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active 18 hours ago

Leo Cuesta

I'm the founder and president of Uncharted Earth, an adventure travel company that specializes in lesser known and relatively undeveloped travel destinations. We seek out unspoiled nature destinations and authentic experiences to give our customers exceptional adventures that go way beyond typical tours.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Mountains, rainforests, tropical islands and volcanoes; hiking, snorkeling, diving, climbing, kayaking and mountain biking. Anything active in a beautiful and unspoiled nature setting. We also specialize in interacting with indigenous people and immersing people in traditional culture. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"I've always loved nature-based travel. As a kid I couldn't wait to escape the city to spend weekends at my dad's farm or longer vacations in the mountains or by the sea. I'm a professional dive master and also love to go climbing, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking --- pretty much any active endeavor done in nature. In my mid twenties I decided to make a career out of my passion for nature and adventure. I went to business school then worked for adventure travel companies in the US and Colombia before setting up my own adventure travel company. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"In 2011 I had a new company and also a new dog that I adopted. I wanted to explore some very remote islands in the Philippines, accessible only by very long rides in a small boat, braving big waves in the Pacific. I couldn't find anyone to leave my dog with so I had to bring him with me. It was a fantastic trip to some of the most spectacular islands in the Philippines that few people have ever been to, and I had my big white fluffy dog with me riding huge waves, exploring caves, camping on pristine beaches and snorkeling coral reefs. You can read about the adventure here: http://www.uncharted-earth.com/en/community/travel-stories/babuyan-islands-reconned/ "

Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent trip reviews for Leo

We have taken seven trips with KimKim, and Leo was the BEST
California | Aug 6 - Aug 18, 2024

Heather
Heather V.
Millboro, VA | Reviewed on Aug 20, 2024
We have taken seven trips with KimKim, and Leo was one of the best, if not the best, hosts we have had. His communication and follow-through were the best yet. We had hotel complications, not because of Leo, but I called him directly, and he fixed everything immediately and was so easy to get a hold of while traveling. He knew the trip guidelines well, we like to go out of the box, and he would let us know when ideas weren't that great and offered other ideas that I didn't think I would like... Read more

We have taken seven trips with KimKim, and Leo was one of the best, if not the best, hosts we have had. His communication and follow-through were the best yet. We had hotel complications, not because of Leo, but I called him directly, and he fixed everything immediately and was so easy to get a hold of while traveling. He knew the trip guidelines well, we like to go out of the box, and he would let us know when ideas weren't that great and offered other ideas that I didn't think I would like but LOVED! I usually don't want to get a rental car or drive over 5 hours on a trip, but Leo said that's the way to go, and he was right. It was great having our car and doing all the national parks/ recreation spots we could fit in from San Fran to Las Vegas. Thank you for being the most wonderful travel planned we have had so far with all of our Kimkim trips.

Local specialist: Leo Cuesta
Leo
Leo Cuesta
Local specialist in USA | Replied on Aug 20, 2024

Hi Heather,

Thank you for your review and I'm very happy that you loved your trip! It was a pleasure working with you on your vacation and I look forward to arranging another great adventure for you in the future!

Leo did an amazing job with planning our trip...
California | Jul 17 - Jul 23, 2024

Kimberly
Kimberly B.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Jul 30, 2024

Leo did an amazing job with planning our trip. Paul our trolly wine tour guide was awesome (and so was his music play list). He was very knowledgable about the info in the Sonoma area. Our trip to Napa had a remarkable wine tour with Tessa Bowen at Platypus tours, she took us to 3 small wineries, which were awesome and we purchased wine from 2 of the 3 places.

Local specialist: Leo Cuesta
Leo
Leo Cuesta
Local specialist in USA | Replied on Jul 30, 2024

Hi Kim,

Thank you for your review and I'm glad you had a wonderful time in San Francisco and wine country! Thank you for working with me and I look forward to arranging another great vacation for you in the future!

