Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 16,462 ratings
Read 16,462 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.

Adeline was the absolute best. She really lis...
Japan | Dec 19 - Dec 28, 2024

R
Renee Y.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025

Adeline was the absolute best. She really listened and found the best excursions and activities to accommodate our multi-generation trip. My kids had a blast with their grandparents. From the beautiful bike ride in Kyoto to the capybara cafe to amazing restaurant recommendations, we were so lucky to have her in our corner. She even proactively helped us with a couple of last minute changes once we were on the ground in Japan (while she was on her own vacation!)

Local specialist: Adeline Kuroki

Liz was wonderful to work with and collaboara...
Australia | Dec 19 - Jan 1, 2025

S
Shannan K.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025

Liz was wonderful to work with and collaboarate with in planning our Australia trip. The transports were flawless and tours were great! Here hotel recomendations were perfect and very centrally located for all of our activities. I will not hesitate to reach out to her again for help with another vacation.

Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Jan 14, 2025

Hello Shannan!!!

I am so happy you loved Australia as much as I do!!.
Thank you for the great feedback. Please reach out if you need us again, I will be soooo happy to work with you in the future.

Cheers
Liz

Costa Rica should be on everyone's travel list. It is outstanding!
Costa Rica | Dec 14 - Dec 23, 2024

Sandy
Sandy Y.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
Our trip to Costa Rica was outstanding. From our accommodations, activities, and transportation, Serendipity Adventures was the local specialist who helped plan, organize and manage our trip. They made sure everything ran smoothly (Wilman, Bryan, and Nancy).
We loved our activities of hiking Arenal volcano, seeing the waterfall, ziplining and hanging bridges, night walks, seeing the animals, a coffee/chocolate/sugar cane tour (that we added last minute--and there was a lot of help...
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Our trip to Costa Rica was outstanding. From our accommodations, activities, and transportation, Serendipity Adventures was the local specialist who helped plan, organize and manage our trip. They made sure everything ran smoothly (Wilman, Bryan, and Nancy).
We loved our activities of hiking Arenal volcano, seeing the waterfall, ziplining and hanging bridges, night walks, seeing the animals, a coffee/chocolate/sugar cane tour (that we added last minute--and there was a lot of help coordinating our transportation and timing), nature walks at the beach, etc. Wilman and Bryan also gave us many recommendations for restaurants and other activities when we had some free time.

Hotel Review
Arenal Paraíso Resort, Spa & Hot Springs
La Fortuna

This hotel had nice views of the volcano. And we enjoyed the thermal pools. However, we did run out of hot water for showers several times (there were 3 of us in a room). It was located about 10-15 minutes from town and restaurants.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure
Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure
Arenal/La Fortuna

The ziplining had spectacular views of the volcano and the lake. And you went 45+ mph on the zips...super exhilarating. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Waterfall & Volcano Hiking Adventure with Lunch
Waterfall & Volcano Hiking Adventure with Lunch
Arenal/La Fortuna

Mariano was our guide and was very patient with our group of 12 taking photos and having fun. Seeing the volcano closer was very interesting.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Alex was awesome...he provided a lot of information.
Private Cloud Forest Night Walk
Private Cloud Forest Night Walk
Monteverde

Of all of the activities we did while in Costa Rica, this one ranked last on our list. It had just rained prior to us starting the night walk, so that may have affected the wildlife, but I was underwhelmed with what we found. Our guide was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable, so that made the walk interesting.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio

Loved that we had 2 guides for our group of 12. And they made sure that all of us saw the animals and were satisfied before moving on. It was an interesting walk on the path, spotting all kinds of interesting wildlife, including sloths (with babies), monkeys, birds, lizards, etc.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 06, 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words!

I’m thrilled to hear your trip went smoothly and that you enjoyed the adventures, wildlife, and local experiences. It was a pleasure being part of your journey, and I’ll be sure to share your feedback with Wilman and Nancy.

If you ever decide to return, we’d be delighted to help plan another unforgettable adventure.

Pura Vida! 🌿
Bryan - Serendipity Adventures

Eric was an amazing source of information and guidance for our Family Winter Wonderland Trip to Iceland!
Iceland | Dec 27 - Jan 4, 2025

Liz
Liz W.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
Eric was an amazing source of information and guidance for our Winter Iceland Trip (for our family of 8)! I had done a lot of research on specific areas we wanted to visit, and he provided excellent details in creating a realistically-paced vacation, as well as specific details for greater understanding and additional highlights to visit. Eric was responsive and thorough in his explanations, as well as professional and patient with our itinerary questions and changes. Specifics:
Car...
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Eric was an amazing source of information and guidance for our Winter Iceland Trip (for our family of 8)! I had done a lot of research on specific areas we wanted to visit, and he provided excellent details in creating a realistically-paced vacation, as well as specific details for greater understanding and additional highlights to visit. Eric was responsive and thorough in his explanations, as well as professional and patient with our itinerary questions and changes.

Specifics:
Car Rental - No problems at all... only a pesky spot that the windshield wiper didn't quite wipe away in the driver's view.

Day 1: We stopped to see some Icelandic friends at their home and visited with them awhile. The stops along the Golden Circle were beautiful... Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss. What we should have, but didn't expect was all of the tour buses and group tours! We didn't have time for Fridheimar Tomato Farm or Kerid Crater, as our daylight was running out and we had dinner reservations. Our dinner at Ingolfsskali Viking Restaurant was absolutely delicious (for everyone)! We stayed at our friend's parents' cottage this night.

Day 2: Seljalandsfoss & Gljufrabui were amazing, although we couldn't see anything but pure whiteness when we pulled into the parking lot! The weather quickly cleared, and we were able to experience both waterfalls... my two sons even meandered back into the canyon to get closer to Gljufrabui, at the expense of one wet foot. Skogafoss & Reynisfara were amazing as well. We did witness a risky tourist challenging the sneaker waves too much and got completely knocked down & soaked by them! We had to call it a day after this because of weather/visibility. We went grocery shopping and cooked dinner at Eaglerock Guesthouse this night (and the next)... as well as breakfast. Very nice accommodations.

Day 3: Our Crystal Blue Ice Cave tour was awesome, and our tour guide (Johann from Troll Expeditions) had a super fun personality! Jokulsarlon & Diamond Beach were both truly beautiful! We even saw a seal playing close-up in the lagoon, and we saw the Northern Lights back at our rental this night right before bed!

Day 4: We HIGHLY recommend ice climbing with Tindaborg (referred by our Icelandic friends). Iris & Arni are expertly trained glacier mountain and climbing guides. They are involved in the national training of mountain guides, rescues, and glacier mountaineering. What's best are their friendly, patient, informative, adventurous, and truly pleasant personalities! We had complete confidence in our safety and guidance with them, and our whole family was able to experience something we never could have done on our own! We had a good meal at Smidjan Brugghus, and Vik Apartments provided a perfect stay for us.

