Kimkim Trip Reviews

Fantastic experience using KimKim! I wasn’t sure what to think of KimKim, so looked them up on BBB and they are a highly rated legit company. Kelly, our local specialist, organized our entire trip to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, Thailand. She was thoughtful in understanding what kind of trip we were looking for (part culture, adventure/nature, and relaxation time) and proposed several options, and then tweaked them with our input. We landed on our personalized perfect mix. And wow, the hotels we stayed at were GORGEOUS, and the staff very professional. We appreciated the amazing beds, given the jet lag, and the refreshing pools.
The people that she arranged as our guides at each location (Bangkok - Paul; Chiang Mai - Noi; Phuket -Jerry and his team) were all so nice, knowledgeable, and responsive on What’sApp - and all spoke really good English. All the pick-ups and drop-offs were easy and carefree. Special shot-outs to Paul who navigated us through Bangkok during Chinese New Year (OMG, so many people and so much food!) and Noi for her personalized care and accommodating our wishes ad hoc. Will miss you!

Bespoke India Holidays and specifically Jay were great to work with. During the planning process they had great communication both via email and phone to discuss our trip and achieve our budget. All tour guides and experiences were great, especially the food tour, night tour, and bike tour in Jaipur. The hotels they selected were amazing especially the SUJÁN Sher Bagh in Ranthambhore. When there was a mishap with one of the tour companies (out of their control) they more than made up for it by offering two private tours (vs. shared). One of the best parts of our trip was Mr. Kumar who took us around India for our 10 days. They also arrange people at each hotel and airport to help make the check in process seamless.

Two notes of improvement. The Samode Haveli, while gorgeous, felt a little dated and you are awoken each morning at 5:30am by prayers. Also there are swarms of little bugs by the pool making it unenjoyable. To be clear, this wasn’t their initial selection however based on the photos we choose this hotel over the Marriott. The other thing is I wish they were clearer with was the start/end times of the tours as that would make any activities you want to plan on our own (massages, dinner reservations), easier to plan from the beginning.

Overall it was an amazing trip thanks to Bespoke India Holidays and I highly recommend them!

Hotel Reviews

SUJÁN Sher Bagh, Ranthambhore

Samode Haveli

Jaipur

Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Agra

Agra

Activity Reviews

Walking Tour – Temples & Havelis of Old Jaipur

Jaipur

Cycle tour in Jaipur

Jaipur

Jaipur Food and Market Tour

Jaipur

This was our first time booking through Kimkim so we didn’t know what to expect. The trip was complicated because it included three countries each with different local specialists: Egypt, UAE, Jordan. Mohamed did an amazing job working with me to get us the tour we wanted. For example, we added the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza and the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi.

Our Cairo tour was excellent. Our tour guide Dalia was both knowledgeable and compassionate. She took time to take pictures of us as we visited the different sites. She even captured the pyramids from the Citadel. Dalia also organized the visit so we avoided most of the crowds and traffic. The driver was highly skilled and helpful.

The sunset on the rooftop restaurant before the sound and light show at the pyramids was magical. The felucca boat trip on the Nile was unforgettable. The Grand Egyptian Museum was well worth adding to our tour. Finally, I appreciated the SIM card which made communication seamless.

Another Mohamed did an excellent job guiding us around the sites in Luxor. We were able to see the important sites in a packed 24 hours.

In UAE, our tour of Dubai was very comprehensive. The driver had a comfortable van and was very punctual. He kindly provided water and even gave us 10 AED so we could take the boat to the Old Souq at our first stop since we hadn’t converted any money yet. The best part was that Navas worked with us to customize our tour so that we didn’t have to spend more time than we wanted at any one site.

We visited in high season so there was plenty of traffic and a long line at the Burj Khalifa. Unfortunately, we were also booked for a visit at 10 PM which made for a long day. The Palm monorail tickets were not included so be prepared for 30 AED round trip if you want to go to Atlantis.

