Kimkim Trip Reviews

Morocco and Morocco Immersions were fantastic. Such a well planned and executed trip. The riads were beautiful. There were diverse experiences and activities. Particularly, Omar, the grand master tour guide and driver was absolutely phenomenal. He was friendly and easy to work and be with. He knew secret locations and experiences that only heightened the time spent on the trip. I highly recommend working with this team if you are a single traveler or a small group.

Pauline asked all the right questions to give us options for a perfect trip to Scotland. We loved all the tours and especially our Ecoventure boat tour in Cromarty.

Greg put together a very personalized schedule for our first ever trip to Japan. We had selected to visit Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto/Nara and wanted to see a mix of nature and culture. Our wish included to stay in traditional Ryokans, to experience a bath in a hot spring area and to have time for some hiking to explore the scenery. Greg tailored a perfect program for us with detailed descriptions for every day of our 10-Day trip. Besides lodging in amazing hotels and Ryokans, Greg took care of all train tickets, entrees to museums and guided tours. Links to Google Maps made the navigation and use of public transportation very easy. Throughout our stay we felt taken care of, with Greg checking in on us on a regular basis.
While I usually plan all of my vacations myself, I believe that Greg's knowledge and professional input provided us with a deeper and more authentic experience in Japan. I highly recommend his services to anyone wishing to explore Japan.

it was a busy itinerary but that is what we asked for

Audrey Benezech took all our requests and put together pretty much exactly what we wanted. A nice hotel in Avignon, small group tours each day, all the tour guides were excellent. only small thing that could have helped was when we needed to cancel a tour one day, by the time we figured out to put 011 with the number listed it was a bit late.
Audrey also helped by getting our train tickets for us, so everything was covered.

From the first time I reached out to KimKim and heard from Othman right through the trip, he was responsive, patient, helpful and kind. Our trip was amazing. Othman listened to what we were interested in doing, provided a highly flexible agenda, and yet he did so much more than just book things for us. For example, I don't think I would have booked excursions to both Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon but Othman did that and when I asked if doing Blue Lagoon right off the plane was the right thing to do, he pushed back (ever so gently) saying that it was a good tonic for jet lag. Boy was he right. His selection of accommodations was outstanding ... and again, he was very accommodating when I fluctuated between family rooms and two rooms. He checked in multiple times in the days before the trip and during the trip.

His ears were probably burning during the trip for the number of times my sons and I were singing his praises. I would absolutely use KimKim again. Also want to say that I thought this was an exceptional value for what I paid and the quality of service received.

Activity Reviews

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike

Iceland

This was really amazing ... and Elly our guide was terrific. She really read the group well; everyone was willing to be a little adventurous and so we got to use the ropes to see deep into crevasses. Lots of great information about how the glacier has changed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Can't say enough about how knowledgeable Elly was.

Sky Lagoon

Iceland

So we did this on our last night in Iceland and it was a really nice way to end our trip. It's different from Blue Lagoon but very very nice. The seven step path is what makes it stand out as different from Blue Lagoon. The view from the sauna step is especially beautiful.

Blue Lagoon

Iceland

We did this right after getting off the plane, which was Othman's recommendation. It is, as he said, a miracle cure for jet lag. I was worried it would be kitschy but it's a must do.

Crystal Blue Ice Cave

Iceland

We really enjoyed this, especially Eddie, our guide who was a total character and an absolute hoot. The only complaint would be that the focus was heavily on getting photos -- which was great -- but it wasn't as adventurous as the glacier hike. Still, it was beautiful and a lot of fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Eddie was just such a character. Completely different from Ellie but very knowledgeable and just fun to be around.