Day 5: We really enjoyed hiking around Dyrholaey and into Loftsalahellir cave... spent more time there than we'd planned, but it was worth it! We drove to our friends' home in the Reykjavik area this night (New Year's Eve), and they had a delicious dinner catered in for us. They drove us out to one of the local bonfires, then back to their home for the traditional Áramótaskaupið TV show with English subtitles (and their helpful explanations of some jokes), then back outside for amazing fireworks all around!

Day 6: New Year's Day we went to Christ the King Catholic Church for Mass, shared coffee & pastries with some of the parishioners, then toured around some of the famous spots in Reykjavik. Some shops and quite a few restaurants were closed for the holiday, but we still got to visit a few. We had quick sandwiches for lunch and were throughly relaxed in the Seven Rituals of Sky Lagoon... Wow, what an experience! We even got to see the Northern Lights again from the warm waters of Sky Lagoon itself & outside as we were leaving. We returned to our friends' home for dinner and games that night.

Day 7: Our drive towards the Snæfellsnes Peninsula included the beauty of Hraunfossar & Barnafoss, but we didn't get to see much else because of the weather. The Gerduberg basalt cliffs were almost completely buried in snow (we could only see the very top of them), and we bypassed the other stops as well. Our family was hungry, and there were very limited options this time of year. We checked into Midhraun Resort (great accommodation), relaxed a bit, and waited for Langaholt Restaurant to open their buffet dinner (which was delicious)!

Day 8: We did a lot of imaging what beautiful Snæfellsnes would be like in the summer this day, as it we got pretty harsh weather most of the time we visited. We stopped at Budir church, Arnarstapi, and Londrangar. We spent a lot of time hiking around the amazing Djupalonssandur beach, which we thought was more enjoyable and preferable to the crowds of Reynisfara! Some of us took turns lifting the stones and staying clear of the sneaker waves. We had a very delicious lunch at Matarlist in the visitor center, but wow, it was pricey! We stopped by the Murals of Hellissandur, and half of our family walked the steps up to Saxholl Crater but found its top view a little disappointing. Unfortunately, Kirkjufell was only barely visible at its base because of the weather, but we were able to see Kirkjufellsfoss and play in the snow (snowball fight & built a snowman). We had planned to go to Stykkisholmur for a highly-rated restaurant dinner option, but were pretty worn out from the weather (and had spent so much at lunch) that we opted to stop at a grocery store and fix a simple dinner back at Midhraun.

Day 9: Breakfast at Midhraun both mornings was great, and staff was very friendly. We saw more Northern Lights this morning before heading out! We were mesmerized by the drive between Borgarnes and Hvammsvik with its incredible scenery... blue, clear skies and breathtaking views of the water and snow-covered mountains! Hvammsvik Hot Springs was throughly enjoyable, and most of us even went into the ocean in between the hot spring pools. We stopped in a shop near Reykjavik for some souvenirs, said goodbye to our Icelandic host friends, and made it to the airport on schedule.

We found the Icelandic people to be very friendly, the tour bus groups to be a bit annoying, and the trip as a whole to be outstanding!! We would love to return and experience it again one summer, but we also really appreciated and enjoyed the amazing beauty of this winter wonderland!

Thank you, Eric, for all your help and expert guidance!
Sincerely,
The Williams Family from Florida

Activity Reviews
Crystal Blue Ice Cave
Crystal Blue Ice Cave
Iceland

Amazing sights and creation! Johann from Troll Expeditions had a great personality and helped make this experience super fun! The crowds were the only thing detracting from this trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Lagoon
Iceland

Truly relaxing and luxurious experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hvammsvik Hot Springs (& Nature Reserve)
Hvammsvik Hot Springs (& Nature Reserve)
Iceland

Such a great and relaxing experience! We enjoyed the views from these hot springs even better than Sky Lagoon, and it was much less crowded as well.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Èric D
Èric
Èric D
Local specialist in France / Iceland | Replied on Jan 09, 2025

Hi Liz!

Thank you so much for your very detailed review and for your kind words. I'm so happy to have been part of preparing such an outstanding adventure for your family. I hope the New Year you started in Iceland will bring you many more adventures like this one :-)

All the best,
Èric

We thoroughly enjoyed our mother/daughter tri...
Vietnam | Dec 7 - Dec 16, 2024

C
Cecilia B.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed our mother/daughter trip to North and Central Vietnam in December. Huyen was great to work with – accommodating and flexible. She provided many options, listened to our requests, and tailored our trip to suit our needs. We were able to enjoy a few days on our own exploring the cities and finding activities like temple of literature, water puppet show, tailored clothes, Hoi An at night among others to do.
Highlights of our custom itinerary included Hanoi Street food...
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We thoroughly enjoyed our mother/daughter trip to North and Central Vietnam in December. Huyen was great to work with – accommodating and flexible. She provided many options, listened to our requests, and tailored our trip to suit our needs. We were able to enjoy a few days on our own exploring the cities and finding activities like temple of literature, water puppet show, tailored clothes, Hoi An at night among others to do.
Highlights of our custom itinerary included Hanoi Street food tour, a day trip to Ninh Binh, an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay (kayaking and incredible views), cooking class, basket boat, ba na hills, etc. Our tour guides, Long (Hanoi) and Han (Hoi An) were fantastic – very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable of their cities and cultures. They gave us recommendations for the best pho, bahn mi, cafes and restaurants for an incredible dining experience. Activities like spa and lantern making were perfectly suggested for a rainy day in Hoi An. The drivers were always on time. Having KimKim take care of all the hotel reservations, airport/road transfers, some meals, domestic flights, etc. made our trip so much more enjoyable and stress free. Highly recommend that to anyone planning a vacation to a foreign country or want a worry-free experience.
There were some miscommunications about dietary restrictions which led to our guides believing we required vegetarian meals which wasn’t true. We wish we had been able to try more of the local cuisine rather than catering to something we didn’t want.
Our thanks to KimKim for so many memorable moments. We enjoyed it all!
Cecilia B.

Local specialist: Huyen Nghiem
Huyen
Huyen Nghiem
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam | Replied on Jan 08, 2025

Dear Cecilia,
Happy New Year 2025! May the New Year bring you happiness, peace and prosperity.
Thank you so much for sharing such a detailed review! I’m so glad to hear that your trip to Vietnam lived up to your expectations! and I’ll certainly pass along your feedback to our team to let them know how they worked well.
Thank you again for trusting me to organize this trip for your group.
Warm regards,
Huyen Nghiem (Ms)

Great trip
Morocco | Dec 27 - Jan 4, 2025

Owen
Owen H.
Singapore | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
Driver Hicham was really great. Was a pleasure. Didn't really want to do the cooking school but it was also really good, espeically the lady who ran the class, Souad. Would have been useful to know that the Riad for New Year's Eve was dry, hence no NY Champagne available. Not personally that concerned but imagine if we were French and were denied a glass of wine at New Year ;) You were right that 2 hours is sufficient in Chefchaouen! Read more

Driver Hicham was really great. Was a pleasure.

