Diego Rivera

We visited La Fortuna/Arenal and Manuel Antonio. Our trip was beautifully planned by Diego. He found great adventures and excursions for us. Our 5 kids’ ages range from 12 to 23 and he met all of our needs and made sure they would all be interested in what we were doing. read more

We visited La Fortuna/Arenal and Manuel Antonio. Our trip was beautifully planned by Diego. He found great adventures and excursions for us. Our 5 kids’ ages range from 12 to 23 and he met all of our needs and made sure they would all be interested in what we were doing.

Hotel Reviews

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Si Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Autentico Hotel

San Jose

Authenticity & Character

Location

Next time we would just skip San Jose and drive directly to our first resort.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The air conditioning did not work well in our rooms. There was construction going on at the hotel early in the mornings and throughout the day.

Activity Reviews

Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

So much fun!! So much adventure! It was great to have it all in one place as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

La Fortuna Waterfall Hike and El Salto Swimming Hole

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Snorkeling Adventure

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our experience was amazing. Our guide, Alfredo was fantastic in La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano area. Jose gave a wonderful tour in Corcovado National Park. I felt communications were not well communicated , as some timings were not correct. Giving us more complete details would have been helpful. We had to call to verify info that was incorrect and our call was not returned when they said they would call. read more

Our experience was amazing. Our guide, Alfredo was fantastic in La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano area. Jose gave a wonderful tour in Corcovado National Park. I felt communications were not well communicated , as some timings were not correct. Giving us more complete details would have been helpful. We had to call to verify info that was incorrect and our call was not returned when they said they would call.

Hotel Reviews

Las Caletas Lodge

Puntarenas

The accommodation was rustic, but very clean. There was no air conditioning, only ceiling fans. The staff was wonderful as was the food. The rooms would have been more comfortable with more fans and better lighting. The view from the hotel was wonderful with lots of local monkeys and wildlife. Daniel was great and very helpful!

Authenticity & Character

The wildlife

Location

A dock for landing.

Staff

Daniel was the best. Everyone else was very helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean, but needed more fans and better lighting in clothing storage areas.

Autentico Hotel

San Jose

Very nice and modern hotel with good air conditioning and wifi. It was comfortable with a nice pool in downtown San Jose

Authenticity & Character

Comfortable for shuttles to next location

Location

Easy walk to a few restaurants, but far from the airport

Staff

The restaurant staff was very nice and they all worked very hard.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nice clean rooms and showers

Montaña de Fuego Resort & Spa

La Fortuna

We loved the private cabanas, the pool, pool bar and hot tub. We did not have wifi in the rooms, only common areas. This meant we could not reach our other friends unless we knocked on their door. There were several huge roaches in our room. The front desk didn’t seem too concerned. Overall I liked the resort, but they could address the above issues.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the view of Arenal Volcano and local flowers

Location

Good location

Staff

They were helpful, if needed

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bugs in room, pillows were huge and hard. They were not comfortable to sleep on. The bed was comfortable.

Karahe Beach Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Our rooms were on the second floor, centrally located. They were clean and very convenient to the beach. I would’ve liked one more day there.

Authenticity & Character

Situated amongst the trees with lots of wildlife.

Location

Good beach location, but needed taxis to go everywhere.

Staff

Friendly reception and waitstaff very attentive at beach and restaurant. Our waiter Juan Carlo(I think) was great at dinner.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds were comfortable, air conditioned and good wifi.

Activity Reviews

Traditional Cooking Class with Dinner

Arenal/La Fortuna

Priscilla was fantastic. She guided us through preparation of an authentic Costa Rican meal. Her partner assisted with making tortillas and coffee. The meal was delicious!

Quality of Experience

Learning about new foods and eating an authentic meal.

Food

All of the food was good!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All of our drivers were very good. I felt completely safe. The guides were excellent.

Transport

Some of our transports were very long, but it was the only way to get to different locations. I did not like the water landings.

Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Just do it. I’m afraid of heights, but psyched myself to focus and keep moving. The bridges did sway while walking on them, but I felt safe. It is a lot of up and downhill , if that is a problem for you. I really felt like I had met my goal by completing the walk.

Quality of Experience

Our guide would stop and show us hidden wildlife through his scope and helped you get good photos.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everything

Transport

Good drivers

Arenal Volcano Hiking Tour & Paradise Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

It began to rain as we started, so we chose the shortest of 3 hikes. Fortunately, the rain stopped shortly after we started. We saw cows and lots of birds and monkeys. There is a nice little bar at the top where you can stop, rest and rehydrate if needed before finishing the hike.

Quality of Experience

The hot springs were much needed after hiking. There was a bar there if you wanted to buy a drink. The locker rooms were small, not much room to change in and out of bathing suit. I found the handicapped bathroom stall to be more spacious and private and had hooks to hold your clothes.

Food

The food at Paradise Hot Springs was fair

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great guide and driver

Transport

You drive a while up and down winding roads to get there

All of the guides and van drivers were excellent. All of the hotels were clean and well appointed. read more

All of the guides and van drivers were excellent. All of the hotels were clean and well appointed.

Hotel Reviews

Montaña de Fuego Resort & Spa

La Fortuna

The views from this hotel were amazing. The room was well appointed and very clean. Staff were very welcoming.

Authenticity & Character

The view of the volcano.

Location

Close to Arenal area.

Staff

All of the staff made sure you had a comfortable stay.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Love the front porch overlooking the volcano and the back balcony overlooking the mountains.

Karahe Beach Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Loved that this hotel was right on the beach. I wish we had stayed here longer than one night.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The beach was so close

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Autentico Hotel

San Jose

Authenticity & Character

Location

I wish the location of the hotel was not in such a busy part of San Jose.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Las Caletas Lodge

Puntarenas

The location of the hotel had amazing views of the ocean; however, to reach the hotel you had to take a boat. There is no dock so the staff had to hold the boat in the surf so that you could climb out of the boat into the water. For older people this is a real challenge.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Beautiful views of the ocean

Staff

Daniel went over and beyond to cater to our every wants. He is such a professional, warm and caring person. Lucky to have him as a staff member.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our room was at the very top of the mountain location which meant we had to climb about 60 stairs to get up to our room. Also, the bathroom was located on the first floor and the beds on the second floor. There is a spiral staircase leading up to the bedrooms which makes it extremely dangerous going to the bathroom in the middle of the night because if you leave the light on for the staircase it shines directly into the bedroom. Therefore, we had to feel our way down to the bathroom at night which was trickly on a spiral staircase no less!

