Kimkim Trip Reviews

We would like to thank the entire Kimkim team who, in one way or another, took part in organizing and carrying out our dream trip. Our journey could not have been more perfect. It was characterized by excellent organization throughout, and we felt safe at all times.

Everywhere we went, people were kind to us. We would especially like to thank the guides, who clearly love what they do and shared fascinating information with us at every stop. Special thanks to Minah for always being available, ensuring that any issues were resolved and no question went unanswered.

Thailand will forever remain in our hearts, and it was the Kimkim team who made this trip truly unforgettable.

Bence&Beatrix

Hotel Reviews

Ayara Kamala Resort

Phuket

Incredible setting, every detail in the hotel was perfectly thought out. We were amazed by the views and the luxury.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The staff is conscientious, helpful, and very friendly; however, there were too few of them for too many guests, which put a lot of pressure on the team.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Khum Phaya Resort & Spa Centara Boutique Collection

Our time at the hotel was spent in a beautiful setting. We were amazed by the “jungle” atmosphere. The breakfast was wonderful, with a plentiful and fresh selection.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The hotel is located away from the city center, but the surroundings offer a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Moment

Bangkok

A beautiful hotel, modern and clean. Everyone was very kind to us, and we were completely satisfied. The breakfasts had a wonderful atmosphere.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore the Koh Phi Phi By Speedboat

Phuket

We had a wonderful day, visiting beautiful places. The island tour was very well organized, and I loved swimming together with small fish.

Quality of Experience

Food

There were many of us eating at a buffet restaurant, so we had to queue quite a bit. The food wasn’t particularly tasty, but everyone could still find something to their liking.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

It was an amazing experience to be up close with the tigers. We felt a bit sorry for the animals because they were kept in strict enclosures (of course, we understand why). It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Experience - Full Day

Chiang Mai

We probably spent our favorite day here. We were happy with how the caretakers treated the elephants. It was exciting and unforgettable. Maki has a really great style; we loved the way he talked about the elephants and the staff's work.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

White temple, Blue Temple, Black Museum and Long Neck Karen Village.

Thailand

The White Temple amazed us—it was one of our most fulfilling days. We really enjoyed the temple tour and got to experience new cultures in the village of the long-necked women.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chiang Mai Temple Local Street Food Tour

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai offered us different experiences. We enjoyed delicious food and were glad to try dishes from the local vendors.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exploring the Ancient Ayutthaya

Thailand

I loved the atmosphere of the place; it was wonderful. Completely different from Bangkok—calmer, quieter, and a more nature-connected experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bangkok Spiritual Encounter

Bangkok

We had a full and exciting day, visiting incredible places. Monks, a long boat tour—it felt like we had stepped into another world. It was truly a wonderful start to our trip.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monika has so much patience. I was back and forth about everything and a terrible bother to her. She took it all in stride and eased all my concerns with a practiced ease. She thought of EVERYTHING. It was wonderful to have such a detailed plan with the perfect amount of freedom/flexibility built in. A wonderful balance of fast and slow.

Kimkim did a great job pairing us up with Monika. Having everything available on the app once we arrived was very useful as well.

Hotel Reviews

PurePod Central Otago (Taima)

Authenticity & Character

Is it inside, is it outside? You don’t really know. The artistry of it is incredible. It’s the epitome of outdoor luxury. And the food hamper was absolutely delicious.

Location

Complete privacy in a beautiful and open area. Central Otago is a place I want to return to as well.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was spotless and clean. Every little luxury was thought of. There Wes even rain gear at the car park to keep you dry for the walk up.

Shakespeare B&B

Te Anau

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean but not very comfortable. The walls were too thin (I heard the neighboring room’s conversations) and the bed was a bowl.

Wanaka Springs Lodge

Wanaka

Very cute and comfortable place.

Authenticity & Character

I loved the lawn and the deck area. It created a sense of oasis.

