Profile photo for Isabel Pérez
3224 messages
active 13 hours ago

Isabel Pérez

I'm passionate about exploring incredible places and having unique experiences. It's been 8 years since I moved to Ecuador, my family's country of origin, and since then I've had the most amazing time of my life, surrounded by volcanoes, rainforests, and beautiful beaches with sand from pink to black. There is something for everyone, and every day is an opportunity for a new adventure meeting lovely people.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Ecuador might be a small country but there is a lot to discover. I especially love natural landscapes and I've come to know quite a bit of everything around me. The Amazon rainforest, the Andes, and the coast: there are amazing experiences waiting in each and every corner of this multi-faceted country. From their unique local cuisine to the actual culture, each place is different and has a lot to offer to the curious travelers."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I've always loved traveling, especially into the natural environments. Ever since I was a little girl, I would always go on trips with my family; nothing beats camping under the stars. After I finished my degree, I started traveling again, something that was hard to do while studying. Since then, I haven't stopped, always meeting new cultures and new sceneries that take my breath away."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"When I was about 20 years old, I traveled for three weeks into La Gran Sabana, which is part of the Guianan savanna. I encountered an incredible diversity and unique landscapes in this vast region that are hard to explain. It started with beautifully multicolored rivers, and then everything changed once we went deep into the heart of the land. We stayed with indigenous people of the region and learned as they shared with us about their culture. One day they took us to the Angel Falls, one of the world's highest waterfalls. It took some time to get there, as it is located in an isolated part of the jungle. We took our traditional canoes and rowed for quite a long time and then hiked through the dense jungle until we were exhausted, our arms were tired from clearing the path, our legs sore and dirty of all the walking and the mud, but once we reached the foot of the waterfall, I got goosebumps. I felt so small. Standing there, in front of such huge force of nature, it felt as if all my problems and fears were nothing, and they just washed away."

Isabel is part of the following groups: Galapagos Islands Travel Agents, Ecuador Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Galapagos Island Hopping in Style: Santa Cruz & Isabela - 10 Days
White-sand beaches, secluded lagoons, and a spectacular array of wildlife await on this luxurious 10-day adventure in the Galápagos. It begins in Quito with sightseeing in the...
Ecuador Adventure in the Andes & Amazon - 7 Days
This active and incredibly scenic tour hones in on Ecuador's distinct landscapes. Kick off the adventure in Quito where you'll meet your guide, and then head south creating a...
Galapagos Islands Land-Based Adventure Tour: 6 Days
Land-based tours are a more economical and comfortable alternative to cruising the Galapagos. This 6-day itinerary takes in the highlights of the three main inhabited islands —...

Recent trip reviews for Isabel

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

Read all Galapagos Islands reviews

Being looked after by trustworthy guides and drivers every step of the way.
Galapagos Islands | Apr 20 - Apr 28, 2024

Ora
Ora Y.
Florence-Graham, CA | Reviewed on May 01, 2024
My son and I just returned from a trip to the Galapagos islands planned and arranged by kimkim.com. It was an amazing and wonderful experience made easy and worry-free by Isabel Pérez's diligent planning and responsiveness to our requests and force major causes requiring changes in the itinerary.
Our guides were prompt, knowledgable and friendly: Andrei and Christian in Guayaquil, Solange in San Cristóbal, Danielle in Santa Cruz as well as the crews of the boats to Kicker Rock and North... Read more

My son and I just returned from a trip to the Galapagos islands planned and arranged by kimkim.com. It was an amazing and wonderful experience made easy and worry-free by Isabel Pérez's diligent planning and responsiveness to our requests and force major causes requiring changes in the itinerary.
Our guides were prompt, knowledgable and friendly: Andrei and Christian in Guayaquil, Solange in San Cristóbal, Danielle in Santa Cruz as well as the crews of the boats to Kicker Rock and North Seymour island. The hotels Ibis in Guayaquil, Miconia on San Cristóbal and Galapagos Suites on Santa Cruz were clean and accommodating with a friendly and courteous staff.
We will definitely recommend the kimkim company to family and friends who are thinking of the Galapagos islands as a trip destination.
Sincerely,
Ora Yadin & Gil Benezer
Manhattan Beach, CA
USA

Local specialist: Isabel Pérez

A phenomenal way to experience Ecuador
Ecuador | Nov 9 - Nov 16, 2023

Stuart
Stuart S.
Charleston, SC | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2023
Cristobal was our main guide for our time on mainland Ecuador and he was exceptional; friendly, informative, and thorough. We had a series of help on the Galapagos including Paola, Liz, and the proprietor of our incredible Hotel, Jessica. All of them were wonderful as well.
We shot ourselves in the foot a bit by booking such a short trip and trying to mix evening celebrations with early morning excursions, but we left feeling we had made the most of our time in Ecuador.
Isabel was manning... Read more