Very happy with Kimkim service. Our trip to t...
Philippines | Apr 12 - Apr 23, 2024

marisa
marisa s.
Greece | Reviewed on May 05, 2024
Very happy with Kimkim service. Our trip to the Philippines was made special. Leo planned everything according to our budget . Allowing time for us to chill and rest when needed so Everything was planned perfectly well. All our guides were very nice and friendly. The drivers tours and guides were always on time. Also our guide kept in touch to make sure all was going well. The hotels chosen all had good standard. All our day tours for the island hopping were amazing. I highly recommend... Read more

Very happy with Kimkim service. Our trip to the Philippines was made special. Leo planned everything according to our budget . Allowing time for us to chill and rest when needed so Everything was planned perfectly well. All our guides were very nice and friendly. The drivers tours and guides were always on time. Also our guide kept in touch to make sure all was going well. The hotels chosen all had good standard. All our day tours for the island hopping were amazing. I highly recommend kimkim for their professional services! Definitely five stars ⭐️

Hotel Review
Amorita Resort
Authenticity & Character
Everything
Location
It’s right next to the beach that’s full of bars and restaurants
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Leo Cuesta
Leo
Leo Cuesta
Local specialist in USA | Replied on May 11, 2024

Hi Marisa,

Thank you for your review and I'm glad you had a great time in the Philippines! We look forward to working with you on another trip in the future!

Easy planning for a memorable trip!
California | Feb 24 - Mar 2, 2024

Robin
Robin T.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Mar 07, 2024
We had a fantastic trip! The hotels were perfect for our needs and in great locations. The daily adventures were so much fun and we still had plenty of free time to adjust our schedules for other suggested activities. Thanks so much for all your help. Will definitely use again! Read more

We had a fantastic trip! The hotels were perfect for our needs and in great locations. The daily adventures were so much fun and we still had plenty of free time to adjust our schedules for other suggested activities. Thanks so much for all your help. Will definitely use again!

Activity Reviews
Biking tour of San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
Biking tour of San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
San Francisco

Loved this! Riding across the Golden Gate Bridge was amazing! E-bikes were a must for this hilly city!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Adam the guide was friendly and infomative
Transport
walking distance from our hotel
Napa wine tour with picnic lunch
Napa wine tour with picnic lunch
Napa

Great day. Loved that we were picked up from the hotel and dropped off there at the end of the day. Lunch was great and it was nice to have someone pick the wineries for us, how do you choose out of 400??

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Calistoga Hot Springs and Mud Baths
Calistoga Hot Springs and Mud Baths
Napa

Fun afternoon relaxing in mud?! We were sure about this, but everyone said we'd love it! Staff was friendly and professional.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sonoma Walking Food, Wine & History Tour
Sonoma Walking Food, Wine & History Tour
the United States

This was a great tour! Abby was super friendly and we ended up having a private tour for the group price! I would never have thought about tasting olive oil/balsamic vinegar, but it was a good learning experience. Fun afternoon despite the rain and ended with a rainbow!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Napa yoga class
Napa yoga class
Napa

Great experience and professional staff.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class in Napa
Cooking Class in Napa
Napa

This class was so much fun! Chef Sara was great and the food was delicious. We came home with knowledge for our own kitchens, some new recipes and an apron! Would definitely do this again.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leo Cuesta
Leo
Leo Cuesta
Local specialist in USA | Replied on Mar 07, 2024

Hi Robin,

Thank you for your review and I'm glad you guys had a wonderful time in San Francisco and wine country! Great photos too ---looks like you had some really yummy food and cool experiences! Thank you for working with us on this trip and I look forward to arranging another adventure for you in the future!

