Aracanto

We were very satisfied with our trip to Colombia that was organized by Kim Kim. We enjoyed our guides and drivers who were prompt, knowledgeable, and personable. Our Medellín guide was Veronica. Our Tayrona National Park guide was Eric, and our Cartagena guide was Sophia. The hotels that we stayed in were lovely.

My husband and I used kimkim to book our honeymoon to Colombia. We had the most memorable trip, and the arcanto team made our vacation so organized and seamless! Our booking agent Margoth was thoughtful and organized with a careful and thoroughly written out itinerary. Every excursion was tailored to what my husband and I were looking for in our honeymoon - the perfect mix of site seeing, adventure, and relaxation! All the details were carefully planned and explained in a clear and concise way. The entire team was quick to respond to questions and the communication overall was excellent!
We started our trip in Medellín, where our driver and guide were patiently waiting for us! They were easy to find with our name visibly written on a sign right as we exited the airport.

Our guide in Medellin, Juan Carlos, was so wonderful. He was kind, hospitable, and so knowledgeable of the city we were visiting. He explained history of the city and answered all our questions and gave excellent recommendations. We always felt safe and comfortable in his care! It made us feel at ease to have guides that spoke English and Spanish to assist us while navigating the city. He introduced us to other guides along the way, to give us a diverse experience while touring locations including Communa 13, Campana waterfall hike, and our coffee farm tour. Every person we met along the way was a friend to us and made the trip that much more memorable!

In Cartagena we were delighted to be guided by Ana. She was so passionate about the city and shared her knowledge of the history in a fun and exciting way. In Cartagena we had more down time and she gave us excellent recommendations to explore for shopping, eating, and drinking. She showed us the best spot to watch the sunset with a delicious cocktail, and also knew the best photo opportunity spots. It was such a pleasure to get to know Ana and be guided by her through the Old City.

The hotels and dinners that Margoth booked for us were top of the line, luxurious and impressive. Every meal we ate was so delicious and throughout the week we experienced a great variety of places with live music, high end dining, and local eats.

Margoth and the Arcanto team made our honeymoon so wonderful, and we are so grateful for all the memories we have from the trip! They are truly experts and took out the stress of planning on top of booking the best places we would have never been able to figure out ourselves. Would definitely use this agency again for booking a vacation. Thank you Margoth, Kim Kim and Arcanto for the best vacation!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Casa San Agustín

Cartagena de Indias

Beautiful colonial hotel in the old city! The food is excellent and the staff were incredibly friendly and kind. We did not have time to book the spa although the tour of it looked sensational! Would return again

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El Cielo Hotel

Medellin

El Cielo is luxurious, beautiful, and hospitable! Friendly staff, excellent food, and wonderful accommodations.

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Hotel Las Islas

Barú

Overall I enjoyed my stay at Las Islas Hotel. My husband and I stayed for 1 full day and 2 nights. This was a good amount of time for this resort. We stayed in a tree top bungalow, which was a very unique experience. The view was beautiful and the bungalow offered privacy and comfort. There was an outdoor hot tub for private use, although the hot water did not work well so we were not able to get much use out of it. For couples that are looking to spend majority of their time in their rooms, this is a good resort for that, as the rooms are very quiet, relaxing, beautiful and spacious. There is good air conditioning in the rooms which was nice because it is very hot and humid outdoors. The resort itself does not offer much activity that is inclusive. There is a small beach and pool included in the stay. There are excursions to do throughout the day at an extra cost. We were able to do most in the day that we were there, and enjoyed the activities. The massage was excellent. I was able to tell that the therapists were very knowledgeable of the anatomy and well practiced. I was also impressed by the food. Each meal service offered a variety of selections with options for meat, fish, vegetable, and pasta. Each dish had excellent flavor and was prepared well. I had a difficult time navigating the island. The signs and map are misleading and often times were inaccurate or contradictory of each other. The staff was friendly and quick to offer help or rides on the golf cart to desired locations when requested. We were offered use of bicycles to navigate the resort however the tires were all flat and the bikes did not appear safe to use. There appeared to be poor communication between the staff for reception, excursions, and restaurants as we were told contradictory things regarding timing and locations of the activities. The descriptions of the excursions were misleading and often did not include everything that was described. The cost of all the excursions did add up, and without the extra activities not included in the stay there is not much to do on the resort. I enjoyed my time at the resort but would not pay the price again for the experience that we had.

