Columbus Guatemala Travel

We met the KimKim team online. The vibe & the communication was instantly there. So, we were off.
From the port of entry to Belize, drivers, tour guides, & constant communication from Catherina & her team, we were lead through our Belizean trip with ease. The biggest surprise was our daily guides, Leo & Jeronimo. They both filled the silence with history, interest, and favorite food stops. We fell in love with the classic Belize cuisine, so we were taken to a grocery & guided to select local spices for back at home.

Our favorite hotel was the Ka'ana Resort in San Ignacio. The grounds were a traveler's paradise, the restaurant was carefully curated, the rooms were comfortable & beautiful and the staff gracious beyond expectations. This I would rate 10/10.

We were driven to the ruins at Caracol, the baboon sanctuary, and after taking a water taxi to the island of San Pedro, the Searious Adventures guide took us snorkeling at Hoi Chan. After snorkeling we were driven to Shark Ray alley for shark feeding and a bit more history of the reef and the animals that live there. All of these experiences were chosen by KimKim. All of these adventures were memorable, and irreplaceable.

On our free day, we drove our golf cart one hour away to the Secret beach on San Pedro. We were told by one or 2 travelers not to bother, but this is a MUST go! Secret beach has walk in swimming, bar service on lounge chairs under palms and umbrellas. tables to dine IN THE water! Shopping, music. It was the perfect way to wrap up our trip.

All in all, we are very happy! We will meet again, KimKim. Happy travelling!

Just returned from Belize and had an amazing adventure. Juan and Catherina put together an action packed trip which is exactly what I wanted.
Even though my first flight was delayed by Delta and I arrived a day late I was still able to get to all my tours except one because they rearranged my itenary @10pm the night before when I notified them after receiving an email from Delta that my early morning flight was delayed and I would miss my Belize connection and have to spend my day and night in Atlanta! Bummer!
The Belizean hotels they picked were very nice, inexpensive and not touristy. I appreciated
that.
The guides they selected for all my tours were professional fun and extremely knowledgeable.
I spent 3 days in the jungle and 4 days in San Pedro. I also spent 2 part days on Caye Caulker which is a laid back island 30 minutes from San Pedro and has a cool vibe.
While in the jungle I did the ATM cave tour which was incredible and I also did a cool hike to a beautiful waterfall which I was able to swim under.
On San Pedro I did the Hol Chan marine reserve tour and swam with Sharks, Sting rays turtles and Barracudas which have very gnarly teeth!
They also arranged a fly fishing lesson with Marco who is very patient. By the end of the 8am-12pm experience I was able to catch two bonefish.
All my arranged connections between tours and travel to the different islands went seamless.
I could have never planned such a great trip on my own.

Our trip to Belize and Guatemala was amazing!

All the logistics were taken care of by the KimKim team and Columbus Guatemala Travel. The entire trip was effortless, and we got to spend all of our time and energy exploring and experiencing the amazing culture, nature, and people of the region. The team just told us when they were picking us up, and everything else was taken care of. Transportation, lodging, entrance fees and national park permits, lunch, everything. Communication from the team was great: we always knew what to expect and we had an easy path for asking questions. The vehicles were new, comfortable, had great AC, and all the drivers were excellent.

All the local guides were wonderful, but one guide truly stood out. Selwin was the best guide I've ever experienced on any trip, anywhere. The Isla de Flores hotel was a local gem! And the ATM Cave tour was spectacular!

Thank you!

Hotel Review

Isla de Flores

Ciudad Flores Petén-Flores

This hotel was wonderful. The location was perfect, the hotel was beautiful, the staff were friendly, it was comfortable and best of all, filled with local charm!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

ATM cave - Actun Tunichil Muknal

Belize

This tour was spectacular. It combined the fun and thrill of swimming and spelunking, the natural beauty of the cave, and awe inspiring ancient Mayan artifacts. I still can't believe this cave is open to the public, providing access to these ancient artifacts in their original environment.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The transport is good, but be forewarned: the road to the cave is very rough and takes a while. Get comfortable, and enjoy the ac in the van.

