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Brittany McNamara

I love how travel affords us the opportunity to encounter and discover wildlife, unique cultures, uncommon destinations, and the overall joys of traveling and having new experiences. I also believe that through travel, we can have a positive impact on the planet and local communities simply by incorporating sustainable practices and utilizing travel providers who make an effort to give back.

How did you get involved in travel?

"I'm an explorer at heart. I've always been curious and crave to understand everything and anything. Naturally, those qualities drew me to travel, where I could connect with other cultures, have insider access through relationships and activities, and experience as much as possible that the world has to offer.

As cliché as it sounds, those experiences have shaped my lifestyle, personality, and my perception and understanding of the world. So my goal is to provide others with the opportunity to explore and discover the world and, potentially, themselves. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Patagonia was at the top of my bucket list for many years, so it was truly a dream come true for me to explore this untamed, wild, and remote land for a month in late 2018. The entire trip was incredible - from seeing southern right whales and their newborn calves breaching, to jumping into glacial lakes, and sipping yerba maté with gauchos after horseback riding.

But one experience that particularly stands out was when we were hiking in El Chaltén to Laguna Torre (Torre lake). About three miles into our nearly 12-mile hike, it started snowing. It was really coming down and covering the ground enough that we could barely make out the trail. We decided to wait a few minutes to see if it was just a squall that would quickly blow through, but it just kept snowing.

We went back and forth over and over again about what we should do, turning back twice. Finally, we decided to risk it and continue on our hike.

Thankfully the snow eventually let up, and once we reached the lake, we were afforded the most incredible views of the jagged peaks of Cerro Torre and the surrounding mountains, as well as the glacial lake filled with floating icebergs. We could even hear the crack and rumble of the glacier calving in the distance. To make it even better, we had the entire place to ourselves. If we had turned around, we never would've had such a special moment!"

Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent trip reviews for Brittany

AMAZING! I would go back to Costa Rica ever...
Costa Rica | Dec 26 - Jan 6, 2023

Lindsay
Lindsay P.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 05, 2023
AMAZING! I would go back to Costa Rica every year if I could. The trip had such great variety, we really got to see it all. Everything was so organized, we didn't have to worry about a thing. Our flights got changed the day before we left on our trip, and Brittany was so helpful in booking us an extra nights stay. Our favourite part was releasing over 100 baby sea turtles into the ocean with Kids Saving the Rainforest in Manuel Antonio. They were so welcoming and went above and beyond to... Read more

AMAZING!

I would go back to Costa Rica every year if I could. The trip had such great variety, we really got to see it all. Everything was so organized, we didn't have to worry about a thing. Our flights got changed the day before we left on our trip, and Brittany was so helpful in booking us an extra nights stay. Our favourite part was releasing over 100 baby sea turtles into the ocean with Kids Saving the Rainforest in Manuel Antonio. They were so welcoming and went above and beyond to allow us to join in on such a special moment. The only downside was San Jose, being there right after Christmas, everything was closed! But that is the only negative thing I can say.
I am still dreaming about the coffee...

Activity Review
Visit Kids Saving the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary
Visit Kids Saving the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary
Manuel Antonio

They were so incredibly welcoming and even let us tag along to release baby sea turtles into the ocean 10/10 trip hight light for us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Amazing experience!
Costa Rica | Apr 27 - May 6, 2023

myranda
myranda w.
Springfield, IL | Reviewed on May 08, 2023
Planning our trip through KimKim was great! The local specialist we worked with was easily available to answer questions and help build our itinerary. Once we were in CR everything went very smoothly and our specialist was quick to respond with any questions that came up while we were in our trip. We have used travel agents before and the KimKim team provides an excellent level of customer service and expertise in planning. Our local guide Melany in La Fortuna was so knowledge on all of the... Read more

Planning our trip through KimKim was great! The local specialist we worked with was easily available to answer questions and help build our itinerary. Once we were in CR everything went very smoothly and our specialist was quick to respond with any questions that came up while we were in our trip. We have used travel agents before and the KimKim team provides an excellent level of customer service and expertise in planning. Our local guide Melany in La Fortuna was so knowledge on all of the local animals and ecology we learned so much on our tour that we would never have noticed on our own. Every single guide, driver , concierge etc was so helpful and kind and so happy to teach us about thier beautiful country! I would highly recommend staying at paradise springs hotel in La fortuna , the hot springs are a great way to relax after a long day of hiking and it is very easy to get a taxi to the “downtown” area for dinner and drinks. While in Monteverde we stayed at the hotel heliconia which had absolutely stunning views of the mountains and sunsets , this hotel does not have AC however it gets very cool at night and we did not find it to be uncomfortable. This hotel is also a very easy taxi drive away from the “downtown” area which was very fun to explore! Our final stop in Quepos , Manuel Antonio we stayed at the tulemar resort which was phenomenal! A perfect relaxing end to our vacation on an absolutely beautiful property where we saw, monkeys, sloths and macaws up close! Overall this trip was wonderful and made even more enjoyable having the peace of mind that everything was so well planned out and organized by the team at KimKim

Hotel Review
Hampton Inn & Suites San Jose Airport
Alajuela

Very convenient and close to the airport , easy to locate shuttle out of terminal. Clean and a nice selection at breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private: Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike
Private: Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

An amazing hike with views you will not find anywhere else in the world! Our guide Melany was amazing and very knowledgable

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River
Arenal/La Fortuna

So much fun! The rafting guides were a great time while also ensuring that everyone was safe! The meal provided after our rafting was one of the best meals we had on the trip

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Adventures: Tram,  Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges
Sky Adventures: Tram, Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges
Monteverde

The zip lining portion was a great time! All of the staff made sure we had a great time while also taking safety very seriously! If you want a nice extra adrenaline jump at the end definitely try the “death drop” at the end! On the hanging bridges tour our guide Andres was wonderful and took to much time to help us spot some amazing wildlife!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Our trip to Costa Rica was amazing.
Costa Rica | Apr 28 - May 6, 2023

Linda
Linda S.
Ventura, CA | Reviewed on May 08, 2023
Our trip to Costa Rica was amazing. The Kimkim team was awesome in helping us to plan and arrange our trip and activities. We cancelled one of our activites to relax at a spa instead. Jessica took care of the cancellation and issued a refund that day! The hotel Casa Luna in La Fortuna was beautiful with a natural creek running through it. The staff were very helpful and our rooms were great. The food was good but we also enjoyed venturing into town for more local cuisine. We would... Read more

Our trip to Costa Rica was amazing. The Kimkim team was awesome in helping us to plan and arrange our trip and activities. We cancelled one of our activites to relax at a spa instead. Jessica took care of the cancellation and issued a refund that day! The hotel Casa Luna in La Fortuna was beautiful with a natural creek running through it. The staff were very helpful and our rooms were great. The food was good but we also enjoyed venturing into town for more local cuisine. We would definitely return! After hiking to waterfalls, nature walks, hot springs and ziplining we headed to Manuel Antonio to experience the beauty of the National Park. The hotel Plaza Yara was beautiful and the staff were kind and accommodating. Always ready to help with taxies and directions. All of the guides were informative and their knowledge was very educational. Costa Rica is all about conservation and preserving their wildlife habitats. We loved this trip and the experience of a lifetime! Thank you Kimkim!

Hotel Reviews
Casa Luna Hotel & Spa
La Fortuna
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Plaza Yara
Puntarenas
Authenticity & Character
Location
On a dangerous road so you need to take a taxi everywhere
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Boating in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Boating in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Arenal/La Fortuna

The guide was great but the trip a little long and would like to have seen more wildlife.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike
Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Visit
Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Visit
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was a lot of information about rescued animals, mostly birds. The guide was great but we were hoping to see some sloths which were not there.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was amazing and should be required for Costa Rica. Beautiful!

Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

Highlight of the trip! Beautiful, exciting and would definitely recommend this!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio

This is a beautiful national park as is everything in Costa Rica. The guide was great. However, the tour felt a little long (maybe because it was so hot and humid) and we found that we saw more monkeys and sloths outside of the parks.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Amazing time in Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Mar 30 - Apr 8, 2023

S
SAPNA B.
Syracuse, NY | Reviewed on Apr 13, 2023
Costa Rica is a stunning country, full of natural beauty and adventure opportunities. Our customized itinerary took us through 3 major areas with specific activities, hikes and adventures planned and tailored by the travel experts at KimKim. Jessica and Brittany did a phenomenal job of curating the activities based on out likes and dislikes and made excellent recommendations for hotels and going out of the way to help us get the accommodations of choice . Arenal:
The Arenal area is...
Read more

Costa Rica is a stunning country, full of natural beauty and adventure opportunities. Our customized itinerary took us through 3 major areas with specific activities, hikes and adventures planned and tailored by the travel experts at KimKim. Jessica and Brittany did a phenomenal job of curating the activities based on out likes and dislikes and made excellent recommendations for hotels and going out of the way to help us get the accommodations of choice .

Arenal:
The Arenal area is known for its impressive volcano and hot springs. The volcano, while currently dormant, is still a breathtaking sight, especially when viewed from our Hotel Room (Manoa Hot Springs). Just sitting outside in patio, immersed in nature, we could experience the timelessness this place provides. The natural hot springs are the perfect way to relax and unwind after a day of exploring the surrounding area. Other popular activities in the Arenal area include hiking, ziplining, and white water rafting. We didnt engage in the latter but enjoyed the hikes and nature walks immensely. The Ziplining is at a whole other level and elevation... a must do.

Monteverde:
Monteverde is a cloud forest region known for its biodiversity and stunning scenery. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a must-visit for any nature lover, with miles of hiking trails that wind through the misty forest. The whole atmosphere is surreal and out of a movie. The weather is unpredictable but still fun with a constant mist that ever pervasive. During our visit here took a guided night hike and saw an incredible array of animals, including tarantulas, snakes, and sloths. Another highlight of our time in Monteverde was visiting a coffee plantation and learning about the process of growing and roasting coffee, Chocolate and and Sugar. Costa Rica produces some amazing coffee BTW.

