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Diego Olivares

My name is Diego, I'm Mexican, I live in Mexico City and I'm a local specialist at Rutopía, Kim Kim's local partner agency.

I like to travel while generating a positive impact on my country's society and nature. I love creating authentic routes with unique experiences that will bring you closer to Mexican culture and regional communities.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Yucatán Península, Center of Mexico, Oaxaca City and Oaxaca Coast.
The activities I specialize in are mostly involved with nature and culture. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"Since I was a kid I've always been very close to travelling because my mom was a flight attendant.
When I grew up it became one of my passions and now I was able to combine it with my professional path."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"My best trip was to Iceland.
I remember walking to see the crashed airplane in the black beach at Sólheimasandur, it was like walking in another planet.
I will never forget that trip."

Diego is part of the following groups: Mexico Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent trip reviews for Diego

The trip was enjoyable. The guides were ok, could have been better. Best guide was from Merida. We forgot a small bag in the car while travelling from Merida to Tulum. When checking if they could send this back with another tourist car, they quoted an exorbitant amount of 9000 pesos.
Mexico | Jul 15 - Jul 31, 2025

P
PRIYA G.
Singapore | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2025
The trip was enjoyable. The guides were ok, Read more

The trip was enjoyable. The guides were ok,

Hotel Review
Hotel Mansión Chiapa
Chiapa de Corzo

Very basic.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Think we could have stayed in San Cristobal even if we were going to the canyon.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Diego Olivares

12 days on the Yucatan Peninsula!
Mexico | Jul 6 - Jul 17, 2025

jason
jason p.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025
Our overall experience with the Rutopia (travel planners) and the KimKim tool was very positive. In the end, the 12 days we spent in Mexico were incredible, and the support we received from the Rutopia team while in-country was excellent. The experiences we selected with the help of our specialist, Diego, provided more authentic and educational activities than we would have chosen on our own. And when we needed to add activities at the last minute, our support specialist, Luz, was quick to... Read more

Our overall experience with the Rutopia (travel planners) and the KimKim tool was very positive. In the end, the 12 days we spent in Mexico were incredible, and the support we received from the Rutopia team while in-country was excellent.

The experiences we selected with the help of our specialist, Diego, provided more authentic and educational activities than we would have chosen on our own. And when we needed to add activities at the last minute, our support specialist, Luz, was quick to help us make the necessary adjustments. Each day was organized for us, with maps, meeting points, and WhatsApp phone numbers, which made it so easy for our family of 6 to be in the right place at the right time.

7 Cenotes, 4 Mayan ruins, countless monkey sightings, 4 distinct towns on the Peninsula, and over 1200 miles driven with very few challenges-all due to the work of the Rutopia team...thank you!

Hotel Review
Hacienda Morelos
Puerto Morelos

Great location, but the rooms are old and have limited amenities. It's clear the hotel can stay busy based on its location right in downtown Puerto Morelos, so they don't work to provide a reasonable experience for their guests. Our rooms opened into a staff parking lot, where staff were cleaning chairs-not a great first impression. We had credit cards and cash stolen from our room, which the hotel reimbursed us for...but it certainly soured the close of our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Diego Olivares

KimKim/Rutopia provided invaluable access to local eco-tourism options we would not have found otherwise.
Mexico | Jul 6 - Jul 17, 2025

Shannon
Shannon M.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Jul 21, 2025
The communication with KimKim was fantastic throughout our planning process. Once the trip started, a more local agent was assigned to us and checked in daily through WhatsApp to provide details for the next day. We had an incident where money and credit cards were stolen at one of the hotels and Rutopia/KimKim acted swiftly and professionally, dealing with the hotel management to ensure we were compensated. We were hesitant at first to pay for a travel agent vs. planning ourselves, but in... Read more

