I have seen how Colombia has evolved from a dangerous destination to a safe, welcoming, and upcoming destination, and I am therefore extremely passionate to be part of my country's tourism resurgence.
A life-long world traveler, I grew up in Colombia surrounded by successful travel businesses within a family of entrepreneurs. I have worked in the tourism industry in Colombia for many years and I have had the opportunity to travel to over 40 countries around the world. After earning a degree in Political Economy and Philosophy from the University of Sydney, I worked internationally in tourism, education, and technology. Across all the companies that I have worked for, from Apple to G Adventures, my biggest passion has been offering premium service to all my clients. I have since decided to follow my passion and dedicate my life to ensuring that travelers that visit Colombia have a fantastic time in my home country and are able to experience all the wonderful things that Colombia and its people have to offer.
I provide superb customer service and have traveled extensively around Colombia and continue to do so. I have the know-how to design unforgettable Colombian experiences. I treat each of my travelers as a VIP Client, and I will go above and beyond to make sure your trip is perfect.
My philosophy of Luxury Travel is to offer a personalized service that seeks to provide clients outstanding and authentic experiences in Colombia. I focus on tailored trips and work with professional and outstanding local partners in all regions across Colombia to design and plan trips that combine exceptional experiences. From diving to trekking, to relaxing on a beautiful beach, to tasting Colombian coffee and flavors, birdwatching, interacting with excellent local guides and storytellers, or hiring your private boat, I design once in a lifetime trips.
I look forward to taking care of you and making sure your trip to Colombia fulfills all your expectations and is filled with the most memorable experiences.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialize in creating truly personalized trips that are designed for each traveler or group. The main destinations I cover are Cartagena, the islands of Cartagena, Bogota and surroundings, Medellin, Guatape and surroundings, the coffee region, Santa Marta, Tayrona and surroundings, the Amazon rainforest, and San Andres and Providencia. However, I cover all of the country and can plan a trip to any destination you want or that I believe you will like.
I enjoy planning trips for couples, families, independent travelers, for those wanting to relax, for those seeking to learn and immerse in the Colombian culture, for city lovers, nature explorers, beach fans, foodies, coffee lovers, for the ones that love music and dance — for everyone that wants to visit Colombia! I specialize in boutique and 5-star hotels, but I love being creative, and every trip I plan is tailored to your wants and interests!"
How did you get involved in travel?
"My grandmother and parents have run successful travel businesses, and from a very young age, I have been exposed to the wonderful world of travel and to the tourism and hospitality industry. This allowed me to travel around the world, making travel one of my passions in life! I've also lived, worked, and studied in different countries including Colombia, Canada, Argentina, France, and Australia. I am passionate about seeing Colombia fulfill its potential as a world-class holiday destination, and I look forward to helping you plan your trip!"
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"Colombia is an amazing country, with very diverse destinations and very friendly and welcoming people! I have traveled extensively around the country and three experiences I will never forget are a private cooking class in Cartagena with an incredible local host which introduced me to the world of cooking, showing me delicious recipes, exquisite flavours and dishes I will never forget! The local drinks, lemonades, cocktails and desserts we created were also incredible! The other experience is getting to spend one day with an authentic indigenous native community at the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta! This was a very unique experience and I learned a lot! The last experience is a Colombian rum tasting with chocolate pairing experience which I know help to organise which was very insightful and a lot of fun! "
Felipe's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Recent trip reviews for Felipe
My daughter and I spent my birthday in Colomb...
Colombia
|
Jun 15 - Jun 22, 2024
Tarang P.
Los Angeles, CA
| Reviewed on Jun 23, 2024
My daughter and I spent my birthday in Colombia and had a first class experience! The guides were so knowledgeable and really cared to get to know us and provide personal experience. We learned so much on each tour. I loved the fruit, bread, and milk tasting in the market in Bogota and the trip to Monserrate. In Medellin, the coffee farm tour was first rate, definitely a highlight for the whole trip. Also, our guide took us to some of his favorite local cuisines which I loved. My daughter...
