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.
"On an unforgettable adventure in Monteverde, I hiked along the hanging bridges with a guide who pointed out a family of monkeys swinging gracefully through the trees. To my amazement, they eventually joined us on the bridges, climbing and leaping alongside me. Surrounded by dozens of these playful creatures, that moment became one of the most memorable experiences of the journey."
Adam's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Best of Lisbon & Porto: Lisbon, Porto, Cascais & Sintra - 8 Days
You don't have to travel far to see, taste, and experience the best of Portugal. Start your adventure in Lisbon to explore the city's art, cuisine, and hills. From Lisbon,...
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
Luxury 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
Every single person that worked at our resort...
Costa Rica
|
Jun 1 - Jun 5, 2026
Allison W.
Ashburn, VA
| Reviewed on Jun 06, 2026
Every single person that worked at our resort, Aquas Claras, was wonderful. We loved Dani & Jose at the front desk. The people at the restaurants & bars were awesome too. (Jazmin, Ariet, Jefferson, Fray, Leandro) Our resort offered yoga & massages. It was all so amazing! The house where we stayed was private & beautiful!
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
A thoughtfully curated unique adventure through Spain
Spain
|
May 26 - Jun 2, 2026
Rachael S.
North Olmsted, OH
| Reviewed on Jun 06, 2026
Everything about this trip was thoughtfully and carefully planned and curated, giving us a unique and private feel to our experience in Spain. Adam was thorough in getting to know us, what we were interested in, and checked on us again right before our departure, which was so helpful! Chinh was also a great part of the booking process and responded right away with a refund when our train tickets were invalid.
Each accommodation was perfectly selected, unique and upscale. Most importantly...
Read more
Everything about this trip was thoughtfully and carefully planned and curated, giving us a unique and private feel to our experience in Spain. Adam was thorough in getting to know us, what we were interested in, and checked on us again right before our departure, which was so helpful! Chinh was also a great part of the booking process and responded right away with a refund when our train tickets were invalid.
Each accommodation was perfectly selected, unique and upscale. Most importantly located perfectly for all of our exploring by foot in each of the three locations.
Activities: the Palma food tour was fantastic, Juan was a wonderful guide and we had the best afternoon with him tasting our way through the town.
We absolutely loved the uniqueness of the wine/food tour in Valencia. Martha was such an incredible guide and host. We learned so much and loved the opportunity to try the delicious local tapas paired withe fabulous local wines. A small and very unique evening in a beautiful event space.
Our private tour in Seville with Juanmil was very special. He is such an intelligent historian and I felt special having a private tour with no crowds. I learned so much from him!
Kim Kim, we will be back- top to bottom you did it again. What a great and seamless adventure we had!! Thank you so much!
Hotel Reviews
Meliá Calviá Beach
Calvià
Beautifully located, well appointed
Location
A wonderful beachside location not far from Palma
Hotel Marqués House
Valencia
We loved the location of this fun and unique hotel!
Location
Walkable to all of the top sights
Staff
Helpful and attentive
This was our favorite hotel-
Wow was it beautifully appointed and special
Staff
The staff were extremely attentive and helpful
Activity Reviews
Palma de Mallorca Food tour
Mallorca
Juan was an incredible guide. We had so much fun with him tasting our way through the streets of Palma! We loved the small group and the personalized nature.
Quality of Experience
Small group size, personality of guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mallorca Catamaran & Snorkeling Trip
Mallorca
Helmut was an amazing captain, we loved the size and relaxed format of this trip. The tapas and information provided by the deck hand (I wish I remembered her name) were some of the best bites of food we had in Spain!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Old Town Walk with Wine & Tapas Experience
Valencia
Martha was an incredible guide and host. We learned so much from her and the tapas were in such a beautiful event space. The group size was special and it really was a unique and one of a kind event, thanks to the delicious wine and food, and mostly to Martha!
Food
All of it! The gazpacho and sopressado were amazing!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Walking tours are the way to go!
Flamenco Show & Museum Visit
Seville
This was a bit stuffy and crowded and not exceptional
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Crowd control, AC
Private Visit to Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar
Seville
Juanmil was an amazingly informative historian and guide. We loved this private experience, it felt very individualized and crowd free. A Kim Kim gem for sure. And in our case, because of our wonderful guide!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The personalized approach and kindness of Juanmil and his knowledge
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
First, everyone at Kimkim listened to me care...
