LINK EXPERIENCES

While the Galapagos is a beautiful destination, our experience booked through KimKim Agency was deeply disappointing due to poor coordination, significant communication breakdowns regarding dietary restrictions, and a total lack of preparation for the logistics involved. We provided detailed health and allergy requirements well in advance, yet they were repeatedly ignored.

Here is a breakdown of the issues we encountered:

Severe Dietary & Allergy Negligence
Hotel Ikala: The hotel staff did not know their own ingredients. Despite our severe dairy, egg, and nut allergies, we were given completely wrong information (such as claiming items were safe when they actually contained avellana [hazelnut] and milk). For a hotel of this tier, a severe lack of basic food hygiene is shocking and unsafe. Management needs to address this immediately. Given my family's severe dietary needs and allergy requirements, which were communicated well in advance, finding pests in our meals is a severe food safety and hygiene violation that is entirely unsafe.

Tour Boat Food: The food provided during the first two boat tours was mediocre at best—usually just a few random vegetables thrown into a tomato salsa. We would not recommend the Altamar for accommodating vegan/food allergies nor providing sufficient food. It is not too hard to make beans and rice and plantain patacones. The food on the second day was particularly bad. For a pre-planned itinerary, they should have provided substantial alternatives like beans or lentils. To make matters worse, snacks ran out entirely, leaving us with very few options during the long boat ride back, despite giving ample notice.

Casa o Puntia- Their staff was incredibly attentive and accommodating with our severe dietary requirements. On our first day, they made us delicious, safe avena and lentejas, and on the day we were leaving, they prepared patacones (plantains) and gave us fresh avocado, tomatoes, and basil.

Hygiene & Room Quality Issues
Hotel Ikala: We experienced a severe ant infestation. Ants were not only crawling in our room, but they were literally in our food—specifically in the patacones de papa and a large ant was found right in the salad.

Casa Opuntia (San Cristóbal): Upon check-in, our first room also had several ants. We requested a room change and were moved to a significantly smaller room that lacked a fan and a TV, having only an AC. This second room also had ants and was full of fruit fly-like bugs.

Logistics & Guiding Failures
The Inter-Island Speedboat: We were given absolutely no warning about the notoriously rough and dangerous speedboat ride from Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal. We received zero heads-up about the severe motion sickness it causes. On top of that, our driver was late getting us to the pier, adding unnecessary stress to the ordeal, we were not seated together. The severe crashing and cresting of the waves, felt like we were on a roller coaster and then thrashed to the ground- and we were flung on our seats and then back down. The vomit plastic bags handed out on the boats were not enough- and extremely short notice to prepare for such a tough journey that lasted over 2 hours.

Guide Language: The agency failed to instruct the guides to speak and conduct the tours/explanations in Spanish as preferred.

Guide Engagement:

Our guide Martin on our trip to Bartolomew was just okay and left some of the people in the group behind. The boat company Altamar - could have also made the experience better.

Once we arrived in San Cristóbal, our guide spent most of her time on her phone and lacked any genuine enthusiasm or interest in showing us around. We could have spent time exploring the Loberia but instead she was on the phone. The timings should have been better assessed by the guide, when we got to the Loberia- it was high tide and we could not snorkel/swim in the water. So we requested to go back to the Playa where we climbed to see the vista- but the guide left us and luckily for us the taxi driver came and picked us up after we were done.

I want to give a special shoutout to two of our guides who made the experience unforgettable. Our first guide, Reuben, on the Tortuga tour was truly one of the best—incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. He spoke to us in Spanish, was very patient, funny and was incredibly happy to answer our curious questions. And on our last guided tour, later in the trip, our guide at Española (with Sharksky) was also nice and went above and beyond by snorkeling right alongside everyone, excitedly showing us the school of dolphins as we approached the island, and later on making the entire group feel safe, comfortable, and confident in the water. Amazing guides make all the difference!

Conclusion: When you book through a specialized agency like KimKim, you pay for seamless logistics, vetted properties, and safety coordination—especially regarding life-threatening food allergies. Unfortunately, KimKim failed to pass vital information to their local partners, leaving us to navigate safety risks, bug infestations, and poor service on our own. I expected much better oversight for the price paid.

