Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 19,831 ratings
Read 19,831 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.

Karin was very patient in putting together ou...
Spain | Jan 15 - Jan 27, 2022

Rosario
Rosario A.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2022
Karin was very patient in putting together our trip. We booked two weeks in advanced which is too short and Karin was able to make an excellent trip for us. Thank you Karin, we always remember you and Kimkim.
Once Beatriz de Pablo took over in Spain and Portugal it was an awesome trip. We told her our flight and she was able to adjust in short notice our accommodation. Beatriz make our trip so it won't be tiring for us. We have enough rest and go sight seeing, shopping, walking downtown and...
Read more

Karin was very patient in putting together our trip. We booked two weeks in advanced which is too short and Karin was able to make an excellent trip for us. Thank you Karin, we always remember you and Kimkim.
Once Beatriz de Pablo took over in Spain and Portugal it was an awesome trip. We told her our flight and she was able to adjust in short notice our accommodation. Beatriz make our trip so it won't be tiring for us. We have enough rest and go sight seeing, shopping, walking downtown and having tapas. Beatriz also made sure we are doing fine by texting via WhatsApp everyday, if our pickup was there. She also got all the professional guides for us. It turns our almost all out tours were private. Hotels she choose with our budget were excellent. They were very clean and comfortable and made us feel welcome. Staff at the hotel were accommodating as well, they guided us where to eat, shop, what to see on our free time.
Hello Bea, Hats off to you, you did awesome. It's a trip we can't forget. Please also thank our professional guides Cristina, Enrique, Sergio in Barcelona. Jorge in Madrid. Train ride to Toledo was excellent and the place great. It was sooo cold. But anyway we were able to change our return trip to Madrid earlier. Oh gosh, we were having a good time and I forgot the names of our guide in Granada Please so sorry. Our guide in Seville Andres who waited for us to get our antigen test and was very patient. Our driver Juan Pedro going to the Andalusian Olive Estate thank you for being an excellent guide. Now in Lisboa, our last destination this trip was suer great. Miguel our food tour guide was so professional, friendly with a god sense of humor. Maria our guide to our Lady of Fatima was to drive and guide us was very good. It was an hour and a half drive from Lisboa. Tireless woman.
Overall, five stars to all who made our trip worth remembering. Hats off to all!!!

Hotel Review
Ciutat de Barcelona
Barcelona

Easy access to shops, restaurants, points of interests. Hotel can call a taxi for you. Excellent location. Very clean rooms and we had free buffet breakfast. Breakfast selection was very good.

Tips for future travelers

No parking nearby.

Authenticity & Character
Ambiance
Location
within City Center
Staff
Friendly and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
very clean, good wifi connection
Activity Review
Taste Barcelona: Authentic Tapas & Neighborhood Walk
Taste Barcelona: Authentic Tapas & Neighborhood Walk
Barcelona

Excellent tapas. Wine or any drink you like to have. Cava was our favorite.. We went to three bars and tapa place and they were all very good. Tasted parmesan cheese cake!! Cristina was a professional guide.

Quality of Experience
we had the best tapas
Food
Awesome!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very Professional
Transport
we walked
Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Beatriz
Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Feb 04, 2022

Hi Rosie! Thank you SO much for taking the time to write such a detailed review and thank you for your kind words to the entire team. It's been truly a pleasure to help you plan this amazing trip to Spain and Portugal and I'm so happy to see that you created lovely memories for a lifetime :) Best regards, Bea.

We were taking our son on a birthday trip to celebrate becoming a teenager!
Costa Rica | Jan 26 - Jan 29, 2022

Davis
Davis L.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2022
Originally we booked a trip to Peru to visit Machu Picchu and do some other excursions while there that he would enjoy. Joanna put together an amazing trip plan for us! Unfortunately about 5 days prior to departure Johanna notified us that the town below Machu Picchu suffered a horrible mud slide which closed it down. We shopped other travel coordinators and no one could beat the prices. Johanna was great but unfortunately we had to pivot quickly. Costa Rica here we come...got in... Read more

Originally we booked a trip to Peru to visit Machu Picchu and do some other excursions while there that he would enjoy. Joanna put together an amazing trip plan for us! Unfortunately about 5 days prior to departure Johanna notified us that the town below Machu Picchu suffered a horrible mud slide which closed it down. We shopped other travel coordinators and no one could beat the prices. Johanna was great but unfortunately we had to pivot quickly. Costa Rica here we come...got in contact with Charlotte who helped us outline an amazing trip to Costa Rica. Charlotte was so attentive to our needs and timing. She put together a great trip and found a fabulous local private driver. La Fortuna is such an beautiful place to visit and Charlotte booked some great adventures for us including Private ATV trip, Zip Line, Spa visit with a hot spring right off of the active volcano Arenal and a hike along the base of Arenal with a very knowledgeable guide. Great service and follow up. We will use them again and again especially when visiting new destinations! Costa Rica is now one of our new favorite places to visit.

