Kimkim Trip Reviews for Galapagos Islands

4.8
Based on 158 ratings
Read 158 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Galapagos Islands on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Galapagos is truly AMAZING!!
Galapagos Islands | Dec 29 - Jan 8, 2025

Susan
Susan C.
Hartford, CT | Reviewed on Jan 15, 2025
We had a fabulous trip to the Galapagos Islands! Everything went smoothly (including transfers thanks to Alejandro) and it was an incredible adventure. We loved the Palma Polo Club where we stayed for two nights upon arrival in Ecuador and one the night before going back to the US. It was relaxing, the rooms were huge and lovely, the bed was the biggest I have ever slept in. My husband said the gym was the best he ever experienced in a hotel (it was open air and overlooked the heated pool)... Read more

We had a fabulous trip to the Galapagos Islands! Everything went smoothly (including transfers thanks to Alejandro) and it was an incredible adventure. We loved the Palma Polo Club where we stayed for two nights upon arrival in Ecuador and one the night before going back to the US. It was relaxing, the rooms were huge and lovely, the bed was the biggest I have ever slept in. My husband said the gym was the best he ever experienced in a hotel (it was open air and overlooked the heated pool) and they even managed to arrange a massage therapist to come to the hotel and treat us to in-room AMAZING massages. The restaurant was also very nice with delicious food.

Upon arrival in Baltra on December 30th we were greeted by our guide for the 8 day cruise, Andres. He was fantastic...passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated. He was so full of interesting information about every place we visited on the cruise I wish I could remember it all. The cruise on the Natural Paradise was awesome. All the other passengers on the tour were wonderful and we became fast friends while experiencing the trip of a lifetime. There were several excursions a day, and I loved the level of activity. We snorkeled, hiked and toured interesting and spectacularly beautiful places. The natural world is thriving in the Galapagos and this was such an inspiration. The wildlife is abundant and appears to be doing really well....they certainly manage the tourism to these islands which helps ensure a healthy ecosystem for the many animals that live there.
The entire crew of the Natural Paradise was skilled, kind and helpful. Their attention to detail including food preparation and presentation, safety concerns, condition of the boat and equipment was top notch. Shoutout to Jorge, Camilo,, Maria, Jose and all the crew . I had prepared for motion sickness (bring your Bonine just in case!) so I never had any issues. I enjoyed a cappuccino each morning as I watched the sunrise from the sundeck. One morning I was treated to a Bryde's whale sighting which was amazing. Our room was huge, the bed was comfortable, even the bathroom was large! Maria was magical...so efficient and fast...we never once saw her go into the room but it was always spotless. Using the hot tub after snorkel trips was so lovely and the afternoon we saw the big pod of dolphins before sunset was unforgettable. Every meal was delicious, with something for everyone. Omelettes made to order in the morning, fish dishes for lunch and dinner in addition to meat options, and lots of fresh fruit, veggies and salads.
We truly had an amazing journey to the Galapagos and wish we could have explored Ecuador for longer. So many more places to visit, including the Cloud Forest, the Amazon and the Andes. I hope we are able to return to this amazing and interesting country again soon. A country with beautiful sights, lovely people, fabulous food and spectacular wildlife and nature! Thanks to everyone who made this journey so special, including Alvaro who planned it for us!

Local specialist: Alvaro Pereira
Alvaro
Alvaro Pereira
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jan 15, 2025
Hello my dear Susan, Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience with us! I am so happy to hear that your time in the Galapagos Islands was everything you hoped for and more. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed your stay at Palma Polo Club, the Natural Paradise cruise, and the unforgettable wildlife encounters. We’re especially happy to hear that Andres and the crew made your journey memorable with their passion and dedication. Ecuador’s beauty and the Galapagos’ unique... Read more

Hello my dear Susan,

Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience with us! I am so happy to hear that your time in the Galapagos Islands was everything you hoped for and more. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed your stay at Palma Polo Club, the Natural Paradise cruise, and the unforgettable wildlife encounters.

We’re especially happy to hear that Andres and the crew made your journey memorable with their passion and dedication.

Ecuador’s beauty and the Galapagos’ unique landscapes are truly one-of-a-kind, and we’re so grateful to have been part of your journey. We look forward to helping you explore even more of Ecuador in the future.

Yours truly,
Alvaro

Knowledgeable, prepared, kind guides, and amazing experiences!
Galapagos Islands | Jan 3 - Jan 8, 2025

T
Teri B.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jan 15, 2025

We loved our visit to Santa Cruz Island, including all of the guided tours and the hotel stay. The outings were informative, interesting, well-planned, and enjoyable. Thanks for all the help planning our trip! We'll always remember the fun we had.

Local specialist: Pilar Albuja
Pilar
Pilar Albuja
Local specialist in Ecuador Quito | Replied on Jan 15, 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear that you loved your visit to Santa Cruz Island and enjoyed the guided tours and hotel stay. It’s wonderful to know the outings were informative, interesting, and well-planned—it sounds like you had an amazing time!

It was a pleasure helping you plan your trip, and I’m so glad it will be a memorable experience for you. If you ever want to plan another adventure, I’d be happy to assist again.

With warm regards,
Pilar

Mixed feelings about this trip
Galapagos Islands | Dec 30 - Jan 4, 2025

H
HUGO H.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 08, 2025
The sites chosen were very good, though we chose not to go to the last one because we preferred to take it easy and go to a local beach. Hotels also were very good. The boat to Isabella was a bit rough, but I understand this cannot be avoided unless you use a slower service. While Alvaro was good in the initial stages in scheduling and designing our plan, he was quite absent and not very responsive while we were in the tour. Here is a list of issues: 1. The person handling our baggage sent... Read more

The sites chosen were very good, though we chose not to go to the last one because we preferred to take it easy and go to a local beach. Hotels also were very good. The boat to Isabella was a bit rough, but I understand this cannot be avoided unless you use a slower service.

While Alvaro was good in the initial stages in scheduling and designing our plan, he was quite absent and not very responsive while we were in the tour. Here is a list of issues:

1. The person handling our baggage sent it to the wrong hotel. I contacted Alvaro and he took long time to respond.
2. On the way to Isabella, I asked Alvaro several questions including suggestions for dinner at Isabella. He saw my message around noon but responded at 11pm, when it was obviously too late to follow any suggestions.
3. Initially when designing the tour, I told Alvaro that one of us -myself- would like to do scuba one day. When I asked later in the tour, he never responded to that. Also when we decided to cancel our last tour, we asked one of the local people that came to pick is up the previous day whether it was possible to get a refund or schedule an alternative. He told us that he had contacted Alvaro and that he would let us know. He never responded to this request.

Overall, we felt that after paying for this trip, we were left pretty much on our own, except for the pickups and dropoffs. We got very little value added from the local team, and in fact we were never greeted nor explained in detail what would happen in during our stay. Alvaro might have been the local specialist, but he doesn't reside in Galapagos so he wasn't there.

Hotel Reviews
La Casita de la Playa
Puerto Villamil

Great location beachfront

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Casa de Judy Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Excellent rooms, so and so breakfast.