Manuel Antonio:
Manuel Antonio is a coastal area known for its beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife.
Our Hotel - La Mariposa, gave us a lovely room on the top floor with sweeping views of the gulf and beyond. The Manuel Antonio National Park was the highlight of our trip, with hiking trails that lead to stunning views of the coastline and plenty of opportunities to spot exotic birds and animals. We spent most of the day lounging on the beach , swimming in the clear blue water, and watching monkeys and iguanas in the nearby trees. The kids especially had a blast with the monkeys.

Hotels: With the exception of a Hotel near the Airport which was decent, all other stays were excellent and we were totally satisfied.

Special props to the Staff at Hotel Ocotea for a memorable stay. Folks there went out of their way to make sure we had a good time.

Activities - perfectly planned - all tours went exactly as described and on time.

Transfers: On time, everytime. Comfortable most times and great drivers who took care of any issues.

Bookings/cancellations/changes: KimKim was very responsive in accomodating all our needs and communication was excellent throughout.

Overall, our Costa Rica trip was an unforgettable adventure filled with natural beauty and thrilling activities. Thanks to Kimkim for making it a memorable trip

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

Great hotel - awesome location and views. Great breakfast. Nice rooms and feel close to nature . Only downside is distance e to La Fortuna restaurant activities - have to take a taxi .

Authenticity & Character
The view and the layout - each room feels like a part of nature
Location
Beautiful volcano view
Staff
Excellent
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio

Beautiful location and amazing views . Very kid friendly . Close to good places .

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hampton Inn & Suites San Jose Airport
Alajuela

Nice airport hotel - shuttle runs 24 hrs every 15 mins

Ocotea Boutique Hotel
Santa Elena

Amazing boutique hotel - absolutely loved it . The view from the roof top bar is breathtaking. Staff is the best we have ever encountered. Close enough to town to walk to great restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful sunset view - surreal
Staff
The best ever
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sloth & Bird Hike
Sloth & Bird Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

The best activity we had in arenal - kids loved it . Manageable trail with tons of animals and birds . Great guides

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

Amazing experience- well run , great guides for the hike and e tire zip line part feel safe and exhilarating

Quality of Experience
Hi
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Experience
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Experience
Monteverde

Excellent tour with very informative guide . Loved the history of the products . We had a great guide

Private: Night Walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Private: Night Walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Monteverde

Amazing experience at night in the forest - amazing guide from the rainforest reserve - very knowledgeable and informative

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Walk at Curi-Cancha Reserve
Guided Walk at Curi-Cancha Reserve
Monteverde

The biodiversity is astounding . Saw amazing birds and animals . Guide was great and informative

Visit Kids Saving the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary
Visit Kids Saving the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary
Manuel Antonio

Did not do the activity- we cancelled

Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

9 days in Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Mar 31 - Apr 7, 2023

Susan
Susan R.
Raleigh, NC | Reviewed on Apr 10, 2023
My family (2 adults, 2 kids ages 9 and 11) spent 9 days in Costa Rica. We started in Arenal/La Fortuna. Our hotel, Tifakara Lodge, was amazing. The room was very private and comfortable, the included breakfast was wonderful, and the pool/hot tub area was very relaxing. While we were there, we went to Sky Adventures for zip lining. It was very fun, but we all felt like we had missed out on some of the amazing views because it was raining and pelting our faces as we made our way down. I would... Read more

My family (2 adults, 2 kids ages 9 and 11) spent 9 days in Costa Rica. We started in Arenal/La Fortuna. Our hotel, Tifakara Lodge, was amazing. The room was very private and comfortable, the included breakfast was wonderful, and the pool/hot tub area was very relaxing. While we were there, we went to Sky Adventures for zip lining. It was very fun, but we all felt like we had missed out on some of the amazing views because it was raining and pelting our faces as we made our way down. I would definitely do it again though. We also did a hanging bridge hike there that was great, and then had lunch at their cafe. The second day we went on a tour of the Arenal volcano and the lake. Again, it was raining, so our view of the volcano was limited but the guide was interesting and we all enjoyed it. The third day we traveled to Monteverde, but before we left we walked up to the La Fortuna waterfall from the hotel. The trip to Monteverde took about 3 hours, and included crossing Lake Arenal by boat. We stayed at El Establo Mountain resort. Our room was a family suite, and had a good amount of space. However, the hotel is on a hillside and requires either very steep walks to the room or other buildings, or waiting for a shuttle. I would not recommend this hotel for anyone with any kind of mobility issues. Otherwise, it was very large compared to our first hotel and felt less special and more like a large (somewhat rundown) resort. The next day we toured the cloud forest with a guided group, and then went to Don Juan’s chocolate tour in the evening. It was so much fun, and my kids loved all of the chocolate and coffee samples. We also did a little night hike there and saw some different wildlife. The following morning we toured the Children’s Eternal Rainforest in the morning with a guide. He showed us some very unusual birds, snakes, and plants and helped us get pictures of everything. In the afternoon we were driven to Manuel Antonio. There we stayed at La Mariposa hotel, which was lovely. We had a two bedroom “apartment”, which included a kitchen area that we didn’t really need, two bedrooms, and a large balcony overlooking the pool/ocean. The view was amazing. This was the only hotel that did not include breakfast in the price, but they did offer a large buffet breakfast where we ate both mornings. The first day there we spent the morning in the national park. This tour was a little disappointing because our guide was asked by someone to add several people to our group while we were getting started, so our group went from 8 people to 15 in about 5 minutes. That’s a lot of people to look through a scope anytime he spotted something interesting- most of the time the animal had moved before everyone got to see whatever it was. Also, it was very hot and crowded in the park. For what ended up being a fairly short tour, I felt really drained afterward. The tour rather abruptly ended at the beach, and we were left on our own there. We stayed and swam for about two hours, then took a taxi back to the hotel. Be aware that this was by far the most chaotic city that we visited - but it was Holy Week before Easter and we were told that everyone was on vacation. On our last full day we toured the Kids Saving the Rainforest facility. If you have young children, possibly 8 and younger, this is a great tour for them to see some wildlife in a more zoo-like setting. Most of the tours we went on involved looking through a scope at wildlife, but this is a rehabilitation center where the animals are in large cages. It’s not a long tour either, but I found their program interesting and was impressed by what they are accomplishing. From their we had one last drive to San Jose, and flew home the following morning.

Hotel Review
Tifakara Boutique Hotel
La Fortuna

This hotel is beautiful, the employees are so friendly and accommodating, and the rooms are private. The breakfast is amazing - not the standard buffet. You choose off of a menu, plus there is a buffet of breads, juice, etc. There is a fancy coffee machine available all the time. We all took advantage of grabbing a coffee and sitting by the pool in the afternoon. They also include a night walk every evening, where you can see amazing frogs and insects. My only negatives- the rooms have metal roofs, and it gets really loud when it rains (often). Bring ear plugs. Also, the bathroom includes an outdoor shower, which we loved, but it essentially means that the bathroom is always damp and humid, so nothing dries. Neither of these things would keep me from going back - this was my favorite hotel that we stayed in.

Authenticity & Character
The landscaping is beautiful, the wildlife is right there, and it felt very relaxing.
Location
The hotel is not “in town”. It costs us $10 per taxi ride to go to La Fortuna for dinner. That was a fair trade for getting to be in a serene location.
Staff
The staff were accommodating and friendly. Everyone spoke to us as we walked around. I used the WhatsApp number to ask several questions, and always got a prompt response. They arranged taxis, etc. whenever we asked.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was very clean, and housekeeping did a good job every day. The furnishings, etc. are pretty basic, but comfortable. The outdoor shower was open to the bathroom, which kept it quite humid and nothing ever got dry in there (bathing suits, towels, etc.).
Activity Reviews
Chocolate & Night Hike Experience
Chocolate & Night Hike Experience
Monteverde

This was so fun - probably my kid’s favorite tour of the trip! Our guide was great. In addition to learning all about making chocolate and coffee, there were lots of samples. We also did a little night walk and saw sloths, kinkajous, a snake, etc. There is also a store for stocking up on chocolate and coffee.

Quality of Experience
Fun, guide had great energy, included my kids
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio

This was my least favorite tour of our trip. There were too many people in our group - most tours we had between 4-8 people, this was 15. Every time the guide stopped to show us something, it took forever for everyone to take a turn looking through the scope - many times the animal had moved before everyone saw it.

Quality of Experience
Limit group size to 10 max
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
It seemed like we were left at the beach. Fortunately it was easy to get a taxi, but tge tour ends pretty abruptly.
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Traveling in Costa Rica with a 5- and 7-year-old - Our thoughts on a generally great trip
Costa Rica | Mar 24 - Mar 30, 2023

M
Mark P.
Nicetown-Tioga, PA | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2023
We had a great family trip to Costa Rica at the end of March 2023. KimKim made the planning process a LOT easier. We were a bit overwhelmed when we started to plan it because there are so many different options, and the good hotels (if you can identify them) also fill up fast. KimKim helped us narrow down options, book hotels and activities, and made the process significantly less stressful overall. We – myself, my wife, and our two kids who are 7 and 5 – spent four nights at an... Read more

We had a great family trip to Costa Rica at the end of March 2023. KimKim made the planning process a LOT easier. We were a bit overwhelmed when we started to plan it because there are so many different options, and the good hotels (if you can identify them) also fill up fast. KimKim helped us narrow down options, book hotels and activities, and made the process significantly less stressful overall.

We – myself, my wife, and our two kids who are 7 and 5 – spent four nights at an all-inclusive resort at Playa Conchal (the Westin, which we booked before contacting KimKim) and then two nights in a hotel near Rincon de la Vieja (Hacienda Guachipelin Volcano Ranch Hotel, which KimKim recommended). We did activities almost every day (and one at night) which KimKim recommended and helped arrange. Here are our impressions of each one.