Amazing tour of the Philippines!
Philippines | Nov 4 - Nov 17, 2023

Camila
Camila Q.
Washington, IL | Reviewed on Jan 20, 2024
Leo was so great to work with. He was very responsive and planned an itinerary that provided us with exactly what we wanted. Batangas was a beautiful dive spot and we were blown away with the biodiversity that we saw. The island hopping tour in Coron was spectacular and Johnas was a great guide. The Kawasan tour canyoneering was so cool and fun. The tour guide wolves was awesome and they took some crazy good pictures and videos of us. Smock from Lakbay Palawan was so kind and attentive, great... Read more

Leo was so great to work with. He was very responsive and planned an itinerary that provided us with exactly what we wanted. Batangas was a beautiful dive spot and we were blown away with the biodiversity that we saw. The island hopping tour in Coron was spectacular and Johnas was a great guide. The Kawasan tour canyoneering was so cool and fun. The tour guide wolves was awesome and they took some crazy good pictures and videos of us. Smock from Lakbay Palawan was so kind and attentive, great knowledge of reef restoration, and kept us entertained on our boat transfer from Puerto princesa to Coron. All of our tours and guides were amazing and we can’t speak more highly of this trip and fully recommend it.

Hotel Reviews
Bohol Beach Club
Bohol

Beautiful hotel, great food, and friendly staff. Wish we could have stayed longer.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bluewater Maribago
Lapu-lapu City
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel
Coron Town
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cadlao El Nido Resort and Restaurant
El Nido, Palawan
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Kayaking with fireflies
Kayaking with fireflies
Philippines

Friendly tour guide, very knowledgeable, and amazing food at the end.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Scuba Diving in Anilao: Introductory Diving Experience
Discover Scuba Diving in Anilao: Introductory Diving Experience
Anilao, Batangas

One of the most beautiful dives I have been on. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bohol Island Day Tour
Bohol Island Day Tour
Philippines

Enjoyed this day very much, the chocolate hills and tarsier sanctuary were highlights of this day!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
Philippines

Dante’s peak canyoneering adventure was so great! Very fun, beautiful to see, and very exciting! Our tour guides took amazing pictures and videos of us.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dolphin Spotting and Snorkeling in Balicasag Island
Dolphin Spotting and Snorkeling in Balicasag Island
Philippines

The dolphin spotting tour was really cool. We saw so many pods of wild spinner dolphins. The boat follows the pods.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Honda Bay Island Hopping Day Tour
Honda Bay Island Hopping Day Tour
Puerto Princesa
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A
El Nido

So many great snorkeling spots and biodiversity!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour
Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coron - El Nido 1 day boat expedition
Coron - El Nido 1 day boat expedition
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coron Lagoons & Lakes Day Tour
Coron Lagoons & Lakes Day Tour
Coron
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Powder Day: Sand and Stellar Beaches
Powder Day: Sand and Stellar Beaches
Coron
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leo Cuesta
Leo
Leo Cuesta
Local specialist in USA | Replied on Jan 22, 2024

Hi Camila, thank you for your review and I’m glad that you and Jose had an amazing Philippine honeymoon! Thank you for trusting us with arranging your special trip. It was a pleasure working with you. Let me know if you ever want to revisit the Philippines or do a trip to Colombia or the Western US (two other destinations I specialize in). I hope to arrange another memorable adventure for you in the future!

Amazing Philippines
Philippines | Dec 18 - Jan 3, 2024

Paolo
Paolo L.
Italy | Reviewed on Jan 04, 2024
Overall, our family has enjoyed this trip a lot as it was varied with culture, nature, experiences and food! To fireflies to tarsiers, everyday was filled with something brand new and exciting. In addition to all the memorable activities, the people and guides we met made a huge difference. The shoutouts go to Jonas as he taught us the basics of free-diving (which we were able to apply on our snorkelling) and was attentive to our preferences on this journey. Adding on to our experience on... Read more

