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¡Qué Buen Ride! Travels

We are experts in planning the ideal personalized vacations that adapt to each traveler's specific needs. We have combined more than 20 years of experience in tourism in Costa Rica, and we love the idea of sharing our beautiful country with the whole world!

Our priority is to create a relationship with each visitor in order to fully understand their travel needs and preferences, whether to enjoy a quiet and relaxing family or couple trip or one full of action and adrenaline!

Planning your trip has never been so fun and easy!

You will have 24/7 English accompaniment in the country by local phone and WhatsApp, you will be given a route book in which you will have all the details of destinations and schedules day by day while in the country, and you will be personally received at the airport by one of our collaborators.

We are constantly visiting and evaluating the places and services we offer to always be at the forefront with the best quality and price.

¡Qué Buen Ride! Travels is part of the following groups: Costa Rica Travel Agents

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Recent Trip Reviews for ¡Qué Buen Ride! Travels

Amazing Honeymoon in Costa Rica
Costa Rica | May 17 - May 27, 2023

Virginia
Virginia P.
Jurupa Valley, CA | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2024
Booking our Costa Rican honeymoon through Kim Kim and using Nuria was one of the best decisions we made. It wasn’t just a trip; it was an expertly curated adventure. For anyone looking to celebrate Costa Rica, 10 day adventure, which was an unforgettable adventure I cannot recommend Nuria enough. We had day by day itinary with all the information needed, the car rental easy, driving through costa rica was breeze. Customer service was available, ensuring that any questions we had were... Read more

Booking our Costa Rican honeymoon through Kim Kim and using Nuria was one of the best decisions we made. It wasn’t just a trip; it was an expertly curated adventure. For anyone looking to celebrate Costa Rica, 10 day adventure, which was an unforgettable adventure I cannot recommend Nuria enough. We had day by day itinary with all the information needed, the car rental easy, driving through costa rica was breeze. Customer service was available, ensuring that any questions we had were answered promptly and any minor issues were resolved quickly via whatups. This peace of mind was invaluable, especially being in a foreign country and wanting to focus solely on each other. e found ourselves one day zip-lining through the canopy of Monteverde, and the next, snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Papagayo. booked us into boutique hotels and secluded lodges that emphasized privacy and romance. Each location offered unique charms surrounded by the rich biodiversity of a rainforest.

Hotel Review
Chachagua Rainforest
La Fortuna

The location was secluded and a little further than other hotels or the city center. Accommodations were nothing short of spectacular, and it felt private, with lots of wildlife.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Nuri R

Our Costa Rica trip
Costa Rica | Mar 26 - Apr 3, 2024

Zeynep
Zeynep B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2024
My husband and I had a wonderful trip to Costa Rica. We started our journey in San Jose and embarked on an unforgettable adventure, visiting breathtaking destinations such as Tortuguero, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio. Throughout our travels, our guide Priscila played an integral role in ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. Her knowledge of the local culture, wildlife, and history added depth to our excursions, allowing us to truly immerse ourselves in the beauty of Costa... Read more

My husband and I had a wonderful trip to Costa Rica. We started our journey in San Jose and embarked on an unforgettable adventure, visiting breathtaking destinations such as Tortuguero, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio. Throughout our travels, our guide Priscila played an integral role in ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. Her knowledge of the local culture, wildlife, and history added depth to our excursions, allowing us to truly immerse ourselves in the beauty of Costa Rica.

Priscila's dedication and professionalism were evident from the moment we started to talk to her. She took the time to tailor our itinerary to match our interests and preferences, curating a personalized experience that exceeded our expectations.
Her friendly attitude and enthusiasm made every moment of our trip enjoyable and memorable. From recommending restaurants to advising beaches, Priscila ensured that we had an unforgettable experience.

We had a few issues during our trip, but Priscila tried to help us whenever we needed. Also, we would prefer to spend more time in Manuel Antonio and less time in Arenal as we noticed some of the activities in Arenal and the hotel we stayed in there, weren't great for us. But overall it was a great experience.

We look forward to returning to Costa Rica and exploring more of its wonders with you by our side.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Playa Espadilla
Manuel Antonio

Great hotel with great food. The location is close to many beaches and the wifi is great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Mountain Paradise
Fortuna