Location
Its a couple of blocks from the main road
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Welcome to Santa Cruz Island:  Highlands (Plant a Tree)  & Charles Darwin Research Station
Welcome to Santa Cruz Island: Highlands (Plant a Tree) & Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

Amazing choice. The guide was good and gave us information, but not an expert guide.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wildlife Encounter at Los Tuneles (Cabo Rosa)
Wildlife Encounter at Los Tuneles (Cabo Rosa)
Galapagos Islands

This was great, you should never miss it! Our guide was great at snorkeling, showed us sharks, turtles, rays. She definitely knew where to find things.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover the Wonders of Tintoreras Islet: A Journey into Breathtaking Biodiversity
Discover the Wonders of Tintoreras Islet: A Journey into Breathtaking Biodiversity
Puerto Villamil

Its interesting but could be skipped. In retrospect, we would have preferred doing a bike ride on the Island or something else.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Puerto Ayora

Very good, nice trip and the volcanic island is quite amazing!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
History and Nature: Full Day to Floreana Island
History and Nature: Full Day to Floreana Island
Puerto Ayora

We skipped this one. Three days in a row of traveling in boats is not advisable, distances are long 2-3 hours each way. We decided to choose stay local that day.

Local specialist: Alvaro Pereira
Alvaro
Alvaro Pereira
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jan 15, 2025
Dear Hugo, Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. I’m so happy to know that you enjoyed the sites and accommodations we arranged and that you appreciated the flexibility to explore the local beach. Your observations are invaluable as they help us improve our services. I sincerely apologize for the issues you experienced during your trip, especially regarding communication and logistics. While it’s true I don’t reside in the Galapagos (only locals are allowed to permanently reside in... Read more

Dear Hugo,

Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. I’m so happy to know that you enjoyed the sites and accommodations we arranged and that you appreciated the flexibility to explore the local beach. Your observations are invaluable as they help us improve our services.

I sincerely apologize for the issues you experienced during your trip, especially regarding communication and logistics. While it’s true I don’t reside in the Galapagos (only locals are allowed to permanently reside in the islands ) my local Galapagos team is always ready to help under any circumstance , we also strive to ensure that travelers feel supported throughout their journey, as many of our traveler’s positive reviews mention, this is very important for us.

Your feedback highlights areas where we need to improve, particularly in responsiveness and local coordination. I am already implementing changes to enhance communication during trips and ensure that travelers feel fully supported at all times.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I hope you will give us another chance in the future to deliver the seamless and attentive service you deserve.

Warm regards,
Alvaro

The planning on the trip was excellent
Galapagos Islands | Dec 22 - Dec 31, 2024

Marc
Marc M.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jan 04, 2025
I went with three others on an 8 day cruise on the ship Archipel 1 over Christmas with the naturalist Christian. The boat was well-appointed, the food was excellent and the others cruising with us were all very pleasant. Angel did an outstanding job of remembering everyone's food likes and dislikes and kept bringing us our favorite foods. Carlos kept the cabins immaculately clean and the beds made well.
We snorkeled and hiked with Christian, who was very well-informed about the geology...
Read more

I went with three others on an 8 day cruise on the ship Archipel 1 over Christmas with the naturalist Christian. The boat was well-appointed, the food was excellent and the others cruising with us were all very pleasant. Angel did an outstanding job of remembering everyone's food likes and dislikes and kept bringing us our favorite foods. Carlos kept the cabins immaculately clean and the beds made well.
We snorkeled and hiked with Christian, who was very well-informed about the geology of the islands as well as the biology. Besides this type of trip, Christian runs diving excursions too.
The trip covered Genovesa in the north, Batholome and Santiago in the central along with Santa Cruz, Floreana and Espanola and finally San Cristobal in the East. If I'm ever fortunate enough to return, I'd very much like to see the western islands too.
The birds were fascinating, but I would have liked to do even more snorkeling than I did, so my suggestion to others is that they emphasize the snorkeling and come equipped with the ability to take underwater pictures and movies.
Nick was always punctual with replies and was outstanding to deal with. There were no hitches with the plans.
We stayed at the Wyndham Quito Hotel near the airport, and it's a very nice hotel with modern comfortable rooms and an excellent and delicious free breakfast buffet and a similarly excellent dinner buffet.

Hotel Review
Archipel I
Guayaquil - Ecuador

The boat has plenty of room for 16 passengers and the El Capitan Orlando kept the boat moving smoothly throughout the night as we moved between islands. The food was excellent: there's a chef and a sous-chef on board. The showers are a bit of a weak point. The upstairs areas get lots of sun and frigatebirds hover above the boat as it moves. There were 11 crewmembers when I was on the boat.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It's in the Galapagos, what more can I say?
Staff
All the staff were pleasant and helpful, but particularly Angel and Carlos.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Nicolas Cadena
Nicolas
Nicolas Cadena
Local specialist in Ecuador | Replied on Jan 10, 2025

Hi Marc,

Thank you very much for your review, we are extremly happy to hear you had a wonderul time in the Galapagos! And that the family overall had a great experience, I will inform the cruise operators of all of your praises.
We look forward to having you in Ecuador and if you ever wish to travel to other conutries in South America, such as Colombia, Peru or Chile, we'd be more than happy to help you.

Warm hugs,
Nick

Galapagos 2024 - Excellent Trip!
Galapagos Islands | Dec 21 - Dec 29, 2024

Chantal
Chantal M.
Louisville, CO | Reviewed on Jan 01, 2025
Galapagos 2024 - Excellent Trip!
My husband and I just completed a 9 day trip to Quito and the Galapagos Islands. We want to recognize the highlights of our trip with a few special commendations.
Angie Maldonado - Did an excellent job booking all the drivers, local transportation, excursions, hotels, and even dining for Christmas eve, and Christmas Day! We wanted to feel entrenched in the local culture, and we did!
Quito - Outstanding guide: Cristobal! We thoroughly enjoyed his tireless...
Read more

Galapagos 2024 - Excellent Trip!
My husband and I just completed a 9 day trip to Quito and the Galapagos Islands. We want to recognize the highlights of our trip with a few special commendations.
Angie Maldonado - Did an excellent job booking all the drivers, local transportation, excursions, hotels, and even dining for Christmas eve, and Christmas Day! We wanted to feel entrenched in the local culture, and we did!
Quito - Outstanding guide: Cristobal! We thoroughly enjoyed his tireless attention from the time of our arrival at the airport to our departure. He was a wealth of knowledge, attentive, shared so much with us, including recommendations for local foods. Exceptional experience! We stayed in Casona de la Ronda and loved the accommodations and the staff as well!
Santa Cruz - We stayed at the Acacia Boutique Hotel. Perfect location, lovely people, spacious accommodations. Excellent choice for us! We loved our excursion to the highlands to see the Tortoises and our excursion to Bartolome island where we snorkeled, and saw sharks, penguins, and the famous blue footed boobies along the way as well. The scenery was exceptional! We also spent time visiting N. Seymour Island. Busy schedule, but wouldn't change any of it.
Isabela Island - A welcome quiet experience on this island. Less commercialized, at this time... hope it stays that way. Very much enjoyed all of our day excursions, but our favorite was Los Tunneles, and our hike on the Sierra Negra Volcano. We were here for 3 nights, and wish we had had another day or 2 to explore and relax more.
Some helpful tips or things new South American Travelers should know:
1. No toilet paper disposal (you can't flush it!) in the toilets anywhere. If you want to bring sanitary bags to dispose, that might feel better to you.
2. Bring small denominations (not just $20's) for tipping money. This will be a big part of your expenses while on the islands.
3. Be prepared for some minor inconveniences, and handle them with grace. We were totally embarassed by some of the tourists we witnessed misbehaving toward the dedicated, gracious natives we encountered.
4. Angie and guides did a great job helping us navigate the travel requirements including paying for Transit Control Card, and admission fee to Galapagos National Park upon arrival/departure.
5. You will be moving around a lot on this trip. Try NOT to overpack. (We did bring a wetsuit and our own snorkel and mask and we were glad we did).
6. Final recommendation: The trip back to Colorado was quite long to do without an overnight stay on the mainland on the way back. If you have enough time, I would recommend booking an overnight stay after leaving Baltra airport, on the mainland, rather than hanging out at the airport for several hours in Quito and having to travel for such an extended period of time.
We loved our trip to Ecuador! We appreciate all the drivers, guides, boat captains, restaurant and hotel workers who were so kind, and always helpful. The food was delicious everywhere!
We love the model for KimKim - with local agents planning the trip! They are also a great contact if you have any hiccups/issues/concerns during your trip, and Angie was very responsive, and did "check on us" to make sure all was going well.
Thank you for the surprise of covering our Christmas Dinner!
Happy New Year to all!