Local specialist: Charlotte Törnqvist
Charlotte
Charlotte Törnqvist
Local specialist in Turrialba, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 04, 2022

Hi Davis, and thank you for the review! It was fun to work with you, and to make this last-minute trip happen.
There is so much more for you to see and do here in Costa Rica, so I hope to get to plan another trip for you in a near future. :-D

Charlotte

Chilean tour experience by the Aiellos
Chile | Jan 14 - Jan 29, 2022

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Richard A.
Middletown, NJ | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2022
Our city guide Philllippe was knowlegable, informative and was always there to help with any local questions we had. Fernando, our Andes mountain guide, was very knowledgeable about the mountain however the tour we received (5k trek and hot springs) was not the tour written in the itinerary. Leo, our Santiago driver, was great in understanding all of our city activities. The meal at his home with his wife Gloria was a wonderful experience. Jose provided a well guided tour through Maipo... Read more

Our city guide Philllippe was knowlegable, informative and was always there to help with any local questions we had. Fernando, our Andes mountain guide, was very knowledgeable about the mountain however the tour we received (5k trek and hot springs) was not the tour written in the itinerary. Leo, our Santiago driver, was great in understanding all of our city activities. The meal at his home with his wife Gloria was a wonderful experience. Jose provided a well guided tour through Maipo vineyards. Valparaiso was very nice but were hoping for more of a beach experience. Our vineyard stays were a special treat. Matetic had exceptional food/wine pairing and we especially enjoyed the bio dynamic tour of the vineyards given by JP. Casa Silva had a very nice restaurant but was only open for lunch. No other restaurants open for dinner in the area. Thus, one night at Casa Silva would have been enough. Remaining time was on our own and Lorena was very helpful setting up wine tours for us. Overall, we loved our trip and the complete experience.

Hotel Review
La Casona at Matetic Vineyards
Lagunillas

Very spacious room, surrounded by vineyards, excellent food and wine pairings, great bike ride, wonderful bio dynamic tour

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Lorena Huidobro
Lorena
Lorena Huidobro
Local specialist in Houston, TX & Santiago, Chile | Replied on Feb 03, 2022

Dear Rich and Carol,
It was my pleasure to plan and coordinate this truly diverse trip to Chile for you! I am very happy to hear you enjoyed it and I appreciate the feedback. Wishing you both a great rest of the year and many more world adventures to come!
Best,
Lorena

Emilce and the entire team of guides in Argen...
Argentina | Apr 19 - Apr 26, 2022

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Jt H.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Feb 02, 2022
Emilce and the entire team of guides in Argentina, provided me with a wonderful experience.
I will return soon and plan on utilizing their services again....
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Emilce and the entire team of guides in Argentina, provided me with a wonderful experience.
I will return soon and plan on utilizing their services again....

Hotel Review
Huinid Obelisco Hotel
Buenos Aires

Very relaxing location in the center of Buenos Aires... As all if Buenos Aires is eclectic in historic and new architecture, so to is the Huinid Obelisco hotel..

Tips for future travelers

U.S. travelers would be wise to discuss with a local guide before exchanging dollars to pesos at the official exchange rate... ask about "blue" rate

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Leandro Zamprogno
Emilce
Emilce Alonso
Local specialist in Córdoba | Replied on Feb 04, 2022

Hi JT,
Thank you so much for your review. It was a pleasure to organize the trip for you. I will look forward to welcoming you and Maria to SouthAmerica again for your next trip. :)
Have a wonderful year and more adventures to come!
Emi

Amazing Ecuador
Ecuador | Jan 15 - Feb 1, 2022

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Lubomir R.
Sandalfoot Cove, FL | Reviewed on Feb 02, 2022
We have never been to Ecuador before but after this trip I will strongly recommend to everyone to go to Ecuador and with KimKim :) Daniel was absolutely essential help by preparing my itinerary. I had already some idea but he helped me to make it to the perfection. Let's imagine: we saw in 18 days Galapagos, Guayaquil, Cajas, Cuenca, Gualaceo and Chordeleg, Ingapirca, famous market in Guamote, Chimborazo - 5 000 meters, Baños, Cotopaxi - 4 800 meters, Laguna Quilotoa, Otavalo and of course... Read more

We have never been to Ecuador before but after this trip I will strongly recommend to everyone to go to Ecuador and with KimKim :) Daniel was absolutely essential help by preparing my itinerary. I had already some idea but he helped me to make it to the perfection. Let's imagine: we saw in 18 days Galapagos, Guayaquil, Cajas, Cuenca, Gualaceo and Chordeleg, Ingapirca, famous market in Guamote, Chimborazo - 5 000 meters, Baños, Cotopaxi - 4 800 meters, Laguna Quilotoa, Otavalo and of course Quito.
All the time the itinerary work perfectly. All the transportations in Galapagos were just accurate. But the best person was our Guide and driver Christian. He was our guide from Guayaquil till Quito. Every day in the good mood even he must work hard, every day precise picking up us from each hotel, giving a perfect explanation and explaining all my questions. Thanks to him we understand mot just history, architecture and culture but also the people of Ecuador. I have to mention he was driving very safe.
If you ask me what was the best in our trip I couldn't tell you. Everything was just perfect. Galapagos? Cuenca? Ingapirca? Quito? Or Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Baños? Each of this locations were different and wonderful in its way. In addition the hotels we have used were so nice and unique!
Thank you everybody in KimKim who was involved and a special thanks to Daniel and Christian.

Pamela and Lubomir Repka.