Costa Rica
|
May 18 - May 24, 2026
Yvonne Vizzier T.
Memphis, TN
| Reviewed on Jun 05, 2026
First, everyone at Kimkim listened to me carefully and were able to design the exact trip I requested. Overall every scheduled tour was really good with only one guide was a bit disappointing. Considering the number that we had is outstanding. The guide for the Volcano hike was outstanding. The raft guide was also very good especially with sighting animals. We really enjoyed the Jaguar Rescue which was my favorite tour even though there were no Jaguars! The number of animals was so...
Read more
First, everyone at Kimkim listened to me carefully and were able to design the exact trip I requested. Overall every scheduled tour was really good with only one guide was a bit disappointing. Considering the number that we had is outstanding. The guide for the Volcano hike was outstanding. The raft guide was also very good especially with sighting animals. We really enjoyed the Jaguar Rescue which was my favorite tour even though there were no Jaguars! The number of animals was so varied it allowed us to see examples of just about every animal native to Costa Rica. The rate of release of rescued animals was extraordinary .
The volcano hike had planned paths that were good for a strong hiker but not a walker. For me the number of small rocks, extreme variation in walking elevations was extremely difficult. I should not have done it but I got through it and made finishing longer for the younger hikers. I think the description of that hike needs to include a caution. There was plenty of other things to see and paths to walk including a nice food/drink pavilion including restrooms.pp
I will likely use Kimkim to help me plan other trips.
Hotel Reviews
Hotel Banana Azul
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
This was our favorite site as we were right on the beach, had great service and a good restaurant and bar. The layout is very tropical making fun for each of us. We enjoyed both pool and hot tub. Our last day there was a huge rain which ended up causing our cabin to be surronded by about 2 feet of water. So they moved us to the Tree House for our last night which was fun. For the move staff carried our luggage out of the cabin keeping everything dry. We missed the shower of the cabin and enjoyed the adventure of the event.
Authenticity & Character
It was not luxurious but very comfortable with everything we needed in “beach” location. In addition there were stations to refill our water bottles conveniently located.
Location
It was tucked in an easily accessible street and right on the beach.
Staff
Everyone made us feel that they existed to make us comfortable even with language difficulties.
Cleanliness & Comfort
We had no problems with the comfort and appreciated the explanation of the air conditioning system which made us very comfortable after and a day of activiies in the heat.
Hotel Arenal Lodge
Fortuna
We were not there in the tourist season and often felt like the only guests which affected the service. It was adequate. The restaurant menu was very limited and the site remote enough to make easy access of other restaurants difficult. The bar did make a really good mojito.
Authenticity & Character
facing the volcano was nice but walks around to exterior difficult to find.
Location
It was difficult to get transport to other sites.
Staff
The restaurant has own server in the morning and another in the evenings so we got to know them.
Cleanliness & Comfort
our room was spotless but with expected wear from age.
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ
| Replied on Jun 05, 2026
Thank you so much for your review! It really means a lot to hear that the trip came together the way you hoped it would! Designing it around exactly what you were looking for was the goal from the start. 🎉
The Jaguar Rescue Center is one of my favorite recommendations — people are always surprised by how much they love it even without the jaguars! And it sounds like the rafting and volcano hike guides made those experiences really memorable.
I really appreciate your flagging the terrain and...
Read more
Thank you so much for your review! It really means a lot to hear that the trip came together the way you hoped it would! Designing it around exactly what you were looking for was the goal from the start. 🎉
The Jaguar Rescue Center is one of my favorite recommendations — people are always surprised by how much they love it even without the jaguars! And it sounds like the rafting and volcano hike guides made those experiences really memorable.
I really appreciate your flagging the terrain and steepness of the volcano hike. I'll make sure that gets updated so future travelers can plan accordingly.
I hope to see you on another kimkim adventure! 🇨🇷
Amazing Spain and Portugal Trip
Spain
|
May 14 - May 23, 2026
Kevin B.