We really think that this was the worst hotel we've ever stayed in our lives. The only good thing is the view from the room but I can make a long list about the negative experience we had in there. We noticed a leak in the toilet the first day, so we called the reception, someone who doesn't speak English came into the room to repair it. He said that it's all good and left. But we found out that he just put a towel on the floor around the toilet for the leak. It was written that they have wireless in the rooms but actually there wasn't. The room location was at the top of the mountain, very dark, and very far from the reception, restaurant and the rest of the facilities. So we could only reach to the room with a golf car. They changed our room on the next day with Priscila's help. The second room was all right but there was still no proper internet inside. We had to dine in the hotel's restaurant because the hotel seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. The food arrived in 1.5 hours and it tasted really bad. They have poor breakfast as well. They offered us a spa to say sorry for the leak in the toilet. So we arranged a time for that with the reception. When we went to the spa area, we had to wait for half an hour for the massage therapist to finish their session with someone else. To summarize, I wouldn't recommend this hotel to anyone!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mawamba Lodge
Tortuguero

This hotel was above our expectations! The staff, the location, the tour guides, and the facilities were great! If one day I go to Tortuguero again, I would definitely stay in Mawamba Lodge. We saw all the animals we wanted on the first day in their garden.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Park Inn San Jose by Radisson
San José
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Good bye Costa Rica!
Good bye Costa Rica!
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling
Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling
Manuel Antonio

The tour guide gave us a really bad canoe comparing to the other peoples canoe in the tour, so we kept falling.

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

They have the best beach in there! But the time we spent in there wasn't enough. ( 30 minutes)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rainforest Wildlife and Sloth Tour
Rainforest Wildlife and Sloth Tour
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

The tour guide was late.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna

This activity was unnecessarily long! 2-2.5 hours would be definitely enough. The restaurant wasn't great either. We didn't know what to do so we waited in the reception for an hour for the time we agreed with the driver and he was late!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat tour visiting Tortuguero
Boat tour visiting Tortuguero
Tortuguero
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A Journey into the History and Culture of Tortuguero Village
A Journey into the History and Culture of Tortuguero Village
Tortuguero
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tortuguero Mountain Hike
Tortuguero Mountain Hike
Tortuguero
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome To Costa Rica
Welcome To Costa Rica
San José International Airport (SJO)

The driver who picked us up from the hotel to take us to the airport for Tortuguero left us in the international departure building, so we had to walk around 10 minutes with heavy luggage to the domestic airport.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Priscila Mata
Priscila
Priscila Mata
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 08, 2024
Hola Zeynep, I hope you're doing fantastic. Firstly, I want to express my gratitude for taking the time to write such a detailed review. Each comment is incredibly valuable to us as we strive to continuously improve. Your feedback provides insight into how various operators, hotels, and activities work, and we genuinely appreciate it. Thank you for valuing my work and writing such lovely comments about me. You definitely brought a smile to my face! I'm sorry to read about the... Read more

Hola Zeynep,

I hope you're doing fantastic.

Firstly, I want to express my gratitude for taking the time to write such a detailed review. Each comment is incredibly valuable to us as we strive to continuously improve. Your feedback provides insight into how various operators, hotels, and activities work, and we genuinely appreciate it.

Thank you for valuing my work and writing such lovely comments about me. You definitely brought a smile to my face!

I'm sorry to read about the unfortunate situations you encountered, especially with the hotel in Arenal. It's very disappointing to hear that despite our efforts to provide good service as agents, such situations occur that are beyond our control, especially in a place where everything turned out negative, despite our efforts to promote it positively. However, I'm glad to hear that you were still able to enjoy Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio. You must return and explore more of Costa Rica.

You were truly special and kind travelers and I thoroughly enjoyed our communication!

Best regards and Pura Vida!

Priscila

Priscila was fantastic to work with and we had an unforgettable family vactation!
Costa Rica | Mar 9 - Mar 16, 2024

Kevin
Kevin M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 23, 2024
Priscila was fantastic to work with. We started planning our trip to Costa Rica much later than we should of and were unsure if we could pull it off. The pieces finally came together only about two weeks before the start of the vacation! Pricila was patient and extraordinarily helpful every step of the way. During our trip, she regularly stayed in contact and was available for questions we had throughout the trip. Even when we made last-minute changes to our trip, she was there. I don't... Read more

Priscila was fantastic to work with. We started planning our trip to Costa Rica much later than we should of and were unsure if we could pull it off. The pieces finally came together only about two weeks before the start of the vacation! Pricila was patient and extraordinarily helpful every step of the way.

During our trip, she regularly stayed in contact and was available for questions we had throughout the trip. Even when we made last-minute changes to our trip, she was there. I don't think we would have been able to pull it off without her help.

All of our excursions and tours were fantastic. Our kids had a blast and we had one of the best family vacations we've ever had. One big surprise was the transportation company, Ride CR. I think we thought that the drivers would be just that - drivers. Instead, they became like a whole additional part of our vacation! They were awesome. A special shout out to Christian who was with us for the whole second half of our trip. He stopped at some amazing restaurants and scenic areas once he knew we were game.

