Kimkim Trip Reviews for Brazil

Rachel was the person who organized our trip.
She was very prompt in replying to our questions and was able to make some good suggestions. She was able to pivot quickly when some of our other plans changed.
We were amazed at the thoroughness of the planning from picking us up at the hotel and getting us to a boat or a van or the airport in good time. The other people involved were helpful and respectful. It made the trip very pleasant and made us feel like some care had been taken in the planning. We were surprised at how personal trip the trip was. Three hotels in Rio and Manaus were excellent and the lodge in the Amazon jungle was perfect.

Hotel Review

Amazon Tupana Lodge

Manaus

As we rounded the corner in the motorized canoe, we saw buildings up on stilts, thatched roofs and a screened amenity room. The dock was there to received boats. It was perfect! Just what we hoped for in a remote jungle experience.

Authenticity & Character

The staff, the meals, and the activities were what makes this place special. There are knowledgeable guides to take us on jungle walks and people who know the compacted waterways. We learned alot about the Amazon River and the jungle.

Location

Remote. Just like your expect in the jungle. Perfect!

Staff

They were pleasant.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The cabins were as clean as a jungle cabin could be. The linens were good. Each cabin had a fan which I’d necessary to keep cool!

Activity Review

Discovering the Amazon

The Amazon

The sunset motorized canoe rises were a highlight. Learning about the changes in this river over the year was fascinating. We also really enjoyed swimming - right by the dock - with the pink dolphin. It was refreshing after the heat of the day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone was friendly ands always in time.

Transport

From vans to motorized canoes, it was an authentic expense.

Brazil is such a passionate and vibrant country. It was too big though for us to figure out how see what we wanted and know how to do it. Enter Sara Martinel. We all worked together closely to answer her questions of what we like to do, time we had available, budget and pace we like to run. Then she did her magic!!!

She presented her plan. We did some tweaking and ended with a perfect plan

What we couldn’t have done (and Sara could) is find the guides we had. I believe these Best of the Best are somehow hidden from the general public.

Erika (our Sao Paulo guide) was full of energy and passion. And more information and details (which we love) than our little brains could hold. She zipped us al over the place giving us such a great overview of the city. We dipped into small neighborhoods. We Ate. We laughed. We made a new friend

Then we made it to Rio where we were blessed to meet Alberto. This guy is clearly a local tour guide legend. We were stopped a number of times by other tour guides letting us know how lucky we were to have him. We felt it and we knew it. Alberto just has a humble, easy going way about him and he made the very full day in Rio so enjoyable. Our driver Márcio was awesome too. Fun to chat with. Very principled man. Always taking pics and videos so we could enjoy the moment

I don’t think we could have pulled off such a great trip with amazing guides on our own.

Grateful to Sara and KimKim on curating a lovely Brazilian vacation!!

Kath + Brett

My wife and I took a 13-day custom tour of Brazil, organized by Rachel at Kimkim. We visited Rio, Salvador, Manaus, the Amazon, and São Paulo. It took nearly two months of back-and-forth communication before we finalized our itinerary. Throughout the process, Rachel was incredibly attentive, patient, and courteous. Additionally, during our trip, she stayed in constant contact with us to ensure everything was going as planned. All the hotels and guides she selected for us were excellent. A special shout-out to Alex in Rio and Carlos in Sao Paulo, who made our trip truly memorable.

We will always cherish our experience at the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge in the Amazon. This beautiful lodge, set in the heart of the rainforest, offers modern amenities while maintaining a deep connection to nature. The guides were highly professional, extremely knowledgeable, and courteous, and the restaurant was simply exceptional.

Overall, we had an unforgettable vacation. Thank you, Rachel, for all your help!

Hotel Review

Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge

Manaus

We will always cherish our experience at the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge in the Amazon. This beautiful lodge, set in the heart of the rainforest, offers modern amenities while maintaining a deep connection to nature. The guides were highly professional, extremely knowledgeable, and courteous, and the restaurant was simply exceptional.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Christ the Redeemer & Sugar Loaf Mountain

Rio de Janeiro

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We were very disappointed with the service we received from Rachel. She was very non responsive and didnt properly plan the trip or ask the correct questions. We had confusion at the airport, confusion on 2 out of 3 trips. The only part of the trip that was worthwhile was the food tour.