The communication with KimKim was fantastic throughout our planning process. Once the trip started, a more local agent was assigned to us and checked in daily through WhatsApp to provide details for the next day. We had an incident where money and credit cards were stolen at one of the hotels and Rutopia/KimKim acted swiftly and professionally, dealing with the hotel management to ensure we were compensated. We were hesitant at first to pay for a travel agent vs. planning ourselves, but in the end, we were so glad we opted for using the agency because it was so nice having someone confirming all the logistics/details for our trip every day and having an advocate for the theft incident. Also, the excursions planned with the local Mayan community were fantastic. We were thrilled to be supporting local businesses in their eco-tourism ventures - it was exactly what we were looking for. They provided access we wouldn't otherwise have had and it was all very seamless. My only complaint is that it was very hard to get official/legal documentation of (e.g. contract language) before we made our final payment. We were unclear who we were actually paying (KimKim or Rutopia) - who was the legal entity and what recourse did we have if they didn't follow-through with services? We wanted to see that language in a document before making our final payment, which wasn't offered initially. It's difficult to pay a substantial amount of money (for us, a family of 6) without having a legal document to review first. Online reviews were very positive though and now that our trip is over, I would 100% recommend this company and would use them again without hesitation for future trips.

Activity Review
The Ancient Canal Experience in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (morning)
The Ancient Canal Experience in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (morning)
Tulum

Experience included a couple hour boat-ride through several massive lagoons. Scenery was gorgeous, great for bird-watchers. Our favorite was the 30 minute float through the "lazy river" (canal). Our favorite activity of the whole trip! It was beautiful, peaceful, crystal clear water. The guides were informative about the reserve. I was hoping to see a little more wildlife but mid-day, the most you will likely see are birds. My family of 6 from the US (with 4 teens/young adults) absolutely loved it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Diego Olivares

Not one complaint
Mexico | Mar 21 - Apr 1, 2025

E
Eric P.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2025
The transportation that they scheduled was very dependable. The guides for the activities were friendly and knowledgeable. The lodging was unique and in good locations. Everything went extremely smooth. Very impressed would definitely use KimKim (Rutopia) again. Read more

The transportation that they scheduled was very dependable. The guides for the activities were friendly and knowledgeable. The lodging was unique and in good locations. Everything went extremely smooth. Very impressed would definitely use KimKim (Rutopia) again.

Hotel Reviews
Piedra Escondida
Tulum, Quintana Roo

Worked great for our family of four with kids 12 and 15. Beautiful ocean view rooms. The connected restaurant was one of the best we ate at the whole trip. Bar is relaxing with ocean views also. Seems like you are on a remote island yet amenities are very close by.

Authenticity & Character
One of a kind, loved the private beach and the restaurant and bar on site.
Location
Feels isolated and private yet is right next to amenities.
Staff
Very friendly and available
Cleanliness & Comfort
Not brand new, but I don't need that. Clean comfortable and relaxing.
Hotel Posada San Juan
Valladolid

Motel is absolutely beautiful. The rooms are just gorgeous with large semi-private open air lounging areas outside the rooms. Pool that I think only we used. Not many guests, so a lot of the time it felt like you have the whole place to yourself. Bar on site next to the refreshing pool. Located in a convenient area with their own bar and restaurant across the street and in walking distance to major sites of the city, restaurants, bars, and shops.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful authentic rooms with wildlife if you pay attention and next to a plaza that the friendly locals frequent.
Location
Very convenient for seeing the sights and amenities.
Staff
Everyone was friendly and helpful kids loved the friendly well behaved "guard" dog.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very new feeling but feels like it has been there a hundred years. Bathrooms are large, airy, and relaxing.
Playa Palms Beach Hotel

Nice rooms, balconies with great views of the ocean. Private pool that never felt crowded as there really aren't that many guests. Great breakfasts delivered to your door when you want. No bar or restaurant on site, but if you are on the beach bar tenders come over and deliver you drinks. Massage therapy people come by too. Plus you are only a few blocks from the happening 5th Avenue with its bars, restaurants, live music, and shops.