I also want to say thank you to the folks at kimkim for this platform and the ease of use. It took so much of the stress and anxiety out of the process. I even got in touch with another specialist for our future trip to Iceland!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Mountain Paradise
Fortuna

The people here were really great. They made us feel welcome. I think we just had some bad luck with the room. The room was beautiful and much bigger than we expected. The major problem we had was that the air conditioning did not work in one of the bedrooms and it was really hot. We reported the problem, but it was not fixed. The food was mixed from day to day. We tend not to be picky eaters, but some of the dishes on the buffets were good, others not so much. On the flip side, the views of the volcano were amazing. The grounds were filled with beautiful plants and wildlife. It was a pleasure waking up and getting outside. To be honest, I think part of the problem was that we booked so late and there were limited options for our stay when we booked.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Park Inn San Jose by Radisson
San José

Pretty standard (quite nice) Radisson. We were only here overnight before heading to the airport early in the morning. Again, great staff.

Fiesta Resort All Inclusive Central Pacific
Puntarenas

Great place for our whole family. The food was amazing. The rooms were small, but comfortable (but, frankly, we spent very little time in our rooms). Views from the balcony of the room was amazing for ocean views and the sunset. The pools and amenities were great. We spend a good deal of time in the pools, played giant-sized chess, walked on the beach in the moonlight, and had a great time. The food was AMAZING. On our first day, we were limited to the "snack bar," which has burgers, hot dogs, nachos and other fast food. That was ok. But the breakfast and the other meals were fantastic. The only issue we ran into is there was some kind of miscommunication between their reservation specialist (with whom our travel agent, Priscila worked with) and the front desk staff. We were supposed to have an early check-in as we were arriving around 11 am. The young front staff knew nothing about it and said we had to wait until 3pm. Eventually, one of staff who helps with baggage and greets guests - who was older and had worked there for a while - intervened on our behalf and helped get us into a room after a bit. He was helping at the same time Priscila was on the phone with the reservation people. That was a minor set-back, but I wanted to include it because is just showed how often we ran into people who wanted to help and how awesome Priscila was.

Hotel Plaza Yara
Puntarenas

First, the people who work here are AMAZING. Some of the nicest people we met in Costa Rica (and that says a lot because EVERYONE was nice!). The place was absolutely beautiful, the breakfast was delicious, the rooms were remarkably spacious, and the front desk staff were always there to help with all aspects of our visit. This would be the kind of place I could imagine staying for an entire week. Just outstanding all the way around. On top of that, the front lobby is an art gallery featuring original works by local artists. Several people even bought paintings while we were there and the front desk staff walked them though the whole process of having the paintings shipped back to their homes. If you are planning on visiting the Manuel Antonio area, seriously consider staying there!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

Wonderful! My only suggestion is to either schedule the hanging bridge tour and zip lines as the ONLY activity for the day or plan them on separate days. We did not have enough time to do the hanging bridge guided walk because we had to get back to our hotel to meet up for our afternoon hike to Arenal.

Walking tour on the slopes of the Arenal Volcano w/ Baldi Hot Springs entry
Walking tour on the slopes of the Arenal Volcano w/ Baldi Hot Springs entry
Costa Rica

Fantastic guide and great walk. The guide provided such great context and history of the volcano and the hike was invigorating and well-paced.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Puntarenas
Welcome to Puntarenas
Puntarenas

Our driver was amazing! There was not much else about this part of the trip other than the fact that there was some miscommunication about our reservations (no fault of our travel agent, it was an issue with internal communication at the hotel)

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night tours of marine bioluminescence.
Night tours of marine bioluminescence.
Puntarenas

One of the coolest things we did on our trip. Amazing tour guide and boat captain. We got to swim in the bioluminescent algae and learned so much about the region and the science of the bioluminescence.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Isla Tortuga Experience
Isla Tortuga Experience
Puntarenas

Unfortunately, we had to cancel this part of our trip. We were looking forward to this so much! But, we tried to pack in too much. We were exhausted from our previous activities and travel, so decided to spend the day in the pools at the resort. Please don't see the three stars as reflective of the experience, since we did not go on the trip. This review form just requires that I put in a rating before I can continue.

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio

Another "don't miss" experience. We saw squirrel monkeys, white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, crocodiles, cool spiders and snakes, sloths (one mother with her baby!), and so much more. Our guide was amazing. He also helped us take cell phone pictures through his spotter scope - and we got some great shots! The hike ends with about 30 minutes free time to swim at the beach before heading back. I would have LOVED to spend more time swimming here, because it's so beautiful. But, its just the right amount of time to refresh and get ready for the hike back.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Good bye Costa Rica!
Good bye Costa Rica!
Costa Rica

We're home!

