Kimkim Trip Reviews

This was an amazing Costa Rican adventure. Thank you Kim Kim and Seredipendity! Everyone was friendly and kind and on time, if not early for all our activities. And the lodging suited our style and budget.

Back in 2019, when Olman first started working on our trip, he initially told us that we'd be able to get our deposit back because of Covid 19 closing down travel. But, unlike other trips we had booked for this time, KimKim wouldn't allow us to get a refund, so he had to retract this. We couldn't travel within a year, so we lost our travel insurance too. I would have given 5 star on booking had it not been for this, in addition to close to an hour wait at La Paz Gardens because reception could not verify we had paid for entry. The manager said he tried KimKim emergency number, but there is discrepency on accuracy of this from travel agent. But, other than that, all drivers and tours happened as outlined. Olman listened to my request for high end accommodations, and we were not disappointed. The Hotel Belmar Orchid room was astounding. It has several flights of stairs but valets carried luggage. It was our favorite place to stay. Every hotel had English speaking staff and very friendly. Makenda by the Sea is hillside, and just warn future bookers that if you can't walk steep stairs or walkways, you must ask for a golf cart driver (which is readily available) and the private beach is only available by resort transportation and not a very safe place to swim. It is also skewed to young honeymooners, which is just an ambience observation. The resort really has no walkable paths to Manuel Antonio or Quepos, so dependent on taxis. As beautiful of a resort it is, it felt a bit confining. Minor issues in the scheme of things. We had no problem with any of our tour guides, but the venues were teaming with visitors because of high season and it did detract from the beauty at times. All the guides love Costa Rica and want to share their homeland with others. Our airport drivers were on time and polite. My husband spoke a little Spanish which was invaluable especially on the ride back to San Jose. Just a shout out for the airport hotel I chose to stay at: Fairfield by Marriott airport hotel. I would recommend it to your future Kim Kim travelers. Rooms appear newer, shuttle bus timely every 30 min to airport, and hotel buffet breakfast better than most chains. Across the street are 3 restaurants, which receptionist recommended Peruvian restaurant Aji Limon. Low key and owner speaks English. Very decent considering location! Takes credit cards, and American dollars. Although the traffic was at times terrible and tours were crowded, it was to be expected at high season. At no point did we feel unwelcomed. The road situation made us so grateful for private drivers. Thanks to Olman for his patience, answers to all my questions, and politeness. His itinerary was a great introduction to Costa Rica.

Ruth was terrific to work with. Ruth worked with me patiently, though a number of options as to number of days for the trip; cities to visit; areas and activities to pursue. Every itinerary, including the final version aligned with our interests and priorities. Upon completing our 16 day trip, it is evident Ruth knows the areas we visited and created a unique experience I could not have accomplished on my own. Her local knowledge of Australia was invaluable.

Hotel Reviews

Hyatt Regency Sydney

Sydney

We upgraded our Room to a Harbor view . That was well worth the cost of the upgrade , from a bland any big city office building view to one overlooking the beautiful and bustling Darling Harbor . The roof top bar is a must with a stunning view of Darling Harbor with great cocktail and small bite food options. Loved the vibe . The breakfasts were excellent , combining a huge selection of options from various buffet stations with a choice to have made to order omelettes and Eggs Benedict . Bonus mimosas or Champaign included. The rooms were clean and bed very comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Location made it easy to access most areas of downtown Sydney with less that a 20 min walk or Uber ride

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

We requested for our room to receive housecleaning after erroneously indicating we did not need it , but they did not clean or refresh our room for another 24 hours and on,y then after a second request . Once they did refresh the room it was perfectly clean . The bed was very comfortable .

Freycinet Lodge

Coles Bay

Our upgraded room was amazing , with a private view of the granite mountains ( the Hazards) and an outside secluded bath . A nice perk is that everything in the mini bar and fridge was included in the room rate - no extra charges. The location was also unique , inside the National Park , affording easy access to hiking to overlooks with stunning views and access to a number of white sand beaches with pristine waters , with very few fellow beach goers. Excellent breakfasts. We liked the bistro for dinner - it seemed a better value and the food was great. The property has a beautiful expansive deck overlooking Cole’s Bay . An added plus - the lodge as free laundry facilities.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The only Hotel / Lodge located in the National Park . Stunning sunsets every night over Cole’s Bay

Staff

Especially Steffi she was so friendly and accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were spotless and thoroughly refreshed during our stay

Stewarts Bay Lodge

Port Arthur

A Washer / dryer are in the cabins which was very helpful . A Good restaurant is open “on campus” for breakfast and evening dinner . This is helpful as there are limited dining options in port Arthur . The cabins have a full kitchen so dinning in is also an option. Check the hours and days the restaurant is open as they can be variable. There is a beautiful walking path along the waterfront at the lodge that continues to the Port Arthur Historical Site .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to the Port Arthur Historical Site and the meeting point for the Wilderness cruise

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

MACq 01 Hotel

Hobart

Probably the best hotel we have ever stayed in. The spacious rooms, views of Hobart Harbor, the super friendly and helpful staff , sumptuous breakfasts, and overall vibe made this our favorite hotel on our trip.