Activity Reviews

Traditional Cooking Class with Dinner

Arenal/La Fortuna

Priscilla and her husband are excellent hosts. She is an amazing cook and the dinner was wonderful! Loved being in someone's home to enjoy the full culture of Costa Rica.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano Hiking Tour & Paradise Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

I wish the hot springs had been better. The locker rooms were very small and a bit run down. The hot spring was quite small as well. We had dinner at the springs which was a buffet. It really was not up to par.

Quality of Experience

Another hot springs that was not so rundown.

Food

The buffet lacked variety.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking tour to Corcovado National Park in Sirena Station

Costa Rica

Our guide, Juan, was extremely knowledgeable and professional. He found all kinds of animals and birds that I could never have seen without his expertise.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving at Isla del Caño Biological Reserve

Drake Bay

Kendall, our guide, was amazing. It was the best snorkeling experience I have ever had. I am extremely uncomfortable in deep water and Kendall made sure I felt safe with him. We saw some beautiful fish , turtles and stingrays and Kendall dove down and took amazing photos .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our tour guide was very friendly and well versed in the area. A couple of people in our group were afraid of heights and he so patient in helping them overcome their fears of the swinging bridges.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All the guides we had as well as all the drivers we had were kind and caring people. They answered any questions we had and were on time so we never waited. All of our stays were amazing but we had wished we stayed closer to the airport when we arrived and departed. read more

All the guides we had as well as all the drivers we had were kind and caring people. They answered any questions we had and were on time so we never waited. All of our stays were amazing but we had wished we stayed closer to the airport when we arrived and departed.

Hotel Reviews

Autentico Hotel

San Jose

Very noisy hotel with parties and music. We didn’t have a lot of areas to sit and chat with our friends.The hotel was too far from the airport for our arrival and departure when we passed at least two or three on the road before we got to our destination.

Authenticity & Character

Location

We would’ve like to stay closer to the airport.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Montaña de Fuego Resort & Spa

La Fortuna

Our view from our room was amazing. The people are very friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Karahe Beach Hotel

Manuel Antonio

The beach Was beautiful and the room was very nice. We would not have minded to stay two days instead of one

Authenticity & Character

Location

We appreciated having rooms on the beach side of the road since the hotel was on both sides. We had an ocean view

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Las Caletas Lodge

Puntarenas

This hotel was an amazing experience. Our only way to go anywhere was by boat.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Traditional Cooking Class with Dinner

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our hosts were truly amazing. We enjoyed our experience helping prepare dinner and then eating our dinner. Our house were friendly, caring and interested in us and our customs

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano Hiking Tour & Paradise Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our group expected to be in pools that were more authentic with warm Hot Springs water. We felt that we were in regular swimming pools with hot Water running down into the pools of 75° water. Our hike with the volcano was a lot of fun.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food at the restaurant was nothing special.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

After being a little nervous about walking on the bridges, my guide helped me and made me comfortable with crossing all of the hanging bridges. We really enjoyed this activity

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Diego planned a great trip for us. All the details ran perfectly and we had a trip of a lifetime! Everyone we encountered was nice but two favorites that stood out were our driver for a few legs (John I think). And our guide for the Arenal Volcano was the best guide of all our hikes. The others were great too but he was our favorite! Thank you Diego. read more

Diego planned a great trip for us. All the details ran perfectly and we had a trip of a lifetime! Everyone we encountered was nice but two favorites that stood out were our driver for a few legs (John I think). And our guide for the Arenal Volcano was the best guide of all our hikes. The others were great too but he was our favorite! Thank you Diego.

Diego did an excellent job planning our trip! All the excursions and airport/city transfers were timely in picking us up. All our tour guides were knowledgeable and excited about sharing their expertise with us. The hotel selections were perfect. There was one last minute change with one of our excursion providers and we received multiple notifications to ensure we were aware of the change. Overall, my family and I had a wonderful trip! read more

Diego did an excellent job planning our trip! All the excursions and airport/city transfers were timely in picking us up. All our tour guides were knowledgeable and excited about sharing their expertise with us. The hotel selections were perfect. There was one last minute change with one of our excursion providers and we received multiple notifications to ensure we were aware of the change. Overall, my family and I had a wonderful trip!

We had a fantastic time in Costa Rica thanks to Diego. He had planned out a trip for my wife and I, and we paid for it with a credit card. 10 minutes later as we were filling out the forms on Kim Kim’s website we noticed that our passports expired the previous month. We called Diego and he managed to put a hold on the hotels. We received an expedited passport on a Monday and called Diego that day and he rescheduled the whole trip that day and we flew out on Tuesday. The trip went smoothly in spite of the last minute preparations. We can’t thank Diego enough. Pura Vida!

Diego did such an incredible job planning the girls’ trip to Costa Rica my best friend and I went on earlier this month. He was incredibly responsive the entire time (including when we had real-time questions while we were in Costa Rica), and put together an itinerary that was perfect for us!! It was SUCH a relief not to have to plan anything ourselves and to know that everything was taken care of (especially transportation). I would 100% recommend Kim Kim (and Diego!) for anyone who is... read more

Diego did such an incredible job planning the girls’ trip to Costa Rica my best friend and I went on earlier this month. He was incredibly responsive the entire time (including when we had real-time questions while we were in Costa Rica), and put together an itinerary that was perfect for us!! It was SUCH a relief not to have to plan anything ourselves and to know that everything was taken care of (especially transportation). I would 100% recommend Kim Kim (and Diego!) for anyone who is looking for a fun, stress free trip to Costa Rica!!