• PALO VERDE NATIONAL PARK BOAT TOUR. This activity was highly recommended, but we were underwhelmed, mostly because the trip to the launch point was 2.5 hours and we had to take two buses each way (and we also stopped at a ceramic workshop on the way back, which was fine but lengthened the trip). That was a lot of travel for my five-year-old, especially on bumpy roads. The boat tour itself was fine but you are rarely out of view of the dock and it would have been nice to go deeper into the park, or perhaps get out of the boat at some point. But we did see lots of wildlife.

• NIGHTTIME PACIFIC GREEN TURTLE NESTING. This was great and a truly memorable experience (and a short trip from our hotel). First, it is rare to hike on any beach at night with no man-made light around, and it was great to see so many stars. But most importantly, we saw both adult sea turtles coming ashore to try and lay eggs as well as some newly hatched turtles heading to the ocean. That is a once-in-a-life time wildlife sighting. The guides (appropriately) took their jobs of making sure the turtles are comfortable (e.g., no flash photos, do not get close) very seriously, as they should.

• KAYAY AND SNORKEL TOUR IN TAMARINDO BAY . This was a pretty standard tour – a 20-minute canoe ride from a beachside resort to a small island and then snorkeling around it – but it was perfect for a 5- and 7-year-olds first snorkeling experience. The guides were also great. So a good recommendation for our family.

• VANDARA HOT SPRINGS ADVENTURE. This was the highlight for my kids. The park was not very crowded at all, which was great, and they have also recently redone many of the attractions so everything was modern and professional. We did the ziplines (8 in total), horseback riding, long water slide (440 meters), and hot springs. Again, a bit of a trek to get there on back road (which was rough for my 5-year-old) but my kids called it “the best day ever”. Their only disappointment was not being able to do the water slide twice.

The logistics that KimKim organized were also pretty perfect - on-time, reliable, and professional. My only mild frustration with KimKim is their technology platform -- it not super-intuitive and seemed to have errors at times, which frankly made me question the service overall. But once you are in touch with a travel planners that problem is manageable.

I would definitely use KimKim again. In my view, they fill a gap between offering cookie cutter tours and DIY travel, and my experience they were knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín
Liberia
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Westin Golf Resort and Spa, Playa Conchal
Playa Conchal

Great location, pool, and rooms, and the all-inclusive approach made it very easy for us to relax and get around. But very much like other all-inclusive resorts.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Palo Verde National Park Boat Tour
Palo Verde National Park Boat Tour
Costa Rica

This was highly recommended, but we were underwhelmed, mostly because the trip there was 2.5 hours and we had to take two buses (and we also stopped at a ceramic workshop on the way back, which was fine but lengthened the trip back). That was a lot of travel for my five-year-old. The boat tour itself was fine but you are rarely out of view of the dock and it would have been nice to go deeper into the park, or perhaps get out of the boat at some point. But we did see lots of wildlife. I would give the guides a five though, and my three stars is largely a function of the distance and the age of my kids.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Nighttime Pacific Green Turtle Nesting Experience (Seasonal)
Nighttime Pacific Green Turtle Nesting Experience (Seasonal)
Costa Rica

This was great and a memorable experience (and a short trip from our hotel). First, it is rare to hire on any beach at night with no man-made light around and it was great to see so many stars. But most importantly, we saw both adult sea turtles coming ashore to try and lay eggs as well as some newly hatched turtles heading to the ocean. That is a once-in-a-life time wildlife sighting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay
Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay
Costa Rica

This was a pretty standard tour – a 20-minute canoe ride from a beachside resort to small island and then snorkeling around it – but it was perfect for a 5- and 7-year-olds first snorkeling experience. And great guides.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day at Vandará Hot Springs & Adventures
Full Day at Vandará Hot Springs & Adventures
Rincon de la Vieja

This was the highlight for my kids. The park was not very crowded at all, which was great, and they have recently redone many of the attractions so everything was modern and professional. We did the ziplines, horseback riding, long water slide (440 meters), and hot springs. Again, a bit of a trek to get there on back road (which was rough for my 5-year-old) but my kids called it “the best day ever”.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

We had an amazing time in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica | Mar 23 - Apr 2, 2023

A
Alyssa F.
Mundelein, IL | Reviewed on Apr 04, 2023
We had an amazing time in Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio was definitely our favorite. We saw tons of wildlife. Our guides in the parks were incredible, Jeremy and Karla. We saw sloths, monkeys, and tons of birds, even scarlet macaws. On our snorkeling trip to isla del cano, we saw so much. Turtles, sharks, sting rays, plenty of colorful fish, even dolphins jumping on the way back. Our guide Nacho was great. We probably could've spent one less night in Monteverde. It is green and beautiful and... Read more

We had an amazing time in Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio was definitely our favorite. We saw tons of wildlife. Our guides in the parks were incredible, Jeremy and Karla. We saw sloths, monkeys, and tons of birds, even scarlet macaws. On our snorkeling trip to isla del cano, we saw so much. Turtles, sharks, sting rays, plenty of colorful fish, even dolphins jumping on the way back. Our guide Nacho was great.

We probably could've spent one less night in Monteverde. It is green and beautiful and the town of Santa Elena is very walkable. Many restaurants and coffee shops. We enjoyed learning about the different environment in the cloud forest. Our guides on the night and day walk were excellent, very passionate about the ecosystem they were showing us. The zip lining was a very unique experience.

Tamarindo was probably our least favorite part of the trip. We stayed about a half hour north in Playa Flamingo, which is a beautiful beach. However, I wonder how our experience would have been different in the surf town. The area is very Americanized, it did not necessarily feel like we were in Costa Rica. We did an estuary tour and turtle watching, which was with the same guide. Moses was very knowledgable and prepared. We saw nine (!!) turtles on the beach.

Snorkeling in the Catalina Islands was very disappointing compared to what we saw before. The conditions were very windy, which made the water rough and currents strong. I was surprised that we were not required to wear lifejackets - especially as it was easy to drift away quickly. The water was cold - which is not their fault, they offered us wetsuits. But if I had known how many jellyfish were in the water, I would've taken them up on it. Thousands, though most were small but still did not feel good if you happened to be stung. I was twice and I know others on the boat were. This was with Pacific Coast dive company. We could've skipped this outing and stayed at the hotel beach.

On our final day we went to Sensoria, which was gorgeous. Our guides Rod and Jesus were excellent. The pools were incredible and like nothing I have ever seen before. This place is truly a gem. However, if I had known how far this was from our location, I would not have chosen to do this excursion that day. We spent 5-6 hours in the car on our last day in Costa Rica.

That is the only thing I wish I knew before booking the excursions - how far they were from the hotel/location. If I knew some of them were 2+ hours, I might have chosen a closer activity. Costa Rica is a gorgeous place with much diversity, so much to see and do. I highly recommend exploring this country. Also - whoever says rent a car and drive, don't listen to them. Would have been so much more stressful. Thank you Jessica for all the planning and the transfers were stress free. I only wish on the downloadable itinerary it said the lengths of the activities. That was only online, but as I had minimal access to wifi/no cell service, I downloaded the itinerary and referenced that.

Activity Reviews
Sensoria: Land of Senses Full Day Tour
Sensoria: Land of Senses Full Day Tour
Costa Rica

This place was incredible. Truly special. Our guides were great, really enjoyed the area and knowledgable. Taught us about costa rica and let us customize the experience to what we wanted. Food was good also.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
San José City Tour
San José City Tour
San José

Oscar was great. It was a great start to our trip - we learned so much about Costa Rica. And had a great dinner!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio

We saw so much. Really made the most of our time in the park. Jeremy was well prepared and knowledgable. Beach was gorgeous, as described.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Carara National Park Guided Hike
Carara National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica

Karla was very passionate and excited about what she was showing us. Her enthusiasm was contagious. We saw a lot of cool birds.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Scuba Diving or Snorkeling at Isla del Caño Biological Reserve
Scuba Diving or Snorkeling at Isla del Caño Biological Reserve
Manuel Antonio

This was probably the best activity of our trip. Can not recommend enough.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling or Diving at the Catalina Islands
Snorkeling or Diving at the Catalina Islands
Costa Rica

As I mentioned in our full review, we probably could have skipped this experience. The winds were very high, making the water conditions difficult. Life jackets were not required, and a family got into the water, realized they were not strong enough swimmers, and the boat had already drifted away. We had to help call for attention to them and get lifejackets and assistance. The water temperature was cold, they offered us wetsuits. I did not mind the temperature as much as the jellyfish. Thousands, unavoidable. I would have taken a wetsuit for extra protection had I known. The sting was not unbearable, but not pleasant. I was not the only one to get stung. Also there was not much to be seen, a few pufferfish.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Did not offer much about them - if they were from costa rica, how much experience they had. More interested in interacting amongst themselves.
Transport
Nighttime Pacific Green Turtle Nesting Experience (Seasonal)
Nighttime Pacific Green Turtle Nesting Experience (Seasonal)
Costa Rica

I had never done an experience like this. Moses was in contact with our groups, giving us the best chance of seeing turtles. We saw nine. It was great. He was very respectful of them, teaching us to be as well.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Classic first time Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Mar 20 - Mar 27, 2023

Amy
Amy M.
Burlington, NC | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2023
Day 1-Starting in San Jose, we were greeted by our driver, Mario with Ride CR for our transfer to La Fortuna and our hotel, Lavas Tacotal. On the way, we stopped at the La Paz waterfall for photos and for local fruit from a roadside vendor. We tried a caimito or milkfruit, it was delicious! Upon arrival at Lavas Tacotal we were directed to our bungalow which had a lovely view of Arenal. The room was very clean and the beds were comfortable. We really liked the separate rooms for the toilet... Read more

Day 1-Starting in San Jose, we were greeted by our driver, Mario with Ride CR for our transfer to La Fortuna and our hotel, Lavas Tacotal. On the way, we stopped at the La Paz waterfall for photos and for local fruit from a roadside vendor. We tried a caimito or milkfruit, it was delicious! Upon arrival at Lavas Tacotal we were directed to our bungalow which had a lovely view of Arenal. The room was very clean and the beds were comfortable. We really liked the separate rooms for the toilet area and the shower. Water pressure and temperature were also very good. It would have been nice to have a reading lamp in the room, however. There are two restaurants very close to the hotel. We chose the steakhouse across the street. The food was ok but not great.