Authenticity & Character

We loved how so much Hobart and Tasmanian history is infused into the hotel and our stay experience.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vibe Hotel

Melbourne

Well appointed room in a great central location with a beautiful view. Great breakfasts as well!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Look for a higher room with a river view .

Staff

Responsive . Expecially the waitstaff - especially Lucy . Friendly front desk staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hobart Harbour Kayaking

Hobart

A great way to get some exercise, see the City of Hobart from the water and have a fish and chips snack right from the kayak! .Our tour guide, Kane was wonderful. We felt safe , even while navigating the busy waters of the port.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kane our guide was great !

Transport

N/A as we walked to the beach

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Night Visit

Hobart

One of the best wildlife tours we have ever experienced . What makes this unique is that this is a rescue shelter so the wildlife is here either as their only resort due to injury or human abandonment or in a state of rehabilitation to be returned to their natural habitat. The early evening is a wonderful time to tour as for many of the animals this is their natural feeding time. This is also a semi private tour that has limited participants , otherwise closed to the public. One gets close to the kangaroos, wombats, ichybnas( our favorite) , 110 year old cockatoo (Fred) , and of course Tasmanian devils. Bono-Lou our tour guide was fantastic.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bono-Lou our guide was wonderful . She is clearly passionate about the animals and loves her work.

Transport

N/A no transport involved , we drove

Melbourne City & Phillip Island Day Trip with Penguin Parade

Melbourne

A must do . On of the highlights of the trip. The Penguin plus ( upgrade) viewing platform also a must . It is special experience to witness in less than a hour, the 1, 000 plus little blue penguins exiting the surf in unison and marching up the beach dunes to their burrows .

Quality of Experience

It is all about the Penguins

Food

As noted we did not have enough time (30 min) at the stop to order and finish our food before the departure from town . The food did not come for 20 minutes . Though the food was good , We were stuffing it in our mouths and it was not enjoyable . I would skip the food option and go for a quick fish and chips , sushi or pizza or deli.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Long day but the driver (AL) was top notch , funny and went above and beyond . He even stopped to demonstrate boomerang throwing , letting us all give it a try .

Transport

Discover Melbourne by Bike

Melbourne

A wonderful way to see the city and get an initial overview / lay of the land. Dave ( a retired solicitor) our guide was excellent. We felt safe and learned so much about Melbourne. Also what areas to revisit . We loved the lunch stop at Brunnelli’s. The tour ended just in time before the heat of the day was too much.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sydney Opera House Tour

Sydney

A great way to get an overview of the opera house ,and its design and construction while also visiting stunning performance venues within the opera house complex. After the tour I wanted to attend a performance, just to get an actual experience of venue in action. It is a first class tour conducted by a very knowledgeable docent.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent docent

Transport

N/A

Climb the Harbor Bridge

Sydney

A must do . First class treatment all the way . Pete our tour leader was a veteran guide and the best , right out of casting central . My wife is not always comfortable with heights and she did it and loved it.

Quality of Experience

The whole thing

Guides, Drivers and Staff

You can’t beat Pete our guide

Transport

N/A

Sydney Harbour Long Dinner Cruise

Sydney

What a treat ! A wonderful meal and way to tour the harbor from the water .

Quality of Experience

Food

Though there was only one stop vs two as the second place is closed on Sundays , we liked it as this made the dinner stop at Doyle’s longer and more relaxing with a spectacular view of the Sydney skyline in the bacgriud as the sun set . The tour portion of the boat ride continued after dinner for another two hours.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jamie was very helpful

Transport

My only suggestion would be to show the pickup spot on a map . We were not quite sure we were at the right spot and frantically walked the entire length of opera Quay as the boat was not there yet and arrived right at the pickup time , not a minute earlier . Understand as they may only be allowed to bump and run , but as a result a map in addition to the description would have helped .

Tasman Island Wilderness Cruise

Hobart

Fantastic way to see the stunning and rugged Tassie coast. We felt like we were at the end of the earth . Wildlife abounds . We saw albatross up close - what a magnificent bird. Cliffs , caves, an iconic lighthouse and wildlife. What’s not to love !

