Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 17,237 ratings
Read 17,237 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

A wonderful perfectly planned 8 days in Costa Rica!
Costa Rica | Jan 4 - Jan 11, 2022

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Jay J.
Hoffman Estates, IL | Reviewed on Jan 15, 2022
What a wonderful 8 days in Costa Rica for our family of 4 (including 2 teenage girls)! Because of the impeccable planning and support provided by Adriana, the actual trip turned out to be so much better even as compared to what we had anticipated. Planning the trip took multiple back & forths with Adriana over a few weeks - given our specific interests, constraints as well as the changing COVID situation. But Adriana was always patient, resourceful and prompt in getting all the questions... Read more

What a wonderful 8 days in Costa Rica for our family of 4 (including 2 teenage girls)! Because of the impeccable planning and support provided by Adriana, the actual trip turned out to be so much better even as compared to what we had anticipated.

Planning the trip took multiple back & forths with Adriana over a few weeks - given our specific interests, constraints as well as the changing COVID situation. But Adriana was always patient, resourceful and prompt in getting all the questions answered to our satisfaction. The trip plan that she arrived at, after all the iterations, based on our feedback was just perfect. Even after arriving at a perfect plan, we needed to move the dates by a couple of days, requiring Adriana to redo some of the planning and booking - but that did not deter her! A few timing changes during the trip were also accomodated by the Amazilla team. Wilson, Mr. Gonzalez and other drivers did an excellent job shuttling us between destinations and providing vivid commentary. Our guides Franklin (at Arenal), Jason/Jon Carlos (White Water Rafting), Allen (Manuel Antonio) were all very knowledgable and made the activities so much more interesting!

This was a memorable 8-days for all 4 of us. CR's beauty is alluring and captivating. And the local expertise and diligence provided by Adriana and the rest of the crew made it very seamless and delightful. Thanks everyone! Pura Vida!

Hotel Review
El Establo Mountain Hotel
Monteverde

Stayed here for 2 nights - Great Views specially if you drive up the property - Vegetarian food options were somewhat limited. But still manageable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River Class II & III
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River Class II & III
Arenal/La Fortuna

Level 2/3 White Water Rafting - This was on our bucket list. Had a small incident (since I do not know swimming and started panicking when the raft capsized and I fell in the river). But Jason (our guide) handled it professionally and strongly! Truly amazed

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
El Silencio Volcano Hike & Visit to La Fortuna Waterfall
El Silencio Volcano Hike & Visit to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Franklin (as our guide) was very knowledegable - Making the hike a very interesting and learning experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Monteverde

Ziplining over the Cloud Forests was amazing! Some climbing and fair amount of walking required

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Monteverde

Ziplining over the Cloud Forests was amazing! Some climbing and fair amount of walking required

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Adriana Prado
Adriana
Adriana Prado
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 07, 2022

Hello Jay,
Thank you very much for your nice comments and your time to share with us your experience in Costa Rica. I am very happy that you enjoyed the services that we organized for you, it was a pleasure for me to help you coordinate your trip and make the necessary changes so that your trip meets your expectations. I will be glad to assist you in the future if you decide to visit us again and organize a new adventure for you in this little paradise. :)

Sunny Regards & Pura Vida!
Adriana

Great Experience working with KimKim and Randall
Costa Rica | Dec 26 - Jan 3, 2022

Ari
Ari Z.
Shaw, DC | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2022
We booked a trip to Costa Rica through KimKim using Randall. He was amazing, and the process of setting up and managing the trip was great. We made several changes to our group and our itinerary throughout the process - including while we were in Costa Rica - and Randall handled everything professionally and quickly. We did a river nature tour on Cano Negro, which was amazing - although it helped that we were the only people on the tour. Our driver for the day, Daouren, was also a tour... Read more

We booked a trip to Costa Rica through KimKim using Randall. He was amazing, and the process of setting up and managing the trip was great. We made several changes to our group and our itinerary throughout the process - including while we were in Costa Rica - and Randall handled everything professionally and quickly.

We did a river nature tour on Cano Negro, which was amazing - although it helped that we were the only people on the tour. Our driver for the day, Daouren, was also a tour guide and very knowledgeable.

We also loved our hanging bridges walk in Fortuna, our night jungle walk in Manuel Antonio and surfing lessons with MASS in Manuel Antonio.

On the downside, we didn't have a great time in the actual Manuel Antonio park. We were there on New Year's Eve day and it was packed. We saw very little wildlife and when we did it was often waiting with a group of 20 or 30 people to look through a spotting scope.

Our first hotel - Montana Del Fuego in Fortuna - was okay, except that our rooms were right off of the main road. It was very noisy and felt more like being in New York City than in Costa Rica.

All in all we'd recommend working with Randall if you are trying to book a trip to Costa Rica and need some help!

Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 14, 2022

Dear Ari,

First of all, I want to appreciate your review about your family trip to my country. I am glad that you have enjoyed your trip which was organized with so much time in advance.

