
Chio Tabakman
Being a Paraguayan living in Colombia I have a different outlook at the local culture. As a foreigner, I'm always eager to know more. I've traveled to various countries within LATAM and its always exciting to see, learned and experience the wide range of cultural differences that exits in one country.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"Hikes and beaches! One of the things I love to do more is being at the beach and in the presence of the ocean, recovering energies and having a time for reflection. Also, I love adventures and challenging my body and my mind with experiences that I might think "are too much" for me.
I specialize in tailor-made trips plans for those who want the beautiful mix between adventure and relaxation."
How did you get involved in travel?
"I had the chance to start traveling from a young age, in and outside my own country. This created a sense of wonder in me and as I grew up I was always involved in "international environments". From volunteering in other countries, doing an exchange program and being part of a student exchange program organization, I was constantly surrounded by other cultures. All of these reasons and more made me curious and got me started in this area."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"I think every trip is special in its own way, usually, my trips are pretty chill and more of "walking around the city", nevertheless, one of the trips I took where I had the most fun was with two friends from Mexico. We live here in Colombia and one Saturday morning one of them show up to our house and ask "why are you guys not ready?"
Turns out that we end up in Sueca (about 1 hour away from Bogotá).
When we got to the Portal we didn't know where we were going, we selected a random destination and Suesca was the winner. Upon arrival we stumble into this cute little diner and made friends with the girls working there, they told us of a hostel that was available, it was settled, we were staying overnight.
We spent the afternoon riding bikes between the mountains, taking pictures, making jokes and having a good time. At night we stayed playing a game at the hostel and got scared when the door opens suddenly, but it turns out it was another guest in the hostel and she joins us and played board games with us. It was pretty fun and low key trip. "
Featured trips & expertise

Best of Colombia: Bogotá, Medellín & Cartagena - 9 Days
Explore three of Colombia's most exciting cities on this 9-day adventure. Start in Bogotá, the sprawling cosmopolitan capital. Tour the colonial streets of the historic center, taste local cuisine, and visit museums. Then, transfer to Medellín to see street art and communal projects, and learn about Colombian coffee culture. The adventure ends in tropical Cartagena, where you'll appreciate Spanish forts and architecture, enjoy fresh seafood, and swim in the Caribbean.

Explore Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena - 8 Days
On this eight-day excursion, you'll visit Bogotá, the largest city in Colombia and a melting pot of people from around the country. Travel to Medellín and see with your own eyes how it's transformed from one of the most dangerous cities to a fascinating destination. Then explore Cartagena, the jewel of the Caribbean ocean, and go on a trip to the beautiful beaches and islands nearby.

Cartagena & Caribbean Colombia - 6 Days
Cartagena is the sum of its incredible parts: colonial and modern architecture, vibrant nightlife and cultural festivals, magnificent beaches, and outstanding gastronomic offerings. This six-day tour exposes you to some of the best sights, sounds, and experiences of the Caribbean city, from its dreamy beaches to local cuisine that you can learn to cook for yourself, and much more.

Colombian Cities and Nature: Bogotá, Amazon, Medellín, and Pacific Coast - 15 Days
This high-end itinerary covers a great deal of the country's territory, from its main cities to some off-the-beaten-path natural wonders. The adventure begins in Bogotá and its surroundings, then takes you deep into the heart of the mighty Amazon River, where you'll have a series of unforgettable days exploring the jungle via foot, canoe and small boats. Afterwards, you'll fly to Medellín to enjoy the city's history and vibrant modern culture before leaving for the Pacific Coast— a dense rainforest where you'll visit tiny villages and partake in a variety of activities including hiking and soaking in hot springs.

Luxury Colombia Eco-Adventure: Amazon Rainforest & Pacific Coast - 15 Days
This high-end itinerary starts in the capital of Bogotá before heading deep into the heart of the mighty Amazon River—from here, you'll head out on a series of unforgettable days via foot, canoe and other small boats. Then, fly to Medellín to explore the history and vibrant modern culture of the city before flying to the Pacific Coast, a dense rainforest where you'll explore tiny villages and partake in a variety of activities including hiking and soaking in hot springs.