Local specialist: Priscila Mata
Priscila
Priscila Mata
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 23, 2024

Hello Kevin,

Thank you very much for taking the time to write your review; we really appreciate it.
I'm thrilled to know that you had a great time on your trip and that it was a wonderful experience for the whole family. Also, thank you for sharing the incredible photos with us.
You were amazing and very friendly travelers.
Whenever you're ready for another adventure, Our team will be happy to craft a trip plan for you.
I wish you all the best.
Priscila

Gill Review
Costa Rica | Feb 26 - Mar 7, 2024

A
Andrew G.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024
We were disappointed that we did not receive the final details until after we arrived in Costa Rica, we were unable to print them out which made life more difficult than it need have been Read more

We were disappointed that we did not receive the final details until after we arrived in Costa Rica, we were unable to print them out which made life more difficult than it need have been

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Balmoral
San José

Very disappointed, other than the location it was tired, our room had a window too high to see out of. Very dark and gloomy

Authenticity & Character
None
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Manatus Hotel
Tortuguero

Lovely location, very comfortable room, good food and the trips with memorable. We had to rely on the hotel for drinking water and think this may have been the initial cause of tummy issues.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

Lovely location and pools.

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

Good location, the room did not have a balcony and was close to the road

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Manuel Antonio

Great location and views to the beach with a balcony The bedding and linen was tired and everything was minimalistic with no soap or shampoo provided.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
A Journey into the History and Culture of Tortuguero Village
A Journey into the History and Culture of Tortuguero Village
Tortuguero
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transport to Tortuguero with Canal Tour En-Route
Transport to Tortuguero with Canal Tour En-Route
Costa Rica

Good journey, we enjoyed the view of the banana plantation. Lots of information and background to Costa Rica

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Motor Boat Tour Along the Tortuguero Canals
Motor Boat Tour Along the Tortuguero Canals
Tortuguero

Great guide and lovely views of wild life

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & EcoTermales Hot Springs
Arenal Volcano Hike & EcoTermales Hot Springs
Arenal/La Fortuna

Disappointing, unable to get close to the volcano, very busy path. Guide was informative and knowledgeable. The Spa was very busy.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee Experience and Nighttime Nature Walk
Coffee Experience and Nighttime Nature Walk
Monteverde

Very interesting and informative. The walk was very atmospheric.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanging Bridges
Hanging Bridges
Monteverde

Self guided interesting walk and views.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sloth Sanctuary
Sloth Sanctuary
Monteverde

Really enjoyed it

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde

The private guide was excellent the walk was enjoyable, lots of wildlife and information

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

Very busy rather disappointing, it was sold as a walk needing walking boots, it was more of an amble.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Phil Tardieu
Phil
Phil Tardieu
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 09, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to share your review!

We're sorry to hear that you were disappointed by the Roadbook delivery, good thing that you had all the specific info about the trip right after it was confirmed, way before your trip, and the latest update only included the reservation numbers.

We're so happy to know that you had a wonderful time exploring our beautiful country and we're sure that you were able to create beautiful lasting memories. That's truly what we strive for! 😊

A great PURA VIDA for you!
Phil

Amazing vacation to CostaRica!
Costa Rica | Feb 24 - Mar 1, 2024

V
Vishnu M.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Mar 02, 2024
We had a great opportunity to work with kimkim team Priscilla for our anniversary vacation. I booked the flight tickets and put into the hands of Priscilla. Priscilla put together a great itinerary to meet our needs. We are extremely happy about the overall experience. I would lean in again to kimkim for my future vacations. Thanks Priscilla and kimkim for helping us with most awaited vacation for me and my wife. Thank you!! Read more

We had a great opportunity to work with kimkim team Priscilla for our anniversary vacation. I booked the flight tickets and put into the hands of Priscilla. Priscilla put together a great itinerary to meet our needs. We are extremely happy about the overall experience. I would lean in again to kimkim for my future vacations. Thanks Priscilla and kimkim for helping us with most awaited vacation for me and my wife. Thank you!!

Activity Reviews
Rainforest Wildlife and Sloth Tour
Rainforest Wildlife and Sloth Tour
Costa Rica

Tour guide was amazing in spotting the sloth late evening. Great to walk into a forest in pitch dark- tour guide provided flash lights. Thank you

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Very interesting day filled with a hike to volcano, hike to water falls followed by a lunch. We loved the overall experience of this. Again your guides did an amazing job walking us through entire experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Traditional Cooking Class with Dinner
Traditional Cooking Class with Dinner
Arenal/La Fortuna

Great experience engaging in active cooking with chef Cathy. Cathy was amazing explaining costarican recipe. The dinner was very good - felt like a home cooking

Quality of Experience
As
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cathy is awesome
Transport
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

This is by far the best zip line rides we experienced. It is scary first but we enjoyed it. The staff at the facility was so awesome.

