerro
Zipline Tour at Santo Domingo del Cerro
Antigua
Quality of Experience
Lol
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to Earth Lodge & Nature Hike
Day Trip to Earth Lodge & Nature Hike
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Mountain Biking at Lake Atitlán
Mountain Biking at Lake Atitlán
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
PLO
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Iximché Maya Ruins
Visit the Iximché Maya Ruins
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Tikal National Park
Explore Tikal National Park
San Ignacio
Quality of Experience
Oki
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Dec 23, 2022

It was a pleasure to meet you and your family. I hope your Daughter is happy, specially that she has enjoyed buying his wedding dress in Guatemala.
Cheers,
Eduardo

Solo Female Traveller - Birthday Trip in Guatemala
Guatemala | Nov 19 - Nov 25, 2022

Ja'Neisha
Ja'Neisha W.
Fayetteville, GA | Reviewed on Dec 10, 2022
I came to Guatemala for my birthday trip and couldn't believe how amazing the experience was. From the moment I arrived in Guatemala City, the entire staff made me feel so welcomed and taken care of. The drivers were top notch too - making every minute detail perfect. Pedro – my tour guide – made sure I had time to explore everything there was to see - even going out of his way to take outstanding photos of me when I wanted some souvenirs. He excelled at every possible opportunity so I could... Read more

I came to Guatemala for my birthday trip and couldn't believe how amazing the experience was. From the moment I arrived in Guatemala City, the entire staff made me feel so welcomed and taken care of. The drivers were top notch too - making every minute detail perfect. Pedro – my tour guide – made sure I had time to explore everything there was to see - even going out of his way to take outstanding photos of me when I wanted some souvenirs. He excelled at every possible opportunity so I could have a fantastic birthday trip and deserves 5 stars without hesitation. From trekking up volcanoes, to sailing around Lake Atitlán, I explored everything from Antigua to Guatemala City - meeting so many amazing people along the way. I can't wait until I'm able to come back again soon.

Hotel Reviews
Casa Antigua
Antigua
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa del Mundo
Lake Atitlán

This place was magical!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sip n' Cycle - Bike/Coffee Combo Tour
Sip n' Cycle - Bike/Coffee Combo Tour
Antigua
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
TucTuc tour experience around the  Lake
TucTuc tour experience around the Lake
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Class
Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Class
Antigua
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Dec 23, 2022

We really appreciate your opinion on this program in Guatemala and we are sure we did our best to provide you with the experience of local activities that will remind your family!!

I will be sure to pass your cheers to Luis Pedro for his guidence on this adventure.

We highly recommend spreading the word about our Country!

Amazing group of dedicated and knowledgable staff...
Guatemala | Nov 20 - Dec 3, 2022

Kim
Kim S.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Dec 06, 2022
From the beginning, Eduardo was so responsive and helpful. He really listened to our ideas for travel and crafted an amazing trip. We packed in so much to our two weeks and all his recommendations were so good. Chocolate making, volcano horse back riding, mountain bike trip, village visiting, textile lesson, ruins, snorkeling…. We did it all! We felt very cared for and safe in their hands. Sebastian was a great bike guide. And Pablo, our main tour guide was above and beyond great. His... Read more

From the beginning, Eduardo was so responsive and helpful. He really listened to our ideas for travel and crafted an amazing trip. We packed in so much to our two weeks and all his recommendations were so good. Chocolate making, volcano horse back riding, mountain bike trip, village visiting, textile lesson, ruins, snorkeling…. We did it all! We felt very cared for and safe in their hands. Sebastian was a great bike guide. And Pablo, our main tour guide was above and beyond great. His knowledge and love of local history and culture added so much to our experience. It really helped us to understand and appreciate what we were seeing. We feel lucky to have worked with him on this trip

Activity Reviews
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Antigua Chocolate Museum Tour
Antigua Chocolate Museum Tour
Guatemala

So fun to learn about the chocolate making process and get to make our own flavors!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Guatemala

Such a cool trip. Kids went on horseback and we walked. Wild to be on top of a lava field (though kids were hoping to see lava) roasted marshmallows from volcanic steam on top, delicious lunch and knowledgable guides. There are kids there to rent walking sticks- bring some money for them, they we’re useful on the walk.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Double Down Mountain Bike Tour
Double Down Mountain Bike Tour
Antigua

My husband loves this trip- he said it was such a unique way to see the country. You are right up next to the farms of the locals and using the same trails they work on, so you need to be respectful of being a traveler in their place of living and working.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling Tour in the Belize Barrier Reef
Snorkeling Tour in the Belize Barrier Reef
Caye Caulker

Guides were great and knowledgable. So more than we could have hoped for- manatee, sharks, rays, turtles and fish. Great food. And respectful program- they didn’t feed the sharks to bring them in but we still saw a bunch. And they were conscientious of sunscreen on the reef and reminded people of how to protect it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Dec 23, 2022

Thank you for all your words and for the opportunity to work with you and your family here at Antigua, Guatemala city and Belize.

It is very helpful to know that you had a great time with our team guiding you around the country. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Belize and Guatemala the better.
Hope to see you back again soon, cheers!

AMAZING EXPERIENCE PROVIDED BY THE STELLAR TEAM
Guatemala | Nov 19 - Nov 27, 2022

M
Mili s.
Santa Clara, CA | Reviewed on Nov 28, 2022
Hello...Let me start off by saying that we had the best time. I was very apprehensive about going to Guatemala and had a bad experience with the transfer I had booked. And so i decided to look for a service that will give me end to end experience and I found Catherina. She was amazing in understanding my requirements as we were a family with 2 young kids. she understood the requirements and also our dietary needs and planned an itinerary that will work perfectly. We went back n forth on the... Read more

Hello...Let me start off by saying that we had the best time. I was very apprehensive about going to Guatemala and had a bad experience with the transfer I had booked. And so i decided to look for a service that will give me end to end experience and I found Catherina. She was amazing in understanding my requirements as we were a family with 2 young kids. she understood the requirements and also our dietary needs and planned an itinerary that will work perfectly. We went back n forth on the requirements and once the itinerary was nailed down I booked it. When we landed in hotel, the next day our Guide JJ arrived and picked us at the hotel for the wonderful flower festival. I must say that our trip would not be half as successful if we didnt have JJ as our guide. He was very prompt, always on time, helped interact with kids, made sure we enjoyed the activity we were doing, always gave recommendations that were perfect. Also all our transport were private...be the chicken bus, the boat or the car...all to our ourself :) which made the whole expereince very private and personal. Thank you to Columbus Travel, Catherina and JJ for your awesome service ! Bravo !!!!!