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My daughter and I spent my birthday in Colombia and had a first class experience! The guides were so knowledgeable and really cared to get to know us and provide personal experience. We learned so much on each tour. I loved the fruit, bread, and milk tasting in the market in Bogota and the trip to Monserrate. In Medellin, the coffee farm tour was first rate, definitely a highlight for the whole trip. Also, our guide took us to some of his favorite local cuisines which I loved. My daughter got to climb Guatape with him in record time which is a memory she will always cherish. My daughter also enjoyed walking the streets of Cartagena and learning about the culture. The day trip to Tierra Bomba was great too. There was an issue with one of the flights and the tour company took care of it immediately which shows the professionalism and experience of the team. Overall, amazing time
Hotel Reviews
Residence Inn Bogotá
Bogotá
Great location, hot water took a little time to warm up though. They gave special treat for Bonvoy members which was nice
Hotel Faranda Collection Medellin
Medellin
Wonderful hotel, friendly staff. Rooftop view is amazing, food was fabulous and spa was also wonderful
Nacar Hotel Cartagena, Curio Collection by Hilton
Cartagena
Very friendly helpful staff. Great AC in rooms for hot days. Rooftop pool was very nice
Staff
Sergio was very helpful with great recommendations
Activity Reviews
Highlights of Bogotá City Tour (with Gold Museum, Local Market and Monserrate Hill)
Bogotá
Gold museum was amazing experience. Our guide was so knowledgeable, we learned so much in each area.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half-Day Coffee Farm Tour
Medellín
Highlight of the trip! Learned so much, the view was incredible
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota
| Replied on Jun 24, 2024
Dear Tarang,
Thank you very much for visiting Colombia with your daughter and for making us a part of your trip. Thank you as well for taking the time to leave a review, and we really appreciate your feedback. It is great to hear that you both had a great trip, and enjoyed your tours, activities, and had a good time with your local guides. It has been a pleasure meeting you, and we hope you stay in touch.
Happy Birthday once again and our very Best Wishes for the year ahead!
Best,
Felipe and the Aracanto Team
I have travelled solo to many countries, and ...
Colombia
|
Apr 29 - May 7, 2024
Abdul A.
Kuwait
| Reviewed on May 14, 2024
I have travelled solo to many countries, and this was my first time travelling with the help of a travel company. I am glad I chose Kimkim to organize my trip because it was my best decision ever. They are very professional from start to finish. The tour guides from Bogota (Oscar), Medellin (Diego) and Cartagena (Alvaro) were very professional and friendly. I should also mention all of the drivers (Alessandro and Giovanni). I do not remember the drivers' names in Cartagena, but they were...
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I have travelled solo to many countries, and this was my first time travelling with the help of a travel company. I am glad I chose Kimkim to organize my trip because it was my best decision ever. They are very professional from start to finish. The tour guides from Bogota (Oscar), Medellin (Diego) and Cartagena (Alvaro) were very professional and friendly. I should also mention all of the drivers (Alessandro and Giovanni). I do not remember the drivers' names in Cartagena, but they were also professional. Their driving was very smooth, and I felt comfortable the whole time.
Hotel Reviews
The Artisan D.C. Hotel, Autograph Collection
Bogotá
Hotel Faranda Collection Medellin
Medellin
Activity Reviews
Welcome to Colombia!
Colombia
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guatape and El Peñol
Colombia
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The Best of Medellín City Tour (with Comuna 13)
Medellín
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mangrove Tour with Local Fisherman
Cartagena
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Highlights of Bogotá City Tour (with Gold Museum, Local Market and Monserrate Hill)
Bogotá
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half-Day Coffee Farm Tour
Medellín
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Walking Tour of Cartagena Old City
Colombia
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota
| Replied on May 14, 2024
Hello Abdul,
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a review. It means a lot to everyone involved in your trip and we will pass on your comments to all your guides and drivers, and everyone involved. It is great to hear that you had a good time with Oscar, Diego, Alvaro, Alessandro and Giovanni! :)
Thank you very much for visiting Colombia, and thank you for trusting us, and it has been a pleasure meeting you. Muchas Gracias!!
Best Wishes,
The kimkim team and the Aracanto Colombia team
Taste of Colombia
Colombia
|
Mar 31 - Apr 9, 2024
Susan L.
Boise, ID
| Reviewed on Apr 14, 2024
Our nine day trip to Colombia began in Bogota. We were delighted with our guide, Oscar. He provided great information, personalized service, and helped make our tours of the city and surroundings enriching and comfortable. We especially enjoyed the historical perspective he provided and his love of cooking! Our tour to Guatavita helped us to appreciate all of the history and the beauty of the gold that was displayed in the Gold Museum.
