Margoth Rico

From the moment we were connected with Aracanto Travel through KimKim, our Colombian adventure transformed into an extraordinary experience. Their commitment to excellence and attention to detail was amazing.

Margoth designed an awesome itinerary that blended culture, nature, and adventure from the vibrant streets of Bogota and Cartegena, to hiking in the Medellín Cloud forest and Tayrona National Park, and scuba diving in Santa Marta.

Aracanto took care of every aspect of the itinerary, from all the transport, and tours to the accommodation – even making our restaurant reservations for us! The personalized approach and thorough planning meant we did not have to worry about a thing! The Aracanto team set up a WhatsApp group a few days before we arrived in Colombia and this worked so well – someone from the team was always available to answer any of our questions or make any last-minute changes – a huge shout out to the team (Margoth, Felipe, Juanita, Marcela, Fabian and Sebastian)!

Our guides across the cities we visited were also excellent – big thank you to Joel (Bogota), Andras (Medellín), Cesar (Santa Marta), and Ana (Cartegena) for making our trip so special.

Colombia itself was spectacular in its people, culture, nature and history – the amazing street art in Bogota, the history and vibrance of Comuna 13, the lush forests and beautiful beaches, the spectacular food (yes, including all the interesting stuff too – ants, beetle larva and guinea pig), and the amazing, friendly people.

In summary, Aracanto Travel provided an exceptional service turning our dreams of visiting Colombia into a reality. They are certainly a passionate team, and we would highly recommend them to anyone planning a trip to Colombia. Thank you Margoth and Team!!!

Activity Reviews

Guatape and El Peñol

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day City Tour of Cartagena

Cartagena

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chorro Campana Hike

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chicaque Natural Park

Bogotá

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Best of Medellín City Tour (with Comuna 13)

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Coffee Farm Tour

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tayrona National Park Tour

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fabulous trip to Colombia. Margoth and her team were fantastic. The communication with Margoth during the planning stage was excellent. She worked with our rough outline for the trip and made suggestions and listened to our feedback. We chose a 12 day trip that included time in Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena. The team recommended hotels in each of the locations and even suggested restaurants that catered to our dietary needs (we are pescatarians). As we approached our departure date, the team set up a WhatsApp group to make our communication with them seamless.

We encountered travel issues on our journey to Colombia and Margoth and team were very responsive to our delayed arrival. We alerted them of our new schedule through the WhatsApp group and they got in touch with the hotel to ensure that we kept our reservation even though we would be a day later and they cancelled our dinner reservation. They modified our airport pickup and shuffled the schedule to accommodate the changes.

Our time in Bogotá included a trip to Guatavita and the Salt Cathedral one day and an extensive tour of Bogotá the next day. Our guide, Juan, was great. He was extremely knowledgeable and personable. He had a lot of enthusiasm and love of what he does. We stayed at the Artisan D.C. Hotel, which was excellent and in a great location. We had nice dinners at the hotel bar, Crepes and Waffles and at La Mar. All terrific choices.

In Medellín, we had an excellent guide, Veronica. Her love of Medellín and desire to share it with us was evident from the beginning. When we first arrived we spent the afternoon at a local, family-own coffee farm. This was a very interesting and educational experience. The next day we toured the entire city, including the cable cars and the Comuna 13 district. The transformation of Medellín is something to behold. The following day we went to Guatapé and El Peñol. This was a fun, active day which included climbing 704 steps to the top of El Peñol. In Medellín we stayed at the El Zarzo hotel which was in a fabulous location. We dined at Kaime, Mistura and Il Castillo - again all great choices.

In Cartagena, we stayed in the fascinating old city. One day, we took a day trip out to a beach resort on the Tierra Bomba island. We had some fabulous meals in Cartagena at Cande, Juan del Mar, Lobo del Mar and El Jardin - all great options. We stayed at the Bastion Luxury Hotel which was outstanding. The staff was very welcoming. The room was excellent, as was the location. The roof top deck and pool had great views of the sea and the city.