Activity Reviews
Pacaya Volcano Hike & Picnic
Pacaya Volcano Hike & Picnic
Guatemala

The hike to Pacaya is a must. The hike is steep , but we all could do the hike. The lunch provided was so yum and added to the whole experience.

Walk Antigua Like a Local
Walk Antigua Like a Local
Antigua

We had the lovely flower festival on this day and so it added to the whole experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Nov 30, 2022

My dear Mili, thank you so much for your kind words.
We all appreciate you so much, we wish you only the best and hope you can come back soon.
We trully believe in the power of traveling so please keep exploring, discovering, enjoying!
And always remember you will have a family in Guatemala that will always be for you.

Guatemala October 2022 6 day trip
Guatemala | Oct 20 - Oct 25, 2022

A
Andrew S.
Gadsden, AL | Reviewed on Oct 26, 2022
Tremendous trip, great planning from Chris. Also, included some last minute itinerary changes that Chris kept us well appraised of and was extremely helpful in planning. Antigua for 48+ hours (Casa Encantada) and Lake Atitlan (La Casa del Mundo) for 3.5 days were beautiful places to stay, staff was always helpful. Our local guide, Josias, was incredible. Would highly recommend travel plans with kimkim Read more

Tremendous trip, great planning from Chris. Also, included some last minute itinerary changes that Chris kept us well appraised of and was extremely helpful in planning.

Antigua for 48+ hours (Casa Encantada) and Lake Atitlan (La Casa del Mundo) for 3.5 days were beautiful places to stay, staff was always helpful.

Our local guide, Josias, was incredible.

Would highly recommend travel plans with kimkim

Hotel Reviews
Casa Encantada
Antiigua
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa del Mundo
Lake Atitlán
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán
Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Oct 26, 2022

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review Andrew! I'm glad the whole crew enjoyed Guatemala and experiencing it with our local team. It was great to meet you and appreciate your patience with the last minute adjustments for your departure. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Guatemala the better. Hope to see you back again soon, cheers!

Eduardo / Pablo / KimKim Team are the BEST
Guatemala | Feb 17 - Feb 23, 2022

F
Felicia W.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Sep 21, 2022
This review is long overdue but this was, by far, the best experience I've had of any tour I've had or been on in my life. Communication:
From the get-go, Eduardo was extremely responsive to any/all of our questions. His responses were immediate and thorough.
Patience:
We were a difficult group to coordinate since there were 6 of us - all with varied levels of comfort and ideas of fun. Eduardo, took all of this in stride - regardless of last-minute changes or peppering him with...
Read more

This review is long overdue but this was, by far, the best experience I've had of any tour I've had or been on in my life.

Communication:
From the get-go, Eduardo was extremely responsive to any/all of our questions. His responses were immediate and thorough.

Patience:
We were a difficult group to coordinate since there were 6 of us - all with varied levels of comfort and ideas of fun. Eduardo, took all of this in stride - regardless of last-minute changes or peppering him with questions - he was so incredibly patient with us! He should win an award for this - truly.

Helpfulness / Consideration:
Outside of just being extremely responsive and patient, he always took our questions and feedback into consideration to come up with a few varied options.

Tours/Guides:
I loved all of the guides Eduardo paired us up with - our absolute favorite guide was Pablo - who showed us around Lake Atitlan. Not only was he knowledgeable but he was also adaptive and he has quiet confidence throughout the tour. Everyone seems to know him also! We felt like we were walking around with a celebrity! He allowed us the time to review different spaces and took us to places we likely never would have seen or encountered without him. We only got to meet with Alex briefly (<1 hour) but he has great energy which is infectious! He's great as well

Driver: Antonio is THE BEST. He is so kind, so patient, and so helpful. Even though he didn't know how to speak a lot of English we were able to communicate with him a bit and he was so warm and thoughtful. In once instance, we were trying to get into the house but had issues getting into the gated community - Antonio spent a good 20 minutes working with us to get in touch with our friend who owned the home. Even if he was frustrated (I would be!) he never showed it and was so patient.

I know there must be SO many things Eduardo must have done behind the scenes that our group didn't even see to make our stay great. He even came by the house to sync with us on plans - he got us COVID testers to come to the home.

Again, I couldn't recommend this service or the team we met in Guatemala more. It was THE BEST tour experience I've ever had!

Hotel Review
San Buenaventura Hotel
Panajachel, Sololá

The hotel itself was beautiful! Felt like a little Oasis and was right by the Lake and water!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Location and the room itself!
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Sep 22, 2022
Thank you for all this feedback, we have no doubt that this will help us to get more folks interested in this route which is impressive. Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review, Felicia, Specially after been awhile, this is something we really appreciate!! I will secure to pass this information to Pablo, Antonio and Alex!! I'm highly glad you had a great time on the Program activities you, yours and I built for this unforgettable experience in Guatemala. It is very helpful to... Read more

Thank you for all this feedback, we have no doubt that this will help us to get more folks interested in this route which is impressive.

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review, Felicia, Specially after been awhile, this is something we really appreciate!! I will secure to pass this information to Pablo, Antonio and Alex!!

I'm highly glad you had a great time on the Program activities you, yours and I built for this unforgettable experience in Guatemala. It is very helpful to know that you had a great time with our team guiding you around the country. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Guatemala the better. Hope to see you back again soon,

cheers!
Eduardo from the Colonial City of Guatemala!

I am very grateful to Eduardo and his team…
Guatemala | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2022

T
Tamara B.
New York, NY | Reviewed on Aug 25, 2022
I am very grateful to Eduardo and his team for helping me plan my solo birthday trip to Guatemala and for sharing the food, customs and culture of this magical and historical place and also for encouraging me in my Spanish Language acquisition journey! It was wonderful, safe and I felt very supported. Thank you very much ☺️ I enjoyed my trip mostly because i fell in love with the people from Guatemala - friendly, gregarious, happy, creative, humorous, thoughtful souls with the most amazing... Read more

I am very grateful to Eduardo and his team for helping me plan my solo birthday trip to Guatemala and for sharing the food, customs and culture of this magical and historical place and also for encouraging me in my Spanish Language acquisition journey! It was wonderful, safe and I felt very supported. Thank you very much ☺️ I enjoyed my trip mostly because i fell in love with the people from Guatemala - friendly, gregarious, happy, creative, humorous, thoughtful souls with the most amazing history. If I am ever to return to Guatemala, el corazón del mundo Maya, I’ll pack an extra stomach for the food, an extra suitcase for the art and an extra heart chamber for the love…

Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Aug 31, 2022

Hola Tamara,
Thank you for all your words and for the Coffee that you have given to me on our meeting here at Antigua.
It is very helpful to know that you had a great time with our team guiding you around the country. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Guatemala the better. Hope to see you back again soon, cheers!

