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Randall Jiménez

Phrases like “The trip was wonderful beyond my dreams”, “I came back home being a different person…I have grown physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually”, “A job well done my friend”, “Best time of my life” just reaffirm why I feel so passionate about my job.

Working in Tourism for more than 25 years has provided me an extensive knowledge of the country allowing me to assist many clients during all these years and to have quite a following of clients who return again and again as well as many who refer their friends and family.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Rainforest, cloud forest, volcanoes, rivers, small villages, all Costa Rican National Parks and its surroundings. As far as activities, we specialize in mountain biking trips, hikes, rafting but we do also arrange all the amazing activities our country offers, included: safari float, zip lining, waterfall rapelling, caving, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, etc."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I have recognized after the years how more and more people opt for active and physical lifestyles, the attitudes towards vacations have changed. On the itineraries that I design, I concentrate on providing a variety of activities designed to introduce our guests to Costa Rica in the most interesting and unusual ways.

Attention to detail and commitment to quality is key and guarantee that your vacation will exactly meets your expectations. If you are considering to travel to Costa Rica, just let me know what you are looking for and I will make sure to design an itinerary and make your desires a reality. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"The overnight at El Nido del Tigre or The Tiger's Nest, which is the campsite that we have in the middle of the jungle, on the banks of the Pacuare River. This is quite a unique experience and one that nobody regrets, just to spend the night surrounded by the sounds of the rain forest and the river, it is an amazing experience."

Randall is part of the following groups: Costa Rica Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Randall

It was a wonderful trip overall! We started o...
Costa Rica | Mar 9 - Mar 16, 2024

sagarika
sagarika r.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024
It was a wonderful trip overall! We started our trip at Arenal, and went on to visit Monteverde, Manual Antonio and San Jose. The first hike at the lava rock trail at Arenal Volcano was a difficult one for us, I wish Randall had warned us appropriately. This was genuinely not for our fitness level and I ended up injuring my knee in the process. But the other activities were fine and we enjoyed our trip to the cloud forest reserve at Monteverde. The guide at the cloud forest was young but very... Read more

It was a wonderful trip overall! We started our trip at Arenal, and went on to visit Monteverde, Manual Antonio and San Jose. The first hike at the lava rock trail at Arenal Volcano was a difficult one for us, I wish Randall had warned us appropriately. This was genuinely not for our fitness level and I ended up injuring my knee in the process. But the other activities were fine and we enjoyed our trip to the cloud forest reserve at Monteverde. The guide at the cloud forest was young but very knowledgeable and took time to explain what we saw and also answered our questions patiently. Randall chose very good hotels for us and the transportation and pick ups arranged were always on time. This was our first time booking thru Kim Kim and we will certainly consider this again in the future.

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

Beautiful resort with lush greenery and epic view of the Arenal Volcano from the resort room. Staff was amazing and very friendly and always willing to help. I wish we had more english language channels for the TV and the hotel had shuttle services to the downtown area..

Authenticity & Character
Location
The resort is in a quiet setting for a peaceful getaway but a bit far from the downtown area
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn San José-Aurola
San José

Location of this hotel is great, but everything else was just average.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco
Monteverde Costa Rica

Beautiful landscapes, comfortable stay, room was very nicely prepared for the stay

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Coffee & Chocolate Experience
Coffee & Chocolate Experience
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano - Mistico Hanging Bridges
Arenal Volcano - Mistico Hanging Bridges
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano
Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
It was a difficult hike for us
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Hike
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Hike
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Best experience at Costa Rica
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 27, 2024

Thank you Sagarika for your review. We are so glad to read that you had a good time in our country.

I am sorry to hear about the knee injury during the hike to the volcano's base. This is a route that many families with kids do all the time, that is why I suggested this hike for you because it is an easy hike, done even for seniors, sometimes it is difficult for us to know exactly what the fitness level of each person, nevertheless, I am glad you enjoyed the rest of the hikes included on the itinerary.