I certainly appreciate your feedback about Montaña de Fuego and your experience during the hiking tour to Manuel Antonio National Park, we will make sure to take these comments seriously into consideration on the planning for future trips.

I wish you and all your family, a successful 2022 and we hope to have the chance to welcome you again in the future.

Best,
Randall

Chile & Patagonia AMAZING experience
Chile | Dec 19 - Jan 8, 2022

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Daniel F.
Narragansett, RI | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2022
We had an AMAZING time in Chile & Patagonia - Lorena (our kimkim local specialist) got us started with the highlights and helped us customize the trip to a perfect fit. With her guidance we were able to squeeze in spectacular stargazing in the Atacama Desert, living like a local in Santiago, rock climbing and breathtaking views in Patagonia. Whenever we hit small bumps, Lorena was there to smooth things out, making course corrections and ultimately saving us days on our trip. We never could... Read more

We had an AMAZING time in Chile & Patagonia - Lorena (our kimkim local specialist) got us started with the highlights and helped us customize the trip to a perfect fit. With her guidance we were able to squeeze in spectacular stargazing in the Atacama Desert, living like a local in Santiago, rock climbing and breathtaking views in Patagonia. Whenever we hit small bumps, Lorena was there to smooth things out, making course corrections and ultimately saving us days on our trip. We never could have done all this (three weeks of constant adventure) without the planning and help provided. We've never booked though any sort of travel agent before — and while it was initially a little scary to have someone else in the driver's seat, the ultimate trip was one of the best we've ever done. 🎉🎈💯

Local specialist: Lorena Huidobro
Lorena
Lorena Huidobro
Local specialist in Houston, TX & Santiago, Chile | Replied on Jan 14, 2022

Thanks, Loren & Dan. It was my pleasure to plan and execute such an exciting adventure for the two of you, it was one of the most active itineraries I have crafted! I really appreciate your kind words and wish you both many more fun trips ahead to keep exploring the world. Best always,
Lorena

Attentive Planners & Detailed Planning for a Beautiful Country
Colombia | Nov 25 - Dec 11, 2021

Kevin
Kevin H.
Philadelphia, PA | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2022
WOW! A truly special and personalized trip to a beautiful and diverse country. From start to finish, this experience with the Colombia kimkim team made every detail easier and unique. Special thanks to Felipe, Margoth, and the whole team at Aracanto for paying attention to all my special requests, detailed questions, and connecting me to guides/excursions to fit my interests. The kimkim team were attentive to detail and knew the logistics of each day to the minute. I felt safe, listened to,... Read more

WOW! A truly special and personalized trip to a beautiful and diverse country. From start to finish, this experience with the Colombia kimkim team made every detail easier and unique. Special thanks to Felipe, Margoth, and the whole team at Aracanto for paying attention to all my special requests, detailed questions, and connecting me to guides/excursions to fit my interests.

The kimkim team were attentive to detail and knew the logistics of each day to the minute. I felt safe, listened to, and even surprised by extra gifts the team setup. They made my visit to Colombia a memorable one. Thank you for sharing your country with me. ¡Fue un viaje bastante bacano!

Hotel Reviews
The Click Clack Hotel Medellín
Medellín
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
AC Hotel by Marriott Santa Marta
Santa Marta, Magdalena
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day trip to Nature Reserve Cerro Bravo
Full Day trip to Nature Reserve Cerro Bravo
Medellín

This hike was SO fun because it was hard & challenging, but the summit was WORTH every hard step of the amazing view of Fredonia/Cerro Bravo. Even more so, my guides (Pablo and Luis) were fantastic. I felt like I was hiking with 2 mates, rather than 2 tour guides. 13K feet climb! Then to finish, a beer together in Fredonia to celebrate!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Minca Tour and Cacao Farm and Coffee Farm
Minca Tour and Cacao Farm and Coffee Farm
Colombia

Este dia fue mi favorito de todos vacacciones. I felt like I was visiting with an old friend instead of a tour guide. The coffee farm and coffee demonstration was educational and the location in the mountains of Cierra Nevada was amazing. But my favorite was the lunch spot where me, my tour guide (Diva), and my driver (Sr. Juan) enjoyed delicious food together overlooking the view. Diva and Sr. Juan shared stories with me, and we even practiced my salsa dancing!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on Jan 13, 2022

Hola Kevin,
Muchas Gracias por tu mensaje! Y nos encantó tenerte en Colombia!
It was very special to have you in our home country, and great to hear you had a great time!
Thank you for visiting us, and we look forward to welcoming you back in Colombia!
We will pass on your comments to our local guides as well.

All of my Best Wishes and stay in touch,
Felipe, the kimkim team and the Aracanto team

An exceptional experience...
Guatemala | Dec 3 - Dec 3, 2021

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Jared M.
Centreville, VA | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2022

Eduardo and team provided an exceptional experience during our visit. Everything from transportation to/from the airport to required COVID testing was taken care of. Would certainly reach back out to Eduardo before planning my next trip!

Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jan 13, 2022

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review Jared! I'm glad you were able to visit Guatemala during these times and enjoy your vacation you and your familly with Luis Pedro guiding you around the country. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Guatemala the better. Hope to see you back again soon, cheers!

Great customized itinerary with frequent communication
Galapagos Islands | Dec 26 - Jan 9, 2022

Alex
Alex L.
Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2022
Planning my trip to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands was a daunting task. Luckily I found kimkim and especially Mathias to guide me on a fantastic journey. Mathias worked closely with me to customize the perfect itinerary for all the things I wanted to do and see. Not only this, but Mathias gave me great advice ranging from packing lists to to restaurants to how to split up my time across locations. He also scheduled things like airport/hotel pickups, taxi boat fees and Covid testing which... Read more

Planning my trip to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands was a daunting task. Luckily I found kimkim and especially Mathias to guide me on a fantastic journey. Mathias worked closely with me to customize the perfect itinerary for all the things I wanted to do and see. Not only this, but Mathias gave me great advice ranging from packing lists to to restaurants to how to split up my time across locations. He also scheduled things like airport/hotel pickups, taxi boat fees and Covid testing which made my life so much simpler. It’s also great that kimkim has a chat tool that let us communicate throughout the whole process.

What put Mathias and this service beyond 5 stars is that after booking, the support didn’t stop. We had frequent communications each day of the trip, ensuring I had a good time on the excursion and was ready for the next day. And each event was top quality, often with private guides!

I was beyond impressed with Mathias and the kimkim service. I 100% recommend the use of the service for a complicated trip like Ecuador and the Galapagos.

Hotel Review
Tambopaxi Cotopaxi Lodge
Parque Nacional Cotopaxi
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

So great to get some exercise in the kayak and explore where a boat cannot go. Swam with marine iguanas and sea lions, and saw penguins too!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jan 18, 2022

Alex, thank you so much for this flattering review! I'm glad that despite the seasoned and independent traveler you are, I could simplify the entire process for you and take some of that burden off your shoulders that always comes with going on a trip to an unknown country, both before and during the trip.
I think we enjoyed having you as our guest as much as you enjoyed Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, and needless to say that we are looking forward to welcome you again to explore all the other beautiful locations on your next trip to Ecuador!

Our trip exceeded our expectations. The atte...
Egypt | Dec 26 - Jan 6, 2022

L
lisa m.
Palm City, FL | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2022

Our trip exceeded our expectations. The attention to each transfer, quality of guides and the places we visited were fantastic.

Local specialist: Sherif Khalil
Sherif
Sherif Khalil
Local specialist in Egypt | Replied on Jan 13, 2022

Thanks Lisa.
It was a great pleasure meeting Mary and you and looking forward to welcoming you in Egypt again in the near future.

Best,
Sherif

Randall put together a trip tailored for our likes and dislikes!
Costa Rica | Dec 26 - Jan 8, 2022

Darion
Darion L.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 11, 2022

Randall provided insider advice on Costa Rica, a country I struggled to piece together things online. He gave a great itinerary for my friends and I based on our likes and dislikes, including great lodging, in great locations, and with activities we got really excited about. It's like having a family friend create a perfect insider's trip FOR YOU. Recommended!

Local specialist: Randall Jiménez
Randall
Randall Jiménez
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 11, 2022

Thank you so much Darion for your kind comments, I really enjoyed working together with you to organize your lifetime vacation in my country and it makes me so happy that you all have enjoyed it, that was the main goal after all, right? :)

I wish you all the best in this new year and I will be happy to welcome you again in our country in the future.

All the best and Pura Vida!

Randall

We had an incredible experience
Peru | Dec 25 - Jan 8, 2022

I
Isaiah N.
Shaw, DC | Reviewed on Jan 11, 2022
We had an incredible experience working with Kristy from the very beginning. Kristy answered all of our questions and was always very attentive when we were debating between places to go or activities to partake in. She was very knowledgeable about the country and the various activities to do and places to visit. Our experience in Peru was incredible. All of the details were taken care for us and it was very simple to figure out where and when we needed to be throughout. Finally, all of... Read more

We had an incredible experience working with Kristy from the very beginning.

Kristy answered all of our questions and was always very attentive when we were debating between places to go or activities to partake in. She was very knowledgeable about the country and the various activities to do and places to visit.

Our experience in Peru was incredible. All of the details were taken care for us and it was very simple to figure out where and when we needed to be throughout.

Finally, all of our guides and drivers were great. We REALLY loved Edy in Cusco, who went above and beyond multiple times to help make our tours and stay that much more enjoyable.

Hotel Review
Second Home
Barranco, Lima

Incredible hotel. We loved the Mirador room - it had a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean and was centrally located in Burranco.