Exactly the vacation we wanted - KimKim delivered, above and beyond.
Guatemala | Jul 7 - Jul 12, 2022

J
James K.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Aug 11, 2022
We had exactly the vacation we wanted - a great mix of new experiences and natural beauty. We were always just far enough outside our comfort zone to keep us fully present and engaged. Chris did a fantastic job of understanding what we were after. Starting with a stay at the Camino Real was perfect: international luxury, poolside dining and opulence. Then, a hotel that doubles as a working horseracing track and some time in Chiquimula, a town that feels like one huge, endlessly bustling... Read more

We had exactly the vacation we wanted - a great mix of new experiences and natural beauty. We were always just far enough outside our comfort zone to keep us fully present and engaged. Chris did a fantastic job of understanding what we were after. Starting with a stay at the Camino Real was perfect: international luxury, poolside dining and opulence. Then, a hotel that doubles as a working horseracing track and some time in Chiquimula, a town that feels like one huge, endlessly bustling market. Next, a boutique garden hotel in the heart of Antigua, so we could soak up the architecture and history of the old capital. Finally, a couple of days in a cliffside hotel dangling over Lake Atitlan, maybe the most beautiful location in Central America. Our drivers and guides were warm, helpful and fun, and great with our kids. We are so, so happy that we booked this trip through KimKim.

Hotel Reviews
The Westin Camino Real, Guatemala
Guatemala City

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to stay in a top-tier international hotel "back in the day," this is the place. Everything they do is casual, confident luxury. The pool is perfect and perfectly maintained, because of course it is. You can get huge portions of excellent food poolside, or in your room, or in the restaurant because why wouldn't you? The beds are unbelievably comfortable and quiet. The staff is friendly and helpful. Things are ready when they are supposed to be, or sooner. They have a spare of whatever you lost. They know how to help you find the place you can't remember the name of. They are the Westin Camino Real, they've been doing this since people flew in on PanAm 707s. It's the only way they know how to do things: perfectly.

Authenticity & Character
"Authenticity" is about being an old-style international hotel, though. It's not the most "authentic" place in terms of feeling like you are in Guatemala.
Location
Wide array of shopping and dining places in walking distance. Luckily, in recent years, it's become much, much safer to be a pedestrian in Guatemala City.
Staff
Every single interaction with staff was friendly and pleasant.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Finca Los Laureles
Jerico

We really enjoyed Finca Los Laureles, but I think some aspects suffered from how empty it was at the time. I think there were, maybe, two other rooms occupied during our stay. That was probably why there were very few employees on site, too. Coupled with the sprawling, rustic layout of this hotel, it added up to something of a ghost-town experience. We wandered around a lot, wondering where things were, or if we were really supposed to be in the places we ended up. We had an odd but wonderful dinner on, I think, the back porch of a restaurant but never figured out where the front entrance was. All in all: lots of wonderful moments with some confusing times, too. I suspect that this would have been a very solid 5-star review if we had stayed here during a busier season.

Authenticity & Character
There's definitely a lot of character to Los Laureles. The decor is something like "horse paddock" crossed with "Route 66 roadside attraction." There's a small zoo. The grounds cover god knows how many acres, but the rooms directly face the pool. It's odd and charming and memorable.
Location
Remote to Guatemala City, but not too far from Chiquimula. It a beautiful, quiet part of the country. You'll see plenty of birds and other wildlife, but not many people.
Staff
The people we dealt with were wonderful. We had only one issue: there weren't many staff members, and we often couldn't find someone. That really seemed to be due to it being the lowest part of the off-season, so not really unreasonable.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Would like to give 4 1/2 stars here. The only issue in terms of "comfort" was that a lack of staff combined with a lack of signage meant that we really struggled to find things, and wandered aimlessly around the place at times.
Hotel San Jorge
Antigua

So pretty, in such a perfect spot. Great little restaurant, friendly staff. So, why not 5 stars? The heat. Antigua gets pretty hot, and stays warm pretty late into the evening. There are lot of bugs, particularly mosquitos around. So, some hotels have AC. Some have fans. The rest of the places at least have screens on the windows, or mosquito netting, or both. The Hotel San Jorge has no AC, or fans (even in the bathrooms), or screens or netting. Also, they keep bright lights on all night in the courtyard, and are in a fairly noisy part of town. That means trying to sleep in stifling heat, or trying to sleep while coated in bug spray with something over your eyes against the light and, if possible, ear plugs. So, the rest of our experience was lovely, but we got very little actual sleep - which is a key part of what you generally want from a hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Add screens to the rooms, look into dimming or shielding courtyard lights. For a few hundred bucks, you could increase customer comfort dramatically. I can understand not adding AC, or fans, but just putting screens on the windows is not going to ruin the charm of your hotel.
Casa del Mundo
Lake Atitlán

It's hard to really separate "just the hotel" from the rest of the experience. Lake Atitlan is always going to be the star of any visit here. The lake, the surrounding volcanos, the trails and villages around it...it's just so endlessly beautiful. Casa del Mundo does a great job of understanding this. The layout is vertical and shallow, so that wherever you go, you are looking at the lake. There's not a lot of "building," other than the restaurant and front desk. There are patios and benches everywhere between and above the rooms. There's no AC, but there are windows with screens and cross-ventilation so you can have your windows open and hear the water lapping at the rocks. They enforce a 10pm quiet hour, which helps make that work for everyone. Be aware, this maybe isn't for everyone: you can only get here by (a smallish) boat, and there are a LOT of stairs in getting up from the lake to the hotel. If you aren't able to face 60-70 stairs on a regular basis, or you like to travel with 3-4 suitcases, you might not enjoy this place nearly as much.

Authenticity & Character
The hotel gives you some of this, but if you really want 5-stars-worth of authenticity, you need to get out and around to the surrounding villages, starting with Panajachel.
Location
Would give 20 stars if possible.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
So many cute, cool places to just sit and look at the lake, or even dive off the rocks into the water. It's not a "super soft pillows' kind of comfort, more of a "good for the soul" kind.
Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Aug 15, 2022

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review Jason! I'm glad your family was able to visit Guatemala during these times and enjoy your vacation with our local team. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Guatemala the better. Hope to see you back again soon, cheers!