Day 2- Our tour to Arenal was scheduled for 2:30pm on our agenda but we learned the the tour operator, Jacamar Tours, had us scheduled for a 3pm departure. Our tour guide took us on a moderate hike around Arenal where we spotted a howler monkey, montezuma oro birds, and a screech owl. After our hike we were transferred to Ecotermales for dinner and a soak. The buffet was very good and we really enjoyed our time relaxing in various pools.

Day 3-Tour operator, Ride CR picked us up for our transfer to Monteverde promptly at 8:30am. A brief car trip brought us to the shore of Lake Arenal for our boat transfer. Once on the other side of Lake Arenal, we were greeted by our driver Bryan who drove us for the remainder of the journey to Monteverde. We were not allowed to check into Hotel Heliconia until after 3pm so we chose to have lunch in the hotel restaurant and then walk into town and explore until check in time. The hotel's lobby and restaurant area have been recently renovated and were very clean and pleasant. Our room was clean and the beds were comfortable, however, again, a table lamp would have been nice for reading before bed. Water pressure in the shower was plentiful as was the hot water. We did notice a strange sewage like smell in the bathroom that seemed to be worse at certain times of the day. We enjoyed the complimentary coffee in the room and the quiet location. The breakfast offerings at the Hotel Heliconia were by far the best of the three hotels we stayed at. That evening we had a tour to the Children's Eternal Rain Forest with Ocotea Tours. Our guide Walter did his best to find animals hidden in the jungle but given the high winds the area was experiencing this proved difficult. We did see a side striped palm pit viper, an orange kneed tarantula, and some scorpions, however.

Day 4-An early start for our tour to the Cloud Forest with Ocotea Tours. Our guide, Daniel, was very knowledgeable and helped us spot a family of spider monkeys, a hummingbird in her nest, a black faced solitaire bird, and the resplendent quetzal (both male and female!). The hummingbird gallery after our hike was truly spectacular-a must see!

Day 5-We were greeted by our driver, Matthias, promptly at 7:45am for our private transfer to Quepos. The ride was long but Matthias made time for us to have a rest at a roadside restaurant and shopping area. Upon arrival to Karahe Beach Hotel we were too early for check in so we hiked up the hill for lunch at Rafael's Terraza's Restaurant. The hotel had assigned us a sea view room that was renovated but we learned that we had one bed and not the two we had anticipated. Our agent Brittany was helpful in securing us a small refund for our trouble which we appreciated. The hotel is broken up into two sections, the hill side and the beach side, separated by the main road. Our room was on the hillside. It was very clean and the bed was the best of the three hotels but were not able to use the safe, it was broken. One of the two table lamps stopped working on the second day. The water pressure and temperature here was not good. The A/C was very cold and welcomed for such a warm and humid destination. The last thing I would mention is that there was no tv in room-I did not care about this but wanted to mention it. It looked as though there were plans to add one because the one electrical outlet in the room (not even an outlet in the bathroom) was six feet up the wall. Luckily, we positioned a chair to balance our cell phones on but it made charging them a bit more complicated.

Day 6- The breakfast at this hotel was the worst of the three by far. It started after 7am which made it impossible for us to even get a cup of coffee before departing for our tour to Manual Antonio. The presentation of the food and the food quality was not good. We did enjoy having a beach bar and loungers on the beach for our use as hotel guests. That afternoon we were picked up by Tucanes Tours for our Damas Island Kayak trip. Our tour guide, Cesar was very nice. We did spot some white faced capuchin monkeys on the tour but nothing else. I am not sure I would recommend this tour again as I found it underwhelming and the water we kayaked in looked very polluted. Dinner was provided after kayaking at the Tucanes Tours restaurant rest stop. It was a classic Costa Rican casado which gets the job done but was overall pretty flavorless.

Day 7-We learned of a special bird watching area called Esquipulas and made a decision to change our tour from Caracara to Esquipulas. Tucanes Tours was kind enough to switch our tour for no additional charge. We were met by Carla at 5:00am for a private tour to this special bird watching area only around 30 minutes from Quepos. She was very enthusiastic and knowledgable! We saw so many birds! Esquipulas is a really lovely area and quite a bit cooler than Quepos. We spotted a stick bird and it's chick, two species of toucans, honey creepers, king vulture, wood peckers, and many others. It was a very good tour.

Day 8-
We were picked up by Olandro from Ride CR promptly at 6:30am for our transfer back to San Jose for our flight home. We made it to the airport for plenty of time to do last minute shopping and have brunch.

Overall, everything was just about what we expected. However, I would mention that Costa Rica is not a place for those who get car sick. The roads are very bumpy and often windy. Monteverde and Quepos are very hilly, so you should be in reasonably good shape to get around on foot. You also must be fit enough to bring your bags to your room up steep hills. And, having some Spanish speaking knowledge would be very useful! Luckily for me my travel companion is a pretty good Spanish speaker.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Lavas Tacotal
Fortuna, San Carlos

Great views of Arenal, bungalow room was clean and beds were comfortable. Good water pressure and very hot water. The breakfast options were good but the coffee was just so so. There is no lamp in room so if you like to read at night this hotel might not be for you. No safe in room. Sushi restaurant near hotel and steakhouse across the street. You can walk to a traditional SODA in about ten minutes. All other restaurants are a taxi ride away.

Authenticity & Character
Location
View of Arenal
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Heliconia
Monteverde Costa Rica

New restaurant has great food and lovely decor. Our room was clean and comfortable but if you like to read at night, there is no table lamp. Coffee maker with coffee in room was nice and the coffee was good. Bathroom had good water pressure and hot water. Strange sewer smell in bathroom but maybe that was just in our room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Being so close to town was great. Steep walk to get back to hotel, however.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Karahe Beach Hotel
Manuel Antonio

Newly renovated room had the best bed with terrific pillows and linens. Safe in room was broken. Table lamp stopped working after first night, luckily there are two lamps in room. One electrical outlet in entire room-none in bathroom. AC was very good. Water pressure and temperature were subpar. View from room was very nice. Our room did not have a TV but that was not a problem for us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Across street from the beach with beach bar and loungers. Great restaurants close by.
Staff
We left the housekeeper a tip in the room and she did not take it. We had to chase her down to ask her to take the tip!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was the great. AC was very good.
Activity Reviews
Arenal Volcano Hike & EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal Volcano Hike & EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna

Great buffet dinner and the pools at Eco Termales are wonderful!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Walk in the Children's Eternal Forest
Night Walk in the Children's Eternal Forest
Monteverde

It was very windy when we were there and this made it hard to hear animals. This made the experience rather underwhelming but it's not a zoo so you have to expect that you might not see much. The guide did the best he could given circumstances.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde

This was one of our favorite hike. The cloud forest was so beautiful and we spotted so many animals and birds. The hummingbird gallery was so much fun. You will never see more hummingbirds in one place.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Damas Island Kayaking
Damas Island Kayaking
Manuel Antonio

This was just ok. Saw some monkeys at the beginning of the tour. The water appeared quite polluted.

Quality of Experience
Food
The food was pretty bland.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Carara National Park Guided Hike
Carara National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica

I did not go on this tour.

Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Pura Vida! Family's First Trip to Costa Rica - Feb 2023
Costa Rica | Feb 17 - Feb 25, 2023

Shawn
Shawn O.
Cape Coral, FL | Reviewed on Apr 01, 2023
Our family took its first trip to Costa Rica, opting for the 9 day itinerary to experience as much of the country during our children's winter break in the U.S. northeast. First, many thanks to our excellent KimKim travel planner Jessica for her responsiveness and advice pre-trip and the same availability and support during our trip. Over the 9 days we were able to cover the lush rain forest in La Fortuna/Arenal, the cloud forest high atop the mountains in Monteverde and the breathtaking... Read more

Our family took its first trip to Costa Rica, opting for the 9 day itinerary to experience as much of the country during our children's winter break in the U.S. northeast. First, many thanks to our excellent KimKim travel planner Jessica for her responsiveness and advice pre-trip and the same availability and support during our trip. Over the 9 days we were able to cover the lush rain forest in La Fortuna/Arenal, the cloud forest high atop the mountains in Monteverde and the breathtaking Pacific coast beauty of tropical Manual Antonio. This itinerary allows you to fully experience each of the diverse climates in Costa Rica while traveling from the low altitudes in San Jose, up to the cooler and wind swept peaks and descend back down to finish the trip on sun drenched beaches.

RIDE CR provided all our transfers and we cannot recommend them enough for customer experience, timeliness and willingness to share history and knowledge of Costa Rica during our rides. To set expectations, the transfers between locations can be long ranging from 2-4 hours and often on windy roads with mind bogglingly steep inclines. If you are prone to motion sickness, it is worth preparing. This said, the long transfers are - ABSOLUTELY - worth every second and DO NOT let it deter you from making the journey.

The ride from San Jose took approximately 3 hours ascending through very windy and foggy roads (zero visibility at times) up the mountains and down into La Fortuna. In La Fortuna we stayed at the Tabacon Resort and Spa for 3 days. Tabacon's grounds are meticulously maintained and seemingly carved into the rain forest with perfect views of the breathtaking Arenal Volcano. Without a doubt, the gem of the Tabacon resort are the healing natural hot spas. Tabacon offers constant shuttles just around the corner to the spas only minutes away. I recommend walking to the spas (in your bathrobe ;)). The walk is 5-7 minutes and surrounded by gardens and the rain forest. The Tabacon hot spas are amazing, and it features many (often hidden) pools with an average temperature of approximately 98 degrees F. We elected to forgo an excursion to fully experience the spas for a day, even our teenage boys were happy with the decision. As a Tabacon guest you have access to ‘private’ pools in the Shangri La section of the hot spas. Less crowded and totally worth it.

