Traveling to Costa Rica, Spain, or Portugal?! Let's make it happen!
🇨🇷 🇪🇸 🇵🇹
Having worked as a former flight attendant, I had the privilege of traveling to numerous countries. My twin brother, naturally, became my steadfast travel companion. From exploring castles, basking at the many beaches, and eating delicious food in the Iberian Peninsula countries of Spain and Portugal to venturing into Costa Rica, rich in biodiversity, I've had the opportunity to immerse myself in diverse cultures, savor new culinary delights, and connect with people from all walks of life.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"🇨🇷 Costa Rica 🌋 🌴 🦥
Costa Rica has memories of volcanoes, jungles, and beaches! It is truly the best place to do all things outdoors and adventure! My first mountain biking experience was near Arenal Volcano, which had stunning views of Arenal Lake! It was challenging but worth it! I will happily plan your perfect adventurous and outdoorsy experience, relaxing beach time, or a combo of both!
🇪🇸 Spain 🌞 🍷
My Iberian roots have led me back to Portugal and Spain, countries I love. Among the most unforgettable moments were a road trip to scenic mountain villages and exploring castles in remote towns. I've been fortunate to experience Spain's stunning mountains, tranquil Mediterranean coastlines, and rich history. Spain genuinely encapsulates enchantment, charm, and boundless adventure. I'm excited to start planning your trip to Spain!
🇵🇹 Portugal 🏰 🌊
Lagos (the Algarve region) in southern Portugal has one of the most beautiful coastlines, with picturesque views of the rock formations of Ponta da Piedade and Benagil Cave! I have many memories of running the cliff trails with my brother and the Atlantic Ocean in the background! It is truly a stunning and beautiful region! I look forward to planning your perfect adventure in Portugal!"
How did you get involved in travel?
"Growing up my family loved to travel and go on road trips! One favorite memory from my time in Spain involves a family road trip. We loved the small villages perched on cliffs, explored countryside castles and villages, and savored the best paella in Valencia. Seville, one of my favorite cities, captivated me with its rich history and visually stunning architecture. The abundance of sites and buildings in Seville left me in awe, all contributing to the core memories of Spain!"
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"During an exciting adventure, I participated in a hike along the hanging bridges of Monteverde. Our guide pointed out a family of monkeys, navigating from tree to tree, and to my surprise, they eventually joined us on the bridges. Dozens of these playful monkeys walked and climbed alongside me, creating a truly memorable experience."
Adam's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Best of Andalusia: Seville, Ronda & Málaga - 7 Days
This weeklong adventure takes you from Seville to Málaga through a beautiful section of Spain's southern coast. Along the route, you'll experience Andalusia's iconic "white...
Costa Rica Highlights: Arenal, Monteverde & Tamarindo - 8 Days
This eight-day trip to Costa Rica offers an array of adventures in a variety of landscapes, from the city to the cloud forest to the sea. Enjoy hiking near an active volcano,...
Barcelona, Granada & Seville - 10 days
See the cultural highlights of Spain's most captivating cities on this 10-day itinerary, showcasing Barcelona, Granada, and Sevilla. You'll start in Barcelona, fly to Granada,...
Family itineraries
Learn to catch a wave at Playa Tamarindo, one of Costa Rica's prime surfing spots, with a private lesson to learn the basics—or hone your skills—outside of a large group setting. Under the supervision of an experienced guide, surfing at Tamarindo is suitable for both novices and seasoned surfers...
Join a private guide and visit two of Seville's most important monuments: the Real Alcázar and the Seville Cathedral. You'll skip the long lines and enjoy a personalized experience that digs deep into the city's history and cultural heritage. Start at the Alcázar, a royal palace complex built...
Experience different eras of Portugal's history on this excursion that takes you to the favorite destinations of the Portuguese royal family. You'll be taken from Lisbon to Sintra, whose romanticist palaces and lush gardens have made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guide will take you through...
Experience an exhilarating zip line adventure in the country where this thrilling activity was born! Your journey begins with an ascent, guiding you high above the jungle canopy via a network of trails and suspension bridges. Once securely fastened to a zip line cable, you'll zoom down several...
Experience two of Barcelona's modernist masterpieces with an experienced guide on this half-day exploration of Antoni Gaudí's greatest works. You'll start among Park Güell's whimsical statues, winding paths, and curved terraces as your guide points out hidden symbolism and secret corners. Then...