One week highlight of Belize and Guatemala
Guatemala | Jul 18 - Jul 25, 2022

Marisa
Marisa C.
Lexington-Fayette, KY | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2022
We scheduled a one week trip to Belize and Guatemala on a whim, and I’m so glad we did!! Eduardo Celada was our specialist and made everything perfect and seamless. We had a lot of moving parts, and he had everything arranged perfectly. He put together a flawless itinerary and scheduled excellent drivers and guides to help us along the way. Our accommodations were exactly what we expected. Thank you to our drivers Cameron, Floyd, Fernando, and Ivan. Our guides were incredibly informative and... Read more

We scheduled a one week trip to Belize and Guatemala on a whim, and I’m so glad we did!! Eduardo Celada was our specialist and made everything perfect and seamless. We had a lot of moving parts, and he had everything arranged perfectly. He put together a flawless itinerary and scheduled excellent drivers and guides to help us along the way. Our accommodations were exactly what we expected. Thank you to our drivers Cameron, Floyd, Fernando, and Ivan. Our guides were incredibly informative and helpful too. Thank you Olivero and Viny. If you want a fun-filled trip, let Eduardo at Adventure Guatemala arrange it for you!!

Hotel Review
Jungle Lodge Tikal
Peten

We loved being in the jungle! Our room was perfect, and the food was excellent!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Snorkeling Tour in the Belize Barrier Reef
Snorkeling Tour in the Belize Barrier Reef
Caye Caulker

We enjoyed our snorkeling trip! We swam with sharks and sea turtles!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cave tubing tour
Cave tubing tour
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Tikal National Park
Explore Tikal National Park
San Ignacio

Wow! This place is pure magic! We made it to a sunset on top of a pyramid, and what a view. We saw animals and birds and appreciated being amongst some of the greatest Mayan ruins.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Olivero is very proud of his culture, and it showed. He knew so much about the Mayan culture!
Transport
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Guatemala

This experience showed us Guatemalan culture at its finest. Our boat trip to three different villages was a highlight of our trip! We saw festivals, a parade, and beautiful locales. Viny and Ivan were a great driver and guide team. We appreciated their knowledge and sensitivity to our safety. They always made sure that our safety came first.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Viny and Ivan were amazing! We would recommend them for everyone!!
Transport
Ivan was careful and considerate of our safety.
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jul 27, 2022

Thank you for all this feedback, we have no doubt that this will help us to get more folks interested in this route which is impressive.

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review, Marisa!!
I'm highly glad you had a great time on the Program activities you and I built for this unforgettable tour. It is very helpful to know that you had a great time with our team guiding you around the country. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Guatemala the better. Hope to see you back again soon, cheers!

Volcano + Tikal !
Guatemala | Jul 12 - Jul 23, 2022

Aytch
Aytch D.
Tacoma, WA | Reviewed on Jul 24, 2022
Our entire trip that was planned through Old Town was incredible. Chris was helpful with the logistics and ensuring our trip was easy to navigate. Our driver, Ivan, and our guide, Jossua, were both incredible and engaging. We already miss them !We loved the hot springs we spent the night at, and the lagoon hike outside of Zunil. Thank you to entire team who made our trip memorable and easy. Read more

Our entire trip that was planned through Old Town was incredible. Chris was helpful with the logistics and ensuring our trip was easy to navigate. Our driver, Ivan, and our guide, Jossua, were both incredible and engaging. We already miss them !We loved the hot springs we spent the night at, and the lagoon hike outside of Zunil. Thank you to entire team who made our trip memorable and easy.

Hotel Review
La Fortuna Atitlan
Santa Cruz la Laguna

Best place to stay on the lake !!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jul 25, 2022

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review Aytch and Tovah! I'm glad you had a great time on the volcanoes and spending time with our team and Jossue guiding you around the country. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Guatemala the better. Hope to see you back again soon, cheers!

Recently traveled to Guatemala with 10 other ...
Guatemala | Jul 6 - Jul 15, 2022

Marleni
Marleni M.
Pacifica, CA | Reviewed on Jul 23, 2022
Recently traveled to Guatemala with 10 other family members ranging in age from 8y.o to 67y.o. Having a great team of people that responded quickly to all communication and 2 tour guides by our side for all our adventures was hugely positive! We completed a custom 10 day tour and made great memories! Crista and David were very knowledgeable and personable- we totally recommend them. Read more

Recently traveled to Guatemala with 10 other family members ranging in age from 8y.o to 67y.o. Having a great team of people that responded quickly to all communication and 2 tour guides by our side for all our adventures was hugely positive! We completed a custom 10 day tour and made great memories! Crista and David were very knowledgeable and personable- we totally recommend them.

Hotel Review
Casa del Mundo
Lake Atitlán

Great stay! Beautiful views. Many stairs FYI so not accessible.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jul 27, 2022
Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review, Marleni!! I'm highly glad you had a great time on the Program activities you and I built for this unforgettable tour. It is very helpful to know that you had a great time with our team guiding you around the country. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Guatemala the better. Hope to see you back again soon, cheers! Estoy muy contento de que la hayas pasado muy bien en las actividades del... Read more

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review, Marleni!!

I'm highly glad you had a great time on the Program activities you and I built for this unforgettable tour. It is very helpful to know that you had a great time with our team guiding you around the country. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Guatemala the better. Hope to see you back again soon, cheers!

Estoy muy contento de que la hayas pasado muy bien en las actividades del programa que tús familiares y yo construimos para esta gira inolvidable. y que hayan disfrutado de sus raices las cuales nos hacen sentir orgullosos de ser Guatemaltecos.
Espero volver a verte pronto, saludos!

Family Trip!
Guatemala | Jul 6 - Jul 15, 2022

Jasmine
Jasmine C.
Puerto Rico | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2022
Extremely grateful and happy with how our family trip to Guatemala turned out! Our guides Christa and David went above and beyond to make sure we'd have a great time and enjoy each place we visited. They became part of our family for the week. Every one of our 10-days was special. One of the most memorable activities was the cooking class at CusCun at the lovely rooftop with the amazing view and having everyone pitch in to make a delicious traditional dinner. ¡Gracias a nuestro especialista... Read more

Extremely grateful and happy with how our family trip to Guatemala turned out! Our guides Christa and David went above and beyond to make sure we'd have a great time and enjoy each place we visited. They became part of our family for the week. Every one of our 10-days was special. One of the most memorable activities was the cooking class at CusCun at the lovely rooftop with the amazing view and having everyone pitch in to make a delicious traditional dinner. ¡Gracias a nuestro especialista Eduardo y Old Town Outfitters por siempre estar disponible para contestar nuestras dudas y preguntas! Super recomendado.