We also did a day tour of Abu Dhabi. The highlight for us was the Louvre Museum and the Qasar al Watan palace. It was great that we could customize our visit so we didn’t spend time in places we didn’t want to visit.
In Jordan, we were only able to visit Petra. Both Oqba who drove us to Petra and Ali who guided us around were highly knowledgeable. We learned more about the history of Jordan than any other country we visited. The natural beauty of Petra was amazing. Ali took us off the normal tourist path to show us the colorful rock formations. He is also an expert photographer and took outstanding pictures.

In conclusion we would definitely use Kimkim again for another trip.

The trip to Costa Rica was wonderful but there were two things to mention that could have been communicated better. One, on the horseback riding trail, Jackie's horse, Roro, stopped for a drink of water and ended up laying down and rolling Jackie off into the creek. Thankfully, she did not get hurt, just soaked. The tour guide said she should have pulled back tight on the reins but he didn't tell Jackie to do that before it happened. Jackie has only ridden a horse three times in her life. It is concerning because there were two teenaged children on that ride, too. No one was told to pull back on the reins to keep the horse from taking a bath.
The other to mention was the trip to Poas volcano. We were not told to bring rain gear and it was raining the day we went. We were fine but walked up to the overlook but could not see anything because it was very cloudy, rainy and windy. We would have been fine if the trip to the volcano had been cancelled since it was raining. Other than that, the trip was fantastic! Thank you!

Hotel Reviews

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto

San José

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Doka Coffee Tour & Poas Volcano National Park

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ocean Kayaking Adventure

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free Day in San Jose

San José

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horseback Riding, Tocori Mountain & Waterfall

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was an amazing trip and we had the best guide. Gummi is highly experienced. He made us feel at home.

This part of our trip was simply a return from Denpasar to Jakarta and went without a hitch. Ana is great and I would happily reccommend her.

This was a great trip that fairly met our expectations. Kudos to Hein for putting a wonderful adventure together. Having now seen Thailand from Bangkok to Chang Mai to Krabi and Koh Lanta I think I would have allocated available time to reduce the amount of travel by car. Our guides Kiki, Dare, Amir, were great and we never felt alone when things went awry. Our favorite experiences included seeing the Royal Palace in Bangkok. experiencing the elephant sanctuary in Chang Mai, sunsets in Krabi, an excellent selection of hotels, especially the Chala 6 in Chang Mai and the Amari Vogue in Krabi and the Nervana Resort in Koh Lanta. We spent a total of 11 days in Thailand that could have easily been a month. We want to thank Kimkim for yet another wonderful travel experience!

We spent 16 days in Costa Rica and Kim Kim was invaluable, helping us plan our trip, booking accommodations, car and tour guides. Thank you, Bryan ! We started our trip in San Jose and had a day to acclimate to the time change after a late evening arrival the prior day. Stayed at the El Presidente hotel, which has a very nice breakfast room and a wonderful little restaurant upstairs which we’d recommend. The gem museum and Stiffel pub would be our two recommendations in San Jose. Up early the next morning for our long bus trip and boat trip to the Mwamba Lodge in Torteguero. Highly recommend the Mwamba Lodge , the guides and scenery of Torteguero. Back to the mainland to rent a car and off to Arenal. Three nights at the Los Lagos resort enjoying the grounds and the natural Hot Springs, recommend . Alberto and Mao top flight guides on the Arenal,hanging bridges tour, recommend.
Off to Rio Celeste to stay 1 night at Casita Tenorio (highly recommend) and wonderful waterfall hike with Mariano. Next 2 beach days out on the Guancaste peninsula, which we planned on our own. Up next two nights in Monteverde to tour the cloud forest with Jorge who is very knowledgeable and fun to spend time with. Recommend Hotel Ficus for accommodations, wonderful staff and location. Walk to the Morphus restaurant for dinner. Tip- the road we took up to Monteverde was challenging for the last hour, gravel road and lots of potholes, but manageable. However, coming back down two days later different road, which was paved and in great condition. So something to talk to KimKim about if you have options and that’s a concern. If you’re a good, confident and respectful driver, then renting a car is a good way to go, as it gives you a chance to enjoy a lot of the back roads and view life in Costa Rica away from the tourist spots. Just need a good copilot. Google maps or something similar and avoid driving at night and in bad weather.
Next up was Manuel Antonio Park , and a wonderful wildlife tour with Andres Sosio. We chose an 11 o’clock tour time to sleep in a bit and it worked out great as Andres already had one tour under his belt that day and knew where all the animals were and also much less crowded late morning. Something to consider.
We stayed at Hotel La Mariposa- incredible views sitting on top of the highest point in town, beautiful dining area and pool area, and the majority of the rooms have great views. Cannot recommend this place enough. In fact, we cut our Uvita stop one day short to spend another day at La Mariposa. Finally back to San Jose with a 1:30 AM flight to LA the next day. Highly recommend the Marriott Hacienda Belen in San Jose, coming or going, if you have the better part of a day to enjoy their property .
We want to acknowledge how helpful Wilman at Serendipity is when you’re in country when any issue comes up, he’s a pro. Lastly want to say how welcoming the people of Costa Rica are, without exception, and how much they appreciate visitors after a couple of lean Covid years. Please tip well and often.
Peter and Sandra
Seattle WA