Diego truly did an *incredible* job planning our trip. He made the whole experience seamless, and whenever we hit any snags (which were few and very minor), Diego's communication was consistently responsive and helpful, and he always got things back on track immediately if needed. The activities he guided us to were amazing experiences and the transportation was just so easy! We loved all three locations (La Fortuna/Monteverde/Manuel Antonio) and were absolutely DELIGHTED with each place... read more

Diego truly did an *incredible* job planning our trip. He made the whole experience seamless, and whenever we hit any snags (which were few and very minor), Diego's communication was consistently responsive and helpful, and he always got things back on track immediately if needed. The activities he guided us to were amazing experiences and the transportation was just so easy! We loved all three locations (La Fortuna/Monteverde/Manuel Antonio) and were absolutely DELIGHTED with each place Diego picked for us to stay: each was so different, a bungalo suite and hot spring hotel in La Fortuna, a delightful spa hotel in Monteverde with a beautiful view and grounds, and a *gorgeous* beach hotel in Manuel Antonio; each place we couldn't think could be topped, and offered such a unique, comfortable and hospitable experience with amazing amenities (that we fully took advantage of!).

We could not have asked for better service; this trip was incredibly memorable and beautiful!

Hotel Review

Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco

Monteverde Costa Rica

Absolutely beautiful hotel with some of the best hospitality I have ever experienced. The hotel itself is beautiful, and the grounds and surrounding area were magical. We loved the massage services and the staff in the restaurant were so accommodating and kind, and genuinely went out of their way to make our stay so special. The location was ideal and very walkable to the "downtown" area of Monteverde.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

I cannot say enough about how wonderful the staff were - we are so grateful for the amazing service.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Horseback Riding in the Cloud Forest

Monteverde

Probably my favorite activity in our whole trip, this was an incredible experience with some of the most breathtaking views in our entire journey.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was one of our favorite family vacations ever. Diego was a HUGE help in planning it and making sure everything was exactly as I dreamed.

We were able to hit all the highlights we wanted to and the hotels were nothing short of spectacular. Everyone in my family had a different group of favorite activities from the trip! The zip lines and hanging bridges were a universal top-3, but we also loved all of the other excursions Diego helped plan for us. In 8 full days of vacation we... read more

This was one of our favorite family vacations ever. Diego was a HUGE help in planning it and making sure everything was exactly as I dreamed.

We were able to hit all the highlights we wanted to and the hotels were nothing short of spectacular. Everyone in my family had a different group of favorite activities from the trip! The zip lines and hanging bridges were a universal top-3, but we also loved all of the other excursions Diego helped plan for us. In 8 full days of vacation we managed to tour the Rio Celeste (my favorite), hike around the Arenal Volcano eruption site, float down the Arenal River, relax in some hot springs, take a horseback ride over the cloud forest mountains of Monteverde, hike through Monteverde, visit a sugar cane/cocoa/coffee plantation, go on a night hike, do zip-lining and walk the hanging bridges, and hang out at the beach finishing off with a sunset cruise on Tamarindo Bay. There wasn't a day we didn't enjoy ourselves. I just wish I had more days available where we could just relax and enjoy the beautiful country.

Everything was extremely well organized as well. The car rental went smoothly and every tour picked us up as scheduled with absolutely no stress on our parts. It was so nice to have a trip where I wasn't worried I had missed something or gone to the wrong location. Most tours were either just my family or my family a few other people - you never felt like you were part of a huge group and unable to hear the guide.

In fact, literally the only concern we had the whole time was when we landed in Costa Rica and tried to find our car rental. The directions said to find an agent from the car rental company at the airport, but there were 4 companies directly in the terminal so we assumed it was supposed to be one of those. When we asked one of the airport workers, they told us our company was a few kilometers away and we would have to rent a taxi which obviously concerned us. However, once we made our way out of the terminal the company's agent was right there and got us taken care of. May just want to change the directions to go out of the terminal and find your agent there.

Thank you for a wonderful trip!

Hotel Reviews

Rio Celeste Hideaway Resort

Bijagua

Absolutely beautiful hotel and great service. The room had a balcony opening right into the rain forest and a private outdoor shower in the back (along with a normal indoors one) where you could just listen to nature around you. Our kids loved eating here - they had fruit stands around the dining area so animals would constantly be climbing them to grab a bite to eat.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort

Tamarindo

OK hotel but very touristy and busy. The parking lot and most of the accomodations are across the street from the hotel so expect some walking. The pools themselves were great and it was wonderful having straight access to the beach (which is obviously it's main attraction). There is no room service so if you want to get something in your room you have to order it at the restaurant, wait for it, and then carry it across the road and to your room. Staff were also very impersonal compared to the hotels we stayed at in Arenal and Monteverde.

Authenticity & Character

not much character - just a Vegas-like hotel to get as many people as possible into the limited space

Location

beach-side access was wonderful

Staff

not very personal, had to ask them for what amenities/activities the hotel offered, laundry was a day late getting back despite dropping off at 8AM the day before

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Koora at Monteverde

Monteverde

Koora was a quiet, beautiful hotel to relax and enjoy the cloud forest in. Our bungalow was surrounded by the cloud forest and we enjoyed the privacy and having nature all around us. While it doesn't offer as many amenities as other hotels, we enjoyed the quieter tempo and more personal atmosphere. Every one of the staff knew us by name and would check on us to see how they could best help us. We'd have our table for breakfast and dinner ready every day and, if we had any questions, they would quickly respond to a message through WhatsApp. Would love to return again and just spend days relaxing and enjoying their nature trails and atmosphere.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal

La Fortuna

Definitely a must-visit hotel. Extremely high-quality service. Many of the staff would call us by name despite us only being there 3 days. The hot springs were terrific - definitely try the ones down in Club Rio. They are surrounded by the rainforest and much more natural than the ones by the hotel. Our kids loved Club Rio, especially the rock climbing. We also all loved the entertainment room - our teenagers would happily go here to play some PS5 or other games while my wife and I could get some peace and quiet ourselves. You could spend a week here easily and not do everything they have available.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968