Regards,
Randall

The trip was amazing. The guides were knowle...
Costa Rica | Mar 10 - Mar 14, 2024

C
Carol W.
Harrison, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 21, 2024
The trip was amazing. The guides were knowledgeable and interesting. Monica was excellent.
The places picked with the help of Randall were great.
Our hotel, Volcano hotel spa and thermal experience room had tiny ants in the bathroom. Not so good.
The hotels in general were good. Helpful and accommodating.
Read more

The trip was amazing. The guides were knowledgeable and interesting. Monica was excellent.
The places picked with the help of Randall were great.
Our hotel, Volcano hotel spa and thermal experience room had tiny ants in the bathroom. Not so good.
The hotels in general were good. Helpful and accommodating.

Activity Reviews
Arenal Volcano Hike & Baldi Hot Springs & Dinner
Arenal Volcano Hike & Baldi Hot Springs & Dinner
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano - Mistico Hanging Bridges and La Fortuna Waterfall with lunch
Arenal Volcano - Mistico Hanging Bridges and La Fortuna Waterfall with lunch
Arenal/La Fortuna
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Experience
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Experience
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Hike
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Hike
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
I
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 21, 2024

Hi Carol,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about the trip that we organized for you and Peter in our country! We did share this with the Volcano Lodge Hotel, to let them know about the ants situation in your bathroom.

We hope to have the chance to welcome you again in the future.

Best,
Randall

PURAAAA VIDAAAA
Costa Rica | Aug 20 - Aug 30, 2023

O
Orla O.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024
We had a really amazing trip, that was well-planned and organised with our wants in mind. Thank you so much Randall, we really appreciate your help and that you made yourself available to us on this trip! Pura Vida :) Read more

We had a really amazing trip, that was well-planned and organised with our wants in mind. Thank you so much Randall, we really appreciate your help and that you made yourself available to us on this trip! Pura Vida :)

Hotel Reviews
San Bosco Inn
Fortuna
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Best Western Hotel & Casino Kamuk
Quepos

Great hotel, but poor location

Authenticity & Character
Location
unsafe and bad vibes
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sleep Inn Hotel Paseo Las Damas
San José
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mar Inn Costa Rica
Monteverde Costa Rica
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 21, 2024

Hi Orla,

It is good to hear from you after the trip we organized for you and Adam last year in our country.

We are delighted that you enjoyed your time in Costa Rica and we look forward to seeing you again soon exploring some other exotic areas in our country.

Best,
Randall

Randall did an amazing job tailoring our week...
Costa Rica | Feb 23 - Mar 2, 2024

Andrea
Andrea B.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 06, 2024
Randall did an amazing job tailoring our week to meet our needs. Everything was completely seamlessly designed. Every excursion selected by Randall was top notch. Accommodation were exactly want we were looking for. This is our second time using KimKim and it won’t be our last. Read more

Randall did an amazing job tailoring our week to meet our needs. Everything was completely seamlessly designed. Every excursion selected by Randall was top notch. Accommodation were exactly want we were looking for. This is our second time using KimKim and it won’t be our last.

Hotel Reviews
Holiday Inn Express San Jose Airport
San Jose

Perfect stop by the airport. It was exactly as you would expect and super new and fresh.

Location
Less then ten minutes from the airport
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

This is a real little paradise in the jungle with direct view of the volcano. Wildlife all over the resort. Amazing breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right under the volcano.
Staff
They were exceptional. Always pointin g out wildlife
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Costa Verde
Manuel Antonio

More monkeys than people!!! Fantastic

Authenticity & Character
Very unique. Just how we like it.
Location
In the jungle but moments from the beach.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Transfer to Arenal Volcano - Whitewater Rafting on the Sarapiquí River
Transfer to Arenal Volcano - Whitewater Rafting on the Sarapiquí River
Arenal/La Fortuna

We can’t say enough about the guides. They were exceptional. We did class 4 rapids

Quality of Experience
I can’t say enough. This one really stood out.
Food
Great local meal. ❤️
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Timely , helpful, safe.
Canyoning Tour
Canyoning Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was a real standout experience! Very well organized with very skilled guides. I was very nervous and they made me feel very safe and helped me build my confidence. I’m so glad I did this.

