Kimkim Trip Reviews

Flor was great about helping us narrow the immense list of options in Patagonia to give us the trip we were looking for. She suggested many different types of hotels and helped us find really unique and fun places to stay that were off the beaten trail that helped us have a truly authentic trip. Her team arranged all transfers, gave guidance about places to eat and excursions, and even made dinner reservations for us while we were in country. Throughout, she was responsive, supportive, and accommodating as we changed our minds many times and moved around our budgets and dates. We would happily work with her again.

Guides were all extremely friendly and helpful, helping tailor or experience to make it impactful and comfortable. An added bonus was having a coffee with Chris after our arrival. We always felt very well taken care of. One example - we had some motion sickness due to the windy roads. Hilberto took us to a pharmacy. Two pills and two quetzales later we were back on our adventure. Without exception, knowledgeable and friendly guides and rides showed up on time ready to make our day the best. Activities were well tailored to our desires and abilities.

My wife Liz and I just returned from 18 fantastic days in Japan. We couldn’t be happier with our experience. We visited Tokyo, Hikone, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa and Kyoto. Every city had its own character, charm, and allure. We saw the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, but also the hidden gems like the Lion Cafe, and the wonderful TeamLab Borderless exhibit. We had Onsen in Hikone and stayed in a traditional inn with glorious traditional meals. In Takayama and Kanazawa we experienced the old historic districts with wooden buildings, quaint Restuarant’s and lots of charm. Shurakawa-go was a treat with the old thatched room houses, snow on the ground and views of the Japan Alps. Kyoto was a cultural treat— we enjoyed the tea ceremony, the Maiko performance, and of course the sake tour and tasting. Overall we had a trip to remember and we couldn’t be happier. This review only hints at the great sights and experiences we had but we are overjoyed with the trip.
In planning our trip we got so much assistance and advice from Kimkim and especially our specialist Sandy. We would not have had anywhere near the experience we did without the wonderful Sandy,. We went through several versions of itineraries and sights-to-see with Sandy. She listened to what we wanted and made all the arrangements. We enjoy a mix of days with guides and days on our own to explore. Sandy made this happen and the guides she arranged were all lovely people, so full of energy and charm, and completely aware of all the history and the lesser known places to see. Sandy made train arrangements and car transportation set up when we needed it. The car transfer from Tokyo to Hakone was great because we stopped by the lake near Mt Fuji and took the boat across the lake for wonderful Fuji views,
Overall it’s five star review for Kimkim and Sandy. (I’d give more stars if I could). Liz and I had a super trip and couldn’t be happier. Happy travels to all who read this review. Best regards from Art in USA.

Hotel Review

Hakone Hotel Kajikaso

Hakone

The Hakone Hotel Kajikaso was wonderful. It is a traditional Japanese inn and a modern hotel combined, The onsen baths were wonderful and the traditional meals were so fun and delicious. The room was a futon bed experience and the beds were very comfortable. The town is love,y and the whole experience was quite memorable.

Authenticity & Character

Don’t miss the Mont Blanc dessert shop

Location

Near the old section of town, lots to see and good shopping

Staff

So friend,y and supportive

Cleanliness & Comfort

The onsen baths were extremely clean and enjoyable

Activity Review

Hakone exploration : Mishima Skywalk , The shores of Lake Ashi and Onshi-Hakone Park

Hakone

Loved the views and close feel to the natural landscape. The pirate ship ferry boat tour on the lake was amazing!

Quality of Experience

Beautiful natural surroundings

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mr Tony was super, lovely personality.

Transport

Nice vehicle, vert comfortable

Iceland truly left me in awe with its otherworldly beauty, and our trip was unforgettable in every way. The landscapes were absolutely breathtaking—rugged volcanic terrain, vast glaciers, and waterfalls at every turn. The highlight for me was the charming town of Vík, a place so picturesque it almost felt surreal. Nestled by the sea, Vík offered incredible views. Every corner felt like something out of a dream.