Hotel Reviews

Casa Opuntia Galapagos Hotel

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Upon check-in, our first room also had several ants. We requested a room change and were moved to a significantly smaller room that lacked a fan and a TV, having only an AC. This second room also had ants and was full of fruit fly-like bugs. While the room was very disappointing (and we mentioned this to the front desk), their incredible kitchen staff and outstanding hospitality deserves thanks. Traveling with severe dietary requirements can be incredibly stressful, but the team here went above and beyond to make us feel safe, welcome, and incredibly well-fed. On our very first day, they thoughtfully prepared a delicious meal of avena (oatmeal) and lentejas (lentils). And on the day we were leaving, they made us a fresh patacones (crispy plantains) topped with avocado, tomatoes, and basil.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The ants and fruit fly like bugs in the rooms were not nice to deal with during our entire stay

Ikala Galapagos Hotel

Puerto Ayora

The hotel staff did not know their own ingredients. Despite our severe dairy, egg, and nut allergies, we were given completely wrong information (such as claiming items were safe when they actually contained avellana [hazelnut] and milk). On the one day we asked them for breakfast, we got ants in our patacones de patas and a big ant in our salad leaves that went with the patacones. That level of hygiene is unacceptable. For a hotel of this tier, a total lack of basic pest control and food hygiene is shocking. What makes this worse is that we had communicated severe dietary restrictions and allergy requirements well in advance. Serving food with insects in it is not just unhygienic; it is a serious health and safety hazard. The room was also infested with ants and had moths. They did not change our room the first night and the second night we had to tell them as there were thousands of ants in the room. We could not wait to be out of there.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wyndham Quito Airport

Quito

A Truly Wonderful Experience Absolutely outstanding experience. The chef went above and beyond to accommodate our vegan dietary needs and carefully prepared special dishes to address my son’s multiple food allergies. A big shout out to Karla- Karla and her team were really the best and went out of their way to help us. The entire staff was wondeful, the hotel was clean and the beds comfortable. We cannot recommend this place highly enough. The entire staff was very friendly and helpful. Muchas Gracias!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Santa Cruz Highlands, Lava Tunels and Charles Darwin Research Station (if times allows)

Isla Santa Cruz

Our guide Reuben was very knowledgeable, super nice and took us around to explain everything. He spoke to us in our preferred language (Spanish) and he answered all our curious questions. He also made sure that our food catered to our allergies.

Quality of Experience

Food

The salad, juice, rice with vegetables were good and met our dietary requirements

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shared Shuttle Transfer from Quito Airport to Nearby Hotel

Galapagos Islands

The person picking us up was not in the aiport so we had to look around for him and search by car as there were no instructions as to where to go. We did eventually find him and got on the shuttle.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arrival in San Cristóbal – Interpretation Center & La Lobería (from Pier)

Isla San Cristóbal

The guide was not engaging, and always on her phone. Did not check her timings for the tides and we could not snorkel in the la Loberia when we got there. She was talking on the phone, texting or walking ahead or going away to the side to talk on the phone. It was not pleasant being with her.

Quality of Experience

The sights playa and the view point/nature was nice

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide Engagement and attentiveness

Transport

Española Island Day Tour (from San Cristóbal)

Isla San Cristóbal

Quality of Experience

The guide was patient and spent time explaining things and showing us the sights.

Food

The chef had prepared food but we did not eat it as we did not want to get sick on the boat

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Edwin and the boat staff were very helpful and fun to go with

Transport

Embarking on the North Seymour Yacht Adventure

Isla Santa Cruz

The guide was going ahead with a small group of people. Some of us were left behind and missed out on the things the guide explained and he did not repeat the same things when we were there.