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Activity Reviews

Half-Day Coffee Farm Tour

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chorro Campana Hike

Medellín

Quality of Experience

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City Tour of Medellín Highlights (with Local Market and Comuna 13)

Medellín

Quality of Experience

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Welcome to Colombia!

Colombia

The team made it so easy to find our guides! We felt welcomed, safe, and so excited to start our trip!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Aracanto team was amazing!! They were professional, attentive, and helped plan a spectacular trip! Our guides Byron, Diego, and Roberto were also great! They were knowledgeable about the cities and very helpful. Would definitely recommend to others and plan another trip to Colombia with Aracanto ☺️

From start of planning to even beyond trip’s end, Felipe and his Aracanto team associated with KimKim were nothing short of amazing in planning and implementing our foursome Colombian adventure. Felipe promised to be with us via Whatsapp and/or the KimKim chat every step of the way; this was more than a sincere pledge. Without exception, responses to questions or concerns were always timely, if not unbelievably immediate. No matter a simple request or out-of-the-box queries, everything was dealt with in a kind and effective manner. (Aside: a reservation was made by Aracanto at my request for someone we met in the Amazon and not even traveling with us!)
Of note: We were grateful for airport assistance. Rides were not just arranged to various airports, but also help guiding us through unfamiliar mazes and a foreign language to get us and our luggage safely delivered and on to our next location. Very helpful!
Pre-arranged guides at every stop were, without exception, qualified and eager to help to provide the best experience possible. For me, our Amazon guide, Ramiro, was a favorite, impressive in his sincere attitude as well as his knowledge of the Amazon area; his self-taught English was equally amazing. He was so unassuming, so thoughtful. Other guides (and drivers) throughout our journey were kind and well informed. How in the world drivers knew routes on the mountainous windy, narrow roads is a wonder (without GPS assistance for the most part). Alex, in the Pereira coffee region, was the standout driver!
As a sort of downside, tour timing may have been underestimated in terms of hours spent. This, due mainly to road and weather conditions. Some days got a little long. On the other hand, when will be here again? Guides wanted us to see and do as much as possible.
Our overview of Colombia began in Cartagena where we were housed in a beautiful boutique hotel, as I initially indicated to Felipe that we enjoy during travels. Spending three nights gave us the opportunity for enough exploration (as well as to fully realize the heat and humidity that is Cartagena). These outsiders are not used to that!
On to Bogota, a massive city sprawled far and wide as well as scrunched against and up the eastern range of the Colombian Andes. We found the weather gods with us, experiencing and appreciating the high-altitude coolness with, miraculously, little rain and nice sunshine. As arranged by Aracanto/KimKim, in addition to several tours of interest, we found Bogota dining exceptional. Of the several places we visited this trip, Bogota takes the cake in gastronomy. Delish! For a memorably unique dining experience, we especially recommend Prudencia for a late lunch. After that, no need for dinner! For the best lemon pie ever, it’s Armadillo.
On to the Amazon by way of the border (Brazil, Peru and Colombia) city of Leticia. Back to hot and humid, but if you want see the Amazon, this is the deal. Staying at what is perhaps the nicest accommodation on the Colombian Amazon was an experience to remember. We were booked for 4 nights. Having now been there, 2 days (so maybe 3 nights) would suffice. We had a nice (rustic) hut, king-size bed with mosquito netting, indoor plumbing, an outdoor porch with a hammock and stunning view of the Amazon flowing by before our eyes. Downside: no hot water equals cold showers. (We did not know this ahead of time.) That said, if you have no hot water, the Amazon might be the place where it’s at least semi-ok! Hot, hot, hot and humid.
Outings: pink and gray dolphins performed as promised, jungle tours by hiking and boating, piranha fishing. Not included in our particular tour was an early-morning outing to particularly see parrots. Three in our group signed up in addition to what had been scheduled; I regret that I did not. Parrots and other birds were seen as promised, but the highlight was saving a momma sloth and her baby, stranded on a fallen floating tree. Spotted by the boat driver, guide Ramiro knew how to handle the situation and the pair were carefully rescued from sure drowning and taken by boat to another tree rooted on land down river. Wow!