Hotel Reviews

Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa

Ballena

This hotel was a bit of a letdown compared to the others. The overall setup and the room did not meet my expectations. It was not as enjoyable as some of the other accommodations on the trip.

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

I initially stayed here for one night, but I loved it so much that we asked to come back to extend the stay. The hotel was located outside Manuel Antonio Park, offering stunning views. The room was spacious and comfortable. The staff was attentive, and I had a pleasant stay overall.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

La Fortuna

I spent three nights here, and it was a wonderful experience. The grounds were beautiful, especially the hot springs. The location was perfect for exploring the area, and the accommodation was comfortable. Overall, a great choice.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mawamba Lodge

Tortuguero

This lodge was recommended by friends, and I can see why. The location was fantastic, surrounded by nature. The overall experience was immersive.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Activity Reviews

Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Guided Rainforest Hike

Costa Rica

The guided rainforest hike to Rio Celeste and Tenorio Volcano was a memorable adventure. The natural beauty of the area was stunning, especially the waterfall. The guide provided interesting insights, enhancing the experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guided Hike at the Arenal Hanging Bridges

Arenal/La Fortuna

The guided hike on the Arenal Hanging Bridges was a fantastic experience. Walking through the treetops and spotting wildlife was unforgettable. The small group size allowed for a more intimate exploration of the area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

The private guided hike in Manuel Antonio National Park was a luxurious experience. Having the guide to ourselves allowed for a tailored exploration of the park. The guide's expertise and attention to detail made it a memorable adventure.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Night Walk on a Coffee Plantation

Monteverde

The night walk on a coffee plantation was a unique experience. However, due to the darkness, we couldn't see much and couldn't appreciate the wildlife as we wanted to.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

It took me a little while to get to writing this review, but this family trip remains vivid in all of our minds! I planned this quite last minute (my fault) but Margarita was able to put together a trip that we all loved. It felt very bespoke. Our local guides were lovely and knowledgeable. We also appreciated that some of the activities we did - jungle walks, horse-back riding, a farm and cooking class visit, a basket-weaving class, visiting Palenque, and a drum lesson - all felt like off-the-beaten path experiences. We prefer private experiences and that is what was delivered. The hotels were perfect for us, small and boutique (especially for such a last minute trip). Finally, one member of our party has celiac and needs a strictly gluten-free diet. margarita contacted every restaurant and notified them, making our dining experience truly a joy. I would definitely recommend Margarita to others (and, in fact, I have). Thank you for a lovely trip!

Thanks for a great trip. Our agent Vicky was great and provided many options. She had great attention to detail and was very prompt before and during our trip! Great work Vicky!!