Our hotel was nothing short of spectacular. Located between two mountains with the sea infront ,it felt like we were nestled in the heart of Iceland's wild beauty. Waking up to those mountain views each morning was an experience in itself. The accommodations were cozy and modern, providing the perfect base for our adventures.

Throughout the trip, we were consistently impressed by the warmth and kindness of the Icelandic people. Every guide we encountered was not only friendly but also incredibly knowledgeable. Their passion for Iceland’s history, culture, and natural wonders shone through in every tour. We learned so much about the island’s geology, mythology, and wildlife, which made the excursions even more enriching.

A special thanks to Jenny for helping to book the trip. She was wonderfully patient, attentive, and extremely helpful throughout the process, ensuring every detail was taken care of. Thanks to her, everything went smoothly from start to finish, and we were able to experience the best of what Iceland has to offer.

This trip was an absolute dream, and I can’t wait to return to Iceland someday!

Activity Reviews

Whale Watching Tour

Reykjavík

Katla Ice Cave Superjeep tour

Iceland

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike

Iceland

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Northern Lights Hunt Super Jeep Tour

Iceland

Blue Lagoon

Iceland

Quality of Experience

This was our first experience using KImKim and it certainly won't be our last. All of the guides we worked with (Liz, Eddie, and Sofia) and their drivers were personable, knowledgeable and really helped us have a wonderful experience in Cartagena. We really appreciated Wendy checking in on us, even on our "free day" to make sure everything was OK. It was a great feeling knowing that we had some local folks looking out for us on our travels to a country we had not visited before.

I am very happy in general with the arrangements KimKim made for our self guided tour to Patagonia. Hotels, activity providers were adequate. There were some hiccups and miscommunications that caused us some trouble and were rectified and we completed all the activities as planned.

Regarding the activite I liked the least was "Wild Life Tour on Megellan Strait" in Punta Arenas. Our group shared with others on a small boat that was a little bit overbooked and we have difficulty sitting down comfortably. We were warned that "we might get wet" but the warning should have been "You will get wet" . We were soaped, so put on your waterproof clothes underneath the semi dry suit they provide if you so choose this acitivity.

Since there was no guide, you were your own guide, you had to know every acitivy and how they connected each other, including transfers, where to get lunch, what food to bring, ensure walking time to activities are reasonable etc. The travel document is a bit complex and took a lot of concentration and careful reading to see if everything matched up correctly. So if you are joining a Kimkim tour, I urge you to take the time reading them carefully to cross check everything.

Anyway I like my local specialist Erin and Nara, they did a good job to accomdate our needs and helped us a great deal with our trip. Thank you.

Cristina was my contact. She was always responsive and helpful. The local agency used were excellent. Eliana was an amazing guide. Fun, informativé, caring and doing everything to make things run smoothly. Frankie the driver was superb. Getting through terrain where others got stuck. We saw some stunning sites. Tayrona Park and our walk guide Nelson was excellent. Great to havé the wildlife pointed out to us.
Our big disappointment was that we spent the majority of our 3 day tour of Guajira in a 4 wheel drive. This was not reflected in the description of the tour. The least time we spent in a vehicle was 9 hours and the longest was 12. At no point was this made clear to us and if it had been we would havé chosen a different itinery. By contrast the limitions of the accommodation were made very clear and our expectations were managed well.
We appreciate the gesture of a free meal and taxi but it could not make up for the challenge of being thrown around the back of a 4 wheel drive for hours and days. (We expected some of this and were looking forward to it but not this much!) I think you also need to be clear when the trip is in planning stages because anyone with a bad back would not be able to do it (Even if they are fit otherwise).

Hotel Review

Minca Ecohabs

Minca

A totally gorgeous cabin and location. Friendly helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The views and forest sounds.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loved the balconies and hammocks

Activity Reviews

Mayapo Beaches (Day 3)

Colombia

We didn't have time to do any more than look at the beach because we spent 12 hours in cars that day.

Quality of Experience

Food

The lunch by the beach was wonderful. Thanks Eliana for recommending what to eat.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very flexible and offered us time at the beach, but then we wouldn't have got to our accommodation that night until even later. As it was we were in the car from 7am to 8pm with a quick lunch stop and 2 coffee stops.