Tabacon offers good options for food, but I recommend heading to downtown La Fortuna and eating at one of the local ‘sodas’. Eating at a ‘soda’ can feel like being invited into someone’s kitchen, the food is delicious and it’s a great experience, in addition to being much less costly than hotel restaurant prices. The Arenal Hanging Bridges tour is a must, and our tour guides were informative and greatly enhanced the experience by pointing out the flora and fauna. Walking the (6) hanging bridges is a ‘bucket list’ item and the spectacular views are inspiring.

On our 3rd day we left La Fortuna for a boat/bus trek across the man made lake surrounded by towering mountains and jungle, and up the mountain to Monteverde. The ride from La Fortuna to Monteverde is approximately 4 hours. Oscar from RIDE CR is a talented driver and navigated the impossible hills and turns in the bus effortlessly (at least it seemed that way). Oscar took a stop half way at a small soda in the mountains, where we got empanadas and stretched our legs. The stress of the grind quickly became a distant memory as we stood outside the soda surrounded by green mountains and deep valleys thousands of feet below.

Monteverde is special and worth every second of the journey to get there. Monteverde is windy (expected being a mile from sea level), and suggest packing some cool weather gear. The cooler temps of Monteverde is a welcome change from the more tropical climates below. Similar to La Fortuna, it is worth keeping a rain slicker in your backpack for the unexpected rain shower. Our original reservations were at Los Pinos - Cabanas & Jardines, but due to increased wind and fallen trees our cabin was no longer available. The staff at Los Pinos was extremely accommodating, found a room at another hotel and covered the cost. Our relocation was serendipitous, and we were fortunate to spend the next two wonderful days at Valle Escondido.

Valle Escondido offers 2 miles of cliff side trails with vistas of towering waterfalls and sheer cliffs. Access to the trails, the prime view to watch the sunset or endlessly stare miles away down the valley leading to the Pacific Ocean makes every moment at Valle Escondido precious. The onsite restaurant serves food made from ingredients grown on site, which also offers educational tours of the permaculture practice at the property. The food and the staff are excellent. While in Monteverde we visited Cloud Forest for a walking tour. Our guide Marvin was an encyclopedic compendium of information explaining the daily contributions many of the plants and inhabitants play in its life cycle. The Cloud Forest does contain a few hanging bridges, with equally stunning views as we experienced in Arenal. We were fortunate to see burrowing tarantulas sleeping during the day, millipedes slinking through the brush and toucanets eating on a branch.

With 4 days to go we left Monteverde trekking down the mountain to the ocean with our final stop in Manual Antonio. On our way down our driver stopped at the Tarcoles Bridge where you can view prehistoric crocodile sunbathing in the muddy beaches 40 feet below the bridge. The crocodiles are enormous and worth the stop (we also stopped on our way back to the airport from Monte Verde). At the Tarcoles Bridge there are a few options for food and souvenirs. The ride to Manual Antonio was short of 3 hours. We finished our trip at Tulemar in Manual Antonio, and we could not have asked for a better way to end an already amazing trip. Tulemar offers multi-level studios with full kitchens and multi room houses all carved into the steep jungle descent down to the warm Pacific Ocean.

Tulemar is fully immersed in the jungle, and we awoke each morning to have coffee on our deck to enjoy the views of the ocean, while watching a troop of 50 spider monkeys gather food for the day. The property is filled with wildlife including spider and howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, giant iguanas and capybaras. The beach is truly a hidden cove at the base of the hill below the resort. Tulemar offers shuttle service up and down the steep hill to the beach, but walking is a fine alternative and good exercise to work off the food and drinks. The downtown is fully accessible by foot from the hotel, with great grocery stores only minutes away. I recommend stocking up on snacks and making a daily trip to the grocery to cook in the more than adequate kitchens of each unit. Although we were on ‘vacation’, cooking meals in this gorgeous setting is a nice change and we enjoyed the ‘home away from home’ feel in such a special place. We spent 3 memorable days on the beach at Tulemar, and elected again to forgo some activities to soak in the beauty and vibe of Costa Rica.

The ride from Manual Antonio was a ‘quick’ two and half hour ride back to San Jose, which included a second stop at the Tarcoles Bridge.

The Pura Vida value of the Costa Rican people, the geography and simply stunning beauty of the country won my family’s heart and we fully intend to make this a recurring trip. I am counting the days to watch the sunset at Valle Escondido again. Truly appreciate KimKim and Jessica for organizing a great trip and all of our hosts in Costa Rica. Much love and Pura Vida!

Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Brittany’s recommendations were spot on! She ...
Costa Rica | Mar 3 - Mar 10, 2023

John H
John H P.
Newport News, VA | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2023
Brittany’s recommendations were spot on! She was such a huge help and knew Costa Rica so well that we experienced the best. Read more

Brittany’s recommendations were spot on! She was such a huge help and knew Costa Rica so well that we experienced the best.

Hotel Reviews
La Fortuna Downtown Boutique Hotel
La Fortuna San Carlos

Wonderful hotel in the heart of the city. Fabulous restaurants all with in walking distance.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Establo Mountain Hotel
Monteverde
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel & Spa—Adults Only
Manuel Antonio
Authenticity & Character
Location
Fabulous view
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Arenal Volcano Hike & EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal Volcano Hike & EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna

Fabulous hike!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Adventures Zip Lines
Sky Adventures Zip Lines
Monteverde

One of the most fabulous experiences I have ever done!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chocolate & Night Hike Experience
Chocolate & Night Hike Experience
Monteverde

Wonder hike with a fabulous guide! Experiencing the rain Forrest at night was truly magical.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Traditional Cooking Class with Dinner
Traditional Cooking Class with Dinner
Arenal/La Fortuna

Fabulous experience!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
La Fortuna Waterfall Guided Hike
La Fortuna Waterfall Guided Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

Fabulous hike with an outstanding guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Damas Island Kayaking
Damas Island Kayaking
Manuel Antonio

Loved our knowledgeable guide who pointed out wonderful wildlife allow our journey!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Wonderful - Ease of Travel
Costa Rica | Feb 13 - Feb 21, 2023

T
Tiffany S.
Tulsa, OK | Reviewed on Feb 23, 2023
We used KimKim to book our transport and tours - we took care of the lodging on our own. Brittany and Jessica were both wonderful - and their care really took the concern out the logistics - everything went smoothly and according to plan. Thanks ladies! Fortuna/Arenal Area
Volcano Hike & The Springs Hot Springs & Meal
Jacamar Naturalist Tours
Giavone Villalobos was our guide for the volcano hike - it was just a low key walk but very, very informative - it wasn't only about the volcano...
Read more

We used KimKim to book our transport and tours - we took care of the lodging on our own. Brittany and Jessica were both wonderful - and their care really took the concern out the logistics - everything went smoothly and according to plan. Thanks ladies!

Fortuna/Arenal Area
Volcano Hike & The Springs Hot Springs & Meal
Jacamar Naturalist Tours
Giavone Villalobos was our guide for the volcano hike - it was just a low key walk but very, very informative - it wasn't only about the volcano but it was a holistic talk giving the background of how Costa Rica came to be, the social/economic/cultural influences - why the volcano eruption was so important to really kicking of the development of the country as a whole, beautiful hike and great informative background - great way to set the ground work for a trip around the country.

The Springs were nice - but we had to set our own pickup time after being dropped off by Jacamar - we didn't really know, we were picked up at 9:30pm - after arriving around 5pm. If I had a recommendation - it would be to start the hike earlier in the day, spend a couple of more hours at the Springs. Husband and daughter enjoyed the water slide a whole lot - I enjoyed just soaking in the water. But felt rushed to soak, have dinner (dining closes at 9pm) and get picked up. We were unsure how long we could have stayed - still not sure what time the pools close or if we could have stayed until midnight.

Private: Canyoning in the Lost Canyon
Desafio Adventure Company
Rafi and Josea were our guides - it was just the 3 of us plus the 2 guides , and it was wonderful. This was such a fun tour, rappelling down the waterfalls, hiking down the absolutely beautiful creek bed, jumping in the deep pools, Costa Rican tsunami (you have experience it to know what it is) - our 15 yr old daughter said that was a great way to start the trip and she didn't know how anything can beat that tour. There was a large group that went down before us - I cant imagine this would be fun with a large group, private was the way to go. You will be hiking down the Lost Canyon, and you will also have to hike back up - we are a very active family so it was no big deal, but note it is a steep climb out, but its not very long.

Nocturnal Frog Excursion & Traditional Costa Rican Dinner
EcoTerra Costa Rica
This was great, we saw a sloth and her baby, lots of different frogs and birds, and some crazy bullet ants. Our guide - I forgot to write his name - was very, very educated and he told us so much about each species and just the ecology in general, his is working on his thesis with amphibians and fish farming techniques to clean the water. It was a fascinating tour - and the family home the tour is held at is just beautiful and the homemade meal was wonderful. The family also has a gift shop on site with things they make/grow right there. I purchased some peppercorns that we also sampled touring thru the gardens.

Venado Cave Spelunking & Exploring
Desafio Adventure Company
We weren't sure what to expect on this one - but it was so FUN!!! Upon entering the cavern, you are on your hand and knees crawling thru the underground creek and cracks and crevices, climbing thru shafts and under waterfalls. There are some cool spiders (they are BIG) in the cave and lots of little bat families. We climbed thru a shoot, up a rock wall, and down the other side in the cave. We were soaked by the end of the tour - and it was worth it. I love geology - so it was fascinating to me to see the large fossil beds and all of the different calcium carbonate formations and deposits. It was warm in the cave - and they gave us rubber boots and headlamps to wear in the cave.

Monteverde Area
100% Aventura Zip Line
100% Aventura
Its ziplining - what can I say? It was fun - and the 2 really long runs across the canyon are great because you are going thru the mist and the rainbows - but if I had limited time - I would bypass this activity. It was a huge group - and it felt rushed and since you are zipping thru so fast you cant really appreciate much of the amazing scenery - that's just our opinion. If you have never been zipling before - this is worth it.