Didn't really want to do the cooking school but it was also really good, espeically the lady who ran the class, Souad.

Would have been useful to know that the Riad for New Year's Eve was dry, hence no NY Champagne available. Not personally that concerned but imagine if we were French and were denied a glass of wine at New Year ;)

You were right that 2 hours is sufficient in Chefchaouen!

Hotel Reviews
Riad Ksar Ighnda
Ait Benhaddou

Beautiful hotel and rooms. Food was only okay, though.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Desert Luxury Camp Erg Chebbi
Merzouga

Great location and view. Electric blankets were a perfect addition. In room heater wasn't especially effective. Food was only okay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
It's a tent - albeit a luxury one - probably as good as it could be!
Lina Ryad & Spa
Chefchaouen

Nice place, nodern, clean, good coffee.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms have just a little bit too much/too large furniture in them!
Riad El Yacout
Fès

Beautiful central courtyard. Rooms a little bit tired but huge.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The main guy worked so hard to keep everyone happy I was concerned the owner of the hotel was keeping his children hostage or something.
Cleanliness & Comfort
It's beautiful and spacious but maybe needs a spruce up in the rooms. Doesn't have an alcohol licence!
Activity Reviews
Guided Tour in Marrakech
Guided Tour in Marrakech
Marrakesh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was good. Driver, Hicham, excellent.
Transport
Hike in Ourika Valley
Hike in Ourika Valley
Morocco

Guide was very helpful for the walk. I would pribably skip the town if I were to do this again, though.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was good, driver great.
Transport
Cooking Workshop & Local Food
Cooking Workshop & Local Food
Morocco

I didn't really want to do this but we enjoyed it a lot. Mostly because of the personality of the teacher, Souad. Without her, it would probably have been pretty average.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Souad has a really engaging personality. She was really fun and made the experience what it was.
Transport
Merzouga to Fes via Rissani, Midelt, & the Atlas Mountains
Merzouga to Fes via Rissani, Midelt, & the Atlas Mountains
Morocco

It's a very long way. We were exhausted and we weren't the ones driving. Felt pretty sorry for Hicham.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hicham did all the driving. He's a trooper!
Transport
See above.
Guided Walk in Skoura Oasis
Guided Walk in Skoura Oasis
Morocco

Doesn't really need a guide. Also, the guide was okay, but largely just pointed at things and described what they were. E.g. "camel"! Slightly strangely, two random people got added to our tour. Didn't particularly mind but it was a little odd.

Quality of Experience
There's not much to see.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide average, driver great.
Transport
Hicham was still great.
Guided Tour in Fes
Guided Tour in Fes
Fes

Pretty decent tour. Got dropped off by the guide for shopping at the local tourist places... The guide himself was a pretty interesting fellow, liked him.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was good. Driver was great.
Transport
Afternoon Guided Tour in Chefchaouen
Afternoon Guided Tour in Chefchaouen
Morocco

Hakim was correct, two hours here is sufficient. It's very pretty but pretty quiet. Guide was good.

Quality of Experience
Guide was good.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was good, driver was great.
Transport
Local specialist: Hakim ALIBOUCHE
Hakim
Hakim ALIBOUCHE
Local specialist in Agadir | Replied on Jan 13, 2025
Hey Owen, Thank you for your honest and thoughtful review! We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with our driver, Hicham. I agree he's truly a gem; one of our best drivers! It’s also wonderful that the cooking class with Souad turned out to be a pleasant surprise, even though it wasn’t something you initially wanted to do. We appreciate your note about the dry Riad on New Year’s Eve; that’s a great point, and we’ll make sure to provide clearer information in the future to help... Read more

Hey Owen,

Thank you for your honest and thoughtful review!

We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with our driver, Hicham. I agree he's truly a gem; one of our best drivers!

It’s also wonderful that the cooking class with Souad turned out to be a pleasant surprise, even though it wasn’t something you initially wanted to do.

We appreciate your note about the dry Riad on New Year’s Eve; that’s a great point, and we’ll make sure to provide clearer information in the future to help set expectations. And yes, Chefchaouen can be enjoyed in a couple of hours only; 2 hours with a guide is usually sufficient to explore the city's main highlights. It’s great to hear our advice worked for you!

Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we hope to assist with more adventures in the future!

Best,
Hakim

Exceptional, exceptional experience
France | Dec 28 - Jan 3, 2025

E
Erika H.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
We had an exceptional experience with this company. Our travel planning consultant, Matilde, was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and reponsive. Our itinerary was exactly what we wanted for our time in France and was HIGHLY personlized. The arrangement of transfers was wonderful and seemless. Even "special" requests were easily attained. Unfortunately I experienced a medical situation on our trip and our travel consultant and the emergency contact for Kimkim were helpful, kind and... Read more

We had an exceptional experience with this company. Our travel planning consultant, Matilde, was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and reponsive. Our itinerary was exactly what we wanted for our time in France and was HIGHLY personlized. The arrangement of transfers was wonderful and seemless. Even "special" requests were easily attained. Unfortunately I experienced a medical situation on our trip and our travel consultant and the emergency contact for Kimkim were helpful, kind and responsive. I will definintely use this agency again and highly recommend for an exceptional travel experience!!

Local specialist: Mathilde Dubuisson
Mathilde
Mathilde Dubuisson
Local specialist in Villefranche-sur-Saône | Replied on Jan 07, 2025

Hi Erika,
Merci beaucoup for your amazing review about your experience with kimkim and us, I'm so glad you had a fantastic time for your trip to Paris for the New Year! Get well soon and I look forward to planning your future trips to Europe :)
Best,
Mathilde

Fantastic Finland
Finland | Nov 18 - Nov 24, 2024

T
Tram D.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
Moonika was very detailed and communicative. She reached out to us before the trip to confirm all the tour activities. She also reached out to us throughout the trip to ensure everything went as planned. I really enjoy the vendors where she booked for our husky and reindeer sled rides. I could tell they actually do care about the animals, and not just a business. Even when the train was delayed, she made sure we were updated and received any possible refunds. Overall, I had an amazing time in... Read more

Moonika was very detailed and communicative. She reached out to us before the trip to confirm all the tour activities. She also reached out to us throughout the trip to ensure everything went as planned. I really enjoy the vendors where she booked for our husky and reindeer sled rides. I could tell they actually do care about the animals, and not just a business. Even when the train was delayed, she made sure we were updated and received any possible refunds. Overall, I had an amazing time in Finland.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Haven
Helsinki
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Overnight Train
Arctic City Hotel
Rovaniemi
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Helsinki City Walking Tour
Helsinki City Walking Tour
Helsinki

The tour guide is awesome with such great details and information. She really understands Helsinki and really she made me wished that I would have more time exploring the city with her.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tallinn Day Trip
Tallinn Day Trip
Helsinki
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Flexible Northern Lights Hunting
Flexible Northern Lights Hunting
Rovaniemi
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Adventure
Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Adventure
Finland
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Early Winter Husky Tour
Early Winter Husky Tour
Rovaniemi
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Group Reindeer Safari and Farm Visit
Group Reindeer Safari and Farm Visit
Rovaniemi
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Moonika Apart
Moonika
Moonika Apart
Local specialist in Estonia | Replied on Jan 07, 2025

Thank you for your kind words! I’m so glad you had an amazing time in Finland and enjoyed the activities. It was a pleasure helping you, and I’d love to assist with your next trip!