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

A great walk into national park with guide. We did not realize how quick we spent 5 hours. The tour guide took nice pictures and shared with all tourists. High give!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Oceanview Parasailing Experience
Oceanview Parasailing Experience
Manuel Antonio

Simply Wow experience. The operator was very nice giving us comfort before take off.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Visit to Nauyaca Waterfall
Guided Visit to Nauyaca Waterfall
Costa Rica

Amazing day trip with stepping down close to the falls. Very entertaining day of taking trailer to get on a trail with uneven terrain with wonderful views was so memorable.

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch was included but not offered - wondering us to think what happened.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Priscila Mata
Priscila
Priscila Mata
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 04, 2024

Hola Vishnu,

Pura Vida! A huge thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review.
It brings me immense joy to know that we could contribute to making your anniversary celebration trip special. I'm delighted that you've completed your journey, enjoyed the activities, and now carry those beautiful memories with you.

Whenever you're ready for another adventure, Our team will be thrilled to craft the perfect trip plans for you.

You and your wife were truly special and polite travelers, and it was a pleasure designing your trip.
Sending warm regards from Costa Rica,

Priscila

The trip was pretty good. I was expecting bet...
Costa Rica | Feb 15 - Feb 21, 2024

Ruth
Ruth L.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Feb 28, 2024
The trip was pretty good. I was expecting better hotels. The transportation was a 18 person mini van every where, but that is standard for the country. Even when we has a private transport booked between places it was still the same van.
The excursions were all nature driven, which is what we expected, forests, parks, waterfalls, hot springs (which we loved), a tram in the clouds, unfortunately it was pouring rain, windy and nasty that day. we went on walks to see animals, but they were not...
Read more

The trip was pretty good. I was expecting better hotels. The transportation was a 18 person mini van every where, but that is standard for the country. Even when we has a private transport booked between places it was still the same van.
The excursions were all nature driven, which is what we expected, forests, parks, waterfalls, hot springs (which we loved), a tram in the clouds, unfortunately it was pouring rain, windy and nasty that day. we went on walks to see animals, but they were not many to see on the time/day were there. One of our hotels did not have air conditioning, and when we called to discuss it - it was not possible because it was our Specialists day off. So, no problem solving coverage on Sunday.
The business is email and text message based, if that works for you great, it was not for me. I also, think some of our problems occurred because of language structure or something like that.
KimKim tried very hard to create a very nice trip for us..

Hotel Review
Monteverde Country Lodge
Monteverde

Very nice clean hotel. The property was pretty. The hotel does not have air conditioning. They have a designated area for smokers. We were given a room on the second floor walk up. We asked if we could change the room, and they were able to accommodate us. They tried very hard to make us happy. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are all served in the same room. The rooms are spread out over the property which is fine if you are fit. The breakfast selection was varied, most guests seemed to like it. The restaurant across the street was very good and had fair prices. About a mile from town, very hilly, no side walks. Easy taxi ride, $5. Activity booking office in town. 2 supermarkets, restaurants of all levels. coffee shops, pharmacy.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Priscila Mata
Priscila
Priscila Mata
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 29, 2024

Hola Ruth,

Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time to provide your valuable feedback. We appreciate it, and we use it to continually improve our services. Also, a big thank you for choosing us for your trip. We're thrilled to hear that you had a good time.

I'd like to apologize for the inconvenience regarding the air conditioning. Typically, some hotels in Monteverde don't offer it due to the temperatures. We're sorry if this made you feel uncomfortable.

Sending warm greetings from Costa Rica 🌺🌴

Wonderful Costa Rica!
Costa Rica | Feb 17 - Feb 24, 2024

S
Sheila P.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Feb 26, 2024
It was my second time to Costa Rica, but I traveled with my friend who had never visited it before, and it was so fun!
Phil, our specialist, was great. It was very easy to communicate with him, he made the trip perfect for us. He was very present and responsive even while we were traveling.
We loved everything, from the accommodations to the activities!
Read more

It was my second time to Costa Rica, but I traveled with my friend who had never visited it before, and it was so fun!
Phil, our specialist, was great. It was very easy to communicate with him, he made the trip perfect for us. He was very present and responsive even while we were traveling.
We loved everything, from the accommodations to the activities!

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Roca Lodge
La Fortuna
Authenticity & Character
The lodge bungalows were rustic in appearance, but were very spacious and had all the comforts for home (AC, hot water, comfy beds and an on-site restaurant)
Location
For traveler's with a rental car, getting to/from town to explore restaurants, shops, etc is easy. For traveler's without a rental, there were a few places within easy walking distance but for most a cab would be required.
Staff
The staff were very friendly. They all went the extra mile to make our stay a happy one.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Locanda Samara Beach
Samara

Hotel Locanda Samara Beach in Sámara was a great choice for a stay. The hotel's location allowed for easy access to various attractions, shops, and restaurants, making it convenient for exploring the area on foot.