Cristobal was our main guide for our time on mainland Ecuador and he was exceptional; friendly, informative, and thorough. We had a series of help on the Galapagos including Paola, Liz, and the proprietor of our incredible Hotel, Jessica. All of them were wonderful as well.
We shot ourselves in the foot a bit by booking such a short trip and trying to mix evening celebrations with early morning excursions, but we left feeling we had made the most of our time in Ecuador.
Isabel was manning the control decks and absolutely nailed it. We had exceptional guides for every step of our journey and she made sure all of our shuttling throughout Ecuador was adequately chaperoned.
Would emphatically recommend Isabel, Cristobal, and the whole team--but would also encourage anyone using KimKim to book a longer trip than you think you'll need to allow for some R&R (we booked 8 days to hit Quito, Baños, and the Galapagos).

Hotel Reviews
Plaza Luna Suites
Puerto Ayora

Jessica's passion and attention to detail are reflected in every aspect of this absolutely stunning space. I wouldn't stay anywhere else in Puerto Ayora

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Viajero Quito Hostel
Quito

Nice hostel in the historic district with engaging and friendly staff

Hostal Ilé
Baños de Agua Santa

Beautiful, centrally located. Proprietor makes better Margaritas than I've found in Mexico.

Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Nov 23, 2023

Stuart, thank you so much for your kind words! Hearing about your experience in Ecuador is great. I'm happy to know that our entire team made your journey unforgettable.

Balancing fun with early morning excursions is indeed a challenge, especially on a shorter trip. It's wonderful to hear that you felt you made the most of your time in Ecuador!

If you ever decide to return for a longer stay or to explore more of Ecuador's hidden gems, I would be delighted to help you plan another unforgettable adventure.

Best,
Isabel

We had a wonderful time in the Galapagos, par...
Galapagos Islands | Sep 7 - Sep 15, 2023

P
Pat P.
San Pedro, CA | Reviewed on Sep 16, 2023
We had a wonderful time in the Galapagos, partly on our own and partly with guides and drivers arranged by Isabel. We loved staying on two different islands (Santa Cruz and Isabella) to experience the contrast -one developed and busy, the other slow slow slow with a dirt road as main street.
Snorkeling at Concha de Perla and las Tuneles and kayaking at las Tintoreras were highlights. Beware the boat ride to Los Tuneles on a rough sea, it can be pretty exciting. Isabel was lovely -... Read more

We had a wonderful time in the Galapagos, partly on our own and partly with guides and drivers arranged by Isabel. We loved staying on two different islands (Santa Cruz and Isabella) to experience the contrast -one developed and busy, the other slow slow slow with a dirt road as main street.
Snorkeling at Concha de Perla and las Tuneles and kayaking at las Tintoreras were highlights. Beware the boat ride to Los Tuneles on a rough sea, it can be pretty exciting.

Isabel was lovely - patient and helpful throughout the planning with many changes on our part including a delay in our trip due to unexpected surgery for one of us.

Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Sep 18, 2023

Hi Pat,

I'm happy to hear you had an amazing time exploring the Galapagos Islands! Experiencing the contrast between Santa Cruz and Isabela must have been quite an adventure. Your snorkeling and kayaking adventures sound fantastic.

The Galapagos Islands are a natural wonder, and I'm glad I could assist in making your trip memorable despite the changes. If you ever plan another adventure, feel free to reach out. I'd love to help.

Best,
Isabel

Perfect Andes Bike Tour
Ecuador | Jul 4 - Jul 10, 2023

Warren
Warren J.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jul 19, 2023
We had fun! Isabel was excellent in providing the right amount of preparation and support for this vacation. Quito and the national parks were truly unique experiences for our party of seasoned cyclists yet there were no fears, there were no surprises and nothing went wrong on our vacation. Thank you Isabel for maintaining What'sApp contact with us throughout our journey. Biking guide Alirio and driverJose were the best , always accommodating to our needs. Both anticipated our biking... Read more

We had fun! Isabel was excellent in providing the right amount of preparation and support for this vacation. Quito and the national parks were truly unique experiences for our party of seasoned cyclists yet there were no fears, there were no surprises and nothing went wrong on our vacation. Thank you Isabel for maintaining What'sApp contact with us throughout our journey. Biking guide Alirio and driverJose were the best , always accommodating to our needs. Both anticipated our biking abilities and had prepared routes that were appropriately challenging. KimKim, Isabel, Alirio, Jose you are the best! Thank you.