Best,
Moonika

Costa Rica Trip Review
Costa Rica | Dec 24 - Jan 2, 2025

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Nadia z.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
Positives - good set of activities, although I wish we had done the volcano hike instead of the nature walk in arenal as we had already done the nature hike in monterverde. Doing it twice made no sense. Other than that rest of the activities were fun. Negatives - where I stay matters a LOT. 2/4 hotels were disappointing in a 10 day stay. That is about 5 days in total of not having good lodging which was a real turn off. No running water at times and on top of that hotel tried to swindle us... Read more

Positives - good set of activities, although I wish we had done the volcano hike instead of the nature walk in arenal as we had already done the nature hike in monterverde. Doing it twice made no sense. Other than that rest of the activities were fun.

Negatives - where I stay matters a LOT. 2/4 hotels were disappointing in a 10 day stay. That is about 5 days in total of not having good lodging which was a real turn off. No running water at times and on top of that hotel tried to swindle us for a mandatory new years meal at an outrageous cost. Sales should have checked into all this and been upfront with us but Greg in service came to our rescue and got us out of the meal. Thank you for that. I would have hoped that kimkim would have partially reimbursed us for the hotel stay in arenal as it was lousy but they did not offer to do so. They did promise to reimburse us for the cost of the new year meal which was a relief. Again, we should have not been charged for it. 1500 or so for three nights at a below mediocre hotel just doesn’t feel right. When you are paying a hefty amount for a vacation you want the best. You don’t want to be blind sided. And I wouldn't say it was the best. Greg did come to our rescue and did his absolute best. Thank god for that else this would have sucked.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Mountain Paradise
Fortuna

This isn’t a 4 star hotel, not even 3. Water in both the bathrooms would suddenly stop running. At some point in the night the water just shut down for a couple of hours which was awful. Found worms in the bathrooms. Bugs bit us. We left as soon as our excursions were over. Couldn’t wait get out.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Presidente
San José
Authenticity & Character
Location
Sketchy area but great hotel
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel
Tamarindo

Lovely hotel with very convenient location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ficus Sunset Suites
Monteverde

Very outdated, had a weird smell, cleanliness clearly not up to par but location wise convenient to town. Definitely could be updated as from the outside it has a very welcoming presence.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Floor had hair and next day even never bothered to clean the floor. I still was kind enough to leave a tip.
Activity Reviews
TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure
TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
EcoTermales Hot Springs Experience with Buffet Meal
EcoTermales Hot Springs Experience with Buffet Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Food
Not so great buffet. Allow people to get their own meals and not include in price of outing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch
Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch
Arenal/La Fortuna

Loved the meal and the waterfall. Nature hike was a repeat and way too long. Could have done the volcano hike and cooking class at the farm.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Gustavo Camperos
Gustavo
Gustavo Camperos
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Jan 22, 2025

Hi Nadia!

I hope you are settling in well after your trip.

I wanted to thank you for your feedback as we will always continue to strive for improvement and better trips.

I hope that although there were parts of your trip that did not meet your expectations, that you could still take some incredible memories back home 🩵

Trekking Torres del Paine with Patagonia Adventures
Chile | Dec 29 - Jan 3, 2025

G
Gavin D.
Australia | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
Trekking Torres del Paine with W Circuit on day 1 was a good introduction to the sights of Patagonia, however the mini bus was poor with cramped seating on rough roads.
Boat tour to Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers was a highlight as the fiords were spectacular, however the boat had poor worn seats and was best viewed from the upper deck. Also ranch lunch was poor as meat full of crissle and salad only lettuce.
Full day tour of Torres del Paine Park partly doubled up on the first day trekking,...
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Trekking Torres del Paine with W Circuit on day 1 was a good introduction to the sights of Patagonia, however the mini bus was poor with cramped seating on rough roads.
Boat tour to Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers was a highlight as the fiords were spectacular, however the boat had poor worn seats and was best viewed from the upper deck. Also ranch lunch was poor as meat full of crissle and salad only lettuce.
Full day tour of Torres del Paine Park partly doubled up on the first day trekking, however while overcast and raining on first day the Full Day vehicle tour was better with clear skies and superior comfortable vehicle from Patagonia Planet which is highly recommended.
Last day trekking and Condor watching was the highlight as the guide Patagonia Adventure Jorge was brilliant and spoke fluent English. He went out of his way to find condors and we were treated to clear skies and a condor aerial display.
Hotel accommodation at Puerto Natalie's Hotel Vendaval offered small modern rooms which were ok however very noisy as sound travels through the floor and walls.

Hotel Review
Hotel Vendaval
Puerto Natales

Small modern rooms which were ok however no sound proofing and very noisy.

Authenticity & Character
Distinctive red multi storey building and modern by Puerto Natalie's standard.
Location
The hotel is located between the waterfront and the town square and good facilities nearby.
Staff
No problem with English communication
Cleanliness & Comfort
Good modern facilities and large king bed.
Activity Reviews
Trekking Torres del Paine Active
Trekking Torres del Paine Active
Chile

Good tour guide, however poor mini bus.

Quality of Experience
Food
The food served at the Rio Pingo restaurant is expensive and terrible.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full-Day Tour of Torres del Paine National Park & Surroundings
Full-Day Tour of Torres del Paine National Park & Surroundings
Chile

Good driver and guide and comfortable vehicle.

Quality of Experience
Food
The lunch provided at the Rio Pingo restaurant was expensive and terrible.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trekking and Condor Watching
Trekking and Condor Watching
Puerto Natales

Beautiful scenery and expert guide.

Quality of Experience
The guide was excellent at finding resting condors.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Great information, very personable and fluent English.
Transport
Private car for 4 people.
Boat Tour to Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers
Boat Tour to Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers
Chile

Great scenery on the fiords.