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guides were righ out of central casting

Transport

Bus ride to and from the dock was comfortable

Half Day Sydney Harbour Bridge Ride (Shared Tour)

Sydney

The best way to get an overview of Sydney . The sandwich lunch was excellent and was included. In addition to the description , we also rode along by the Barangoo Reserve, Sydney Observatory, Darling Harbor , Chinatown , Hyde Park, the Botanical Gardens, along Woolloomooloo bay and Sydney Opera House . Our Tour Guide Ruben was great .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ruben Rocks!

Transport

N/A as we walked to the bike tour start

Full Day Bruny Island Traveler Tour (Shared Tour)

Hobart

Fun tour , we loved all the stops along the way . Yummy artisan food and drink ( cheese , beer, honey, chocolate) . The lunch stop was also excellent . It is a long day but is broken up by several interesting stops as well as a ferry ride each way that helps break it up. The tour guide was terrific. It is a relatively early start so I would build in time for an early breakfast before arriving if one is like me ; a big breakfast person .

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Depart Australia

Australia

Smooth pick up and drop off . We requested a route without tunnels and the driver Miguel was very accommodating. We also request a pick up 30 min later than scheduled and they accommodated.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Miguel was wonderful

Transport

Afternoon Grand Hobart Walk

Hobart

Perfect way to start our Hobart Stay . The center city is compact and walkable with a lot of history. Dave our tour guide was wonderful . He is a history buff and highlighted aspects of Hobart’s history not necessarily generally known. As an example he took us into a Real tennis club ( fascinating to visit ) as he learned of our interest in the Aussie Open . It is clear Dave loves to show off Hobart .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dave is wonderful

Transport

N/A as we walked

Reverse Great Ocean Road Experience

Australia

We loved the twelve apostles and shipwreck cove . Just a gorgeous coastline and beautiful place .

Quality of Experience

Twelve Apostles, shipwreck cove

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was ok

Transport

Evening Food & Wine Walk

Melbourne

The food and wine / beer were extensive, varied and excellent . I rarely post food on social media but I felt compelled to do so in this instance . Our guide Deanna was top notch and a lot of fun too ! Though not an inexpensive tour , it was well worth the cost. A great value .

Quality of Experience

Food

The restaurants and our wonderful food and tour guide Deanna

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked so this Q is N/A

We had the most incredible trip to Guatemala! This tiny country has so much to offer and we only experienced a fraction of it.

Eduardo was amazing, he listened and arranged everything we wanted and more. I said “Acatenango Atitlan Antigua Chichicastenango and Semuc Champey”! Then in a fun tongue in cheek way said, “it would be nice to see a Quetzel!”

Guess what????
He delivered every request including the rare bird! It’s hard to pick a favorite as all were awesome but we all agreed that volcano Fuego erupting and seeing a Quetzel will be the most memorable parts of trip.

Our driver David was wonderful… knowledgeable attentive and we felt safe being driven around the narrow busy hilly roads.

Our guide Rudy was fantastic! He is young but so mature and responsible. He was kind, thoughtful, paid much attention to detail and his sense of humor was very much appreciated.

We have to say that a big part of this trip was not the destination itself but the journey and people we shared it with. Eduardo, David and Rudy and all the beautiful friendly people of Guatemala will be as much a part of our memories as the volcanoes and birds.

Will be recommending this trip to family members and friends!

Mathilde was super responsive to every request. We had to make changes in our planned tours, and she made sure what we needed happened. Paris is dreamy and fun! Mathilde made it easy to show that side to our teenagers!

Hotel Review

Hôtel Lorette - Astotel

Paris

We had two rooms and one was def better than the other. The smaller had a shower curtain instead of door, which makes for a less enjoyable experience. Otherwise location is perfect!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

French Dessert Cooking Class

Paris

Chef Dominique is easy going and funny! This was the best part of our trip! The desserts were simple but delicious! Will show off to our friends our new baking skills!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

My local guides were amazing and very knowledgeable... My family had a very comfortable trip, very well curated by my consultant Doris.

She took care of everything leaving nothing for us to worry about. I had to make a lot of changes to my plan due to unforseen things and doris embraced everything with a smile.

I will highly recommend their service if you want a no hassle trip. Enjoy...

Certain things are priceless. Life constantly throws challenges at you, so it is important to have a tour company as flexible and well-connected as social tours. They were able to change plans for us at a moment's notice. When sickness ravaged us, things were moved around seamlessly. We never had to worry a single time about missing anything or enduring the hassle of reorganizing / rescheduling. More importantly, Social Tours has taught us about responsible tourism. Eco-friendliness, sustainability, community-driven and their people-first values made them stand out from all other travel agencies we ever worked with.