Quality of Experience
I’ll never forget this one!
Food
Fantastic windup space with meal. Just fantastic
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vida Campesina Cultural & Cooking Class
Vida Campesina Cultural & Cooking Class
Arenal/La Fortuna

We learned so much! Loved the tour of the gardens. A little less cooking then I was hoping for but overall it was a great learning experience

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fantastic. Guide
Transport
Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling in Manuel Antonio
Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio

Beautiful large boat with excellent service.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zip-Lining Tour
Zip-Lining Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna

We felt very safe. Beautiful tree canopy.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Horseback Riding and Hiking to La Fortuna Waterfall
Horseback Riding and Hiking to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Such a lovely day! Great guide, wonderful horses. The falls was beautiful

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano
Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano
Arenal/La Fortuna

Such a wonderful guide! So well informed.

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

So many animals!!!! Simply amazing. The guide was brilliant. You must have a guide for this walk.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 09, 2024

Hi Andrea,

Thank you so much for your review. We're happy that you're happy with the trip and watching the amazing pictures that you shared, I can see that Carl and Anna had a good time too :)

We're looking forward to your next visit to our country!

Regards and Pura Vida!
Randall

All was good until the last transfer with Rid...
Costa Rica | Jan 20 - Jan 26, 2024

G
Ghada E.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Jan 27, 2024
All was good until the last transfer with Ride CR. The bus arrived 2.5 hours late and the office kept on lying and saying it will arrive in 10min. At the end it turned out that the office have the driver the wrong address… the office will start talking to us and suddenly will hang up on us. Very rude. Read more

All was good until the last transfer with Ride CR. The bus arrived 2.5 hours late and the office kept on lying and saying it will arrive in 10min. At the end it turned out that the office have the driver the wrong address… the office will start talking to us and suddenly will hang up on us. Very rude.

Hotel Reviews
San Bosco Inn
Fortuna

Location is great, hotel is basic

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walking distance to the downtown
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Karahé Beach Hotel
Manuel Antonio

Clean and nice beach

Authenticity & Character
Offering some ice. You have to walk to the reception every time you need towels
Location
Staff
Helpful when we had an issue with the shuttle
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sleep Inn Hotel Paseo Las Damas
San José
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Zip-Lining Tour
Zip-Lining Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & Baldi Hot Springs & Dinner
Arenal Volcano Hike & Baldi Hot Springs & Dinner
Arenal/La Fortuna

You cannot see the volcano

Quality of Experience
Food
Better food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide very kindly
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Manuel Antonio
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide very knowledgeable but cannot see the animals with bare eyes
Transport
Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 29, 2024

Hi Ghada,

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a rating, that is very important to us as this is the best way for us to improve the service that we offer and make adjustments about the local tour operators, hotels, and/or transportation companies we work with.

We presented a formal complaint to the transportation company for the unacceptable service that you received that day and requested a refund for that service, I will be in touch with you directly about how the process is going.

Regards,
Randall

Great Sampler for First Trip to Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Jan 13 - Jan 24, 2024

christy
christy l.
Saint George, UT | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2024
This was our first trip to Costa Rica so we didn't know anything. I liked going back and forth with Randall about ideas and options. We chose 4 nights at the very high end Amor Arsenal which we loved the most, then 2 nights at Hotel Belmar in Monteverde which was a cool old hotel with amazing views, and then 3 nights at Arenas Del Mar at Manuel Antonio. We opted for the small room at Arenas Del Mar and were disappointed with that - it was really too small. Because we got in so late on... Read more