Hotel Reviews
Patio Andaluz
Quito
Hacienda La Cienega
Cotopaxi
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Floresta
Baños
Posada Ingapirca
Ingapirca
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Boutique Carvallo
Cuenca
Exe Galería Man-Ging
Guayaquil
Mainao
Puerto Ayora
Casa Pimampiro
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Ikala Quito Hotel
Quito
Activity Reviews
COVID Test at your Hotel
COVID Test at your Hotel
Ecuador
Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument
Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument
Quito
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Otavalo and Cuicocha Lake: A Day Trip from Quito
Discover Otavalo and Cuicocha Lake: A Day Trip from Quito
Quito
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cotopaxi National Park - Quilotoa Lagoon (Private)
Cotopaxi National Park - Quilotoa Lagoon (Private)
Cotopaxi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Baños - Pailón del Diablo to Cotopaxi - Hacienda Adventure
Baños - Pailón del Diablo to Cotopaxi - Hacienda Adventure
Cotopaxi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guamote - Chimborazo - Baños
Guamote - Chimborazo - Baños
Guamote
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ingapirca Ruins - Guamote
Ingapirca Ruins - Guamote
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gualaceo - Chordeleg - Cañar Province
Gualaceo - Chordeleg - Cañar Province
Cuenca
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gualaceo - Chordeleg - Cañar Province
Gualaceo - Chordeleg - Cañar Province
Cuenca
Cajas National Park - Cuenca - City Tour
Cajas National Park - Cuenca - City Tour
Cuenca
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guayaquil - Cuenca - City Tour
Guayaquil - Cuenca - City Tour
Guayaquil
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guayaquil City Tour - Free afternoon
Guayaquil City Tour - Free afternoon
Guayaquil
Full Day to Salinas!
Full Day to Salinas!
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guayaquil Gateway: Exploring the Pearl of the Pacific
Guayaquil Gateway: Exploring the Pearl of the Pacific
Guayaquil
Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Puerto Ayora
Visit Highlands Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit Highlands Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora
Kicker Rock: A Snorkeling Adventure
Kicker Rock: A Snorkeling Adventure
Isla San Cristóbal
Welcome to San Cristóbal Island! Visit the Interpretation Center, Tijeretas Hill, or La Lobería
Welcome to San Cristóbal Island! Visit the Interpretation Center, Tijeretas Hill, or La Lobería
Galapagos Islands
Local specialist: Daniel Larrea
Daniel
Daniel Larrea
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Feb 07, 2022
Hola!!
Thank you so much Lubomir and Pamela for your comment!
It’s incredible to know that you had an amazing trip, and that you could learn about the history, traditions, culture of Ecuador. I am happy that you could enjoy the landscapes this beautiful country has to offer.
It was awesome to work with you and giving you an unforgettable experience!
If you wish to return to Ecuador, you can always count on me without a problem! Also, if your family or friends want to travel to Ecuador, I will...
Read more

Hola!!
Thank you so much Lubomir and Pamela for your comment!
It’s incredible to know that you had an amazing trip, and that you could learn about the history, traditions, culture of Ecuador. I am happy that you could enjoy the landscapes this beautiful country has to offer.
It was awesome to work with you and giving you an unforgettable experience!
If you wish to return to Ecuador, you can always count on me without a problem! Also, if your family or friends want to travel to Ecuador, I will be happy to help them!
Safe travels and thank you once again,
Best regards from the middle of the world,
Daniel

Amazing service. Would definitely use again f...
Costa Rica | Dec 24 - Jan 2, 2022

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Jiten P.
Tampa, FL | Reviewed on Feb 02, 2022
Amazing service. Would definitely use again for future travel plans. From the first time I connected with Adriana, she was very helpful and answered all my questions. After making a truly memorable trip plan, she was available for any further questions. Highly recommend! Read more

Amazing service. Would definitely use again for future travel plans. From the first time I connected with Adriana, she was very helpful and answered all my questions. After making a truly memorable trip plan, she was available for any further questions. Highly recommend!

Hotel Review
Nayara Hotel Spa and Gardens
Fortuna

Unique experience with unparalleled service.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Monteverde

Awesome views and experience. Get to really experience Costa Rica with this excursion

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 08, 2022

Hello Jiten,

Thank you for your nice comments about your experience in Costa Rica, I am happy to know you enjoyed our country and our services. I hope you visit us in the future and I will be happy to assist you again. :)
Sunny regards,
Adriana

Everything was truly great. Only issue we had...
Costa Rica | Jan 23 - Jan 30, 2022

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Jeff S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Feb 01, 2022

Everything was truly great. Only issue we had was the reservation for the ride back to the airport. Our car came at 8AM when it probably should have come at 10. We were sitting at the airport for 5 hours.

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 01, 2022

Hello Jeff,

Thanks for your nice review, I am happy to know your family had a great experience in Costa Rica.
Concerning the transfer back to San Jose, our intention was you would not have delays on your way back to San Jose, many times people spend 5 hours getting from Manuel Antonio to the airport because of traffic delays, we did not want you to miss your international flight, so I hope it was not inconvenient at the end.

Thanks for trusting in us.