About the tour itself: the walking tours led by Bippin (e.g. Hinduism and Buddhism) as well as the hike with our trekking guide Parbati will always live in our memories as the highlights of Nepal. I have never seen two philosophies and belief systems living so harmoniously side-by-side. Eating freshly grown food while staying with the mountain locals was also a once in a lifetime experience.

I asked Nick to book us a 10 night trip to Malaysia and he did not disappoint. Requested 4 star accommodation and for Nick to arrange a tour in each location ! WOW ! We had an unforgettable journey through Malaysia's vibrant tapestry of culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. We began in the bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, where the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and diverse street food scene await. Great tour of Batu Caves and the city ! Tour guide was very knowledgeable and we had a great time. Then, ventured to the historical streets of Penang, where rich heritage blends seamlessly with mouthwatering local delicacies. Day Trip around Penang, where we visited a nutmeg farm. Ended our adventure in the idyllic paradise of Langkawi, at an amazing beach resort for some downtime ! Great Tour of the Mangroves and the Kilim Geoforest Park. Definitely recommend booking a trip with Nick and the Kim Kim team ! Our trip was seamless from the first pick up at KL Airport, to our last transfer to Langkawi Island. 4 nights KL, 3 Penang and 3 Langkawi - definitely the right time in each location ! Thanks Nick ! Do you have any ideas for our next Trip !

Hotel Reviews

Pelangi Beach Resort

WOW ! WOW ! Great Resort, great location, great staff! We were uppgraded to a Seaview Room - AMAZING !! Great size room, very comfortable and clean and connecting room to our kids !

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Royale Chulan Georgetown

George Town

Great hotel in a great location of Georgetown ! Breakfast was amazing every morning ! Staff were very friendly and helpful, especially the doorman.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Verdant Hill Hotel

Great location for street food markets and walking around the city. Could use a little update on the interior of the building ! Some paint, also the pool deck area was broken.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to the Street Market - Amazing food!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Mangrove Boat Cruise

Langkawi Island

We really enjoyed this tour ! Wasn't sure what to expect but was lots of fun ! We loved the Boat and the driver was amazing ! We saw Otters in the water, Eagles and the Monkeys! Lovely swim at one of the beaches and a nice lunch on the floating deck.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We were picked up at 8.45 and didnt get to the tour until 10.15pm - Was a bit of a drive and collected other people from other hotels and they were not ready on time

Penang (Island Exploration)

Penang

Ricky was a lovely tour guide who drove us around Penang Island. Was great to see the whole island and we especially enjoyed the nutmeg farm and learning about how they use all the nutmeg! Especially liked the nutmeg drink ! Stopped at numerous temples and decided we would spend more time in Georgetown.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bus was a little bit outdated and was a bumpy ride

Kuala Lumpur City Tour & Batu Caves

Kuala Lumpur

Lawrence was a great tour guide! He went out of his way to ensure that we were able to go to Batu Caves. Picked us up an hour earlier than scheduled so we could get to the Cave. It was the day before their big Festival Thaipusum. Was amazing being able to see some of the devotees chanting, and carrying their offerings all dressed in yellow! Then having Marsala Tea for the first time! After Batu Caves Lawrence took us on a city tour and visit to a temple. Loved it ! Would definitely recommend this tour for when you first arrive in KL, it helped get our bearings and see what we wanted to explore further.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Camellia did a nice job planning and executing our trip. Here are a few comments about the itinerary and overall experience of our time in Vietnam.

The eight day trip gave us a great sense of the northern regions of Vietnam. Four destinations in eight days was a bit more ambitious than we might have liked. Since we spent so much time in the van en route to Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, and back to Hanoi, perhaps three destinations rather than four would have been a bit better. The hotels were all nice with pleasant service.

Our guide Hiep was a lot of fun and shared interesting information about the country. Our driver, Mr. Hong, was also very good and helpful. I would say that Hiep tended to be a bit more reactive than proactive in terms of telling us about the culture and history of the country. That said, we enjoyed our time with him.

We found that a couple of the activities didn't quite map to the description. The "food tour" in Hanoi as described didn't happen. We sat down to eat at one location for Bun Cha, then walked around the neighborhood without stopping to taste or learn about different kinds of foods. By the end, we had a chance to have Bahn Mi, but were tired and by that point and just returned to the hotel after coffee (and didn't learn anything about egg coffee, as an example of something that was described in the write up, but never happened). By comparison, a food tour we did through Kim Kim in the Netherlands included about seven different spots to try seven different dishes and learn about them. Also, the bike rides were more challenging than expected so Carla didn't have a good experience. I have more experience cycling so they were fun for me.

