KimKim Rocked Our Trip!
Costa Rica | Mar 8 - Mar 14, 2026

Jim
Jim W.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Mar 17, 2026

KimKim did an excellent job with our trip itinerary and we had a terrific time exploring three beautiful places in Costa Rica. Every driver and tour guide arrived on time (even early) which is pretty phenomenal, and it was refreshing to find that each driver and tour guide was so very proud of their country. The drivers discussed sites, landmarks and pointed out interesting things during the drives. We enjoyed Marvin from the airport to Arenal, Roy to Rio Celeste (our favorite), Alex to the Gulf of Papagayo. and Joshua to the airport. These men were very nice, patient, and simply terrific drivers, and made us feel like friends.

All in all, we had a great itinerary and enjoyed all of our resorts and activities, smoothly moving from one location and activity to the next. KimKim's procedure of allowing you to adjust the itinerary they put together to your liking was a nice touch. Communications were excellent!

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Paraíso Resort, Spa & Hot Springs
La Fortuna

This resort is pretty. We had our own cabin which was very quiet and nice overall. We greatly enjoyed the hot springs, grounds, pool, and pool bar. We liked the fact that we could eat by the pool after visiting the hot springs instead of having to go to the restaurant. The included breakfast was fantastic, lots of options. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We note that the cabin we had could use a little TLC, especially the bathroom. Also, the resort did have a water issue the 2nd night and we were without water for several hours.

Authenticity & Character
Loved the grounds, just note that the cabins may need a little care.
Location
Nice spot. Was easy for our drivers to pick up and drop off.
Staff
Friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rio Celeste Hideaway Resort
Bijagua

This 4-star resort was spectacular! Our cabin was absolutely beautiful. It was big and spacious with a private deck and outdoor shower! We greatly enjoyed brewing coffee and enjoying it on the patio each morning. Patio is covered so let it rain! The resort grounds are so nice, with paths and walking trails! We took hikes on the well-marked resort trails from our room down to the blue river and through the rain forest. Around the hotel were all kinds of birds and animals, we spotted Coatis and even an Agouti, so cool. We greatly enjoyed the beautiful pool and we hung out some at the swim up bar. The restaurant was terrific and the service staff were superb throughout! Our only caveat with this resort is that if you don't have a rental car, it's not easy to leave it to explore the surrounding area on your own (no Ubers or taxi's are around we were told). Of course we got picked up twice for our tour/hikes.

Authenticity & Character
Love the cabins/rooms. And the grounds were impeccably cared for.
Location
Just a gorgeous spot, nice in sun or rain! Can walk down to see the blue river in a few spots.
Staff
Every staff member we interacted with was professional, nice, and helpful!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms are gorgeous, from deck, to sitting areas, to beds, to bathroom and shower, to outdoor shower.
Hotel Bosque del Mar
Playa Hermosa

Staying at this resort was a nice way to end out trip. We enjoyed the beach, the pool, the bar (happy hour!) and the restaurant. We were able to walk down the beach one night to a local restaurant where we heard live music during our dinner. The monkeys playing in the trees around the pool was a nice touch! The included breakfast was great, food was tasty and service great.

Authenticity & Character
Pretty nice well-maintained grounds. Room had a nice sitting area and deck.
Location
Had a nice beach and lounge chairs to use. Trees all around up from the water added shade which was nessessary.
Staff
Staff was attentive and nice.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Arenal/La Fortuna

We loved our guide Roy, he was so nice and shared his amazing knowledge and took his time to tell us all about the Volcanic area, animals, plants, and interesting things. The hike was a highlight of our time in Arenal and we greatly enjoyed it. It was a beautiful day and the views we encountered were amazing.

Quality of Experience
Just a beautiful day for a nice hike with a great guide.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Roy picked us up at the resort and was our hike guide. He was terrific!
Transport
Roy had a nice vehicle and pointed out many things during our drive. He was early too!
Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night Walk
Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night Walk
Bijagua / Rio Celeste

This hike/walk is right through the rain forest at night, some of the footing was slippery and muddy, but the boots and headlamps they provided were a great help. We saw lots of frogs, snakes, spiders, and birds. Then our guide Anthony got word that there was a Tapir nearby so we hightailed it to go see it. That was fabulous! The funny thing was, on the way back to the Hideaway we also saw a Tapir on the side of the road, which our driver slowed for us to view.

Quality of Experience
Guide was excellent and it was cool to be in the forest at night.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
On time, nice people, excellent guide!
Transport
On time and easy. On the way back, driver spotted a juvenile Tapir on the road and stopped so we could see it and grab some photos!
Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Private Hike
Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Private Hike
Bijagua / Rio Celeste

This hike was conducted by Oscar who was a nice guy, very knowledgeable (told us so many facts about the area and blue river) and guided us well. We saw snakes, then the blue river, the spectacular waterfall, and then the joining of the two rivers that cause the water to be blue. Oscar explained everything in great detail. On our hike back out of the park, we had a Tapir sighting!

Quality of Experience
A nice hike, great guide, and beautiful views!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable and friendly!
Transport
Right on time, quick ride.
Introduction to the Gulf of Papagayo
Introduction to the Gulf of Papagayo
Gulf of Papagayo

We enjoyed the beach, the pool, the bar (Happy Hour!) and the restaurant. We were able to walk down the beach one night to a local restaurant where we had live music to our dinner. The monkeys playing in the trees around the pool was a nice touch!

Quality of Experience
Happy hour, nice beach with lounge chairs, easy to walk beach and to other restaurants.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Drivers on time and excellent. Staff was friendly and helpful.
Transport
Alex was nice, full of information and a good driver.
Morning Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure
Morning Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure
Costa Rica

We had a lovely time riding the 40 foot sailboat, with drinks on the way to snorkeling (lots of cool fish to see), and snacks and drinks on the way back. The crew was terrific and attentive, the views from the boat were superb.

Quality of Experience
Was a nice snorkeling spot, excellent sailing experience, good drinks and snacks!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Staff was friendly and super attentive.
Transport
They did an awesome job getting us to and from the boat safely.
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 18, 2026

Hola Jim!

Thank you so much for sharing this, it truly made my day! I'm delighted everything flowed smoothly and that Marvin, Roy, Alex, and Joshua made you feel like friends along the way.

Here at Serendipity Adventures, we take great pride in providing quality service, so knowing we delivered means everything.

Thank you for trusting us with your Costa Rica adventure.

Pura Vida will always be waiting for you!☀️
Bryan Leon,
Serendipity Adventures | Costa Rica