Our group of 6 had a wonderful time in Costa Rica, first staying at the Hotel Los Logos in La Fortuna, then at the La Mariposa Hotel in Manuel Antonio. The rooms, staff and meals in both hotels were spectacular. All arrangements through Kimkim and Serendipity Adventures were flawless. The activists arranged through Serendipity, in La Fortuna, including zip lining, rappelling off of waterfalls and riding ATVs; all were great fun.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

La Fortuna

Wonderful suite, excellent staff and delicious meals including a huge buffet breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Charming buildings and pools

Location

Beautiful views and central for day activities

Staff

Very timely when requesting shuttles

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms and restaurant were spotless

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

A gorgeous hotel centrally located in the town for walking to nearby restaurants. A big plus were the dozens of white faced monkeys who were everywhere.

Authenticity & Character

Clean lines and spectacular views of the Pacific

Location

Conveniently located to the town

Staff

Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

The entire grounds were spotless

Activity Reviews

Arenal ATV Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

We visited some pretty area that we wouldn’t likely have seen

Quality of Experience

Less driving on highways

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A very friendly guide

Transport

The ATVs were in great condition

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

The Park walk was underwhelming. We saw more animals at our hotel.

Quality of Experience

Not worth the time.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nothing

Transport

Nothing

Lost Canyon Waterfalls & Rappelling Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Rappelling off of several waterfalls was thrilling

Quality of Experience

Our guide was extremely helpful and informative

Food

The local food was good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide pointed out special things in the forest

Transport

An open truck took us to the top of the canyon

Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

I have a fear of heights but I was assured that I could zip line safely.

Quality of Experience

Each of the six lines was exhilarating

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very helpful outfitting me in my gear and explaining what to do

Transport

Nice lift from base to top

Sunset Sailing Cruise on the Brisa Elegante

Costa Rica

The ship was lovely and the crew were very friendly

Quality of Experience

Lots of fun on the ship and floating in the ocean

Food

The meal served was very good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff couldn’t have been friendlier

Transport

The ship is in excellent shape

Our vacation was wonderful! I cannot thank Kim Kim and Serendipity Adventures enough for all of their guidance , support , and expertise! We didn’t have to need or want for anything. They were with us every step of the way, checking in, making sure everything was to our expectations and so helpful in answering all of our questions and making sure we were happy. Our guides were exceptional. I will use KimKim in the future for travel plans. It was so easy. I feel our vacation was above and beyond our expectations solely because we used KimKim. Holden put our trip plans together and was always available for questions. Wilmar and Serendipity Adventures were always checking in and making sure we were happy. Our two guides that stand out the most were Mariano for the LaFortuna area and Socio in Manuel Antonio. The best experience!!

Hotel Reviews

Arenal Springs Resort & Spa

La Fortuna

Beautiful views from our room. Breakfast was amazing! Friendly staff and clean rooms and wonderful amenities ! Beautiful location!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

Amazing ocean views from our beautiful room. We had monkeys on our deck that were fun to watch and a sloth that was in the tree right next to our room. It was so close!! It was an amazing experience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Fun

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Arenal Volcano & 1968 Reserve Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Mariano was extremely knowledge and friendly. We had a great time learning and seeing the sites

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Sailing Cruise on the Brisa Elegante

Costa Rica

Beautiful.

Quality of Experience

O

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

O

Transport

Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Nature Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Fun to see all the beautiful butterflies

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private: Manuel Antonio Park Guided Hike

Manuel Antonio

We would not have seen most of the animals that we saw without our amazing guide Socio! I would not recommend this trip without a guide. The park was absolutely beautiful

Quality of Experience

K

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sukia Nighttime Nature Walk

Manuel Antonio

We saw lots of frogs! So cool

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Serendipity Adventures was the tour company assigned to us via Kim Kim. Holden, Mariana, Nancy and Wilman are all exceptional. They planned an amazing trip for us that suited our interests and ensured everything ran smoothly. Everything was extremely organized, punctual and communication was seamless.

Special mentions to: Alex and Rodney our drivers and tour guides Andres, Mallo, Stephanie and Olger.

I highly recommend booking your Costa Rica trip with Serendipity.