Hotel Reviews
La Casita de la Playa
Puerto Villamil

Lovely, clean beachside accommodations within steps of amazing oceanview sunsets! Room size was adequate, bed was comfortable. WIFI was reliable and quite good! Staff was excellent! Food for breakfast was excellent! Only inconvenience - ran out of water around 6 p.m. (which did not affect us too much, but did for some other guests. I think this is an island problem, not an isolated problem to this accommodation). Would be nice to have a few hooks outside the rooms to hang up swimsuits, etc, to let them dry.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beachside! Easy to walk to center of town and restaurants.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Excellent location! Easy walk to restaurants, shops, pier, Charles Darwin center. Hotel clean, with pool and hot tub, comfortable mattress, TV; designed with safety and security in mind as a bonus. Quiet in our room and away for the busy town streets. Wifi available but somewhat unreliable. Spacious room and accommodations. Staff very attentive and always on top of our needs/schedules. Very good breakfast, and packed us box breakfasts when needed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito

We arrived in the early morning (2:00 a.m.?). There was a city wide power outage when we arrived, and the back up generator was working beautifully, and the staff was expecting us. Although the street we were on was busy at night, we did not hear a peep in our rooms! (YAY) The staff was diligent with walking us to/from our driver's car and making sure we were well attended to. Breakfast was good; Wifi was good. Mattresses were comfortable; room was spacious. Loved the atmosphere here! Felt very authentic!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Transfer Baltra Airport - Puerto Ayora with visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz
Transfer Baltra Airport - Puerto Ayora with visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands

Our transfer did not go smoothly. There was no one there waiting for us with a sign and our name on it, as expected. We had the name of the person who was supposed to greet us but they did not show up. The manager of the tour company eventually showed up after I contacted the agent from KimKim and smoothed everything out. The visit to the highlands was a 5 star experience, along with the expertise and friendliness of our guide.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Excursion to Tortuga Bay
Guided Excursion to Tortuga Bay
Galapagos Islands

Wish we had been able to spend more quiet time here. It was beautiful. We were unable to snorkel here due to a laceration I had on my knee, and kayaking had not been planned here. Wish we could have done either. It is beautiful, and quiet. Our guide was Diego. He was friendly and accommodating.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quito City Tour
Quito City Tour
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands
Visit to another uninhabited island
Visit to another uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Galapagos Islands

It seemed we got off to a late start due to the size of the group. Although we loved the hike, I felt the guides were rushing us. This is not to be missed, but be prepared for a faster hiking pace. As we were near the back of the large group, we did not get any attention on this hike, nor did we get to hear much from the guides. We did, however, prefer to be away from the "crowd".

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angie Maldonado
Angie
Angie Maldonado
Local specialist in Quito - Ecuador | Replied on Jan 09, 2025
Dear Chantal, Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. It was a pleasure assisting you during your trip!
I’m so glad you had a fantastic experience in Quito and the Galapagos and that Cristobal did an excellent job guiding you in Quito. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him and your Galapagos guides and also send them the little details on how they can improve our travelers' experiences in the future.
I am genuinely sorry for the delay in your welcome to the Galapagos. We’ve... Read more

Dear Chantal,

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. It was a pleasure assisting you during your trip!
I’m so glad you had a fantastic experience in Quito and the Galapagos and that Cristobal did an excellent job guiding you in Quito. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him and your Galapagos guides and also send them the little details on how they can improve our travelers' experiences in the future.

I am genuinely sorry for the delay in your welcome to the Galapagos. We’ve already made adjustments to ensure this doesn’t happen again. I’m glad we could address the issue quickly and that you felt appropriately compensated for the inconvenience.

Your positive comments about the hotels and excursions mean a lot to us, and we would be thrilled to welcome you back to Ecuador in the future!

Best wishes,
Angie

7 day Galapagos Experience
Galapagos Islands | Dec 21 - Dec 30, 2024

J
Jim W.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Dec 31, 2024
The Trip:
My wife and I did a 7 day expedition to the Galapagos Islands arranged by KimKim. Angie from KimKim was our Experience Assistant. She helped guide us through the decision making process and provided all the details of our trip. She was also available along the way as we needed some assistance with travel hassles related to late flights and such. Her assistance was invaluable.
Quito:
Angie arranged for two local guides to help us on our journey in Quito, Alejandro...
Read more

The Trip:
My wife and I did a 7 day expedition to the Galapagos Islands arranged by KimKim. Angie from KimKim was our Experience Assistant. She helped guide us through the decision making process and provided all the details of our trip. She was also available along the way as we needed some assistance with travel hassles related to late flights and such. Her assistance was invaluable.

Quito:
Angie arranged for two local guides to help us on our journey in Quito, Alejandro picked us up from the airport in Quito when we arrived (though our flight was quite late, and took us to our first hotel, so we did not have to worry about taxis or hotel shuttle transportation. He help us reunite with our lost back, and provided us with transportation back to the airport the next day to resume our trip to the Galapagos islands.

Upon our return from the Galapagos we were greeted by Fabricio. He met us at the airport, though our flight was several hours late. He provided transportation to our hotel in Old Town Quito. The next day, he showed us the highlights of Old Town Quito along with all manner of local and historic information as we toured Churches, monuments, Old Town, a Chocolate Factory, and stayed with us through our cooking experience. On our last day he picked us up very early and took us to the airport. Fabricio was very informative, kind, and genuinely enthusiastic to show us around.

Galapagos:
Upon our arrival in the Galapagos, we were met by Alex, our Naturalist and guide for our expedition. Alex demonstrated his knowledge enthusiastically though the lens of both local and learned understanding. Through his expert knowledge, he was able to show us all manner of plants and animals endemic to the islands including both the ones we expected and hoped to see, as well as some rare sightings. We visited four islands: Santiago Island, Isabella Island, Fernandia Island, and Santa Cruz Island. During our expedition we stayed on the Bonita Cruise Ship, a small ship that sleeps about 16 people. Daily we had the opportunity to hike the islands, travel in small boats along the coast viewing the various wildlife, and snorkel in the many bays on the islands. Most days we did all three. The crew performed their duties efficiently and expertly, doling out specific equipment for the days activities, providing zodiac transpiration to and from islands, keeping the cabins clean, serving chef prepared delicious meals and even a small party on Christmas for both the crew and the guests. The crew was polite, and extremely helpful during our stay.

To sum it up, my wife and I had a wonderful experience in both Quito and on the islands. I can highly recommend KimKim if you are considering a Galapagos Adventure Experience.

Hotel Reviews
M/Y Bonita
Quito

My wife and I did a 7 day expedition to the Galapagos Islands arranged by KimKim. During our Galapagos expedition we stayed on the Bonita Cruise Ship, a small ship that sleeps about 16 people. Daily we had the opportunity to hike the islands, travel in small boats along the coast viewing the various wildlife, and snorkel in the many bays on the islands. Most days we did all three. The crew performed their duties efficiently and expertly, doling out specific equipment for the day's activities, providing zodiac transpiration to and from islands, keeping the cabins clean, serving chef prepared delicious meals and even a small party on Christmas for both the crew and the guests. The crew was polite, and extremely helpful during our stay.