Margoth and the team were constantly available when needed and extremely helpful. We had issues with a cancelled flight on our departure date. Margoth reacted immediately, finding us a hotel for the night (even though is was the beginning of Semana Santa) and setting up a driver to get us back to the airport the next day.

The trip was terrific in large part due to all of the work and attention from Margoth and team. Their knowledge and love of Colombia were evident in every interaction. We highly recommend working with them.

Though we had a slight apprehension to visit Colombia (because of the country's history) , however after seeing different reviews from other travellers , we still wanted to visit Bogota, Cocora Valley and Medellin, in 7 days.
Margoth designed the entire trip keeping our special requests , interests , strict Vegetarian diet and budget in mind. We had a very comfortable, safe and a memorable trip. Right from the beginning she went above and beyond to accomodate everything we were looking for from this trip. We were pleasently surprised by the food options and restaurants that were chosen for us, we had great vegetarian and vegan options in almost all the restraurants that were recommended.

Margoth and her team made us feel very comfortable during the entire trip. We were connected via WhatsApp group and got the information/help immidiately. Though we don't speak spanish or understand much, it was never a hurdle due to the arrangements made by the team and special thanks to all the guides that were assigned to our trip. And the team also took care of some of the immigration paper work which made our travel very convenient.

On the first day of the trip, on landing in Bogota, I had very bad altitude sickness and a severe headache. Team took good care of me .When we checked into the hotel, they had already arranged for electrolytes (Since I threw up and was not able to eat). They were ready to arrange for a doctor too , immediately. Fortunately it was not needed, I felt better after a night's rest.

It was very thoughtful of team Aracanto to have a welcome gift for us in the hotel , we loved the goodies they had for us.

Our guide in Bogota - Oscar Diaz was very caring and made sure we had good experence in Bogota. We were having a great day on Day 2 , tasted all the exotic fruits and snacks in Paloquemao market , Oscar was sharing all the amazing facts about the local market and people. I wish I was more prepared for handling the high altitude. I started to have a headache again after reaching Monserrate Hill,and as a result we had to cut short the day tour . Oscar took us to a local pharmacy to get medicine for my headache and after taking that I felt better almost immediately. Thanks a lot to Oscar for the recommendation.

We then visited Pereira , our guide there was Claudia and she was extremely knowledgeable about coffee production and farms. She explained it all so well that we felt like we were with a professor in a classroom. We had a very authentic coffee farm experience and she made sure we learnt a few new skills! :)
Next day we visited Cocora Valley, Salento and Felandia with her, she was patient with us and went above and beyond to make sure we had a memorable time there.

And our last destination was Medellin. Sebastian was our guide for three days and he made sure we had the best experience in Medellin. Our most memorable moment was in Commune 13, Sebastian and another local guide Tatyayini showed us around , made sure we experienced best of everything there. Next day, we also visited El pinol, Guatape with Sebastian. He made sure the drive of almost 2 hrs was entertaining, he was playing the role of a DJ playing different music mostly best of Colombia, keeping our taste in mind. :)

We have been travelling for many years now and worked with many amazing tour complanies and guides, however what stood out this time was the extra care we got. The team was checking on my health regularly and made us feel very safe and comfortable.

Especially ,Sebastian is a very kind and amazing human being, he was with us all the while on the last day in the airport helping us with the bags checking and other formalities, at one point we forgot that he was our guide, he made us feel like a family.

Colombia is very different now from what many people still think is. This is the most beautiful, colorful , vibrant country and people are very warm, friendly and kind. Not even once we felt unsafe anywhere.

And we would definelty recommend Kimkim and Aracanto for a perfect trip to Colombia.

This was our first visit to Columbia. Margoth and her team made the experience easy. They are available 24 hrs a day via WhatsApp. Every detail is handled from airport pickup to tours to dinner reservations. Very Grateful for everything.