In Medellin, Sebastian, our guide helped us...
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Our nine day trip to Colombia began in Bogota. We were delighted with our guide, Oscar. He provided great information, personalized service, and helped make our tours of the city and surroundings enriching and comfortable. We especially enjoyed the historical perspective he provided and his love of cooking! Our tour to Guatavita helped us to appreciate all of the history and the beauty of the gold that was displayed in the Gold Museum.
In Medellin, Sebastian, our guide helped us understand life in this beautiful city. We especially enjoyed seeing Comuna 13 and learning about how the city of Medellin has evolved into the city it is today. Going to Guatape and climbing El Penol was a highlight. Sebastian was enthusiastic and a great ambassador for Colombia.
Cartagena is a vibrant colorful city and our guide, Anna, showed us various areas of the old city on a walking tour. We enjoyed fruit, ice cream, chocolate and rum tasting and learned much about the history of the city. Anna provided great historical insight and even helped us see a sloth in a city park! We also enjoyed a mangrove tour with a local fisherman. It was good to get a view of what life is like outside of the city.
Felipe helped us to arrange a tour that was suited to our way of travel. We covered history, art, food, culture and even managed to get out into the countryside to see life outside of the cities.
Hotel Review
Beautiful, peaceful and comfortable. Everything about this place provided a sense of calm. The staff was delightful and attentive. Location was great and near many nice restaurants.
Activity Reviews
Guatavita Lake Tour
Bogotá
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half-Day Coffee Farm Tour
Medellín
This was a nice sample of what coffee plantations are like on a small scale and close to Medellin. Our time didn't permit going to the coffee growing region so this was a nice compromise.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The Best of Medellín City Tour (with Comuna 13)
Medellín
We really enjoyed being able to take the cable car and see Comuna 13. We also really liked the guide who was a resident of the Comuna 13 area. We enjoyed the vibrance of the community and seeing how this area is transforming.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Walking Tour of Cartagena Old City
Colombia
We loved learning about the history of the city and it's people. Our tasting tours were informative and delicious.
Welcome to Colombia!
Colombia
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Highlights of Bogotá City Tour (with Gold Museum, Local Market and Monserrate Hill)
Bogotá
We enjoyed our entire experience. It was nice to see the Gold Museum prior to going to Guatavita.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guatape and El Peñol
Colombia
We enjoyed climbing El Penol and the city of Guatape. The community was lovely to visit.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Rum Tasting with Chocolate Pairing
Cartagena
We learned so much on this tour. We enjoyed tasting the rum and the nibbles that they provided were very good.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
It was really great to have our guides help us with airport check ins. This really made things go much more smoothly than if we had to do the check ins on our own.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
All of our guides made sure we were checked in and good to go before they left us. A nice touch!
Exotic Fruit Tasting Workshop and Local Ice Creams
Cartagena
The young women who provided the service at this venue were delightful! Koko and Vicky were great fun and very informative.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mangrove Tour with Local Fisherman
Cartagena
Very interesting and enjoyable. We loved seeing the birds and seeing how the fishermen do their work. We learned a lot about the mangroves and the ecosystem there.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota
| Replied on Apr 14, 2024
Dear Susan,
A big THANK YOU for taking the time to write this detailed review. We really appreciate all your comments and feedback, and it is great to hear that you had an amazing time in Colombia!
It has ben a pleasure meeting you and I am very glad you enjoyed Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena and got to experience the diversity of Colombia, meet locals and immerse in our culture. Thank you very much for choosing us, and for making me a part of your trip, and I hope you stay in touch.
Best wishes,
Felipe
We had an amazing trip to Colombia! Setting ...
Colombia
|
Feb 7 - Feb 18, 2024
catherine e.
Chicago, IL
| Reviewed on Feb 24, 2024
We had an amazing trip to Colombia! Setting up our trip was easy. KimKim asked about our likes/dislikes, how active we wanted to be, what places we didn't want to miss seeing etc all to set up the best vacation possible for us. We went to Bogota, Pereira and Cartagena and thoroughly enjoyed all 3 locations. In Bogota we did a city tour which included the Gold Museum (a must see) as well as the local market and Monserrate Hill. We also left the city and did some hiking so it felt like a...