Pura Vida!
Olman

Good Experience, Good Service, but not necessarily great or excellent
Costa Rica | Jan 24 - Jan 31, 2022

Divya
Divya J.
Wayne, PA | Reviewed on Feb 01, 2022
Normally I book trips myself, but this was our first time using a travel agent, and we had a fun week in Costa Rica. It is a beautiful country with lots to do and see. If anything, I wish that we had more time there. Brittany, our agent, was always friendly and reasonably responsible. She listened to our needs throughout the process. Most of the trip reservations ran smoothly. The only hiccup we had was on the first night. We arrived at 2 am from our flight, super tired. When we came to the... Read more

Normally I book trips myself, but this was our first time using a travel agent, and we had a fun week in Costa Rica. It is a beautiful country with lots to do and see. If anything, I wish that we had more time there. Brittany, our agent, was always friendly and reasonably responsible. She listened to our needs throughout the process. Most of the trip reservations ran smoothly. The only hiccup we had was on the first night. We arrived at 2 am from our flight, super tired. When we came to the hotel, they could not find the reservation that KimKim booked through Expedia. They even tried calling Expedia and trying to find it but couldn't find anything. KimKim didn't give me any relevant info to find the reservation besides the unsuccessful confirmation number, and we couldn't get in touch with them since it was the night. Eventually, we had to end up paying for a night directly with the hotel at the counter (which was at a cheaper price than the KimKim booking). KimKim refunded their booking fee. In general, the agents were available to respond within 15-30 minutes of when we had a question or situation.

Besides this booking hiccup, all the other bookings ran smoothly. Everyone that KimKim booked us with were great companies and excellent service. We especially enjoyed Sky Adventures ziplining at Monteverde and the Catamaran Adventure with Tuscanes Tours in Manuel Antonio. Also, the shuttles that they booked us with RideCR between the different locations were always on time and very professional, which I very much appreciated. One note about the transfers, I feel that there could have been more attention to detail by Brittany for when the shuttle times were and when the hotel check-in/check-out were. There were multiple times when the two did not align and so we found ourselves having to figure out what to do in the interim time. Another way to work with this issue would have been to call the hotels for us in advance and let them know of these transportation timings.

One thing that I would have wished for is a breakdown of the costs for lodging and activities. As college students, we were hoping to keep the budget as low as possible. As such, Brittany kept some large blocks of time in the day free to do self-exploration so we didn't have to pay additional upfront costs. On the itinerary, she provided suggestions of what to do, but the transport and entrance fee to those activities were not included. If I had a cost breakdown, I could better understand where to spend and where to splurge. It is also possible that I could have found cheaper rates than the agent if I looked myself. It seems like most of the bookings were done through Expedia, at least for the hotels, which may or may not have been the cheapest rates.

Overall, we had a good experience, but not necessarily a great or excellent one based on the above factors. I appreciated that Brittany was able to connect us with the local companies, but now that we know the good companies to book with, I would book a trip by myself in the future.

Hotel Review
La Fortuna Downtown Boutique Hotel
La Fortuna San Carlos

Good, no-frills hotel. Good front desk service. I like that all the rooms face the pool. Breakfast in the morning was tasty. The location was great to be able to walk around town or get to La Arenal and the Hot Springs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Morning Catamaran Adventure with Barbecue
Morning Catamaran Adventure with Barbecue
Manuel Antonio

Staff was very attentive. We love boats so this was a really fun ride. It was great to interact with the other people on the boat as well. Had great food and drinks.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist:
Brittany
Brittany M.
Colorado | Replied on Jun 13, 2022

Thank you for writing a review, Divya
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.
All the best,
Brittany

Good last minute trip
Argentina | Jan 17 - Jan 22, 2022

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Stephen M.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 01, 2022
We were supposed to go on an Antarctic but our cruise was canceled on the day of departure. KimKim helped us build a replacement trip on very short notice to salvage our vacation. Thank you. Read more

We were supposed to go on an Antarctic but our cruise was canceled on the day of departure. KimKim helped us build a replacement trip on very short notice to salvage our vacation. Thank you.

Activity Review
El Chalten Full Day, Free time
El Chalten Full Day, Free time
El Calafate
Local specialist: Emilce Alonso

Introduction to Argentina Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia
Chile | Jan 10 - Jan 20, 2022

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Michael L.
Mililani Town, HI | Reviewed on Jan 31, 2022
It took a couple of years to organize this trip because of the pandemic. Serena and Lorena put together an excellent ten day itinerary that introduced us to Argentina Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia.
We spent three night in Ushuaia. This was sufficient time to tour the town and vicinity, visit the prison museum, tour the National Park, cruise the channel and experience the penquins on Martillo Island, and tour the Haberton Ranch.
We spent four nights in El Calafate which was plenty of time...
Read more