This was our first trip to Costa Rica so we didn't know anything. I liked going back and forth with Randall about ideas and options. We chose 4 nights at the very high end Amor Arsenal which we loved the most, then 2 nights at Hotel Belmar in Monteverde which was a cool old hotel with amazing views, and then 3 nights at Arenas Del Mar at Manuel Antonio. We opted for the small room at Arenas Del Mar and were disappointed with that - it was really too small. Because we got in so late on our first night, we had just a brief stay at Grano in San Jose and it was very nice. Coming home from Manuel Antonio, we stayed one night near the airport at Xandari Resort which is a very charming place with colorful painted villas, pools, amazing landscaping, and a great trail to waterfalls. You can hear quite a few planes going over but it wasn't too bad. The only negative there was that the mattress and the pillows were very hard and uncomfortable.

Our activities included volcano hikes, nature walks, zip line, chocolate/coffee/sugar cane tasting, beach walking, and swimming.

Hotel Reviews
Amor Arenal
La Fortuna, San Carlos

Our casita was lovely - the best of the trip. Gleaming wood floors, ceiling, and window frames. Great views. Our own jacuzzi. The staff were very helpful and friendly. Yoga was good and the facilities lovely. Nice but short trail for walking. Hard to get a long (as in 4 miles) walk in on the property though. The food was good but a bit overpriced. Loved sitting outside on the deck at the restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
We liked the emphasis on conservation and ecology.
Location
Staff
The guys running the golf carts were super friendly and pointed out a sloth and some birds. We chose to walk but the walk is quite steep - not for everyone, that's why they offer the golf carts.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed creaks quite a bit - one person can't get up without waking the other.
Grano de Oro Hotel
San José

We were there only from 11pm to 10am. It was a beautiful hotel and the breakfast was wonderful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Xandari Resort & Spa
Alajuela

Beautiful painting job of every wall, gate, and decoration - so colorful. The landscaping is gorgeous - really enjoyed walking through all the paths. Enjoyed the walk to the waterfalls. We had a big villa which was nice. There was a little mildew odor in the bathroom. The mattress was very hard - like a futon - and was uncomfortable. The pillows were also very stiff and too firm. This is a charming place - they just need to work on a few details in the rooms. Planes take off nearby but they are not constant and they didn't really bother us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Better mattress, better pillows, elimination of mildew odor - couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from.
Hotel Belmar
Monteverde

We had the best room - fantastic views. There was a huge, round bath tub in the room which we didn't use (would feel guilty using that much water!). It is a windy place and cool but that was fine. We enjoyed walking everywhere around the nature walks and to the beer garden. The nature path is very short - would have liked a longer path to walk. The road to the hotel is very steep so we never did walk into town. The restaurant is very nice and the staff were just great. One night we had live music which was fun.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The views, the privacy
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arenas del Mar Resort
Manuel Antonio

Our room was too small - we wish we had booked the larger room. The only place to sit in a chair was out on the deck which was sometimes too hot. This is a beach experience and it was hot and humid. The pool near the reception area was particularly lovely. We enjoyed walking along the public beach which is longer. We are not ocean swimmers. We enjoyed the tour of the park but there were many people and we really didn't see that many animals. We liked our tour guide Raphael who was very knowledgeable. This hotel has a steep path from rooms/reception to the beach but they offer golf carts for those who don't want to walk. There is a short nature path. We didn't do as much hiking as we had planned because of the heat.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano
Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano
Arenal/La Fortuna

The guide, Eduardo, was excellent. He pointed out many animals and birds. He was very fit and animated. We enjoyed being with him.

Quality of Experience
Eduardo was good.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Super nice people
Transport
On time and safe
Burrito Hike
Burrito Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was a good challenging hike but could have been longer. They used to call it the burrito hike because they took you to make burritos but now they took us to chop vegetables and make empanadas. It was okay but we would have rather hiked more. We enjoyed the people we were with and the guide was great.