Location

Staff

I never met any of the staff but I wasn’t put off by that at all. It was weird to have people doing lawn maintenance well before checkout though. It ruined any feeling of privacy since there is the giant sliding glass door. I’m not sure how regular of an occurrence that is though.

Cleanliness & Comfort

I really appreciated the heat lamps as well as the overall layout in the bathroom.

Mt Cook Lodge & Motels

Canterbury

It was a hotel. Nothing special and that’s okay.

Authenticity & Character

This place had no character and the rooms were poorly laid out.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The shower floor didn’t drain well so the water went up around the toilet in just a couple minutes. Then there was no bathroom fan so the room smelled like musty toilet water the whole time we were there. Also, they maintain control of he thermostat at the front desk so when we woke up cold in the middle of the night we had to call to negotiate upping the room temps.

The Grange Boutique B & B and Motel

Christchurch

The people running this B&B were so kind and welcoming! I’m incredibly grateful for their patience dealing with our disoriented, jet lagged selves.

Authenticity & Character

The antiques were gorgeous and they added something special to the place you wouldn’t get anywhere else.

Location

There are so many options within walking distance for fun things to do and places to eat.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Headwaters Eco Lodge - Glenorchy

Glenorchy

I really don’t know how to describe the level of this place. Their sustainability efforts are remarkable, the staff are a joy to be around and the food was delectable. Absolute favorite of all the places we stayed.

Authenticity & Character

Their efforts are something you just need to see for yourself. They put a lot of work into this place and it shows.

Location

Glenorchy is a cute little town and the possibilities for adventure there are endless.

Staff

Everyone was genuinely kind and seemed just as happy to be there as the guests.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bedding was extra soft and the lighting gave the room the perfect level of coziness.

Activity Reviews

Big Sky Stargazing -outdoor stargazing tour

Aoraki / Mount Cook Village

Our stargazing tour in Mt Cook was surprisingly spectacular. We actually dropped it from our trip and re-added it after more consideration. It turned out to be one of our favorite activities. The guides were knowledgeable and fun to interact with. It was truly a surreal experience I’d recommend to anyone and everyone.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The amount of knowledge our guide has was astounding. I could have stayed another 2 hours and just listened to him explain things. On top of that he had a wonderful sense of humor so I was often warmed from within by laughter.

Banks Track 3 days- 2 nights option - first day

New Zealand

The Banks Track was a delight! It felt like walking through several different worlds. We did the quicker paced option which was a perfect taste of the area. I’d love to return for a full meal…or 2…or 3.

Quality of Experience

The views are stunning. The huts are well loved and eclectic.

We had an amazing trip to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Bangkok. Everything was so well-arranged by Ashley our travel agent in Hanoi. Drivers picked us up on time with excellent guides to show us the sites in each country. The hotels selected by Ashley were top-notch. The activities were both interesting and enjoyable. I highly recommend Ashley and her team.

Hotel Reviews

The Salil Hotel Riverside - Bangkok

Bangkok

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

We asked for a refund since we didn't have hot water for showers and they would not cooperate.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cold showers!

Satri House

Beautiful old hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Needs better signage in the hotel. Difficult to find your way around the hotel.

Treeline Urban Resort

Siem Reap

Authenticity & Character

Location

The in town location was perfect. It allowed us to explore Siem Reap easily.

Staff

Super friendly and nice.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hôtel des Arts Saigon - MGallery Collection

Ho Chi Minh City

Authenticity & Character

Great breakfast.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Moire Hoi An, Vignette Collection

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bhaya Soul Cruise

Hanoi

This was a beautiful boat with great food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Oriental Jade Hotel

Hanoi

Authenticity & Character

Great breakfast.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Mandalao Elephant Conservation

Luang Prabang

Great way to see the elephants in their natural environment. No exploitation here.

Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus Show

Siem Reap

Excellent show. Good evening activity.