Transport

Taroa Dunes and Punta Gallinas (Day 2)

Colombia

Fabulous sites. Our guide Eliana made it fun and interesting. We hadn't realised quite how much time we would be being bounced around in the back of a 4 wheel drive (about 9 hours). Our driver Franke was great.

Quality of Experience

Being clear about how much time would be spent in the car.

Food

There was some choice and Eliana made sure we were well looked after.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Uribía, Manaure Salt Flats and Cabo de La Vela (Day 1)

Colombia

Fascinating expérience with charming locals

Quality of Experience

The views and the best explanations

Food

Very little refreshments

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgable and positive

Transport

Franky was perfect as ever, but a long drive for such a short activity

Hike Tayrona National Park

Colombia

Amazing expérience made even better with our very knowledgeable and charming guide, Nelson. He enabled us to spot so much wildlife that we would never have seen ourselves. The pace was perfect , providing a balance between cardio, views and beach .

Quality of Experience

The views, the wildlife, the sounds.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nelson was the perfect guide and adapted our day to only 17km as one of us had a broken toe. Having worked there for over 20 years, he was charming with us and all his colleagues

Transport

Juan Carlos was immaculate and professional as ever.

I went into kimkim and my local specialist Shona blind. I researched the site, hedged my bets, and took a plunge I'm forever grateful for. Shona helped me customize my trip to meet my interests and fit my travel style (experienced solo traveller, massive nerd). She answered all my questions and was wonderful to work with. The guides I met throughout my trip were really special people: Yumi, Takehiko, Tomoko, thank you so much! I loved getting to see Japan as a guest with locals giving me invaluable insight. I am so honored to have had this experience, and the next time I venture across the Pacific, I will absolutely use kimkim and Shona again.

Hotel Review

Shiba Park Hotel

Tokyo

Very cool book-loving boutique hotel in a quiet neighborhood that's still in easy walking distance of convenience stores and public transportation. Great breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Their theme is books: every floor features mini libraries and guests are encouraged to peruse all the different selections to find something to take back to their room.

Location

Minato, Tokyo

Staff

Very polite and helpful!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Half Day Samurai Ninja Museum and Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

It's obviously a thing for tourists, but at no point did I feel like I was infringing on Japanese cultural practices. Rather I felt welcomed to share, learn, and participate in a respectful environment. Also, wearing a kimono is just cool.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Erin & Nara were so easy to work with in planning our W Trek. A very complicated trip to plan on your own: buses, border crossings, lodging in the park, hotel in Puerto Natales, etc. It was all done for us, and our itinerary was very detailed & planned to perfection. Our group of 4 really appreciated the pre-trek meeting with Nara. She answered lot of our questions. As a bonus, in addition to our W Trek, they were able to book us on a Walk with the Penguins tour in Ushuaia! Very responsive. Tolerated all our questions! :) I will be using KimKim again!

Moonika was super helpful and responsive the entire trip and would definitely use her services again in the future.

The trip to Provoo was a great day trip from Helsinki and our guide was great. Taking the train up to Lapland was a great experience. Loved the reindeer and husky tours, especially driving the sled myself for the husky tour.

I booked with Moonika and kimkim so that I didn't have to worry about coordinating anything and know that I was getting a quality experience and I was definitely not disappointed.

Hotel Reviews

Arctic Light Hotel

Rovaniemi

Lovely hotel and in a good location

Authenticity & Character

The sauna onsite is a great amenity

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Fabian

Helsinki

Great location and within walking distance to a lot points of interest

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Overnight Train

Had a room with bunk beds and bathroom. Small quarters so you have to take turns getting ready and work around you luggage but a great experience. I would definitely do this trip again

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Everyone was nice and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Small but very clean

Activity Reviews

Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Adventure

Finland

Fun hike that is accessible for all levels

Quality of Experience

Food

Fun experience cooking our food within the park

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tour guide was knowledgeable