And, actually, one of the very best things about this camp, like so many times on travels, was meeting folks from around the world: people from Europe, Dubai, Africa, USA and probably other origins populated our camp. There was even a Montana/Kenya connection that may blossom further – the small world thing!
Downside: On checking out, we were informed cash was much preferred, which we did not know ahead of time (or had forgotten). Not everyone had enough COPs and/or other currency that could later be exchanged in Leticia. Credit cards could probably be dealt with, but definitely not preferred and, I believe, a service charge would be added. Also, on our arrival, the camp manager asked us what we would like to do. I, for one, was sort of taken aback at the statement, as I thought it was more or less laid out what the itinerary would be, weather dependent. Odd. It all worked out!
Next, the coffee region. Down the Amazon we went, back by way of Leticia to Bogota for just a night in order to catch an onward flight the following day. Once there, did we learn about coffee! The landscape here (and, really, throughout this lovely country) is stunning. Along with the spectacular scenery, though, is a study in inconvenient living. Steep! Mountains and valleys galore, with any cleared space planted for coffee production and other crops. All this with most everything from planting to harvest done by hand. (Coffee beans are picked one by one by one by one…). The entire agricultural economy is extremely labor intensive. For sure going forward, we will more fully appreciate our cups of coffee!
The Corcora Valley was also something to see with its unique wax palms (Colombia’s national tree) soaring up to 200 feet in the air, the tallest palms in the world; slow growing, and made to last 100 to 200 years!
Horseback riding was on the docket in this area as well. Again, the weather gods accommodated, giving us a wonderfully sunshiny day amidst a spectacular Colombian ranch backdrop. I asked for an authentic ride with good stock. Aracanto saw to it! New for us in riding in various places around the world was to include our guide. Jorge, who was with us throughout the coffee region, provided welcome translation along the way. Our llano leader, Victor, had no English and we had no Spanish. While we can always make do, it is helpful to have a translator.
Next, from Pereira in the coffee region, it was on to Medellin, formerly a city of drug lords (particularly, Pablo Escobar) and extreme violence transformed into a progressive city of appeal that we were happy to see. Besides a city tour, we had a treat outside of Medellin to visit an extensive hobby orchid collection along with its accompanying hydrangea farm. Each hydrangea is planted and picked by hand. Some 8,000 highly perishable stems are picked and packed for air transport, mostly to the USA, daily, year-round, from this one farm. What a process – by hand.
And not so far from Medellin, a final stop by way of the colorful city of Guatape and Marinilla, we spent 2 nights digesting this fine Colombian excursion at a lodge with more wonderful meals and final views of the lush green that is Colombia. As a bonus (at my last-minute request) laid out before us was a surprise celebration for the April birthday guys, complete with a private dinner and concert!
All this ably arranged through Felipe and the Aracanto/KimKim team. Impressive. We four have traveled the world extensively. We offer only praise for this team of travel planners, and heartily recommend their service should you be traveling to the beautiful country of Colombia.

photo: https://imemories.us/3RW2ShJ

Coordinating a family vacation with three kids throughout Colombia requires a level of expertise that is beyond even a well-seasoned traveller. My wife was a bit skeptical when I pitched the idea of taking our family of 5 to Colombia. Well, we loved booking through kimkim, but specifically, felt that we were so lucky to have Margoth assigned to our trip. She and all of Aracanto Travel were incredibly communicative and their recommendations were spot-on. Our guides Ana, Felipe, and Manuela were fun, flexible, kind, and able to connect with our children. I would highly recommend having Margoth and Aracanto plan your future family vacation!

Hotel Reviews

Tau House Hotel

Fantastic and beautiful hotel. Beautiful room and a nice restaurant.