Denver, CO
| Reviewed on May 30, 2026
Our trip to Spain and Portugal was amazing. Kimkim did a fantastic job planning everything. Making sure that we had drivers to take us and pick us up at the key transportation hubs, and provided wonderful guides for the various tours that we took. We had a wonderful guide in Barcelona for the tour of Park Guell and the Sagria de Familia Basilica. Those are not to be missed if you visit Barcelona. We also did a Tapas food tour with Joseph who was funny, knowledgeable and took us to 3...
Read more
Our trip to Spain and Portugal was amazing. Kimkim did a fantastic job planning everything. Making sure that we had drivers to take us and pick us up at the key transportation hubs, and provided wonderful guides for the various tours that we took. We had a wonderful guide in Barcelona for the tour of Park Guell and the Sagria de Familia Basilica. Those are not to be missed if you visit Barcelona. We also did a Tapas food tour with Joseph who was funny, knowledgeable and took us to 3 excellent places for traditional Spanish Tapas. We stayed at Hotel Villa Emila which was a nice hotel in a nice part of Barcelona where we could walk to a number of places. After 2 days in Barcelona we took a train to Madrid on a nice coach and stayed at Hotel Regina. The next day we took a tour of the Prada Art Museum which was amazing. Later that afternoon we had a private tour of the Royal Palace with Carlos who was super knowledgeable and just a fun guide to have. The next day we attended a Flamenco show which was amazing. There as a slight mixup with the location, but Summer from Kimkim got back to me quickly to confirm the new location. After 2.5 days in Madrid, we flew to Lisbon which turned out to be our favorite place. Our first 1/2 day there we did some shopping and sight-seeing on our own. The second day we went on a walking tour with Rui who was super cool and very knowledgeable about the history of Lisbon and Portugal in general. He took us to the oldest operating bookstore in the world as well as other highlights of the city. Later that afternoon we went on a Portuguese food tour with Dani who had very close ties to the areas we went to as she grew up in Lisbon and was so passionate about the place and her heritage. The next day we had a private tour with Luis to Pena Place and Sintra. Luis was an excellent guide and the skip the line tickets was the only way to go as the lines for this tour were incredibly long and it was a hot day. I could go on and on, but Kimkim did an excellent job in planning excellent tours with great guides and virtually no issues. I highly recommend them.
Hotel Review
Lisboa Pessoa Hotel
Lisbon
The Lisboa Pessoa Hotel had a fantastic location in Lisbon, making it easy to explore the city. The rooms were smaller than what we're used to in the States, but this is common in Europe. The hotel was nice overall, and the breakfast was one of the highlights of our stay.
Activity Reviews
Private Pena Palace & Sintra Village Half-Day Trip
Lisbon
The Private Pena Palace & Sintra Village Half-Day Trip was fantastic, particularly because of the skip-the-line tickets. They allowed us to see so much more without getting bogged down by the incredibly long queues. It was definitely worth it and made our experience at Pena Palace much more enjoyable.
Flamenco & Tapas Night
Madrid
We had a minor hiccup with the Flamenco & Tapas Night as there was some confusion about the correct address for the show location. Luckily, Summer was able to confirm the correct location promptly, so it worked out in the end. The show was enjoyable once we sorted the initial confusion.
Park Güell & La Sagrada Família Experience
Barcelona
The Park Güell and La Sagrada Família Experience was truly amazing. These iconic sites in Barcelona were almost overwhelming in their beauty and significance. The guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the history and importance of each place. It was a standout moment for me on this trip.
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ
| Replied on Jun 01, 2026
Loved reading your review! 🙌 ⭐️
Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon each sound like they had their own standout moments. Joseph's tapas tour, Carlos at the Royal Palace, Rui's walking tour through Lisbon's history, Dani's food tour with all that personal passion for her city — those are exactly the kinds of guides who turn a great itinerary into something truly special. And Luis with the skip-the-line tickets at Sintra on a hot day? Always the right call.
We'll also pass along your kind words to...
Read more
Loved reading your review! 🙌 ⭐️
Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon each sound like they had their own standout moments. Joseph's tapas tour, Carlos at the Royal Palace, Rui's walking tour through Lisbon's history, Dani's food tour with all that personal passion for her city — those are exactly the kinds of guides who turn a great itinerary into something truly special. And Luis with the skip-the-line tickets at Sintra on a hot day? Always the right call.