It took a couple of years to organize this trip because of the pandemic. Serena and Lorena put together an excellent ten day itinerary that introduced us to Argentina Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia.
We spent three night in Ushuaia. This was sufficient time to tour the town and vicinity, visit the prison museum, tour the National Park, cruise the channel and experience the penquins on Martillo Island, and tour the Haberton Ranch.
We spent four nights in El Calafate which was plenty of time to tour the town, visit Perito Moreno glacier (boardwalk and boat tour), boat tour of the other glaciers, and Nibepo Aike ranch, including 3 hour horse back ride.
The next stop was three nights in El Chalten. I was able to trek to the lagoon of Fitz Roy, tour the small town, trek to the lagoon at the base glaciar Huemul and take the boat tour of the nearby lake.
We stayed in the Fuegueno hotel in Ushuaia. It was a nice hotel but noisy at night. Our room was facing the mountains; we had to endure a lot of noise from the street below.
In El Calafate, we stayed at the Kosten Aike. This is a nice hotel but it is noisy at night. After the first night we switched rooms from the street side to the court yard side of the hotel - which was very quiet. The staff is excellent!
In El Chalten, we stayed at the Destino Sur. This was a very pleasant hotel and a grade above the others.
There were a couple of glitches. My transit never showed up at the bus stop in El Chalten. I had a ten minute walk to the hotel. On the transit from El Chalten to El Calafate, the driver stopped for about an hour at the airport outside of town to pick up another passenger, but the passenger was a no show.
Ryan's Travel itinerary was vague. They should provide more detail of the daily activities.

Lorena is excellent. Down the road I am sure that I will use her travel agency again.

Local specialist: Lorena Huidobro

I was totally blown away with the service I r...
Chile | Jan 9 - Jan 24, 2022

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sam j.
Grant, NE | Reviewed on Jan 29, 2022
I was totally blown away with the service I received from Lorena, she had booked a pre and post cruise plan that was excellent. When the cruise cancelled she got right on making plans to fill in the days, basically she saved the trip and turned it into an excellent adventure last minute. She went above and beyond not only making hotel reservations but everywhere we went a driver was waiting to pick us up and deliver us to our hotel. All tickets and passes were waiting, with never a glitch.... Read more

I was totally blown away with the service I received from Lorena, she had booked a pre and post cruise plan that was excellent. When the cruise cancelled she got right on making plans to fill in the days, basically she saved the trip and turned it into an excellent adventure last minute. She went above and beyond not only making hotel reservations but everywhere we went a driver was waiting to pick us up and deliver us to our hotel. All tickets and passes were waiting, with never a glitch. There is no way I could of done it without her knowledge of where to go and how to get there. Lorena is definitely an invaluable member of your team. 5 stars are not enough.
Sam and teresa

Hotel Review
Noi Vitacura
Vitacura, Santiago

great hotel with good restaurant on the roof, friendly staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Lorena Huidobro
Lorena
Lorena Huidobro
Local specialist in Houston, TX & Santiago, Chile | Replied on Jan 29, 2022

Dear Sam and Teresa,
These are very sweet words, thank you!! It was my pleasure to assist with your trip and help out when your cruise was canceled at the last minute. Your trip pictures are amazing, glad you got to enjoy Iguazu, Buenos Aires, Patagonia and Santiago.
My best regards to both of you!
Lorena

Last minute Amazing journey
Ecuador | Jan 7 - Jan 17, 2022

K
Kelly F.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Jan 29, 2022
Wow!! What an amazing journey! Mathias and the entire Authentic Ecuador team were just amazing. We already had a trip planned to Southeast Asia that got derailed because of the Omicron variant of Covid. We were able to book an amazing trip through Kim Kim and with Mathias To South and Central America. We began in Peru and then arrived in Ecuador. Ecuador was absolutely magical! We explored Quito, Banos, Archidona and The rainforest at Yasuni National Park. Our guide and driver, Cristian,... Read more

Wow!! What an amazing journey! Mathias and the entire Authentic Ecuador team were just amazing. We already had a trip planned to Southeast Asia that got derailed because of the Omicron variant of Covid. We were able to book an amazing trip through Kim Kim and with Mathias To South and Central America. We began in Peru and then arrived in Ecuador. Ecuador was absolutely magical! We explored Quito, Banos, Archidona and The rainforest at Yasuni National Park. Our guide and driver, Cristian, was an amazing guy. He was kind, warm, laid back and very knowledgeable. From the city bike tour and cooking class, to the gorgeous villa in Archidona, we grew to love the people, culture, history and nature of Ecuador during our stay there. We will be back one day for sure! We would love to bring our children next time! Thank you to the entire team!

Hotel Review
Kuyana Amazon Lodge
Archidona

What an absolutely stunning and peaceful place. Wish we could have stayed longer. The owner and the staff are so kind and the property is immaculate. With the backdrop being the Amazon and in the amazing country of Ecuador, what could be better. We had a super fun cooking class and a really great night walk through the rainforest. What an amazing experience. Thanks guys!

Tips for future travelers

Don't bring too much luggage. Easier for you and the staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Community projects - Paddling excursion - Traditional dinner - Night walk (NCC)
Community projects - Paddling excursion - Traditional dinner - Night walk (NCC)
Yasuni National Park

We loved the Napo Cultural Center and our guide Vince is the absolute best!

Quality of Experience
Food
Amazing food! Thanks Chef!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Mar 11, 2022

Dear Kelly,

thanks again for planning this last minute trip with Kimkim and Authentic Ecuador, I‘m glad that we were able to provide a wonderful experience despite the fact that you „had“ to switch to Ecuador on such a short notice when your original destination closed borders. And of the dozens of countries you have already visited, maybe Ecuador even makes it into your favorites.

See you again soon in Ecuador, maybe next time with your children!

Greetings from Quito and always happy and safe travels!