Quality of Experience

For the price we paid the tour could have been better

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They ran out of flippers of the correct size

Transport

Discovering Bartolome a full day yacht experience

Isla Santa Cruz

Our guide Martin was okay. He should have included the entire group when he was explaining things as some of the people were left behind. The crew of the Altamar also especially the Chef could have ensured we had beans and rice and adequate food as well (there were no snacks left). The flippers and snorkeling gear should have been tried either the day before or as soon as we got on the boat, instead of a few minutes before we were going to go snorkeling.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to the Airport for your domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands.

Quito

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The only "custom" things we asked for - diving and a pick up - that we were told were possible once we were on the island we were informed we not. So that went any see service/benefit.

For the boat review:
Legend Feedback

Day 1- Guide kept talking into the wind instead of to the group. No one knew what he was saying, even after informing him they could not hear. Guide miscounted people.

Day 2- Lack of towels in the swimming area, expected to return after snorkeling wet. Again, no towel provided. Guide still had not informed guests of the safest way to get on and off the Pangas- this is standard on other boats. Was told on day 2 not to drink the tap water in the room , luckily we knew that from previous boats. A little late for some.

Day 3- waiter still can’t remember food allergies. Again, standard on day 1 to go over guest allergies and confirm. None of this happened, I have to at each meal.

Day 4- partner developed a food borne travelers stomach. Atleast the doctor had meds, even if she kept trying to prescribe advil.

Day 5- clearly can’t manage time. Guide was 20 mins late for morning excursion. Afternoon they scheduled 1 hr - which ended up being much less due to island closure time - for a beach walk and snorkel. Most guests couldn’t complete the beach walk in that time. Multiple guest commented with the boat at half capacity they can’t imagine anything happening at full capacity. Crew forgot gas in the dingy, had to refill in the open water. Crew wasn’t ready to help off board, had to wait and call them. Guide again miscounted guests and almost left someone at the turtle ranch. On the beach a new guest thought I was crew because I was the only one stopping to help her. This happened a few times when I notice wildlife our guide wasn’t pointing out to the other people in our group.

Day 6 - guide miscounted again leaving the boat and left passengers because they claimed the notification was clear. We agree it’s been inconsistent the “get ready”, “and “up next” ad “leaving”. Sometimes they’ll say “up next” and never the other ones. Multiple people have missed their disembarkments.

Day 7 - people in our group requested to change guides and were approved to do so. People cleaning the room continue to not empty full garbage. after a week waiter remembered our drink order of water, guide still doesn't know the 8 people in his group.

Day 8 - hot tub temperature control breaks. Again I stopped to assist a guest struggling on the walk. No guide or crew stayed - they just left.

Overall. The boat was out dated, and the rooms couldn’t regulate temperate. There are ant traps in the room you have to avoid. They couldn’t go 1 hour without trying to sell something, to the point I got tired of being asked and started staying in my room. The wet room for snorkeling needs a fan like any other sane boat to try equipment if it's below deck. A small port window is not "airflow" - everything was musty and we took our stuff to the front to lay it out. No one on the boat had a tour so no one knew there was a front deck to sit on.

My “non luxury” Galapagos cruises had refreshments, and either warm towels after water or cold towels to clean your hands after an excursion, in addition to a substantial snack. They all also included at some level juice, wine and beer. This one had a single flavored water station and a small bite that was usually not there only on returning to the boat. It was pathetic- you had to wait in line for a single grape and glass of water freezing after snorkeling, and hope there was some left. The food was okay, if there was any left.

In general the communication leading up to the trip was lacking, and confusing. We were told one thing and then another thing on the boat.

I would never pay or recommend this boat ever again. I’m glad it was the itinerary I wanted.