Quality of Experience
Food
Not my favorite food - a lot of fried items.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Eduardo was very knowledgeable and a good hike leader.
Transport
On time, safe, and friendly.
Monteverde - Zip-lining tour at the Selvatura Park
Monteverde - Zip-lining tour at the Selvatura Park
Monteverde

We loved this activity. There were 13 zip lines (some were very short). It was pretty and good to be in the fresh air. Felt very safe. The only negative is how many people there were - some long lines on occasion.

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

Fun activity, learned a lot. There were a lot of people - pretty touristy.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano - Mistico Hanging Bridges and La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano - Mistico Hanging Bridges and La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Very touristy. Tons of people everywhere. Waiting in lines. Actually walking on the hanging bridges was fun. The La Fortuna waterfall is a staircase that you walk down and then back up. Not a hike at all.

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

Very tame walk. We were in a group of 10. Not a lot of exercise. The guide was very good - Raphael. He knew a lot and was good at explaining. We didn't see that many animals due to the time of day and the crowds. Tons of tourists.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 29, 2024

Hi Christy,

I appreciate the feedback shared about your trip to our country a few weeks ago, it is great to confirm that you had a good time on the vacation that we organized for you...and as far as the beds' condition at Xandari, we will make sure to pass your comments to them too.

Have a good day and we hope to see you again anytime soon.

Best,
Randall

We loved our trip to Costa Rica. Randall was ...
Costa Rica | Dec 30 - Jan 9, 2024

B
Bridgett G.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2024
We loved our trip to Costa Rica. Randall was very helpful at working within our budget, booking great activities for us, and putting us up at Hotels that we're clean, safe, and well located to all the things we wanted to do and see (both through KimKim and exploring on our own). We we're able to book our trip quickly, and a lot of the stress of planning was taken off our plate. Only caveat is that it was a little tricky to change things around last minute, the timing of some of our shuttles... Read more

We loved our trip to Costa Rica. Randall was very helpful at working within our budget, booking great activities for us, and putting us up at Hotels that we're clean, safe, and well located to all the things we wanted to do and see (both through KimKim and exploring on our own). We we're able to book our trip quickly, and a lot of the stress of planning was taken off our plate. Only caveat is that it was a little tricky to change things around last minute, the timing of some of our shuttles and activities didn't end up being ideal when we got there, so there was a lot of very early mornings and waiting around for shuttles, but it was overall a great experience.

Hotel Reviews
San Bosco Inn
Fortuna

Located right in the heart of La Fortuna. We never had to take a taxi to get to dinner or a bar. Breakfast was good. The room comes with access to their Sister Hotel's hot spring (Volcano Lodges) so no need to book an additional. The room itself was pretty basic, but it's a great option for a budget traveler

Authenticity & Character
We didn't spend much time there, it was really just a place to crash after long fun days in Arenal
Location
In walking distance to all the restaurants, bars, and shops
Staff
Staff wasn't particularly helpful when we ask for recommendations of places to eat or things to do in town. We asked what we should do on New Years Eve and they failed to mention the giant free block party happening a few blocks away, so we wasted some money paying covers for empty bars before we stumbled upon the party.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean hotel. Felt totally safe for being right in the heart of the city
Hotel Cipreses
Monteverde

Really pretty hotel with excellent staff.

Authenticity & Character
Really pretty grounds and a nice view of the mountains.
Location
Monteverde is up in the mountains so it's a bit of a hike to get anywhere, but we were able to walk to some great restaurants
Staff
The staff was amazing. Very helpful with recs, and very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Karahé Beach Hotel
Manuel Antonio

Huge rooms. Beach access is a bit of a hike from the upper rooms. Monkey's hang around the beach, and we saw a few sloths in town. We were able to walk to a few restaurants, and the staff was friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Some bugs in the room, but that's kind of unavoidable in the rainforest. It can be a bit of a hike getting around the property
Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 19, 2024

Hi Bridgett,

We hope you had a nice flight back home.