Location
Sailing around the islands allows you to see more, more efficiently than flying from island to island to experience the local nature
Staff
The crew performed their duties efficiently and expertly, doling out specific equipment for the day's activities, providing zodiac transpiration to and from islands, keeping the cabins clean, serving chef prepared delicious meals and even a small party on Christmas for both the crew and the guests. The crew was polite, and extremely helpful during our stay.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was larger than expected on the Bonita and was cleaned daily by the crew. The meals were prepared daily by an onboard chef. The chef prepared each meal with a local style and each meal was delicious.
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito

Our stay at La Casona de La Ronda was delightful and surpassed our expectations. It was definitely a nicer experience than we had anticipated.

Activity Reviews
Quito Cooking Class
Quito Cooking Class
Ecuador

The Quito Cooking Class was a fantastic experience and exceeded our expectations. Although we initially thought it might be in someone's home, having it at a restaurant was a pleasant surprise. The chef's professionalism and the way he explained the chemistry behind cooking, not just recipes, were excellent. The food turned out great too!

Charles Darwin Station & Tortoise Breeding center
Charles Darwin Station & Tortoise Breeding center
Galapagos Islands

Our visit to the Charles Darwin Station & Tortoise Breeding Center met our expectations. We were there primarily to see the tortoises, and there were lots of them. Our naturalist, Alex, provided thorough explanations, and it was nice that the place wasn't crowded, making the experience more enjoyable.

Local specialist: Angie Maldonado
Angie
Angie Maldonado
Local specialist in Quito - Ecuador | Replied on Jan 09, 2025

Dear Jim,

Thank you for your feedback; assisting you during your trip was a pleasure!

I am so glad you had a great experience in Quito and the Galapagos and that Alejandro, Fabricio, and Alex did a good job guiding you through your destinations. I will make sure to pass your kind words to them.

Thank you also for your feedback on your hotels and cruise. I am happy you enjoyed your stay there and that the staff made you feel welcome and supported.

We look forward to welcoming you whenever you want to visit us again!

Best Wishes,
Angie

Karlita did a fabulous job planning our unfor...
Galapagos Islands | Nov 28 - Dec 12, 2024

C
Chanda P.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Dec 21, 2024
Karlita did a fabulous job planning our unforgettable trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. She accommodated all our family group's interests and abilities (ages 30- 65+). I appreciate that she advised us thoughtfully and raised the right questions to help us make the right choices. For example, she worked with the local guide Sebastian in Quito to provide suggestions like flipping the order of certain activities to make more sense and allow us to fit more things in a logical way. Another... Read more

Karlita did a fabulous job planning our unforgettable trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. She accommodated all our family group's interests and abilities (ages 30- 65+). I appreciate that she advised us thoughtfully and raised the right questions to help us make the right choices. For example, she worked with the local guide Sebastian in Quito to provide suggestions like flipping the order of certain activities to make more sense and allow us to fit more things in a logical way. Another example was how she had hotel rooms conveniently arranged for us on the day we returned from the Amazon, so we didn't have to hang around the airport for 12 hours until our international flights home from Quito. She did not simply say yes to everything we asked for without thinking - she genuinely guided us, which is what we needed. No detail was left unthought of! Including special surprises for the special occasions on the trip.

Highlights: The GO Hotel in Quito was amazing! We especially loved our guide in Quito, Sebastian. He is extremely knowledgable and passionate about Ecuador, plus personable, friendly and fun! We also loved the staff and our local guide Cheyanne at the NAPO Cultural Center eco-lodge. Overall, Karlita was able to fit such a diverse mix of activities and parts of Ecuador into our 15-day trip without it feeling totally exhausting.

My only point of feedback: We were probably limited by our budget and availability by the time we booked (last-minute), but the only thing I would have appreciated is being offered more tiered options / operator choices for the cruise in Galapagos and eco-lodge in the Amazon, so that we could have understood the differences and chosen to upgrade to something higher-end if we wanted.

Local specialist: Nicolas Cadena
Nicolas
Nicolas Cadena
Local specialist in Ecuador | Replied on Dec 24, 2024

Hi Chanda,

It was an absolute pleasure having you and your family here in Ecuador. We hope you had an unforgettable adventure. We also loved having you here and welcoming the family!
I'm sure all of our providers will be really happy to hear this great feedback and we have taken note of your comments for the future :)
We will be more than happy to have you in South America again and of course, we will always welcome you as family.

Yours,
Karla & Nick

Amazing Ecuador!
Galapagos Islands | Nov 28 - Dec 12, 2024

R
Raju P.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Dec 20, 2024
Our trip planner is Karlita
I have nothing but praises for the planning and attention to detail for this trip to Ecuador. I have such great memories. It was a fantastic vacation! Thank you Karlita. You listened and delivered. You also told us when we suggested something and you said it was too much. The trip was a great combination of history and nature. Our guide Sebastian (in Quito) was absolutely amazing. He was knowledgeable, fun and loved to share his country’s history as well...
Read more

Our trip planner is Karlita
I have nothing but praises for the planning and attention to detail for this trip to Ecuador. I have such great memories. It was a fantastic vacation! Thank you Karlita. You listened and delivered. You also told us when we suggested something and you said it was too much. The trip was a great combination of history and nature. Our guide Sebastian (in Quito) was absolutely amazing. He was knowledgeable, fun and loved to share his country’s history as well as personal. He took good care of my sisters when hiking in Antisana. He bought some local snacks for us so we could enjoy them along the drives.
In Galapagos I have no complaints about the crew, the activities or the guides. The cabins on Coral 1 are a little old and definitely use updating. A big complaint is that when the boat sailed during the night the noise from the engines was very loud in the cabins. We could not sleep. I think the ship can do something to mitigate the noise. Or for future planning we would request higher level cabins.
In the Amazon the Napo Culture Lodge was an amazing experience. I loved being in the community and watching the people. Our community guide Cheyenne was excellent - he knew the animals and spotted so many things for us.
Overall - Karlita thank you for putting together this amazing trip for us. I have no hesitation in recommending your company to my friends and family.
Thank you!

Hotel Reviews
Napo Cultural Center
NAPO

It was just lovely to be in the Amazon within a community. The lodge is well designed and comfortable. Simple but clean and comfortable. I was not expecting to get an WiFi - I was pleasantly surprised! They provided water bottles that could be refilled from the water filter stations. Liked that they are conscious of reducing plastic waste.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wyndham Quito Airport
Quito

Nice hotel close to Quito airport. The shuttle service to and from the airport terminals is quick and easy. The staff at every level deliver excellent service. Being close to the airport it was still surprisingly quiet and very little airplane noise was heard in the rooms.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
M/Y Coral I & II

The crew and activities are faultless. The cabins in the lower deck near the engine can get noisy. So request a cabin on higher level

Ikala Quito Hotel
Quito

The hotel is modern , the staff attentive, the breakfast selection amazing. The rooftop restaurant (where breakfast is also served) simply beautiful. The only complaint is the noise from the traffic if you have a room on the road side. Also despite the power cuts in Quito the hotel maintained enough power through its own generators to keep the elevators working, some hallway lights and room lights. The air conditioning would cut out but come back as soon as the power was restored. This is not the fault of the hotel but the dire power shortage in the country overall.

Staff
Everyone was helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Exploring Antisana Ecological Reserve: Hiking to Laguna de la Mica
Exploring Antisana Ecological Reserve: Hiking to Laguna de la Mica
Quito

The hike to Laguna de la Mica in the Antisana Ecological Reserve was one of the highlights of our trip. The natural beauty of the area was breathtaking, and it offered a great balance of adventure and serenity. I really enjoyed exploring and soaking in the incredible views.