Full day Angkor sightseeing and Ta Prohm temple

Siem Reap

Great site and great guide.

Cycling in Cam Thanh & Thanh Dong Organic Farm Visit

Vietnam

Very interesting and well done.

Bhaya Soul - Exclusive Wellness Series (Day 1)

Ha Long Bay

Beautiful boat with a great staff.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoa Lu And Tam Coc Exploration

Vietnam

Too much traffic getting there and back.site was crowded.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Too much traffic.

Highlight of Hanoi Full-Day City Tour - Exploring Vietnamese Culture & History

Hanoi

Minh was a great guide.

VIP Fast Track Service

Vietnam

Let me start by saying how wonderful Marcela was. She replied almost immediately to any questions or concerns that we had...no matter what time of day or even on weekends. I can't say enough good things about her! She was sweet, attentive, and friendly whenever we contacted her. Muchas gracias Marcela!

At every hotel we stayed at, the staff was courteous and accommodating. The hotel properties were lovely. Breakfasts were delicious and so were dinners (when we ate at hotel restaurants.) I have to particularly commend Hotel Simple Patagonia. We arrived there on my husband's birthday and, at dinner, the staff presented him with an absolutely delicious chocolate birthday cake. (I'm sure Marcella was responsible for coordinating that.)

I also want to commend Hotel Ilaia in Punta Arenas. They were very accommodating in holding our luggage after checkout while we went on a city tour. We purchased food while on the tour and the hotel was very gracious in letting us use their dining facilities to eat our meal.

Guides for our excursions all spoke very good English and they were very knowledgable. The only caveat I have, is that some of the guides tended to walk very quickly and the slower walkers sometimes got left behind. And sometimes the guides would start their talks before everyone had caught up.

The planning done by Johanna and Kristy was very helpful, saving us time and aggravation. The logistics done by Kristy during the trip (Johanna became unavailable two weeks before the trip) were also excellent. She always quickly responded to questions or logistical issues and we could contact her at any time when needed. . When, due to previous miscommunication, a few small snafus occurred during our trip to Iguazu falls, Kristy quickly acknowledged the problems and addressed them. She was very helpful , pleasant and professional.

Great trip.!
From planning to implementation everything fell right into place. Any and all our questions were answered promptly and completely. Transfers, accommodation and activities, met or exceeded our expectations. Well done!
Thanks for a great trip!

Hotel Reviews

Awwa Suites & Spa

Buenos Aires

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Morrena Lodge

Torres Del Paine

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Michelangelo

El Calafate

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Senderos Apart & Suites

El Chaltén

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Palermo Food Tour

Buenos Aires

Personable, engaging and knowledgeable guide. Frankie provided a charming journey through the streets of Buenos Aries tasting some of the local treats along the way.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kayaking on Lake Grey and the Grey River

Patagonia

Well organized. Quality equipment. Competent and engaging guides. We were up close and personal with icebergs. Perfect day on the river in an amazing place.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Navigation to the glaciers

El Calafate

Great view of glaciers but a little too much boat time. Hard to hear commentary over the sound system. Crowded on deck

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

on time, comfortable ride, door to door

Family dinner in Calafate

El Calafate

Comfortable, relaxing, charming and welcoming atmosphere. Authentic home cooked meals.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Everything worked like clock work. Making the plan was easy and service and execution to the plan were perfect. Response to the provided emergency number was almost instantaneous. trips are highly customizable and suggestions provided by the team were great. My second trip with Kim Kim and I recommend them to anybody.

Fantastic Trip! Drivers and tour guides were absolutely amazing. The entire trip was turnkey and wouldn't change a thing.

Sharon was incredibly helpful in designing a custom itinerary for us. She kept our budget, interests, and a disability in mind during planning. All was very clear upfront. Highly recommend!

Planning the trip was easy through kimkim.
We had some issues arise during the trip and the team was responsive.