I appreciate your feedback about the trip that you took with us, it is great to confirm that you had a good time on the vacation that we organized for you and Alec.

Unfortunately, not always is an option to make changes at the very last minute because of the policies of the local tour operators or just because there are no spots/availability on the service that you are requesting to change, but when this is possible, our staff is very flexible and open to assist our travelers.

Regards,
Randall

Family Adventure in Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Dec 26 - Jan 1, 2024

Judith
Judith M.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 08, 2024
Randall planned a trip for me and my family with little notice during high season in Puerto Viejo and everything was fabulous. First, transportation from the moment we arrived at the airport at San Jose up until the last day was handled by professional, prompt, and very friendly drivers. We had wonderful excursions throughout our stay including a Caribbean cooking class, a snorkel trip with hike, and horse back riding on the beach. Randall also made some restaurant recommendations which were... Read more

Randall planned a trip for me and my family with little notice during high season in Puerto Viejo and everything was fabulous. First, transportation from the moment we arrived at the airport at San Jose up until the last day was handled by professional, prompt, and very friendly drivers. We had wonderful excursions throughout our stay including a Caribbean cooking class, a snorkel trip with hike, and horse back riding on the beach. Randall also made some restaurant recommendations which were spot on. We had a fantastic time in Costa Rica and would definitely recommend Randall and KimKim.

Activity Reviews
Caribbean Cooking Class
Caribbean Cooking Class
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Ms. Glenda welcomed us into her home and helped us cook a vegetarian Caribbean meal with fruit and vegetables from her garden. It was a highlight of the trip!

Quality of Experience
The teacher was warm, friendly, and a great cook!
Food
You can't beat homemade food with fresh ingredients. The food was great.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling & Hiking in Cahuita National Park
Snorkeling & Hiking in Cahuita National Park
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

We had a wonderful time snorkeling. It was definitely an adventure.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 09, 2024

Dear Judith,

Thank you so much for your review, I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip and that the Caribbean treated you well with the weather too :) because of your comments, I might say that you went out for dinner at La Pecora Nera, wasn't it great?

I hope to have the chance to welcome you again in the future in our country organizing a new adventure in a different part of our small but diver country.

Regards,
Randall

last minute family trip - miraculously came together
Costa Rica | Dec 22 - Dec 29, 2023

John
John R.
Harrison, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 31, 2023
My trip was very last minute and Randall did an amazing job of coming up with options and finding hotel rooms. Very responsive and managed to find hotels and activities. Read more

My trip was very last minute and Randall did an amazing job of coming up with options and finding hotel rooms. Very responsive and managed to find hotels and activities.

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Country Inn
Fortuna

A bit spartan but very comfortable & super friendly. Nice pool.

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

Hotel has 2 separate areas - the one closer to the beach was much nicer. Super friendly and helpful staff, from front desk, to cleaning staff, to the maintenance guy who fixed our TV. The included breakfast was a bit underwhelming but location by the beach was great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Location is mixed. Access to the beach is fantastic. But getting to restaurants was a bit of a pain - generally a 10-15 minute walk along a road not well suited to walking.
Staff
Very helpful and friendly and laid back.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn San Jose Aurola
San José
Activity Reviews
Arenal Volcano Hike & Baldi Hot Springs & Dinner
Arenal Volcano Hike & Baldi Hot Springs & Dinner
Arenal/La Fortuna

The hike was nice and a good intro/first activity to Costa Rica. Trail was a bit crowded. Hot Springs was fantastic and my kids especially loved that part.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transport was good except for the trip back from hot springs to hotel, where it seems we were forgotten about and I had to call to get a driver.
Arenal Volcano - Mistico Hanging Bridges
Arenal Volcano - Mistico Hanging Bridges
Arenal/La Fortuna