We'll also pass along your kind words to Summer, and we're glad she got you sorted on the Flamenco location quickly! 💃
Thank you so much for the recommendation. We hope to help you plan your next adventure soon!
La Fortuna - Arenal - Tamarindo
Costa Rica
|
May 16 - May 23, 2026
James D.
Chicago, IL
| Reviewed on May 26, 2026
We stayed our first four nights at the Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal. The accommodations were stellar. The hot springs were great and the food was delightful. We took several guided nature hikes. The hanging bridges and the volcano hike were the highlights. We saw monkeys every day we were in the rain forest/volcano area. The town of La Fortuna was a short uber trip away (uber was less expensive than having the hotel arrange for the ride). There we found a couple of great...
Read more
We stayed our first four nights at the Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal. The accommodations were stellar. The hot springs were great and the food was delightful. We took several guided nature hikes. The hanging bridges and the volcano hike were the highlights. We saw monkeys every day we were in the rain forest/volcano area. The town of La Fortuna was a short uber trip away (uber was less expensive than having the hotel arrange for the ride). There we found a couple of great restaurants and plenty of shopping. The last 3 nights we stayed in the surfing town of Tamarindo at the Diria resort. Our room was small but it had a great view of the ocean. We took a catamaran cruise one night that was very nice. The last day before our departure we arranged for a fishing trip (we booked this outside of KimKim). We fished with Coyote Sportfishing and caught two great sailfish as well as some fish we kept and had Walter’s Restaurant cook up for us (ceviche and fish tacos). All of the transfers were on time with professional drivers. This vacation was a 10 out of 10. We saw all of the wildlife we could hope to see. It was an active vacation but relaxing too.
Hotel Reviews
The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal
La Fortuna
Spectacular views and great accommodations. We saw monkeys in the trees from our deck.
Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
Tamarindo
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were a little small but the proximity to the beach made up for it.
Activity Reviews
Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch
Arenal/La Fortuna
This was in the heart of the rain forest….so it rained of course. We saw plenty of wildlife. The hanging bridges were slightly unnerving but the views were incredible. The lunch that was included was above expectations.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Arenal Volcano & 1968 Reserve Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna
Beautiful hike with a very informative guide. We learned a lot about the area.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sloth & Bird Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna
We saw many different animals. It felt a little contrived though as we were in a preserve that was between a couple of farm fields. The guide was great and we did see a sloth as well as an owl.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Self-Guided Beach Day from Tamarindo
Tamarindo
Instead of doing this we went ahead and booked our own fishing trip through the hotel. I tried to book fishing with KimKim but they didn’t offer any fishing trips. This is the only disappointing part of dealing with KimKim. They should be able to set you up with a fishing trip too.
Quality of Experience
Kimkim should provide for guided fishing trips as well.
Catamaran Sailing Adventure with Barbecue
Costa Rica
Better than expected. It wasn’t obnoxious like other ‘booze cruise’ experienced I have had. Pretty views. Relaxing time.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ
| Replied on May 26, 2026
Love hearing that it was a 10 out of 10 experience! 🎉 Thanks so much for sharing.
La Fortuna has it all, hot springs, volcano hikes, hanging bridges, and it's so great that you get to see monkeys every day there! 🐒 And that Tamarindo ending sounds incredible. Catching sailfish and then having Walter's turn the rest into ceviche and fish tacos? That's the dream last day right there.
So glad everything ran smoothly and hope to see you on another kimkim adventure! :)
Bucket List Portugal in 9 Days
Portugal
|
May 3 - May 12, 2026
Carmen L.
Fremont, CA
| Reviewed on May 22, 2026
This trip was a 'bucket list' adventure for my mother-in-law, who is in her late 70s and very active and engaged with the world. Adam worked with us to see and experience as much as we could in 9 days, 4 different areas, and a variety of activities. I can say without hesitation that the trip exceeded our expectations, not only because Portugal is a welcoming country with a rich and long history, but because all of our drivers, guides and accommodations were exceptional. There were 2...