Arenal/La Fortuna

Great hike around the volcano. Guide was very knowledgeable from everything of the local plants to the volcano and it's eruption itself. Great visual aids to help in teaching. We got some absolutely beautiful views of the volcano from the closest you are legally allowed to get to it. On the way back he led us off the usual path up the mountain side and you really felt like you were exploring the area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River

Arenal/La Fortuna

Excellent chance to see many of the animals in the rainforest. Guide had an amazing ability to spot them and then get us to see them. We saw iguanas, bats, owls, monkeys, and TONS of different birds. One highlight was definitely when the guide managed to get the howler monkeys to start calling back to him.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horseback Riding in the Cloud Forest

Monteverde

Extended horseback ride through the cloud forest. You go through a variety of areas, from shrubs, to mountaintops, to the cloud forest itself. We ended up on the mountaintop as the sun started to set with an amazing view of the surrounding mountains I will never forget. Longer trip than I thought it would be, but that was a good thing and it wasn't so long I was sore the next day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

El Trapiche Sugarcane Mill Tour

Monteverde

Very fun tour that both we and our kids enjoyed. The guide showed us how they grew sugar cane, coffee, and cocoa and how each was processed. You saw everything from plant to machinery to process. Along the way we were able to taste the coffee beans, raw cocoa seeds, and processed chocolate and we made our own raw sugar candy. Definitely recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We learned a ton during the hike and had a great time. We worked well with our kids, even when our youngest started getting a little tired of the hike.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sky Adventures: Tram, Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges

Monteverde

This was my must-do adventure and it was exactly as I hoped. The hanging bridges tour was awesome - our guide was a lot of fun to talk to and always open to questions. We saw quetzals, tarantulas, hummingbird nests, and lots of other creatures. The hanging bridges themselves were terrific - we went across 6 of them, the largest spanning quite a long ways with beautiful view of the cloud forest around and under you. Zip-lining was awesome. You go on 7 total lines with the longest being 1/2 a mile. Sometimes they'd have my kids go separate, and others they ride paired. Everyone was very great and you always felt safe.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The trip was amazing! All the transportation, lodging, and activities were seamless and there was very little additional work on my end once I arrived. Diego was also extremely accessible and helpful with any of my questions/concerns during the trip itself. Highly recommend both the country and this tour agency. read more

The trip was amazing! All the transportation, lodging, and activities were seamless and there was very little additional work on my end once I arrived. Diego was also extremely accessible and helpful with any of my questions/concerns during the trip itself. Highly recommend both the country and this tour agency.

Hotel Review

Evergreen Lodge

Tortuguero

Amazing food

Tips for future travelers

Be aware that the windows are just covered in screens and some bugs may get inside your room

Activity Review

Whitewater Rafting on the Pacuare River

Costa Rica

Tour guides were awesome and very informative while also keeping us safe. The food provided was also really good.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimkim was an easy way to customize a group visit to Costa Rica, focusing on desired types of activities on specific dates while staying withing budget. Kimkim removed the responsibility of doing research and legwork to execute a fun filled activity trip. I will use it again when appropriate. read more

Kimkim was an easy way to customize a group visit to Costa Rica, focusing on desired types of activities on specific dates while staying withing budget. Kimkim removed the responsibility of doing research and legwork to execute a fun filled activity trip. I will use it again when appropriate.

Hotel Review

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

Fortuna

Nice

Tips for future travelers

Do it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Breakfast

Activity Review

Biking & Kayaking Around the Arenal Lake

Arenal/La Fortuna

The kayaking was a mazing. The biking was bad. It was a the least favorite activity on the trip for the whole group. The level of difficulty was simply too much for the average person, unlike the rest of the activities. 25 KM in (bad) bikes over unpaved roads/hills was too much. Should be half the distance in the future for average folks like us.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Diego did an amazing job arranging a babymoon vacation to Costa Rica for us. Everything went seamlessly and all transfers/tours were on time. Would recommend highly!! read more

Diego did an amazing job arranging a babymoon vacation to Costa Rica for us. Everything went seamlessly and all transfers/tours were on time. Would recommend highly!!

Diego helped us plan the trip. He made suggestions about the itinerary and helped us select suitable hotels etc in accordance with our budget.
Our trip included most of the key parks, waterfalls, hot springs, and other must-see venues. We even ventured on a Zipline which was fun.
There was one excursion, the Volcano walk, which turned out to be very difficult for us (senior citizens). The walk was considered a "leisurely" walk but instead, it was a very difficult climb on a relatively steep... read more

Diego helped us plan the trip. He made suggestions about the itinerary and helped us select suitable hotels etc in accordance with our budget.
Our trip included most of the key parks, waterfalls, hot springs, and other must-see venues. We even ventured on a Zipline which was fun.
There was one excursion, the Volcano walk, which turned out to be very difficult for us (senior citizens). The walk was considered a "leisurely" walk but instead, it was a very difficult climb on a relatively steep grade. I would not recommend this tour for seniors.
Diego was very responsive to our inquiries which were promptly answered.
So thank you, Diego. You streamlined the trip for us and it was an enjoyable journey.
Costa Rica is a beautiful country, well worth a visit.

Hotel Review

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

Fortuna

We stayed here for 3 nights. What we loved was that the hotel had hot springs. So after a day of walking and sightseeing, the hot springs were great for relaxing. The hotel dining room was spacious and the food and service were excellent. The only reservation is that the hotel facilities are on a hill and it is necessary to use a shuttle if your room is up the hill. While the shuttle was available most of the time, it was necessary to wait for the shuttle.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The ambiance was great

Staff

Very responsive staff. Always happy to help

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Transfer San José to Arenal with guided visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Costa Rica

The transfer was picturesque and La Paz was an interesting stop. The waterfalls were magnificient. The collection of animals reminded me of a zoo, but in reality La Paz was the only place where we saw the larger animals. We did see many butterflies and other insects as well and the gardens are a real treat.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Planning a trip to Costa Rica on my own was confusing and frustrating. There are so many amazing places and I didn't know where to start. I found kimkim online and gave it a shot. I was very pleased with the response I got. Diego was attentive and listened to my requests. It was easy, I told him what I wanted to do and he made it happen. I didn't need to manage anything and I didn't have to at all. He booked transportation, lodging, and excursions for me. All of the planning was flawless. We... read more