Best regards,
Mathias

MAGICAL PERU
Peru | Dec 30 - Jan 7, 2022

K
Kelly F.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Jan 29, 2022
Wow!! What an amazing journey! Anne and the entire Peruvian soul team was just amazing. We already had a trip planned to Southeast Asia that got derailed because of the Omicron variant of Covid. We were able to book an amazing trip through Kim Kim and Peruvian soul To South and Central America. We began in Peru and it was absolutely magical! We started in the rainforest in Tambopata National Reserve. Our guide and lodging were great. We saw all kinds of insects, animals and birds. From... Read more

Wow!! What an amazing journey! Anne and the entire Peruvian soul team was just amazing. We already had a trip planned to Southeast Asia that got derailed because of the Omicron variant of Covid. We were able to book an amazing trip through Kim Kim and Peruvian soul To South and Central America. We began in Peru and it was absolutely magical! We started in the rainforest in Tambopata National Reserve. Our guide and lodging were great. We saw all kinds of insects, animals and birds. From there we went to the sacred valley and saw the ruins of Ollantaytambo and the Moray terraces. From there we went to Machu Picchu and our minds were blown. Our guide along the way, Julito, was extremely knowledgeable, professional, warm and kind. In Cusco I suffered some altitude sickness and he took the best care of me. I felt like I was in very capable hands. I grew to love the people, culture, history and nature of Peru during my stay there, We will be back one day for sure! Thank you to the entire team!

Local specialist: Anne Godoy
Anne
Anne Godoy
Local specialist in Lima | Replied on Jan 31, 2022

Hi Kelly,
Thanks for taking the time and sharing your experience From all my team, I wanted to thank you, too not only for trusting us but for being flexible while planning and through all the trip!

Hope to have the chance to meet in person next time!

KimKim and Erin went above and beyond in helping us plan a smooth trip during a time when travel is hard and uncertain.
Patagonia | Jan 12 - Jan 23, 2022

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David R.
Overland, MO | Reviewed on Jan 29, 2022
When my wife and I had dreamed of going to Patagonia, but we weren't really sure where to begin. We had no knowledge of the region and what it would take to navigate around each town within Patagonia. After contacting KimKim, Erin quickly put together a detailed itinerary with great day to day activities. She was very responsive and easily made adjustments to customize it to make it our dream trip. She provided different options, and did all of the work to make the appropriate changes. The... Read more

When my wife and I had dreamed of going to Patagonia, but we weren't really sure where to begin. We had no knowledge of the region and what it would take to navigate around each town within Patagonia. After contacting KimKim, Erin quickly put together a detailed itinerary with great day to day activities. She was very responsive and easily made adjustments to customize it to make it our dream trip. She provided different options, and did all of the work to make the appropriate changes.

The pre-reading they gave us before our trip was also very helpful to know what to expect about the culture and what we needed to pack. Her itineraries were detailed and we knew exactly what was supposed to happen on a daily basis during the trip.

She kept us informed about the ongoing Covid situation for each country that we were planning to visit as things were rapidly changing. She took the time to call us to help us make informed decisions when we needed to make changes to our trip. This was so helpful because we would not have known each countries regulations without her and her team.

When we found out the week before our trip that the land border between Chile and Argentina was going to remain closed due to Covid, Erin and her team promptly informed us and wasted no time in finding alternative solutions that would still allow us to go on our trip.

Erin really went above and beyond to assure our trip was great. She rearranged our entire itinerary and accommodations in just a few days before we left. Despite all of the last minute changes, our entire trip still went off without a hitch. Transportation showed up as promised and hotels were as described. She was also able to recuperate most of the money we would have lost for canceling and changing everything last minute.

I would highly recommend KimKim and Erin to anyone looking to have a worry free trip. They really helped take the stress of planning everything and dealing with covid out of the picture. We felt very taken care of and that we were in good hands the whole way. This trip would not have been possible for us without them and we are very grateful and appreciative!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales & Pucon, Chile | Replied on Feb 01, 2022

Wow, thank you so very much for taking the time to write such a kind and detailed review!

Working with David and Kelly to make this trip happen was a great experience and although we had a huge last-minute hiccup with the land borders set to open between Chile and Argentina, they were responsive, understanding and together with a little bit of urgency we were still able to make a trip happen for them.

I am SO happy that you two ended up having a great trip, and thank you for being such a pleasure to work with.

Best,
Erin

Costa Rica by Charlotte
Costa Rica | Dec 27 - Jan 12, 2022

Anna
Anna A.
Hungary | Reviewed on Jan 29, 2022
We have made a rather last minute decision to visit Costa Rica for our very first trip together with Anna. Having had difficulties with arranging a car rental we decided to look for some support with our arrangements. At this point Anna popped into Kimkim and ask for assistance. Charlotte did not only came up with a positive offer for the rental but gave us advise for our entire trip plan inclusive of hotels, activities, insurance, etc. We found the Kimkim platform very user friendly and... Read more

We have made a rather last minute decision to visit Costa Rica for our very first trip together with Anna. Having had difficulties with arranging a car rental we decided to look for some support with our arrangements. At this point Anna popped into Kimkim and ask for assistance. Charlotte did not only came up with a positive offer for the rental but gave us advise for our entire trip plan inclusive of hotels, activities, insurance, etc. We found the Kimkim platform very user friendly and easy to understand. Frankly we did not really hesitate for a moment weather to accepts Charlotte's offer as it gave us a the structure and the security for 16 days we just needed to feel comfortable. Not going into details we just really liked all our destinations, hotels so we were convinced enough to reach out to our suggested hidden spots in between the cities. Credit goes to Kimkim and Charlotte who by the way was all our way long available for questions or just a kind follow up. Traveling to different exotic destinations we would definitely be looking for a Kimkim representative to guide us with good recommendations !