Read more
This trip was a 'bucket list' adventure for my mother-in-law, who is in her late 70s and very active and engaged with the world. Adam worked with us to see and experience as much as we could in 9 days, 4 different areas, and a variety of activities. I can say without hesitation that the trip exceeded our expectations, not only because Portugal is a welcoming country with a rich and long history, but because all of our drivers, guides and accommodations were exceptional. There were 2 instances when plans needed to shift or an activity was cancelled due to weather or operator reasons. The KimKim team helped us to pivot easily and refunds for cancelled activities were processed quickly and without hassle. We landed in Lisbon and trained to Porto the first day, which really helped manage jetlag and made a lot of sense for flow of travel. In Porto we had a fabulous driver (Miguel) who arranged for us to go to a fado dinner in Gaia, a little more off the beaten track. It was incredibly memorable and evocative. Our accommodation at Quinta do Vallado in the Duoro Valley was exceptional and the private wine tour with Vasco from Quinta Barquieros D'Ouro felt like the perfect way to see and learn about the wine making in this region. My favourite activity was the 2-hour cycling through vineyards. It was beautiful with stops to pick cherries from the trees. My mother-in-law was in awe of the Joanina Library in Coimbra and that experience was 100% her favourite memory. Also, it was nearing the annual party for the students of the University of Coimbra so we got to experience a small taste of their academic and social traditions. Finally, the bustle of Lisbon was a great finish, as was the day trip to Sintra and Cascais. Thanks to all the folks at KimKim and their excellent choices of guides and drivers, we had the best trip to Portugal we could imagine!
Hotel Review
Quinta do Vallado
Peso da Regua
Stunning hotel. I was expecting something traditional from the outside but it was modern and elegant on the inside. The fountains and the birdsong added to the ambiance on the balcony. The breakfasts were lovely and relaxed. A true escape in a beautiful setting.
Activity Review
Gaia Port Tasting Walk
Portugal
I didn't think I would really like Port wine, but after learning about it, I came home with 3 bottles. Our guide was enthusiastic and I appreciated the structure of a large, small and micro approach to port making. Definitely a must-do!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ
| Replied on May 22, 2026
What a wonderful review to receive, thank you, and I loved hearing that it was fantastic!!! A bucket list trip for your mother-in-law, and it sounds like Portugal delivered! 🙌
I love hearing that the fado dinner in Gaia, the Douro cycling, and the Joanina Library created such lasting memories. And we're glad the two plan changes felt smooth rather than stressful; that's exactly what we aim for.
I will make sure the team hears how much their care meant to your family. I hope to see you on another kimkim adventure! 😀
Quick trip to Valencia
Spain
|
Apr 26 - May 1, 2026
Yenyi F.
California
| Reviewed on May 02, 2026
A great trip that mixes both history and nature. Thanks for putting it together for me Adam.
Read more
A great trip that mixes both history and nature. Thanks for putting it together for me Adam.
Hotel Reviews
Hotel Helen Berger
Valencia
I stayed at Hotel Helen Bergen at a recent kimkim work trip.
Lovely hotel, in a great location. The hotel is only a few block away from the main old town/cathedral, and also just a few steps from the main shopping districts, but is set away far enough such that it feels like you are in the neighborhood. The hotel is very understated, actually looks more like a restaurant at first glance. In fact most of the ground floor is the hotel restaurant, which seems to be busy for afternoon coffees, pre-dinner drinks and dinners. When ever I walked by, there were people there.
The rooms were modern, and well setup. The desk is a good size to work from if you are there to work. The only complaint I would have is that the room is a bit on the small side. The other thing I really appreciate is the care the hotel put into ensuring the noise from the outside streets is well insulated. When the windows were closed, you didn't hear anything from the streets.
Bed was comfortable and the team were very friendly.
Location
Between the old town and the new area. But walkable to both.
Hotel Marqués House
Valencia
Location
Right next to the main street and around the corner from the cathedral.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Noise was an issue for me. I could hear people coming in at night when they closed their doors, and in the morning I could hear the trucks on the street.
MYR Palacio Vallier
Valencia
Outstanding location — directly off the main Cathedral square. You step out of the hotel and the Cathedral is right in front of you. Many rooms have a balcony with a direct view of the Cathedral — this is the defining feature of the property.
