Exceeded our Expectations
Costa Rica | Jan 1 - Jan 9, 2023

N
Nici F.
Prairie Du Rocher, IL | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2023

Bryan was extremely patient and thorough when planning our trip. He was able to answer all my questions and concerns, and adjust my plans accordingly. He truly understood what we were wanting for this trip and our experience exceeded our expectations. We had a great balance of cultural experiences and downtime to hang out at the beach and pools. All of our accommodations were interesting and wonderful -- not your average resort. We loved the Poas Volcano Lodge in the Cloud Forest. It was small and intimate, and they went out of their way to make our family feel welcome. My kids declared it the best hot cocoa. Our favorite was La Mariposa in Manuel Antonio. Monkeys were always around and we had a pair of Macaws fly past our balcony every morning. Nearby restaurants are great. Our favorite excursion here was the nighttime rainforest tour. The national park tour is a must, and we had THE BEST tour guide, but expect it to be very slow. Lost Iguana near La Fortuna is a good place to stay, but it could use a little bit of updating. However, the views are the best, great hiking trail and a good restaurant. Our kids liked the heated pool. The town of La Fortuna has a lot of shopping and restaurants. Our favorite events of the entire trip were here: The cultural experience was the absolute best and everyone should be so lucky to do this. Second to that was the Chocolate Factory Tour.

If you're considering using KimKim.com to plan your trip to Costa Rica, do it. Our experience was seamless and wonderful. We will use them again.

Hotel Reviews
La Mariposa Hotel
Manuel Antonio

Wonderful rooms and guest services. Incredible views and we especially loved watching all the monkeys who live in the trees surrounding the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walkable to/from restaurants, tours, ocean, etc.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean.
Poas Volcano Lodge
Vara Blanca

Super sweet lodge with the friendliest staff. The design and architecture is very cool and it's tucked into the forest with lots of trails.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Less than an hour from the airport.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lost Iguana Resort & Spa
Fortuna

Great location! Fun staff and a wonderful environment. The rock shower is neat but not really usable, and the rooms are pretty sparse but very clean. The rooms could use a little updating but overall it's still very nice and a relaxing place to stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio

Great tour guide!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sukia Nighttime Nature Walk
Sukia Nighttime Nature Walk
Manuel Antonio

One of our favorite experiences. It was just our family of 5 and the guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cultural Experience
Cultural Experience
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was our favorite experience of the whole trip. The family who hosted us was amazing -- we learned more about Costa Rican culture and felt immersed in the family's story and life. The description said we'd visit a school and we did not get to do that but the time at the farm and with the family was wonderful all by itself.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ecotermales Hotsprings
Ecotermales Hotsprings
Costa Rica

Ecotermales is a neat place. Very clean and calm. We enjoyed seeing the Hot Springs but an hour was plenty and I wouldn't recommend getting the meal with it. The food was not good and the restaurant was a little dirty.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

The hike is pretty and enjoyable , but the view of the volcano is better from a distance. Seeing the waterfall is pretty cool and we all enjoyed the enormity of it. The water is ice cold so don't expect to swim or stay very long. It's a quick trip to see the waterfall and hike back out.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Chocolate Factory Tour in Rainforest Chocolate Tour.
Chocolate Factory Tour in Rainforest Chocolate Tour.
Arenal/La Fortuna

One of our family's favorites! Travelers should absolutely do this. It is fun and educational. We returned much more conscience of our choices when purchasing and eating chocolate.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 16, 2023

Hola Nici,

I love hearing from you! Thank you for leaving feedback for us.!

I am glad to know that you and your family had a memorable time in my country!

I will be happy to assist you if you like to plan a second visit to this small but beautiful country :)

Pura Vida,
Bryan Leon,
Serendipity Adventures, Costa Rica