Planning a trip to Costa Rica on my own was confusing and frustrating. There are so many amazing places and I didn't know where to start. I found kimkim online and gave it a shot. I was very pleased with the response I got. Diego was attentive and listened to my requests. It was easy, I told him what I wanted to do and he made it happen. I didn't need to manage anything and I didn't have to at all. He booked transportation, lodging, and excursions for me. All of the planning was flawless. We were picked up at the airport on time and had a pleasant ride to the first resort, the Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin. It was a beautiful resort with delicious food. All of the excursions were done right at the activity center on the property. Johnny took us on a hike in the national park where we saw monkeys and geothermic anomalies. The zip lining was exciting and well organized. The guides made it so enjoyable. They were fun and personable. Horse back riding and tubing was so fun! Canyoning is something I never thought I'd do. So glad Diego booked it.
We were transported to Tamarindo beach in an air conditioned van. The drivers were very cautious and we felt very safe. We stayed at the Dira resort. The pools and beach are beautiful. Diego booked us a catamaran sunset cruise with Marlin Del Rey company. The guide, David, was engaging and the cruise was 5 hours long. It was excellent.
I was impressed with kimkim and Diego. I have recommended their services to others and I will use them again.

Hotel Review

Hacienda Guachipelin Volcano Ranch Hotel & Hot Springs

Liberia

This is jungle resort at the base of the national park that sits on over 3,000 acres. It's a working rach and farm. It also hosts the adventure center on the grounds, which is super convenient. The food is delicious. The only downside is that every restaurant has the same exact menu for lunch and dinner. We did all of the excursions offered and we hiked to all the waterfalls. We loved our trip! The best adventure for us was tubing. The staff is friendly, the rooms are nice and clean, the views are beautiful. I would definitely stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Canyoning at Victoria Waterfall

Rincon de la Vieja

Very unique experience. I would combine this adventure with something else that day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

What a beautiful country filled with the nicest people on the planet! Diego helped our family plan a memorable trip to Costa Rica. We trekked through the rainforest, swam in the waterfalls at La Paz, zipped lined for forever (terrifying but incredible), walked around the Arenal Volcano and ended that day at the Tabacon Hot Springs (so awesome). Our last three days were at Samara where we swam, kayaked and snorkeled on the most beautiful beach (Playa Carrillo). Our guides along the way--... read more

What a beautiful country filled with the nicest people on the planet! Diego helped our family plan a memorable trip to Costa Rica. We trekked through the rainforest, swam in the waterfalls at La Paz, zipped lined for forever (terrifying but incredible), walked around the Arenal Volcano and ended that day at the Tabacon Hot Springs (so awesome). Our last three days were at Samara where we swam, kayaked and snorkeled on the most beautiful beach (Playa Carrillo). Our guides along the way-- Jorges, Philipe, Ray, Walter, Samantha-- all so knowledgeable about the rainforest, plants, animals, history--and so full of love for their country. All our transfers around the country were seamless and easy, and the hotels were so sweet-- especially Hotel Arenal Montechiari, complete with a resident sloth. Diego was incredibly helpful and available throughout the whole planning process, and during the trip when I had questions. Will definitely book another trip through kimkim! Thank you Diego!!

Hotel Review

Hotel Arenal Montechiari

La Fortuna

Super nice place-- in walking distance to town, and the staff is so charming and nice! The bungalows are nice and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Sweet pool as well!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our 14 day trip to Costa Rica was the best vacation we have ever had! Diego planned a trip that had a perfect balance of fun, adventure, relaxation, beauty, and learning! He was very easy to work with during the planning stages - and very kind and affable. Diego was also very accessible and responsive during the trip. I would highly recommend KimKim for planning your next trip and for working with Diego if your plans take you to the incredible country of Costa Rica! read more

Our 14 day trip to Costa Rica was the best vacation we have ever had! Diego planned a trip that had a perfect balance of fun, adventure, relaxation, beauty, and learning! He was very easy to work with during the planning stages - and very kind and affable. Diego was also very accessible and responsive during the trip. I would highly recommend KimKim for planning your next trip and for working with Diego if your plans take you to the incredible country of Costa Rica!

Hotel Review

Parador Resort and Spa

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Transfer San José to Arenal with Rafting on the Balsa River en Route (Class II & III)

Costa Rica

This was just an overall incredible experience for us. Diego really listened and set up an extraordinary 7 day trip for our family. It was an outstanding blend of fun, culture, relaxation, and excitement.

There was one little hic-up with one of the drivers, but Diego and the team responded very quickly... we didn't miss anything.

My 7 year old daughter could not have enjoyed it more. We'll be going back and will trust Diego with all our plans. read more

This was just an overall incredible experience for us. Diego really listened and set up an extraordinary 7 day trip for our family. It was an outstanding blend of fun, culture, relaxation, and excitement.

There was one little hic-up with one of the drivers, but Diego and the team responded very quickly... we didn't miss anything.

My 7 year old daughter could not have enjoyed it more. We'll be going back and will trust Diego with all our plans.

Loved the service and customized package! read more

Loved the service and customized package!

Hotel Review

Shana By the Beach Resort

Manuel Antonio

Incredible location with spectacular view. A bit dated but still worth going

Tips for future travelers

The property is on a high cliff above the ocean. Great view. But remote beach access requires a vigorous walk

Authenticity & Character

Charm

Location

Cliff based view of ocean

Staff

Friendliness

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanliness; simplicity

Activity Review

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike

Costa Rica

Seeing wildlife through the guide’s eyes was amazing!