Overall, our family has enjoyed this trip a lot as it was varied with culture, nature, experiences and food! To fireflies to tarsiers, everyday was filled with something brand new and exciting. In addition to all the memorable activities, the people and guides we met made a huge difference. The shoutouts go to Jonas as he taught us the basics of free-diving (which we were able to apply on our snorkelling) and was attentive to our preferences on this journey. Adding on to our experience on our island hopping, the food was always high quality and immersed us in the Philippine cuisine. Our personal favourite were the banana cue for dessert ( a snack for us after the long but fun day) On the other hand, our boat transfer with Amick and spectacular sights was made even more remarkable as … taught us about the marvels of the sea. Our holiday flew by as we were accompanied by fish, turtles, and wild dolphins!! As a recommendation for your programme, we thought that canyoning was an unforgettable memory and would be highly enjoyed by anyone who loves adventure as we jumped into the crystal waters and hiked in the serene greenery. In conclusion, if you are seeking a mind-relaxing yet intrepid vacation, the Philippines has everything you need! Thanks a lot Leo for planning this memorable trip!

Hotel Reviews
Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan
Cebu
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lime Resort
El Nido
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Coron Westown Resort
Coron
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Express Manila New Port City
Pasay
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bohol Beach Club
Bohol
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Coron - El Nido 1 day boat expedition
Coron - El Nido 1 day boat expedition
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Food
Rea was cooking avresti breakfast and amazing lunch on the way. Fantastic, we took a breakfast at 07:00 am in a desert Island !
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Amick and area were very Friendly and we were fascinating about the sea life explained by Amick
Transport
private very comfortable boat was used
Manila Day Tour
Manila Day Tour
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking with fireflies
Kayaking with fireflies
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bohol Island Day Tour
Bohol Island Day Tour
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cebu City and Mactan Island day tour
Cebu City and Mactan Island day tour
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and flexible tour guide
Transport
Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coron Town Day Tour
Coron Town Day Tour
Coron
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide tour was amazing and well prepared
Transport
Provate large and comfortable boat was used
Coron Lagoons & Lakes Day Tour
Coron Lagoons & Lakes Day Tour
Coron
Quality of Experience
Food
Prepared on the boat and serve to the Island
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private large and comfortable boat was used
Powder Day: Sand and Stellar Beaches
Powder Day: Sand and Stellar Beaches
Coron
Quality of Experience
io
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
no to much interaction on the entire trip with the guide and boat staff only the minimum indication was given but we were followed very carefully during the trip
Transport
Private minivan and large bit was used
Pinatubo Volcano Off-Roading and Hiking Day Trip
Pinatubo Volcano Off-Roading and Hiking Day Trip
Manila
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dolphin Spotting and Snorkeling in Balicasag Island
Dolphin Spotting and Snorkeling in Balicasag Island
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Food
Very good cooked in front of us on the BBQ of the boat
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Very large and comfortable boat
Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour
Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Food
The stop on the way to Porto P.. for breakfast didn t have to much choose and all local food not really fresh
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
El Nido via ferrata
El Nido via ferrata
El Nido
Quality of Experience
Maybe we had high expectation but the escursioni take in overall 30 min
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Not to much interaction with the guide
Transport
the Car was good but came very late on the agreed time
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour C
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour C
El Nido
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private large boat was used
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A
El Nido
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
private large boat was used
Local specialist: Leo Cuesta
Leo
Leo Cuesta
Local specialist in USA | Replied on Jan 04, 2024

Hi Paolo,

Thank you for your great review and photos, I'm glad your family had a wonderful Philippine vacation! I'm very happy that you loved the activities and your guides. Thank you for choosing to travel with us. It was a pleasure for me to organize this trip for you and I hope to put together another adventure for you in the future. I also specialize in Colombia and the Western US so let me know if you ever consider those places for your next family vacation!

Most memorable 3 weeks in the amazing Philippines - solo traveler
Philippines | Nov 28 - Dec 15, 2023

Edit
Edit M.
Czechia | Reviewed on Dec 19, 2023
I think I can honestly say that this was my best vacation ever with so many nice memories and places, people, food and culture.
I was a little hesitant at the beginning if I should organize my trip by myself as I usually do or ask for help but it was the best decision to ask for help. Leo was my specialist who helped me to create the perfect itinerary based on the timeline, dates and budget. The entire planning went smoothly, I had a few flight schedule changes but he always helped me to...
Read more