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch at the ranch poor.
Local specialist: Lorena Huidobro
Lorena
Lorena Huidobro
Local specialist in Houston, TX & Santiago, Chile | Replied on Jan 06, 2025

Gavin, we really appreciate the time to leave a thorough review of your Patagonia trip. I will pass on the comments to our providers. It is good to know that you were able to enjoy various activities in the area, ending with the best!
We wish all the best to you and Ruth and hope you will continue to enjoy visiting new places around the world,
Lorena

Morocco trip
Morocco | Dec 22 - Jan 1, 2025

Nira_shah@hotmail.com
[email protected] S.
Canada | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
We had a fantastic trip to Morocco, planned with Megan from kimkim. She took into account our accommodation needs, and preferences for proximity to the medinas. She even accommodated a last minute change as we arrived a day earlier, and booked the accommodation, car and driver for that day too. It was a truly unforgettable experience in a wonderful country with friendly and beautiful people. Our driver, Ahmad picked us up from the airport in Casablanca and drove us to Rabat, which was our... Read more

We had a fantastic trip to Morocco, planned with Megan from kimkim. She took into account our accommodation needs, and preferences for proximity to the medinas. She even accommodated a last minute change as we arrived a day earlier, and booked the accommodation, car and driver for that day too. It was a truly unforgettable experience in a wonderful country with friendly and beautiful people.

Our driver, Ahmad picked us up from the airport in Casablanca and drove us to Rabat, which was our first stop. He was very friendly, spoke great English, and was a calm and patient driver which was much appreciated. Could not have asked for a better driver.

Rabat was a great start as it’s clean, and the Medina is manageable on your own. The kasbah is beautiful too and easy to explore.

Next was Chef Chaouen where we explored the blue city with a guide Hazim. He was friendly and welcoming, and knowledgeable too.

We stopped in the Agafay desert, which was a unique experience, for a night, and carried onto Marrakech, where we had a guide Ezam for the food tour and also through the very large Medina. He was great and took into account our vegetarian needs.

Last stop was Casablanca. Overall a very well planned trip, with great service. Thank you!

Local specialist: Megan Lower
Megan
Megan Lower
Local specialist in Massachusetts | Replied on Jan 30, 2025

Thank you so much for taking the time to submit a review! We appreciate the feedback and we're so thrilled to hear you had wonderful time visiting Morocco. Thank you again!

Great trip exploring the Basque Country!
Spain | Dec 22 - Dec 29, 2024

P
Ploy U.
Thailand | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025

The planning process with Coraima was quite seamless. We had a great trip overall with great local guides for the different types of experiences we were interested in. The highlight was our tour of San Sebastian with Martin -- he was a true local who showed us the ins and outs and we had the best time. The foodie tour was also a very unique experience that is perfect for foodies and a more slower and laid back pace.

Local specialist: Coraima Yañez
Coraima
Coraima Yañez
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Jan 08, 2025

Thank you for sharing your thoughtful review about your recent trip to Spain, Ploy! It was a pleasure helping you plan this vacation for you and your family members. I loved reading that your tour with Martin was the highlight of your trip. San Sebastián is one of my favorite cities in Basque Country, and it makes me happy when travelers enjoy it just as much. I look forward to seeing you at kimkim again in the future!
Coraima

Hi. This is Rupal. I was on the other trip wi...
India | Dec 23 - Dec 30, 2024

R
Rupal P.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
Hi. This is Rupal. I was on the other trip with Kinnari Patel. Our guides were Keshav (Delhi) Ronik (Agra) and Love (Jaipur). Overall, trip was great. Our guides were amazing and extremely knowledgeable! Our only porblem was in Delhi. We didn't realize that certain sites were not initially included in our tour package such as Quitab Minar, Lotus Temple, Gandhi House. Instead we were scheduled to go to a Gurdwara and Mosques. Those were not a priority. This trip was for our Dad who had... Read more

Hi. This is Rupal. I was on the other trip with Kinnari Patel. Our guides were Keshav (Delhi) Ronik (Agra) and Love (Jaipur).

Overall, trip was great. Our guides were amazing and extremely knowledgeable!

Our only porblem was in Delhi. We didn't realize that certain sites were not initially included in our tour package such as Quitab Minar, Lotus Temple, Gandhi House. Instead we were scheduled to go to a Gurdwara and Mosques. Those were not a priority. This trip was for our Dad who had not seen India's sites and monuments which my sister had mentioned. You should have automatically included the QM, Lotus Temple, and Gandhi House as well as a Swamiramayan temple since those are the biggies! So we were disappointed.

Ranjeet our driver is the best. He made us feel safe and and he was very efficient and friendly!

Hotel Reviews
The Claridges
New Delhi

This hotel is so beautiful and the staff is very friendly and helpful. Loved our stay here! The best one on our whole trip

Authenticity & Character
Decor and lounges and different restaurants were so fun and yummy
Location
Staff
Soniuddin in food service!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Radisson Jaipur City Center

Room itself was nuce, but the bathroom was disgusting. Shower not seperated from the toilet and sink. Water got everywhere and when mentioned to staff I didn't get a sufficient answer!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bathroom. Add a shower door or lip so water does not get everywhere
ITC Mughal
Agra
Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bathroom was horrible. Updates needed. Also i was in a triple and a cot was nit provided. My daughter slept on a floor mattress with a one sheet and no extra padding!
Local specialist: Ravi Tickoo
Ravi
Ravi Tickoo
Local specialist in New Delhi | Replied on Jan 10, 2025
Dear Rupal,
Many thanks for your feedback and for sharing your experience with us. I’m so pleased to hear that you had a great overall trip and that your guides, Keshav, Ronit, and Luvjeet, were amazing and knowledgeable. It's always wonderful to hear when our guests feel well taken care of.
I also appreciate you bringing the issue in Delhi to our attention. I understand your concerns regarding the inclusion of certain sites such as Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, and Gandhi House. Your sister's... Read more

Dear Rupal,
Many thanks for your feedback and for sharing your experience with us. I’m so pleased to hear that you had a great overall trip and that your guides, Keshav, Ronit, and Luvjeet, were amazing and knowledgeable. It's always wonderful to hear when our guests feel well taken care of.

I also appreciate you bringing the issue in Delhi to our attention. I understand your concerns regarding the inclusion of certain sites such as Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, and Gandhi House. Your sister's mention of your father’s interest in seeing India’s significant monuments helps us understand why these particular sites were important to you. Beauty of tailor made itineraries is that it provide an opportunity to guests for choosing sights of their interest, had we known you interest we could have planned your Delhi sightseeing visits accordingly. We always aim to tailor the itinerary to our guests’ preferences, and it seems we missed an opportunity to align better with your family’s expectations on this occasion.

We will certainly take your feedback into account as we continue to refine our tour offerings to ensure that we meet the needs and interests of our travelers. We strive to provide the best experience, and your input is invaluable in helping us improve.

I’m also thrilled to hear that Ranjeet provided such excellent service. We will surely pass on your kind words to him!

Thank you once again for sharing your thoughts, and we hope to welcome you on another trip in the future.