Quality of Experience

Expertise of guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knew their subject cold

Transport

Comfortable

We had an amazing time during our days in Costa Rica. Our local specialist, Diego, did an awesome job planning our trip, all our days and activities. Prior to going, he was always available and patient answering our questions and adapting the trip to our preferences and needs. We lost our connection flight and consequently our first day in Costa Rica, I alerted Diego and he was super fast in answering and adapting everything, and we ended up only missing a small activity at the first place we... read more

We had an amazing time during our days in Costa Rica. Our local specialist, Diego, did an awesome job planning our trip, all our days and activities. Prior to going, he was always available and patient answering our questions and adapting the trip to our preferences and needs. We lost our connection flight and consequently our first day in Costa Rica, I alerted Diego and he was super fast in answering and adapting everything, and we ended up only missing a small activity at the first place we visited, Tortuguero. Regarding the trip itself, we fell in love with Costa Rica and had the time of our lives. All the activities we did were awesome and aligned with what we like. We had a mix of adrenaline, adventure and relax, which was perfect. We got to try things from zip lining, to rafting (which was our favorite thing), a night tour in the jungle, snorkeling and hot springs! Costa Rica feels like a country in the middle of an amazing jungle and Diego at Green World made sure we had an amazing experience. I would definitely recommend his services! All our guides knew what they were doing and we had a lot of fun. The hotels we stayed at were super nice and all activities we did were very well organized. Everything went smoothly and we didn’t need to worry about a thing, it was completely hassle free! Costa Rica blew our expectations and will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

The trip was great, we stayed at amazing hotels and had very good activities in general.

We stayed in an absolutely beautiful treehouse that was chosen by Diego.

I think the follow-up during the trip could have been better, and the details in the trip guide were not as accurate, for example, in one activity that included swimming it wasn't stated that we should have brought swimming suit!

This is my first time using KimKim. I was a little hesitant at first, but once I filled out the questionnaire and got matched with Green World Travel, we were in good hands. Our specialist was Diego and he was fantastic. He was very quick to respond to all of our questions and comments. The itinerary he planned for us flowed very nicely and all the activities were great. Starting off with our driver who picked us up from the airport Felipe. Felipe was great! We had a 3 hour car ride to... read more

This is my first time using KimKim. I was a little hesitant at first, but once I filled out the questionnaire and got matched with Green World Travel, we were in good hands. Our specialist was Diego and he was fantastic. He was very quick to respond to all of our questions and comments. The itinerary he planned for us flowed very nicely and all the activities were great. Starting off with our driver who picked us up from the airport Felipe. Felipe was great! We had a 3 hour car ride to Arenal, and during this ride he told us all about Costa Rica. It was a great introduction! After that we spent 3 days in La Fortuna. Diego suggested we go waterfall rappelling and zip lining; activities I would have never picked for myself. I am happy we did them. The rappelling was great and the zip lining was a true adrenaline rush. The companies Diego picked for our activities were awesome and their equipment was high quality. After La Fortuna we went to Tortuguero. This was the highlight for my trip. Diego picked out great accommodations (Mwamba). The wildlife in Tortuguero is fantastic and so were our guides from the hotel especially, Mariso. In Tortuguero we were able to see spider monkeys, white face monkeys, howler monkeys, and many other animals as well as see the sea turtle nesting which is a once in a lifetime experience. After Tortuguero we went to Puerto Veijo absolutely stunning beaches. There we went on a tour of Cahuita. This was the only hick-up of our trip because we were unable to snorkel because the ocean was too cloudy and rough. Diego and the tour company did a fantastic job of communicating with us the changes that were needed. Last and best activity we did was going rafting on the Pacure river. I highly recommend this activity had a great time and our guide Andres was fantastic! Throughout this entire experience the Covid per cautions were fantastic. Everybody was wearing mask and there were hand washing stations at every restaurant and every where in the hotels. I felt very safe. Diego was also very helpful in helping us organize our Covid test to come back into the USA. Overall, I would high recommend booking a trip to Costa Rica with Diego!

Diego and Green World Adventures did a great job helping us plan our honeymoon. We had an amazing trip to Costa Rica and Diego tailored our itinerary to exactly what we were looking for. In the process he was helpful in giving us all the information we needed to optimize our trip/timing and avoid travel pitfalls. He also coordinated all of our transportation and found amazing accommodations that were within our budget. During our travel we felt well supported and assured without the hassle... read more

Diego and Green World Adventures did a great job helping us plan our honeymoon. We had an amazing trip to Costa Rica and Diego tailored our itinerary to exactly what we were looking for. In the process he was helpful in giving us all the information we needed to optimize our trip/timing and avoid travel pitfalls. He also coordinated all of our transportation and found amazing accommodations that were within our budget. During our travel we felt well supported and assured without the hassle or worry of conventional international travel. Finally, we were extremely impressed with the sustainability initiative as well. I would recommend Diego and or GWA to anybody thinking about traveling to Costa Rica.

It was the perfect itinerary! Mix of exciting and relaxing activities! It all even worked out with the weather. Amazing trip.

Costa Rica was beautiful and we did so many great activities ,and we couldn’t have done it without the help of Diego! Thanks again!

We had a fantastic trip to Costa Rica planned by Diego. He stayed within budget yet was able to get us into very desirable locations. He was very responsive when we had questions/concerns. All the locations we stayed at were great for our family of 5. Every guide was on time and were all very professional and courteous.

Our first stop was Arenal at the Los Lagos resort where we had a tour with Marcos of La Fortuna falls and Arenal. He was extremely knowledgeable of the area and pulled... read more

We had a fantastic trip to Costa Rica planned by Diego. He stayed within budget yet was able to get us into very desirable locations. He was very responsive when we had questions/concerns. All the locations we stayed at were great for our family of 5. Every guide was on time and were all very professional and courteous.

Our first stop was Arenal at the Los Lagos resort where we had a tour with Marcos of La Fortuna falls and Arenal. He was extremely knowledgeable of the area and pulled over a few times to get close up views of sloths along the road side. We also had a great time with our guide Luis whitewater rafting. He made the trip exciting yet kept everything very safe. We also had a great time canyoning in the area. Diego also scheduled a family photo session for us at the hotel which worked out perfectly with our schedule.

Next, we moved on to Monteverde where we stayed at the Cala Lodge with a deck view of the cloud forest. First, we had a night tour with Olman who located animals and insects that we would never have been able to see without him. From the lodge room deck we saw Toucans and various other wildlife and it was very peaceful. We had a great day there with a hanging bridges tour with Roy and ziplining which the whole family enjoyed.

