Everything we wanted and more!
Ecuador | Jul 26 - Aug 3, 2023

Nimisha
Nimisha A.
Bakersfield, CA | Reviewed on Aug 04, 2023

Tamer was an INCREDIBLE travel agent for our trip to Ecuador! He was all we could ask for:
1. Very attentive to our needs and wants for the trip
2. Patient when I needed time to make decisions for the trip
3. Helpful in giving us tips to prepare and pack for the trip
4. In contact with me daily during the trip to make sure we were well taken care of.

So pleased with his service and I highly recommend him to help you plan your trip to Ecuador!

Hotel Reviews
Patio Andaluz
Quito

Great location, wonderful breakfast, beautiful building. Two story room for the 4 of us which the kids loved!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Fiesta
Puerto Ayora

This hotel left a little to be desired. Staff in the front lobby was not helpful. Rooms were clean at first but a bit dingy and run down. Location was nice bc it wasn’t in the heart of town (aka noise) but an easy walk to restaurants and shops.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Front lobby staff and daily housekeeping
Casa Opuntia Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

We loved this hotel! The staff really made the experience for us— so thoughtful and friendly. Great location facing the water and delicious breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were a bit tight for 4 people and our luggage but not unmanageable
Activity Reviews
Colonial Quito City Tour & Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) Monument
Colonial Quito City Tour & Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) Monument
Quito

We enjoyed this day tour, mostly bc of our excellent guides. Mitad del Mundo is a must see but it’s actually a little hokey when you get there (think kids’ magic show) Colonial city tour was very interesting.

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

Another fantastic day tour. Lunch at Rancho Primicias followed by seeing the giant tortoises up close in their natural environment was amazing! Then seeing the baby tortoises at the Charles Darwin station made it a full circle day!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking Adventure in Tortuga Bay & Afternoon Bay Tour of Santa Cruz Island
Kayaking Adventure in Tortuga Bay & Afternoon Bay Tour of Santa Cruz Island
Puerto Ayora

This was a VERY full day but also amazing. If you’re not up for a high impact day, I would do both of these activities but split them into 2 half day tours. Tortuga Bay was beautiful. The 2 mile walk to/from the bay was also really nice but make sure you’re prepared for it (water, sunscreen, hat and not carrying too much). Kayaking in the bay was awesome. The second half of the day is more like an eco-trek and a swim in a very cool cove. Not much snorkeling to be had but lots of interesting sights.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Speedboat to San Cristobal Island - Interpretation Center - Tijeretas Hill
Speedboat to San Cristobal Island - Interpretation Center - Tijeretas Hill
Ecuador

The speedboat was ok. If you’re prone to sea sickness. I don’t recommend it. It was fine as a one time experience but I’m glad I didn’t have to do it twice. We only made it half way up Tijiretes Hill as the kids were tired but the halfway walk was nice as well. Snorkeling was the best part of this tour, as we saw tons of fish, turtles and sea lions!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She seemed a bit preoccupied with her phone
Wildlife Encountering at Lobos Island - Family Activities
Wildlife Encountering at Lobos Island - Family Activities
Isla San Cristóbal

Absolutely incredible! We saw so much wildlife on this tour! Guide and boat captain/staff were awesome.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Aug 04, 2023

Dear Nimisha,

I can't be thankful enough for your review and kind words, it fills my heart with joy to know I was part of making this an amazing family vacation. Your detailed review will serve as a great reference for our future travelers here at kimkim who will benefit from your comments. I will your feedback about Hotel La Fiesta to their management so they can take the necessary corrective measures, as I apologize for the inconvenience there.
I look forward to hearing from you again, maybe we can plan a comeback trip as Ecuador and the Galapagos still have a lot to offer :)
Best,
Tamer