Dr Joni and Dr Maynard Luterman

Hotel Reviews

Calanoa Lodge

Leticia

It’s an ecolodge in the rainforest. We had the treehouse. Everyone is very helpful. Its beautiful. It places you in the jungle with the nighttime sounds being magical. Our room had a quiet, Bed withfly nets a small fan and a bathroom. There is No where to hang cloths. Food was excellent and consisted of fish mostly and some chicken. the food is all local. Beer wine and soft drinks can be purchased. It’s hot and very humid. It is the Amazon so be prepared. I would bring no cotton clothing as everything gets damp. There is a lot of walking, Balance and core strength are tested daily so be prepared. There are tours to local areas twice a day. Boat trips are. It was a once in a Lifetime experience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

It’s hot and humid and not much relief so be prepare d

The Artisan D.C. Hotel, Autograph Collection

Bogotá

Modern hotel in financial district. Rooms were on the small side, Front desk staff do not speak English. It was the small items like our room had one bathrobe for my wife and I….great Location and overall very nice

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Pestagua Relais Châteaux

Cartagena de Indias

Perfect location service was impeccable and the place is beautiful

Authenticity & Character

Location

In the old city

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Walking Tour of Cartagena Old City

Colombia

Our tour guide Anna Maria was lovely spoke perfect English and was a joy to hang with. Tour was fun and well done

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Drums and Music Workshop

Cartagena

Pure joy and fun. I think the people doing the workshop would have done it for free just to have been able to teach and play. They use there music to support the children and to get them off the streets and get them to work together and it showed. The kids were great. The teachers were great. We had so much fun playing all the drum types. No experience necessary I have none lol….

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

gréât guide in Bogota and Pereira , knowledgeable and also interesting. Margoth and her team are amazing, everything planned went exactly as expected and our experiences such as rhum tasting and a boat trip were great . I truelybreicmmwnd colombia and the agency Aracanto

This is Joan and John Merriam’s review of their trip to Colombia from January 16-30 2024 which was planned and arranged by the KimKim team. We cannot say enough positive things about Margoth and Felipe and the rest of their team. During the planning stage and throughout our days in Colombia they were always quick to respond to any questions or concerns we had.

Our trip consisted of four days in each of Medellin, the Coffee District and Cartagena concluding with a two night stay in Bogota. Our accommodations were in beautiful boutique hotels in the first three locations and a very comfortable first class hotel in central Bogota. And each location included restaurant recommendation that were always superb. Our guides - Diego in Medellin, Felipe and Mauricio in the Coffee District, Gabo in Cartagena, and Maria in Bogota were all very knowledgeable and could not do enough to make our tours both educational and enjoyable.

Overall, our trip in Colombia was a great experience and one we look forward to recommending to our many friends. We think the country has much to offer to travellers and that the people of Colombia are among the warmest and friendliest people we have met on our travels in many countries all over the world.

Margoth was an incredible planner. The trip, transfers, hotels, restaurants were all spectacular. The guides, Andreas, Daniellia, and Alejandro were knowledgeable, game and so much more. The food in Bogota was amazing, the market had so much to see and taste. Cartagena's charm did not disappoint. The Bastion Hotel in the heart of the old city was an oasis. Do not miss the drum workshop. In Cali, the salsa was amazing. Our class set us up to go clubbing, so much fun!
Thank you for a wonderful experience!

Activity Reviews

Tejo Activity (Colombian Local Game)

Bogotá

We both agreed this was a fun way to start our trip. We went right after the airport and it got us into the local culture straight off.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Highlights of Bogotá City Tour (with Gold Museum, Local Market and Monserrate Hill)

Bogotá

The market was incredible. So much to taste and see! Flowers galore as well as fruits and vegetables we had never seen before. Tasting along the way made it all so much fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset with Drums and Music Workshop

Cartagena

This was a lot of fun. Drumming along with the band and dancing with the young dancers was a really wonderful experience.

Quality of Experience

Transport