Tips for future travelers

None

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Moray & Maras, and ATV Tour
Moray & Maras, and ATV Tour
Peru

Amazing views and really beautiful experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Kristy Tizon
Kristy
Kristy Tizon
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Jan 17, 2022

Thank you so much for choosing to travel with us! We hope to see you in Peru again. :)

The trip was well planned, with a few nuances
Costa Rica | Dec 24 - Jan 1, 2022

E
Elena L.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 10, 2022
The trip was well planned, but it would be nice to know in advance which tours were private and which were small group. Also, in terms of our itinerary, it would be better if we had the hot springs visit on the evening that we arrived in La Fortuna rather than the next day when we also had a bunch of tours. That would give us more time to enjoy the resort and provide dinner. The fact that the La Fortuna hotel had no restaurant aside from breakfast was a bit of an issue without a car.... Read more

The trip was well planned, but it would be nice to know in advance which tours were private and which were small group. Also, in terms of our itinerary, it would be better if we had the hot springs visit on the evening that we arrived in La Fortuna rather than the next day when we also had a bunch of tours. That would give us more time to enjoy the resort and provide dinner. The fact that the La Fortuna hotel had no restaurant aside from breakfast was a bit of an issue without a car. Thankfully the hotel manager offered us her car so we could get food, but otherwise we had to cross the language barrier to get taxis into town and back. I'd recommend clarifying the hotel's amenities.
Manuel Antonio Park entry rules have changed as well from the information provided in the itinerary. You can now book timed tickets online on the park's website and also get tours there as well. That removes the hassle of going early in the morning to get tickets the day of. Thankfully we checked and booked tickets the day before. There is a cafe in the park as well so no need to pack food.
Otherwise all the guides were good. We especially liked the one in Monteverde cloud forest.

Hotel Review
Igloo Beach Lodge
Manuel Antonio
Activity Review
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk & Baldi Hot Springs Excursion
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk & Baldi Hot Springs Excursion
Arenal/La Fortuna

The hanging bridges experience was great. The hot springs not so much in the beginning, but better once we figured out the lay of the land.

Local specialist:
Brittany
Brittany M.
Denver, CO | Replied on Jan 11, 2022

Thank you for your review, Elena!
Your feedback is important and we rely on hearing from our travelers to ensure we’re doing a great job. We'll definitely take your comments into consideration moving forward.
I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed your guides, and how amazing that the hotel staff lent you their car! It was a pleasure helping you plan and book your trip, and I hope to assist you with another Costa Rica adventure in the future!
Best,
Brittany

Paradise!
Costa Rica | Dec 25 - Jan 5, 2022

D
Danielle M.
McHenry, IL | Reviewed on Jan 10, 2022
Everything was fantastic! Olman did an incredible job answering all my questions about places to stay and excursions to take. Every detail was planned and made the trip stress free. We had an incredible room at each of our destinations and I would credit Olman in making that happen. I highly recommend using KimKim. It made traveling to a country we weren't familiar with very easy and comfortable. We are very pleased with everything!! Read more

Everything was fantastic! Olman did an incredible job answering all my questions about places to stay and excursions to take. Every detail was planned and made the trip stress free. We had an incredible room at each of our destinations and I would credit Olman in making that happen. I highly recommend using KimKim. It made traveling to a country we weren't familiar with very easy and comfortable. We are very pleased with everything!!

Hotel Reviews
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Fortuna

This place is absolutely magical!! We truly enjoyed everything about this hotel except for the lack of water pressure in the shower. That was disappointing, but it by no means ruined our trip. The robes to walk around in were a very nice touch. The restaurants on site were really good and the signature drinks were fun to try. Shang ri La Gardens- the adult section for hotel guests only was incredible. We spent a very large amount of time there. We loved the server Adrianna. She was fantastic. The little cabanas to rest in were perfect. It was so quiet and calming. Incredible!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio

What a view! This hotel was amazing and had the best views in the area. The food was great and the customer service at the pool bar and the restaurant were top notch. We were very pleased and would definitely return to La Mariposa without hesitation. It was the perfect location to get around the area and walking distance to so many restaurants and shops. The free shuttle to and from Manuel Antonio was convenient, and the city bus was great too! We enjoyed our room and the panoramic views it provided us. Every afternoon after our excursions we looked forward to relaxing by the pool for a few hours then up to our room to watch the sunset. Amazing!! Photos don't do this place justice. Andres and Harvy at the pool bar were very attentive and Christian at La Papillion Restaurant went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed our stay. Thank you so much for the outstanding customer service!!

Tips for future travelers

Just relax and chose this place. You will not be disappointed at all!!

