We used Kimkim to plan our trip to Costa Rica to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Adam was our expert in organizing our itinerary and WOW, did he do a great job. In ten days, we visited three very distinct areas of Costa Rica. We didn’t have a favorite destination because each offered such unique experiences.
In Puerto Viejo, we enjoyed great accommodations at Banana Azul and the beautiful black sand beach. The restaurant on the grounds was lovely and offered great food. Adam arranged a snorkeling and a nature walk around the coast. Pablo, our guide was fabulous and felt like a longtime friend! He even gave us a wonderful recommendation for a Jamaican restaurant, the Dutch Pot!
Adam arranged a day trip to the Jaguar Rescue Center, Bribri Chocolate Tour and Waterfall day trip. The visit to a cocoa plantation operated by an indigenous family was amazing. We learned so much about their lives and traditions. Enrique was our guide and also translator on the plantation. He was very friendly and fun to be with. We enjoyed roasted bananas filled with freshly ground cocoa, that we were invited to help in the preparation. This was a very delicious treat! There were wonderful crafts on site to purchase. This visit was followed by a hike and refreshing swim under a waterfall! This was a highlight for me!
Our next destination was La Fortuna. We stayed at Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa! We highly recommend room 504! Thank you Adam, for getting us, perhaps the best suite on the property!! We had a clear and dramatic view of the Arenal Volcano from our patio, while utilizing our own hot springs soaking pool. We spent so much time on the patio observing the beautiful surroundings. Also, the staff at Tabacon treated us like family! We enjoyed some great meals. We were given special attention on our anniversary evening with a special dessert and a champagne toast! I highly recommend partaking in a massage and exploring the hot springs! Adam also arranged a coffee, chocolate and sugarcane farm experience at Northfields. Valerie was our guide through this tour and she was a pure delight!
Our final destination was Koora Hotel Monteverde! The accommodations were gorgeous! We were in the midst of the Cloud Forest! This hotel had the most comfortable bed that we had ever slept in. Adam arranged a tour of the Cloud Forest. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we left with so much information about the cloud forest.
The high point of our time in Monteverde and perhaps Costa Rica was dinner at San Lucas Treetop Dining. We were picked up at our hotel by our server, and new friend, Lucas! Yes, we laughed that his name is the same as the restaurant! Lucas guided us through a culinary journey with paired wine tasting, through Costa Rica! I was brought to tears when we first arrived because of the beauty and tranquility of the site. This was a mind blowing culinary experience!
In closing, Adam arranged our transportation throughout Costa Rica through RideCR. RideCR was always on time! Our favorite driver was Alfonso. Our favorite drive was from La Fortuna - Monteverde, where we took a van to a boat, to cross Lake Arenal, to another van! All three drivers on this journey were very professional. We especially loved our boat ride by Kevin. He pointed out highlights of the lake! It was a gorgeous day and a pure delight! Roy took us the rest of the way. The final drive on this journey had some bumpy roads, twists and turns, but we felt completely safe with Roy!
Adam!!! We send you endless gratitude and appreciation for this life changing experience!
Hotel Reviews
Holiday Inn Express San Jose Airport
San Jose
We stayed here our last night in Costa Rica before flying home. It served the purpose of being clean and comfortable.
Location
We liked being so close to the airport because we had to leave the hotel at 3:30 AM for a very early flight.
Staff
I'd especially like to thank the gentleman that took us to the airport. He was very friendly and helpful even at the grueling hour of 3:30 AM.
We enjoyed the entire staff! Everyone made us feel very welcome. Jason was especially helpful in helping us arrange a tour to Curi Cancha Reserve. This was one of the highlights of our trip and we especially enjoyed the guide that he secured for us.
Koora had the most comfortable bed that we experienced on our trip to Costa Rica!
Authenticity & Character
The Koora Hotel is exceptional in design and beautifully fitting into the beauty of the cloud forest.
Staff
Everyone was so helpful, especially Jason at the front desk.
Hotel Banana Azul
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
We loved beginning our trip in Costa Rica at Hotel Banana Azul. The staff was so friendly, everyone from the front desk to the restaurant staff. We'd love to return again someday.
Activity Reviews
Private Treetop Dining Experience with Wine Pairing
Monteverde
When we were planning on trip with Kimkim, we found ourselves quite intrigued and excited about our time at St. Lucas Tree Top Dining. We love and take great joy in unique dining and this was, by far, our most amazing dining adventure as we "traveled" through on a "taste of the regions of Costa Rica."
We were picked up at our hotel by Lucas, who was our driver, server and our proclaimed new friend. Arriving for our meal, I was brought to tears with how incredibly beautiful this place is.
My husband and I found ourselves anticipating each course, accompanied by the perfect wine pairing with each dish. Each dish surprised and delighted us. The chef is extremely creative and talented.
We were celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary and Lucas made our time extremely special. We'd love to return to this fulfilling experience in the future with family and friends.
Food
Every course was an absolute delight! Its amazing how this meal took us on such a delightful culinary journey!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Farm Experience
Arenal/La Fortuna
Valerie was our guide and what a wonderful guide she was! She kept us so engaged with information on the wide world of coffee, chocolate and sugar cane. She completely altered our view of how to appreciate coffee and chocolate.
We were also quite impressed with the beautiful grounds and the very simple and clear demonstrations.
The gift shop was wonderful as well. We have returned home with coffee beans, chocolate and even one of their cleverly designed t-shirts.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Cahuita National Park Snorkel & Rainforest Hike
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Pablo and our captain were so much fun! We had a blast on our snorkeling tour and the beautiful walk through Cahuita National Park. We had a perfect day and were thrilled with everything that Pablo shared with us! I have learned that a guided tour is always best because we would have not noticed and experienced as much without the trained eye of Pablo. We wish we could have spent more time with him. He really took such great care of us and also helped us walk away with such amazing photos.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
kimkim gem