Warm regards
Ravi

Everyone we worked with and who guided us was...
Argentina | Dec 26 - Jan 5, 2025

Brianna
Brianna D.
Canada | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
Everyone we worked with and who guided us was amazing. Romina and Siego were great and our drivers fantastic! No complaints at all Read more

Everyone we worked with and who guided us was amazing. Romina and Siego were great and our drivers fantastic! No complaints at all

Activity Reviews
Half-Day Buenos Aires City Tour
Half-Day Buenos Aires City Tour
Buenos Aires

Romina was so informative, flexible and great to spend the day with!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half-Day City Tour to Soccer Stadiums
Half-Day City Tour to Soccer Stadiums
Buenos Aires

Diego was informative and interesting and we loved our stadium tour

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mery Morelli
Mery
Mery Morelli
Local specialist in Buenos Aires, Argentina | Replied on Jan 07, 2025

Hi Brianna,

Thanks for your feedback!
We are very happy to know that you enjoyed your experience here!
I hope to see you planning a new travel soon! :)

Warm Regards,
Mery

We had a great experience working with Kimkim...
Australia | Dec 22 - Jan 4, 2025

U
Udaya R.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
We had a great experience working with Kimkim and our guide Vicky. She was very helpful in providing us prompt responses and suggestions when we asked questions and helped plan our trip to our needs and specifications. Highly recommend them for custom trip planning and saving time researching new areas. Vicky was very knowledgeable and provided guidance based on her own experience as well as reading about or calling places. Read more

We had a great experience working with Kimkim and our guide Vicky. She was very helpful in providing us prompt responses and suggestions when we asked questions and helped plan our trip to our needs and specifications. Highly recommend them for custom trip planning and saving time researching new areas. Vicky was very knowledgeable and provided guidance based on her own experience as well as reading about or calling places.

Hotel Reviews
Reef View Hotel
Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

Nice hotel with beach access and views.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Apollo Bay Motel and Apartments, BW Signature Collection
Apollo Bay

We only stayed for a few hours overnight and didn't spend enough time. The apt/hotel seemed reasonably well equipped with everything like a kitchenette and separate living space and bedrooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mantra on Little Bourke

The room we stayed was a 2 BR which was not needed for our family as our little ones are comfortable to co sleep so we only mainly used one of them. The hotel was very conveniently located near China town and had great choices for food and shopping at walking distance. The parking was very tight so mid size cars would need caution to park in and out. We did not use the free breakfast option since there were a lot of new places we wanted to try, the spread seemed like a standard continental breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to restaurants and shopping
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Great Barrier Reef Full Day Adventure
Great Barrier Reef Full Day Adventure
Hamilton Island

The guided snorkeling we did was very good and the guides were great. Wish there was more time on the pontoon for activities.

Private Heli -  Discover the Whitsundays Heart Reef & Whitehaven Beach Stopover
Private Heli - Discover the Whitsundays Heart Reef & Whitehaven Beach Stopover
Hamilton Island

Expensive but great experience flying over the GBR. It would be nice to have an hour at least on Whitehaven Beach since 30 minutes seemed too short

 Puffing Billy & Healesville Sanctuary & Chocolaterie
Puffing Billy & Healesville Sanctuary & Chocolaterie
Melbourne

The train experience was good. There was some confusion about the starting time of our tour but it was sorted out and we went on the right one. There was no space for our baby's stroller which was a surprise and they hadn't mentioned beforehand that it wasn't allowed. We managed with putting it in front near drivers seat. There wasn't enough time at the Healesville Sanctuary to see the full park. This trip would be better if the guides suggested to have lunch before Healesville or if it was provided like a box lunch. The lines at the lunch places were long and there was no time for both lunch and seeing the places. The chocolaterie could've been lesser time. The driver didn't explain much in the drive and there were several wildlife on the drive which would've been nice to have some explanation for new tourists

Blue Mountains Full Day - Private Tour
Blue Mountains Full Day - Private Tour
Sydney

This was a great tour but the weather was too foggy to see much of the place. The driver James had forgotten the car seat but was kind to make quick arrangements for it. He described the area well and gave input on general places to visit as well. James knew the area well and took us to good restaurants and stop points that were not crowded.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Vicky Steinhardt
Vicky
Vicky Steinhardt
Local specialist in Noosa, Australia | Replied on Jan 06, 2025
Hi Udaya
Thank you so much for your kind words about your experience with Kimkim and me! It was a pleasure assisting you in planning your trip and tailoring it to your needs. I’m thrilled to hear that you found the process seamless and appreciated the recommendations I provided.
Your detailed insights about the accommodations, activities, and tours are incredibly valuable. It’s great to hear that you enjoyed many aspects of your trip, from the guided snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef to...
Read more

Hi Udaya
Thank you so much for your kind words about your experience with Kimkim and me! It was a pleasure assisting you in planning your trip and tailoring it to your needs. I’m thrilled to hear that you found the process seamless and appreciated the recommendations I provided.
Your detailed insights about the accommodations, activities, and tours are incredibly valuable. It’s great to hear that you enjoyed many aspects of your trip, from the guided snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef to the views at the Reef View Hotel and the unique experience of Puffing Billy. I’m sorry to hear about some of the challenges you encountered, like timing at Healesville Sanctuary and stroller arrangements—it’s helpful feedback that I’ll keep in mind for future plans.
Thank you again for trusting me with your travel plans, and all the best for 2025
Warm regards,
Vicky

Kateryna’s Holiday Design was Impeccable
Scotland | Dec 29 - Jan 5, 2025

Jane
Jane W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
Kateryna provided me with stress-saving advice and assistance from the very outset. I had a very short time to organise a wonderful family trip for a large family with diverse ages. Kate absolutely nailed it!! From the luxury accommodation to the memory-creating activities like horse-riding in the highlands, our trip contained something for all of us and it was truly incredible. Read more

Kateryna provided me with stress-saving advice and assistance from the very outset. I had a very short time to organise a wonderful family trip for a large family with diverse ages. Kate absolutely nailed it!! From the luxury accommodation to the memory-creating activities like horse-riding in the highlands, our trip contained something for all of us and it was truly incredible.

Hotel Review
Cromlix
Dunblane

This was my pick from the trip. From the moment we walked through their doors, their hospitality was unmatched. They looked after us like we were part of their family. It was the best meal we ate for our entire trip too! We simply could not fault this place.