Hotel Reviews
Dann Carlton Quito
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cuello de Luna Mountain Lodge
El Chasqui - Pastocalle
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Floresta
Baños
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Luxva Hotel Boutique
Guayaquil
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jul 20, 2023

Hi Warren,

Thank you so much for your review! I'm happy to hear that you had a great time during your vacation in Ecuador. It's awesome to know that everything went smoothly and there were no surprises or worries. I'm really glad you had unique experiences and enjoyed the challenging routes tailored to your seasoned cyclist group. Alirio and Jose are the best.

I'll definitely share your kind words with the entire team. We're all super excited to have been a part of creating such a fantastic experience for you.

Thanks again for choosing to travel with us!

Best,
Isabel

Isabel planned the perfect trip for the 4 of ...
Ecuador | Feb 18 - Mar 1, 2023

Teri
Teri H.
Orlando, FL | Reviewed on Mar 09, 2023
Isabel planned the perfect trip for the 4 of us (2 couples 50 -62)! We spent 3 nights in Quito at a remarkable hotel in Old Town, which included a city tour, visit to the Equator, a cooking class, and a free day (on our own). Lucia was our guide and went above and beyond to make us happy! We even stopped at her home to pick up bug repellent bracelets for our trip to the Amazon. Her English was very good and her pride for her Country was impressive. The cooking class with Josue and Jonathan... Read more

Isabel planned the perfect trip for the 4 of us (2 couples 50 -62)! We spent 3 nights in Quito at a remarkable hotel in Old Town, which included a city tour, visit to the Equator, a cooking class, and a free day (on our own). Lucia was our guide and went above and beyond to make us happy! We even stopped at her home to pick up bug repellent bracelets for our trip to the Amazon. Her English was very good and her pride for her Country was impressive. The cooking class with Josue and Jonathan exceeded our expectations! Our driver for the day, Manuel, became our driver/guide for the hiking days in the Andes, and transport to/from Quito Airport, which was a huge benefit as we developed a rapport and special relationship with him. Manuel was patient, professional, and accommodating. He is an experienced and accomplished hiker, guiding us on high elevation hikes in the Andes covering dormant and active volcanos, an 8.2 miles section of the Quilotoa, Pasochoa, and the trek to Jose Rivas Refugio at 16K"! The mountain lodges/hotels Isabel booked for us were each very different and uniquely special.
Our stay at the La Selva Lodge in the Amazon was more laid back and a nice change from the city in Quito and the high-country, moderate/strenuous hiking in the Andes. We saw numerous jungle animals and birds, fished for (and caught) piranha, climbed a very tall structure (205 stair steps) towering above the jungle to observe birds, and visited a native/indigenous tribe to learn about their culture and lifestyle.
Finally, we spent our last afternoon/evening (and the next morning) at the Terme de Papallacta Thermal Springs which also had spa treatments available and a gorgeous hike.
Overall, we were thrilled with Isabel's attention to detail and adventurous itinerary and Manuel's thorough, caring attention. I would absolutely recommend both and would book a future trip with Kimkim again.

Local specialist: Isabel Pérez

Isabel, our local specialist, rocked it! She...
Ecuador | Feb 18 - Mar 1, 2023

P
paul h.
Four Corners, FL | Reviewed on Mar 08, 2023
Isabel, our local specialist, rocked it! She checked in on us and was always there with any guidance if needed. She provided us with Manuel, who guided us during this trip. He amazed us with his knowledge of the places he took us, both on the road and while hiking areas that were very remote. He was always on time picking us up, always kind and courteous and worked very hard to make our time in Ecuador special. It was like we had a good friend in Ecuador showing us around! We asked for 3... Read more

Isabel, our local specialist, rocked it! She checked in on us and was always there with any guidance if needed. She provided us with Manuel, who guided us during this trip. He amazed us with his knowledge of the places he took us, both on the road and while hiking areas that were very remote. He was always on time picking us up, always kind and courteous and worked very hard to make our time in Ecuador special. It was like we had a good friend in Ecuador showing us around! We asked for 3 days in Quito, 5 days of hiking the mountains and volcanos and 4 days in the Amazon and could not have written a better script. Anyone wanting to visit this beautiful country should use Kimkim...we will use them for our next trip back. My wife is already talking about a girls trip in the future! Thank you for some amazing memories!!!!

Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Mar 09, 2023
Hi Paul! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! I'm happy to hear that you had such a fantastic time exploring Ecuador with Manuel. It's always our goal to make sure that our travelers feel comfortable during their adventures, so I'm very happy to hear that you felt like you had a good friend in Ecuador showing you around. It's so exciting to hear that your wife is already considering her next trip back to Ecuador for a girls trip! I would be honored to help you plan your next... Read more

Hi Paul!

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! I'm happy to hear that you had such a fantastic time exploring Ecuador with Manuel. It's always our goal to make sure that our travelers feel comfortable during their adventures, so I'm very happy to hear that you felt like you had a good friend in Ecuador showing you around.

It's so exciting to hear that your wife is already considering her next trip back to Ecuador for a girls trip! I would be honored to help you plan your next adventure to Ecuador!

Thanks again for choosing us for your trip. I'm glad that we could help you create some amazing memories!

Best,
Isabel

Our guides were amazing. Christobal had so mu...
Ecuador | Feb 14 - Feb 28, 2023

Judy
Judy R.
Eugene, OR | Reviewed on Mar 07, 2023
Our guides were amazing. Christobal had so much to share with us on this trip. He gave us a real feeling for the national parks. He is kind, funny and great company. Not to mention, being a great photographer!
Sebastian was bursting with information, and insights. He took us to various artisans. Victor knew his territory and was fun to be with. The layout of the trip was great, with all the beautiful national parks, the visit to Cuenca.
The only suggestion... Read more

Our guides were amazing. Christobal had so much to share with us on this trip. He gave us a real feeling for the national parks. He is kind, funny and great company. Not to mention, being a great photographer!
Sebastian was bursting with information, and insights. He took us to various artisans.

Victor knew his territory and was fun to be with.

The layout of the trip was great, with all the beautiful national parks, the visit to Cuenca.
The only suggestion I would make would be less time in Loja— it’s a bustling city, more like a college town.
All of our guides were wonderful, full of knowledge about Ecuador, local customs, and easy to get along with.

Hotel Review
Viajero Quito Hostel
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The sound of the birds in the morning and breakfast!
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Mar 09, 2023

Hi Judy!

It's so great to hear that you had an awesome time exploring Ecuador and that Cristobal, Sebastian, and Victor were able to make your trip memorable with their knowledge and fun personalities. They really are the best.
Thanks for letting me know that you felt like you could have spent less time in Loja. I'll definitely take that into account for future trips and make sure to adjust our itinerary accordingly.

I hope to have the chance to show you even more of what Ecuador has to offer on your next visit!

Best,
Isabel

Checked all of the checkboxes!
Galapagos Islands | Dec 12 - Dec 17, 2022

Hillary
Hillary P.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2023
All of our local guides and experts were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and quick to respond with help and recommendations. In our relatively short trip, we felt like all of our major interests were planned out and we didn't feel like we missed out on anything at all. Plenty of snorkeling, hiking, and sight-seeing, with just enough downtime to check out the towns and local digs. We don't normally travel with so much hand holding, but for the Galapagos where so much is protected and must... Read more

All of our local guides and experts were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and quick to respond with help and recommendations. In our relatively short trip, we felt like all of our major interests were planned out and we didn't feel like we missed out on anything at all.

Plenty of snorkeling, hiking, and sight-seeing, with just enough downtime to check out the towns and local digs. We don't normally travel with so much hand holding, but for the Galapagos where so much is protected and must be visited with a National Guide anyway, this process and itinerary were perfect!

The lodgings selected for us were also right up our alley--quaint and boutique with a local touch, while still providing respite and privacy.

We had one morning with miscommunicated tour times, but it was not a big deal and it just meant we had more time for breakfast!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Galapagos Suites
Puerto Ayora

Photos don't do this place justice, honestly! The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with lovely balconies equipped with hammocks. Run by a mother/daughter dream team, we felt so welcomed and comfortable every night we stayed!

Authenticity & Character
Location
A close walk to local restaurants and shops while still off the main road enough to be quiet.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Casita de la Playa
Puerto Villamil

Incredible location and very helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Galapagos Islands

We were nervous in the morning that the overcast and misty weather would keep us from seeing the caldera, but it was actually a blessing in disguise to keep us covered and cool from the sun on the first half of the trip. By the time we were out and back from Chico, we had a wonderfully clear view and made it home without too much sunburn. Easy hike, but long with the amount of stopping and sight seeing along the way.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
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 guide, Astrid, was incredible. So knowledgeable and insightful--she made all the difference to our experience of what was already fantastic sight seeing.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

Best snorkeling of the trip in my opinion. Wide, open cove with very clear waters that don't get too sandy or crowded. You're able to see a lot of sea life without too much hard work or feeling rushed by the group.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our tour didn't actually include kayaking, which is fine in retrospect as it was the last day of our trip and I probably would have been more tired!
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

I would have liked a bit more time here, but our guide, Astrid, was extremely knowledgeable and it was so great to see the babies.