PS : If you get the chance to visit the Pacific Coast, dont miss Playa Ventanas next to Uvita !

Hotel Review
Azania Bungalows
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

our favorite

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Arrive and Transfer to Hotel
Arrive and Transfer to Hotel
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Charlotte Törnqvist
Charlotte
Charlotte Törnqvist
Local specialist in Turrialba, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 31, 2022

Hi Anna and Maci,
Thank you so much for your positive feedback. I am so glad you had a wonderful trip, and we hope you'll come back soon!
Charlotte

A well planned trip
Costa Rica | Jan 10 - Jan 19, 2022

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Shiraz K.
San Rafael, CA | Reviewed on Jan 28, 2022
Diego helped us plan the trip. He made suggestions about the itinerary and helped us select suitable hotels etc in accordance with our budget.
Our trip included most of the key parks, waterfalls, hot springs, and other must-see venues. We even ventured on a Zipline which was fun.
There was one excursion, the Volcano walk, which turned out to be very difficult for us (senior citizens). The walk was considered a "leisurely" walk but instead, it was a very difficult climb on a relatively steep...
Read more

Diego helped us plan the trip. He made suggestions about the itinerary and helped us select suitable hotels etc in accordance with our budget.
Our trip included most of the key parks, waterfalls, hot springs, and other must-see venues. We even ventured on a Zipline which was fun.
There was one excursion, the Volcano walk, which turned out to be very difficult for us (senior citizens). The walk was considered a "leisurely" walk but instead, it was a very difficult climb on a relatively steep grade. I would not recommend this tour for seniors.
Diego was very responsive to our inquiries which were promptly answered.
So thank you, Diego. You streamlined the trip for us and it was an enjoyable journey.
Costa Rica is a beautiful country, well worth a visit.

Hotel Review
Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort
La Fortuna

We stayed here for 3 nights. What we loved was that the hotel had hot springs. So after a day of walking and sightseeing, the hot springs were great for relaxing. The hotel dining room was spacious and the food and service were excellent. The only reservation is that the hotel facilities are on a hill and it is necessary to use a shuttle if your room is up the hill. While the shuttle was available most of the time, it was necessary to wait for the shuttle.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The ambiance was great
Staff
Very responsive staff. Always happy to help
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Transfer San José to Arenal with guided visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
Transfer San José to Arenal with guided visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
Costa Rica

The transfer was picturesque and La Paz was an interesting stop. The waterfalls were magnificient. The collection of animals reminded me of a zoo, but in reality La Paz was the only place where we saw the larger animals. We did see many butterflies and other insects as well and the gardens are a real treat.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Diego Rivera
Diego
Diego Rivera
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 28, 2022

Hello Shiraz. Thank you very much for your feedback. I'm very happy you enjoyed the entire trip and had a wonderful time. I hope you can come back in the future. PURA VIDA!!

My daughter and I had a fantastic time during...
Nepal | Oct 18 - Nov 7, 2021

Jennifer
Jennifer S.
Linda, CA | Reviewed on Jan 27, 2022

My daughter and I had a fantastic time during our stay in Nepal. Ngima and his team took excellent care of us. We arrived as clients but felt like friends and family when we left. Everyone took great care of us and we are already looking forward to a return trip with Nepal!

Local specialist: Ngima Dorji Sherpa
Ngima
Ngima Dorji Sherpa
Local specialist in Kathmandu | Replied on Jan 28, 2022

Hi Jennifer,
Thank you so much for the great review. It was a pleasure to organize the trip for you. I will look forward to welcoming you to Nepal again for your next trip.

Best regards,
Ngima

Great vacation in Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Dec 29 - Jan 6, 2022

Ann
Ann S.
Ann Arbor, MI | Reviewed on Jan 27, 2022
Brittany and the Kim Kim team put together a fantastic 9 day trip for me and my son over the New Year holiday with very short notice and reasonably priced. Our accommodations in La Fortunate, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio were beautiful and luxurious. Twice we opted to hang out in our room just to enjoy the beautiful views. Brittany had set up multiple excursions and guided tours at each of the three destinations. The activities like the sky walk, kayaking and snorkeling were so much fun. We... Read more

Brittany and the Kim Kim team put together a fantastic 9 day trip for me and my son over the New Year holiday with very short notice and reasonably priced. Our accommodations in La Fortunate, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio were beautiful and luxurious. Twice we opted to hang out in our room just to enjoy the beautiful views.

Brittany had set up multiple excursions and guided tours at each of the three destinations. The activities like the sky walk, kayaking and snorkeling were so much fun. We really loved everyone of them. The guides on our tours through the rainforest of various parks and on the ocean were so professional and the experience was very educational as well as entertaining. We got a ton of great wildlife photos.