Authenticity & Character
Just the most beautiful renovated mansion you have ever seen. No detail has been ignored. The artwork was stunning.
Location
The location was a little out of town but still close to a village and not far from some wonderful attractions.
Staff
The best we encountered and everyone we encountered was super friendly. The staff at Cromlix were next level - just so well trained and professional.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Every room was immaculate and the entire place was beautifully maintained.
Activity Reviews
Edinburgh Secret Walking Food Tour
Edinburgh Secret Walking Food Tour
Edinburgh

We had a wonderful guide - Nichola who was such a passionate Scot with so much knowledge about the food and Edinburgh in general.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Highland Trekking and Trail Riding
Highland Trekking and Trail Riding
Scotland

This was an epic adventure. Getting to the location was not super easy but it was worth the snowy drive in on narrow country roads! The ride through the highlands was something we will never forget.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
He was incredibly knowledgeable about the land and environment upon which we were riding.
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Jan 12, 2025
Dear Jane, Your words have absolutely made my day—thank you so much! It was my absolute pleasure to assist in planning your family’s Scottish adventure, and I’m overjoyed to hear how much you all enjoyed it. Knowing that the trip provided something special for every member of your family truly warms my heart. Cromlix sounds like it exceeded all expectations! I’m thrilled it became such a highlight of your journey and so good we have not changed it. I’m so happy to know it was everything... Read more

Dear Jane,

Your words have absolutely made my day—thank you so much! It was my absolute pleasure to assist in planning your family’s Scottish adventure, and I’m overjoyed to hear how much you all enjoyed it. Knowing that the trip provided something special for every member of your family truly warms my heart.

Cromlix sounds like it exceeded all expectations! I’m thrilled it became such a highlight of your journey and so good we have not changed it. I’m so happy to know it was everything you hoped for and more.

I’m also delighted to hear that your adventures, like the Edinburgh Secret Walking Food Tour and the Highland Trekking and Trail Riding, created such amazing memories. It sounds like Nichola brought Edinburgh to life for you, and the snowy Highland trek sounds like a dream come true—what an incredible way to experience the beauty of Scotland.

Thank you so much for sharing your kind words and detailed feedback. It means the world to me. I hope these wonderful memories stay with you and your family forever, and I’d be absolutely thrilled to help plan your next adventure when the time comes!

With love,
Kate

Great Experience in Morocco
Morocco | Dec 27 - Jan 5, 2025

John
John F.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025

Our driver and trip manager, Khalid, was awesome. He provided superior service for 10 days and always had a smile. We enjoyed all of our guides but our favorites were Mohammed at Ait Ben-Haddou and Jamal in Fes.

Local specialist: Salma El Khlyfi

KimKim Helped Make a Memorable Family Experience in Costa Rica and Supported Us Throughout Our Trip
Costa Rica | Dec 28 - Jan 5, 2025

Eric
Eric A.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
Disclosure: My wife did most of the planning interactions with the KimKim team. The bottom line for me is that KimKim put together an itinerary for our Costa Rica trip with minimal guidance in a short amount of time that met our schedule requirements and resulted in a very memorable and enjoyable family experience. They were responsive before and during our travel with very short response times. Every item on our itinerary was described accurately, and most importantly, went off on time... Read more

Disclosure: My wife did most of the planning interactions with the KimKim team. The bottom line for me is that KimKim put together an itinerary for our Costa Rica trip with minimal guidance in a short amount of time that met our schedule requirements and resulted in a very memorable and enjoyable family experience. They were responsive before and during our travel with very short response times. Every item on our itinerary was described accurately, and most importantly, went off on time with no unpleasant surprises.

We had much less time available to plan this trip compared to other vacations we have taken in the recent past, and KimKim was able to provide a reliable solution for us this time. I would consider them again for planning trips to unfamiliar places, or if we are unable to spend enough time planning our own adventures.

Activity Reviews
Kayaking on Lake Arenal
Kayaking on Lake Arenal
Arenal/La Fortuna

Viktor was an extremely knowledgeable guide for our kayak tour educating us about the plants and animals (big and small) found along the shores of Lake Arenal. Water Sports Arenal ran a tight ship and really made the entire process smooth and efficient.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lake Bass Fishing in Arenal
Lake Bass Fishing in Arenal
Arenal/La Fortuna

I had a fun day on Lake Arenal with my guide, Salomon. He taught me about different techniques to target two species of fish - machaca and rainbow bass - along the shores of the lake.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Salomon introduced me to a bait casting lures on and below the surface and had me casting in tight quarters with accuracy by the end of the morning.
Transport
The boat was comfortable and able to put me in position to target fish close to trees, downed branches, weeds, etc.
Sloth Observation - Day or Night Walk
Sloth Observation - Day or Night Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

Before this trip to Costa Rica, I had never experienced tropical rain forest first hand, so I was lucky to experience it throughout our vacation. However, walking through the forest at night is truly a special experience. We were fortunate to see both two and three-toed sloths as well as a variety of frogs, insects, and birds.

Quality of Experience
We got lucky: we saw plenty of sloths, but there are no guarantees
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guides were so friendly, and helped us capture amazing wildlife photographs. They had amazing eyes and spotted tiny animals in the dark.
Transport
Tamarindo Turtle Nesting Tour (Seasonal)
Tamarindo Turtle Nesting Tour (Seasonal)
Costa Rica

The first thing to know is that there really are no guarantees that you are going to see a turtle on this experience. We sat on the beach in the dark at our first site while our guide searched up and down the beach for nesting turtles. Some member of our group seemed unhappy about this part of the trip, but we didn’t mind (probably because it did not rain on us). We had to relocate quickly to a second site that required an 800 meter hike down a muddy road to a remote beach because our guide had heard about a nesting turtles from another guide. However, our effort and patience were rewarded when we got to see one large turtle in the act of concealing her nest, which we were truly lucky to witness.

Quality of Experience
Just know that you might not get to see a turtle at all. We got lucky. We enjoyed passing time on the beach at night in the dark, but not everyone did.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guides worked so hard to find a nesting turtles for us to see, and to help our group quickly and safely relocate to a different beach in the dark. They were in constant communication with other guides. Our guide also helped secure a ride back to the bus for my senior dad who had trouble walking in the dark on the rough road.
Transport
Tamarindo Mangrove & Estuary Boat Tour
Tamarindo Mangrove & Estuary Boat Tour
Costa Rica

This was our first time seeing a mangrove habitat, so we did not really know what to expect. We saw a wide range of wildlife: fish, birds, crocodiles, and monkeys. One thing that made it a truly unique experience is that it rained harder than I have ever seen the sky rain. I did not know that rain could look, sound, and feel like that until this tour.

Quality of Experience
We were lucky to see and hear the howler monkeys in the forest. Our guide also provided a fresh pineapple snack, which was nice.
Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure
Sky Tram, Ziplines & Sky Walk Adventure
Arenal/La Fortuna

I really didn’t know if I would like zip lining because I do not love heights, but this was truly a special experience. Not surprisingly, we went on a very rainy day, but the first zip lines at the top of the mountain felt like flying into nothingness…we went right through the clouds. Lower on the mountain, one of the last zip lines passes through a tunnel of rain forest trees. We felt safe throughout our experience.