Hotel Reviews

60 Balconies Design

Madrid

Authenticity & Character

Metro stop is Chueqe which is colorful.

Location

Staff

We didn’t see them much, but breakfast was delivered every morning.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa de Triana Luxury Suites by Casa del Poeta

Seville

Such a beautiful space. Our family loved this one the best. Breakfast plentiful. A little bit of a walk to the sites, but we did not mind. We still talk about this place and would definitely stay again!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

El Museo Living & Experience Club Apartments

Málaga

Location is great. It is walking distance to many of the sites.

Authenticity & Character

No

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shower was inviting

Activity Reviews

Toledo Family Experience & Sword-Making Workshop

Madrid

So amazing. We got to hands-on participate in the forging process. The owner of the shop was great as well as our English translator. My favorite part of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Private Electric Tuk-Tuk Adventure

Madrid

It’s a tour of the different neighborhoods in Madrid while on a tuk tuk.

Quality of Experience

Doesn’t give you a lot of history

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Historic Landmarks Walk

Seville

So much to see! Carlos was a great guide. Our kids enjoyed it too!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Flamenco, City & Tapas Experience

Seville

Yohanna was great! She chose some delicious tapas for us. The flamenco show was amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Old Town Discovery Walk

Málaga

Great history walk from Damian.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Day Trip to Gibraltar

Málaga

Our guide Jose Luis was great! The kids loved it. Beautiful area. We came here because our son really likes aviation, and this is where you can walk across airplane runway for a cool experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Easy trip from Malaga

Nook and Bom provided a wonderful experience! Their deep knowledge of the excursions and the culture provided us with so many memories that will last forever. I would highly recommend the food tour, elephant sanctuary and the temple tours that we took part of.

Kein is the best travel agent I’ve ever worked with and he set the bar so high. I don’t know if I’ll get anybody as good as him again. The trips, the transportation, the excursions were flawless. His attention to detail and responsiveness are unmatched. It’s amazing to be able to travel to a foreign country and not have to worry about anything.

Hotel Reviews

Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort

Phang Nga

Beaches are stunning well worth the trip north. It’s a family hotel so there will be kids running around, but it’s a large area not really in walking distance of anything but a great escape.

My Beach Resort

This is a quiet place in Phuket. The beach sand is good, but it’s rocky when you go out into the ocean. It’s a great area for a family and to get away from the party scene.

Activity Reviews

Similan Islands Discovery with Snorkeling by Speedboat Join-in Activity

Khao Lak

This is very touristy they pack you on a large speedboats and move all around the islands. It feels rushed. Recommend a small tour when possible.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phi Phi Islands With Sunset By Luxury Longtail Boat

Phuket

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Khao Lak Safari – with Elephant bathing

Khao Lak

The elephants sanctuary makes it all worth it

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Juliane was an incredibly knowledgeable guide with over 20 years of experience in Thailand

Transport

Wedding Ceremony On the Beach (Western Style)

Ko Yao Noi

This was an amazing wedding and coordinated gracefully. Flowers were stunning photographer was amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Beu was amazing

Half-day Fishing with Locals (Paradise)

Ko Yao Noi

So much fun. Nis was an amazing guide

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We’re not typically “tour bus” travelers, so we wanted the freedom to explore on our own while still having the support and security of a tour company—and this trip delivered exactly that.
Angel, our contact at Kimkim, arranged everything seamlessly, including hotels, transportation, and local guides in each town we visited. Throughout the journey, Angel stayed in touch, which gave us great peace of mind.
In Tokyo, our guide Koiku was excellent. Not only did they show us many key attractions, but they also taught us how to navigate the subway and train systems, giving us the confidence to explore independently.
The hotels along the way were consistently clean, comfortable, and very welcoming. Traveling by train between destinations was smooth and easy to manage.
In Takayama, our guide Ikue introduced us to off-the-beaten-path spots we never would have discovered on our own. Masa, our driver and guide through the mountains to Kanazawa, was both informative and entertaining, and made the journey truly special by taking us to some lesser-known locations.
In Kanazawa, our guide Ai went above and beyond. She not only provided an excellent tour, but also took us to her favorite restaurant and even helped us make arrangements for an event the following day—on her day off. Truly exceptional service.
Overall, the trip was incredibly well organized and made for a comfortable, stress-free experience. A big thank you to Angel and the Kimkim team—I would absolutely travel with them again on a future adventure.