8 Days in Colombia - 6 Unique Itineraries
Colombia is renowned for its historic cities and dramatic landscapes. With an eight-day trip, you can split your time between urban and natural worlds, especially if you stick to one region. Pair charming Cartagena with scenic spots along the Caribbean Coast, visit the rainbow-hued Caño Cristales after exploring Bogotá, or spend half your trip surrounded by art in Medelliín and the other half trekking in Coffee Country. Options abound—see more unique itinerary ideas below.
Recent trip reviews for Chio
Two weeks in Colombia · Colombia - Nov 7 - Nov 21, 2019
This is a long overdue review of our fabulous November 2019 trip to Colombia.
Despite a prolonged wait to clear customs, we were greeted by Lina who graciously made sure we were safely transported to our destination. For the next two days she provided an energetic and welcoming introduction to Bogota. In Villa de Leyva Mauricio was a delightful guide, providing a personal and entertaining opportunity to explore area. We really enjoyed his musical background and knowledge.
Natalia... read more

Hi Candace, how are you?
Thanks so much for your kind words and I'm really happy everything met your expectations. I'll make sure to tell every single person you mentioned your comments.
Best regards,
Chio
Memorable Colombia Trip! · Colombia - Feb 15 - Feb 22, 2020
First - we will definitely use Kimkim again for future travels! Thank you for a well-planned vacation.
Secondly - Chio was responsive and helpful - nice work! Our only complaint is that everyone knew that Tayrona National Park was closed in February - apparently it's an annual thing. If we had known this from the beginning, we might have altered our itinerary. We did not get informed until January. We really loved the place we stayed outside of Tayrona Park, but the River Don Diego... read more

Hi Ellen, how are you?
Thanks for all your comments and feedback! Actually, yes. Tayrona Park closes annually but it was supposed to be only the first 15 days of the month. In theory, this didn't affect your visit until January when we got the notice that it would be the last month and that's when we did the switch. I will keep all your comments and it was my pleasure working with you and putting together this experience.
Chio

I had 3 excellent guides: Maria Alejandro Nar... · Colombia - Feb 7 - Feb 23, 2020
I had 3 excellent guides: Maria Alejandro Nariño in Bogota, Juan David Martinez in Leticia, and Mauro Hernandez Aguinago in Medellin! The Lost City of Colombia Trek guides, Juan and Checo (sp) also did an excellent job!! I hope that the friendships I established with them will continue into the future:-)

Hi Chuck! I hope you had a great return home and I'm so happy that you enjoy your time here! :)
Beautiful Colombia · Colombia - Feb 15 - Feb 23, 2020
The trip was Over expectations Everything was superb!
First of all with Chio he managed everything very well and was so patient with all questions i have asked.
In Bogota the driver Francisco and the guide Maria were very nice and they introduced me very well to the Bogota and also the whole country.
After that I went to Raquira and Villa de layva with a very good driver (but I’m sorry I forgot his name) .
Santa Marta driver Carlos was a very good driver and he did a very good job, big thanks... read more

Hi Hamad, how are you?
I'm so glad that you had a great experience during your trip and thank so much for the kind words. I'll let each and every guide know that you had a great time!
Chio
We spent a wonderful week in Colombia with st... · Colombia - Feb 8 - Feb 16, 2020
We spent a wonderful week in Colombia with stops in Cartagena, Minca (El Dorado reserve), and Mucura (Punta Faro hotel). We highly recommend Bazurto Market and National Aviary. Walking the streets of Cartagena was a joy. The many murals, buildings, people, shops, street vendors, and restaurant’s were all wonderful. I would recommend spending 2 full days and 3 nights in El Dorado with a 1 full day in Minca. Mucura was a wonderful and relaxing island. Punta Faro was amazing. The staff... read more

Hi Todd, how are you?
Thanks so much for the kind words and I'm truly happy that you had a great experience! I'll be sure to pass your comments on to the guides and would love to work with you in creating more experiences here in Colombia, there's still plenty to see!
Chio
We loved Isabella and Alexjandra as well as o... · Colombia - Feb 13 - Feb 16, 2020
We loved Isabella and Alexjandra as well as our driver. They worked hard to insure that we had a good experience.