Our entire experience with Kim Kim has been the best and we will definitely use their services in the future. We highly recommend them and we are very picky vacationers.

Thank you Brittany and your team.

Sincerely,

Ann

Hotel Reviews
El Establo Mountain Hotel
Monteverde

Beautiful views. Another hotel we enjoyed just hanging out in our room watching the views and animals. The restaurant was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Luna Hotel & Spa
La Fortuna

A wonderful hotel. We loved the trail along the river. The food was delicious. Everyone was so nice and friendly. Thank you for a great stay.

Tips for future travelers

Enjoy your stay. Be adventurous and hike up to La Fortunate waterfall.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful accommodations.
Location
Staff
Very kind and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Costa Verde
Manuel Antonio

So beautiful. Monkeys everywhere. We just enjoyed watching the view , hanging out at the pool and sipping a cocktail. Easy walk to the beach.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling
Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling
Costa Rica

We loved it. Awesome to kayak experience as well as snorkeling.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Tram, Sky Trek & Sky Walk & Meal
Sky Tram, Sky Trek & Sky Walk & Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna

Great guide. Great educational experience. The sky walk was a blast.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rio Celeste Day Trip
Rio Celeste Day Trip
Arenal/La Fortuna

Great guid.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist:
Brittany
Brittany M.
Colorado | Replied on Jan 31, 2022

Hi Ann,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm happy to hear you and your son had a blast in Costa Rica and the accommodations exceeded your expectations. It was a pleasure helping you and your family, and the kimkim team can't wait to help you plan another amazing adventure in the future!
Best,
- Brittany

Colombia was phenomenal!
Colombia | Jan 14 - Jan 23, 2022

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Andrew B.
Maywood, IL | Reviewed on Jan 27, 2022
Colombia was phenomenal - we had such an authentic, local experience due to the effort and care put into our trip plan by our local guide, Felipe. KimKim made it easy to communicate with updates constantly through WhatsApp while we were in the country, and catered to every need we had that popped up. Medellin was like a tropical, Spanish-speaking San Francisco - a must see! Cartagena was an enchanting colonial Spanish town. I hope to have those wooden windowsills and white walls on a latin... Read more

Colombia was phenomenal - we had such an authentic, local experience due to the effort and care put into our trip plan by our local guide, Felipe. KimKim made it easy to communicate with updates constantly through WhatsApp while we were in the country, and catered to every need we had that popped up.

Medellin was like a tropical, Spanish-speaking San Francisco - a must see! Cartagena was an enchanting colonial Spanish town. I hope to have those wooden windowsills and white walls on a latin ranch someday :).

Hotel Review
Hotel San Pedro de Majagua
Isla Grande

Charming and comfortable, and surrounded by massive local trees, the hotel is adorned with hammocks and private outdoor living rooms attached to your hotel room. Can sit in the evenings and look out over the coast, with the sea breeze and waves all around you.

Tips for future travelers

Use the bikes to get to town!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
City Tour of Medellín (with Parque Arvi)
City Tour of Medellín (with Parque Arvi)
Medellín

The cable car trip is amazing. Stunning views, and you interact with friendly locals the entire time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on Jan 27, 2022

Hola Andrew, Thank you for your review and feedback, and it was amazing having you in Colombia! Thank you for trusting us with your trip and we hope you come back! I loved your description of Medellin as a tropical, Spanish-speaking San Francisco by the way :)!
Hasta pronto, Felipe

We have never heard of KimKim or used it befo...
Colombia | Jan 14 - Jan 23, 2022

M
Martha B.
Casas Adobes, AZ | Reviewed on Jan 26, 2022
We have never heard of KimKim or used it before, but it worked out very well. Felipe and his associate were very responsive and available at all points, checked in with us to make sure things were running tight and we’re just super helpful. We loved Medellin and our city tour there. The restaurant reservations everywhere worked well and were appropriate for what we wanted. Cartagena was more heavily touristed than we expected but our city guide Manu was great, and the hotel was very nice,... Read more

We have never heard of KimKim or used it before, but it worked out very well. Felipe and his associate were very responsive and available at all points, checked in with us to make sure things were running tight and we’re just super helpful. We loved Medellin and our city tour there. The restaurant reservations everywhere worked well and were appropriate for what we wanted. Cartagena was more heavily touristed than we expected but our city guide Manu was great, and the hotel was very nice, conveniently located, much nicer for us than a big hotel would be. We absolutely loved staying at Isla Grande. (The boat ride back was a bit choppy and wet but fun anyway.) We loved our first trip to Colombia and are so pleased with how all of the planning worked out. Thanks again!

Hotel Review
The Click Clack Hotel Medellín
Medellín

Very stylish, playful, great location, terrific service although breakfast could be a bit slow some days.

Activity Review
Dinner Reservation at OCIO / OCI.Mde
Dinner Reservation at OCIO / OCI.Mde
Medellín

They took such good care of us. They didn’t immediately have a table ready but apologized and more than made up for it by sending complimentary dishes. The food was our favorite of the whole trip. Great place

Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota | Replied on Jan 27, 2022

Thank you for your message Martha! It was great to meet you and thank you for visiting Colombia! thank you as well for all your valuable feedback and comments and we hope you come back in the future! All my Best Wishes, Felipe

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.

Secure & easy booking

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.