Finally, we went to Manuel Antonio and stayed at the Gardens Espadilla Hotel. The first day we went with our guide Gilberto horseback riding who really knew his stuff as he is very experienced in training and handling horses. The horses behaved very well for us inexperienced riders and we were able to swim under a waterfall and had an excellent lunch prepared by the locals. We also went to Manuel Antonio National Park for a day of lounging on the beautiful beach and some hiking to viewpoints, which was located walking distance from the Hotel which was very handy.

All in all, the trip was great and Diego did an excellent job planning everything and providing the information we needed. Highly recommended.

Kim Kim,
Diego was amazing! We told him who we were (old but not dead) and what we wanted (more forest than beach) and he listened. His plan was a 21-day drive and stay adventure that was perfect for us. Going on a great adventure means (safely) getting out of your comfort zone – anxiety without harm. Some of the roads were narrow, steep, and twisty, but traveled without incident and minimal held breaths. The fifteen-minute walk alone through the dark forest to our Treehouse was full of... read more

Kim Kim,
Diego was amazing! We told him who we were (old but not dead) and what we wanted (more forest than beach) and he listened. His plan was a 21-day drive and stay adventure that was perfect for us. Going on a great adventure means (safely) getting out of your comfort zone – anxiety without harm. Some of the roads were narrow, steep, and twisty, but traveled without incident and minimal held breaths. The fifteen-minute walk alone through the dark forest to our Treehouse was full of noises and imagination but also the satisfaction of finding some of the critters we had been shown on our guided night walk. Sure, the provided google map route took us on a 3k “short cut” on a one-lane stone road through a dairy herd, but it came out at
the right place and when was the last time you had cow breath in your window.
The trip was not all adventure, there was a lot of learning. We went on tours and saw frogs, snakes, butterflies, frogs, monkeys, sloths, frogs, dolphins, cacao plants, frogs, iguanas, coffee plants, frogs, spiders, one giant crocodile and heard the stories of each. Having a guide is a must. We could have traveled the same paths and we would not have seen a thing. The guides Diego found were terrific at explaining the fauna and flora and being patient while we took five minutes to see what they were pointing at. Sloths were really hard to see. I would find it, take my eyes off it, and never find it again. Maybe the guides have some secret power to “show” us what we want to see, even if it is not there. But then they take a picture of it – and send us the picture. Superb!
Finally, there were the accommodations that ranged from a “primitive” (not) treehouse with a king-size bed and full bath to truly luxurious room with a private hot tub. Of all the places we stayed my best memories were the showers. One shower had glass walls looking out into the forest canopy, one had two showers, one inside and one in an outside garden, and another shower had a glass wall viewing the forest and Avenal volcano.
Throughout our visit we were impressed with the sanitation measures in place at businesses and in the parks regarding COVID. Always someone at the entrance to make sure everyone has a face covering, and they wash their hands - at businesses both large and small.
Diego put all of that together for us and took the time to check in with us throughout the journey to make sure all was well. This adventure went off without a single glitch. Amazing, I cannot orchestrate my breakfast at home for twenty-one days without something going wrong. We are including a summary of some of the people, places, and things we enjoyed the most.
1 Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel 27-28 Feb
Kenneth and the staff at the hotel answered every question and request to make our 2-night stay hiccup free. Our bungalow was spacious and elegant, with lots of natural light during the day from floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as reading light for evenings. Two spacious showers, one indoor and one an enclosed outdoor shower complete with luscious flowering plants. A gorgeous, roofed deck so we could sit out even when it rained. Everything was supplied.
The open-air restaurant is surrounded by so many lush tropical plants it is like sitting in a garden, and the food. Well, one of us is an omnivore and one a vegetarian and we each had choices that were delicious, with some suggestions by the chef. They had positioned in the “garden” a stand with fresh fruit which attracted the birds so we could photograph them up close!
They arranged a guide, Joseph, to give us a night walk around the property where he explained what we were seeing, and hearing (very reassuring). We got to see colorful frogs and friendly snakes and even footprints in the dirt of something I do not remember the name of. Frosting on the cake was Joseph forwarding us the close-up pictures he took on the tour. He is an accomplished photographer!

2 Tenorio Volcano National Park Tour with Jonier 28 Feb
We were the only two people on this tour so we had the delight of Jonier telling us everything we were seeing and what to look for, the history and uses of the Park, some stories and customs of the area and foods we should be sure to try. He kept a good pace for us and made sure of our footing on some of the slippery or steeper parts, answering all our questions as we went along. He is so personable and knowledgeable it is apparent he enjoys his profession as a licensed guide.

3 Boca Tapada, Maquenque Ecolodge, Tree House 1-2 Mar
What an adventure this was! After driving twenty-five kilometers on a dirt road, we arrived in the Lodge’s parking lot with no hotel in sight. There was a restroom and a phone on the wall which connected us with Reception, who then sent a boat to pick us up (we could see the boat and landing across the river). Once across we walked 10 minutes along a gravel walk with lush Costa Rican “forest” on either side. At Reception we were greeted by Vicki who coordinated our entire stay beautifully and arranged for one of the staff to carry our suitcase up the gravel path for another 10-minute walk to our very own treehouse. Forty-eight steps up we found a gorgeous deck looking out over the jungle, and inside a king size bed in an amazingly comfortable room, with complete bath, including shower with windows on two sides looking out over the jungle.
The grounds are lushly forested with a beautiful “lagoon” complete with caiman whose eyes shine in the gleam of nighttime flashlights. The open-air restaurant serves
delicious fare for both the guests, and the birds who flock to a short platform covered with fresh fruits which attract them, making birding an up-close-and-personal experience.
During our two-night stay we took two tours, both with our excellent guide Jose. On the night walk he led us around the property where he pointed out the caiman’s shining eyes, plus colorful frogs, friendly snakes, and night-blooming flowers.
On our daytime boat tour up the river to the Nicaraguan border Jose pointed out iguana, crocodile, many types of birds, old homesteads along the shore, and gave us a snapshot of the history of the area – including the fact that his father made the furniture at the lodge, harvested from a local farm.