Authenticity & Character
Beautifully manicured and very clean
Location
perfect! we could walk to at least 10 different restaurants and the city bus was so easy and clean to use
Staff
everyone was so nice and attentive
Cleanliness & Comfort
very clean and extremely comfortable, especially the padded sun loungers by the pool under the canopyt
Hampton by Hilton San José Airport
Alajuela

super convenient airport shuttle! perfect place to stay for quick layover before our adventure. The hotel was very clean and breakfast was perfect

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Surf Lesson
Surf Lesson
Manuel Antonio

We had a great time learning to surf! The guys were very patient with me and my inability to figure it out! lol! My husband had a blast and I gave up after about an hour, but that was just fine for me. I sat in a lounge chair and enjoyed a wonderful passionfruit margarita in the shade that was provided by the surf club. No worries;) Pura Vida

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Hanging Bridges & Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Hanging Bridges & Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

We had a great time! The hanging bridges were so fun! The hike through the rainforest was beautiful! Our guide showed us 4 different poisonous snakes on the way. Super cool! We went for a nice authentic Costa Rican lunch after were was fabulous as well.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano National Park by Arenal Lake
Arenal Volcano National Park by Arenal Lake
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was a wonderful boat ride and a very relaxing. The hike down to the boat ride was also very nice! We saw some birds and a sloth on the hike.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal -  San Jose - Visit La Paz Waterfall
Arenal - San Jose - Visit La Paz Waterfall
Costa Rica

Absolutely stunning! We couldn't believe how beautiful this park was. The falls, hummingbirds, and landscape was incredible. It was so peaceful.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Savegre Whitewater Rafting
Savegre Whitewater Rafting
Manuel Antonio

The guys were so friendly and enthusiastic! I felt safe the whole time in the water and the hike to the waterfall was really nice. We even enjoyed the open air truck ride up to the river. Awesome experience on my 40th birthday!

Quality of Experience
great time!
Food
the restaurant we stopped at for lunch was delicious and the food was nearly ready for us when we got there. The company calls ahead to put our order in. That is a great way to be mindful of time.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
very friendly and enthusiastic
Transport
loved the open air truck ride
Catamaran Adventure with Snorkeling
Catamaran Adventure with Snorkeling
Manuel Antonio

The boat was very spacious and clean. There were 2 waterslides that some enjoyed. Our captain even spotted some whales so we were able to see 2 whales on our sail. That was a pleasant surprise. The lunch they served was phenominal! The food was very good and they served plenty of it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Olman Romero

The Best of Turkey in 9 Days
Turkey | Dec 28 - Jan 3, 2022

A
Anna G.
Russia | Reviewed on Jan 10, 2022
The tour organized by Mr. Murat was enjoyable, interesting, and generally "smooth sailing". It was my first time in Turkey, but I now have good impressions of the country and its people. There are some other places I wanted to see and things that I wanted to do which did not fit my itinerary, but it will be a good reason for me to return. The tour guides and drivers that were assigned to me - Mr. Aydin in Istanbul, Mr. Irfan in Cappadocia, and Mr. Onder in Izmir were very knowledgeable,... Read more

The tour organized by Mr. Murat was enjoyable, interesting, and generally "smooth sailing". It was my first time in Turkey, but I now have good impressions of the country and its people. There are some other places I wanted to see and things that I wanted to do which did not fit my itinerary, but it will be a good reason for me to return.

The tour guides and drivers that were assigned to me - Mr. Aydin in Istanbul, Mr. Irfan in Cappadocia, and Mr. Onder in Izmir were very knowledgeable, patient, and kind. They introduced to me Turkey through its history, food, and people that we have met during the trip.

As regards the hotels, I especially liked the Nisanyan House in Izmir. It felt like "home" and was a serene and quiet place. The food that they served were also authentic and very good. The other hotels were also conveniently located and had good amenities.

Thank you, Trail Travel and Mr. Murat for the memorable and hassle-free vacation. I did not have much time planning it but it all went well, even better than what I expected.

I hope to be back soon.

Local specialist: Murat Ornek
Murat
Murat Ornek
Local specialist in Turkey | Replied on Jan 10, 2022

Thanks for this wonderful feedback, Anna.
Hope to see you here again very soon.

Eduardo did a great job planning our trip. He...
Guatemala | Dec 24 - Dec 31, 2021

A
Ariel S.
Shaw, DC | Reviewed on Jan 09, 2022

Eduardo did a great job planning our trip. He was very responsive and very helpful, and made the whole experience very easy. I highly recommend using Eduardo's services for a trip to Guatemala.

Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jan 13, 2022

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review, Ariel! I'm glad you were able to visit Guatemala with our cousin during these special times of the year!! with Franciso and your driver Henry guiding you around the country. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Guatemala the better. Hope to see you back again soon, cheers!

Review of our trip to MexicoMexico City
Mexico | Dec 15 - Dec 24, 2021

Lisa
Lisa C.
Centreville, VA | Reviewed on Jan 08, 2022
Review of our trip to Mexico Mexico City
*******************
We found everything to be well organized.
Our guide Demi was very knowledgeable, flexible, helpful and polite.
The hotel was clean, staff was attentive and the location was conveniently, centrally located.
We appreciated the option to have private transfers to all our destinations.
Puerto Morelos
***********************
The place was beautiful! It was exactly what we were looking for: a lovely little town away from the big...
Read more

Review of our trip to Mexico

Mexico City
*******************
We found everything to be well organized.
Our guide Demi was very knowledgeable, flexible, helpful and polite.
The hotel was clean, staff was attentive and the location was conveniently, centrally located.
We appreciated the option to have private transfers to all our destinations.