Catherina, Esteban and their team did an almost superhuman job of organizing an incredible day trip from San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Belize, to Guatemala's ancient Maya centers of Uaxactun and Tikal. Knowing that we were staying so far away and that we had only a day, they put together an itinerary that maximized the time we had on the ground by deploying planes, (almost trains), and automobiles...and a helicopter!!! Our chartered plane took us to the Belizean border, we were driven to customs, crossed over on foot, picked up by car and flown by helo to Tikal. Our plane pilot team--Trevor, Constantine, and Duane--were amazing. But best of all was our incredibly knowledgeable and personable guide, David Reyes. Able to speak to Maya history, archaeology, birding, ecotourism, and everything in between, it was a true pleasure to spend an afternoon with him at one of the most extraordinary places on earth. To stand on top of one of Tikal's pyramids and see temples piercing the jungle canopy, accompanied by forest sounds was something I'll never forget. Thank you!!!! It was a dream come true.

From my first email with Catherina to our last day with our personal guide JJ, and everything in between on our week-long trip was amazing and personal – truly. You can’t go wrong with this amazing and caring team. Some highlights: 1. I needed to book the trip quickly as we’ve never traveled internationally as a family. My husband was concerned about the State Department warnings. So, I knew I needed help. Of the 4 online companies I contacted, Columbus (Catherina) was the only one who replied quickly – and kept replying quickly to create the ideal trip for us. I felt like I was talking to a friend who truly cared, rather than a bot or bored office worker. She stuck with me until the itinerary was ideal – and we were also able to make changes on the fly during the trip. 2. We visited Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan, Antigua, and several places in between that had personal meaning to us. JJ was with us the entire time, expertly navigating the busy roads and easing the way with his translating and friendly personality. We felt safe and cared for the entire time, and were thrilled with the charming and delicious roadside restaurants JJ recommended. 3. This team is as good on the ground as they are at planning. The dedicated behind-the-scenes logistics team checked ahead to ensure things would go smoothly, alerting JJ to potential road blockages. We couldn’t have felt in better hands than this amazing group of caring people.
4. We are so glad that we made this trip. We found Guatemala to be a stunning country filled with incredible history and kind people. The first look at Lake Atitlan gave me goosebumps and will stay with me forever, as will so many of the memories we made on this trip. Thank you Columbus Guatemala Travel for making this happen for our family!!! I'm sure I left things out, because every single day was filled with beauty, wonder and learning. I highly recommend Guatemala as a destination and this amazing team as your guides.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Barcelo

Guatemala City

One of the best things about this hotel is the extremely comfortable beds/bedding -- great for a good night's sleep. The buffets offered an amazing array of options, just wish some of the dishes had been warmer - or maybe that's a cultural difference. We especially enjoyed the breakfast buffet. Seems to draw a mostly business crowd, with just a few other tourists like us.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

El Carmen

Antigua

El Carmen was super comfortable and all-round really good. It turned out to be our favorite accommodation during the trip. The rooms were a perfect size for our family, making it a relaxing place to stay.

Posada de Don Rodrigo Panajachel

Panajachel

Posada de Don Rodrigo Panajachel had amazing food and a beautiful rustic charm. The breakfast was fantastic and the people were incredibly nice. However, it was a bit loud due to open air concept and lacked air conditioning which might not suit everyone's comfort level. Nonetheless, the views were gorgeous, and I would stay there again despite the minor issues.

Activity Review

Villages Tour on Chicken Bus

Antigua

The Villages Tour on the Chicken Bus was just thrilling. Visiting the women's collective was a standout experience, providing an incredible insight into local culture. The views on the way were breathtaking. Overall, every bit of it was enjoyable and truly an amazing part of the trip.