Authenticity & Character
The bungalows, with the bamboo and thatched roofs added a local flair to the hotel.
Location
The hotel is right on the beach and easy walking distance to all amenities in Samara.
Staff
The staff were all very friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
The cleaning staff kept the entire hotel spotless
Activity Reviews
Guided Nature Walk at Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus
Guided Nature Walk at Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

The zip lines and hanging bridges tour was thrilling and suitable for travelers of all ages. It may not be ideal for those afraid of heights, but overall, it was a fun and exciting experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ocean Kayak & Snorkel at Isla Chora (Seasonal)
Ocean Kayak & Snorkel at Isla Chora (Seasonal)
Sámara

The ocean kayak and snorkeling tour at Isla Chora was a fun and exciting experience. Despite windy conditions, seeing a turtle underwater made the excursion memorable. The two-seater kayak was beneficial for less experienced kayakers, adding to the enjoyment of the activity.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Horseback Ride to La Fortuna Waterfall
Horseback Ride to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Horseback Sunset Tour
Horseback Sunset Tour
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rio Celeste Hiking - Tenorio Volcano National Park
Rio Celeste Hiking - Tenorio Volcano National Park
Costa Rica

The hike at Tenorio National Park was challenging but rewarding. The guide was excellent, and despite the rain, the lush surroundings and the unique blue waters of Rio Celeste made the hike a memorable experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guatil Tour
Guatil Tour
Costa Rica

The Guatil pottery tour was a hidden gem and a fascinating cultural experience. The guided tour provided insight into local pottery-making techniques and traditions, making it a unique and enjoyable activity for those interested in learning about the local culture.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Phil Tardieu
Phil
Phil Tardieu
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 15, 2024

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! We're so happy to hear that you had such a fantastic time in my country. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed everything, from the accommodations to the activities. I didn't know that much about the Guatil tour but now it's like I also want to do it myself and I recommend it all the time, thank you for that! 😀
We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future! All the best,
Phil

Really great trip! Phil recommended to us th...
Costa Rica | Dec 20 - Dec 29, 2023

C
Cheryl W.
City of Sammamish, WA | Reviewed on Dec 29, 2023
Really great trip! Phil recommended to us the pacuare river rafting, and it was AMAZING! A couple of communication situations in the trip but they were handled quickly and well. I liked the tour groups that Kimkim uses/phil recommended, they were fantastic! Overall a great experience! Read more

Really great trip! Phil recommended to us the pacuare river rafting, and it was AMAZING! A couple of communication situations in the trip but they were handled quickly and well. I liked the tour groups that Kimkim uses/phil recommended, they were fantastic! Overall a great experience!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Balmoral
San José

In a very bad part of San Jose, not safe to walk in or at least we did not feel comfortable doing so. No hot water in our two rooms, but staff was nice and restaurant was great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hot water, no mildew smell in room
Hotel Aranjuez
San José

So while a cute, quaint hotel… there were ants and mosquitos and other bugs in the two rooms we had. The front door glass was shattered, making us question the safety of the hotel. Has good potential.

Authenticity & Character
Cute and quaint
Location
San Jose in general is very sketchy, homeless everywhere, but not the hotels fault
Staff
Great friendly staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
In both rooms we had, there was mold in the shower and a spiders nest in the upper corner of one. Windows in bathrooms did not have screens and let in multitudes of mosquitoes, ants, and the occasional other flying insect. Rooms and especially bathrooms seemed like they had not been cleaned recently or prior to our arrival (hence, the spiders nest and mold). Could definitely be improved, but at least the hotel itself felt safe and sheltered from the rest of San Jose.
Activity Review
Whitewater Rafting on the Pacuare River
Whitewater Rafting on the Pacuare River
Costa Rica

Fantastic exhilarating white water raft trip! Very good and safe guides, highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
The guides and the safety precautions taken. Top notch!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Phil Tardieu
Phil
Phil Tardieu
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 19, 2024
Hi Sheryl, Thank you for your review and I am glad you enjoyed the trip we organized. I'm sure it truly was an incredible experience, and I'm delighted that adding the tours enhanced your itinerary. I sincerely apologize for the disappointment you experienced with the hotels in San José. I understand that Costa Rica may not be as budget-friendly as commonly perceived, mostly when reducing the budget for accommodations in that area. It's regrettable that the hotels did not meet your... Read more

Hi Sheryl,

Thank you for your review and I am glad you enjoyed the trip we organized. I'm sure it truly was an incredible experience, and I'm delighted that adding the tours enhanced your itinerary.