The building looks historic from the outside. The interior is a complete contrast: glass, steel, mirrors, and marble throughout — very modern and grand. The entrance is impressive: a large glass door opens into a marble and glass lobby, leading to double marble staircases that rise to the upper levels.
Location
From your window you can see the cathedral
Activity Reviews
Paella Cooking Class & Shopping at Mercat Central
Valencia
What a fun experience! Our guide/master chef Juan was super fun. He was able to keep it easy to follow, and also helped the group really get to know each other. The Paella was delicious, I can't want to try this with my family.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Super friendly.
Private Albufera Trip with Tapas & Wine
Valencia
Very relaxing, and a beautiful way to see the lagoon. The trip for us was all about the sunset, they put us in a small boat with a bottle of wine, and tapas, and took us into the middle of the lagoon, we were able to just relax and enjoy the view and the food & wine.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Old Town Walk with Wine & Tapas Experience
Valencia
Beautiful experience. I felt it was just the right mix of guided walk around the old town and relaxing at the venue. The venue was in a very unique location, and the team there provided a lovely set of tapas.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ
| Replied on May 06, 2026
Thank you for the review, Yenyi! You made the travel planning process so easy and fun! So glad to hear you liked the old town walk with tapas and the cooking experience! I have done both, and they are some of my favs too!
Thanks for sharing the photos! I look forward to planning your next kimkim adventure! ✈️
Our First Visit to Costa Rica is Nothing but PURA VIDA
Costa Rica
|
Apr 21 - Apr 30, 2026
Jonathan S.
Harrison, NJ
| Reviewed on May 01, 2026
This was our first trip to Costa Rica and KimKim created an amazing package that gave us a true, great taste of the country. My family and I (group of 6) visited Arenal, Monteverde and Manual Antonio. Each of these places gave a unique vibe and we enjoyed all of them. We experienced the torrential rains in Monteverde, which gave us a true experience of life in the cloud forest. We even experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Manuel Antonio, which reminded us that Costa Rica is part of the...
Read more
This was our first trip to Costa Rica and KimKim created an amazing package that gave us a true, great taste of the country. My family and I (group of 6) visited Arenal, Monteverde and Manual Antonio. Each of these places gave a unique vibe and we enjoyed all of them. We experienced the torrential rains in Monteverde, which gave us a true experience of life in the cloud forest. We even experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Manuel Antonio, which reminded us that Costa Rica is part of the ring of fire.
The food was great all and all! The excursions were memorable, in particular the zip line over the cloud forest. We ended up seeing about 20 sloths and the elusive Quetzal (a male and a female), all thanks to the trained eyes of our guides.
This is our second time engaging KimKim and we are truly satisfied with the package and services. Special acknowledgments and thanks to Kat, Kate and Adam. They made our first visit to Costa Rica a great experience. Pura Vida!
Hotel Reviews
Lomas provided the closest to a tree bungalow feel. Location at the base of Arenal Volcano is excellent.
Cloud Forest Lodge
Monteverde
The location of the Cloud Forest Lodge atop the cloud forest is simply spectacular. The view is breathtaking and staff were extremely personable.
Staff
Dennis, Jose, Fernando, and Benjamin were so personable and each made our stay very memorable.
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio
Amazing views. Best pool. Great restaurant. La Mariposa is a great hotel to end our trip.
Activity Review
Nocturnal Rainforest Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna
The nocturnal walk is a must to see some of the Costa Rica animals in their natural habitat. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and had a great eye in spotting the animals. We thoroughly enjoyed the walk.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ
| Replied on May 01, 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m happy to hear your trip to Costa Rica was such a memorable experience for you and your family. 🙌
It sounds like you truly got a taste of everything—from the unique vibes of Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio to the adventure of zip lining and spotting wildlife, I know you wanted to see sloths and glad you got to see 20!!!! 🦥
I really appreciate your continued trust in kimkim, and I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Kate as well.
Pura vida, and we’d love to help you plan your next adventure whenever you’re ready! 🤙
10/10 experience in Costa Rica
Costa Rica
|
Apr 13 - Apr 20, 2026
Jacqueline U.