This was our first trip to Costa Rica and we only had a week- so tried to hit 3 of the major areas based on an already suggested route by the kimkim team. Worked out great! Really got a feel for the country and what we would do more of on the next trip. So glad I went with the local drivers instead of trying to rent a car. For the time we had, we surely would have lost time finding our way and the roads were quite rough in some areas. It was great to have a local driver who knew the roads and where to go - much less stressful than driving. All our drivers and guides were great. Manuel Antonio park and area was definitely a favorite due to sloths, beaches and beautiful views.

Hotel Review

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

Great views and services.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure

Monteverde

Great overall experience at the park - bridge guide was very knowledgeable and zipline team made everyone feel comfortable and safe.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Nature Hike

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano Hike & Paradise Hot Springs Experience with Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

Hike was good - guide was knowledgeable and interesting. We had a partly day but views were still nice. Hot springs were ok - better pools than our hotel; but would do something else next time as most hotels have something similar.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monteverde Cloud Forest Night Walk

Monteverde

This walk is very dependent on what you see. The night we went was not super interesting - bugs and a couple birds.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Adam did a fantastic job understanding what I wanted to do and translated that into a very practical plan. The activities, which included hiking volcanic craters, black sand beaches, glaciers, and waterfalls, whale watching, and snorkeling were all exactly what I wanted. Adam did a great job mapping out stopping points such that we maximized fun with relaxation. Even the last minute requests such as places to eat and geothermal pools were fantastic. We had the best steaks I’ve ever had at a Efstidalur Farm. It gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “farm to table” as we at our meal watching the dairy cows feed! Sumac, Ox and Moss was also a favorite/best meal experience. My favorite activities were the whale watching tour where we saw two separate orca pods and two different humpback whales. Ryan’s favorite activity was style Silfra snorkeling tour. We both enjoyed the geothermal pools and hiking as well, especially the Djupalonssandur black sand beaches and the Hraunfossar & Barnafoss waterfalls. I would love to go back and do many of the things we didn’t have time to do. Adam and Kim Kim were responsive, knowledgeable, and affordable. I highly recommend them and will definitely use their services again.

First time with KimKim and it will not be our last!

Our trip to Spain began with no planning other than a good value on plane tickets to Madrid. We approached KimKim and lucked into Coraima who took our blank slate and put together an amazing trip package that left us wanting more. Each day seemed to build upon our knowledge and enjoyment from the previous day. Our expert guides added an accelerated depth of both which could not have been achieved without them during our 8 day visit (way to short by the way):

-Irene, born and raised in Toledo, knew all of the short cuts
-Elena brought the Prado to life
-I will not attempt to spell our Grand Palace guide's name, she delivered more than just a "big house" by filling it with many fun royal anecdotes
-Avila and Segovia and all points between were handled expertly by Martin
-Lorena brought sun to a rainy day in Seville showing us the Acalzar and Cathedral
-Yohanna made us feel like family during our Triana Flamenco and Tapas experience. Is there anyone she doesn't know in that town?
-Carlos was a pleasure guiding us through Ronda and Zahara de la Sahara's rich history while finding us local treats and securing a Puento Nuevo view table by a fire for lunch on a chilly day

Our itinerary did leave some time for self-exploration, and we took full advantage of that time: Tapas, parks, Tapas, squares, Tapas, casino, Tapas, shopping...and Tapas. Averaging nearly 15K steps each day we actually lost weight on the trip. Accommodations were convenient, friendly and clean (Cetina in Seville, Regina in Madrid). Transports were on time with strong communication and friendly drivers.

Coraima and Lea were diligent in communication throughout the entire journey, they felt like angels on our shoulders!

Hope this comes off as a positive review, as it is meant as nothing less!