Hotel Reviews
Casa del Mundo
Lake Atitlán

The hundred of stairs to get around the hotel are definitely worth the views. The restaurant was a little slow, but always delicious. I recommend booking the hot tub to relax in the evening after a long day.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Antigua
Antigua

Great location and yummy included breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Jungle Lodge Tikal
Peten
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jul 22, 2022

Hola Jasmine,
We are more than happy to har that you have enjoyed your trip to Guatemala. We encourage you to spread the word about the beauties of Guatemala.

Hope to see you soon!
Eduardo - 58191757

Amazing Guatemala!
Guatemala | May 27 - Jun 4, 2022

Brian and Manon
Brian and Manon B.
The Woodlands, TX | Reviewed on Jun 06, 2022
I had been to Antigua 23 years ago as a backpacker and I couldn't wait to take my family there, but in a more structured way. Edouardo streamlined the whole process and I felt safe and taking care of. As early as the first email (which came in very quickly), he had taken the time to organize a trip with a variety of activities (from challenging to informative) based on our likes and dislikes. We had to tweak it a bit and within 2 weeks, we had a plan and we were booked. Our driver Vinni was... Read more

I had been to Antigua 23 years ago as a backpacker and I couldn't wait to take my family there, but in a more structured way. Edouardo streamlined the whole process and I felt safe and taking care of. As early as the first email (which came in very quickly), he had taken the time to organize a trip with a variety of activities (from challenging to informative) based on our likes and dislikes. We had to tweak it a bit and within 2 weeks, we had a plan and we were booked. Our driver Vinni was full of energy and radiated positivity. His English was surprisingly good and we got a ton of information about the area. Our Guide Pepian (which is a nickname based on the most delicious food ever!) was very kind and patient with us and our kids. He checked on us multiple times during the activities and was participating like it was his first time. His enthusiasm and love for his country were contagious and we had the best time. They also were very good at accomodating our diet restrictions (GF, DF). After a couple of days, we all agreed that to hike Acetenango was maybe too challenging for our daughter, so at that point, Eduardo, with the help of Pepian, pivoted quickly, booked us a hotel (we were originally supposed to camp on the volcano) and found other activities for us to do instead. We don't feel like we wasted time at all. It was amazing and I don't regret using kimkim and we feel like we now have friends in Guatemala.
If you go to Guatemala and you can only do ONE activity, do the coffee farm from De La Gente. But honestly, I would rate all activities above a 9/10 (hike, bike, kayak, tours). We will be back for sure!

Hotel Reviews
Casa Antigua
Antigua

It was nice and clean. The breakfast was great! The internet wasn't very good however. The beds were super hard, but I think that is just how mattress are in Guatemala.

Tips for future travelers

Choose a room towards the front to get the best WIFI.

Authenticity & Character
Loved how pretty it is in the courtyard
Location
Close to everything and fairly quiet
Staff
Their English was very good
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds had sand on and were very hard and WIFI was very spotty
San Buenaventura Hotel
Panajachel, Sololá

It was damp and there was no sheet on the couch/beds for our kids. However, they were quick at bringing some. There was a lot of cobwebs and spiders in the beds. It's kind of expected given its Guatemala but still... Water came through the door upstairs during the rain. I am glad we were there for only one night. Also, make sure you shower at night because there is no hot water in the morning.

Tips for future travelers

People with pretty much low expectation

Authenticity & Character
it seemed old and dingy
Location
We had to have our driver to take us to a restaurant
Staff
very responsive but their English was limited
Cleanliness & Comfort
clean cobwebs and seal doors, also insure beds are made
Hotel Casa del Parque
Antigua

This hotel is right in the middle of a couple bars and it is very loud until 1230. We didn't sleep much even with earplugs. The WIFI was good. The layout is weird as the shower opens directly in the room so there is little privacy. It does have a pool but its cold. We enjoyed the sauna though. The fountain is missing so it makes it look run down. We enjoyed the breakfast and the staff was kind and helpful. Our room had amazing views of the volcanoes.

Tips for future travelers

Make sure you don't require a lot of sleep or a lot of quiet time.

Authenticity & Character
Location
too many bars/parties close by
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
beds were hard and no privacy to change
Activity Reviews
Antigua Walking Tour
Antigua Walking Tour
Guatemala

Marybel was knowledgeable and very kind.

Zipline Tour at Santo Domingo del Cerro
Zipline Tour at Santo Domingo del Cerro
Antigua

Very cool views and the guides were nice. They could have loosen up, but we liked it anyway.

Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Guatemala

The marshmallow and the pizza toped it off nicely. Because its rainy season, we didn't have the best views, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Antigua Coffee Tour by Bus with De La Gente
Antigua Coffee Tour by Bus with De La Gente
Guatemala

By far, the best experience of our trip. Eating with them in his house and getting to grind our own cup the artisanal way is something we will remember forever.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Antigua Chocolate Museum Tour
Antigua Chocolate Museum Tour
Guatemala
Spa day at Santa Teresita
Spa day at Santa Teresita
Guatemala
Mountain Biking at Lake Atitlán
Mountain Biking at Lake Atitlán
Guatemala
Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán
Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán
Guatemala
Day Trip to Earth Lodge & Nature Hike
Day Trip to Earth Lodge & Nature Hike
Guatemala
Aguacate tour in Finca Paseo de las Nubes
Aguacate tour in Finca Paseo de las Nubes
Guatemala
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jun 07, 2022

Thank you very much for each work on this feedback. I am very happy to hear that you liked what we have proposed for this program for your and your kids.
We feel satisfied that you have enjoyed the destinations. Antigua and Lake Atitlan for 9 days.
I will be sure to pass your cheers and feelings about the program to our guides and drivers. as well as our partners for their services that are an important part of our programs too.