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We had an amazing trip to Colombia! Setting up our trip was easy. KimKim asked about our likes/dislikes, how active we wanted to be, what places we didn't want to miss seeing etc all to set up the best vacation possible for us. We went to Bogota, Pereira and Cartagena and thoroughly enjoyed all 3 locations. In Bogota we did a city tour which included the Gold Museum (a must see) as well as the local market and Monserrate Hill. We also left the city and did some hiking so it felt like a good mix of time in the city as well as enjoying the natural beauty around the city. Our guide in Bogota, Oscar, was very helpful and informative. Periera was totally different. We were out in the beauty of the coffee region visiting small towns such as Finlandia and Salento. Going to the Corcora Valley and seeing the beautiful Wax Palms, Horseback riding and a Coffee Farm Visit. The only disappointment was due to fires we were not able to do the Los Frailes Hike but it certainly wasn't the fault of KimKim. The boutique hotel in Pereira , Hotel Sazagua, was just lovely. It was by far our favorite hotel. Our room was spacious with our own private patio/jacuzzi, the food at the hotel was great and the service top notch. Our guide in Pereira, Claudia, was also great. She was so knowledgable about the area she even gave us the coffee tour herself.
Cartagena was our third stop and it didn't disappoint. It was very hot but we managed to get some pool time in at our hotel as well as a full day at Tierra Bomba Island at the Makani Beach Club to cool off. The Makani Beach Club was fabulous. It had a beautiful pool, a restaurant, bar area as well as massage. We enjoyed all three. Due to the wind the boat ride back was very bumpy so if that is bothersome it might not be a good choice. I would also highly recommend the Mangrove Tour. It s a very beautiful area and we were able even able to catch a few blue crab on our tour! Again, our guides were very informative and knowledgable about the city and it's history.
We've had a lot of people ask us if we felt safe while in Colombia. Our answer is "Yes"! As long as you're smart about where you go on your own and are aware of your surroundings it is perfectly safe. Our guides were very helpful in giving us tips and guidance in this area for sure. The one thing that was surprising to us was how few people spoke any English. Our Spanish is extremely limited so without a guide I think it would have been difficult for us to navigate around the country. But thanks to KimKim and our guides this wasn't an issue at all. We would definitely recommend travel to Colombia!
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota
| Replied on Feb 25, 2024
Dear Cathy and Tim,
Thank you very much for taking the time to write this review, and for sending us your valuable feedback. This is extremely important for us, and we greatly appreciate it. We will pass on your comments to the team and everyone involved in your trip, and it was a pleasure having you in Colombia.
I am very glad to hear you enjoyed all the destinations you visited, and that you were able to experience the diversity of the country, by visiting Bogota, the capital city, the...
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Dear Cathy and Tim,
Thank you very much for taking the time to write this review, and for sending us your valuable feedback. This is extremely important for us, and we greatly appreciate it. We will pass on your comments to the team and everyone involved in your trip, and it was a pleasure having you in Colombia.
I am very glad to hear you enjoyed all the destinations you visited, and that you were able to experience the diversity of the country, by visiting Bogota, the capital city, the museums and the history as well as its surroundings, then the Coffee Region with its authenticity, and natural beauty as well as charming towns, and Cartagena, with the magic of the Caribbean region.
Thank you for visiting Colombia, and sending you our very Best Wishes! Muchas Gracias!
Best Wishes,
Felipe
Fun and interesting time in Cartagena
Colombia
|
Jan 24 - Jan 28, 2024
Mary L.
Atlanta, GA
| Reviewed on Feb 05, 2024
The online staff was quick to respond and super helpful. Our guide Daniela was knowledgeable and fun.
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The online staff was quick to respond and super helpful. Our guide Daniela was knowledgeable and fun.
Hotel Reviews
Oasis in Gestemani. Walking distance to everything or a quick Uber ride. Friendly staff, comfortable rooms and beds. Breakfast was bountiful and pools relaxing and clean.
Authenticity & Character
New hotel but in keeping with the vibe of Cartagena.
Location
Bonus - we could walk to the fort.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sparkling clean
Hotel San Pedro de Majagua
Isla Grande
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota
| Replied on Feb 05, 2024
Hi Mary, Thank you very much for taking the time to write this review and Thank you very much for your feedback. Thank you for making me a part of your trip, and for visiting our home country Colombia, and sending you all my very Best Wishes.
Best, Felipe
Trip to Colombian Amazon
Colombia
|
Nov 15 - Nov 19, 2023
Satyanand N.