Dig deep into Spanish culture alongside your guide to enjoy a special evening of passionate flamenco, a stroll through an authentic Sevillian neighborhood, and delicious tapas and wine. Begin with a flamenco show in the historic Triana neighborhood (the birthplace of many renowned flamenco...
Recent trip reviews for Adam
Use KimKim - That Simple - Thank You Adam
Costa Rica
|
Jun 21 - Jun 27, 2025
Eric W.
Ashburn, VA
| Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025
I used to agonize over every detail building a trip itinerary on my own - never again. KimKim, and Adam, made it all simple. Adam took the time to hear what type of adventure we were looking for, and tailored the experience into our Costa Rica vacation of our dreams, no exaggeration whatsoever. We’ll be using KimKim moving forward - worry free travel arranged by experts, all at a completely reasonable cost. Thank you to Adam, and the rest of the KimKim team.
Eric & Kathleen Wetzel
Read more
I used to agonize over every detail building a trip itinerary on my own - never again. KimKim, and Adam, made it all simple. Adam took the time to hear what type of adventure we were looking for, and tailored the experience into our Costa Rica vacation of our dreams, no exaggeration whatsoever. We’ll be using KimKim moving forward - worry free travel arranged by experts, all at a completely reasonable cost. Thank you to Adam, and the rest of the KimKim team.
Eric & Kathleen Wetzel
Hotel Reviews
Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa
Fortuna
Unreal - a spacious, gorgeous, room with an in room hot tub facing Arenal Volcano? YES PLEASE. Incredible, kind staff (thank you ALL - and Christian in particular). Add an amazing set of hot springs and pools right in the resort. My wife and I both HIGHLY recommend this AMAZING place.
Cloud Forest Lodge
Monteverde
WOW! A resort in the middle of the Cloud Forest in Costs Rica? Yep. If you skipped Monteverde on your trip to CR, you absolutely missed out. Incredible staff, with a special thanks to Eric - he made us feel like we made a new friend - SOYTICO Brother! 😂 - you too Dennis and Paulina, a true pleasure. Rooms were clean and gorgeous, and the bed was amazing as well. Having a front porch that opens into the Cloud Forest was the coolest thing.
Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge
Nosara
My wife had the “Best massage of my life”. The food at the onsite restaurant was nothing short of incredible. Special thanks to Mailyn for her outstanding service and kindness. The rooms, pools, and restaurant look out over the forest reserve and the Pacific Ocean - not better views anywhere in my opinion. While the roads getting to this place were pretty rough, once you’re there, the place is absolutely awesome. A true hidden gem with wonderful food!
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Family Trip to Costa Rica, 10 travelers
Costa Rica
|
Jun 15 - Jun 22, 2025
Brian R.
Los Angeles, CA
| Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025
overall, we had a fantastic trip. But, since you are asking, i will provide some feedback....
1. Bus transfers from Airport to Hotel Manoa, from Hotel Manoa to Captain Suiza Hotel and from Captain Suiza back to Airport: Drivers were great, friendly, and safe. Busses were clean and comfortable, and, the wi fi was a nice touch. My only comments on the transfers is that they should really have some waters and trash receptacles or bags for trash. But, otherwise, the transfers were...
Read more
overall, we had a fantastic trip. But, since you are asking, i will provide some feedback....
1. Bus transfers from Airport to Hotel Manoa, from Hotel Manoa to Captain Suiza Hotel and from Captain Suiza back to Airport: Drivers were great, friendly, and safe. Busses were clean and comfortable, and, the wi fi was a nice touch. My only comments on the transfers is that they should really have some waters and trash receptacles or bags for trash. But, otherwise, the transfers were great.
2. Hotel Manoa: the grounds were immaculate, the staff friendly, we loved the swim up bars in the pools and their daily happy hours. The rooms were really not great. very dated and beds were not very comfortable. The rooms really need a "refresh". and, the spa had no working jets.
3. Hotel Capitan Suiza: we loved these rooms, the grounds, and, the staff were very nice. Based on what we saw of other hotels in our area, this hotel seemed to look the nicest.
4. KimKim: was a pleasure working with your team, the calls we had prior to departure were helpful and informative.
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Smooth, trustworthy and high-quality trip planning partner
Costa Rica
|
Jun 14 - Jun 23, 2025
Chris H.
Boston, MA
| Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025
Overall, the trip was great. kimkim helped us design the perfect itinerary and identify ideal hotels for our trip. Everything went smoothly with all rides and pick-ups right on time and where they should be. The activities were all high quality. Costa Rica is a beautiful place filled with both the friendliest people and great adventures to do. Kimkim was a great trip planner and guide. Always replying quickly and helping with any questions.