Abrazos de Guatemala.
Eduardo Celada
[email protected]

I cannot sing Eduardo's praises highly enough...
Guatemala | May 20 - May 27, 2022

Michael
Michael E.
Santa Monica, CA | Reviewed on Jun 03, 2022
I cannot sing Eduardo's praises highly enough! He was so responsive, right from the initial email conversation. He listened to my values and budgetary concerns in planning the perfect itinerary and the selection of hotels. He was so patient and responsive with all my questions-- most particularly during the trip. I was traveling alone and without cell coverage-- he was my only safety net. We would communicate through WhatsApp when I had WiFi at a hotel. I felt like I was always on his... Read more

I cannot sing Eduardo's praises highly enough! He was so responsive, right from the initial email conversation. He listened to my values and budgetary concerns in planning the perfect itinerary and the selection of hotels. He was so patient and responsive with all my questions-- most particularly during the trip. I was traveling alone and without cell coverage-- he was my only safety net. We would communicate through WhatsApp when I had WiFi at a hotel. I felt like I was always on his radar screen. I had so enjoyed our conversations in planning the trip, that when I got to Antigua, I asked if I could meet him. We ended up having dinner together, and now I have a new friend! The drivers he arranged for me, Danilo and Fernando were kind and delightful. And I especially enjoyed my guide Luis Galindo, with whom I spent 4 days-- biking, hiking, kayaking. For me the richness of a travel experience, particularly when it comes to guides, is the relationship, my experience with the guide-- not the facts. I can get facts from a book, and likely won't remember them anyway. But the willingness to talk and be connected-- to laugh, to hear about one another's life is everything. And that's what I will remember. I believe I have made a new friend in Luis as well. Most impressive to me about Eduardo-- my last night was a late night stay at an airport hotel, having just flown into Guatemala City from Flores/Tikal, and leaving for home early the next morning. The hotel isn't 5 minutes from the airport, and they have a shuttle. Still, he insisted on driving all the way from Antigua, late at night, taking time away from his family to pick me up at the airport and taking those five minutes to drive me to the hotel. "I just like to make sure my clients are OK and had a good time." I have never planned a trip so quickly, almost impulsively. I had never heard of KimKim-- didn't understand how it worked exactly, but it popped up on my initial google search about Guatemala. Eduardo went full-steam ahead with the planning, and I sent my money. I would catch myself thinking-- "You don'y know ANYTHING about this operation! If it's even legit or is it a scam?" But I trusted Eduardo. I would absolutely use KimKim again as well. For anyone planning a trip to Guatemala, you cannot go wrong with Eduardo. I still can't quite believe how dense and rich a weeklong trip could be.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Casa del Parque
Antigua

This hotel is modest, sweet, small, and charming, with an enchanting garden-- and it could not have a better location, just 50 yards away from the Central Park/Plaza Mayor. I am a daily swimmer, and though while small, I appreciated the pool for an afternoon dip. It is a bit tattered around the edges, but in a way, that only adds to its authenticity and charm. It is not a sleek, spa-like experience. On the downside, it is next door to a bar, that on Saturday night was a little loud-- but not terrible. The other odd thing was that none of the windows in my room opened. As it could be quite humid in Antigua, the room felt a little stuffy. But with the ceiling fan on, and leaving my door open for a bit-- it was fine. It was perfect for me.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa del Mundo
Lake Atitlán

Stay there!!! I cried when I climbed the stairs and was led to my room and saw that view for the first time. The food was delicious. The service, very solicitous. This is an enchanted spot I will never forget. It is a significant climb of irregular stairs to reach the hotel from the lake's edge, and then more steps to get to one's room. So older, movement impaired or disabled folks may find it too challenging.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Jungle Lodge Tikal
Peten

It is a luscious and thrilling spot. Beautifully appointed. Delicious food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Barcelo
Guatemala City

Perfectly adequate for what it is-- a businessy, airport hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Valley Ride - Bicycle Tour of Antigua's Villages, Farms, and Ruins
Valley Ride - Bicycle Tour of Antigua's Villages, Farms, and Ruins
Antigua

It was a push for me physically. (But I'm a fit 67-year-old.) Those big balloon tires are a good choice for riding over all those cobblestones! Still a bumpy ride in places. A couple challenging hills. But so lovely to see villages and squares there I would never likely visit. Made me want to linger in each one.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Guatemala

The hike was not nearly as challenging as I had imagined. A lovely day getting acquainted with Luis and admiring constantly shifting vistas.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Guatemala

Such dramatically different atmospheres in villages not a half mile apart. I loved Santiago Atitlan, and San Juan de Laguna was utterly charming offering a magnificent view, if willing to climb a steep hill. So much art everywhere! San Pedro was interesting enough, but if time were tight, I would say one could skip it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán
Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán
Guatemala

This was one of the trip highlights for me!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Tikal National Park
Explore Tikal National Park
San Ignacio

A whole other world and experience! Only because someone I met at the gate at LAX waiting for the same flight to Guatemala suggested it-- I asked Eduardo about a sunrise tour of Tikal. He then happily arranged it. It made ALL the difference! I only saw perhaps 5 other tourists the whole morning, and it was much cooler than later in the day. It was like having the acropolis or the Sistine Chapel to oneself.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jun 19, 2022

We really appreciate your opinion on this program and we are sure we did our best to provide you with the experience of local activities that will remind your family!!

We highly recommend spreading the word about our out Country!
Eduardo - Guatemala

Fantastic trip!
Guatemala | May 10 - May 18, 2022

C
Caitlin F.
Australia | Reviewed on May 27, 2022
Eduardo did a fantastic job booking our trip! We particularly loved Caye Caulker and Antigua!
It was amazing exploring the Mayan ruins and hearing the local guides explain the Mayan culture.
Read more

Eduardo did a fantastic job booking our trip! We particularly loved Caye Caulker and Antigua!
It was amazing exploring the Mayan ruins and hearing the local guides explain the Mayan culture.

Hotel Review
Jan's Hotel
Caye Caulker

Great hotel in a fantastic location. Clean and friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
On the beachfront, easy walking distance.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Snorkeling Tour in the Belize Barrier Reef
Snorkeling Tour in the Belize Barrier Reef
Caye Caulker

Amazing snorkelling, great staff and the food was delicious.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on May 31, 2022

Hola Caitlin,
thank you very much for your feedback on this trip. We really appreciate the time you take to leave this opinion. We hope to have you in the future for other trips with Kimkim.
Eduardo

We found Guatemala to be more friendly, cheap...
Guatemala | Mar 26 - Apr 4, 2022

A
Allen B.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 19, 2022
We found Guatemala to be more friendly, cheaper, more interesting and way, way safer than the other Central American countries that we've toured, especially Mexico. We felt safe walking anywhere, excluding Guatemala City, including night. People are smiling and unusually kind, both to us and to each other. We did the standard Antigua, Tikal, Atitlan route. The latter was the most interesting, especially when we took an extra day to go to the villages the tourists don't normally visit. And... Read more

We found Guatemala to be more friendly, cheaper, more interesting and way, way safer than the other Central American countries that we've toured, especially Mexico. We felt safe walking anywhere, excluding Guatemala City, including night. People are smiling and unusually kind, both to us and to each other. We did the standard Antigua, Tikal, Atitlan route. The latter was the most interesting, especially when we took an extra day to go to the villages the tourists don't normally visit. And though all guides and drivers were fine, Pedro in Atitlan was the best.