Transport

Premium Husky & Reindeer Safari

Rovaniemi

Learning about the reindeer was fun and enjoyed the lunch that was provided. I didn't expect to drive the sled for the husky tour but it was definitely a highlight

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone was super friendly

Transport

Porvoo Private Day Tour

Helsinki

The tour was customizable and the tour guide was super knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend this trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Having the tour guide meet us at our hotel and get us to the bus station was super helpful. Enjoyed taking the bus fun experience

Patagonia was a trip of a lifetime. My husband and I decided to celebrate our 50th Anniversary with a trip to Patagonia. We were interested in the beautiful landscapes; Patagonia and Erin did not disappoint. An important detail that was so crucial to us was the land transportation. Transportation to and from airports, hotel, excursions etc. was all arranged in advance. Dittmar Adventures provided "coupons" for each transport, hotel, excursion etc. These coupons were very helpful as many taxi drivers did not understand my level 3 Duolingo Spanish *). I could verify with them that we were going to right place by handing them the coupon with hotel address. etc. I learned to have these coupons at hand, and then it was always clear which excursion we were to be on. We started in Puerto Varas with a private tour to Mt Osorno. Loved the private tours we took through out as they allowed us to go at our own pace. Each tour guide was very knowledgeable about the flowers, trees and birds of the area. We loved hanging back and letting a tour bus load of people go in front of us, then we could just enjoying the trails and views to ourselves with our guide, staying as long as we liked drinking in the gorgeous scenery. I had two favorite places. Pumalin National Park was the 1st. We were blessed to stay in one of the very few cottages at the park. Our guide Marco was amazing. I loved touring the garden and information center at the park. Marco also arranged for a private boat up the "fiord" past sea lion colonies that was very interesting. Pumalin is a rain forest, so had those amazing giant rainforest ferns and trees. Trees, some of which are older than the Giant Sequoias in California. Marco pointed out the differences in the trees of Pumalin to the pines of North America. He also shared Mate with us at lunch, what an interesting tradition! I regret that we did not have more time on the trails at Pumalin. Punta Arenas was our next stop. Erin arranged a private tour out to the Nao Victoria Museum that has a replica of Magellan's ship, and a replica of the Beagle, the ship that Darwin was on, as well as other replicas. You can climb up into the ships and get a sense of the size and understand the bravery of the men that sailed the world in such vessels. There was time for a brief stop at the cemetery in Punta Arenas. I did not realize that it was so beautiful, and would have planned for more time there. On to Puerto Natales and the Bernardo O Higgins National Park and Torres del Paine Park, Stunning, breathtaking... words cannot describe. We stayed at Hotel Lago Grey. Our room had an incredible view!! This area is exactly what we came to Patagonia to see, it was my most favorite favorite place. Next was El Chaltén and then Laguna Condor Lodge. There are plenty of hiking trails right from town in El Chaltén. The Laguna Condor Lodge is a ways out of town with cute little cabins. Mt FitzRoy dominates the view from the lodge at breakfast. We enjoyed a couple of days rest away from hustle of travel and just relaxed or walked along the glacial river. The last days were spent in Terra Del Fuego, then home. Erin and her staff were very responsive to our wishes. Penguins? Yes. Hikes requiring tents? No. Large cities, museums, wine tastings? No. Outdoors, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, glaciers? Yes, yes, yes! Tour buses? No. Private tours? Yes!!! Chain hotels? No. Boutique hotels and cabins? Yes. The only things I would change is more time on the trails at Pumalin and another hour at the Punta Arenas cemetery. Dittmar Adventures included with their very detailed itinerary, maps of each town marking location of lodging and nearby restaurants. There was a very nice mix of cute little downtown hotels for exploring the locale to upscale hotels with stunning views. We have not traveled extensively outside the English speaking world, so I was very worried about taking taxis with my poor Spanish capabilities. Dittmar arranged prepaid taxi drivers who had my name on a card, to and from every airport. Sometimes this transportation was 20 minutes. Sometimes it was closer to 3 hours. The team was responsive to my questions. Checked with drivers then changed times when I was worried about connection time. Checked with tour guides when I had not checked the What's App and did not realize the tour time had been changed by half and hour. Airline strike in Buenos Aires... Ack!! They said they would keep tabs on that and help me where needed. (Strike was avoided at the last minute) The tour that Erin and Nara planned was exactly what we wanted. The trip went as planned. Thank you Erin, Nara and Dittmar Adventures!!!!