Hi Bruce, how are you?
I'm glad that you had a lovely time and liked your guides and driver, will let them know! :)
Great time in Colombia! · Colombia - Dec 28 - Jan 5, 2020
I've worked with Chio from the agency and she has been really awesome.
My husband and I went to Colombia from 12/28 to 1/5/20. This was our very first time to South America and very first to Colombia. I was looking for tour guide and Kimkim.com came up in google search and I thought I'd like to try the agency. It was a such a good decision. After I contacted Kimkim, Chio got back to me within a day and she helped to plan our trip. I had very specific requirements for the types of the trips... read more

Hi Victoria!
Thanks so much for your feedback and comments. It was truly my pleasure working with you and putting together the whole experience. I'm glad that you have an amazing time and that it met your expectations!
Chio
We had a super time and felt very supported. ... · Colombia - Dec 26 - Jan 5, 2020
We had a super time and felt very supported. Chio was there for every little question I had! All the drivers, hotels and tour people were on-time and extra nice. I'm so pleased.

Hi Margie! It was my pleasure assisting you during your trip :)
Travelling in Colombia with four children · Colombia - Dec 24 - Jan 4, 2020
My husband and I travelled in Colombia with our four children (ages 11-15) and overall we very satisfied with the kimkim experience. The planning stage was fantastic-- I spoke with an agent in the US and also an agent in Colombia-- and it was very easy to come up with a specific itinerary to fit the needs and wants of my family. Our local specialist (Chio) was very responsive to my questions and requests and always responded in a timely manner.
For the most part, everyone involved in... read more

Hi Diana, how are you?
Thanks so much for your comments and once again, I apologize for that inconvenience. We were truly sorry but now happy that you had a great experience overall and make some wonderful memories!
Chio
Kimkim does make things much easier, but it's... · Colombia - Dec 26 - Jan 3, 2020
Kimkim does make things much easier, but it's not the best option if you want to save money.
For flights and hotels, we saved more than $500 booking everything on our own.
Cartagena was great and it's the place I would have spent more time.
The guide in Medellin was awesome and explained everything we saw and asked about!
However, the guide in Bogotá was quite different. His English wasn't very good so it wasn't very easy to communicate. Perhaps this was the reason why he didn't explain... read more

Hi Hannah, how are you?
Thank you so much for your feedback and of course, we will look into what happened with the guide in Bogotá to make sure it doesn't occur again. For us is very important that our travelers feels that they enjoyed the experience fully and know they have people looking out for them!
It was my pleasure assisting you during your time in Colombia,
Chio
The trip was great and we enjoyed it · Colombia - Dec 26 - Jan 3, 2020
The trip was great and we enjoyed it.
Chio was very good all the way and was very responsive to our needs and did her best to solve any problem we had.
I have an issue, however with the team that designed the trip. Here are some points:
The transport company in Medallin was bad. Out of the three trips with them there were two problems. On the second one, they simply sent the driver with the wrong name, as a result, he ignored our sign and it caused delay.
The trip to Nuqui was good, but we... read more

Hi Jacob, how are you?
Thanks so much for your feedback and we are truly happy that you enjoyed and had a great time. I do apologize for the inconvenience you had with the transfer and rest assured we will keep in mind all your comments about Nuqui and make sure it is better communicated.
Chio
I recommend the Kimkim team in Colombia witho... · Colombia - Nov 14 - Nov 24, 2019
I recommend the Kimkim team in Colombia without reservations. We had a fantastic trip and I could not have asked for a better agency to work with.
In terms of the initial planning, they patiently helped me through deciding whether to go to Colombia or Peru, which areas to cover, and worked with me through my endless questions and changes. Lisa and Chio worked out an amazing itinerary for our family based on our stated interests, and changed it with only a few weeks to go when it turned out... read more