Self-Guided Hike - Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
Took a taxi from town to reserve, maybe 10 minute drive $13
We loved this, we didn't know what time we would get back to down after the ziplining - but we were able to catch a cab from Santa Elena - we missed the shuttle that runs regularly. It was sooooo beautiful - we hiked out to the far point, back tracked across the hanging bridge, and then out to the waterfall before returning. We had limited time because of the ziplining - but we could have spent all day here. We also found out they do guided night hikes in the reserve - next time for sure we will do this. Like this reserve because its run by the vo-tech and community - next time we would take a guided walk thru the reserve both night and day - but the reserve closes at 4pm so didnt get to stay as long as we would have liked.

Kinkajou Night Walk Tour - we booked this after getting back to town because it was recommended, we did this outside of KimKim - but I would NOT RECOMMEND. This tour was way too many people, and the guide leading the hike was just pointing to things that they probably spotted before the sunset. I found more critters with my flashlight than the guide - because he was just going from point-to-point (seemed predetermined) instead of shining his light up into the trees or along the bottom of the leaves, especially when we were walking along the creeks. And then - when I would point stuff out, he would call on the walkie talkie to tell the other guides and then big crowds of people would come stomping thru. If there were any creatures there - the volume of people would have scared them away. Then he mis-identified a tree frog species - and jumbled all of his facts up contradicting himself. It was so disappointing - go the Santa Elena reserve and get a night tour there!

Sky Adventures Hanging Bridges
Sky Adventures
We were again, a little skeptical of this because of our ziplining experience and the Kinkajou night walk- nearly cancelled this, but so glad we didn't! Our guide was Elvis, again, he was so educated and we learned so much from him. We happened to go before the clouds blew in for the day, so we got to see the top of the canopy and walk across the hanging bridges and even see the Pacific Ocean from one of the bridges. Elvis was amazing - definitely background in ecology, he was been working here for 6 years and he was able to answer any and all questions - we all said we should have hired Elvis to do a night hike for us!

Manuel Antonio Area
Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling
Tucanes Tours
This was fun, its an easy kayak trip across the bay - there was no wind or waves. Our guide was fun, and hilarious, the snorkeling was fun, it was a fun way to spend the AM. BUT - if you are looking for impressive snorkeling - this is not it. After snorkeling the reefs in Belize - where you have lots of plants and a large variety of fish species - this was a disappointment. But it was a beautiful day - and the lunch included was very good.

Visit the Indigenous Boruca Tribe
Tucanes Tours
We debated canceling this tour because of the long day of travel the next day, but let me just say - THIS WAS AMAZING - I wish more people would do this tour. Jesus and Douglas were our guide and driver - they were wonderful. It is an all day event - but the drive is beautiful - and you get to see some amazing scenery. If you have flexibility in your schedule, it is well worth it to spend a day learning about these wonderful people. You see the Boruca masks sold around Costa Rica - but going to up to the tribal village where they grow and harvest and hand carve each piece was great. When we arrived, and took a hike with a tribe member down to their sacred water falls, learned their legend of how they came to be, learned about their relationship with nature, their industry, medicinal herbs, how the Boruca masks came to be popular and a way to help sustain their way of life - including a demonstration of the carving and painting process - and then they let us paint masks too - it was fun. We then had a wonderful traditional lunch prepared for us, smoked in the palm leaves - with fresh salads - it was delicious. We then had a demonstration of the plants the tribe uses to die their textiles and weaving into different items. We then got a tour of the museum, set up by they matriarchs of the community and learned some of their legends. Its fun just to learn about and observe the way of life of this indigenous tribe - they were so kind and so welcoming and we learned so much. Bring some cash with you - we purchased the most beautiful mask directly from the craftsman who made it - far superior to the masks they sell across the country. They also have hand woven textiles - unique crafts made by the people and the funds go to them instead of the tourist trap gift shops - something unique and the funds benefit the tribe. We weren't sure our 15 yo daughter would enjoy it - but she said on the way back that it was a great way to end the trip. Plus we still got back with enough time to spend a couple of hours at the beach.

Activity Reviews
Visit the indigenous Boruca tribe
Visit the indigenous Boruca tribe
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & The Springs Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal Volcano Hike & The Springs Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private: Canyoning in the Lost Canyon
Private: Canyoning in the Lost Canyon
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Nocturnal Frog Excursion & Traditional Costa Rican Dinner
Nocturnal Frog Excursion & Traditional Costa Rican Dinner
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Venado Cave Spelunking & Exploring
Venado Cave Spelunking & Exploring
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
100% Aventura Zip Line Monteverde
100% Aventura Zip Line Monteverde
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Too many people for my liking
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Adventures Hanging Bridges
Sky Adventures Hanging Bridges
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling in Manuel Antonio
Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

All of the tours and transportation that she ...
Costa Rica | Jan 29 - Feb 7, 2023

K
Kristen L.
Henderson, NV | Reviewed on Feb 10, 2023
All of the tours and transportation that she scheduled were prompt and knowledgeable about the area Read more

All of the tours and transportation that she scheduled were prompt and knowledgeable about the area

Activity Reviews
Private: Full-Day Guided Birdwatching
Private: Full-Day Guided Birdwatching
Monteverde

Our guide was amazing! Took his time and helped us see some amazing wildlife! He used our phones and spotting scope to get beautiful pictures

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private: Carara National Park Guided Tour
Private: Carara National Park Guided Tour
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Amazing Costa Rica!
Costa Rica | Jan 30 - Feb 5, 2023

M
Margaret P.
Owasso, OK | Reviewed on Feb 06, 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Costa Rica and are grateful for the planning by KimKim. We had a 3 hour tour of Hanging Bridges and it was fantastic! Loved it! We learned so much and would've missed so much had we walked through by ourselves. Then they recommended the Arenal Whitewater rafting and that was amazing! My husband said it was his favorite thing in Costa Rica. Thank you for your help and especially for Hanging Bridges tour!! Read more

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Costa Rica and are grateful for the planning by KimKim. We had a 3 hour tour of Hanging Bridges and it was fantastic! Loved it! We learned so much and would've missed so much had we walked through by ourselves. Then they recommended the Arenal Whitewater rafting and that was amazing! My husband said it was his favorite thing in Costa Rica. Thank you for your help and especially for Hanging Bridges tour!!

Activity Review
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

Fantastic guide! Learned so much!! Beautiful!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide, Cindy, at Bridges was knowledgeable and friendly. Excellent!
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

1st time with KimKim
Costa Rica | Nov 16 - Nov 29, 2022

M
Marcin B.
Petaluma, CA | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2023
1st time with KimKim
Planning the trip with KimKim was a pleasure. We were a bit overwhelmed with what CR has to offer and having someone help us make the most of two weeks there was a life saver.
Selection of activities was excellent - both in terms of number and variety of things to do. Both guides were very responsive and helpful.
Highlights of the trip: Rafting and chocolate tour in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Unexpected highlight: Kayaking up the river in PVdT
Can skip: We booked 3...
Read more

1st time with KimKim
Planning the trip with KimKim was a pleasure. We were a bit overwhelmed with what CR has to offer and having someone help us make the most of two weeks there was a life saver.
Selection of activities was excellent - both in terms of number and variety of things to do. Both guides were very responsive and helpful.
Highlights of the trip: Rafting and chocolate tour in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Unexpected highlight: Kayaking up the river in PVdT
Can skip: We booked 3 wildlife tours. Unless you are a big wildlife fan, 1-2 tours is enough

Activity Reviews
Cahuita National Park Excursion
Cahuita National Park Excursion
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

A great kayaking trip up the river. Lot of wildlife, gets very quite after a while (once you are past the howler monkeys)

Quality of Experience
Lot of wildlife in a short time
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guy was often more interested in taking pictures on his own vs letting us get closer to the animals
Transport
on time
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River
Arenal/La Fortuna

Excellent! Nice class 3 river with a lot of excitement (but still doable with the kids)

Quality of Experience
Thrill, great guide, great fruits, beautiful nature
Food
delicious fruits!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
David (aka Jesus) was a great captain and guide
Transport
on time
Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike
Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

Beautiful nature, helpful guide. The waterfall is pretty scenic

Quality of Experience
A bit far from La Fortuna (1.5h drive)
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable and helpful
Transport
on time. Be ready for 1.5h drive from La Fortuna
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

First time visiting Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Jan 10 - Jan 19, 2023

A
Aaron M.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Jan 21, 2023
We visited Costa Rica for the first time and spent 9 days in the country. We spent our first night in San Jose and then 2 nights each in Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, La Fortuna and Tamarindo. We wanted to see as much as possible on this trip and we feel like we got to see a lot of different places. Getting to these different places wasn't easy. My wife gets car sick and she really had a rough time on the roads. If I could do it again I would have considered flying from place to place when... Read more

We visited Costa Rica for the first time and spent 9 days in the country. We spent our first night in San Jose and then 2 nights each in Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, La Fortuna and Tamarindo. We wanted to see as much as possible on this trip and we feel like we got to see a lot of different places. Getting to these different places wasn't easy. My wife gets car sick and she really had a rough time on the roads. If I could do it again I would have considered flying from place to place when possible. The drive times were all longer than we expected. Most roads were paved but not all. And some roads had many potholes. Even when paved the winding roads made the drives feel extra long. Fortunately our drivers were one of the highlights of our trip. They were all personable and professional. They were excellent drivers and handled the challenging road conditions like true pro's. They were very hospitable. They answered our questions and let us practice our bad Spanish.
All of our guides were wonderful. They were all very knowledgeable and professional and friendly. You can tell they enjoy what they do.