Hotel Reviews

Laguna Condor Mountain Lodge

El Chalten

Laguna Condor Mountain Lodge in El Chaltén was simply beautiful. The lodge was perfectly situated and elegantly designed, offering a serene and stunning mountain retreat.

Hotel Albatros

Punta Arenas

Our stay at Hotel Albatros was disrupted by noise from construction work. In the windy city of Punta Arenas, the noise from corrugated metal roofing kept us up at night. Though I appreciate that they were working on it the next day, the timing was unfortunate as it hindered our nap to make for the sleep lost the night before. Once the construction is completed, I'm sure the experience would be better.

Hotel Lago Grey

Torres del Paine

Hotel Lago Grey was simply fantastic. Our room had a breathtaking view of the water, glacier, and mountains. Even though I missed out on the glacier tour due to being sick, sitting and enjoying the view was a perfect experience. The setting in Torres del Paine is exactly why we came to Patagonia.

Lodge Caleta Gonzalo

Staying at the Lodge Caleta Gonzalo was wonderful. The cabins were cozy and fit perfectly with the surroundings of Pumalín National Park. The hospitality and location added greatly to the experience of being in the stunning natural landscape.

Activity Review

Multi-day Fly-in Hiking Tour of Pumalín National Park

Pumalín National Park

I absolutely loved the multi-day hiking tour at Pumalín National Park. The little cabin we stayed in was fantastic, and Marco, our guide, was amazing. We explored a small activity center about the volcano and the history of the area, which was fascinating. This part of the trip was truly one of my favorites.

Marina was very responsive and had an amazing itinerary for us. We had young kids and this was very kid friendly. Our guides were great with kids. Our accommodations were very comfortable and nice, and close to all the destinations. We walked to most places. Highly recommend Marina and kimkim.

It was amazing trip and they listened. I would have changed a few things but they always kept me up to date on last minute changes or train missed they booked next one. Hotels were great! I highly recommend booking with them.

My daughter Alayne and I had a wonderful memorable winter trip to Madrid and Barcelona, all thanks to the meticulous planning and care from Beatriz and her amazing team at Espiritu Travel. The Trip Plans App made the experience seamless, with all the information, instructions, guides' names and meeting points and times, tickets for events and train travel, maps, suggestions for restaurants and other interesting sites, events or areas to explore, are all included on the app.

Our guides were professional, timely, personable and truly knowledgeable.

The hotels were beautiful, well-managed, accommodating and so very helpful with directions, taxis or any questions we had about getting around in the city.

Thank you again!
Patti and Alayne S

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Astoria

Barcelona

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful building - loved watching local people come in to dine in the restaurant

Location

great location, close to Avenue Diagonal and major shopping and metro stations. Loved the little tapas bar, Bar Paris around the corner - sat at tables outside with the locals. So Fun

Staff

Helpful, professional and so very accommodating with questions, directions, taxis, etc...

Cleanliness & Comfort

7 Islas Hotel

Madrid

modern hotel with all amenities, amazing, helpful, attentive staff. Delicious breakfast and dinner service

Authenticity & Character

lots of amenities - great bathrooms stocked with toiletries, plush towels and bathrobes, a tub!

Location

right off Gran Via and in the heart of both Malasaña and Chueca, both very cool neighborhoods. Easy access to Metro station.

Staff

The front desk was so very accommodating with helping get taxis, information about metro cards, directions around town.