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York Luxury Suites Medellín

El Poblado, Medellin

The location is perfect with a jaw-dropping rooftop pool and bar. The breakfast was lovely and overall, I would recommend this hotel, but only after they fix one MAJOR problem (and it's not the fault of Margoth or KimKim). My biggest problem with the hotel, which really was unfortunate, was the customer service. The front desk was super kind, but in the end, when I needed help, they were powerless. We had two rooms, and in the my kids room, the smoke alarm would beep off and on. I didn't hear it at first, and then like clockwork, would beep, beep, beep for 5-10 minutes, and then take a break, only restart beeping 30 minutes later. I called the front desk to see if this problem could be addressed. No luck. I called back again, and they asked if it was still beeping (as if Tinkerbell flew over to fix it). For the second time, they said someone would come and fix it. By this time it was 10 pm and my kids were asleep. By 10:40pm my wife and I were asleep. No one came. My 8 year-old daughter woke every up at 6 am complaining that the alarm kept beeping off and on throughout the night. I told the front desk at 6:30 am and they had no answers. We checked out of the hotel that morning as scheduled.

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The breakfast was wonderful. The maintenance staff is poor.

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Hotel Campestre las Camelias

Super fun hotel for families with young children. The food was ok but nothing special. The rides at the hotel are fun for very young children, and a similar to rides you may see at your local county fair. The pool is huge with waterslides but the weather was not ideal for swimming when we visited.

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Staff was super nice. My Spanish is pretty good, but not amazing. If we didn't know rudimentary Spanish, it would have been very difficult to communicate. We encountered only two staff members who spoke English. I would recommend more multi-lingual staff members to help guests who may not know any Spanish.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena

Cartagena

Few city hotels can blend relaxation, luxury, location, service, and beauty as well as this hotel. The history permeates throughout the hotel, and everywhere you turn, there is no doubt that you are in Cartagena. This is not a "copy-and-paste" Caribbean resort....if you're looking for a beach vacation in a forgettable place, go somewhere else. Our children felt very welcome from the moment we entered the property, and we were quite surprised to see so many families visiting Hotel Santa Clara, spending time swimming in their gorgeous pool. The buffet breakfast was spectacular and I got to try fruits I had never seen....I'm looking at you, guama! I would absolutely love to return to Hotel Santa Clara.

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Activity Reviews

Drums and Music Workshop

Cartagena

This was a really fun experience for the entire family. I really tried to do things on this vacation that was different from our usual routine. The drum and music workshop really hit the mark! Though a bit tired, the kids really enjoyed it and our personalized instruction was quite fun! Kelele!!!

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Walking Tour of Cartagena Highlights (Old City)

Colombia

I just loved our walking tour of Cartagena. Our guide Ana, who is also a schoolteacher, was focused on making it fun for my kids. Boy did she succeed with a scavenger hunt through the old city and Getsemani. Ana was able to navigate the tourist traps while still being able to allow my family with some of the colorfully dressed ladies with fruit on their heads. Too often, my vacation photos are of my wife with the three kids. One of the biggest bonuses of having a guide, is that I no longer have to worry about that job!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Suggested Dinner at Crepes & Waffles

Cartagena

This one was for the kids, and they loved it. Many of my Colombian friends love this restaurant, and they have locations throughout the country. The place was packed and I would go back with my family or for dessert if I were just with my wife.

Quality of Experience

Through KimKim we were connected with amazing Colombian agents from Aracanto, Margoth and Felipe. Everything was planned and reserved online easily, and when we arrived for our first day we were welcomed with a gift (travel necessities and more) and by our guide.
Everyday was an adventure with guides and reservations made at enticing restaurants....restaurants we would have never known to book. Each guide not only told stories, they had lived the stories of the city. They were able to connect us personally to the land, town, city or region with their own encounters. Plus everyone was so passionate about their region and proud to share the diversity of Colombia.
At the end of our trip I unfortunately fell ill, BUT Margoth went the extra mile to assist us. I will never forget the care and extra work she magically did to ensure our comfort.
Thank you KimKim for creating a collection of highly knowledgeable and caring agents worldwide.
Much Gratitude~Dorrinda Carlson