Activity Reviews

Food Tour in Rio

Rio de Janeiro

The guide was incredible

Quality of Experience

he spoke english and was very informed

Guides, Drivers and Staff

very knowledgeable

Transport

easy

Christ the Redeemer & Sugar Loaf Mountain

Rio de Janeiro

Guide was nice but his english wasnt that good and we saw Christ took a picture and moved on. He provided little to no history .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Tour of Two Brothers Peak & Vidigal Favela

Rio de Janeiro

it was not half day. We were picked up 45 min late as they went to wrong hotel. Driver did not speak a word of english. We didnt know that we were going on motorcycles or hiking for 4 hours.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We recently used Kimkim for our trip to Rio de Janeiro and Foz do Iguazu. What a great experience! Bruno was our trip coordinator and did an excellent job putting together an itinerary that met all of our needs and interests. Lines of communication were open before, during and after the trip, and he was always responsive. When we arrived in Rio, our guide Luiz was waiting at the airport for us. He then took us on an amazing tour of the city over the next few days. Our first day was spent taking a relaxing afternoon and sunset boat ride around the bay. Fun drinks on board and beautiful sights to see! We of course went the next day up to Sugarloaf Mountain and then up to Christ the Redeemer, both offering beautiful views of the city. We then spent time in the Santa Teresa neighborhood visiting some sites. This neighborhood had a very cool vibe. We had lunch at the Aprazivel restaurant (which we highly recommend), and then continued on to see some local churches and the Metropolitan Cathedral which is designed like a Mayan pyramid! Another day was spent visiting the factory where they assemble the floats for Carnival. There, we also had fun trying on Carnival outfits and were entertained by a Samba dancer! Our trip, as well, to the tiled steps in Santa Teresa was a must see. These steps contain tiles from all over the world, which were very cool to look closely at. Get there early, as it's a tourist attraction! Walking around the city with Luiz was great. He was full of historical and cultural information, which we loved. It provided us great insight into what we were seeing and gave us a better appreciation for the Brazilian culture! He took us to another restaurant in town; I can't remember the name, but the food was excellent! We fell in love with the cuisine, and Luiz had plenty of recommendations on what to try! Our last day in Rio was free time, which we spent on Copacabana Beach (where we were staying right across the street at the Miramar Hotel), and we walked down to see Ipanema Beach, where we had lunch at an Italian restaurant called Il Piccolo. Rio of course has plenty of Brazilian restaurants, but also offers many other cuisines! Hanging on the beach was a lot of fun. There are plenty of vendors selling things, but they are not pushy. It was actually convenient having them there, as there was no need to bring food or drink to the beach. They brought it to you! The beach was full of tourists and locals all sitting together. It was a fun experience. One thing that we took notice of was how health conscious the locals are. Walking up the main path along the beach early in the morning, we were impressed to see the great number of joggers and cyclists going up and down the road, and the beach full of pickleball and volleyball games along with yoga classes, swimming classes and surfing classes. It was great to see!

The second half of our trip was then flying to Foz do Iguazu where we were met by our guide Edson at the airport. Edson was wonderful (just like Luiz) and provided us much information about that section of Brazil which borders Argentina and Paraguay. Seeing the falls was a very different experience than being in the city of Rio. You were out in nature (which we love) and hiked many miles on the trails around the falls. The first day was spent visiting the Argentinian side. Iguazu is the largest waterfall system in the world and should not be missed. The views are spectacular! We also did the boat ride which takes you almost under one of the falls. Bring a change of clothes with you, as you will be soaked to the skin, but it was so much fun!! The next day we toured the Brazilian side of the falls. Again, the views were incredible. We then went to Parque das Aves (the bird park) which is a beautiful sanctuary for so many colorful birds! We really loved walking around and seeing such beautiful birds living in their natural habitat. Well worth the trip! By the way, we stayed at the Bourbon Cataratas do Iguazu Thermas Eco Resort. Great selection by Bruno! After a long day of hiking around the falls, the hotel was a great place to relax poolside and have a cocktail! The food there was awesome. We highly recommend the buffet (which was high end). One night the cuisine had a pan-Asian theme. The next night was Mediterranean. Both delicious!