Cleanliness & Comfort

everything was so clean and comfortable

Activity Reviews

Barcelona & Gaudí: An Architecture Walk

Barcelona

Didn't know much about Gaudí prior to this trip, but have come away with a new found appreciation for his genius

Quality of Experience

The Sagrada Familia was such a moving experience, both artistically and spiritually. The sheer genius of the intention and artistry and engineering is awe-inspiring. I couldn't appreciate it until I saw it in person

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Catalina was an excellent guide

Private Guided Visit of Museo del Prado with an Art Historian

Madrid

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lina is a great art history guide; my daughter loved talking to her about the finer points of the art work, being an AH minor

Walking Madrid’s Old Town

Madrid

Our guide Geze, was so friendly and knowledgeable - the day was actually quite cold and drizzly, but he kept it moving along and it was quite enjoyable. Had lots of tips for hidden restaurants, bars, etc... we took his advice on a few of them! Funny to see how the guides from different tours all know one another and greet each other

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Geze was very friendly knowledgeable, spoke so many languages, had so many friends greet him along the way, not just fellow tour guides, but neighborhood people, too.

Tapas Culinary Experience

Madrid

great way to meet other fellow travelers and have a good time, make some new friends, go out for a drink afterwards. It was so much fun. Our guide was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jimena helped us to make true our dreamt honeymoon. She helped us to make the most of our days in the region based on our preferences and requests. We did not have to worry about anything during those days, just being on time. Special shout out to Rodrigo our guide in Ushuaia who made those days extra special.

Karlita did a fabulous job planning our unforgettable trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. She accommodated all our family group's interests and abilities (ages 30- 65+). I appreciate that she advised us thoughtfully and raised the right questions to help us make the right choices. For example, she worked with the local guide Sebastian in Quito to provide suggestions like flipping the order of certain activities to make more sense and allow us to fit more things in a logical way. Another example was how she had hotel rooms conveniently arranged for us on the day we returned from the Amazon, so we didn't have to hang around the airport for 12 hours until our international flights home from Quito. She did not simply say yes to everything we asked for without thinking - she genuinely guided us, which is what we needed. No detail was left unthought of! Including special surprises for the special occasions on the trip.

Highlights: The GO Hotel in Quito was amazing! We especially loved our guide in Quito, Sebastian. He is extremely knowledgable and passionate about Ecuador, plus personable, friendly and fun! We also loved the staff and our local guide Cheyanne at the NAPO Cultural Center eco-lodge. Overall, Karlita was able to fit such a diverse mix of activities and parts of Ecuador into our 15-day trip without it feeling totally exhausting.

My only point of feedback: We were probably limited by our budget and availability by the time we booked (last-minute), but the only thing I would have appreciated is being offered more tiered options / operator choices for the cruise in Galapagos and eco-lodge in the Amazon, so that we could have understood the differences and chosen to upgrade to something higher-end if we wanted.

Again, working with KimKim was a fun and rewarding experience. Planning the trip went well as great help was provided in selecting hotels and an itinerary. The hotels we stayed in were beautiful with excellent service and beautiful unique environments. We planned a number of day trips. In each case, the guides were friendly, knowledgeable and excellent. This includes a river trip, nature walk and snorkeling trip. Each guide was great, making each trip fun and memorable. We also received daily interactions with KimKim overseeing that everything went well.

Hotel Reviews

W Costa Rica - Reserva Conchal

Guanacaste

Cool hotel. Great vibe. Areas for adults only. Great view of bay. Relaxing room geared for a fun time. Food was very good

Authenticity & Character

Location

Somewhat of a pain driving in and out of the area. But close to treat restaurants and beaches.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

We had a room with an unobstructed view of the volcano. Very cool. Everyone we interacted with was very friendly and knowledgeable. Food was good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to restaurants and events.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guanacaste Snorkel Adventure

Costa Rica

Great guides. Very focused on our comfort and safety.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Nature Walk at Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus

Arenal/La Fortuna

Very interesting. Great knowledgeable guide

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee & Chocolate Tour

Costa Rica

Very informative and fun. Better than I expected. Great guide. Funny and energetic.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River

Arenal/La Fortuna

Fun morning floating down river. Nice snacks. Great guide. Amazon big how they can Find animals and birds

