Costa Rica with KimKim
Costa Rica | Mar 11 - Mar 23, 2024

neil
neil p.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Thank you to Olman at KimKim who helped build a really exciting and enjoyable itinerary travelling by shuttles, private transfers and buses around Cost Rica. We stayed at some great hotels, some of which had wonderful wild life in and around hotel grounds. The Belmar has its own micro brewery too. The network of transfer vehicles joining up all the key destinations makes it so easy to travel around the country. The trips Olman recommended were excellent (we went on trips around Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde and Manual Antonio). Unfortunately the bad weather around Arenal meant we could not see the Volcano as it was cloudy and very wet for three days, but at least the Hot Thermal Springs made up for that. We had to contact KimKim twice by message during our stay and both times they responded within two minutes answering our questions, which was really impressive!

Hotel Reviews
Gran Hotel Costa Rica
San José

Well located for the market and old quarter. Good breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mawamba Lodge
Tortuguero

In the middle of the rain forest with Sloth, monkeys and other wild animals around the grounds. Very nice breakfasts, efficient transfers along the waterways to/from the meeting point and well versed local guides taking us out on canoe/boat. Although the rooms around the gardens do not have aircon, the tranquility and ambience of the hotel gardens easily made up for that !

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean, good showers, no aircon
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Fortuna

The hotel is luxurious and the on-site hot thermal springs are amazing both night and day. Lots of animals to observe around the grounds. The only downside is the cost of F&B. All the hotel cafes and restaurants were expensive, with little choice under $30 for a main course (plus sides/starters/deserts drinks) -so a family of four were spending $200 every night . However, food was excelllent and breakfast was fabulous and included of course.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Belmar
Monteverde

Really nice hotel, located out of town (walkable) with gardens full of colourful noisy birds, their own farm, their own micro-brewery and great food. Cocktails at happy hour, admiring the views was a highlight!

Authenticity & Character
loved that they had their own brewery and farm to table food options
Location
just out of town but walkable
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Parador Nature Resort & Spa
Manuel Antonio

Amazing hotel which felt like we were in the rain forest with monkeys, sloth, iguanas all around the grounds. We had a Vista Room with views of the sea and bay and forest.

Authenticity & Character
Location
views and situated in the forest
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
 San Jose - Tortuguero
San Jose - Tortuguero
Costa Rica

Efficient transport to the meeting point at the docks. However, the organisors moved our pick forward from 6.45am to 6am and as first pick up, we were on the bus for 50 minutes before we even left the City and the roads were then busy for the first half hour. We were picked up at the dock by Mwamber Lodge boats and enjoyed an amazing trip down the estuary right to our hotel, passing monkeys and birds along the river bank. I would give this part of the journey 5 stars!

Quality of Experience
Food
basic rice and beans
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
we were on bus for 50 minutes picking others up
Enjoy the Beauty of Tortuguero National Park
Enjoy the Beauty of Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero

We saw so much wildlife ! We went on various canoe, kayak and boat tours to spot wild animals and colourful birds

Quality of Experience
unique
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
very knowledgeable and engaging
Transport
boats and canoes down the river
El Silencio Volcano Hike & Visit to La Fortuna Waterfall
El Silencio Volcano Hike & Visit to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Difficult to review as it was wet and cloudy but our guide was enthusiastic and engaging

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Callidryas Sloth Watching Tour
Callidryas Sloth Watching Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna

Saw many sloths. The guide ensured we saw them through telescopes as they are often up high in the trees

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Monteverde

13 Zip lines within and above the cloud forest, the final one being 1KM long. Great fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The Zip Line guides push you on quite quickly so little time to take photos or look around at scenery
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica

Good sightings of monkeys, deer, birds, sloths and finished with swim at the beach.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 25, 2024

Hi Neil,

Thanks for your good review.
It is great to read you had a terrific time exploring some of the most unique destinations in my country.

I hope you can visit us once again to explore more this incredible paradise.

Pura Vida,
Olman