Read more
Overall, the trip was great. kimkim helped us design the perfect itinerary and identify ideal hotels for our trip. Everything went smoothly with all rides and pick-ups right on time and where they should be. The activities were all high quality. Costa Rica is a beautiful place filled with both the friendliest people and great adventures to do. Kimkim was a great trip planner and guide. Always replying quickly and helping with any questions.
Hotel Reviews
Tulemar Resort
Manuel Antonio
The hotel in Manuel Antonio was the nicest with the best service on our trip. However, there was some confusion about our room; we expected one with a balcony and didn't get it. Make sure you clarify room specifics before booking.
Cloud Forest Lodge
Monteverde
Beautiful setting up in the cloud forest. If it's clear, you will have a beautiful sunset from their deck. It is pretty quiet, almost like a private camp with top notch amenities. The rooms are big with very comfortable beds. And the restaurants is one of the best meals in the area - a culinary experience.
Authenticity & Character
A truly unique hotel. Not a lot of guests stay there at one time. Plus the restaurant offers quite a bit of charm.
Location
Beautiful views. A quick taxi into town. Close to zip lining and other adventures.
Staff
Everyone was very nice and helpful, from the front desk to the restaurant.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The grounds are impeccable in terms of cleanliness. The rooms have nice soft beds. You may need to content with bugs (it is Costa Rica), but the staff will surely help if needed.
Paradise Hot Springs Thermal Water Resort
La Fortuna
Rooms were nice and big. The wide variety of hot springs filled pools were a tremendous experience. On-site breakfast has a great variety and tasted good. Would probably recommend going into town for dinner though. Staff was very helpful.
Authenticity & Character
A unique and interesting layout with a great view of the volcano.
Location
Conveniently located a quick uber ride from town where there are a ton of shops and restaurants.
Staff
Friendly, fast responding and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The property is very clean. They refresh the spring water in the pools every day. You may need to contend with some bugs here and there, but the staff will spray or clean if needed.
Activity Reviews
Manuel Antonio National Park Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio
The Manuel Antonio National Park Nature Hike was really cool. The tour guides were excellent and we saw around twenty-five different animals. The area and beaches are beautiful, definitely a must-do.
TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure
Monteverde
The TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure in Monteverde was one of the better zip lining tours. We felt safe the entire time and enjoyed beautiful views.
Chocolate & Night Hike Experience
Monteverde
The Chocolate & Night Hike Experience was fun, with interesting animal sightings including a sloth and a snake. However, the description was a bit off regarding the chocolate-making part. You observe the guide making chocolate and then taste it, rather than making your own bar. Still, an enjoyable event.
Río Balsa Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Arenal/La Fortuna
Highly recommend the Desafio rafting trip out of Fortuna. A great group of simultaneously fun and highly qualified guides took us down the river. Our guide Emanuel (aka Fluffy, aka Pelusa) was friendly, funny and skilled. The transportation was smooth, the rapids were the perfect size for family, great mix of adventure moments and chill moments, and the lunch afterward was a tasty Costa Rican meal. A must do.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Snorkeling at Isla del Caño Biological Reserve
Manuel Antonio
We had fun, but there are some positives and less positives when it comes to this activity. Things you need to know:
First, the less positives:
-If you are staying in Manuel Antonio, the excursion is an hour drive, and you need to leave the hotel at 5:40 AM
-Because this is a national reserve, to load onto and unload from the boat, you need to walk out/in at the beach, and the ground is very rocky in spots and pretty painful on bare feet.
-The ride to the island is on open ocean and can be pretty choppy if there are swells. The ride for us was very bumpy and took about 90 minutes. This was tough, especially if you have kids.
-There are not really bathrooms on the island. If you gotta go, you are pretty much going in the water.
-Overall, it is a long trip. Note, this activity will take a big chunk of your time in this area. We left the hotel at 5:40 AM and returned at almost 4 PM.
Now the positives:
-If you love snorkeling or scuba, this is pretty much the main option on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. There are not really any other close reefs, and this particular location is a great one.
-We saw tons of tropical fish, turtles (tortugas!), sharks (safe ones), dolphins, and unique birds
-The guides were all very passionate and great at their job. They took great care with safety, concerns about sea sickness, and instruction in the water.
-If you get a calm day, the boat ride is likely not quite as taxing and a bit shorter. (But that's a crapshoot.)