Overall, I think this trip to Brazil well exceeded our expectations. This is our second time using Kimkim. Last year it was Morocco. We have loved using Kimkim so much that we have booked another trip next month to Peru! We are very grateful to Bruno, Luiz and Edson. They gave us such a memorable trip, and we have been telling all our friends they need to go see Brazil (and of course use Kimkim!).

I give KimKim lots of credit for finding this very obscure trip for me. I have an interest in prehistoric rock art and wanted to find a way to visit Serra Da Capivara National Park, which has very few foreign visitors because of its remoteness in northeast Brazil.
That said, I had very little interaction with KimKim following the booking. Once I had the WhatsApp number of my local guide, I stayed in contact with him.

We had an absolutely seamless and unforgettable experience using kimkim to plan and facilitate our group trip to Brazil for Carnival. From start to finish, everything was handled with such expertise that all we had to do was show up and enjoy the journey.

Chadya – Our Incredible Trip Planner
From the moment we started working with Chadya through kimkim, it was clear we were in excellent hands. She took the time to understand the unique needs of our travel group—queer women of color looking for a mix of cultural immersion, celebration, and adventure. Chadya crafted a perfectly balanced itinerary, ensuring we had a smooth, stress-free experience while making the most of our time in Rio. She coordinated our accommodations, airport transfers, private guides, and even secured exclusive experiences that made our trip feel truly special.

One of the biggest highlights was how effortless everything felt. There was no scrambling for logistics, no worrying about last-minute changes—just a well-orchestrated trip that flowed perfectly. From our luxurious hotel in Copacabana with stunning ocean views to the Samba school rehearsal, Chadya’s attention to detail ensured that every moment was magical.

Rio Queer & Damiana – The Best Local Guide
One of the standout elements of this trip was our incredible guide, Damiana, from Rio Queer. She was not just a guide—she was a storyteller, historian, and local expert who brought the city to life for us in a way we could have never experienced on our own.

Damiana led us through the vibrant streets of Rio with ease, giving us an in-depth look at Afro-Brazilian culture, LGBTQ+ history, and the deep roots of Carnival. She took us through Little Africa, where we learned about the legacy of Black resistance in Brazil, and we even got to witness live samba performances in a space rich with history.

She made sure we felt safe, welcomed, and completely immersed in the local culture. Whether it was navigating the chaotic but thrilling energy of Carnival, taking us to hidden-gem restaurants for the best feijoada, or guiding us through breathtaking viewpoints like Sugarloaf Mountain, Damiana made every experience feel personal and engaging.

A Trip We’ll Never Forget
This trip was everything we hoped for and more. My group of 10 loved every single moment—from dancing in the streets during Carnival to sipping caipirinhas on the beach, every experience was curated to perfection. The ease of travel, the rich cultural immersion, and the sheer fun we had made this one of the best trips Lesbifriends Travel has ever hosted.

Thanks to Chadya and the team at kimkim, we never had to stress about logistics, and we could simply focus on enjoying Brazil. We highly recommend kimkim to any group or individual looking for a meticulously planned, well-executed trip with top-tier local guides and support. We’ll definitely be using them again for future adventures!