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My son and I truly enjoyed our adventure in Costa Rica. Olman put together a nice trip plan for us, and we appreciated his flexibility in changing the itinerary to better suit our needs. When all was said and done, we did hiking, hot springs, kayaking, lake crossing on a boat, and ziplining. We also squeezed in our own visit to the waterfall. All of our drivers were on time and, aside from one packed and stuffy ride heading to the lake crossing, the vans were comfy, especially Interbus. The tour guides were knowledgeable, and everyone whom we interacted with was friendly. It was great having breakfast included at each accommodation, and having all the hotels be so different enriched the experience. We loved glamping in Arenal, the mountain hotel in Monteverde, and the small hotel near the beach - what a cool combination it provided, and ending at the beach was perfect. Even though we didn't see many animals up close (aside from a capuchin monkey and a caiman), it was interesting to hear what the guides had to say about the animals, and seeing the sloth from the binoculars was cool. Finally, everyone in the office was so responsive - whether speaking with Graciela or Adriana at dawn regarding our lost luggage or communicating with Olman to clarify with one of our hotels that breakfast was indeed included - we couldn't have been more pleased. We didn't have to worry about a thing, and everyone associated with our trip knew how to get a hold of us via Whatsapp to provide excellent communication along the way. Thank you, Olman and KimKim!

I really enjoyed the trip to Colombia. I visited Medellin and Cartagena and had a good time. After visiting Colombia did not want to leave and hope to go back in the future. The guides were great and very helpful and informative I really had a good time visiting Colombia. I had the guides speak to me in Spanish so that it can help me improve my Spanish. Michael and the team were very helpful with their explanations on everything and Colombia is a great place with great people to the point where like how I said before I'm definitely going to visit again.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Casa Tere

Cartagena

I like this hotel it was great the staff was very professional and helpful and informative. When visiting Cartagena I would recommend people to stay at this hotel and I will look to stay here in the future.

Authenticity & Character

I like the hotels location and the rooftop views it was great.

Location

The location was convenient and it was safe in an area where there was a lot of people

Staff

The staff were professional and I really enjoyed talking to them.

Cleanliness & Comfort

I like the rooms they looked good.

14 Urban Hotel

Medellin

The hotel was great the staff was friendly I would stay here again in the future. I checked out the areas near the hotel in El poblado to experience the nightlife and the area was very safe.

Authenticity & Character

I like the place where the hotel was located and the view from the top floor was great.

Location

Staff

The staff was very helpful and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms looked very nice

Activity Reviews

Cartagena City Tour

Cartagena

I got to see pope de la cruz and the view was great and I enjoyed seeing San Felipe and the Bocagrande neighborhood and Getsmani area overall was just a great experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boquilla Mangrove Tour

Cartagena

The ride down the mangrove was peaceful and very enjoyable I was able to experience a bit of how people live in the village and when coming to Cartagena will highly recommend Boquilla.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Beach Day - Isla del Encanto (Barú)

Cartagena

What a good way to to end my last day in Colombia I took the tour in Spanish and I really admired the hospitality of the staff at the islands they were very friendly and the place was very peaceful want to come back again for sure.

Quality of Experience

Food

I love eating the fish

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking tour in Cartagena's Historic Center

Cartagena

I enjoyed seeing the beaches and the different historical sights in Cartagena and definitely want to come back again in the future my tour guide she was very helpful and answered questions and gave God explanations I really appreciate her.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Medellín Day Tour: City + Street Food

Medellín

I loved trying the different foods in Medellin and seeing the different attractions such as Botanical Gardens and Parque Explora and parque rio and then saw the planetarium but I wish I had more time to see Puebilito Paisa and will look to go again in the future.

Quality of Experience

Overall I had a good experience Puebilito Paisa was fun but wanted more time to explore more.

Food

I loved the different foods I tried such as chicken sancocho and the empanadas and all in all different dishes in Medellin.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

My guide was helpful and she gave good explanations and helped me with my Spanish.

Transport

The transport was good along with the driver I invited him to lunch too.