Puerto Morelos
***********************
The place was beautiful! It was exactly what we were looking for: a lovely little town away from the big resorts! We thank Jorge for understanding our preference!
The hotel was gorgeous – however we have a few remarks:
- Staff tries to sell you a timeshare or purchase when you arrive. We did not appreciate this as we were tired from our travel.
- There is a problem with insufficient beach lounges and umbrellas.
- The hotel would be more environmentally friendly if it offered water bottle refill stations. Instead there were only water plastic bottles and no recycling bins.

Overall our trip was great, and we are very satisfied!

Hotel Review
The Fives Oceanfront
Quintana Roo

An amazing place. The premises are stunningly beautiful. The beach is kept very clean and the ocean is gorgeous! Only two things need some attention: - the staff at the resort tries to sell you a time share -there seems to be a major problem with insufficient beach chairs and umbrellas - they promote water plastic bottles, and it would be great if they could install a water bottle refill station

Tips for future travelers

Yes. Stay firm when hotel staff tries to book you for a presentation to sell you time shares. Unless you are truly interested in making such an investment, you'd better find some good excuses and get out of it...

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Shared walking tour of Mexico City's historic center
Shared walking tour of Mexico City's historic center
Mexico City

Our guide Demi was very well prepared and informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jorge Reyna
Jorge
Jorge Reyna
Local specialist in Playa del Carmen | Replied on Jan 14, 2022

Hola Lisa! Thank you so much for such a nice and kind review. It gives us great pleasure to know that you enjoyed this beautiful country and that you liked the selection of destinations, guides, and activities we chose for you. We also thank you for your feedback about the hotel in Puerto Morelos, part of our mission is to reduce the environmental impact through our travels so we will follow up and continue to promote training with our different allies. You are always welcome in Mexico and we hope to see you again very soon.

Happy travels,

Jorge & Rutopia team.

Trip of a Lifetime
Egypt | Dec 27 - Jan 4, 2022

Pavitra
Pavitra R.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 08, 2022
Planning our trip with Mr. Sherif and Dunes and Beyond was very easy. We had planned this trip per-Covid and finally were able to go to Egypt this winter. Mr.Sherif and Kimkim let us postpone our trip for close to two years due to Covid lockdowns. When we landed in Egypt D&B and it’s entire team took extremely good care of us. Ahmed was our airport aide and was always there to help us with luggage and visas. Our drivers: Adil in Cairo and Yasser in Luxor drive us around to the various sites... Read more

Planning our trip with Mr. Sherif and Dunes and Beyond was very easy. We had planned this trip per-Covid and finally were able to go to Egypt this winter. Mr.Sherif and Kimkim let us postpone our trip for close to two years due to Covid lockdowns. When we landed in Egypt D&B and it’s entire team took extremely good care of us. Ahmed was our airport aide and was always there to help us with luggage and visas. Our drivers: Adil in Cairo and Yasser in Luxor drive us around to the various sites in very clean air conditioned cars. The cars were also in very good condition. Our tour guides: Sagy in Cairo and Alexandria, and Mohammed in Luxor made our trip. They were both very knowledgeable in Egyptology and helped us understand Pharaonic history. We truly enjoyed our experience with our tour guides. Sagy was just amazing. We felt we were touring Egypt with a friend and not a tour guide, and that made all the difference. We had an amazing trip of a lifetime in Egypt, thanks to D&B and its entire team. Cheers.

Local specialist: Sherif Khalil
Sherif
Sherif Khalil
Local specialist in Egypt | Replied on Jan 09, 2022

Hi Pavitra,
What a wonderful review to read, I am very pleased you have enjoyed your postponed family trip to Egypt and I will convey your nice words to everyone.
Still there is much more to see in Egypt, make sure you comeback soon 🙂
I enjoyed meeting your family and you in person and very much looking forward to accommodating you in Egypt again in the near future.

Best,
Sherif

Hoa Tran was AMAZING!
Thailand | Dec 21 - Jan 4, 2022

R
Roger A.
the United Arab Emirates | Reviewed on Jan 08, 2022

Hoa Tran was AMAZING! super helpful, took her time to understand my preferences, flexed the itinerary accordingly, provided on the spot support, her availability was remarkable.. the list goes on of her off the chart service!
And The local guides.. super kind people and very helpful!
Just trust her and the team, and you go enjoy yourself with a memorable vacation..