Hotel Review

Arena Copacabana Hotel

Rio de Janeiro

The Arena Copacabana Hotel had its pros and cons, making it an overall "just okay" stay for our group. The biggest selling point was definitely the location—right in the heart of the action and directly across from the beach, making it super convenient for exploring and soaking in Rio's vibrant atmosphere. Pros: ✅ Prime Location – Perfect for those who want to be in the center of it all, with the beach just steps away. ✅ Great Breakfast – A solid variety of food, fresh fruit, and Brazilian staples, which was a nice way to start the day. ✅ Good Drinks & Nice Views – The bar served well-made cocktails, and the rooftop and beach-facing areas had stunning views, adding to the experience. Cons: ❌ Safety Concern – Unfortunately, two of our travelers had their wallets stolen from their room while housekeeping was cleaning, which was a major disappointment and something that shouldn't happen in a hotel of this level. ❌ Not the Best Value – While the location is excellent, the hotel itself didn’t feel like the best bang for the buck. The rooms and service didn’t quite match the price point. ❌ Mediocre Roof Bar Service – While the views were great, the service at the rooftop bar was slow and inconsistent, making it less enjoyable than expected. Final Verdict: While the Copacabana Hotel worked well for its location and convenience, the safety issue, service inconsistencies, and overall value left something to be desired. If you’re looking for easy beach access and a lively setting, it’s a solid option—but travelers should be extra mindful of their belongings. Would we stay here again? Maybe, but we’d explore other options first.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Welcome Dinner in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Our Welcome Dinner in Rio de Janeiro was the perfect way to kick off our trip! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality, stunning views, and an atmosphere that set the tone for an incredible week ahead. The Setting & Ambiance The restaurant was a beautiful blend of elegance and vibrancy, capturing the spirit of Rio. Whether it was the open-air seating with a view of the city or the lively energy of the space, it immediately made us feel immersed in Brazilian culture. The ambiance struck the perfect balance—upscale yet comfortable, lively but not overwhelming. The Food & Drinks The menu was a fantastic introduction to Brazilian cuisine. We started with delicious pão de queijo (cheese bread) and pastéis (crispy pastries filled with cheese and meat), which were absolutely mouthwatering. The main courses showcased the richness of local flavors—whether it was the perfectly grilled picanha steak, fresh seafood, or the classic moqueca (Brazilian fish stew), every dish was flavorful and well-prepared. Of course, no welcome dinner would be complete without caipirinhas, and they did not disappoint! Fresh, strong, and perfectly balanced, they quickly became a group favorite. The Experience One of the highlights of the evening was the attentive and knowledgeable staff. They were friendly, accommodating, and took the time to explain the dishes, making it an educational and enjoyable culinary experience. The pacing of the meal was just right—giving us time to savor each course while catching up with each other and soaking in the excitement of being in Rio. Final Thoughts This Welcome Dinner exceeded our expectations and was the perfect way to bring our group together. The combination of authentic Brazilian flavors, great service, and a vibrant setting made it a memorable and enjoyable start to our adventure. Would we recommend this experience to others? Absolutely! A must-do for anyone visiting Rio.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Christ the Redeemer & Sugar Loaf Mountain

Rio de Janeiro

Our Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain Tour was an incredible experience, offering some of the most breathtaking views in Rio de Janeiro. The itinerary was well-paced, allowing us to fully appreciate these iconic landmarks without feeling rushed. Christ the Redeemer Visiting one of the New Seven Wonders of the World was nothing short of spectacular. The journey up Corcovado Mountain was smooth, and once we reached the top, we were rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Rio. The statue itself was even more awe-inspiring in person, and we had ample time to take photos and soak in the experience. Sugarloaf Mountain The cable car ride up to Sugarloaf was an adventure in itself, offering unforgettable aerial views of the coastline and city skyline. Once at the top, we had a moment to relax, take in the scenery, and enjoy a refreshing drink. The visibility was excellent, making for some of the best photo opportunities of the trip. Our Guide, Luis Luis was extremely knowledgeable and professional, providing a wealth of historical and cultural insights throughout the tour. However, he had a tendency to be a bit too chatty and directed most of his commentary toward the trip leader rather than engaging the entire group. While his passion for Rio was clear, his English was sometimes difficult to understand, which made it challenging for some group members to follow along. Final Verdict This tour is a must-do in Rio and delivered on its promise of unforgettable views and rich cultural context. Despite some communication challenges with our guide, the overall experience was well-organized, enjoyable, and absolutely worth it. Would we recommend it? Yes! Just be prepared for a lot of talking and some moments where the guide’s English may be a bit tough to follow.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rio de Janeiro Carnival