Chicago, IL
| Reviewed on Apr 22, 2026
We had an amazing experience planning our Costa Rica trip with KimKim, and the trip itself was absolutely amazing! As far as planning, KimKim responded promptly to any questions and did an amazing job planning our destinations and trip activities based on what we were looking for. All transports to our hotels and planned activities went extremely smoothly, without any hiccups. We traveled to 3 different locations in Costa Rica: San Jose, La Fortuna, and Monteverde. Our favorite destination...
Read more
We had an amazing experience planning our Costa Rica trip with KimKim, and the trip itself was absolutely amazing! As far as planning, KimKim responded promptly to any questions and did an amazing job planning our destinations and trip activities based on what we were looking for. All transports to our hotels and planned activities went extremely smoothly, without any hiccups. We traveled to 3 different locations in Costa Rica: San Jose, La Fortuna, and Monteverde. Our favorite destination was La Fortuna. We spend the most time there (3 nights), and I'm so glad we did! The Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs resort was STUNNING and an amazing place to stay- I would definitely stay there again. We had a beautiful view of the Arenal volcano outside of our room, and the resort itself was beautiful- lots of amazing plants and wildlife. We sat outside very morning and enjoyed watching all the birds (the first morning a Toucan visited us!). A sloth also lived in a tree next door to our accommodation. The resort has two pools and several hot springs. It never felt crowded- it was very peaceful and relaxing when we had some down time. All of the activites we did on our trip were amazing. My personal favorite was the Coffee with a Sloth tour we did at the Toucan Rescue Center in San Jose. We had a private tour, got to meet 7 sloths, and we helped make their lunches and got to watch them eat! It was a once-in-a-lifetme, incredible experience we will never forget. Part of our travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde included a boat ride on the lake (I can't remember the name of the lake). This might have been my favorite part of the trip. The views were surreal- it was absolutely beautiful. Another memorable excursion was a hike to the La Fortuna Waterfall, where we hiked down to the waterful and swam at the fall. The hanging bridges tour in La Fortuna was also amazing- we spent a couple hours hiking through the lush rainforest and the guide was very knowledgeable and spotted some cool wildlife. We also did a river safari float near La Fortuna- we booked this one on our own sort of last-minute, but I highly recommend this experience. We saw a crocodile and a lot of howler monkeys. We had a short time in Monteverde, and this was the end of our trip so we were quite exhausted. We did a hike in the Santa Elena cloud forest, which was beautiful. The town of Santa Elana was very cute, with lots of shops and restaurants. The only thing I would have changed, is I honestly could have stayed in La Fortuna for the entire 2nd half of the trip- mainly because we loved the resort, and there are plenty of activities in that area. Overall, the trip was amazing, and we will defiitely be contacting KimKim for our next adventure.
Hotel Reviews
Grano de Oro Hotel
San José
The hotel was very nice, quaint and small. They had really good food at their restaurant. Giving 4 stars only because we wished they had a pool. Overall great experience here. Great location- walking distance to downtown and close to many restaurants and shops.
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna
Absolutely stunning hotel. The grounds are lush and beautiful- so many plants and wildlife in the resort. Stunning views of the Arenal volcano. It never felt crowded. The pools and hot springs were fantastic, and the wait staff extremely friendly. Was also very clean. Wished we could have stayed longer!
Location
Not close to downtown or any of the activities we did, but it was easy to get a taxi.
Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco
Monteverde
Location
Very close to all the shops and restaurants
Activity Reviews
Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna
Stunning scenery, saw and learned a lot about the wildlife. Highly recommend!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde
The cloud forest was beautiful. We spent a lot of time waiting for Quetzal birds in a couple different spots, and when we were hiking, we moved a little fast. Would have liked to see a little more wildlife- our guide was very focused on finding the Quetzal birds. Still a beautiful hike with stunning scenery.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Coffee with a Sloth at Toucan Rescue Center
San José
We had a private tour, and we got to meet the 7 sloths that live at the sanctuary. We also got to help make them lunch and watched them all eat. It was an incredible experience I will never forget!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Self-Guided Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna
The waterfall was beautiful... just be prepared to walk up and down a LOT of stairs. Definitely worth it.