We had an action packed itinerary for Iceland and we did all that we could. Some of our favorite memories were just seeing the country's landscape and the horses. We did sadly miss snorkeling the Silfra, the Ice Cave and the helicopter ride but there was plenty to do without those. We did run into some bad weather here and there which caused for a stressful driving day so the weather and road app came in very handy.

We loved all of the Lagoons that we visited but the Sky Lagoon was our favorite.

Our Dog sledding adventure was a little anticlimactic but we are glad we did it. Our favorite waterfall area was Hraunfossar and the Lava Cave was cool. I feel like we could have skipped the peninsula tour and made our way towards Vik a little sooner. We hit bad weather on Day 4 which was very stressful. So by the time we got to the National Park we decided to skip the Silfra Snorkel and all that the park had to offer and opted to go to town and have some adult beverages and chat with some locals.

As far as accommodations, the Bubble hotel and the Panorama Glass Lodges were definitely the highlight for us. However, I would suggest you find the Panorama Glass lodge while it is still daylight. Both of the Center Hotels in Reykjavik had bars outside of our window that played loud music until midnight. I would not suggest people stay here if they have an early day the next morning. We were fine with it but I can see where other travelers might not be. Front desk clerks were very helpful.

The snowmobile tour was such a good time. On day 6, we did not make it to Reynisfjara Beach or to the Reynisdrangar columns due to road closure. By the time we got to day 7, we all agreed that we did not have it in us for a 5 hour drive and a 3-4 hour tour so we took the day off and enjoyed our hotel, a game room at another hotel and the town of Vik. I do wish we had made our way to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach and the Ice Caves. I am not sure what to suggest here as this was a super long day. Maybe have people drive closer to the area and stay the night then wake up and do the tours and drive out. I am sad we missed it.

Day 8, there was 100% chance of rain but we did the ATV tour anyway. We did get soaked to the core and froze our booties off but we really enjoyed it. I think if the weather is bad then it is inevitable that you will get wet and be cold but do it anyway. It is a gorgeous view of the beach and ocean. The tour guides were awesome. As a matter of fact, we liked all of the tour guides we encountered: Dog sledding, snow mobile, all of them.

The weather was bad on day 9 with wind gusts up to 45 mph. So sadly, we missed the helicopter tour. We did go to the Sky Lagoon and loved it.

Gudmundur was a great asset to us every day. I really enjoy conversing with him throughout the entire process from planning to our arrival and our departure. He warned us of weather and roads and helped with cancellations and recommendations of where we could go when we skipped our planned activities. The skipping of activities was for sure my lack of planning rest days for my group. He included everything that I asked from the beginning added in all of the exciting things to do and see.

This is my 3rd trip with Kim Kim and it did not disappoint. Iceland was amazing. I would highly suggest it to my friends and family.

The execution of this trip, with many moving parts, was absolutely flawless! They were incredibly responsive and reactive; I cannot recommend their services enough.

Hotel Reviews

El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

Playa Hermosa

The staff seemed a bit lackluster.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rio Celeste Hideaway Resort

Bijagua

Absolutely amazing, our favorite place, especially the yoga and food!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Poas Volcano Lodge

Vara Blanca

The rooms were lovely. I appreciated its boutique feel. The only small issue was that the restaurant prepared the beef ultra rare and did not really fix the issue when asked to do so (another patron appeared to return her steak to the kitchen for the same reason).