Before writing about Hakim, who planned our trip and who was amazing at every juncture, I have to highlight our driver Mohammed. Wow! Personable, knowledgeable, intelligent and caring. I felt like we were touring with our son. Really became fond of him. Mohammed provided the local insight we lacked on negotiations, local politics, and just navigating Morocco. He was always pleasant, always on time and always optimistic. He personally added to our enjoyment of the Moroccan adventure. I hope we will become lifelong friends. As previously stated, Hakim who organized the tour was also a star. If we had a question or issue, he was super responsive and helpful. His Riad selections were top-notched both in terms of the accommodations and staff. His, was a near perfect execution. My hedge here is due only to the fact that one Riad was a little bit below our standards. The others were exceptional. I would also like to spot light Saraa, our guide in Rabat, and Henyn, our Marrakech guide. Both were knowledgeable, informative and engaging. Saraa had an amazing wit that was equally as entertaining as her color commentary. Henyn was just smart. Kudos to KimKim on the quality of the team they’ve put together. Highly recommended!

We enjoyed our stay in Sri Lanka and especially found Nuwara to be a beautiful area and stayed in a lovely hotel. Yala and the hotel were also nice.

We all liked our tour guide and appreciated his level of knowledge and recommendations.

The amount of time spent driving was a surprise and would have made different decisions had I know. I also think it should have been communicated the first hotel was not at all a luxury experience. The service, food and room were all mediocre.

It would be nice to have helpful information proactively provided. For example the bathrooms along the highway charge to use them so having smaller bills would have been very helpful. Recommended tips for tour guide and safari drivers, clothing for higher elevation etc.

Activity Reviews

Yala National Park Jeep Safari

Sri Lanka

Quality of Experience

Wildlife was great including water buffalo, elephants, owls, deer and many birds. We did not see a leopard.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The driver was distracted by his phone especially the 2nd half of the tour.

Transport

Horton Plains National Park

Sri Lanka

Really the rated should be N.A.- We opted not to do this based on feedback from several people that the weather is iffy and no animals. Sounded like a nature walk but required 2 additional hours of driving.

Explore Nuwara Eliya

Sri Lanka

Safari in Udawalawa National Park

Udawalawe

Visit to Elephant transit home in Udawalawa

Udawalawe

This was our first time in Portugal, and as for several other trips, kimkim made it possible. Kimkim worked with us to plan out a perfect itinerary for 12 days in and around Lisbon and Porto. But planning is only part of what makes a trip great - it's also being there to manage when things don't go as planned. And our 12 days in Portugal started with a plane cancellation due to weather - but kimkim was there for us to re-arrange airport pickups, hotel and dinner reservations, and to help us think thru how to do in 11 days what we planned for in 12 days.
Kimkim and their local affiliate in Spain (which handles planning for Spain and Portugal) use the app "Trip Plans" - which creates realtime updates for your itinerary, including bookings and tickets... and also contains an in-app messaging service, which was monitored and responded to in near realtime by our trip planner Rita and her associates.

Because we wanted flexibility in day trips out of Lisbon and Porto, we opted for a few day trips with private drivers. Rita and team helped us put together realistic itineraries, and then found the best drivers for us. And for those worried about driver pickup locations and times (will someone actually be there for us, even if the plane/train is late???), their choice of car services and drivers comes with a traveler-friendly text-message that includes your driver's name, number, pick-up time, location mapping... and an emergency number to call if something unexpected happens. We had the same great driver (Alex) for our airport pickup, two day-trips from Lisbon, and a drop off at the Lisbon train station (to go to Porto).

Our best day trip from Porto... Douro Valley-Expert Guide-Boat-Lunch-Tastings Premium Service. We were picked up at our hotel by Pedro, who knew everything (and seemingly everyone) in the Douro Valley. Pedro took us on a beautiful drive from Porto to our first tasting, providing us with local knowledge and fun facts about the Douro valley... and patiently stopping when I saw a particularly scenic spot for photos. Pedro continued his personalized tour with us on the hour river cruise, and then to our 2nd vineyard for lunch and another tasting. And after a day of vineyard sampling, what's better than having a private car service back to your hotel.

Thank you Rita (and kimkim) for another great trip.