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ
| Replied on Apr 23, 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! So great to hear how much you loved Costa Rica and that everything went smoothly from start to finish. 🙌
La Fortuna really is a highlight, and it’s great to hear how much you enjoyed your time at Arenal Manoa, along with experiences like the Coffee with a Sloth tour, the lake crossing, and the waterfall hike—such unforgettable moments!
Thanks for the insight into each accommodation, as it gives future travelers insight into what to expect! :) I hope to see you on another kimkim adventure!
Madrid/Seville/Lagos/Lisbon
Spain
|
Apr 8 - Apr 17, 2026
Boris K.
Essex, CT
| Reviewed on Apr 18, 2026
Madrid/Seville/Lagos/Lisbon trip was well planned and well executed, nice whether helped as well.
Madrid transfers and guides were on time and professional, hotel was good, a bit noisy. Tuk-Tuk tour has room for improvement like better vehicles suspension and adding display with city map and interactive vehicle location.
Train ride was a pleasant experience.
Seville transfer to the hotel was OK, driver could use some training. Seville hotel should...
Read more
Madrid/Seville/Lagos/Lisbon trip was well planned and well executed, nice whether helped as well.
Madrid transfers and guides were on time and professional, hotel was good, a bit noisy. Tuk-Tuk tour has room for improvement like better vehicles suspension and adding display with city map and interactive vehicle location.
Train ride was a pleasant experience.
Seville transfer to the hotel was OK, driver could use some training. Seville hotel should not be allowed to operate until underground comprehensively marked. Seville guide was on time, extremely knowledgeable and likable.
For transfer to Lagos was planned Tesla Y, instead was used Toyota Prius, substitution luxury car with economy car is not an acceptable practice, money back should be considered.
Lagos food tour guide was excellent. Lagos hotel was great, unconventional shower/toilet design would benefit by addition to toilet bidet and waste bucket. Lagos water tour was 30 minutes late, boat driver could be more respectful.
Transfer to Lisbon was good. Lisbon hotel was great, Lisbon tour guide was amazing. Tuk-Tuk tour had the same issues as Madrid one. Transfer to the Airport was seamless.
Hotel Reviews
Lagos Avenida Hotel
Lagos
Unconventional shower/toilet design would greatly benefit by adding to toilet bidet and waste bucket.
Las Casas de la Judería
Seville
Hotel should not allowed to operate until underground comprehensively marked, for example; every part has its own color code, similarly to marking trails in a forest.
Heritage Avenida Liberdade
Lisboa
Activity Reviews
Private City Walk & Royal Palace Experience
Madrid
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Electric Tuk-Tuk Adventure
Madrid
Vehicle suspension is not adequate. Display with city map and interactive vehicle location should be added.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Short Prado Museum Visit with Skip-the-Line Ticket
Madrid
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Flamenco Show & Museum Visit
Seville
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Visit to Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar
Seville
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lagos Evening Food Walk
Lagos (Algarve)
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ponta da Piedade by Boat Excursion
Lagos (Algarve)
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Pena Palace & Sintra Village Half-Day Trip
Lisbon
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Tuk-Tuk Experience Along the 28 Tram Route
Lisbon
Similar to Madrid, vehicle suspension is not adequate. Display with city map and interactive vehicle location should be added.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ
| Replied on Apr 21, 2026
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We really appreciate it. I’m glad to hear the trip was overall well planned and that you enjoyed many of the guides, tours, and hotels. 🙌
I’m sorry for the issues you experienced, especially the Tuk-Tuk tours not having enough suspension, and the delay with the water tour. Thanks for your feedback and will look into these.
I’m happy to hear highlights like the train journey, Lagos food tour, and your guides in Seville and Lisbon stood out. Thank you...
Read more
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We really appreciate it. I’m glad to hear the trip was overall well planned and that you enjoyed many of the guides, tours, and hotels. 🙌
I’m sorry for the issues you experienced, especially the Tuk-Tuk tours not having enough suspension, and the delay with the water tour. Thanks for your feedback and will look into these.
I’m happy to hear highlights like the train journey, Lagos food tour, and your guides in Seville and Lisbon stood out. Thank you again for your honest input. It helps us continue to improve and gives future travelers insight into what to expect for their next adventure! ✈️