Hi Laurie, how are you?
Thanks so much for your comments! Helping you and your family with this experience was our pleasure and with Jules, we were happy to be with you every step of the way. For us is great knowing that a traveler had a great time during their holidays in beautiful Colombia and we hope you come back soon!
Chio

All of our guides were exceptional! Lina in B... · Colombia - Nov 7 - Nov 21, 2019
All of our guides were exceptional! Lina in Bogata, Mauricio in Villa de Leyva, Natalia in Pereira, Daniel in Medellin, Juan in Tayrona Park, Carolina for the cooking lesson and Ingrid in Cartagena. The guides were all very knowledgeable and obviously proud of their wonderful country.
We enjoyed all of the things we experienced. A couple of things that stood out were the visit to the coffee farm that was run by women, the visit to Bazurto market with a local that knows her way around. We... read more

Hi Minda!
I'm really happy that you enjoyed your trip and time in Colombia! For us, it was a pleasure to help you put the experience together and I'll make sure your guides know how happy you were with them!
Best regards,
Chio

Trip to Colombia · Colombia - Jul 28 - Aug 9, 2019
We confirmed our 4 region trip a couple weeks before leaving for Columbia. Our initial consult with Lisa proved quite helpful in narrowing down the regions and activities we wanted to experience. We then were contacted by Chio who handled booking the schedule and was in contact with us throughout the trip to check that everything was going well. All of our drivers and guides were amazing - on time, super friendly and helpful for our family of 4 (mom/dad/2 older teens). Lina in Bogota... read more

Hi Maria, how are you?
I'm very glad that you had a great time during your family vacations and that you got to enjoy differents regions and the experiences in each one were worth!
I'll make sure that all your guides and people involved during your time here get your comments and of course, I'll look forward to working with you again and plan your next holiday in Colombia, there's still plenty to see!
Chio
Trip to Colombia · Colombia - Jul 12 - Jul 20, 2019
Chio was very responsive and accommodating. This was our first time to Colombia so it was great to obtain his guidance and recommendations. All of our booked guides were professional, knowledgeable and fun! Our favorite parts of the trip included the cooking class in Cartagena, the hike in Tayrona and our glamping stay in Minca. I would definitely recommend booking with Chio and KimKim if its your first time to Colombia. Having the accommodations and transportation booked for you in advance was a must! It added a lot of ease to the trip. Can't wait to go back!

Hi Alexandra, how are you?
I'm so excited to hear that you have a great time and enjoy your trip to Colombia and that you loved the cooking class. I'm sure you got to taste some delicious food!
I'll look forward to working with you again for your next trip to this beautiful country, there's still plenty of sights to see and activities to enjoy!
Chio

Trip to Colombia · Colombia - Jun 29 - Jul 9, 2019
This was our first time using kimkim and I am very happy we did! We made a short fuse decision to tack on a family vacation to my business trip to Colombia, and Chio put together a great itinerary for us on very short notice (less than 2 weeks). Responses were prompt and we didn't have any issues during our 10 day vacation.
Highlights of the trip for us include the private graffiti tour in Bogota with Anna, Guatape day visit near Medellin and the cooking class in Cartagena. But all of it... read more

Hi Lisa, how are you?
I'm glad to hear you had a great time during your holidays here in Colombia and that you enjoy the cities. If was very nice to make your acquaintance and I'm truly happy that overall it as a great family experience.
About the transport, given that applications taxies aren't legal yet, we don't really recommend it. Also, thanks so much for your comments about the hotel in Medellin, I'll definitely have it in consideration and get the feedback to them as well!
I hope... read more