Local specialist: Hoa Tran

Everything was very smooth and went perfectly...
Argentina | Dec 28 - Jan 4, 2022

M
Michael M.
Libertyville, IL | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2022
Everything was very smooth and went perfectly. No issues throughout the entire trip due to the great planning from the travel team. Fernando and Mathias were particularly helpful, knowledgeable, and very friendly. Would highly recommend. Read more

Everything was very smooth and went perfectly. No issues throughout the entire trip due to the great planning from the travel team. Fernando and Mathias were particularly helpful, knowledgeable, and very friendly. Would highly recommend.

Hotel Review
Hotel Bahia Vik
Maldonado
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Ferry Navigation to Montevideo
Buenos Aires
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Emilce Alonso
Emilce
Emilce Alonso
Local specialist in Córdoba | Replied on Feb 04, 2022

Hi Michael,
Thank you very much for your review. It was my pleasure to plan your trip to Argentina and Uruguay. I am very happy to hear you enjoyed it and I appreciate the feedback.
Wishing you a great year!
Emi

Lorena is amazing!
Chile | Jan 2 - Jan 6, 2022

R
Rachel K.
Durham, NC | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2022

Lorena was a super duper help before and during the trip. She was flexible, accommodating, super responsive and very available. She arranged for us to have the best tour guides and we loved the hotel she arranged for us. Everything was the best of the best and would recommend to anyone!

Local specialist: Lorena Huidobro
Lorena
Lorena Huidobro
Local specialist in Houston, TX & Santiago, Chile | Replied on Jan 07, 2022

Aww you are the sweetest, thanks Rachel! I am so happy the family enjoyed the custom trip prepared for you all. I'd be more than glad to host you again in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia or Ecuador!! Have an amazing rest of your year.

Excellent trip to Spain
Spain | Dec 27 - Jan 5, 2022

B
Bruce H.
Kankakee, IL | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2022
I found kimkim with a Google search, and was impressed with the positive feedback given by former travelers. Now, I am the one giving the positive review without any hesitation! Our trip to Spain was planned excellently and with attention to detail by Sam. We certainly had some anxiety due to COVID restrictions, but decided to go ahead with the trip and had a wonderful experience. In addition, my wife had a fracture in her foot that limited her ability to walk distances, but wheelchair... Read more

I found kimkim with a Google search, and was impressed with the positive feedback given by former travelers. Now, I am the one giving the positive review without any hesitation! Our trip to Spain was planned excellently and with attention to detail by Sam. We certainly had some anxiety due to COVID restrictions, but decided to go ahead with the trip and had a wonderful experience. In addition, my wife had a fracture in her foot that limited her ability to walk distances, but wheelchair assistance was arranged for her when possible. Transportation between sites was always on-time and each driver was very polite and helpful. Each guide was well-prepared and extremely informative and friendly and welcoming: Teresa in Madrid, Joaquin in Cordoba, Maria in Seville, Roberto and Paco in Granada, and Maria and Craig in Barcelona. We experienced so many wonderful sites, too many to mention, but the highlights were: Prado and Royal Palace in Madrid, Mosque-Cathedral and Alcazar in Cordoba, Cathedral and Alcazar in Seville, Alhambra and Albaicin in Granada, and Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell in Barcelona followed by a day trip to Montserrat and a winery near Barcelona. Our trip also included several meals and a Flamenco show, and we thoroughly enjoyed these as well as the sight-seeing planned in each city. Also, Sam and his colleague Fran checked in with us during the trip to make sure everything was going smoothly--and, of course, everything did go very smoothly thanks to the attention to detail by our travel agent! The accommodations were very nice and always in a convenient location in each city. Overall, we had an amazing experience, and would highly recommend Sam and kimkim to anyone. We have no regrets and only wish we had more than ten days to spend in Spain.

Hotel Reviews
H10 Puerta de Alcalá
Madrid

Nice location, great breakfast, helpful staff. Hallway noise could be heard in rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Gallery Hotel
Barcelona

Great location, very helpful staff, comfortable beds and climate control.

Authenticity & Character
A modern hotel. Nicely decorated.
Location
A little farther from tourist sites, but easily reached by taxi or walking.
Staff
Very helpful as this was our last hotel of the trip and we had documents that we needed printed out.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Casa 1800
Granada

Hotel was in a quiet, secluded street. Building was old with lots of character. Staff was extremely friendly.

Tips for future travelers

Highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful building and rooms.
Location
Close to shopping and sites in center of city,
Staff
So friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds weren't the most comfortable on our trip.
Hotel NH Califa
Córdoba

Hotel was good--clean and convenient. However, it could use some updating. Staff was friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
H10 Casa de la Plata
Sevilla

Hotel is in a great location close to historical sites and shopping. However, if your room has an outside view, it can be noisy during the night. The staff were friendly and hotel was new and clean and nicely decorated.

Tips for future travelers

While the view of the street was nice, choose an interior room for less noise during the night.