Rio de Janeiro

Our Rio de Janeiro Carnival experience was nothing short of spectacular! This was the highlight of our trip—full of energy, music, dazzling costumes, and an electric atmosphere that truly brought the city to life. The Experience From the moment we arrived at the Sambadrome, we were immersed in the heart of Brazilian culture. The energy was infectious—the samba dancers, extravagant floats, and pulsating rhythms made it impossible not to get swept up in the excitement. Watching the samba schools perform up close was mesmerizing, and you could feel the passion and dedication behind every performance. A Few Challenges While the experience itself was phenomenal, having a guide or clearer instructions would have been helpful. Navigating the event, understanding the schedule, and knowing the best way to experience Carnival as first-time visitors required some guesswork on our part. A bit more direction beforehand would have made the logistics smoother. Our Driver, Maximo We absolutely loved our driver, Maximo—he was punctual, kind, and got us where we needed to be safely. However, the language barrier made communication a bit tricky, which added a little challenge to coordinating our pickup and drop-off plans. That said, he had a great spirit, and we appreciated his hospitality. Final Verdict Despite the minor logistical hurdles, Carnival in Rio was an absolutely magical experience that exceeded all expectations. The energy, music, and sheer spectacle made it one of the most memorable moments of our trip. Would we do it again? In a heartbeat! Next time, we’d just bring a guide or ensure we had clearer instructions ahead of time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day - Rio Queer

Rio de Janeiro

Our Full-Day Rio Queer Tour with Damiana and Rio Queer was an absolute highlight of our trip! This experience gave us a deep dive into Afro-Brazilian and LGBTQ+ history, blending cultural education with fun, great food, and a welcoming atmosphere. Damiana – An Outstanding Guide Damiana was knowledgeable, engaging, and truly passionate about sharing Rio’s queer and Afro-Brazilian history. She took us through important landmarks, sharing stories that are often left out of mainstream narratives. Her ability to connect past and present made the experience meaningful and thought-provoking. The Lesbian-Operated Restaurant One of the standout moments was our visit to a lesbian-owned restaurant, where we enjoyed an amazing meal in a space that felt warm, inclusive, and community-driven. The food was delicious, and the fact that it was run by members of the LGBTQ+ community made it all the more special. A Minor Challenge – The Traffic The only downside (which was out of anyone’s control) was the heavy traffic, which limited how much we could see in one day. While we still got to experience a lot, we would have loved more time to explore additional sites. Final Verdict This tour is a must for LGBTQ+ travelers who want to experience Rio through a queer and historical lens. Despite the traffic, the experience was incredibly enriching, and we left with a deeper appreciation for the city’s culture and activism. Would we recommend it? Absolutely! And next time, we’d carve out even more time to explore.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Farewell Dinner & Game night

Rio de Janeiro

Our Farewell Dinner & Game Night was the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable trip to Rio! It was a night filled with great food, laughter, and meaningful moments, making it a truly special send-off. The Picture Signing Activity – A Thoughtful Touch One of the most memorable parts of the evening was the picture signing activity. It was such a creative and heartfelt way to reflect on our journey together. Everyone had the chance to share personal notes, inside jokes, and words of appreciation, creating a keepsake that we’ll all treasure. The Food – A Delicious Farewell Feast The dinner itself was fantastic! We enjoyed a delicious meal with flavorful Brazilian dishes that left everyone satisfied. The relaxed atmosphere made it the perfect setting to share stories, relive highlights from the trip, and simply enjoy each other’s company one last time before heading home. Damiana – The Guide Who Felt Like Family Once again, Damiana from Rio Queer was an amazing presence. She wasn’t just a guide—by the end of the trip, she felt like family. She kept the energy light and fun while making sure everything flowed smoothly. Final Verdict This Farewell Dinner & Game Night was the perfect combination of sentimental, fun, and delicious. It gave us a chance to celebrate the friendships formed, the memories made, and the incredible experiences we shared in Brazil. Would we do it again? Without a doubt! A must-do for ending any group trip on a high note.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Highly recommend! We just completed the trip of a lifetime, with the help of our wonderful travel planner Sara! Our itinerary was Bonito-Pantanal-Iguazu-Rio and I cannot say enough about the places we saw and the people who guided us. All of them were so deeply knowledgeable and gracious. We sought out the help because we knew we wanted to travel in the interior of the country and not knowing the language, we were not sure we could manage it on our own. It was the right call. Throughout the trip, Sara was always able to answer questions and provide reassurance.
Bonito: come for the snorkeling, stay for the lovely town. Our guide Gabby was fantastic, teaching us about the conservation efforts in the area and taking care of us like her own family members. She recommended the best restaurants and shopping. Turquesa is wonderful for vegetarians (and probably others as well!), as is Bonito Beer & Pizza. Udu Ceramica is a gem of a place -- if Bonito were our last stop rather than our first, I would have bought much more.
Pantanal: what a special place. Our guide Lillian is a naturalist extraordinaire, spotting birds and teaching us about the flora and fauna of the region. Pousada Aguape provided a unique experience we won't soon forget.
Iguazu: this place dwarfs anything you have ever seen. Our wonderful guide Diego took us past the long lines and right to the falls. You will appreciate not being in a large tour group! Stay at the Belmond (don't let anyone talk you out of it) and walk down to the falls in the evening. It is an unforgettable experience. Then treat yourself to dinner at Restaurant Y. You won't regret it.
Rio: an experienced guide makes all the difference! It was the end of our trip. We didn't want to deal with crowds, and Alberto knew just what to do. He took us to the Selaron steps first so the crowd was truly minimal, and then arranged for us to join a "Carnaval experience" tour, which taught us so much about this event (it's so much more than a parade!).