Bridges and wildlife were fun, but the trail was way too overcrowded and too much time spent navigating around other tour groups. The guide was good and lively but ours was a mixed Spanish/English group and it felt like the English speakers didn't get as much attention.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee & Chocolate Experience
Coffee & Chocolate Experience
Arenal/La Fortuna

Did this with my kids, age 10 and 14, and the chocolate making was their favorite activity of the whole trip. I was not expecting much from this but it was a great experience. Loved tasting chocolate at the different stages along the way.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Horseback Riding and Hiking to La Fortuna Waterfall
Horseback Riding and Hiking to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

enjoyable, easy

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide did not provide much information
Transport
waited a while for our ride back
Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling at Manuel Antonio
Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling at Manuel Antonio
Costa Rica

Kayaking was fun & beautiful but snorkeling site was way too crowded. Guides were very nice and helpful, but they did not have a life vest small enough to properly fit my 10-year-old son. It would also have been nice to have flippers for the snorkeling.

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

This was enjoyable if a bit boring. The trail was very crowded with other groups. As the guide does all of the spotting of wildlife, and you see everything through his telescope, it feels like there is little to do but just follow along. We did get to see a sloth though.

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

Wildlife did not cooperate and we did not see that much.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guides were especially helpful when my kids got into a bit of a fight.
Transport
Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 03, 2024

Dear John,

First of all, Happy New Year!

Thank you for your feedback about your trip and your experiences with the different properties and activities, that is very useful for us as this is the best way to improve our service, with honest feedback from our travelers.

I wish you and your family all the best and perhaps to have the chance to welcome you again in the future on a new adventure.

Best,
Randall

The trip was excellent. We worked with Randa...
Costa Rica | Nov 18 - Nov 22, 2023

C
Colin C.
Menlo Park, CA | Reviewed on Dec 03, 2023
The trip was excellent. We worked with Randall to plan out three days of activities and transfers, and our family had a great experience. I think it would be valuable for the trip planner to check in at some point during the trip to see how things are going. The logistics ended up working out great, but I wouldn't say that we felt like we had someone watching out to make sure it went well -- maybe that was true behind the scenes. In terms of the activities, the hike on the volcano was... Read more

The trip was excellent. We worked with Randall to plan out three days of activities and transfers, and our family had a great experience. I think it would be valuable for the trip planner to check in at some point during the trip to see how things are going. The logistics ended up working out great, but I wouldn't say that we felt like we had someone watching out to make sure it went well -- maybe that was true behind the scenes.

In terms of the activities, the hike on the volcano was good but shorter than I would have expected. The guide was excellent -- really knew his stuff.

The multi-adventure day was amazing -- the adventure provider was Arenal Mundo Aventura. the van dropped us off there and we had a full day of hiking to a waterfall (and swimming) followed by ziplining, followed by rappelling followed by horseback riding. We definitely got our money's worth! The rappelling didn't feel super-safe -- we found ourselves asking if the ropes were old, if the knots were tied, if the ladder would hold -- but we made it. The last part where you go to a traditional village is a little bit misleading in the description of the tour -- we thought that we would be eating a traditional meal, but you actually go to a shop where you can buy things and then you go to the adventure part restaurant and have food. All in all it was a great experience.

Activity Reviews
{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} - Visit La Paz Waterfall
{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} - Visit La Paz Waterfall
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day of Adventure in Arenal Mundo Aventura Park
Full Day of Adventure in Arenal Mundo Aventura Park
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano
Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Spectacular hike. We thought it would be longer than it actually was.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Dec 04, 2023

Thank you Colin for your feedback about your family trip, we are glad that you all had a good time with the arrangements that we made previously for you.

Just for you to know, there is a whole team behind the scenes checking with the local tour operators, transportation companies, and hotels that everything is running as it was planned to guarantee precisely, that you don't have a problem along your trip with us.

We hope that your family returns in the future to our country and explores new areas.

Best,
Randall