Hotel Review

Boutique Expedition Legend

Legend Feedback Day 1- Guide kept talking into the wind instead of to the group. No one knew what he was saying, even after informing him they could not hear. Guide miscounted people. Day 2- Lack of towels in the swimming area, expected to return after snorkeling wet. Again, no towel provided. Guide still had not informed guests of the safest way to get on and off the Pangas- this is standard on other boats. Was told on day 2 not to drink the tap water in the room , luckily we knew that from previous boats. A little late for some. Day 3- waiter still can’t remember food allergies. Again, standard on day 1 to go over guest allergies and confirm. None of this happened, I have to at each meal. Day 4- partner developed a food borne travelers stomach. Atleast the doctor had meds, even if she kept trying to prescribe advil. Day 5- clearly can’t manage time. Guide was 20 mins late for morning excursion. Afternoon they scheduled 1 hr - which ended up being much less due to island closure time - for a beach walk and snorkel. Most guests couldn’t complete the beach walk in that time. Multiple guest commented with the boat at half capacity they can’t imagine anything happening at full capacity. Crew forgot gas in the dingy, had to refill in the open water. Crew wasn’t ready to help off board, had to wait and call them. Guide again miscounted guests and almost left someone at the turtle ranch. On the beach a new guest thought I was crew because I was the only one stopping to help her. This happened a few times when I notice wildlife our guide wasn’t pointing out to the other people in our group. Day 6 - guide miscounted again leaving the boat and left passengers because they claimed the notification was clear. We agree it’s been inconsistent the “get ready”, “and “up next” ad “leaving”. Sometimes they’ll say “up next” and never the other ones. Multiple people have missed their disembarkments. Day 7 - people in our group requested to change guides and were approved to do so. People cleaning the room continue to not empty full garbage. after a week waiter remembered our drink order of water, guide still doesn't know the 8 people in his group. Day 8 - hot tub temperature control breaks. Again I stopped to assist a guest struggling on the walk. No guide or crew stayed - they just left. Overall. The boat was out dated, and the rooms couldn’t regulate temperate. There are ant traps in the room you have to avoid. They couldn’t go 1 hour without trying to sell something, to the point I got tired of being asked and started staying in my room. The wet room for snorkeling needs a fan like any other sane boat to try equipment if it's below deck. A small port window is not "airflow" - everything was musty and we took our stuff to the front to lay it out. No one on the boat had a tour so no one knew there was a front deck to sit on. My “non luxury” Galapagos cruises had refreshments, and either warm towels after water or cold towels to clean your hands after an excursion, in addition to a substantial snack. They all also included at some level juice, wine and beer. This one had a single flavored water station and a small bite that was usually not there only on returning to the boat. It was pathetic- you had to wait in line for a single grape and glass of water freezing after snorkeling, and hope there was some left. The food was okay, if there was any left. In general the communication leading up to the trip was lacking, and confusing. We were told one thing and then another thing on the boat. I would never pay or recommend this boat ever again. I’m glad it was the itinerary I wanted.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Boat, guides, service

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

AM: Espinoza Point (Fernandina Island)

Cruise Ship

PM – Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

Cruise Ship

PM – Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)

Cruise Ship

AM: Twin craters and the Highlands of Santa Cruz- Departure to Baltra´s Airport

Cruise Ship

AM – Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island) and departure

Cruise Ship

We arrived at the airport hours before it opened and sat instead of enjoy ing an excursion Seems about right for this company

AM – Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

Cruise Ship

PM – Rabida Island

Cruise Ship

AM: Egas Port (Santiago Island)

Galapagos Islands

PM: Santa Cruz - Bachas Beach

Cruise Ship

AM – Highlands Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)

Cruise Ship

Our guide was incapable of knowing how to read a clock and we all waited for him

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

PM – Santa Fe Island

Cruise Ship

AM South Plaza Island

Cruise Ship

PM – Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)

Cruise Ship

AM – El Barranco, Prince Philip’s Steps (Genovesa Island)

Cruise Ship

PM – Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island)

Cruise Ship

Morning Arrival & Transition to Galápagos Legend

Cruise Ship

Miscommunication and we had to double back to the airport to sit there for 3 hrs instead of the promised pick up.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Legend Cruise Itineraries

Cruise Ship

Quality of Experience

Stop selling everythingn

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Ecuador was very good. Guide and driver were excellent. Our only criticism is that there was a lot of driving in heavy traffic to and from Quito. It would have been better for northern trips to spend a night out of Quito.

We will also provide a review for our Costa Rica trip organised by KIm Kim. We were not happy with that trip which is why we would not recommend Kim Kim to friends.