The food was all good and we particularly enjoyed the opportunity to make spring rolls in a home in Hanoi. We appreciate Camellia's and Hiep's efforts to explain Carla's food allergies at all of the meals to keep her safe.

Overall, we enjoyed our time in Vietnam and are grateful for the different experiences that were organized for us.

We used Active India to organize our trip to Kerala. The trip was wonderful. Ravi did a great job planning the trip to cover all the highlights of the area. Our driver, Pramod, was excellent. His expertise of the country and driving skills made the trip stress free. He coordinated all the guides at each location and made sure we met them at the appointed place and was always waiting for us when we were done. The car was roomy, comfortable and always clean. The accommodations' were top notch. Each destination had something special and unique to offer. In addition, Pramod offered additional suggestions of things to do in our "spare" time. We would highly recommend Active India.

Bill and I had an absolutely wonderful time on our trip to CR. Your choices of places to stay, tours and adventures were well thought out and exactly what we had hoped for. We did many tours and experiences. Don’t remember all the guides but Daniel at Turrialba volcano was knowledgeable and a pleasure! Steven for bird watching amazing. And our catamaran trip and visit to the Corcovado NP with Bahía tours and Adventires was a highlight. We can’t say enough about Serendipity’shelp and as a resource when we needed it! Thank you so much. Cr is a beautiful country with amazingly friendly people everywhere we went! So kind and helpful! We loved all of it!
We will definitely plan other trips with your company! Your professionalism and attention to individual requests, and ease in communication made the trip so enjoyable!
Thank you so very much! Pura Vida!
Anna and william

Hotel Reviews

Hotel de Montaña Suria

San Gerardo de Dota

Probably one of our favorites!

Authenticity & Character

Location

The setting was absolutely gorgeous!

Staff

Can’t say enough about how wonderful the staff was!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vista Ballena

Ballena

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casitas Tenorio

Upala, Alajuela

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Luna Hotel & Spa

La Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Espadilla Gardens Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ficus Sunset Suites

Monteverde

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Studio Hotel

San José

Clean friendly staff accompdationg

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Turire

Turrialba

Wonderful accommodation in a beautiful setting

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit to the Monteverde Orchid Gardens

Monteverde

Quetzal Tour

San Gerardo de Dota

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coopedota Coffee Tour

San Gerardo de Dota

Whale Watching & Wildlife Spotting Boat Trip in Marino Ballena National Park

Costa Rica

Catamaran Adventure from Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Guided Nature Walk at Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus

Costa Rica

Birdwatching Tour at CATIE Botanical Garden

Turrialba

Night Hike in the Forest

Arenal/La Fortuna

One of our favorites. The guide and the property were AMAZING

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hike Turrialba Volcano

Turrialba

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Daniel

This was a return trip to Indonesia after a 10 year hiatus. We have been to Indondesia many, many times. I had not used or heard of KimKim before and so was a bit suspect and cautious, as it turns out, for no reason. I would recommend KimKim and Ana (at Shanti travel). Ana was extremely helpful in the planning of the trip. She was available for telephone consultations and created 4 different versions before we finalized the itinerary in order to accommodate each and all of our wishes. When I discovered errors in the plan she corrected them, and was available to us when we were on route. This does not mean that you as the traveller can abdicate responsibility for your travel details. There were changes in flights and times that I had to chase to ensure that we had the correct time. Ana was helpful throughout. We actually met with her in person when we were in Bali.
I was thrilled that each and all of our transfers worked. At each airport/train station/hotel (and there were lots of them) when a driver was supposed to pick us up they were there on time with a sign and /or my correct name and an appropriate vehicle. Drivers were careful and pleasant. Agung in Bali was particularly good.
With regard to the trip itself, the Kalimantan leg up the river to be with the Orangutans was wonderful. The Klotok was uber posh in an "out of Africa' glamorous way with a skilled knowledgeable naturalist guide, excellent cook, Captain and crew. We were happy to be a bit off the beaten path with our particular guide and while Camp leaky is not what it was 15 years ago i am glad to have made the trek again.
Other highlights: Paddling and hiking in the jungle with the naturalist in Munduk. Biking the rice paddies in Ubud. Making lunch the traditional way - starting by grinding the rice, and cooking over an open fire in the rice paddies. Temples on Java are well controlled now for good reason (too many people) but still fascinating as is Bromo. Lovina is beautiful and quiet and the drive over the mountains is spectacular.
Disappointments: 1.Not being able to get out to the Komodo islands as they closed the park because of weather. Ana was great in the rerouting. 2.In the rainy season in Indo the beaches are FULL of garbage as it flows down the rivers and into the ocean and onto the beaches. They have to be cleaned everyday or it is like walking through a landfill. When they are cleaned they are lovely. 3.We would give a hard pass on Jimbaran. Beach filthy, even in front of restaurants and beach clubs no one was cleaning the beach. The seafood dinner on the beach was pathetic. Did it 10 years ago and it was good - now it was really not edible and was stupidly expensive.
Overall: Indonesia has a LOT of people and a LOT of tourists and LOTs of traffic in populated areas. It is a fascinating country both culturally, historically and geographically. We love it. Go if you can and be confident getting Ana and KimKim to help you plan.