San Jose, CA
| Reviewed on Nov 25, 2023
The planning process with Felipe was very good. He was prompt in answering questions and providing information to customize the trip the way I wanted. The travel experience was excellent and the guides were great, especially Herman in the Amazon, who was very knowledgeable, friendly and accomodating.
The one big negative about kimkim is a lack of transparency when it comes to pricing. I requested for a breakdown of the amount that I was paying, which I was denied. You are charged a lumpsum...
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The planning process with Felipe was very good. He was prompt in answering questions and providing information to customize the trip the way I wanted. The travel experience was excellent and the guides were great, especially Herman in the Amazon, who was very knowledgeable, friendly and accomodating.
The one big negative about kimkim is a lack of transparency when it comes to pricing. I requested for a breakdown of the amount that I was paying, which I was denied. You are charged a lumpsum and there is no clarity on how much of it is going towards the actual trip costs (e.g. how much of it was spent on flights. how much on accommodation etc.). As a paying customer, I have a right to know how my money is being used and if I am getting my money's worth.
I am happy with the planning process and the travel experience, but the lack of pricing transparency makes me hesitate to use the service for future travels or to recommend it to friends.
Hotel Review
Location
good central location for activities and a remarkable place to truly unplug and immerse yourself in what the Amazon has to offer
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota
| Replied on Nov 28, 2023
Dear Satya,
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback, and thank you for making us a part of your family trip to Colombia! I am very glad to hear that you had an excellent trip, and that you all enjoyed your time in Colombia, and we will pass on your feedback to everyone involved in your trip.
We appreciate your honest feedback regarding pricing details. Before booking your trip, we discussed the reasoning behind kimkim's pricing policy, and we provided an explanation as to why...
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Dear Satya,
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback, and thank you for making us a part of your family trip to Colombia! I am very glad to hear that you had an excellent trip, and that you all enjoyed your time in Colombia, and we will pass on your feedback to everyone involved in your trip.
We appreciate your honest feedback regarding pricing details. Before booking your trip, we discussed the reasoning behind kimkim's pricing policy, and we provided an explanation as to why we do not provide a breakdown of all costs, and we will add our reasoning below. You still decided to move forward with your trip and agreed to the pricing details, and the process with kimkim was transparent from the start. We worked together to bring down your overall costs, and it was discussed that a pricing breakdown would not be provided, but that we could work together to adjust the costs to your budget. We understand that some travelers prefer to book all their services separately, or work with a company that provides the cost of each item separately, but the service and quality of trips we provide is different and we excel at supporting our clients every step of the way and providing personalised itineraries and a very high standard of service that includes everything you need from the moment you start your trip, until you finish.
In kimkim we do not provide a breakdown of the price and do not sell tours or transfers separately, but we plan trips as an experience and complete package in which we support you along the way, help you with anything you need and make sure you have an amazing trip. You receive the support of the kimkim team and the local team at all times, before and throughout your trip, and we build trips as one experience where your activities, tours, transfers, accommodation, local flights, recommendations, know-how and in-destination support are all included. I apologise if this was not clear, and hope you understand.
Most importantly, I want to thank you for having trusted us and allowing us to be a part of your trip to Colombia, and it has been a pleasure meeting you. Creating unforgettable journeys for our guests is at the heart of what we do, and knowing that your family had an excellent trip and a great time, means a lot to us.
Best Wishes,
Felipe
Columbia-travel made easy!
Colombia
|
Oct 18 - Oct 28, 2023
Chris M.
Chester, NJ
| Reviewed on Oct 30, 2023
Felipe and team were very communicative and in touch the entire time. They picked great places for dinner and set up wonderful guides. David in Bogata was very knowledgeable and had a great background in history. Diego in Medellín was a lot of fun and shared very interesting context to the places we visited. Carolina in Cartegena had great energy and provided some additional local places to grab a beer and good eats. Felipe put together a trip that was exactly what we wanted with tours and...
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Felipe and team were very communicative and in touch the entire time. They picked great places for dinner and set up wonderful guides. David in Bogata was very knowledgeable and had a great background in history. Diego in Medellín was a lot of fun and shared very interesting context to the places we visited. Carolina in Cartegena had great energy and provided some additional local places to grab a beer and good eats. Felipe put together a trip that was exactly what we wanted with tours and all of our dinner reservations. We just showed up to enjoy!