I sincerely apologize for the disappointment you experienced with the hotels in San José. I understand that Costa Rica may not be as budget-friendly as commonly perceived, mostly when reducing the budget for accommodations in that area. It's regrettable that the hotels did not meet your expectations and fell short of what you had envisioned. Nevertheless, we're really happy that you had a good trip, and I'm sure you'll always keep Costa Rica in your hearts.

Phil

A nicely catered and tailored vacation - great excursions
Costa Rica | Nov 11 - Nov 19, 2023

Traci
Traci V.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Dec 07, 2023
We initiated and finalized our travel planning with a woman who left KimKim before our travels began. Phil took over and was very responsive and helpful during our trip. One day we had to cancel our tour due to rain and he made all the calls immediately to obtain a reimbursement for us. We learned when we got to Costa Rica that mornings are best for tours but our original planner scheduled many tours in the afternoon - when you see less animals and are more likely to get rained on. That... Read more

We initiated and finalized our travel planning with a woman who left KimKim before our travels began. Phil took over and was very responsive and helpful during our trip. One day we had to cancel our tour due to rain and he made all the calls immediately to obtain a reimbursement for us. We learned when we got to Costa Rica that mornings are best for tours but our original planner scheduled many tours in the afternoon - when you see less animals and are more likely to get rained on. That was the type of insider travel coaching we were hoping to receive from KimKim when we decided to coordinate our travel plans - but apparently didn't get it. Had we worked with Phil from the get-go, it might have been a different story. Also - we traveled between several locations which on map don't seem that far away from one another and googlemaps indicated, for example, 100 miles. We assumed that it would be a 90-120 minute drive but it turned out to be nearly 300 because roads travel slow in Costa Rica. One day we were in a van traveling between locations for over six hours. This was unexpected and ate into vacation time for exploring, relaxing, and doing tours. Overall - we had a great trip, our accommodations were wonderful (and all had breakfast included which was great), and it was nice that everything was reserved and transportation was ready for us throughout our stay. Because we traveled to Costa Rica just before the busy season - almost all our tours were exclusive where we had the entire bus, boat, guide, or place to ourselves. We never felt rushed and really enjoyed the varied excursions that were arranged for us.

Local specialist: Phil Tardieu
Phil
Phil Tardieu
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 15, 2024
Hola Traci!
Excellent photos, thank you so much for sharing them and for sharing the experience of your trip. We're thrilled that you had so many unforgettable moments, and I'm sure there will always be a space for Pura Vida in your hearts now. I'm happy that you're happy about our responsiveness and assistance, especially in securing reimbursements due to weather-related cancellations, we're available 24/7 for you!
We're sorry about the unexpected lengthy travel times between locations,...
Read more

Hola Traci!
Excellent photos, thank you so much for sharing them and for sharing the experience of your trip. We're thrilled that you had so many unforgettable moments, and I'm sure there will always be a space for Pura Vida in your hearts now. I'm happy that you're happy about our responsiveness and assistance, especially in securing reimbursements due to weather-related cancellations, we're available 24/7 for you!
We're sorry about the unexpected lengthy travel times between locations, Costa Rica is very small but its roads are a bit obsolete, however I'm sure the view surrounding them was at the same time exciting, at the end I'm sure we did the right destinations and itinerary according to your priorities and places of interest.
It's fantastic to hear that traveling just before the busy season allowed for exclusive tours with personalized attention. This undoubtedly contributed to a more relaxed and immersive experience! Pura vida!
Phil

Research accommodations before you go!
Costa Rica | Nov 11 - Nov 19, 2023

Tracie
Tracie D.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2023
Costa Rica is a beautiful intricate layering of ecosystems, cultures, and people. The sunset tour on lake Arenal at the foot of the volcano was by far the favorite and not to be missed! Also the coffee chocolate tour and Maleku reservation. We had the best weather and most comfortable stay in La Fortuna. The cloud forest lodge was also an excellent accommodation in Monteverde. The food is amazing with incredible views and bird watching. Unfortunately it rained so heavily we were not able... Read more

Costa Rica is a beautiful intricate layering of ecosystems, cultures, and people. The sunset tour on lake Arenal at the foot of the volcano was by far the favorite and not to be missed! Also the coffee chocolate tour and Maleku reservation. We had the best weather and most comfortable stay in La Fortuna.

The cloud forest lodge was also an excellent accommodation in Monteverde. The food is amazing with incredible views and bird watching. Unfortunately it rained so heavily we were not able to enjoy our tours.