-The burritos for lunch were very tasty
So if a snorkel or scuba is a must in your stay on the Costa Rican coast and you have the time, I recommend this one. If not, or if you have younger kids or sea sickness concerns, maybe skip this one.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Wonderful Spanish family trip
Spain
|
Jun 4 - Jun 18, 2025
Keri B.
Park Ridge, IL
| Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025
What an amazing trip Adam helped us plan! It was a perfect balance of culture, food, and activity. Our family of four likes to keep busy so ultimately, we ended up seeing Madrid, Toledo, Sevilla, Malaga, Granada, and Barcelona in a 2 week period.
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Our zip line experience was wonderful. We di...
Costa Rica
|
Jun 15 - Jun 22, 2025
joyce r.
Los Angeles, CA
| Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025
Our zip line experience was wonderful. We did the jungle hike and suspension bridges with Fabi, which also wonderful. White water rafting with Fluffy and George were great. Whole trip was excellent, well organized. Transportation to each location was great.
Only comment. For our last day, the drive to the airport got us to the airport over 3 1/2 hours before our flight and the Alaska desk did not open until 3 hrs before flight, so we were left hanging out with no place to sit or wait...
Read more
Our zip line experience was wonderful. We did the jungle hike and suspension bridges with Fabi, which also wonderful. White water rafting with Fluffy and George were great. Whole trip was excellent, well organized. Transportation to each location was great.
Only comment. For our last day, the drive to the airport got us to the airport over 3 1/2 hours before our flight and the Alaska desk did not open until 3 hrs before flight, so we were left hanging out with no place to sit or wait in the entry of the airport. Just something to be aware of.
thank you for everything.
Hotel Reviews
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna
Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel
Tamarindo
Activity Reviews
Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure
Arenal/La Fortuna
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private: Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River
Arenal/La Fortuna
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Self-Guided Beach Day from Tamarindo
Tamarindo
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Amazing trip to Costa Rica
Costa Rica
|
Jun 15 - Jun 22, 2025
Darren R.
Los Angeles, CA
| Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025
Thank you for an amazing trip! We really enjoyed everything you planned. All the people were friendly, funny and informative. The highlight for me was the white water rafting through Desafio Adventure, and our guide "Fluffy" (I can't remember his real name) was so fun to be around. He was funny, had great stories, personable and good communication. We happened to be in Tamarindo and was talking about Fluffy and another group overheard and was so excited saying they just did a trip with...
Read more
Thank you for an amazing trip! We really enjoyed everything you planned. All the people were friendly, funny and informative. The highlight for me was the white water rafting through Desafio Adventure, and our guide "Fluffy" (I can't remember his real name) was so fun to be around. He was funny, had great stories, personable and good communication. We happened to be in Tamarindo and was talking about Fluffy and another group overheard and was so excited saying they just did a trip with him. The hotel in Tamarindo knocked it out of the park. The rooms were spacious, and comfortable, the staff were friendly and accommodating. The hotel in Arenal was great as well, but the rooms were not quite as nice as in Tamarindo, but the grounds more than made up. Everybody we worked with from reception to adventure were friendly and easy to be with. We truly love the country and the people, it was a breath of fresh air to be in Costa Rica - Pura Vida!
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Easy scheduling and trip support
Spain
|
May 27 - Jun 7, 2025
Manish P.
Atlanta, GA
| Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025
This was a college graduation gift for my son. We enjoyed the experiences we had scheduled with KK. Overall, very interesting and relaxing as we requested. I’d recommend the trip planning through Kimkim. There is one excursion where the guide was more interested in his experiences than ours. He was our day guide from Barcelona to Girona and Costa Brava. Maybe choose a different driver for that trip. Otherwise, all the other guides were wonderful!
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Anniversary Trip to Mallorca & Menorca
Spain
|
May 29 - Jun 15, 2025
Nicole T.
Flagami, FL
| Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025
Adam planned a wonderful trip on relatively short-notice (2 weeks before departure). The hotels chosen were in fantastic locations both with unique and calming vibes. Activities that were of particular note - Off-roading sunset tour in Menorca and Mallorca Catamaran & Snorkeling Trip. I will likely use KimKim again for other locations.
Read more
Adam planned a wonderful trip on relatively short-notice (2 weeks before departure). The hotels chosen were in fantastic locations both with unique and calming vibes. Activities that were of particular note - Off-roading sunset tour in Menorca and Mallorca Catamaran & Snorkeling Trip. I will likely use KimKim again for other locations.