Special thanks to Eduardo at kimkim. He had to plan our trip 3 times (twice delayed due to Covid restrictions.) I ask lots of questions and requested many particular changes to the itinerary. He always responded quickly. During the trip he was very attentive, coming to our hotel to review things and always available on the phone. The only two issues we encountered occurred on Sunday nights and he was available and on top of it even then.

In Flores near Tikal, recommend staying at a hotel on the island, not the other side of the bridge and definitely not the El Patio hotel (we were moved upon request.) The 5 star hotels in Antigua, Camino Real and the Casa Santa Domingo (the latter built around museums and not to be missed) were fantastic. Every hotel, including the $50/nite Regis in Panajachel, included great breakfasts.

Tourism is still down 50% or more in Guatemala so take this opportunity to
Visit.

Hotel Review
Del patio hotel
Flores

Bedroom and nowhere to walk for food at night that wasn't sketchy

Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Apr 19, 2022

Thank you for your kind words we really appreciate your comments to our destinations in Guatemala. At the same time the work of our staff providing a quality service.

See you next time.

What an amazing trip.
Guatemala | Mar 19 - Mar 26, 2022

M
Maureen G.
Fort Thomas, KY | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2022
What an amazing trip. We cant say enough good things about the experience. Guatemala was definitely a very special place and by the 5 th day we were already planning our next trip back!
Eduardo had the trip so nicely set up. We flew into Guatemala and spent the night ( Eduardo was right that we should have just gone on to Antigua but we wanted to see the city) We walked a few streets in Guatemala city and then headed to Antigua that was amazing. La Porta hotel was beautiful. The to the...
Read more

What an amazing trip. We cant say enough good things about the experience. Guatemala was definitely a very special place and by the 5 th day we were already planning our next trip back!
Eduardo had the trip so nicely set up. We flew into Guatemala and spent the night ( Eduardo was right that we should have just gone on to Antigua but we wanted to see the city) We walked a few streets in Guatemala city and then headed to Antigua that was amazing. La Porta hotel was beautiful. The to the Lake Atitlan that might be the most beautiful place we have ever stayed. Laguna Lodge was lovely and a really great experience. Casa del Mundo was beyond beautiful. Our boats and transportation worked great and for 6 people people that is saying a lot! Especially as two were seniors and all learning the language. We always felt within phone call of Eduardo and he checked on us if we didnt check in. He is amazing and cant say how much we appreciate him.

Hotel Review
Casa del Mundo
Lake Atitlán

What an amazing place. The view, the food, the staff all were 5 star!

Tips for future travelers

Bring a good pair of shoes as it made the steps easier . I would travel light in luggage. You can buy clothes in the little towns. You do need to take a boat to the hotel but so easy to do.

Authenticity & Character
The view of the lake
Location
The sense of being somewhere special
Staff
kind respectful and fun
Cleanliness & Comfort
our room ( we had 3 rooms for 6 people) were all perfect. Beds and view for each person and set up perfectly for a family
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Apr 04, 2022

Hola Maureen,
It was such a pleasure to meet you here in Antigua. |You and your family are wonderful travelers and we can not wait to see you soon again in Guatemala.

Please help us to spread the good word about your experience to future travelers
Cheers from Guatemala.
Eduardo

Incredible trip!
Guatemala | Mar 13 - Mar 19, 2022

T
Taylor G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2022

We had a fantastic and convenient experience booking with kimkim. The staff was helpful and promptly answered all of our questions. I would definitely book with kimkim again in the future!

Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Apr 04, 2022

Hi Taylor,
Thank you for your feedback and for taking your recent ** Guatemalan Highlands: Antigua, Panajachel, Lake Atitlán, & Tikal National Park - 7 Days ** with Old Town Outfitters.

We hope you had a great time while you were here in Guatemala. We strive to provide fun, unique, meaningful, and quality trips at Old Town. Please help us to spread the good word about your experience to future travelers. Our team feels proud of doing a great job with travelers from kimkim.

Hope to you see in Guatemala again soon,
Eduardo

Our trip wouldnt have been the same without kimkim!!
Guatemala | Feb 17 - Feb 23, 2022

Silvia
Silvia W.
Alameda, CA | Reviewed on Mar 10, 2022
We found out about Kimkim originally trying to plan a Morocco trip back in 2020 but that fell through so thought we'd give them a try in Guatemala. Of course it is different guides in each country for Kimkim, but sooo glad we did as Eduardo made our trip in Guatemala! He was so easy to work with, helped that he spoke English (my Spanish is rustier than I thought ha) , very accommodating for our changing plans, and super knowledgeable about the area. He adjusted our itinerary to what we... Read more

We found out about Kimkim originally trying to plan a Morocco trip back in 2020 but that fell through so thought we'd give them a try in Guatemala. Of course it is different guides in each country for Kimkim, but sooo glad we did as Eduardo made our trip in Guatemala! He was so easy to work with, helped that he spoke English (my Spanish is rustier than I thought ha) , very accommodating for our changing plans, and super knowledgeable about the area.

He adjusted our itinerary to what we were interested in and also was able to recommend activities that we should consider on our short 5 day stay in Guatemala. Didnt make it easy for him with the back and forth and he was very understanding, patient and kind!

We went to Lake Atitlan for few days , one more day there made it for us since we cancelled the overnight Acatenango volcano hike (due to a massive earthquake a few days prior that made us unsure to go), did a boat tour to see villages in the area with a coffee co-op tour and a women's textile tour, Chichicastenango and for the 3 of us ,Iximche Mayan Ruins tour, and a last minute zip lining trip! The clutch part of changing our itinerary was that it allowed some extra costs to go to COVID tests - Eduardo scheduled a COVID test tech to come to our accommodations , and send our results that same day so we didnt have to worry about where to go and take it before our flight.. sooo helpful and saved us headaches! And also scheduling shuttles to get us to the airport on time the next day.

