Veronica Thomas

We were very well supported by Luz on What’s App. She even went ahead and got us boarding passes for our internal flights when o expressed some anxiety.
We found the guide Anna excellent and our guide for the larger public tour was excellent, too, with a great sense of humor.
Overall, we were really happy and wouldn’t hesitate to use KimKim again. We would have liked a wider range of hotels as they’re were only two from which to choose in Oaxaca. The hotel that you arranged for us in Puerto Escondido, Hotel Santa Fe was perfect. I had to find my own hotel in San Miguel de Allende, since KimKim’s suggestions were not to my liking.
It was an ambitious trip for us, going to three different locations over 12 days and the transfers and travel were excellent. All the drivers showed up on time and were courteous with safe driving skills.

Hotel Review

Hotel Santa Fe

Puerto Escondido

We loved the architecture, location and restaurant. When and if we return to Puerto Escondido, we will definitely stay at Hotel Santa Fe.

Authenticity & Character

Colonial charm!

Location

Across from the water which at the time of year in December was a place to swim , unlike other times of year when I’m told the water is too rough.

Staff

Wonderful. Please delete the poor star. I seem to have made a Mistake.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Oaxacan Markets: A Culinary Journey through Colors and Flavors

Oaxaca

Great fun going to all the Markets. We had a huge variety and generous amount of foods to eat

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver and guide worked well together

Transport

For three of us with the guide and driver, Making five, we were more comfortable in a van, which we had from the second day onward

Kayaking in the Manialtepec Lagoon

Puerto Escondido

We’ve done lots of kayaking and this was the best kayak we’ve ever done. This was an outstanding tour. The scenery was incredible, the dinner on the beach was excellent with whole fish freshly caught and the ride back by motorboat under the full moon was fantastic.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rural cooking workshop in Oaxaca

Oaxaca

Lovely family with open fire cooking. Cleanly and delicious and it was fun to stop in the market ahead of time to pick up a needed ingredient. We also got to see a more rural location outside of Oaxaca. Not sure I picked up Any Cooking tips or things I learned to make, bit it was fun and stimulating.

Quality of Experience

Unique flavors and cooking techniques

Food

The soup was a bit bland, but I loved all the super fresh, healthy ingredients

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Comfortable van and not too long a ride, but long enough to get a feel for another area.

Explore the history and crafts of Oaxaca through Monte Alban, Arrazola, Cuilapam and Coyotepec.

Oaxaca

Dry interesting assortment of activities. Guide was bilingual and informative as well as entertaining. Like most tours, when the participants buy something from a place that we were escorted, the guide probably gets a cut. We didn’t Like the second stop which had thousands of painted animals, a well know. Craft in Oaxaca. The place seemed a little too touristy and over priced. Loved the outdoor, buffet lunch. I didn’t need to see the church ruins after seeing mont -Alban. That second archeological site could have been skipped and substituted with something a bit different.

Quality of Experience

Monte Alban was a well preserved site and lunch was authentic food with wide variety

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Comfort

Oaxaca's Hidden Gems: Discover Mitla, Hierve el Agua, Teotitlán & Mezcal!

Oaxaca

Mitla was amazing and an excellent complement to Monte Alban. It was fun to taste and see the mezcal production place and the weaving demo and the proprietor was a delight. The guide well informed and a good driver, but his very slow walking was about frustrating when we Toured the ruins.

Quality of Experience

Variety of stops

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Slightly faster pace

Transport

Comfortable

Free morning in Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido

Loved being on our own in this sunny, warm environment. We went for a long walk along the water ending with a market visit.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Lovely scenery and good toll roads from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido

First, Veronica was absolutely terrific. Top notch customer service; incredibly prompt and knowledgeable. She never hesitated to go the extra mile for us, particularly with restaurant reservations. We didn’t have the time to research these, and she was so helpful in this department. Thank you so much! I would also compliment the team with whom I spoke on the phone, who asked a number of targeted and insightful questions that helped with the initial itinerary. They also were great when i edited/modified the itinerary. No push back at all.

As for experiences, these were the top:

1) Lucha Libre - an absolute must. Our guide was fantastic - mezcal tasting, walking tour and the match itself. Just fantastically fun.

2) Teotihuacan - a must do as well. Luis was incredible. Walked the whole thing with so much fun, insight and attention to detail. The photos don’t do it justice at all. Preserve your leg strength for lots of walking and steep steps!

3) the cooking class with Pame in Roma Norte. She is an excellent teacher and we loved the other attendees.

4) the cartoon museum in El Centro. Visit the caricature artist.

5) the kayak tour of the canals (Xochimilco) and the axolotl place. We had a great time but do know that the canals are dirty. Our guide was very nice; just know he had limited English. He even gave us a bonus bike ride through the village, which was super fun, and delicious coffee at his excellent coffee shop.

Criticisms :

1) The tour guide for El Centro was sub-par. He really didn’t know his way around and stalled for times at points.

2) we did not like Porfirio’s or Mestiza Polanco (both restaurants in Polanco). They were too corporate. In all fairness to KimKim, they were very nice and safe, etc, but just more corporate than we normally eat in.

Two other things:

1) check out Museo Jumex - it’s great and free. Also loved the cafe.

2) I did not find many people who spoke English. This is (or course!) fine, but for those who don’t speak Spanish, you should just be aware before you go. Mexican hospitality is amazing, so everyone was so nice and patient with my rudimentary Spanish (plus Google Translate helps).