I think I can honestly say that this was my best vacation ever with so many nice memories and places, people, food and culture.
I was a little hesitant at the beginning if I should organize my trip by myself as I usually do or ask for help but it was the best decision to ask for help. Leo was my specialist who helped me to create the perfect itinerary based on the timeline, dates and budget. The entire planning went smoothly, I had a few flight schedule changes but he always helped me to adjust the details quickly. The entire trip was effortless from my side, all I had to do was to simply enjoy it and follow the itinerary. Pick ups went right on time, communication was fast and easy with all the guides, Ana helped me on the ground to get additional details of the guides for the next day where it was needed so everything was so easy and without any stress.
I spent 18 wonderful days in the Philippines (Cebu, Puerto Princessa, El Nido, Bohol), every day was a new adventure and a new experience. I had so much fun on the activities; during island hoppings i was swimming and snorkling a lot, went hiking to watch the sunrise in Puerto Princessa which was absolutely magical, kayaking and watching fireflies (never seen so many in one place), city tours, atv riding near the chocolate hills of Bohol, I met the tarsiers, crocodiles and butterflies, so many unforgettable memories.
The nature was stunning everywhere I went, the underwater life was amazing, so many colorful fish, corals, turtles, sea snakes, beautiful birds on the trees, the entire place is magical and super clean.
The people were really kind, the food was delicious. I had the chance already in my first accomodation at Bluewater Maribago in Cebu to try the local specialities as they serve buffet dinner where you can try as many things as you like which is a very nice opportunity.
All the tour guides I met made my holiday memorable, they took really good care of me, explained me history, shared a lot of stories with me. I would like to say special thanks to my guide in Puerto Princessa, Rich Apiaza. I have never met such an energetic, enthusiastic guide before. He loves nature, birds very much, he loves Puerto Princessa so it really comes through all his stories which made the place even more special. I am very lucky that he was my guide for three days and managed to get to know the city and the surroundings from him.
There is so much more to see there and experience that I would like to be back again. After such a great experience with an organized trip by Uncharted Earth, I would for sure do it again the same way.

Hotel Reviews
Bluewater Maribago
Lapu-lapu City

Very nice, big resort, I can highly recomend their spa where they offer amazing massage. I tried their signature massage and also a facial treatment, very relaxing experience, super friendly staff. Another highlight is for sure the buffet dinner where you can try many local food specialties.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa

Nice, modern hotel right next to a shopping mall so very convenient.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cadlao El Nido Resort and Restaurant
El Nido, Palawan

The atmosphere of this hotel is absolutely unique, you can enjoy the view of the Cadlao island from the garden and the swimming pool, the sunset is amazing with all the colors in the sky. The restaurant is excellent with delicious food, I loved the ceviche. I stayed in Gemelina, one of the best rooms with an amazing view on the sea from the porch.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bohol Beach Club
Bohol

I think this was my favourite hotel because of the stunning white sand beach. The beach is so amazing with all colors of blue and green water, full of star fish and colorful fish in the coral area just few min walking in the water. Rooms are clean, the garden is super nice green, i was even watching the stars in the evening from a hammock in the garden.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Cebu City and Mactan Island day tour
Cebu City and Mactan Island day tour
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Puerto Princesa City Half-Day Tour
Puerto Princesa City Half-Day Tour
Puerto Princesa

It was such a fun day, meeting with butterflies, crocodiles, bearcats, lots if sweets and amazing view at Bakers Hill, some history from the II World War which even inspired me to read a book about it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Honda Bay Island Hopping Day Tour
Honda Bay Island Hopping Day Tour
Puerto Princesa

Amazing snorkeling on Starfish island, desert like view with mangrove on Luli island and swimming on Cowrie island - i highly recommend this tour.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour
Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour
Philippines

This is the tour that I would never skip. The beach where the boats are leaving is unbelievable, the view with the mountains in the background is stunning. The underground river is a real miracle, never seen such a huge cave, i highly recommend to take off the audio device for a bit to be able to fully hear the bats and the water inside. I would also recommend to do the zipline, the view from there was breathtaking.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
El Nido via ferrata
El Nido via ferrata
El Nido