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Palo Verde National Park Boat Exploration Hacienda el Viejo

Costa Rica

Short but worthwhile, quite warm though.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

2 Tank Scuba Diving at the Catalina Islands

Costa Rica

There was some confusion re: pick up, but the dive master was great even if the vis was limited (no one's fault obviously).

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night Walk

Bijagua / Rio Celeste

So much night life!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Private Hike

Bijagua / Rio Celeste

This was my favorite activity, loved getting out and hiking in the national park with a private gruide, who was quite knowledgable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Privately Guided Tour at La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Costa Rica

Loved our private tour of this area, our guide was very knowledgable.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our 7-day trip through Iceland with Guðmundur (“Gummi”) was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, Gummi had everything perfectly organized — every detail, from our lagoon visits and glacier hikes to snowmobiling, diving between tectonic plates, ATV adventures, and chasing waterfalls, flowed seamlessly. His personal touch made all the difference: he was always reachable, responsive to every request, and made sure everyone felt comfortable and cared for.
Traveling in March, we even got to witness the breathtaking northern lights — a moment Gummi somehow timed perfectly. You can tell he truly loves what he does; his enthusiasm and professionalism make the experience feel both easy and unforgettable.
If you want to experience Iceland in the best possible way, with someone who’s genuinely on top of every detail, Gummi is the guide to choose. Highly recommend

Just a wonderful trip from beginning to end. The activities provided a variety of sightseeing, cultural awareness, and outdoor activities. In each city, we had local experts as guides who were able to show us all of the fun things to see. The handoff’s at airports were excellent and especially the entry into Vietnam was unbelievably easy. We will definitely consider using KimKim for adventures in the future.

Activity Review

VIP Fast Track Service (including visa application)

Vietnam

One of the most amazing parts of the trip. We didn’t even stop walking as we went through the Hanoi airport and passport control. Our guide took our passports, took care of the entry stamps while we went straight to baggage claim and picked up our bags. We were out of the airport before many of our fellow passengers even cleared passport control.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The tour that was organized by KimKim turned out to be everything we hoped it would be. We took their suggestions on many of the tours and they turned out great-including the Arenal Hanging Bridge tour-Donny was a great guide for us; the EcoTermales Hot Springs Experience in LaFortuna was wonderful. The other highlight of the trip was the early birdwatching at the Curi-Cancha Reserve in Monteverde. Jose did an awesome job there and we got a private tour! All the hotel reservations went well and all the private and bus transportation went without any problems.

Monika was extremely knowledgeable and helpful on our trip. She was more than accessible when we needed her help.

Aotearoa was stunning and many of the options she gave us, provided life long memories that we will carry with us.

It made the whole experience perfect, and easy to navigate!

Just returning from an incredible 10 day family trip to Ecuador and Galápagos Islands.
Our planning for this trip started with Alvaro, who worked tirelessly planning a trip that would appeal to all ages and abilities.
The communication with so many “moving parts” , was outstanding!
A short time before our trip was going to start, Alvaro introduced us to Ibeth, who was our contact person until we touched ground back in Canada. I’m not sure if she actually sleeps, because she responded instantly with all questions and requests! We met her on a video call before leaving which was very helpful for all.
Our guides in each and every stop were knowledgeable, kind and extremely flexible with our requests. True professionals!
Matteo, in Quito, communicated to Fabricio in San Cristobal that our youngest granddaughter was showing signs of altitude sickness, so that he was aware and offered a stop at a pharmacy if needed.
Fabricio was so passionate and knowledgeable at the breeding station.
Gabriel, on Isabella Island was the very same when it came to our snorkeling adventures as well. Gabriel was also able to obtain a missing suitcase for our 11 year old- so she didn’t miss out on our snorkel trip - he really came through for us!
As you can see, there is a theme here- kudos to James, Phillipe and Andreas as well!
Our accommodations were perfect for our family- small, family run hotels, with good breakfasts in the am and locations to restaurants, beaches, etc, were excellent.
Thanks to all that made this a once in a lifetime trip for our entire family!