Tour Peñol & Guatapé

Medellín

I enjoyed the tour to Guatape and I took the tour with the Spanish speaking guide to help me improve my Spanish and Guatape was amazing. I would go back again. The guides were helpful with taking me to the moto chivito ride in Guatape and where to meet. I really enjoyed this tour was so much fun and I met great people.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guides were very good and helpful I hope to see them again someday.

Transport

The transport was good I had a good time

Medellín Day Tour: Nature, Culture, and Urban History

Medellín

I really enjoyed the tour it was great I learned about the history of Medellin and how Medellin still continues to improve itself with safety. I enjoyed communa 13, parque arvi, Plaza botero, and seeing the biblioteca españa. Medellin is just a great city overall.

Quality of Experience

I got to learn a lot about how Medellin changed from the past to the present and I love how nice the people were whom I met.

Food

I enjoyed trying the different foods that was delicious.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was very helpful she was informative

Transport

Well I got to experience riding the metro and the metrocable and was great.

Our trip planner is Karlita
I have nothing but praises for the planning and attention to detail for this trip to Ecuador. I have such great memories. It was a fantastic vacation! Thank you Karlita. You listened and delivered. You also told us when we suggested something and you said it was too much. The trip was a great combination of history and nature. Our guide Sebastian (in Quito) was absolutely amazing. He was knowledgeable, fun and loved to share his country’s history as well as personal. He took good care of my sisters when hiking in Antisana. He bought some local snacks for us so we could enjoy them along the drives.
In Galapagos I have no complaints about the crew, the activities or the guides. The cabins on Coral 1 are a little old and definitely use updating. A big complaint is that when the boat sailed during the night the noise from the engines was very loud in the cabins. We could not sleep. I think the ship can do something to mitigate the noise. Or for future planning we would request higher level cabins.
In the Amazon the Napo Culture Lodge was an amazing experience. I loved being in the community and watching the people. Our community guide Cheyenne was excellent - he knew the animals and spotted so many things for us.
Overall - Karlita thank you for putting together this amazing trip for us. I have no hesitation in recommending your company to my friends and family.
Thank you!

Hotel Reviews

Ikala Quito Hotel

Quito

The hotel is modern , the staff attentive, the breakfast selection amazing. The rooftop restaurant (where breakfast is also served) simply beautiful. The only complaint is the noise from the traffic if you have a room on the road side. Also despite the power cuts in Quito the hotel maintained enough power through its own generators to keep the elevators working, some hallway lights and room lights. The air conditioning would cut out but come back as soon as the power was restored. This is not the fault of the hotel but the dire power shortage in the country overall.

Staff

Everyone was helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

M/Y Coral I & II

The crew and activities are faultless. The cabins in the lower deck near the engine can get noisy. So request a cabin on higher level

Wyndham Quito Airport

Quito

Nice hotel close to Quito airport. The shuttle service to and from the airport terminals is quick and easy. The staff at every level deliver excellent service. Being close to the airport it was still surprisingly quiet and very little airplane noise was heard in the rooms.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Napo Cultural Center

NAPO

It was just lovely to be in the Amazon within a community. The lodge is well designed and comfortable. Simple but clean and comfortable. I was not expecting to get an WiFi - I was pleasantly surprised! They provided water bottles that could be refilled from the water filter stations. Liked that they are conscious of reducing plastic waste.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Transfer from Quito to Mindo - Free Afternoon

Mindo

Our drive to the Mindo Cloud Forest was great, showcasing the diverse landscapes of Ecuador. Seeing how the scenery changed from dry to wet as we transitioned to the lush cloud forest was fascinating. It's a nice journey, especially if you appreciate nature and scenic drives.

Exploring Antisana Ecological Reserve: Hiking to Laguna de la Mica

Quito

The hike to Laguna de la Mica in the Antisana Ecological Reserve was one of the highlights of our trip. The natural beauty of the area was breathtaking, and it offered a great balance of adventure and serenity. I really enjoyed exploring and soaking in the incredible views.