All in all, our favorite was Pablo the guide with Old Town Outfitters as our guide for Lake Atitlan as he was humble, knowledgeable, funny and warm, and never pressured us to do anything . He was truly genuine in trying to educate us about the Guatemalan / Mayan culture and took joy when we found joy in learning. He was amazing! It made the part of the trip with him, and all the tours that much more enjoyable. Stay at the Hotel San Buenaventura de Atitlán in Panajachel - the property there is just perfect - with beach waterfront and a pool, breakfast included and tap water that was drinkable! (GAMECHANGER). Lake Atitlan is wonderful! Make sure you take a dip in it - and float to soak in the magic of being surrounded by all the volcanos, a blue sky, and birds chirping all around you! Alex our guide for Iximche Mayan Ruins was also our favorite - he shared the same enthusiasm as Pablo for educating us on his Mayan culture to us and we wish he had more time with him. Ask to taste the corn "moonshine"!

Also cant forget our driver Antonio - who was personable, excited to educate us more about Guatemala and converse with us and our choppy Spanish. He was great as well.

Can't highly recommend Eduardo and Kimkim enough. It would be the easiest and best way to get around the country, seeing everything you want to see and more :)

Hotel Review
San Buenaventura Hotel
Panajachel, Sololá

this was my favorite hotel stay! There are two types of rooms - when you go into this entrance -the left hand side is the 1 room - 2 twin size bed standard stay with access to this back patio with a table/chairs and access to the lush property. the right hand side door is the suite - that has the 1 room 2 twin size and an upstairs which has two sofa that turn into beds if need, a kitchenette and microwave and mini fridge. There is also an outdoor patio there. I stayed in both and they were both lovely. The best part is that the faucet water is drinkable and pretty good tasting ( I drink filtered water at home in San Francisco and it is pretty close!) Crowd: not crowded, and it seemed like it was more of a local staycation spot which I loved! quiet, not rowdy or anything although we were in between two hotels that seemed crazy on the weekends - bass and loud late music Decor: simple yet guatemalan colors and textiles were represented. Beds: were a bit more firm for my taste but I dont sleep in tempurpedics, I am convinced the Guatemalan people need these firm beds! Cleanliness: pretty clean, in the room and property all throughout Friendly Staff: super friendly, front staff speaks english and also staff for breakfast Onsite Ambiance: beautiful and amazing! It is like a mini lush forest/garden! and a onsite beach front, with a pool (more like a wading pool) but so beautiful and relaxing! This was one of the highlights for me - swimming in the lake and being surrounded by all the volcanos and blue sky. Notes: it is pretty close to town and you can have the front desk call you tuk tuks to get you there. mostly for food but we didnt do much else as we did a village boat tour.

Tips for future travelers

all the beds are a bit firm - although the sofa beds upstairs in the suite is more soft if that is a concern for you!

Authenticity & Character
simple decor but still vibrant with the Guatemalan colors
Location
secluded but close to town
Staff
all friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Guatemala

we loved having Pablo as our guide! the boat crew were amazing as well. The boat ride to each village was somewhere between pleasant to splish splash, and slight nausea as it was windy when we went at end of February (which apparently is the windiest time of the year). Nonetheless, the crew was great and especially Pablo who is super knowledgeable, spoke English, and has this calm and friendly demeanor!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Antonio was super friendly and funny! and drove carefully especially on the windy roads, which we appreciated
Coffee Tour at San Juan la Laguna
Coffee Tour at San Juan la Laguna
Guatemala

Pablo was our guide who took us to see Lucas who was one of the owners of La Voz. This was one of our favorite tours on the village tour trip! Lucas is amazing- and we were able to tour the entire property from taste testing (soo good!) to procuring the beans, to roasting to packaging . We loved how we were able to see the entire process and see how dedicated and enthusiastic they were in showing us around. You can really tell they care and love what they do. We each bought at least a bag of medium roast beans home - some for souvenirs. Make sure to ask for their freshest bag! The only thing I wished was getting that banana cake - it looked good to pair with the coffee haha

Quality of Experience
seeing the entire process, walk and see and smell everything!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
their enthusiasm, and care
Transport
Textile-Weaving Tour & water activity at Cristalinas
Textile-Weaving Tour & water activity at Cristalinas
Guatemala

Another one of our favorite tours! Although we didnt sense the same enthusiasm in these women - we probably caught them doing the 238947 tour of the day but we loved it nonetheless, so understandable. I was pulled in on understanding more of the Guatemalan and Mayan culture in women supporting their lives by contributing in making textiles! the colors, the process , and the traditional of passing it down from mother/grandmother/female mentor down to the next generation - was all fascinating. Especially the part where they use all natural ingredients to dye the cotton, and some with changing hues of color depending on when you pick the plant whether close to full moon or not. Amazing! We were able to test out how to spin the cotton into yarn, and crushing some herbs for dye, and also see them dye the yarn. At the end of the tour, we were able to see everything that they made and even purchase some. I personally purchased this bright multicolored shirt, that had hand woven mayan calendar in the front and i love it! Even after we went into other shops that sold similar items after this tour, this shop still had the highest quality. Pablo shared this with us after we asked about Chichicastenango textiles there - and I have to agree! And this properly supports the co-op they started here and they invest it back into the people and the community, so keep this in mind! :) Support the women here and their lovely hand made items. Oh and they take CC - make sure to use one that doesnt have foreign transaction fees :)

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Mar 12, 2022

Thank you very much Silvia..
We really appreciate this config from you and I am pretty sure this will help others to take decisions to visit Guatemala.

Hope to see you again in our land.
Saludos de Guatemala,
Eduardo

I'm definitely recommending kimkim
Guatemala | Feb 17 - Feb 23, 2022

D
Dan P.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Mar 04, 2022
We leveraged kimkim for a Guatemala trip and they made our stay so smooth and convenient. Eduardo organized transportation (to/from the airport and local tour destinations), COVID-19 testing, lodging, and hooked us up with some of the best local tour guides I've experienced. What was great about the itinerary was that it provided a nice structure while being very flexible. We made a few changes in plans and Eduardo navigated those changes with finesse. With kimkim, we had the luxury of... Read more

We leveraged kimkim for a Guatemala trip and they made our stay so smooth and convenient. Eduardo organized transportation (to/from the airport and local tour destinations), COVID-19 testing, lodging, and hooked us up with some of the best local tour guides I've experienced. What was great about the itinerary was that it provided a nice structure while being very flexible. We made a few changes in plans and Eduardo navigated those changes with finesse. With kimkim, we had the luxury of worrying less about travel logistics and could really focus on enjoying the finer parts of the stay.

Overall, working with kimkim was an exceptional experience during our visit.

Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Mar 04, 2022

We feel great to see your feedback, we hope more can see this and come to know the Mayaland. Thank you very much for so sweet words to our ears.
See you next time!!
Eduardo