Hotel Reviews

Portugal Boutique City Hotel

Lisbon

Beautiful hotel with a warm and friendly staff. Walkable to many tourist sites and lots of restaurants and cafes. Rooms are spacious and well appointed.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pousada Porto - Rua das Flores

Porto

A beautiful boutique hotel on one of the most walkable streets in Porto.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private Douro Valley Excursion with Wine Tastings, Local Lunch & Rabelo River Cruise

Porto

The Private Douro Valley Excursion was a fabulous experience. We had a private driver who was knowledgeable and friendly, making the day feel special and tailored just for us. The wine tastings were excellent, and having the flexibility with a personal driver meant we could stop for photos and experience the scenery in a way a group tour wouldn't allow.

Our guide Rachid was so kind, fun, and we felt well cared for. Highly recommend!

Planning and booking went well, it was the execution and detail once we got there that was terrible. Every day we were in contact with Shona, or at least trying to get in contact with her, trying to get clarity on our itinerary. We needed to check on every transfer, do we have a driver or do we need to get a taxi.. when we took the bullet train the first time , it would have been nice to know you need your QR code ready when leaving the station. And you can only go through the one lane that accepts QR codes. I'm sure the signs in Japanese said this, but that's why we hired a travel agency and guides, we don't speak or read Japanese.
When we arrived in Hiroshima we were told we had 3 options to get to the Sheraton Hotel, Train, Taxi, or a short walk.
1, We were already at the closest train station , 2, The taxi stand was a longer walk than to the front desk of the Sheraton.
This was the final straw and we realized KimKim was a bad choice.
We were a small group of 4, and it was very unfair for the one person who had planned the trip to be burdened almost every day doing the work of the agency. Look for her review.

We had a wonderful experience in Chile with the help of Kim-Kim. Camila was our host and she suggested some wonderful day trips. We really got to experienceChilean cuisine, history., and the wonderful people in Santiago, Valparaiso , and Vina Del Mar.
A standing ovations to our guides, Alex, Pablo, Sebastian, and Angel. Camila and her team were responsive to our needs and questions. Coming to Chile for the first time, we were a little nervous and anxious. Camila and her team really put our minds at ease. We were totally relaxed and felt well cared for. Gracias Camila!!!
Alan y Regina Osofsky

Activity Reviews

Visit to Quintessence Alpaca Farm

Chile

The Alpaca farm visit was a standout during our trip. The journey to the farm, despite some car sickness, was enjoyable with our driver and guide, Angel. Upon arrival, the owner, Mary, welcomed us warmly, and it felt like visiting an old friend. The entire experience was so much fun and left a lasting impression.

Local Markets and Cooking Class in Valparaiso

Chile

The Local Markets and Cooking Class in Valparaiso with Sebastian was a great experience. Starting with selecting fresh ingredients at the Mercado, followed by an exciting bus ride in Santiago, and then a hike to the hilltop house for cooking. The food was just incredible, and the whole experience made us feel like locals.

Street Art Tour

Chile

The Street Art Tour was fascinating, with Alex providing rich insights about the area. We admired the street art and graffiti, and appreciated Alex's flexibility in allowing us a lunch break and later picking us up.

We had a great time on our two week trip to Vietnam and Laos. Trang was a great asset. She was very responsive, thorough, and communicative. Everyone was on time and the accommodations were great. Both countries are spectacular with a lot of great activities. We couldn't have asked for a better trip!

We had a wonderful family vacation to France in Summer 2024, thanks to the exceptional planning and support from Aline and Bastien at Discovery DMC. They designed a thoughtful and well-paced itinerary that included the highlights of Paris, the historical sites of Normandy, and the beauty of Nice. The mix of guided tours, comfortable accommodations, and seamless travel logistics made the entire trip feel effortless.

What stood out most was their attention to detail and responsiveness—before and during the trip. They tailored the experience to fit our family’s preferences and made sure everything ran smoothly. It was a perfect balance of sightseeing, cultural immersion, and relaxation. We highly recommend Aline, Bastien, and Discovery DMC, and would definitely work with them again for future travel.