It was challanging to climb up but the view worth any effort.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A - group tour
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A - group tour
El Nido

No words how beautiful the nature is, I was looking forward to the island hopping but it exceeded my expectations. The 7 Commandos Beach is mind blowing even in cloudy and sunny weather. The tour was well organized, pick up on time, nice clean and huge boat, delicious lunch and very friendly staff. I even had a partner for the kayaking from the crew.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour C - group tour
Island hopping in El Nido - Tour C - group tour
El Nido
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bohol Island Day Tour
Bohol Island Day Tour
Philippines

It was a really active day, the atv ride around the chocolate hills was a very nice surprise. The tarsiers were super cute and we even managed to get there just before the crowds. I loved the lunch on the boat on Loboc river, we had live music, here i think it would be also nice experience to switch off the music for a few min to enjoy the silence on the river but otherwise it was very pleasent.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The day was great but to be honest compared to all the other guides I met during my vacation this was the day where I felt a huge difference, somehow i did not feel that enthusiasm of the guide therefore stories were not so authentic. I did enjoy the day but it rather seemed like I went there with two people who were mainly responsible for my transportation and nothing more.
Transport
Kayaking with fireflies
Kayaking with fireflies
Philippines

I would totally recommend to have this tour because the experience was incredible: we went kayaking after sunset before it became totally dark. The river was warm and calm, i enjoyed the silence and the nature so much and when the darkness came the entire rive shore area started to become active. Hundreds of fireflies on the trees started to light up and pulse at the same time, incredible experience. There are no pictures or videos that can reflect that feeling, a truly awesome experience. After the program we had dinner at the kayak station, the food was really delicious, all my greetings to the chef.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
Philippines

This was a real adventure tour, jumping from cliffs, highest jump was 10 meters, swimming in the canyon and enjoying the waterfalls. I was even lucky that there were not so many people so it was really enjoyable. I also tried the zipline at the beginning, really cool ride in vertical position.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
My guide was really helpful since the terraine is not that easy, one advise: dont rush through the canyon jist to avoid people because then you have no chance to really enjoy the nature there.
Transport
Dolphin Spotting and Snorkeling in Balicasag Island
Dolphin Spotting and Snorkeling in Balicasag Island
Philippines

We started the day with dolphin spotting, there were so many that I could not even count them. Then we went to Balicasag to swim with the turtles and also to do snorkeling. The underwater life there is simply amazing, many colorful fish. The lunch on the boat was delicious, huge portion, impossible to eat it all. After lunch we did some snorkeling again and then we went back to the hotel. A very relaxing day, enjoyed a lot of sun and sea.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leo Cuesta
Leo
Leo Cuesta
Local specialist in USA | Replied on Dec 19, 2023
Hi Edit, Thank you for your wonderful and detailed review and great photos! I'm very happy that you had an amazing time in the Philippines! I'm glad that you were delighted with almost all of the guides on your tour, and I'll be sure to tell the 2 and 4 star guys how they can improve. I'll pass on your special mention to Rich! I’m also happy that you loved all the activities and hotels. Thank you for choosing to visit the Philippines with us. I was a pleasure for me and my team to provide... Read more

Hi Edit,

Thank you for your wonderful and detailed review and great photos! I'm very happy that you had an amazing time in the Philippines! I'm glad that you were delighted with almost all of the guides on your tour, and I'll be sure to tell the 2 and 4 star guys how they can improve. I'll pass on your special mention to Rich! I’m also happy that you loved all the activities and hotels.

Thank you for choosing to visit the Philippines with us. I was a pleasure for me and my team to provide you with a fun and memorable trip. We are also experts in Colombia and the Western US so let us know if you ever think of visiting those other amazing destinations!

We look forward to our next adventure with you!