Hotel Reviews
Holiday Inn San Jose Aurola
San José

This hotel wasn't "amazing" but it was fine and served it's purpose. We checked in at 10 at night and were gone the next day by 2. The rooms were dated and drab but everything worked. Great water pressure in the shower. We were hungry when we got in but didn't know where to find food at such a late hour. The person at the front desk let us know that we could order via Uber Eats. 45 minutes later we were eating Chinese food in our room. If he hadn't mentioned it, I'm not sure we would have thought of delivery. The breakfast in the morning was a good mix of hot foods and fruits. The waiter helped us when my wife overcooked her waffle in the waffle maker. The location of the hotel is very convenient to downtown San Jose. They held our bags as we went out to explore the city. Overall a solid choice for 1 night.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Karahe Beach Hotel
Manuel Antonio

We didn't have any hot water on our first night. Of course when the hotel sent someone to check on it the next morning the hot water was working. We had intermittent hot water for the rest of our stay. Besides the hot water, I don't have any complaints about the hotel. The room is simple and comfortable. Our 3rd floor room had a balcony overlooking the gardens. The restaurant served a yummy buffet breakfast. My favorite part of the property was the proximity to the beach. The beach is beautiful and only a few minutes from our room. We saw a sloth perched in the trees at the beach on our last day.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beach access. 15 minute walk to Manuel Antonio park.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco
Monteverde Costa Rica

This is a beautiful property. The landscaping is beautiful with a garden and walking trail. Didn't get to use the heated pool or hot tub but it looked like the perfect way to finish a long day. The rooms were modern and comfortable. Great shower water pressure. The front desk staff, especially Lilly, was very helpful and hospitable. The restaurant had a yummy ala carte style breakfast in the morning. My only complaint is that with high winds during our stay, the branches from the trees kept hitting the roof above our room making it very difficult to sleep. We should have said something after the first night. If you're on the 4th floor make sure the tree branches are clear of the roof.

Authenticity & Character
Simple and stylish
Location
Right across the street from a shopping plaza that includes a supermarket and several restaurants
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Paradise Hot Springs Resort
La Fortuna

Fantastic hotel. The combination of the various hot spring pools, surrounding vegetation and the view of the mountains made this property really impressive. I think there was 7 or 8 different pools/hot tubs to enjoy. My favorite part was the view of the pasture and mountain from the coffee shop. The property feels luxurious and natural at the same time. The breakfast buffet at the restaurant was my favorite breakfast of all the hotels we stayed at. Good selection of hot breakfast food and all the fruits you could want. The rooms were modern, spacious and comfortable. Staff was friendly. Kenneth helped us schedule a taxi and make a dinner reservation on our first night.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful location but not very walkable. Must taxi or drive to town or restaurants.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Pasatiempo
Tamarindo

We got to stay in the Villa. It was basically a one bedroom house with a full kitchen and living room and nice covered patio section. When we were escorted to the villa the sofa bed in the living room looked like it had been used and not cleaned and a coffee cup was in the sink. The hotel employee assisting us had somebody come and makeup the sofa while we were out at lunch. Not a huge deal but not a great first impression either. The shower water pressure was weak. The property is full of trees and animals. We saw an Iguana, monkeys, squirrels, lizards and cats. The breakfast was served a la carte and was delicious. The restaurant staff was very friendly. The pool was simple but very relaxing. Live music sounded good too.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walking distance to beach and all you need in Tamarindo. Right across the street from a supermarket and ATM. Many restaurants within walking distance.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Damas Island Kayaking
Damas Island Kayaking
Manuel Antonio

This was a very peaceful and relaxing activity. Albi, our guide was very friendly and did a good job explaining the ecosystem. We saw a monkey, a tiger heron, a kingfisher and a Black Iguana. We kayaked for about 90 minutes. The kayaking was easy and we saw a few other guides doing tours at the same time. We then were taken to a restaurant for a small breakfast and then transported back to the hotel. We had hoped to see more animals but we still enjoyed our experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Night Walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Monteverde

We were in a group of 6. Our guide Andre was very knowledgeable and showed us many things we would never have seen on our. We saw a tarantula, glowing mushroom, several sleeping birds, lizards and opossums. I thought we would see bigger animals but I was wrong.

Quality of Experience
Our guide was great.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Backroad Mountain Biking Around Lake Arenal
Backroad Mountain Biking Around Lake Arenal
Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide, Otto was fantastic. We were the only 2 on the tour. Otto had great energy and was so nice. The bike ride lasted about 90 minutes. You bike the road around Lake Arenal. We saw birds, cows, horses. Lots of farmland and great views of the lake. Otto even stopped on the way out of town to show us a sloth. Biking was a fun way to experience the area and get some exercise. After the ride Otto cut up a pineapple for us to snack on. And on the way back to the hotel Otto serenaded us with romantic ballad in Spanish.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tamarindo Turtle Nesting Tour (Seasonal)
Tamarindo Turtle Nesting Tour (Seasonal)
Costa Rica

There were 21 of us on this tour, by far our most crowded tour of the trip. The ride to the beach took an hour and then it was a 20 minute walk to the beach. We waited for over an hour while our guide scouted the beach for turtles. There was only one turtle on the beach that night. We were able to observe the turtle nesting and laying it s eggs.

Quality of Experience
It felt a little unorganized when we got to the beach but really we were just sitting and waiting for turtles. The group also felt too big for one single guide.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara
Brittany
Brittany McNamara
Local specialist in Colorado | Replied on Jan 23, 2023

Hi Aaron,
Thank you for taking the time to write a review! We really appreciate your feedback, as do our travelers. I'm glad to hear that overall, you had a great time, and that the upgrade transfers worked out better for your wife.

We hope you'll consider using kimkim again in the future,
Brittany

Trip of a Lifetime
Costa Rica | Dec 2 - Dec 13, 2022

Maxeen
Maxeen C.
Canada | Reviewed on Dec 15, 2022
Where do I begin! It was such a wonderful experience from start to finish, and our specialists were extremely helpful along the way. We changed our mind on the itinerary a couple of times, but were met with patience and professionalism at all times. I actually ended up booking a different hotel through my work after booking, so we were able to book a different tour instead which was great! Okay, so down to the nitty gritty: Days 1-5: La Fortuna We were picked up by our lovely drivers,... Read more

Where do I begin! It was such a wonderful experience from start to finish, and our specialists were extremely helpful along the way. We changed our mind on the itinerary a couple of times, but were met with patience and professionalism at all times. I actually ended up booking a different hotel through my work after booking, so we were able to book a different tour instead which was great! Okay, so down to the nitty gritty:

Days 1-5: La Fortuna

We were picked up by our lovely drivers, who I wish I could remember the names of as we met so many amazing people - I really should have written it all down! They made great conversation for the long drive from Liberia, and got us there safely. Our hotel, Brisas Arenal, was unreal. Our room was clean, the beds comfortable, but the best part was the outdoor patio with hammock overlooking the volcano and surrounded by jungle. We booked the Arenal Hanging Bridges and Tabacon Hot Springs & Dinner tour. Alonso was our tour guide and it was so fun! Tabacon is an absolute must and the dinner was delicious. This might have been my favourite tour of the trip. We also did the Sloth and Bird walk, which was the only time we saw sloths thanks to Jose! We saw 4 and he was apologetic that we didn't see more, but he didn't need to be. We were so happy - and we even saw some poison dart frogs that we definitely would not have seen without a guide!

Day 5-8: Monteverde

This was where we switched up the hotel, so we actually didn't book it through Kimkim, but they arranged the transportation from La Fortuna and it was an exhilarating experience! The boat ride across Lake Arenal was lovely. It was my least favourite bus ride (very terrible road conditions and uncomfortable seats), but I would not have travelled there any other way. The scenery through the mountains was incredible! I could not keep my eyes away from the window as those views - wow. Our first day was spent doing the chocolate, coffee and sugar cane tour and it was very informative! You can tell the guide truly enjoys what he does and it was great to learn all the process of how these things are made and produced, along with the rich history.

Day 8-12: Nosara

My favourite place and hotel of the whole trip! Another adventure on the road as the last hour or so is on dirt roads, and all the roads in Nosara are dirt roads which makes it an even more special place. We checked into the Hotel Guiones (formely the Gardens hotel), and was greeted by Specialle, who was lovely and recommended great restaurants and things to do. We did not book any excursions as we wanted to relax on the beach and just enjoy the end of our trip with no place we had to be. The hotel was a 6 minute walk to the beach, so you can surf every morning! We made use of their outdoor yoga pad. The rooms was surrounded by tropical plants and the sound of howler monkeys in the morning. While swaying on the hammock, you can hear the iguanas pitter pattering on the roof. The pool was an excellent addition on the hot afternoons, and the bar, El Local, made the best Chiliguaros that we enjoyed our last night! I will definitely be here again.

This truly was a trip of the lifetime, and I am so grateful to Brittany and those who made it so special. We could not have done it without them!

Hotel Reviews
Brisas del Arenal
Alajuela Province, La Fortuna

Our room was clean, the beds comfortable, but the best part was the outdoor patio with hammock overlooking the volcano and surrounded by jungle. Just a short taxi into the town for meals, but we did have a couple dinners at the restaurant on side, which we very much enjoyed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
amazing view of the volcano, even with cloud cover
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Senda Monteverde Boutique Hotel
Monteverde

Senda is a short 10 minute walk into town, however I should add that the way back is all uphill! They had wonderful activities on site, we took advantage of an afternoon yoga class after a long hike. Amazing breakfast and cocktails.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Guiones (Formerly The Gardens Hotel)
Nosara

My favourite place hotel of the whole trip! We were greeted by Specialle, who was lovely and recommended great restaurants and things to do. She recommended we book a paddling tour of the mangrove, which we did and so glad we did! We made use of their outdoor yoga pad which included all the mats and blocks. The rooms was surrounded by tropical plants and the sound of howler monkeys in the morning. While swaying on the hammock, you can hear the iguanas pitter pattering on the roof. The pool was an excellent addition on the hot afternoons, and the bar, El Local, made the best Chiliguaros that we enjoyed our last night! I will definitely be here again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
I wanted to Surf for maybe an hour the very last morning, and Jorge helped with the board the night before. Thank you!!! And the restaurant staff - amazing.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sloth & Bird Hike
Sloth & Bird Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was the only time we saw sloths the whole thanks to Jose! We saw 4 and he was apologetic that we didn't see more, but he didn't need to be. We were so happy - and we even saw some poison dart frogs that we definitely would not have seen without a guide! He dropped us off in town after so we could explore the shops and restaurants.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Experience
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Experience
Monteverde

Our first day was spent doing the chocolate, coffee and sugar cane tour and it was very informative! You can tell the guide truly enjoys what he does and it was great to learn all the process of how these things are made and produced, along with the rich history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk & Tabacon Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk & Tabacon Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna

Alonso was our tour guide and it was so fun! Saw a lot of wild life and he was very knowledgeable about the area. Tabacon is an absolute must and the dinner was delicious. This might have been my favourite tour of the trip.