Transfer from Quito to  Mindo - Free Afternoon
Transfer from Quito to Mindo - Free Afternoon
Mindo

Our drive to the Mindo Cloud Forest was great, showcasing the diverse landscapes of Ecuador. Seeing how the scenery changed from dry to wet as we transitioned to the lush cloud forest was fascinating. It's a nice journey, especially if you appreciate nature and scenic drives.

Local specialist: Nicolas Cadena
Nicolas
Nicolas Cadena
Local specialist in Ecuador | Replied on Dec 24, 2024

Hi Raju,

Thank you for your valuable feedback! We really enjoy hearing how much you enjoyed your trip through Ecuador with us, I will cover this lovely feedback to all of our providers, especially Sebas who also loved being part of this trip and spending time with your family :)

Whenever you wish to visit another South American country, such as Peru we will be happy to welcome you with open arms!

Yours,
Karla & Nick

Karlita was absolutely wonderful to work with...
Galapagos Islands | Nov 28 - Dec 12, 2024

Kriya
Kriya P.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Dec 19, 2024
Karlita was absolutely wonderful to work with! She did a fantastic job planning this and working with us to help create an unforgettable and truly magical trip! From the get go she did a great job asking questions and listening to what we wanted and really got to know what kind of activities we would like as a family. We loved our guide in Quito, Sebastian, he was very knowledgeable and easy to work with. In the Galapagos, we saw great wildlife. The boat was quite loud and hard to sleep in... Read more

Karlita was absolutely wonderful to work with! She did a fantastic job planning this and working with us to help create an unforgettable and truly magical trip! From the get go she did a great job asking questions and listening to what we wanted and really got to know what kind of activities we would like as a family. We loved our guide in Quito, Sebastian, he was very knowledgeable and easy to work with. In the Galapagos, we saw great wildlife. The boat was quite loud and hard to sleep in the bottom area so in the future would prefer the option to have the top floor rooms but otherwise was a good experience. We ended in the Amazon and appreciated being at a lodge which was started by the community. Our local guide, Cheyenne, was fantastic and great at spotting animals and we saw a lot of incredible wildlife. We appreciated the care taken when planning and all the helpful information given in advance, especially about appropriate tipping amount as the amounts given by Karla were reasonable compared to the somewhat outrageous suggested tips given by the Galapagos. Finally, Karla went above and beyond in arranging little surprises for a family member birthday and anniversary which absolutely made our day! We had a great time and would definitely use Karla and team again for any other planned trips in the future! And will definitely recommend Karla and team to all our friends and family who are planning to visit.

Local specialist: Nicolas Cadena
Nicolas
Nicolas Cadena
Local specialist in Ecuador | Replied on Dec 20, 2024

Dear Kriya & Raju, 😊

Thank you for your kind words and lovely review!

We are really glad to hear that you and your family had the best time here in Ecuador, it was an absolute pleasure having you here and I’m sure Sebastian will love hearing this feedback!

We had a great meeting the family as well 🐢🌴

We hope to see you again in the near future for your trips and welcome you to another South American country.

Warm hugs,
Karla and Nick

Our trip to the Galápagos Islands was everyth...
Galapagos Islands | Nov 9 - Nov 19, 2024

Laura
Laura H.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Dec 07, 2024

Our trip to the Galápagos Islands was everything that we expected and more. Nicolas did an amazing job of answering my numerous questions. And I had a lot! The itinerary was well put together and followed like clockwork. It was great to know that we didn’t have to worry about any details.

Local specialist: Nicolas Cadena
Nicolas
Nicolas Cadena
Local specialist in Ecuador | Replied on Dec 09, 2024

Hi Laura,

Thank you very much for your lovely feedback, it was a pleasure helping you plan this adventure and having you in Ecuador.
I loved chatting with you and seeing the pictures you took throughout the trip; we can't wait to have you in South America again in the future for an even more magical adventure!

Yours,
Nick

Nicolas arranged special arrangements for us ...
Galapagos Islands | Nov 22 - Dec 1, 2024

M
Matt B.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Dec 03, 2024
Nicolas arranged special arrangements for us and was great to work with. Read more

Nicolas arranged special arrangements for us and was great to work with.

Hotel Reviews
M/C Alya
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
First class accommodations
Hotel Plaza Grande
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Nicolas Cadena
Nicolas
Nicolas Cadena
Local specialist in Ecuador | Replied on Dec 04, 2024

Hi Matt,

It was wonderful having you here in Ecuador! We are really happy to hear that you and Kelli had a great time. I loved meeting you both!
We are looking forward to welcoming you to South America in the near future for another unforgettable trip.

Yours,
Nick

Our Galapagos Adventure
Galapagos Islands | Nov 2 - Nov 7, 2024

James
James L.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Nov 17, 2024
We had a very nice time and enjoyed the Galapagos very much. We were met at both airports Baltra And Villamil by welcoming guides that greeted us and facilitated our transition into the next legs of our trip. The Eco guides that led our excursions were very knowledgeable and spoke English very well. accommodations , the Albermarle in Villamil and the Solymar on PTO Ayora were very nice for the most part. Upon arrival at Albermarle we found our room upstairs which were overly steep... Read more

We had a very nice time and enjoyed the Galapagos very much. We were met at both airports Baltra And Villamil by welcoming guides that greeted us and facilitated our transition into the next legs of our trip. The Eco guides that led our excursions were very knowledgeable and spoke English very well. accommodations , the Albermarle in Villamil and the Solymar on PTO Ayora were very nice for the most part. Upon arrival at Albermarle we found our room upstairs which were overly steep and difficult for my wife to negotiate. The first night at the Albermarle there was a fiesta for Dia De Los Muertos that was very loud until 3-4 in the morning and made it hard to sleep. The day tour to Los Tunneles was ok except the short hike to the Booby nest was inaccessible for my wife as the trail over lava and the transition from boat to lava shore was too difficult for my wife to negotiate. She had to stay in the boat while the group went ashore. The same inaccessibility of the boat small boat landing on N Seymore to explore the nesting Frigate birds and the trail over lava rocks was inaccessible to my wife. Nicholas had informed me that these excursions would be accessible for her but they proved to not be accessible for her.
There was another excursion problem in PTO Ayora. The morning of the excursion to Tortuga Bay, when the guide arrived to pick us up he had about a dozen other tourists with him and he refused to wait 5 minutes for my wife who wasn’t quite ready at 730 am the, pick up time. So they left without us. He made no attempt to facilitate us a way to catch up to them. We ultimately walked ourselves to the 300 stairs staircase up to the Tortuga Bay entry station. We climbed the stairs with difficulty and walked the 3 Km to Tortuga Bay. We enjoyed the Walk to the beautiful Bay and park. We arranged our own water taxi passage back to Ayora.
It would seem reasonable for your company to refund the costs we paid in advance for that excursion that we did not recieve.
Apparently, Nicholas, who arranged our trip itinery, lodgings and excursions according to the criteria I had carefully explained to him regarding my wife’s physical disabilities, has not actually been to these Islands nor experienced the
excursions we were booked onto. If he had he might not have booked us onto the excursions with the very small boat transitions to the difficult shore landings and inaccessible lava rock trails.
The escorted taxi ride and escort on the Itabaca Ferry and bus to the airport was nice. As my wife was leaving the Baltra airport for home I was met by the Galapagos Aggressor dive boat staff for the rest of Galapagos adventure.
Now after spending two weeks in the Galápagos Islands and enjoying them fully I’ve returned safely home. It seems your firm overcharged us considerably for the trip you arranged for us. This may influence whether I can refer your services to anyone in the future.
Sincerely,
Jim Lipow
Riverside California

Hotel Reviews
Albemarle
Puerto Villamil

On the beach, near beachfront restaurants. Breakfast basic.