Ana was great, really enjoy to coordinate wit...
Philippines | Oct 16 - Oct 24, 2023

Marissa
Marissa B.
the Philippines | Reviewed on Oct 26, 2023
Ana was great, really enjoy to coordinate with locally for transportation. Read more

Ana was great, really enjoy to coordinate with locally for transportation.

Hotel Reviews
Bluewater Maribago
Lapu-lapu City

Great breakfast, great service, and location!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bohol Beach Club
Bohol

This resort has everything travelers need to have a good time: ample selection of food and drinks at the restaurant; great customer service; scuba diving services; swimming pool to cool off from the heat; environmentally-friendly glass pitchers to refill for daily water; and an unbelievable view of the water. The hotel staff were always friendly and it's extremely safe (gated with security at all times).

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bayleaf Intramuros
Metro Manila

The hotel staff was great! Manila being a huge city, and after traveling to Cebu and Paglao Islands, it was hard to get used to the traffic noise. Otherwise, the breakfast and staff were on point.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Paniqui Memorial Park
Manila

This was extra special to visit my ancestors' gravesites and I'm glad KimKim accommodated the transportation.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cebu City and Mactan Island day tour
Cebu City and Mactan Island day tour
Philippines

The tour guide is very knowledgeable about the local history and easy to converse with.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking with fireflies
Kayaking with fireflies
Philippines

First time kayaking with fireflies and it was a great experience!

Quality of Experience
Food
The food was great, but I ate alone with a dog staring at me. It would've been nice if the tour guide had joined the dinner instead of them eating next door on their own. In previous tours with KimKim, all the guides were part of the meals.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bohol Island Day Tour
Bohol Island Day Tour
Philippines

The tour guide is very knowledgeable about the local history.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leo Cuesta
Leo
Leo Cuesta
Local specialist in USA | Replied on Oct 26, 2023

Hi Marissa, thank you for your review and I'm glad you had a great time in the Philippines. Thanks for working with me on this trip and I hope to work with you again if you visit one of my other destinations in the future (Colombia, Western US).

Trip of a Lifetime
the United States | Feb 13 - Feb 18, 2023

Olivia
Olivia L.
| Reviewed on May 21, 2023
My best friend, my dog, and I took an unforgettable road trip through California, all thanks to our incredible travel specialist Leo! From the planning stages to the actual trip, Leo's attention to detail, expertise, and personalized touch truly made this trip one of the most fun and special trips I've ever been on :) We traveled from Santa Barbara to San Francisco up the Pacific Coast Highway, stopping at the most beautiful beaches along the way! One of the highlights of the trip was our... Read more

My best friend, my dog, and I took an unforgettable road trip through California, all thanks to our incredible travel specialist Leo! From the planning stages to the actual trip, Leo's attention to detail, expertise, and personalized touch truly made this trip one of the most fun and special trips I've ever been on :)

We traveled from Santa Barbara to San Francisco up the Pacific Coast Highway, stopping at the most beautiful beaches along the way! One of the highlights of the trip was our whale-watching tour in Monterey Bay. Leo made sure to book us on the best cruise company, where we were fortunate enough to see WHALES!! along with dolphins and seals :) It was INCREDIBLE! The crew was fantastic, providing insightful information and answering all our many many many questions :)

Leo's excellent recommendations for hikes and lookout points allowed us to fully appreciate the beauty of California (this was my very time there), and even helped us find some less crowded and dog-friendly spots to enjoy! He was also incredibly responsive and supportive during the entire trip, checking in regularly to make sure everything was running smoothly and providing timely solutions to any unexpected changes or issues. Our kayaking tour was canceled due to wind, but Leo jumped in immediately and provided us with tonnssss of options!