Activity Reviews

HD tour Brazilian side of the waterfalls + Aves Park

Foz do Iguaçu

Parque des Aves is such a special place. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the Atlantic rainforest.

RIO DA PRATA - SNORKELING WITH LUNCH + BURACO DAS ARARAS

Bonito MS

Bonito is a lovely idyllic place! Our guide Gabby was absolutely fantastic, so knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, and the conservation efforts in the region. Buraco das Araras is not to be missed and the snorkeling is amazing!

Quality of Experience

Food

more veg options

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable, skilled, patient

Transport

how does the stay package work at Pousada Aguape in the south pantanal

South Pantanal

Beautiful place. Our guide Lillian is an amazing naturalist, so knowledgeable and a wonderful teacher.

Quality of Experience

Food

more veg options

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lillian is amazing.

Transport

FD Argentinian side of the falls

Foz do Iguaçu

It made such a difference to have a personal guide. Diego knew where to take us so we could get the best views, and also enabled us to avoid crowds to the extent possible.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinghy trip from the Argentinian side ´Gran Aventura´

Foz do Iguaçu

Fantastic! Not to be missed.

All the must-sees of Rio in one day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Staircase and city tour

Rio de Janeiro

Our experience was good because our guide tailored it to our needs and preferences on that day.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alberto is wonderful -- so knowledgeable about the history of Rio and the people who have made it the city we see today.

Sara did an amazing job planning my 30th birthday trip!!! From the beginning to the end she was with my mom and I every step of the way!! I appreciate you curating this trip exactly how we wanted it to be!! My favorite part I would say was the cooking class and going to see Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain that was an amazing experience! Shout out to Hyza from Cooking in Rio you were great!! I also really enjoyed the samba experience, next time I will have to come back for some samba classes!! Shout out to all the drivers/ service workers/ maids/ cleaners!! Special shout out to Ismael and Jonathan from the Windsor hotel and Isabella and Kaüo from Pousada do Ouro!!! You guys were awesome and I thank you for all the birthday love. Everyone was so so helpful and kind I appreciate everyone.

Thank you for a memorable 30th birthday!!! I will definitely be back to Rio for Carnival!! My mom and I really enjoyed the trip!!

All the best,
- Jonette

Hotel Reviews

Pousada do Ouro

Paraty

Beautiful colonial hotel!!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central!!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Windsor Califórnia Copacabana Hotel

Rio de Janeiro

Good hotel!! Ismael and Jonathan were great!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central on the beach!!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Rio: Little Africa Unveiled: Vibrant Afro-Brazilian Heritage

Rio de Janeiro

Was okay wish I learned a little more but was interesting

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All the must-sees of Rio in one day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Staircase and city tour

Rio de Janeiro

Must see!!! Get there early!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All you can eat dinner in the best meat and fish churrascaria in Rio

Rio de Janeiro

Wow!!!!! AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING buffet style authentic Brazilian experience what more can I say all you can eat!!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Behind the scenes of the carnival

Rio de Janeiro

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Recipe Brazilian Cooking Class in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Hyza was excellent!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rachel did an amazing job planning our trip. Everything went very smoothly. All of our guides were on time and provided us outstanding service. She was able to pivot when we needed to make changes. Leo, our Guide in Rio, was incredible! I highly recommend him to any of your travelers.