Hotel Reviews
Beautiful location and small hotel. You feel like a guest in a wonderful home.
Location
Walking distance to great restaurants
The Artisan D.C. Hotel, Autograph Collection
Bogotá
The Artisan D.C. Hotel was great with a fabulous location. The service was top-notch and we felt very taken care of.
Activity Reviews
Highlights of Bogotá City Tour (with Gold Museum, Local Market and Monserrate Hill)
Bogotá
Our Bogota guide, David, was super knowledgeable. His depth of knowledge was impressive.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half-Day Coffee Farm Tour
Medellín
The coffee tour was intriguing but I'm mixed about whether I would recommend it to someone else. It felt like it was something that could be skipped if you were pressed for time.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The Best of Medellín City Tour (with Comuna 13)
Medellín
The walking tour is a must, the fruit tour was okay, but the rum tour is an absolute must-do. It was amazing! The one downside was the restaurant Marea, which was the worst meal we had in Colombia.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Welcome to Colombia!
Colombia
The welcome to Colombia was fabulous. Felipe and his team were absolutely amazing, setting up a WhatsApp and communicating with us all the time.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guatavita Lake Tour and Usaquén
Bogotá
The Guatavita Lake Tour was interesting and the dinner at Artisanal Crepes & Waffles was great. The only issue was the altitude, which could be a problem for some people.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Rum Tasting with Chocolate Pairing
Cartagena
Very educational and fun. Trying 8 rums with chocolate.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota
| Replied on Oct 30, 2023
Dear Chris,
It has been a pleasure meeting you, and thank you and Ray for making us a part of your trip! Thank you as well for visiting Colombia and for trusting us.
I will shared your feedback with David, Diego and Carolina, and we really appreciate that you took the time to write a review and send us your feedback.
It is great to hear you had a great time and enjoyed your trip, and sending you my very Best Wishes!
Muchas Gracias,
Felipe
Hello, Filipe … We are now back to our home i...
Colombia
|
Aug 26 - Sep 7, 2023
ROBERT M.
Evanston, IL
| Reviewed on Sep 14, 2023
Hello, Filipe … We are now back to our home in the US and sorting through dirty laundry and backed up mail. After our own stops and starts on the trip planning, we are very pleased with the overall trip experience that you and your guides assembled.
· Guides. Each of your three assigned guides were excellent, with English language communication skills and insights into Columbia’s past drug lord issues. Guide Diago realized that Robert was not as nimble-footed as he once was, and...
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Hello, Filipe … We are now back to our home in the US and sorting through dirty laundry and backed up mail. After our own stops and starts on the trip planning, we are very pleased with the overall trip experience that you and your guides assembled.
· Guides. Each of your three assigned guides were excellent, with English language communication skills and insights into Columbia’s past drug lord issues. Guide Diago realized that Robert was not as nimble-footed as he once was, and suggested wheel chairs when necessary. Using such a vehicle, Diago pushed Robert up the very steep walkway in Medellin for a very interesting neighborhood visit. Quite a task!
· Hotels. We were pleased with our hotels in Bogota and Cartegena However, Patio del Mundi there needs some help. We were first booked into a back room that could only be accessed by a crazy quilt of patio and unlit steps. The following day, due to our complaints, we were changed to another smaller room, but with door keys that did not work. In addition, breakfast each morning offered only the same scrambled eggs plate, a couple of the pastries that did not seem that fresh, and coffee where it took forever to get a second cup and that tasted like instant. Patio del Mundi is a small pleasant hotel that really needs some work.
· Restaurant Meals. We planned the trip by asking you to book us in top restaurants in each city. You really achieved our expectations throughout! The lady at the front desk in Cartagena, when we asked each day for a cab to our designated restaurant, said that we were really going to the best restaurants in Cartagena. Our only comment regarding asl of these restaurant reservations was Medellin’s El Ciello, which was perhaps too much over the top for us. They featured a 17 -course tasting menu. That was just too much for our tastes. We skipped that and ordered a lesser selection from their menu.
Overall, we are very pleased with our trip to Columbia and your schedule adjustments, despite our own personal back and forth changes. We would be pleased to provide a favorable reference to others as you may wish.
If I have a grumble about your trip organization, it is your failure to communicate via standard MICROSOFT email. For example, you spent far too much time claiming I should us an application called "Whats App". I wasted too much time and never got the application to work.