The guides and drivers were all very welcoming and knowledgeable. Each guide had different perspectives of Vietnam in general, which I appreciated. I especially enjoyed our visit to Mai Chau and Pa Co. Having lunch with a Mường family was a highlight for me. The homestay in Mai Chau, although chilly, was an experience. Our host provided nice, warm comforters and her meals were delicious. Kayaking in Halong Bay was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure as was bicycling from Hoi An to An Bang beach. Getting to see how the people live along the Mekong River and Mekong Delta was fascinating.

James and Kimkim were incredible. Our 3 week trip throughout Spain and a short 3 days in Lisbon went seamlessly. I am in the process of booking another trip through them. . Cannot say enough good!

We spent most of our time with the best guide ever, Lucas, who took great care of us and helped us get the most out of everything. The drivers were great and our Guide, Mario, at Tikal was very knowledgeable and interesting. Overall, a great trip in spite of landslides on the highway and illness because our guides and drivers were in the ball.

We took a 2-week trip to New Zealand planned especially for us by kimkim. NZ is big and spread out- very overwhelming for first-timers to plan where, when and how. Kimkim knew all the best things to do based on our interests and we stayed in great hotels, saw amazing things and had fabulous adventures. We saw and did things we might have overlooked if we’d been on our own- and we loved it all! I never knew I’d get so excited gazing at a newly hatched kiwi chick- but it was thrilling to see a bird that is slowly being brought back from near extinction. Have you ever held a chunk of an iceberg? Taken a trip on a coal-fired tramp steamer? Gasped at the beauty of unspoiled mountains and mirror clear lakes? Swung on the world’s largest swing (70m drop, 300m swing)? Slathered yourself with silky smooth volcanic mud? We did all that and more.
Checklist for my next vacay:
Passport ✔️ Visa✔️ Contact kimkim✔️

Hotel Reviews

The Hotel Britomart

Auckland

One of, if not the, most fabulous hotels I've ever stayed in! Absolutely beautiful. The bath & body products in the room are soooo nice I bought some to take home. I took pix of the shower so I can remodel mine like theirs- I loved the rough hewn herringbone tile, the shelf instead of a niche, and the horizontal drain, just in case you're curious what I found so special in a hotel shower! I hated to leave. I'll def stay here the next time I'm in Auckland.

The White Morph - Heritage Collection

Kaikoura

Darling beachy hotel.

The Hermitage Hotel

Mount Cook Village

Historic hotel. My room had a breathtaking view of Mt. Cook. Staff is great- the chef was circulating the buffet & showed me how to eat a green-lipped mussel & explained the bigger mussels are female & sweeter, smaller ones are male & not as sweet (I couldn't tell a difference in taste).

Hotel Ibis Rotorua

Not my favorite, old & dated. There is a Novotel next door that looked much nicer. Great location though, 5 minute walk to bars & restaurants.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

AJ Hackett Nevis Swing

Queenstown (NZ)

Loved it! Not as scary as bungee jumping with a rope.

Glacier Explorers - Mount Cook

Aoraki / Mount Cook Village

Pretty amazing! One of the few places in the world where a glacier feeds into a lake - and the lake is accessible!

Visit the Te Papa Museum

Wellington

Fabulous museum! Don't miss the preserved giant squid. The Gallipoli exhibit (think of it as New Zealand's Dunkirk) is absolutely incredible.

Redwoods - Nightlights

Rotorua

It was tons of fun walking across narrow suspension bridges high in the treetops in the dark by the glow of beautiful lanterns.

National Kiwi Hatchery Tour

Rotorua

I'm not into birds at all but the hatchery was very interesting, it was thrilling to see newly hatched kiwi chicks and learn how this unique bird is being brought back from near extinction.