Quality of Experience
Lucky 13 Sunset Cruise
Lucky 13 Sunset Cruise
Costa Rica

The crew took care of everything. They made sure we were safe and comfortable throughout, and fed us really well. Cocktails on the boat at sunset was also really nice. The snorkeling was not great because of the murky water, but our guide still managed to find wildlife to show us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Río Balsa Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Río Balsa Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Arenal/La Fortuna

Our family can rarely agree on anything, but we all agreed that this was our favorite adventure in Costa Rica. Even though it never stopped raining, we all enjoyed the excitement and scenery of the river environment. Our guide kept us safe but made sure we got an exciting ride. One of our children was having a panic attack as we were getting geared up, but was smiling by the time we cleared the first rapids.

Quality of Experience
The scenery was amazing and we got to see a lot of wildlife on the river. We don’t have any previous rafting experience, but we found it to be very exciting.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide did a really good job of communicating with us so we knew what to do and when to do it, which was important to us as novice white water rafters. He really kept us together and functioning well in somewhat challenging conditions. He made us feel safe while providing an exciting experience for our family, which included my 86-year old dad.
Transport
Warm, clean bus was a great place to store gear safely while on the river
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 07, 2025

Thank you for the review Eric. I am happy to hear that the guides made your family feel comfortable at every turn and that your family had new and exciting, even challenging experiences, on your trip to Costa Rica 🦥
Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

EGYPT Trip
Egypt | Dec 27 - Jan 5, 2025

K
Khaleel S.
Sun City, AZ | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025

EGYPT Trip
Our cordinator was Mohamed. He helped us create and modify the trip itinerary.
Our trip to Egypt was 8 days. Spent 3 days in Cairo, 1 day in Alexandria and 3 days on the Aswan - Luxor cruise.
Our guides were great. Very informed and took us around without any delays and all the sites visited as per schedule.

The service was punctual and we were well informed f the timings and contact person. Vehicles used for our tours were up to great standard.

Overall very enjoyable trip.
Thanks Sun Pyramids Tours!

Local specialist: Mohamed Nabil
Mohamed
Mohamed Nabil
Local specialist in Egypt | Replied on Jan 07, 2025

dear Khaleel
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your recent positive feedback. Your kind words mean a lot to us and serve as a great motivation for everyone on our team.

It's always a pleasure to hear that our efforts have positively impacted your travel experience. We strive to provide excellent service and create memorable moments for each of our guests, and knowing that we've succeeded in doing so for you brings us immense joy.

Trip of a lifetime
Australia | Dec 21 - Jan 3, 2025

Malini
Malini L.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025
We visited 4 different cities in Australia and NZ in 2 weeks, and Liz could not have planned a more perfect itinerary for our family of 5. She immediately understood our family's needs and priorities and suggested activities that were interesting and age appropriate for all. Highlights included a bike tour across Sydney, hiking the Blue Mountains, snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, jetboating in Queenstown and seeing Hobbiton in Auckland. Each tour and transport operator was very... Read more

We visited 4 different cities in Australia and NZ in 2 weeks, and Liz could not have planned a more perfect itinerary for our family of 5. She immediately understood our family's needs and priorities and suggested activities that were interesting and age appropriate for all. Highlights included a bike tour across Sydney, hiking the Blue Mountains, snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, jetboating in Queenstown and seeing Hobbiton in Auckland. Each tour and transport operator was very professional and of high quality. Liz answered our (many) questions throughout the process with ultra fast response time and went over and beyond our expectations. Liz sent us all the information in a concise and clear format, so it was very easy to keep track of what we needed (itinerary, pickup times, packing info, visas etc). During our trip we even made a last minute request to add a sold-out tour during peak holiday time, and she was able to make it happen!

Hotel Reviews
The York, by Swiss-Belhotel
Sydney

Great location, spacious rooms, but very basic/dated interior.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Villa San Michele
Port Douglas

Location is perfect - right in the heart of town so everything (including beach) is a 0-5 min walk. Rooms are quite tight and one room had a bit of stench. Bathrooms looked renovated and clean.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu
Queenstown

Very comfortable hotel with a gorgeous view. Easy walk into town.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
heated beds, good laundry machines
Nesuto Stadium Auckland
Auckland

Great location, clean rooms. We had 3 tiny bedrooms (door couldn't close) and 1 bathroom and kitchen, and the living room was huge. Right next to harbor and town area, and many restaurants right downstairs or a few min walk.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Sydney

Kids loved the animal conservatory and being able to pet and feed to koalas and wallabys.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney
Full-Day Barrier Reef & Coral Cays Boat Tour
Full-Day Barrier Reef & Coral Cays Boat Tour
Port Douglas

Excellent staff, well equipped, lunch was surprisingly good.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Port Douglas
Welcome to Port Douglas
Port Douglas

Very professional transport guide. Van was amazing with reclining seats.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Kuranda Railway, Skyrail & Palm Cove Adventure
Private Kuranda Railway, Skyrail & Palm Cove Adventure
Port Douglas

Train ride was ok but gondola was lovely. Spent a lot of time assembling with group and guide, getting in and out of the van and listening to him talk so we barely got 10 min to explore the village.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide talked way too much, was late, wasted a lot of our time so we barely had time to explore the village.
Transport
too many pickups, it took way too long
Half Day Best of Queenstown
Half Day Best of Queenstown
Queenstown (NZ)

Loved the views, walks, wine tasting, seeing the town, getting some free time to shop. Our guide Beth was awesome.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Hobbiton Tour - Return to Auckland
Full Day Hobbiton Tour - Return to Auckland
Auckland

Hobbiton is so beautiful and you don't even need to be a LOTR fan to enjoy. The village is very well created and the new Hobbit houses are adorable (my 9 yo wanted to move in there!) Tour is well organized and staff is very enthusiastic.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Sydney Classic Tour (Bike)
Half Day Sydney Classic Tour (Bike)
Sydney

Guide (Andre) was very knowledgable and ensured nobody got left behind in our group of 13.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hartley's Crocodile Farm with Koala Breakfast
Hartley's Crocodile Farm with Koala Breakfast
Port Douglas

Loved this more than I thought we would. Each group gets a few minutes with the koala away from the others, so it feels private. Guides are knowledgable and friendly. The crocodile demonstrations were incredible and you see so much wildlife.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Wilderness Safari - Jetboat
Half Day Wilderness Safari - Jetboat
Queenstown (NZ)

My kids were wild for this one! Super fun and adventurous. Well organized, proper equipment, and professional staff.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Jan 14, 2025

Dear Malini,
I was so glad to hear your review. Those were kind words and having a big family myself, it warms my heart to know you were able to create great family memories. Now.. don't forget to do a nice travel book for the living room table!!

Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to participate in creating great memories and please reach out if I can help in the future. You were lovely to work with and I would do it again any time!

Cheers
Liz

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