Authenticity & Character
Excellent room very comfortable
Location
On the beach and close to everything in town
Staff
The office was staffed except late at night to 630 in the morning.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Solymar
Galápagos

Waterfront. good breakfast poolside, harborside. One of the best in town except for maybe 2 ultra posh other hotels. Central location. We had to change to a second room upon arrival because the door knob on our original room was so loose it was about to fall off. The staff was very responsive to this issue and move us immediately.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Wildlife Encounter at Los Tuneles (Cabo Rosa)
Wildlife Encounter at Los Tuneles (Cabo Rosa)
Galapagos Islands

With a little effort the Galapagos park authorities could make the shore landing accessible for individuals with disabilities

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling at Tortuga Bay
Snorkeling at Tortuga Bay
Puerto Ayora

The guide would wait 5 minutes and left us behind. What a jerk

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Puerto Ayora

The walking trail proved to be inaccessible to walkers with disabilities. Too bad because a hand crew could make it accessible in short order .

Quality of Experience
Food
The walking trail
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Free Morning Until Departure
Free Morning Until Departure
Galapagos Islands

Ther was time for nothing before our departure to the airport

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Santa Cruz Island:  Highlands (Plant a Tree)  & Charles Darwin Research Station
Welcome to Santa Cruz Island: Highlands (Plant a Tree) & Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

There was no tree planting and no evidence of any tree planting before our visit. But the Darwin Center is a MUST VISIT part of a visit to Santa Cruz and PTO Ayora.

Local specialist: Nicolas Cadena
Nicolas
Nicolas Cadena
Local specialist in Ecuador | Replied on Nov 21, 2024

Hi James,

Thank you very much for your valuable feedback,

We appreciate your comments and we have taken note of the points you made, and understand that there might have been some miscommunication. Nevertheless, we are glad to hear that you enjoyed your two weeks in the Galapagos fully.

As we mentioned over the chat, we would be happy to issue to refund for this activity that you missed to ensure your satisfaction, and we hope to have you in South America again in the near future :)

Yours,
Nick

Perfect vacation of not young couple in Galapagos and Ecuador.
Galapagos Islands | Oct 18 - Oct 27, 2024

Tanya
Tanya G.
Israel | Reviewed on Nov 03, 2024
We are not young couple, that decided to visit Galapagos islands and Ecuador for our annual vacation.
I want to thank our local specialist, Isabel, for the perfect organization of this vacation. The positive experience started from a mutual planning of the trip, half a year before the vacation: Isabel was sensitive to every word and wish and we changed and adjusted the plan a number of times, until we were absolutely pleased.
In our case, I preferred to book the hotels and flights by...
Read more

We are not young couple, that decided to visit Galapagos islands and Ecuador for our annual vacation.
I want to thank our local specialist, Isabel, for the perfect organization of this vacation. The positive experience started from a mutual planning of the trip, half a year before the vacation: Isabel was sensitive to every word and wish and we changed and adjusted the plan a number of times, until we were absolutely pleased.
In our case, I preferred to book the hotels and flights by myself, however, most of the hotels were selected according to Isabel's recommendation and they answered our expectation and even, in two locations (in Isabella Island and in Quito), exceeded them.
The trip was organized in a way that we were followed by a guide or a driver most of the time. So, we could feel relaxed and enjoy the scheduled activities. Everything worked according to the plan, on time and without unpleasant surprises. It happened that by mistake, we took a wrong car to the airport and had to pay for it. Although it was our mistake, the agency returned us the price of this trip that was pre-paid.
The ongoing communication with Isabel continued by WhatsApp during the entire trip, which was very comfortable. However, the internet in Galapagos is poor in some places and not always the connection was possible.
The English of local guides in Galapagos was not always clear, sometimes it required effort to understand, but they were patient, and we normally repeated the question and understood the answer.
In Galapagos we selected the option to stay in hotels rather than at yacht, and it was a good choice for us, because we were free to go around the island anytime and performed snorkeling, kayaking and hiking to the extend we wanted. The only detail that was not properly addressed was the size of the wet suit for my husband: he is unusually big person, so, in one place we could not get a suit for him. I would recommend addressing this information in advance.
In continental Ecuador we were accompanied by a local guide, Rodrigo, who took us to Banos, Cotopaxi and Quito. Rodrigo was a very informal, calm and knowledgeable guide, and we learned a lot about the country, its history and nature, both are fields of our interest. The country is amazing and rich in resources and nature!
Although, we encountered, unexpectedly, the electricity shutdowns in the continental Ecuador (I hope, temporary), the vacation could not be better!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Las Plazas
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Guayaquil Airport
Guayaquil
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Cally Galapagos
Puerto Villamil
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Isla de Baños
Baños
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Transfer to Guayaquil Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Transfer to Guayaquil Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

We visited there at the end of the long day and were tired. The guide was hard to understand and sometimes we gave up.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

The trip was amazing and interesting, all the explanations were clear. We went to Bartolome Island; the landscape is breathtaking. Recommended!

Quality of Experience
Food
Unbelievable, but the food prepared on the ship was tasteful and of good quality!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide (Martin) was very good, we had amazing discussion.
Transport
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

Kayaking-the waves because higher during kayaking and at the end we were a bit nervous, but the guide was very professional , so we did it! My husband did not snorkel that time, because there was no XXXL wetsuit to rent in this company.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
For snorkeling the guide trained us in detail, because we had no experience, and then hold my hand most of the time to cause me to feel secure. It was very helpful, because next day I was able to snorkel much better.
Transport
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands

Waw! the sharks were my highlights! :) And they had XXXL wetsuit, so we both could snorkel. At the end the photos of the underwater animals and fish were available, made by the guide-the places we sow by our eyes.

Quality of Experience
Food
the food was simple.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was perfect, he took care of everything and everyone.
Transport
Biking to Pailón del Diablo
Biking to Pailón del Diablo
Baños

Waw again! So beautiful views of Ands! The guide for the biking (Roberto) was energetic and enthusiastic. Our main guide, Rodrigo, followed us with the car, which contributed to the secure biking, since part of the road passes on the side of the local highway. We also visited with Rodrigo the Casa del Arbol, the swings, which was amazing experience. For the launch Rodrigo took us to the restaurant of the artist, the food was good and also the place is very interesting, with paintings and a studio and the green was everywhere!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Cotopaxi National Park
Explore Cotopaxi National Park
Galapagos Islands

We hiked around the lake with birds and received explanations about the volcano and the park. There is a small visiting center before approaching the hiking routes. The volcano resembled Fugi in Japan :) The route is situated at about 4000m, we tolerated the altitude rather well, however, we had to move slowly to breath normally.

Quality of Experience
Food
After the hiking in the park, on our way to Quito, the guide, Rodrigo, brought us to the restaurant located in the former Markise palace, the portions were very-very good!!! Unfortunately, I do not remember the name :(
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
My husband requested to drive, so he did it in the park, which was also interesting experience. To drive you need an international license.
Quito City Tour
Quito City Tour
Galapagos Islands

Quito guided tour and artisan market. The city tour included churches, general explanations, city viewpoint on the hill, vising of artisan chocolate shop (recommended!) and - at the end, the market where we purchased souvenirs and presents for the family. Rodrigo, the guide, accompanied us in every activity, so the shopping was easy and pleasant. Before the market, we visited, per our request a leather shop in the historical part of Quito and bought bags of beautiful local design. In order to maximize the potential of this tour (we had only half a day in Quito before the flight), Rodrigo brought a driver, so we were free to go with him by foot and by car, as needed, without interrupting the tour for parking and waiting for pickup.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Nov 12, 2024

Tanya, thank you so much for your kind words! It’s wonderful to hear about your experience in Ecuador and the Galapagos. I’m so glad that together, we created a trip that met all your expectations.