Quality of Experience
Food
The ceviche was unreal and beef tenderloin - amazing
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Amazing time in Costa Rica!
Costa Rica | Nov 21 - Nov 28, 2022

Dani
Dani R.
Mexico | Reviewed on Dec 05, 2022
I had planned my trip to Costa Rica for February, but it had to be rescheduled for November. It was a great relief that the KimKim team assisted me and made all the changes easily and smoothly from the beginning until the end :). My partner and I had an amazing time in Costa Rica! The whole trip was on-point, without any issues with the activities and transportation within the country (which was my biggest concern, since the roads are tricky to navigate). We arrived in San José and... Read more

I had planned my trip to Costa Rica for February, but it had to be rescheduled for November. It was a great relief that the KimKim team assisted me and made all the changes easily and smoothly from the beginning until the end :).

My partner and I had an amazing time in Costa Rica! The whole trip was on-point, without any issues with the activities and transportation within the country (which was my biggest concern, since the roads are tricky to navigate). We arrived in San José and initiated the adventure in La Fortuna (which was one of my favorite places), then Monteverde, and finished in Manuel Antonio/Quepos.

Despite some rainy days, we had a fantastic time and all the activities were wonderful! I especially enjoyed La Fortuna Waterfall and Hanging Bridges Walk with Jacamar tours, in Monteverde the Cloud Forest Hike with Ocotea Tours was phenomenal <3. And if you're going to Quepos or Manuel Antonio, I'd recommend the Catamaran tour as well!
All the hotels that we booked were downtown so it was easy to walk to restaurants, shops, cafés, etc. But there are some great hotels in all towns if you're planning to have more chill and private time.

My only advice would be to check all locations in advance and maybe avoid traveling during the heavy rainy season since some roads get blocked and the distances are not that close between each town (ie. from La Fortuna - Monteverde there's a big hill to travel even if you're taking the shuttle).

Overall, it was a great experience because it made planning the trip a hundred times easier and we got great recommendations from drivers, tour guides, and locals. I'd definitely use KimKim in my next travel adventure! :)

Hotel Reviews
Arco Iris Lodge
Santa Elena

Great location in the downtown area. Easy access to restaurants, cafés, and shops. Super quiet and comfortable place. It feels like you're in the middle of the forest, but with an on-point location!

Authenticity & Character
Loved that is surrounded by nature and monkeys!
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Fortuna Downtown Boutique Hotel
La Fortuna San Carlos

Amazing location super close to all restaurants, cafés, and shops. Easy to walk around the area as well and found the best pizza nearby! The staff is super welcoming and helpful. The rooms are a bit small, but the bed is very comfortable and it's a great place to stay if you're planning on moving around the area.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Best Western Hotel & Casino Kamuk
Quepos

Rooms are big, comfortable and with much light! The staff is great and super helpful! Very close to the Marina and restaurants (also if you're into CrossFit there's a box nearby) ;) My only issue was the the wifi was a bit slow and not very powerful in the rooms, other than that it's a good place to stay!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Express San Jose Airport
San Jose
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde

Loved the tour! 10/10 recommended! Our guide was super knowledgeable and we learned a lot! <3

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee Experience and Nighttime Nature Walk
Coffee Experience and Nighttime Nature Walk
Monteverde

Would recommend the tour because the guide was super helpful and knowledgeable, but would check the weather if you're planning on taking the nature walk at night. Unfortunately, heavy rain doesn't let you see much. Other than that, I learned a lot about coffee :)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

Loved it! Got to see monkeys, birds, and some other cool flora and fauna! 10/10 would recommend Jacamar tours. A must for taking great pictures ;)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Catamaran Adventure with Meal
Catamaran Adventure with Meal
Manuel Antonio

Great tour and staff. The food was delicious as well. The whole tour took around 3 hours, but it was probably because of the weather conditions that didn't allow us to stay longer.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Timing
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Thank you so much for making the trip a wonde...
Costa Rica | Oct 10 - Oct 20, 2022

Conrad
Conrad M.
Westbrook, ME | Reviewed on Oct 28, 2022

Thank you so much for making the trip a wonderful adventure!
Everything was simple and easy thanks to the efforts of Brittany and the KimKim team to arrange all the travel details and transport.

Thanks !!

Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Top notch! 6 nights in Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Oct 3 - Oct 9, 2022

Kevin
Kevin C.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2022
Top notch!
We went to Costa Rica for 6 nights, no hiccups, everything was great. The local tour guides were aways helpful and friendly. Kimkim chose great companies to work with.
The activities we did always met and surpassed our expectations.
P.S. if you fly into Liberia, I would recommend using Adobe car rental, they are super friendly and have a shuttle from the airport to their HQ. When you walk out of the airport you will be greeted by your shuttle driver holding a Adobe... Read more

Top notch!
We went to Costa Rica for 6 nights, no hiccups, everything was great. The local tour guides were aways helpful and friendly. Kimkim chose great companies to work with.
The activities we did always met and surpassed our expectations.

P.S. if you fly into Liberia, I would recommend using Adobe car rental, they are super friendly and have a shuttle from the airport to their HQ. When you walk out of the airport you will be greeted by your shuttle driver holding a Adobe sign.
Don't pay attention to any other companies there or anyone in the airport.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Kokoro Mineral Hot Springs
La Fortuna
Hotel Pasatiempo
Tamarindo
Activity Reviews
Coffee & Chocolate Experience
Coffee & Chocolate Experience
Arenal/La Fortuna
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna
Sunset Cruise with Wine & Cheese on Lake Arenal
Sunset Cruise with Wine & Cheese on Lake Arenal
Arenal/La Fortuna
Sloth Observation - Day or Night Walk
Sloth Observation - Day or Night Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna
Catamaran Sailing Adventure
Catamaran Sailing Adventure
Costa Rica
Rincón de la Vieja Full Day with  Hot Springs Visits
Rincón de la Vieja Full Day with Hot Springs Visits
Costa Rica
Snorkeling or Diving at the Catalina Islands
Snorkeling or Diving at the Catalina Islands
Costa Rica
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara

Cannot recommend enough!
Costa Rica | Aug 31 - Sep 9, 2022

K
Kate R.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Sep 16, 2022
I had such an amazing trip! Tortuguero was beautiful. Staying in the rainforest and seeing all kinds of wildlife was so great. I saw so many sloths I lost count! Watching the sea turtles lay eggs on the beach was life changing. I could’ve stayed there for my entire trip, but I am also so glad I visited Puerto Viejo and San Jose. All of the tour guides and drivers arranged for my trip were knowledgeable and friendly. As a female solo traveler I was nervous for my first experience going alone,... Read more

I had such an amazing trip! Tortuguero was beautiful. Staying in the rainforest and seeing all kinds of wildlife was so great. I saw so many sloths I lost count! Watching the sea turtles lay eggs on the beach was life changing. I could’ve stayed there for my entire trip, but I am also so glad I visited Puerto Viejo and San Jose. All of the tour guides and drivers arranged for my trip were knowledgeable and friendly. As a female solo traveler I was nervous for my first experience going alone, but Brittany and Ryan- my kimkim specialists were so helpful in the planning and coordination. Everything was seamless!

Hotel Reviews
Autentico Hotel
San Jose

Nice and clean, staff were great. Location is good but not quite close enough to walk to downtown area.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Banana Azul
Limón, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Great hotel. Clean and comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and great food. Some rooms are right above the dining area so they don’t feel very private. The beach is beautiful and they offer food and drinks from the beach. Location for me was perfect but it is not close to the town of Puerto Viejo, you would need a taxi or tuktuk to get there.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Balmoral
San José

Worked for what I needed but not worth the money. Location is great, right downtown. Not very clean or comfortable. Lots of people up making noise after the bars. Can hear everything from your room. Didn’t have the food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Evergreen Lodge
Tortuguero

Amazing place to stay, right in the middle of the rainforest. Staff was super friendly. Activities were amazing, and coordinated well. Food was good, however you are forced to eat at specific times and found myself wanting to eat when food was not being served. Also, since you are secluded and can only get to places by boat, you can’t just go find a place to buy snacks.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Tour: Kayak Adventure & Rainforest Hike in Punta Uva
Private Tour: Kayak Adventure & Rainforest Hike in Punta Uva
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Highly recommend, especially as a private tour. My guide Rodrigo was great. Super knowledgeable and shared a perceptive of how traveling impacts small communities.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Boat Tour Through the Tortuguero Canals
Guided Boat Tour Through the Tortuguero Canals
Tortuguero

I was part of a small group for this tour and couldn’t have been happier. Our tour guide, Noel, was amazing. He was pointing out so many animals on this trip that I could barely keep track. The area is absolutely beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tortuguero Village Visit
Tortuguero Village Visit
Tortuguero

I loved the town. I would’ve liked to have been able to travel here by myself to grab food or drinks, but unfortunately since it is part of your hotel stay you can’t just make arrangements and have to go when they arrange it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Costa Rican Culture & Cuisine – Nighttime Guided Walk in San José
Costa Rican Culture & Cuisine – Nighttime Guided Walk in San José
San José

Had an amazing tour guide, Luc. She was really knowledgeable about the city, the history of Costa Rica, and even took me by some amazing art when I mentioned I had a teen son at home who loved graffiti, so that I could take pictures to send to him. I learned so much more than just talking about food, it was great!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Brittany McNamara