Authenticity & Character
New and nicely decorated.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Day Trip to Montserrat & Wine Tour
Day Trip to Montserrat & Wine Tour
Barcelona

A great day trip from Barcelona. Nice to see the countryside and experience more culture away from the city.

Quality of Experience
Food
Stopped at a restaurant in a small town and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Craig transported us and was a great guide for our day.
Transport
Private Tour of Córdoba
Private Tour of Córdoba
Córdoba

Mosque-Cathedral and Alcazar were fascinating and came to life with our guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Flamenco & Tapas Tour
Private Flamenco & Tapas Tour
Seville

Flamenco show was so much fun and interesting. Tapas tour was also informative and our guide explained the traditions and food choices to us. Delicious!

Quality of Experience
Food
Restaurant choices were excellent.
Private Tour of Park Güell & Sagrada Família
Private Tour of Park Güell & Sagrada Família
Barcelona

Parc Guell is fun and whimsical place to visit. Sagrada Familia is just too amazing for words. If you only have time for one place, go to Sagrada Familia. Also, our guide, Sandra, made the place come to life.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Took taxis, but had no issues.
Private City Tour of Seville
Private City Tour of Seville
Seville

We toured the Cathedral, Alcazar and explored a neighborhood with our guide, Maria. She was very informative and made the experience so much fun and informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was fun, informative, and well-prepared.
Transport
Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Jan 07, 2022

Hi Bruce,
Thank you so much for writing your review! Both Fran and I really appreciate your words and we're so happy you had such a good time! I'm also delighted Janell was comfortable thanks to the wheelchair assistance. It was a real pleasure to meet you all in Seville and I wish you guys a great 2022!! Un abrazo fuerte, Sam

11 Days of Classic Argentina: Buenos Aires, Salta, Mendoze and MORE!!!
Argentina | Dec 20 - Dec 30, 2021

LYNNETTE
LYNNETTE Y.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2022
Emi is nothing short of a ROCKSTAR! Even with the time zone difference (prior to booking), she considered every detail when crafting this special trip, despite limitations of COVID. All the hotels I stayed in were super clean and literally in the center of town, so venturing out on my own for dinner or to explore neighborhoods was super easy. By far, Salta and Mendoza will forever be stained in my happiest memories. From the seemingly endless Salt Flats, hiking in San Lorenzo, lively... Read more

Emi is nothing short of a ROCKSTAR! Even with the time zone difference (prior to booking), she considered every detail when crafting this special trip, despite limitations of COVID. All the hotels I stayed in were super clean and literally in the center of town, so venturing out on my own for dinner or to explore neighborhoods was super easy.

By far, Salta and Mendoza will forever be stained in my happiest memories. From the seemingly endless Salt Flats, hiking in San Lorenzo, lively squares of downtown Mendoza, beautiful mountain views in Cafayate and Purmamarca to the delicious empanadas and peaceful horseback ride at the ranch, this trip was everything I hoped for and more. Thanks so much Emi and KimKim for ending my 2021 adventures with a bang!

Hotel Review
Hotel Raices Aconcagua
Mendoza

The hotel was located mere steps from one of the larger squares and walking distance to shopping and very good restaurants. At night, I felt very safe walking about and the hotel is just outside a bus stop, with buses running very frequently. Despite COVID, there was a decent selection of pastries and juices for breakfast, but no eggs or anything like other hotels I had stayed in. My room on the 8th floor was very clean and offered an AMAZING view, plus the floor was very quiet at night. The elevators are a little slow at times. The front desk was very attentive upon check-in and even went as far to help me make an appointment with a nearby business for a service. If in Mendoza again, I would absolutely consider them for another stay!

Tips for future travelers

No.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The staff was very helpful and spoke very good English if your Spanish is not so fluent.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fresh towels were provided daily. The safe was functional and locked/unlocked very easily by setting a code. Also the windows open with a latch to enjoy some fresh air if you want.
Activity Review
Full day to Salinas Grandes (Purmamarca)
Full day to Salinas Grandes (Purmamarca)
Salta

The mountain views were breathtaking! The time spent at the Salt Flats was truly a highlight of the excursion.

Quality of Experience
The people of Purmamarca were so kind and very gracious and getting to taste llama was surely a surprise!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was full of knowledge about the history Jujuy, Salinas Grandes and the Salta area that I definitely learned more than I would have just trying to visit the area on my own. Great driving through the winding roads in the mountains and was happy to help us take photos.
Transport
Driver picked me up about 10 minutes past my initial pickup time but it seems that no one in Argentina is ever really on time.
Local specialist: Emilce Alonso
Emilce
Emilce Alonso
Local specialist in Córdoba | Replied on Jan 12, 2022

Lynnette,
Thank you very much for your kind words and for having trusted us for your trip. :)
We are so happy that you had a great and full experience in Argentina. It is reflected in the beautiful photos you shared!
We hope to welcome you soon somewhere else in South America :D
It was a pleasure to e-meet you! Thank you very much and our best wishes for this year that has just begun!

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

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Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.