Hotel Reviews

Plaza Luna Suites

Puerto Ayora

This is a gem!! Lovely, quaint accommodations, locally owned and with a history to go with it! Rooms were perfect with amenities well thought out. Breakfast on the terrace was a lovely way to start the day. Beach towels provided, unlimited filtered water and location couldn’t be better

Authenticity & Character

Authentic- but updated so well!

Location

Right on the Main Street, but you didn’t know it until you walked out of the high gate - all right there!

Staff

Delilah (owner) greeted us in a very personal way, learning about her family and their role in th Galápagos Islands. Us

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lovely- even a small communal kitchen area where we used the dishes for a take out dinner one night.

Albemarle

Puerto Villamil

The picture…is exactly the way it looks outside our room - but I would recommend requesting an exterior room. That being said - all the rooms were spacious and clean.

Authenticity & Character

The small pool and gardens were lovely and the rooftop pool view was stunning!

Location

Perfect- on a quiet sandy road - steps away from town!

Staff

Excellent- because of the island holiday celebrations, she warned us of noise/music that would go on quite late and offered ear plugs proactively!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beach towels and robes provided

SeaSide Hotel

Galapagos

This was a quaint hotel - very quiet - perfect location to local beach and to town as well. It was perfect for a family stay with a small pool outside our door. Breakfast was home cooked and the “honour” fridge was really convenient with soft drinks and beer.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to local Beach and restaurants and stores, but secluded.

Staff

Provided towels and bag breakfasts for early morning trips.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The air conditioning worked well

EB Hotel by Eurobuilding Quito

Quito

Relaxing, accommodating hotel! We spent three nights total and we found that staff were very helpful and professional! We were able to store a bag for our return and they found an e-book that was left in the safe! Their complimentary breakfast was 5 Star! My only criticism would be the lack of a wine list - very little choice, considering the abundance of South American wines.

Authenticity & Character

I wouldn’t say it’s authentic decor- but the local roses in the lobby were unbelievable!

Location

Good location for airport - not great for exploring around unless with a taxi.

Staff

Covered in initial review

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Wildlife Encountering at Lobos Island - Family Activities

Isla San Cristóbal

This involves a boat ride and a stop at Lobos where we hiked about an 1 1/2 hours - we couldn’t believe our eyes being able to see the male frigate birds with their red expanded breasts hoping to be picked by a female. Also, blue footed boobies, iguanas, baby frigates.

Quality of Experience

The mating Frigates!

Food

Local restaurant - great food!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very helpful, but there was really no alternative to not have to walk on the unstable rocks.

Transport

Unforgettable Day Trip to Bartolome Island

Puerto Ayora

Our last full day in Galapagos and it couldn’t have been more enjoyable! Our family of 8 and 6 others gave us lots of space on a lovely cabin cruiser - with great staff and a delicious lunch!

Quality of Experience

Our skipper was skilled and the ride was smooth and relaxing

Food

A delicious full hot lunch! Very tasty- with a cash bar !

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Philippe was a wealth of information! And for those that did not want to walk up to the top, a zodiac ride around the island - pointing out a baby penguin, baby sea lions and many varieties of sea birds!

Transport

Safe and relaxing

Exclusive Experience at The Agave Route in the Middle of the World!

Quito

This was our second time to visit - bringing family this time…very cool experience for all ages - during the tasting, our 11 and13 yr old in the group was able to participate as well - with non alcoholic agave tastings.

Quality of Experience

The bartender was the same person as last year and he makes it all very fun during the cocktail making.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

As stated

Transport

Safe and prompt

Visit Intiñan Museum

Quito

Great guides - super experience!

Quality of Experience

The guide!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide!

Transport

Good driver