I can't thank Leo enough for putting together this unforgettable trip. The memories we made on this trip will last a lifetime (the tattoos we got in Santa Barbara also will LOL)! Thanks a million, Leo! You're the best <3

Activity Review
Monterey Bay whale watching
Monterey Bay whale watching
the United States

IT WAS INCREDIBLE! We saw whales and dolphins! The crew was so very friendly, kind and patient. We had tons of questions and bothered them for a tour of the captain's room and they gave us a little tour of the inside! They were so funny and we really enjoyed our time on the boat! They told us tons of facts about the whales we got to see! On our cruise, we saw an adult female whale, with two juvenile whales and a bigger, male whale! It was so cool!! I would highly recommend going whale watching :) It was the highlight of my entire trip!

Quality of Experience
Had a place to sit inside and outside and plenty of viewing area for whales
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everyone (staff) was hilarious and so kind. We quickly made friends with them and enjoyed chatting them and hearing all the knowledge they have about the whales, boats, ocean, etc.
Transport
10/10 great boat ride. Great driver-Captain gave us a tour and showed us how he steers the boat and then showed us the route we took!
Local specialist: Leo Cuesta
Leo
Leo Cuesta
Local specialist in USA | Replied on Aug 05, 2023

Hi Olivia,

Thank you for your wonderful review and photos and I'm glad you guys had an awesome time in California! Thanks for working with me for your trip and I hope to arrange another adventure for you in the future!

PS: Nice tattoos!

Leo, was a pleasure to work with from start t...
the United States | Apr 23 - Apr 29, 2023

Robyn
Robyn M.
Farmington Hills, MI | Reviewed on May 05, 2023
Leo, was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He provided excellent ideas, listened to our input and planned a great trip. He even sent specific directions with suggestions on what to wear and weather updates. We had a couple snags along the way (which is expected when you travel) but Leo was attentive and helped us determine the best possible outcome. If planning a trip is to stressful, let Leo do it for you. We highly recommend him and Kim Kim. Read more

Leo, was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He provided excellent ideas, listened to our input and planned a great trip.

He even sent specific directions with suggestions on what to wear and weather updates.

We had a couple snags along the way (which is expected when you travel) but Leo was attentive and helped us determine the best possible outcome.

If planning a trip is to stressful, let Leo do it for you.

We highly recommend him and Kim Kim.

Activity Reviews
Napa and Sonoma Hot Air Balloon Tour
Napa and Sonoma Hot Air Balloon Tour
the United States

Fantastic experience but I’m rating this a 4 out of 5 because our reservation was messed up and one of us almost didn’t get to go. Luckily someone didn’t show and it all worked out. The pilot and crew were excellent and I highly recommend this experience.

Quality of Experience
Our reservation was messed up we paid for 3 people and the morning of they said they only had 2. Be sure to triple check.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sonoma e-bike wine tour
Sonoma e-bike wine tour
the United States

Great experience. Enjoyed our guide Mike. We weren’t too keen on the second winery (Sebastian). I was very, very deliberate and out asking the fees for the tasting and what the purchase requirements were to get them waived. My whole family heard the same thing and when we went to check out it changed. Very frustrating. The reason this is important is because one family member may have opted out of this tasting because they really didn’t want anymore wine that day. Regardless, great time and experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Very nice lunch. They also asked our preference and we got to select from a small menu prior. Helpful.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monterey Bay whale watching
Monterey Bay whale watching
the United States

Crew was great especially Isaiah. Saw lots of whales and sea lions. Dress warm would be my recommendation to future travelers. We stayed at the Stargazer Hotel in Monterey, but it was a really bad experience. However, Leo quickly rectified the situation and as a Marriott Platinum member, we found another accommodation.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Napa wine tour with picnic lunch
Napa wine tour with picnic lunch
Napa

We went on a winery tour in Napa, which was great, but it would have been helpful to know the various pricing structures and deals offered by each winery beforehand. This would have allowed us to strategize better and potentially save money on tastings and wine purchases.

Quality of Experience
Food
Just an ok ham sandwich.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leo Cuesta
Leo
Leo Cuesta
Local specialist in USA | Replied on May 13, 2023

Hi Robyn,

Thank you for your detailed review and great photos. I'm glad you had a wonderful trip. It was a pleasure working with you and I look forward to helping you with another vacation in the future!