Renata was incredibly helpful planning and organizing our trip. She was quick to respond to my many questions.
Keneick was fantastic in the Amazon, Diana was great at the waterfalls and Vinny was a wealth of information in Rio (and an avid soccer fan that our children appreciated.)

So we just got back from Brazil and I want to let everyone know that KimKim is legit! We've never planned a trip through a website before, or with an agent we'd never met who lived on another continent. It all made my wife and I a bit nervous. We won't be next time.

We (me, my wife and our 23-yr old son) wanted to visit Rio and Iguazu Falls, and Bruno planned a great experience. The hotels he arranged for us were lovely - especially the Miramar in Rio (on the beach in Copacabana with a rooftop bar and infinity pool, a great breakfast buffet, and a really great team of people - from the Bell Cap to the roof staff).

We had a private tour guide in both places and they enriched the experience tremendously. We spent two days with Jefferson in Rio, going to the top of Sugarloaf and Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer statue), and a ton of other expected and unexpected spots. He was warm, friendly and full of facts, history and stories. His English was fluent. And another benefit of having a guide is you get to bypass many (not all) lines at the various attractions.

Jorge was our guide at Iguazu, and while the experience of seeing those falls doesn't call for nearly the commentary as the Rio tours, Jorge was friendly and knowledgable as well. On the second day, our son almost got heat exhaustion at the falls and Jorge convinced the policeman to let us cut the line to get my son quickly up to the concession stand (water) and shade. He was really looking out for us. That was cool.

Side note, if you go to Iguazu, you HAVE to do both sides. They each offer their own perspectives and experiences. And riding a boat up into the falls (literally, we drove under falls) is better in Argentina than in Brazil because the Brazilian boats aren't allowed to go to all the falls (the one's in Argentina. I know, it sounds stupid, but that's international relations for you.) One of the most incredible experiences of my life!

Our transfers and tickets were seamless - to and from the airport on each leg, the trip to Iguazu and back (a two hour flight), our tickets for parks, trains or gondolas, dinner reservations. This helps helps when you can't seem to get past please, thank you and where's the bathroom (thank you Google Translate).

Bruno grew up in Rio but lives in Portugal. Even so, he was available when we needed him and was ready to help if our son's condition deteriorated. Happily, it did not.

I don't know about anyone else's experience, but we will definitely be using KimKim again. They connect you with an independent agent who specializes in the area you want to visit. They facilitate the interaction, handle the payments. I'm happy to give them a fee for this. And I'm happy to pay a fee to Bruno, who I know spent considerable time making sure our trip was a success, from idea to the flight home.

We worked with Flor for our trip and she was amazing to say the least. Our plans changed multiple times and our final itinerary was very different from our first draft but she was extremely patient throughout the process and crafted an itinerary that was super fun and accommodated all our requests.

Activity Review

HD City Tour in Sao Paulo - with time for Lunch

São Paulo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Amazing trip to such a gorgeous country. I cannot say enough about how wonderful our entire trip was. We traveled with a 5 year old, 10 year old and 14 year old. Frpm the moment our flight arrived into Brazil, we were greated at the airport with friendly staff who made us feel safe and comfortable. We traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Foz, Manaus and the Amazon Rainforest. Sara was amazing at customizing an once in a lifetime vacation for my family that allowed us to see the most amazing sites of Brazil from Christ the Redeemer to the Iguazu Falls and topped off by a unique stay at a 5 star ecolodge lodge in the Amazon Rainforest. I greatly appreciate how Sara was able to customize our travel requests so that we were able to accomplish all the activites that our hearts desired. She worked hard to coordinate and customize our hotel requests and made sure our travel was as seamless as possible. Our tour guides spoke English and were very patient with our whole family . Jess was such a sweet, caring and flexible tour guide. My children greatly enjoyed her througout the tour and we loved listening to her own music. In the Amazon, Nelson was such an amazing guide, he made sure we all were able to see and experience the wonders of the beautiful Amazon rainforest from hiking and learning about the wonders of the forest to piranha fishing and to caimen spotting and petting. I cannot say enough amazing things about how much we appreiate your travel team. We had a large gap in the ages of our children and a ton of dietary restrictions (Celiac (gluten free), Tree Nut allergy, a vegetarian and two meat-eaters) and our trip from the start to the end was perfect. My daughter even found two fully Gluten Free restaurants in Brazil that are her new favorites.