Activity Review

Sydney Bridge Climb Summit

Sydney

Great experience. Loved it

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The whole team at Himalayan Trails were excellent from start to finish. They were extremely accommodating including:
- Grishma, who tailored our trip to our (multiple) changing needs
- Pratikshya, who guided us around a hectic but historic Kathmandu area, giving us a real sense of the amalgamation of so many different cultures
- Raj, who ensured the trip went smoothly
- Dawa and Kumar, who guided us around the Kathmandu valley, weaving through beautiful towns and villages, getting us to amazing places to see crisp views of the Himalayan Range
- Ritesh, who made the quiet town of Panauti come alive with his stories, and both Ritesh and Dawa for a lovely home made dinner!

110% worth the experience, and according to Dawa, Annapurna and Everest base camps will be no problem for us! Looking forward to visiting again!

Great trip thanks to KimKim and Serendipity Adventures. Everything was very well planned and hotels were all as, or better than expected. They did a great job arranging all the private/shared transfers between all six destinations so all we had to do was show up on time and be ready to move. Wilman was our main contact in CR and he did a great job checking in periodically. He also arranged a tour for us with little notice and accommodated our request to change the itinerary and stay an extra night in one spot in record time. Couldn’t recommend KimKim and Serendipity enough.

Long did a great job in organising my solo Vietnam adventure. The trip was seamless, everything was perfect. The accommodation was great, tours as advertised and drivers to collect me when required. I want to return to Vietnam to see more. I would highly recommend KimKim

This has been the 4th and probably the last of our trips, organized by KimKim.
Our experience this time left us disappointed and on some occasions angry.

First of all our experience with Ailleen was characterised as very slow. In the beginning we delayed in giving her the answers. We acknowledge that we made a lot of changes regarding our chosen activities but every time we sent the answer, we had to wait more than 2 days.
In addition to that, we dod not have all the details needed (time of pickup, duration of the excursions, time of return etc) and even though we asked for this at least twice, we only received limited information. Even though we asked to have a group in WhatsApp (we had this in previous trips and was successful), the delay in giving answers was the same.
If we didn't ask, there would be no information given to us.
One other detail that made us feel embraced was the prices we paid for the tours. Upon checking locally for the cost of the excursions, even the private ones were some times half the price of the one we paid to Kim Kim and some times even lower. If we add the fact that the boats that took us were among the worst ones, this makes it even worse.
No need to mention the fact that in no boat did we eat our lunch, simply because there was not the slightest rule of hygiene respected. We saw what was offered to other boats, where there was no private transfer and the conditions were mach better.
Last but not least, in two excursion, one in El Nido and one in Boracay, the return transfer was not there when we arrived at the port. The second time we even called the number given to us as a contact but no one replied. So we paid for our transfer back to the hotel. I received the call much later.
That was the time when I decided to complain and after some discussions they reimbursed 250USD to us.
I said thank you as this was a right gesture but in no case did this compensate us for the whole fuss.

We could have simply booked everything ourselves and have the same or better experience.
I see no reason why we should use KimKim any more, after this experience.

Costa Rica stole my heart with its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and endless adventures. My trip was packed with highlights, each offering a unique taste of this incredible country.

Chill Beach Vibes in Carrillo & Samara:

First, I traded city noises for the gentle sounds of waves at Carrillo beach. Relaxing on the pristine sand, soaking up the sun, and swimming in the turquoise waters was pure bliss. Kayaking in Samara allowed me to explore hidden coves and marvel at colorful fish while snorkeling. These laid-back beach towns set the perfect pace for unwinding and connecting with nature.

Thrills & Spills in Tamarindo & Catalina Islands:

Tamarindo brought a touch of energy to my trip. Its lively atmosphere, delicious restaurants, and beautiful beach kept me entertained. But the real adrenaline rush came underwater! Scuba diving in the Catalina Islands unveiled a mesmerizing world of coral reefs teeming with diverse marine life. This experience left me awestruck by the ocean's hidden beauty.

Rincon de la Vieja: A Journey into the Wild:

Rincon de la Vieja National Park transported me to another world. Lush green forests, majestic volcanic mountains, and a sky ablaze with stars created an unforgettable backdrop. Here, I embarked on several adventures, each exceeding the last.