4 Tirimbina Lodge and Rainforest Center Chocolate Tour, 4 Mar
What a wonderful tour through the rainforest this was. Because of COVID we were the only two guests on the tour, so we were able to pepper our guide William with all our questions. He told the stories of everything (including the beautiful birds) we were seeing around us, both on the trails and across the hanging bridge that led across a deep ravine. When we reached the cacao plantation, he explained the history of chocolate cultivation and we saw cacao trees and tasted the white, sweet fruits inside the pods. Then there was a demonstration of the numerous steps the indigenous people followed to make chocolate. These same steps are followed today except using machines instead of using hand power. And then, the absolute best part, getting to taste the chocolate at several points in the process, including the so-marvelous, finished product of silky-smooth warm chocolate.
The Tirimbina Reserve is a scientific area, dedicated to studying butterflies, cacao, chocolate, and nutmeg. To preserving and understanding nature and its processes.

5 Pierella Butterfly Farm & Ecological Garden Tour, 5 Mar
From a 20x20 M plot of bare land in 1995 to the lush rainforest it is today, William and Krystal have grown a thriving butterfly operation and the tour they gave us was totally eye opening. How could the vegetation grow this lush in such a short time, with such an abundance of varieties of both flora and the beautiful butterflies?! It’s beautiful.
It is obvious this is more than a business to them as their passion for this forest and its residents suffuses all their stories and the excitement they express in their explanations. They are reclaiming the rainforest.
Beyond learning the lifecycle of butterflies and seeing so many varieties in their stages of development, William showed us a sloth, and found for us the rare white bats (tiny little white bundles nesting on the underside of a heliconia leaf). Then Krystal took over and pointed out colorful frogs and birds she located by their calls.
As if the personal tour wasn’t enough, Krystal showed us how chocolate is made, using cacao pods from the trees growing on their land, then fed us a delicious (and bountiful) typical casado lunch.

6 Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve 6-7 Mar
The 9K drive down to the hotel from the paved highway got our attention. Suffice to say the road is narrow, steep, and twisting (and even paved in sections) but totally manageable. The hotel and grounds are superb, from reception to the restaurant, trails, rooms (we had a junior suite), to the spa where I received a blissful massage. The entire staff made sure our 2-night stay put smiles on our faces.
In early March when we were there it got cool (40’s F) at night so the blankets on the beds were most welcome. And my jacket came in handy for my 0530 Quetzal Birdwatching tour when it was still dark.
The tour itself was an astounding success! My guide (Melvin I believe) drove us up the road a short distance, parked, got out his scope, heard a Quetzal calling and immediately sighted the colorful male bird in a nearby tree. We watched it long enough for M to take a video of it on my camera, through his scope, giving me both visual and audio. It then flew to another close-by tree where a female was perched and whose picture we also got, through his scope. What a morning! And what a considerate guide to get those photos for me!
Our room was very spacious and comfortable with lots of windows for natural light, bedside lighting for reading, and an elegant bathroom with candles beside the tub.
As a vegetarian I appreciated the staff and kitchen working with me on menu choices while my omnivore husband enjoyed the entire menu happily. The fresh fruit plate at breakfast was something to look forward to as well.

7 Cuna del Angel Hotel - Uvita 8-9 Mar
This is a lovely hotel, just north of Uvita town and quite near the beach, with beautiful grounds immaculately kept. The hotel restaurant is entirely gluten free and its open sides provide beautiful views of the lush forest and the Pacific Ocean. I also received a particularly excellent facial from Yolanda in their spa. The air conditioning was appreciated in this humid part of Costa Rica.
During our 2-night stay there we visited the nearby beach community of Dominical which we really enjoyed. So laid back – complete with natural foods grocery (Mama Toucans), a café with veg and vegan options and free wi-fi, and many vendors along the sandy beach drive (hippie comes to mind) shaded by palm trees blowing in the warm breezes. We had a good lunch at Phat Noodle too.

8 Bahia Aventuras 9 Mar
The crew from Bahia Aventuras led us on a snorkel tour in the warm waters of the Marino Ballena National Park. We were so impressed with their excellent equipment and the care they took to make sure we were at ease every step of the way, and to make sure we saw a variety of marine life. Our companion boat stayed near us the entire time and was our café on the water during our trip back to shore. It was an excursion I highly recommend.

9 Manuel Antonio National Park 11 March
Andray was our excellent guide for the morning through this park - the guy who was able to show us sloths in the trees - and any guide who can make it possible for mere mortals to discern a sloth high up in a tree, surrounded by leaves and branches, is a gem by any standard. All the way through the park he told us the history of the area, the natural habits of the creatures living in the park, and on to the beaches which are beautiful and situated in small coves where swimming is a treat! We highly recommend both Andray and this park as well worth it.

10 Amor Arenal Hotel 14-16 Mar
From the moment we arrived at Reception to the moment we drove away, the entire staff of this luxurious rainforest lodge made sure our 3-night stay was exceptionally enjoyable. The grounds, our “cabin”, the restaurant, pools, everything, put big smiles on our faces. Breathtaking was the jolt I felt when we entered our cabin and I saw the woods – in floor, walls, ceiling – stunning, especially when enhanced by the spacious windows and the lush greenery outside those windows. Simple, elegant, and totally fitting in the rainforest setting. Spacious enough in our room in fact, to use the yoga equipment supplied in the closet! So thoughtful.
The pools were refreshingly salt water and there was both sun and shade around them for enjoying them in any temperature. The open-air restaurant was its own tropical garden, complete with delicious food and beverages at every meal. We highly recommend this lodging to anyone staying in Costa Rica.

11 Organico Fortuna Restaurant 15-16 Mar
So good we went twice in two days! I’m vegan and was overjoyed to find an entire selection of vegan dishes and drinks. Plus, my omnivore partner got a delicious fish dish and, he thought, the best meal of our 21-day stay in CR. The service both visits was so friendly and helpful in describing the dishes it was simply hard to limit what we ordered!
The setting is relaxing with light, bright surroundings, and comfortable chairs. A definite recommendation to visit and dine.