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota
| Replied on Sep 14, 2023
Dear Robert and Lois,
We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time in Colombia! And it is wonderful to hear that you found our guides to be excellent and knowledgeable as we strive to provide the best possible service to our clients. Your kind words about Diego's assistance are greatly appreciated, and we will certainly pass on this positive feedback to him. Regarding the restaurant choices, it is great to hear that you enjoyed our recommendations.
I am also glad you liked your...
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Dear Robert and Lois,
We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time in Colombia! And it is wonderful to hear that you found our guides to be excellent and knowledgeable as we strive to provide the best possible service to our clients. Your kind words about Diego's assistance are greatly appreciated, and we will certainly pass on this positive feedback to him. Regarding the restaurant choices, it is great to hear that you enjoyed our recommendations.
I am also glad you liked your Hotel options and thank you for your feedback regarding Patio del Mundo. This is a very unique local boutique hotel in Medellin, located in a nice and safe neighborhood, and usually our travelers have a very good experience with them especially when they like boutique style hotels with an authentic nature and a garden. Very valuable for us to have your feedback though and thank you for taking the time to write your comments.
I understand that you expressed your frustration with the different communication methods used, especially with WhatsApp. We use Whatsapp as a service for our travelers to stay connected to our local agency in Colombia at all times, and to assist you at anytime and be there for you for anything you need, but it is an optional way of communication that most of our travelers appreciate, and not mandatory to use. Having said this, please know that we have certainly taken this feedback into account and are making efforts to be more adaptive and ensure that we only use the preferred communication channel of each of our travelers.
Should you require any further assistance or have additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us, and thank you once again for visiting Colombia!
Warmest regards,
Felipe
We had a great time with unique experiences i...
Colombia
|
Aug 12 - Aug 19, 2023
Sindhu K.
West Bloomfield Township, MI
| Reviewed on Aug 22, 2023
We had a great time with unique experiences in Medellin, and Cartegena. Our guide Diego in Medellin was excellent. He encouraged us to speak spanish and made sure we were comfortable at all times. Great time!
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota
| Replied on Aug 22, 2023
Dear Sindhu,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your experience in Colombia! I will pass on your comments to Diego and it is great to hear that you practiced your Spanish! Sending you and your family all my very Best Wishes and Muchas Gracias for visiting Colombia!
Felipe
La Costa Colombiana……Our family trip to the Tayrona and The Sierra...
Colombia
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Jul 10 - Jul 19, 2023
Maria Claudia A.
College Point, NY
| Reviewed on Aug 11, 2023
Our family trip to the Tayrona and The Sierra area near Santa Marta was memorable. Erik Ramirez our guide was terrific. His knowledge of flora, fauna, animals and archeology was superb and he maintained the children’s attention with his information. All three adventures were fantastic but Tayronaka and the inner tube floating experience down the Don Diego River left a special place in our heart. We are still waiting for the photos that Erik promised us.
In Cartagena Jose Miguel was...
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Our family trip to the Tayrona and The Sierra area near Santa Marta was memorable. Erik Ramirez our guide was terrific. His knowledge of flora, fauna, animals and archeology was superb and he maintained the children’s attention with his information. All three adventures were fantastic but Tayronaka and the inner tube floating experience down the Don Diego River left a special place in our heart. We are still waiting for the photos that Erik promised us.
In Cartagena Jose Miguel was fantastic. The temperature was quite high and he made sure to keep us cool and entertained. He was also very knowledgeable . Most memorable for both children and adults was the music and drum workshop at La Boquilla
Overall we were very happy with our guides and experience.s…Transportation to all locations was very comfortable with luxury air conditioned vans….Thank you Kim Kim, Felipe, Erik and Jose Miguel and all of the drivers and guides for a truly memorable experience.
Local specialist: Felipe Rico
Felipe Rico
Local specialist in Bogota
| Replied on Aug 11, 2023
Dear Maria Claudia,
Muchas Gracias for taking the time to leave this review, and it has been a pleasure meeting you! I will share your details with our local team, with Erik and Jose Miguel, and drivers, and all those involved in your trip and Thank you so much for visiting Colombia with your family, and for making us a part of your experience.
Feedback is extremely important for us, so a big Thank You! :)
Wishing you all my Best Wishes and I hope you stay in touch!
Best,
Felipe