The end of our stay was a disappointment. The Hotel Naoz was about a 45 minute walk from the Mandrake reserve and the ocean . The rooms were very small and smelled of gas, and the amenities were lacking comfort. Soaps smelled medicinal in a bad way. The toilet paper was thin and rough to the touch. So bad that we asked to go back to our accommodations in San Jose. This was so unfortunate when we later learned of all the options at the opening of the Mandrake reserve that we could have stayed at instead. We booked well enough in advance that this could have been avoided had we been familiar with the area.

Phil was very helpful in getting us back to San Jose where we could enjoy the museums and markets and were back in the comfort of the Presidente hotel.

Hotel Reviews
Cloud Forest Lodge
Monteverde

Fabulous literally in the clouds!! Great trails, excellent food and with the amenities they have thought of everything.

Authenticity & Character
Great trails and animal cams so you can get an inside view of the wild life.
Location
Literally in the cloud forest above the trees.
Staff
Very informative about the culture, eco diversity and community.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super clean high quality. Umbrellas, boots, everything you think you might need.
Hotel Naoz
Manuel Antonio

Accommodations are very small, amenities smell bad. 45 minute walk from the ocean and reserve entrance. Beds are uncomfortable, We could not bear to stay another night due to the smell of gas in our room. The staff was very nice, but we were unable to get a refund.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Nothing it is too far from the ocean and reserve.
Staff
Excellent staff not their fault if is just an unfortunate hotel.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean but horribly uncomfortable and smelly.
Hotel Presidente San Jose City Center
San José

Great hotel and location. Some of the rooms are small, but the amenities are of very good quality. Excellent breakfast and bar. Smelled lovely and decorated very well. The staff was friendly, knowledgable, and very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Fun refurbished factory great character.
Location
Very central location and felt safe always.
Staff
Super kind and helpful!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable.
Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort
Fortuna

Fantastic, fun, lots to do!! Highly recommend. I would go back.

Authenticity & Character
The pools were over the top and walking trails easy to find with very good signage.
Location
Right at the base of the volcano with spectacular Views.
Staff
The staff was a little aloof but this may have been to respect privacy. Pool bar staff was excellent!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable and clean highly recommend.
Activity Reviews
Coffee & Chocolate Farm Experience
Coffee & Chocolate Farm Experience
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was very interactive. Great for all ages, very informative and we got to see Sloths and monkeys. Not only taste but also make chocolate and coffee.

Quality of Experience
Very educational and interactive.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Kindness and always ready to answer wuestions.
Transport
Very reliable and timely.
Visit to Maleku Indigenous Reserve
Visit to Maleku Indigenous Reserve
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was a wonderful experience to be learning from the native people themselves. They were generous and kind.

Quality of Experience
Very special educational activities.
Food
Lical traditional food was delicious.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Their genuine kindness and joy in sharing their culture.
Transport
On time and shared knowledge on the way to the tour!!!
Sunset Cruise with Wine & Cheese on Lake Arenal
Sunset Cruise with Wine & Cheese on Lake Arenal
Arenal/La Fortuna

Wow, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the volcano up close and personal. Very relaxing, excellent views and opportunities to see the wildlife. An array of beverages to choose from and a lovely cheese platter.

Quality of Experience
Perfect sunset and views!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Super friendly and knowledgable!!
Transport
On time and helpful.
Local specialist: Phil Tardieu
Phil
Phil Tardieu
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on Nov 26, 2023
Hi Tracie! Thanks a lot for dropping that awesome comment on our website! We're thrilled you had a great time exploring our beautiful country. Assisting you with it was a pleasure, and I'm sure you're taking home wonderful and priceless memories. About Noaz Hotel in Manuel Antonio – we're sorry about the hassle. You're right, the 35-minute trek (2.2 km) to Espadilla Beach is a bit much, however there are buses that get there in just 7 minutes and they practically stop at the hotel's... Read more

Hi Tracie!

Thanks a lot for dropping that awesome comment on our website! We're thrilled you had a great time exploring our beautiful country. Assisting you with it was a pleasure, and I'm sure you're taking home wonderful and priceless memories.

About Noaz Hotel in Manuel Antonio – we're sorry about the hassle. You're right, the 35-minute trek (2.2 km) to Espadilla Beach is a bit much, however there are buses that get there in just 7 minutes and they practically stop at the hotel's doorstep. Taxis are another quick fix.

Also, when we were arranging your move to San José, we wish you'd let us know about your dissatisfaction with the Naoz Hotel. It would've made a big difference when we tried to get a refund for that early checkout. We could've reimbursed you, the same way we did with the activity you had planned that very same day! 🙂

I sincerely apologize once more for any inconveniences experienced towards the conclusion of your journey. Nevertheless, I am genuinely pleased that, on the whole, you found the adventure amazing and a fabulous experience.

Can't wait to see you back around here soon!

Phil