First Horseback Ride: I felt invigorated exploring the trails on horseback, immersing myself in the wilderness.
La Leona Waterfall Hike: Following a surreal path through a sulfur-water river devoid of life, the thundering La Leona waterfall was a sight to behold.
Tubing Bliss on the Colorado River: This was a fun and relaxing way to cool down, surrounded by stunning scenery.
Rincon de la Vieja National Park Hike: This diverse hike encompassed waterfalls, volcanic activity, and a variety of ecosystems, leaving me awestruck by Costa Rica's rich natural tapestry.
Overall:

My Costa Rican adventure was more than just a vacation; it was a transformative experience. From the serene beaches to the adrenaline-pumping activities, the wild beauty to the welcoming locals, this trip had something for everyone. I highly recommend Costa Rica to anyone seeking relaxation, adventure, and a connection with nature. Pura vida!

Additional Tips:

Tailor your trip: Costa Rica offers something for everyone, so plan your itinerary based on your interests.
Embrace the culture: Learn some basic Spanish phrases and immerse yourself in local customs.
Support local businesses: Choose eco-friendly tours and stay in locally-owned accommodations.
Pack wisely: Be prepared for both sun and rain, and bring appropriate footwear for diverse terrains.
I hope this review inspires you to plan your own unforgettable adventure in Costa Rica!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Pasatiempo

Tamarindo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff could be more polite

Cleanliness & Comfort

the room could be more comfortable, we got a corner room

Amazilia Guest House

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Leyenda Boutique Hotel and Spa

Hojancha Guanacaste

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Scuba Diving Catalinas Island – Discover Diving Non-Certified

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nature Trail Lovers: Rincon de la Vieja Volcano & La Leona Waterfall

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Colorado River Tubing

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cowboy Horseback Riding Tour

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Isla Chora Kayak and Snorkeling Tour

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

One of our favorite adventures. Amanda was extremely helpful and responsive in planning and making adjustments to accommodate our input. The guides were great, always flexible and kind. The trek was beautiful with lots of interesting sights and villages along the way. It was exactly what we were looking for.

Everything was well planned and very enjoyable. The driver was very accommodating and all the locations and services were top notch.

When starting the process, we had no idea that planning a trip to Lappland in Winter required so much planning. Our specialist Moonika was very patient as we understood the value we would get coming at Christmas versus another time, and helped to shift our plans into February. Traveling from Asia with a large family we were not sure about booking transit privately or through ride-sharing, but I'm glad we chose private cars for the plane/train transfers for the flexibility and help with all our bags, better to be comfortable when on the clock. On lodging, we found the right spaces where the entire family could fit comfortably and affordably. The activities and their providers were fantastic, regardless of the cold snap that hit us in Rovaniemi, and they were supportive of the needs of traveling with a 2-year-old. Overall we are left with great memories and thankful for the support we had to make this trip a reality.

We had a wonderful vacation in Japan and Fei (our coordinator from KimKim) was with us along the way, taking care of all the details and making our experience a memorable one.
We enjoyed all the places that we visited (Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto Kanagawa and Osaka), with everyone of them offering something different. We enjoyed very much the visit to the Himeji castle that is south of Kobe.
Very good experience overall and thank you to Fei again for taking care of all the details.
Adrian Iancu

Our entire trip was amazing. Our guides were wonderful and gave us a lot of information and answered our questions. They were always helpful at every location. Our driver was excellent and skilled. The most memorable part for us was the overnight cruise on Ha Long. These cruise ships are small with only about 25 passengers. Our quarters were spacious and beautiful. The food was gourmet. In addition, every place we visited was interesting. One place where we did a river tout, many of the rowers, rowed using their feet. This was in Ninh Binh. With the help of the guides, we learned a lot about Vietnamese culture and religions. Their religious practices were particularly interesting to me. Our only issue was the weather and I would have rather gone in another season, not winter.