I love to hear that Rodrigo’s guidance enriched your time on the mainland and that, despite the outages, your vacation was everything you hoped for. It was a pleasure to be a part of your journey, and I hope to welcome you back soon to explore even more of our beautiful country!

Best,
Isabel

Alvaro put together a wonderful trip for us! ...
Galapagos Islands | Oct 4 - Oct 13, 2024

Tanya
Tanya B.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Oct 25, 2024

Alvaro put together a wonderful trip for us! He and Josselyn took amazing care of us and made sure we were escorted every step of our trip which we greatly appreciated. Every single guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the Galápagos Islands and all of the wildlife. We loved all of our guides but especially, Darwin, on Isabela Island! All of our accommodations were lovely and the staff at Hotel Acacia was particularly friendly and helpful. It was a trip of a lifetime! I will highly recommend KimKim! Thank you for helping us create such beautiful memories!

Local specialist: Alvaro Pereira
Alvaro
Alvaro Pereira
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Oct 25, 2024
Dear Tanya, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re happy to read that you had such an amazing experience, we are very focused on taking care of all the details of your journey. It’s wonderful to know that the guides, especially Darwin on Isabela Island, left a lasting impression with their passion and knowledge of the Galápagos. We’re glad your accommodations were lovely and that Hotel Acacia's staff made you feel so welcome. Creating beautiful memories like these is exactly what we... Read more

Dear Tanya, Thank you so much for your kind words!

We’re happy to read that you had such an amazing experience, we are very focused on taking care of all the details of your journey. It’s wonderful to know that the guides, especially Darwin on Isabela Island, left a lasting impression with their passion and knowledge of the Galápagos. We’re glad your accommodations were lovely and that Hotel Acacia's staff made you feel so welcome. Creating beautiful memories like these is exactly what we work for!

Thank you for choosing us, and we can’t wait to help you with more adventures in the future! :)

Your local friends,

Alvaro & Josselyn.

Our tour guides were wonderful! All were prof...
Galapagos Islands | Oct 4 - Oct 13, 2024

Marianna
Marianna M.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2024
Our tour guides were wonderful! All were professional, knowledgeable, and very informative. We all learned so much about the islands and the creatures that inhabitate them.
It was truly a fabulous trip for my dear friend's birthday!
Read more

Our tour guides were wonderful! All were professional, knowledgeable, and very informative. We all learned so much about the islands and the creatures that inhabitate them.
It was truly a fabulous trip for my dear friend's birthday!

Hotel Reviews
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Great location & lovely staff!

Authenticity & Character
Great staff & nice rooms!
Location
Super close to restaurants & great for walking around to explore the town.
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean & comfy
Albemarle
Puerto Villamil

Amazing view & location! Our room was so pretty.

Authenticity & Character
Charming place with pretty rooms
Location
Right on the beach with a gorgeous view!
Staff
Very nice & helpful!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfy, & clean!
Local specialist: Alvaro Pereira
Alvaro
Alvaro Pereira
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Oct 21, 2024

Hello Marianna,

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so glad to hear you and the group had a fantastic trip and that our guides were able to enhance your experience with their knowledge and professionalism. It’s great to celebrate a birthday in such a memorable way! We hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon!

Best!
Alvaro and Team

I wanted to thank you and you team for planni...
Galapagos Islands | Oct 4 - Oct 13, 2024

K
Kelly W.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Oct 18, 2024
I wanted to thank you and you team for planning an amazing trip to the Galápagos Islands. We were extremely happy with all of our accommodations, especially our hotel in Santa Cruz. The staff at the Acacia Hotel was wonderful, they went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. We enjoyed all of our excursions, especially our snorkeling excursion on Isabella Island. Our guide Darwin was fantastic. I will definitely use kimkim again. Read more

I wanted to thank you and you team for planning an amazing trip to the Galápagos Islands. We were extremely happy with all of our accommodations, especially our hotel in Santa Cruz. The staff at the Acacia Hotel was wonderful, they went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. We enjoyed all of our excursions, especially our snorkeling excursion on Isabella Island. Our guide Darwin was fantastic. I will definitely use kimkim again.

Hotel Reviews
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Albemarle
Puerto Villamil
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Rincon de Puembo, BW Signature Collection
Puembo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Opuntia Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Alvaro Pereira
Alvaro
Alvaro Pereira
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Oct 18, 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time in the Galápagos Islands and enjoyed your accommodations, especially at the Acacia Hotel. It’s wonderful to know the staff there made you feel so welcome. We're glad the excursions, particularly the snorkeling on Isabela Island, were memorable, and that Darwin provided a fantastic guiding experience.

We look forward to helping you plan your next adventure with kimkim.

Safe travels and see you soon!

Your local friend,

Alvaro.

Outstanding Tour Experience with Kim Kim: Well-Organized and Supportive
Galapagos Islands | Sep 2 - Sep 18, 2024

Ganesh
Ganesh P.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Sep 19, 2024
Kim Kim organized our visit to Quito, the Galápagos Islands, and several places in Peru, including Machu Picchu. The tour was exceptionally well-organized. Majo (María José) and Tamer were always available to assist.
The tour guides were friendly, informative, and engaging, providing fascinating details at each stop. Pick-up times were well-coordinated, and all transfers went smoothly, including assistance at the airport to ensure we were ready for our flight. Despite occasional...
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Kim Kim organized our visit to Quito, the Galápagos Islands, and several places in Peru, including Machu Picchu. The tour was exceptionally well-organized. Majo (María José) and Tamer were always available to assist.
The tour guides were friendly, informative, and engaging, providing fascinating details at each stop. Pick-up times were well-coordinated, and all transfers went smoothly, including assistance at the airport to ensure we were ready for our flight. Despite occasional difficulties with accents or fast speaking, they were always willing to clarify when needed. Their knowledge and enthusiasm made the experience truly memorable.

Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Sep 19, 2024
Dear Ganesh,
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback. It is heart-warming to know that this special father-son trip has been such a success and that you have enjoyed the beautiful destinations that were included. I know firsthand how Majo was dedicated to your trip during the planning process and while you were here enjoying this trip with us. I will make sure to convey your positive comments to our guides and service providers, and we will take into account what needs to me improved for...
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Dear Ganesh,
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback. It is heart-warming to know that this special father-son trip has been such a success and that you have enjoyed the beautiful destinations that were included. I know firsthand how Majo was dedicated to your trip during the planning process and while you were here enjoying this trip with us. I will make sure to convey your positive comments to our guides and service providers, and we will take into account what needs to me improved for future occasions.
Thank you again and we look forward to planning more adventures for you and your loved ones in the near future.
Best,
Tamer & Majo

Quito and the Galapagos - Equador 2024
Galapagos Islands | Aug 13 - Aug 22, 2024

caitrinad@yahoo.co.uk
[email protected] A.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Sep 02, 2024
We had a fantastic trip to Ecuador - Quito and the Galapagos- and will treasure the memories forever. Angie at KimKim worked closely with my husband and myself both in terms of organising our trip but also keeping in touch during our trip to make sure everything was perfect. Our hotels were perfect for our family and the trips - boat trips and land based adventures - were fabulous. We were looked after and provided with lots of information which really added to our wonderful trip. Read more

We had a fantastic trip to Ecuador - Quito and the Galapagos- and will treasure the memories forever.