Milford Sound Full-Day Adventure

Queenstown (NZ)

Unfortunately we had to drive back instead of fly back because of weather. Our flight was promptly refunded. I'm sure it's spectacular from the air...

TSS Earnslaw Farm Tour & Dinner

Queenstown (NZ)

Interesting coal-fired tramp steamer ride. Best buffet of the trip! Sheep shearing with Quinn and his dog Mist was fun.

Shotover River Canyon Jet Boat Ride

Queenstown (NZ)

Don't miss this! It would NEVER be allowed in the USA. A very hairaising ride- at times I thought we'd for sure crash into the canyon walls or flip on rocks in the river but the boat driver was very good.

Swim with the Dolphins Tour

Kaikōura

Where else can you swim with hundreds of dolphins in the OPEN OCEAN??

Hells Gate - Hell's Gate Experience (Geothermal Walk, Mud Bath, Sulphur Spas)

Rotorua

Don't miss a dip in the mud baths. The mud is luxuriously silky smooth. Listen to their instructions- they said don't wear jewelry for 48 hrs afterward, it will tarnish. I scoffed. I was wrong- see photo of the sterling silver earrings I put on that evening! They polished up nicely once I got home, however.

Te Pō - Indigenous Evening Experience

Rotorua

The Māori are a proud people, eager to share their heritage with outsiders. I was afraid the show would be touristy and cheesy, but it definitely was not!

Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise

Auckland

It was by sailboat not motorboat, which was extra special. The commentary was really interesting- we sailed right by the entire New Zealand navy, 8 boats, one with a gun! The crew was great. Meal was a bit strange, served in bowls, but the guys were so enthusiastic it was a fun excursion.

This is a review of an 6-day trip to Peru for an adult couple from the United States.

Summary ratings:
Travel specialist (Pilar): 5/5
KimKim platform: 4.5/5
Adherence to Itinerary: 5/5
Quality of local guides: 5/5
Lodging: 5/5
Overall Value: 5/5

As you can see from the ratings, we had a very positive experience with our trip arranged by KimKim. We used to plan our own trips and made our own itineraries to places like England, Greece and Japan in the past. We really enjoyed that ability to do what we wanted to do but it was a lot of work. We decided to try out a service like KimKim to see if we can still get a "personalized" itinerary but let someone else do the hard legwork.

Overall, the KimKim platform was very good. We filled out a detailed survey which helps them gauge what the traveler's preferences are and that helps them plan an itinerary to suit the individual traveler. They then come up with a proposed itinerary. We also did a little research and came up with a couple of places not on the original itinerary, and they were very flexible and easily incorporated our requests into the itinerary. The only drawback on the KimKim platform was when there were a couple of changes made and the platform did not keep up in a timely manner, which led to a little confusion. Our travel specialist was very helpful in clearing up any confusion arising from the website platform.

Our travel specialist Pilar did an excellent job working with us to personalize our travel experience. Our original plan was to visit the Galapagos Islands, but schedules did not work out with what we wanted to do, so Plan B was to explore Quito, the highlands of Ecuador, Cotopaxi and then fly to Cusco and make our way to Machu Picchu. However, a national emergency in Ecuador made us change our plans again, and we then made the trip exclusively for Peru as Plan C. On short notice, Pilar worked tirelessly with us to come up with a new itinerary that suited our needs. She was very responsive to questions, and readily available by phone or email.

We spent 3 nights in Cusco and visited the city, the local ruins in Sacsayhuana, the surrounding salt terraces of Maras and the agriculture terraces of Moray. Absolutely loved the city and all of the tours. Our guide Carlos was very informative and engaged, and sprinkled his discussions with lots of history and little bits of politics. At our request, Carlos took us to a local's market where we saw what the local population ate, wore, and shopped for. We saw stalls with over 20 different potato varieties, different exotic fruits and salted alpaca meat. The shopping was cheaper and better than in Lima. I bought an alpaca sweater and my wife purchased a couple of beautiful jewelry pieces at probably half the price we would have paid in the US.

We also visited Machu Picchu (MP) on a full day tour (i.e. - 4 hours). Since the pandemic, the Peruvian government has limited the amount of time visitors can spend at the site. We took Circuit 2, which is the longest circuit and the one that is probably the most comprehensive of all of the 4 or 5 circuits available to tour. Our guide Antonieta was fabulous. So very informative and with a dry sense of humor. She was also an excellent photographer, and we got pictures that we would never have gotten if we did not have her knowledge and help. MP certainly lived up to its billing as one of the new Wonders of the World. Just an impressive archeological site and with an equally fascinating story. Would recommend to anyone with interests in history, engineering, and the outdoors.