Authenticity & Character
Interesting looking layout with the balconies and pool. Has its own small beach. Relaxed as there aren't many guests.
Location
Right on the beach you can book snorkeling and fishing tours that leave from a block away. Unfortunately, ours got cancelled due to high winds, but we were quickly refunded. The boats for these are right in front of the hotel.
Staff
Friendly. There is someone there that can book tours for you.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was nice and clean with refrigerator, microwave, dishes, sink, cooktop, and TV
Activity Reviews
Snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal
Snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal
Mexico

Quite a few people there, but they are pretty spread out, so not crowded in the water. Definitely, saw numerous turtles very close up. It was really cool. It is shallow in case you fear open water.

Quality of Experience
Get to see sea turtles up close
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was friendly and patient
Transport
On time and waited for us.
The Ancient Canal Experience in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (morning)
The Ancient Canal Experience in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (morning)
Tulum

The boat ride, especially through the canal area was super fun plus you see a lot of fish and birds. Floating down the canal is super relaxing and a unique experience. My oldest kid could do it every day of his life. You see Mayan ruins here and there. We saw manatees, which was amazing, interesting fish close up, ospreys, herons it is just a beautiful place. Kids loved it 10 out of 10 until my 12 year old lost his cell phone on an island we went to. It was all his fault, but the guides tried their best to find it in multiple ways and worked hard to console him. So any negatives to the trip was just our family being us. Awesome trip.

Quality of Experience
Manatees! floating the Mayan canal.
Food
Authentic food at the beginning and end.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The boat drivers are simply amazing our guide was very knowledgeable and patient.
Transport
On time.
Visit to Lol Ha cenote in Yaxunah
Visit to Lol Ha cenote in Yaxunah
Mexico

Beautiful. Water was so refreshing after being crazy hot at Chichen Itza. Saw Mot Mots.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Chichén Itzá, Wonder of the Maya World
Visit Chichén Itzá, Wonder of the Maya World
Mexico

The main pyramid is absolutely astonishing! The whole place is amazing. There are a ton of people though. It is also very exposed and hot.

Quality of Experience
It is one of the 7 wonders of the world, enough said.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was super knowledgeable, easy to understand, friendly, and patient.
Transport
On time. Glad we had a private driver that dropped us off up front. Parking a half mile away and walking could make it not as fun.
Ek Balam Archaeological Site & swim in a cenote
Ek Balam Archaeological Site & swim in a cenote
Mexico

Much more mellow and less crowded than Chichen Itza. It is quite a bit different. You can climb the pyramids if you want. Much more shade than Chichen Itza too, which made it more relaxed.

Quality of Experience
Just a nice relaxed grounds with amazing structures and carvings/reliefs
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was on time, friendly, and very knowledgeable.
Transport
Reliable and on time.
Explore Coba by bike!
Explore Coba by bike!
Cobá

Awesome experience! We almost cancelled this because my family was kind of burnt out from Chichen Itza and Ek Balaam the days before. Worried the bike ride might be hot and miserable. Instead the bike ride was super fun, honestly the bike ride was probably the best I have ever been on and that is saying something. It is flat and shady and not very far. The ruins are different from the other two. Very laid back here compared to Chichen Itza. Very fun!

Quality of Experience
Biking through the ruins was fun and amazing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable, friendly, multilinqual
Transport
On time and waited for us.
Río Secreto Privilege: The Mayan Underworld
Río Secreto Privilege: The Mayan Underworld
Mexico

Very unique place. A very cool experience.

Quality of Experience
Very unique.
Food
Buffet with some really good native cuisine
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable, drive was fun.
Transport
On time.
Local specialist: Diego Olivares

Excellent Guides in Chichen Itza, Uxmal & Kab...
Mexico | Feb 20 - Feb 25, 2025

K
Kalavathy I.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 04, 2025

Excellent Guides in Chichen Itza, Uxmal & Kabah. Well informed and highly educated.
Very good Drivers.
Very nice choice of Hotels and Lodges
Pleasant and happy experience in total

Local specialist: Diego Olivares