Angie at KimKim worked closely with my husband and myself both in terms of organising our trip but also keeping in touch during our trip to make sure everything was perfect.

Our hotels were perfect for our family and the trips - boat trips and land based adventures - were fabulous. We were looked after and provided with lots of information which really added to our wonderful trip.

Hotel Reviews
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito

This was a lovely hotel. Great location, wonderful building and fab staff.

Authenticity & Character
Had a wonderful feel to the hotel and we loved it
Location
Very central to old town and a cheap taxi/Uber to other locations. Very easy to walk to keep sires
Staff
Always helpful - nothing was a problem
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean and comfortable beds, clean shower and towels- all lovely!
Galapagos Sunset Hotel
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Great location and facilities were all perfect for our family. Front desk staff were very helpful too - restaurant recommendations and activity suggestions 😊

Authenticity & Character
Modern and not much character - but clean, perfect location, comfortable and safe
Location
Perfect - close to pier and all restaurants
Staff
Always helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora

We loved everything about the hotel - it was fab!

Authenticity & Character
Modern but had character and was very tasteful. Definitely 5 star!
Location
Perfect as not on sea front but not too far away from anything - we loved it!
Staff
All amazing - helpful on every level!
Cleanliness & Comfort
We all loved it - comfy beds, lovely sheets, clean and lovely
Activity Reviews
Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill
Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill
Galapagos Islands

We did this trip on our own as the guide instead took us to the beach to see the Sea Lions and to the only lake in San Cristobal- El Junco

Quality of Experience
Lots of information and detail provided by the guide
Food
We had lunch at a local restaurant before setting off on the trip - hard to avoid meat but not bad!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was very helpful, chatty and good company
Transport
It was on time, fit us all in and waited at each location
360° Tour
360° Tour
Isla San Cristóbal

The snorkeling was great at all locations and our guide was brilliant- taking photos and videos of everything which he shred. Boat crew were great too despite the return journey being very bumpy! Wet suit definitively needed, which we had been advised about.

Quality of Experience
Food
Food on board was very good and snacks were also provided
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide and boat staff were fab - very helpful throughout our trip.
Transport
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Galapagos Islands

We loved it all - a great start to our Santa Cruz expedition. Giant turtles were amazing

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch at the venue was great
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

This didn’t take too long but was an interesting and informative visit

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We walked with our guide from the hotel - nice to stretch our legs.
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

We loved it all - whilst we didn’t see too much when snorkeling the walk around the island looking at the nesting birds - blue footed Boobies and Frigate birds were amazing. Also the marine iguana 😊

Quality of Experience
Journey, boat, crew, guide and wildlife all amazing. As was the company of other guests.
Food
Fabulous!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to another uninhabited island
Visit to another uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

A long trip but the same boat and crew as our previous day trip to North Seymour. The snorkeling whilst colder was amazing. We saw penguin’s, black tipped reef shark, anchovies, rays and loads of colorful fish. 🐠

Quality of Experience
Crew, guide and boat all fantastic
Food
Great food again - snacks, cakes and champagne
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angie Maldonado
Angie
Angie Maldonado
Local specialist in Quito - Ecuador | Replied on Sep 03, 2024
Dear Caitrin, Thank you so much for your kind words! I am absolutely thrilled to hear that you and your family had such a fantastic time in Ecuador and the Galapagos! It was a true pleasure working with you and your husband to create a memorable adventure, and I'm glad everything went smoothly. I’m delighted that the hotels, boat trips, and land-based adventures were perfect for your family. It’s wonderful to hear that you felt well taken care of and that the information provided added to... Read more

Dear Caitrin,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I am absolutely thrilled to hear that you and your family had such a fantastic time in Ecuador and the Galapagos! It was a true pleasure working with you and your husband to create a memorable adventure, and I'm glad everything went smoothly.

I’m delighted that the hotels, boat trips, and land-based adventures were perfect for your family. It’s wonderful to hear that you felt well taken care of and that the information provided added to your experience!

Thank you for choosing to travel with us, and I hope to have the pleasure of helping you plan another incredible journey in the future!

Wishing you all the best,
Angie

Excellent teams who took care of us during th...
Galapagos Islands | Jul 6 - Jul 20, 2024

T
Thanh T.
Florence-Graham, CA | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2024

Excellent teams who took care of us during these 2 weeks!

Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jul 27, 2024

Dear Thanh,
So glad you enjoyed your trip with us :) You took some marvelous photos indeed! Can't forget the Land Iguana stunning photo :) I hope that we can meet again and plan you more adventures :)
Yours,
Tamer

Ecuador Adventure: A Memorable Experience
Galapagos Islands | Jul 6 - Jul 20, 2024

U
Uyen N.
Florence-Graham, CA | Reviewed on Jul 23, 2024
Our recent trip to Ecuador was an unforgettable adventure, and we are thrilled to share our experience.
We spent three incredible nights at the Napo Wildlife Center in Yasuni National Park. The lodge, nestled deep in the rainforest, was nothing short of spectacular. The surrounding nature was breathtaking, and we enjoyed numerous canoe rides, which provided an up-close look at the diverse wildlife. Each excursion was an exciting journey, offering sights of exotic birds, playful monkeys, and...
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Our recent trip to Ecuador was an unforgettable adventure, and we are thrilled to share our experience.
We spent three incredible nights at the Napo Wildlife Center in Yasuni National Park. The lodge, nestled deep in the rainforest, was nothing short of spectacular. The surrounding nature was breathtaking, and we enjoyed numerous canoe rides, which provided an up-close look at the diverse wildlife. Each excursion was an exciting journey, offering sights of exotic birds, playful monkeys, and other fascinating creatures. The pristine beauty of the rainforest left us in awe.
Following our rainforest adventure, we embarked on a seven-night cruise aboard the Montserrat in the Galapagos Islands. This part of our trip was extraordinary. Seeing so many animals up close was a dream come true. We snorkeled with marine iguanas, sharks, and even penguins! Our guide, Javier, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, making every excursion informative and enjoyable. The Galapagos Islands truly felt like a paradise, teeming with unique wildlife and stunning landscapes.
We also had the pleasure of exploring Quito. Our walking tour was informative and engaging, allowing us to soak in the city's rich history and culture. A highlight was the cooking class with our guide, Sebastian. It was a delightful experience learning to prepare traditional Ecuadorian dishes and enjoying a delicious meal we had made ourselves.
A special thanks to Tamer Obeid, who expertly organized this fabulous trip for our family. His prompt communication and attention to detail ensured everything went smoothly from start to finish. Tamer’s dedication made our vacation truly memorable, and we highly recommend his services to anyone planning a trip to Ecuador.

Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jul 25, 2024
Dear Uyen :)
I can't be happier learning how much you and the family enjoyed this trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, it really warms my heart to read your feedback and how each part of this trip has left some unforgettable set of memories :) From the Amazon experience to the Galapagos cruise, my goal was to offer you and the family genuine and authentic encounters with the beauty of this country, and I'm glad we fulfilled :)
I will extend your lovely comments to our different...
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Dear Uyen :)
I can't be happier learning how much you and the family enjoyed this trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, it really warms my heart to read your feedback and how each part of this trip has left some unforgettable set of memories :) From the Amazon experience to the Galapagos cruise, my goal was to offer you and the family genuine and authentic encounters with the beauty of this country, and I'm glad we fulfilled :)
I will extend your lovely comments to our different providers and partners, and this will surely help us offer even better services and experiences to our future travelers.
My greetings to Thanh and the whole family, and I hope we meet again :)
Yours,
Tamer