We ended our trip with a night in Lima and a city tour the following day. Lima is a bustling city of 11 million people. We stayed in Miraflores, which is the touristy (and safer) part of Lima. We strolled around the Larcomere shopping center, which reminded me of a high-end shopping mall in the US. We enjoyed the city tour comprising tours of the Lima Cathedral, the Aliaga house and the Larco Museum (lots of Inca and pre-Inca artifacts).

The hotels arranged by KimKim were all excellent. Our local tours and guides were provided by Lima Tours.
Transportation pickups were punctual, and the vans were clean and air-conditioned, which was a necessity in hot and humid Lima in February. It was such a pleasure to be picked up and dropped off at various sites and not have to worry about arranging transportation.

The food in Peru was excellent and above my expectations. We had breakfast buffets at the hotels and then usually had lunch or dinner on our own. The breakfast buffets are all full buffets, and on par with what you expect at 4-star hotels in the US. On our own, we tried the local fare like Andean trout, lomo saltado, alpaca tenderloin and yes, even cuy (sorry, squeaker). My wife still raves about the quinoa salad and Andean soup from Chull's in Cusco, and I had the alpaca tenderloin there (would rate 9/10). People talk about how Peruvian food is ascendant on the world stage, and I would wholeheartedly agree.

Overall, we had a fabulous time in Peru, and owe much of that to the itinerary and arrangements made through Pilar, Lima Tours and KimKim.

This was the first time we used KimKim, and we were impressed by the experience and will definitely use them again on our next adventure.

The overall trip was wonderful. The hotels were superb with one exception. The hotel near the beach at the end segment of the beach was less than.. The staff was fabulous and consistently put forth a strong effort.However...the hotel needs a significant renovation and VAST improvement of the food servoce. The breakfast was ok but the dinners we had were sorely lacking in quality. Such a disappointment compared to the other hotels in which we stayed.

Also, in the itinerary, the tours failed to indicate that they were only 2 to three hours long..not a full day. I think this clarification is important to your clients as it is now written in a somewhat deceptive manner.While the guide for the volcano tour was excellent..the tour per se is weak in that travelers are not allowed to reach the peak of the volcano.

For these reasons, I will have to book elsewhere in the future.

Hotel Reviews

Hilton Garden Inn, La Sabana

San José

Very good breakfast...nice room...easy check in

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton

San José

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel San Bada Resort & Spa

Manuel Antonio

OUTDATED...food needs sign ificant improvement...wonderful staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Travel to Arenal - Doka Coffee Tour

Costa Rica

Excellent tour

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

San José City Tour

San José

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

El Silencio Volcano Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Excellent tour guide but unable to reach the peak due to local regulations.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The entire KimKim team was excellent in every respect. Effective and flexible planning before our departure. Fulsome information about the properties where we would be staying, which turned out to be accurate. The guides were all knowledgeable, patient, kind and attentive. Overall a fabulous trip, for which we owe our thanks to the KimKim team.

We enjoyed our time in Costa Rica very much. Gustavo ‘s plans took us from the ocean into the rain forest… we loved seeing two such different areas. We also really enjoyed the different accommodation in each place, from bungalow to container to glamping tent. The tours and guides were fabulous. We were picked up on time and the guides were so knowledgeable. We could never have seen so much or learned so much on our own. We enjoyed all of the tours but two that were exceptional were the tour of the animal rehabilitation centre and the Costa Rican cooking class. These should be on everyone’s agenda. Thank you for such a fantastic trip to Costa Rica!

Hotel Review

Arenal Glamping

La Fortuna, Alajuela Province

We enjoyed Arenal glamping very much. The “tents” were luxurious with lovely hardwood floors, comfortable beds, air conditioning and my favorite feature, the deck off the back of the tent in the rain forest where you could see birds flitting about. The pool and area are impeccably maintained. Breakfasts were delicious with a variety of options. We used the barbecue several times. When we stayed here we didn’t have a car, but because Arenal Glamping is a 25 minute walk into La Fortuna to get groceries or to go to a restaurant, it’s best suited to people who have a car.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Volunteer Experience

Arenal/La Fortuna

This tour was the highlight of our trip to Costa Rica. We really enjoyed seeing and learning about the animals.

Quality of Experience

The guide was so knowledgeable and interesting

Food

The meals at the Little Farm were great.. from farm to table, plus as we ate there were so many birds to see! A real bonus!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They were all so friendly, punctual and informative

Transport

On time, comfortable and air conditioned