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

A full day on the boat! A fairly large group, but accommodations were adequate (and lunch was so good!) and we got a bit of everything--light hiking on North Seymour with plenty of wildlife sightings, snorkeling in clear coastal waters, and beach time to relax and swim.

Quality of Experience
Would have been nice to see the boat's sails in its full glory, but not a big deal! A pretty big group, which means more chances that people are late/slow/affecting the overall experience. Really not a deal breaker at all, but we ended up preferring some of the smaller group activities. I just wish we saw more flamingos!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands

Great guide who shared photos and videos after (love that!), but really a crowded location that made it hard to see all of the wildlife. Felt a little rushed. Everyone in the group seemed to have very different levels of swim skill, so it was really hard to stay focused on a given area for sea life spotting.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jan 05, 2023
Hi Hillary,
Thanks for sharing your trip with us! It sounds like it was an incredible experience in the Galapagos. I'm happy to hear that everything went smoothly and you were able to do all the activities and see all the sights you hoped to. I'm glad the hotels were to your liking, they're are just great, especially Galapagos Suites! I apologize for the miscommunication with the last tour pick-up time, but I'm glad it didn't impact your trip overall. Thanks for choosing us for your adventure... Read more

Hi Hillary,
Thanks for sharing your trip with us! It sounds like it was an incredible experience in the Galapagos. I'm happy to hear that everything went smoothly and you were able to do all the activities and see all the sights you hoped to. I'm glad the hotels were to your liking, they're are just great, especially Galapagos Suites! I apologize for the miscommunication with the last tour pick-up time, but I'm glad it didn't impact your trip overall. Thanks for choosing us for your adventure in the Galapagos, I hope to work with you again in the future so you can explore more of the wonderful landscapes Ecuador has to offer.

Best,
Isabel

This was an amazing trip! Everything was so o...
Galapagos Islands | Oct 8 - Oct 14, 2022

D
Dyllon M.
Longmont, CO | Reviewed on Oct 19, 2022
This was an amazing trip. Everything was so organized and Isabel, the travel specialist we worked with, was so helpful in promptly answering all questions. Once we got to the Galapagos everything went so smoothly. The hotels and tours were great. Overall, I cannot recommend this trip, and using kimkim and Isabel to arrange/organize everything enough. Read more

This was an amazing trip. Everything was so organized and Isabel, the travel specialist we worked with, was so helpful in promptly answering all questions. Once we got to the Galapagos everything went so smoothly. The hotels and tours were great. Overall, I cannot recommend this trip, and using kimkim and Isabel to arrange/organize everything enough.

Hotel Reviews
Ikala Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Ayora

The hotel is in a great location. The rooms and grounds are great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
We were just a couple blocks from the water, and within walking distance of everything you would want in Puerto Ayora.
Staff
So helpful and kind
Cleanliness & Comfort
Albemarle
Puerto Villamil

Very quaint hotel right on the water. Our room had a balcony overlooking the beach.

Authenticity & Character
The balcony overlooking the ocean was so nice and the sun deck on the roof was great for an evening glass of wine!
Location
Staff
They were so helpful and nice!
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 guide was great! He was so knowledgeable and passionate about the Galapagos.

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

Seeing the conservation efforts up close and the tortoise breeding center was great.

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

The guide was so knowledgeable and this is such a cool excursion!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

There was no option to kayak, but the snorkeling was cool with a focus on white tipped reef sharks. The guide seemed a little less into the trip than other guides, but still had a ton of information to give.

Quality of Experience
Snorkeling over the reef sharks was so cool.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands

This was amazing! Such a beautiful and unique area. There was amazing diversity while snorkeling and we saw so many sea turtles. Bonus we also saw penguins, orcas and albatross! This is a must-do experience if you are on Isabela.

Quality of Experience
Overall just a great day and we saw so much!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everyone was so nice and the guide was so knowledgeable.
Transport
Fun and fast boat ride!
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Galapagos Islands

Our guide Nadia was clearly passionate about the area and the ecology. She was so knowledgeable. The hike is beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Food
Sandwiches which were filling, but basic.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Nadia was amazing.
Transport
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Oct 19, 2022

Thank you for your kind words, Dyllon! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip and found everything went smoothly. Thank you for recommending us and we hope to welcome you on another journey soon!