Thank you Kim Kim travel for such an amazing adventure....till next time

Both Wanessa and Bruno were incredibly generous and friendly people. They cared if we were enjoying the tour and always checked to see if we needed more time at the different locations. They advised about places to eat and looked after our wellbeing at all times. Communicating in English was easy with them. Bruno went above and beyond to give us the best experience touring Rio de Janeiro - Brasil. He helped us with different issues a few times.

Activity Reviews

Carioca Lifestyle and Carnival Culture (by Public Transport)

Rio de Janeiro

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to the Botanical Gardens & Santa Teresa

Rio de Janeiro

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Excellent, excellent! Our wonderful tour guides were just like having local friends in Rio. I don't know what we would have done without them. They made sure that everything ran smoothly, organized activities for us that we thought of at the last minute and did some heavy duty problem solving - such as when my wife discovered she had left her medication at our hotel just as we arrived at Rio airport for our next destination. Thank-you KimKim, thank-you Renata and many thanks to Bruno and Wanessa, our lovely tour guides. I highly recommend your services, and I have left Brazil with very warm feelings.

From the beginning to the end the planning and execution of our trip exceeded expectations. Our local specialist Renata was responsive and very helpful. Our guide, Felipe, was very thoughtful and very knowledgeable. He took care of the smallest details (booster seat for a child) and personalized the tour with our interests in mind. He was very responsive and quickly changed plans after an unexpected schedule change. Our favorite stops - Samba School, Christ the Redeemer, and the Botanical Garden. We also enjoyed Little Africa and the Selaron steps.

All three guides (Luis in Rio, Lillian in The Pantanal, and Orico in Iguazu) were stunningly good.

Renata was great at providing various updates through the planning process, and dealing with some changing schedules.
But we ended up doing a lot of the work that we thought a travel agent would assist with. For example, we often found the better way to travel throughout the country and which flights to take instead of relying on her. Also in the past travel specialists have provided us with "must do" things or provided more guidance, and we were kind of left to do a lot of that ourselves.

Further, there were some things - like making sure water bottles were in the cars - were completely overlooked.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Intercity Manaus

Manaus

It was fine, but nothing special. Good breakfast.

Juma Amazon Lodge

Autazes

It was fun staying in the tree lodges. But, there was no a/c.

Belmond Hotel das Cataratas

Foz do Iguaçu

Worth the extra money to be in the park. Sunset in the tower is a must do.

Activity Reviews

Transfer by hidroplane & immersion in the rainforest (JL - Day 1)

Brazil

Adventures in the Jungle Lodge (JL - Day 2)

Brazil

Some great activities. Wish there was a little more to do.

Iguaçu Falls Hike on the Argentina Side & Gran Aventura Boat Tour

Foz do Iguaçu

Amazing and our guide here was awesome.

We had an unforgettable experience on our recent Brazilian adventure. Our itinerary was brilliantly put together by Bruno who understood our wish to experience Brazil's rich biodiversity and spend time in gorgeous landscapes alongside a trip to Rio for a wedding celebration. From Iguacu Falls to the Pantanal, to Paraty and Ilha Grande via Rio, all our hotels and lodges were well-located and our activities and transfers perfectly chosen and well-timed. A special shout out to all our amazing guides - Joao Luiz, Eluza and Luiz - and their incredible knowledge, who made this such a memorable trip. The staff at The Jungle Lodge in Pantanal helped us enjoy our stay with them showing an amazing ability to spot even the smallest of animals and providing us plenty of food to keep us going.