Hotel Reviews
Sant Jaume Design Hotel
Palma de Mallorca
Great location and vibe. Rooftop and cool plunge pool was great way to chill after sightseeing during the day. The hotel staff were wonderfully helpful and friendly. Basement sauna and large hot-tub were amazing. Interior design was top notch as well.
Villa Le Blanc—Gran Meliá
Santo Tomás
This was one of the nicest hotels I've ever experienced. Sublime.
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Our trip to Portugal was organised by Adam- h...
Portugal
|
May 28 - Jun 6, 2025
Melinda D.
Australia
| Reviewed on Jun 12, 2025
Our trip to Portugal was organised by Adam- he did a fantastic job! The Zoom catch up before our trip began gave us the opportunity to run through our itinerary and ask any questions. The tours that we had booked were fun and hassle free. When we had a tour cancelled, we were notified promptly and offered something similar. Our drivers were punctual ,friendly, and knowledgeable. The hotels we stayed in were unique and definitely suited our style. Communication with the team at kimkim...
Read more
Our trip to Portugal was organised by Adam- he did a fantastic job! The Zoom catch up before our trip began gave us the opportunity to run through our itinerary and ask any questions. The tours that we had booked were fun and hassle free. When we had a tour cancelled, we were notified promptly and offered something similar. Our drivers were punctual ,friendly, and knowledgeable. The hotels we stayed in were unique and definitely suited our style. Communication with the team at kimkim was efficient and we were kept in the loop at all times. I was hesitant to use a travel company as I usually organise our travel myself but not knowing much about Portugal and wanting a stress free end to our holiday, I decided to take a leap of faith with kimkim. It definitely paid off and I would not hesitate to recommend the team at kimkim if you are looking for a tailor made travel itinerary.
Hotel Review
Heritage Avenida Liberdade
Lisboa
Beautifully restored hotel, great location. Rooms were spacious and facilities excellent. Breakfast was excellent with lots of choices. Pastel de Nata available to nibble on all day!
Authenticity & Character
beautiful decor
Location
easy walking to restaurants and sights
Staff
helpful and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
comfortable beds and fluffy towels
Activity Review
Sintra Day Trip with Visit to Pena Palace
Lisbon
Filipa was a great guide. Punctual, friendly, and knowledgeable. She was able to keep one step ahead when there was traffic issues in Sintra and kept us updated with arrival times, etc.
The Pena Palace was stunning, lots to see and beautiful surroundings.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
friendly and knowledgeable
Transport
very clean vehicle with good air conditioning
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ
| Replied on Jun 16, 2025
Melinda!!!! Loved reading your review!! 🙌
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience on your trip to Portugal and that it was a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish.
It’s great to know the pre-trip Zoom session was helpful, and that the tours, drivers, and accommodations matched your travel style. We’re especially glad we could earn your trust, given that you usually plan your own travel—your leap of...
Read more
Melinda!!!! Loved reading your review!! 🙌
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience on your trip to Portugal and that it was a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish.
It’s great to know the pre-trip Zoom session was helpful, and that the tours, drivers, and accommodations matched your travel style. We’re especially glad we could earn your trust, given that you usually plan your own travel—your leap of faith means a lot to us!
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to help you plan another memorable journey. 😀
Great trip
Spain
|
Feb 26 - Mar 8, 2025
Marrianne R.
Newark, NJ
| Reviewed on Jun 07, 2025
Thanks to the Kim kim Team our trip to Spain was a success. We were able to cover a lot of ground with ease help to their assistance.
Read more
Thanks to the Kim kim Team our trip to Spain was a success. We were able to cover a lot of ground with ease help to their assistance.
Hotel Reviews
Petit Palace Puerta del Sol
Madrid
Cute hotel close to Plaza de Sol with wonderful views and a great breakfast however it can be quite noisy late into the night since you are in the center of the city
Authenticity & Character
location is close to everything
Staff
friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
basic
Gar Anat Boutique Hotel
Granada
Beautiful boutique hotel with unique rooms, it was a quick walk to everything. Excellent service with a great breakfast and afternoon tea available in lobby. One word of caution if you are traveling with older or handicap guests the entrance does require you to step over the door frame into the lobby and some of the rooms had a step down/up into the room that could be an issue
Authenticity & Character
each room had its own theme
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ
| Replied on Jun 12, 2025
Hi Marianne,
Thank you for your review of all the hotels! It gives future travelers a greater understanding of what to expect. 😀
I am so glad we were able to help plan everything on your trip, from accommodations, activities, and transportation, and that it was a smooth experience!
I agree, we have the best kimkim team!!! 🙌
