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active 14 hours ago

Nuria Oliveira

Hello! My name is Nuria, from Costa Rica. If you are reading this, you are one step closer to having the time of your life in paradise.

I am very excited to accompany you in this amazing journey and work together to create the best plan for your holiday.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I have had the pleasure to do most things in Costa Rica from coast to coast. I mostly specialize on outdoors activities, unique experiences with nature outside of the normal range offered.

I especially love offering itineraries with alternative routes and outside of the usual touristic experience. I look for details that will make every experience different."

How did you get involved in travel?

"Since I was a little girl I have traveled the world and by getting to know new places I have learned how unique and beautiful my country is: Costa Rica. After living for some time in Europe, I realized how extraordinary Costa Rica is - from its very rich flora and fauna to the charisma and warmth of its people.

My lifestyle has allowed me to work in tourism and to be able to share with others the unique experiences that only Costa Rica can offer."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One of the most incredible experiences I have had in Costa Rica is when I visited a protected biological reserve for turtle spawning, incubation and hatching. We were woken up at the middle of the night because there was a massive hatching and they needed assistance to help the little turtles hatch, then get them safely through the beach to the water. Being there and part of such a spectacular event is an unforgettable time in life that made me feel connected to nature like never before."

Nuria is part of the following groups: Costa Rica Travel Agents
Hike to a waterfall during a short stay in Costa Rica
4 Days in Costa Rica - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With four days to spend in Costa Rica, it's wise to focus on one region. A popular choice is a highlights tour of the Arenal area, featuring volcano hikes and a dip in hot springs. Head to Manuel Antonio National Park for an active itinerary that includes surfing and kayaking, or travel to Monteverde for zip line adventures and horseback riding in the cloud forest. Alternatively, opt for a wildlife-themed luxury tour around the Osa Peninsula, or mix wildlife spotting with cultural experiences in Tortuguero National Park.

Take in views of Arenal Volcano at sunset
Discover Costa Rica's Natural Highlights - 6 Days

Explore Costa Rica's great outdoors on this lively six-day tour around the country's natural highlights, from volcanoes and hot springs to forests and beaches. Start in Arenal with a visit to the Hanging Bridges, a hike around Arenal Volcano, and a dip in the Tabacón Hot Springs. Then transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park for snorkeling, hiking, a sunset catamaran cruise, and a boating excursion in the Damas Island Estuary.

A quiet stretch of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast
Costa Rica from Coast to Coast - 13 Days

Travel from the Caribbean coast to the Pacific coast, enjoying outdoor adventures along the way, on this exciting 13-day itinerary across Costa Rica. Spend a day sightseeing in San José before heading on to Tortuguero National Park for a boat tour and a nighttime nature hike. Continue to Arenal for volcano hikes, hot springs, and a visit to a wildlife rehabilitation center, then zipline through the cloud forest in Monteverde and end the trip in Manuel Antonio National Park.

Snorkel with kids off the Costa Rican coast
8 Days in Costa Rica - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Spend eight days exploring Costa Rica's beaches, volcanoes, and cloud forests. These family-friendly itineraries offer both adventure and education. Divide your time between national parks, wildlife viewing excursions, and hikes to volcanoes and waterfalls, or opt for an itinerary that includes a full day of sightseeing historic San José. Families with smaller children might choose a trip with low-key outdoor activities, like a sunset catamaran cruise or a hike through a sloth habitat, while those with older kids may prefer an itinerary with zip-lining, snorkeling, and other adventure sports.

Colorful wildlife of Costa Rica
Top Wildlife Experiences in Costa Rica

As a world leader in eco-tourism and wildlife conservation, Costa Rica is known for its abundance of wildlife. With half of the country covered in forests, an intricate network of waterways, and nearly endless coastline, wildlife spotting alone draws travelers to Costa Rica. You can spot beloved sloths, monkeys, and frogs in the rainforest, watch turtles nest on the beaches, go birding in national parks, explore the jungles by night, and visit wildlife rehabilitation centers.

Rafting on the Pacuare River
Active Week in Costa Rica: Pacuare River Rafting, Arenal, & Monteverde - 7 Days

Spend an active week discovering some of the natural highlights of Costa Rica. Explore the capital city, and then launch into an adrenaline-pumping rafting excursion along the Pacuare River. Next, explore Arenal Volcano on a nature walk, followed by a hot spring soak. Then, head to Monteverde to tour the incredible cloud forest on horseback and zipline through the canopy. Enjoy more time strolling historical San José before departure.

Recent trip reviews for Nuria

Costa Rica - Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Corcovado
Costa Rica | Feb 18 - Feb 26, 2023

Tara
Tara Z.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Mar 01, 2023

We had a fabulous time in Costa Rica, and really appreciated the planning help we received from Nuria. We particularly loved Sunset Lodge in Drake Bay, and the guided trip in Corcovado National Park. In Manuel Antonio, our lodging at Hotel San Bada was a wonderful location just steps from the park entrance and a short walk to the beach. Our night hikes were amazing, and we were happy with the choice to not use a guide inside Manuel Antonio NP. There were so many guides around that we didn't... read more

We had a fabulous time in Costa Rica, and really appreciated the planning help we received from Nuria. We particularly loved Sunset Lodge in Drake Bay, and the guided trip in Corcovado National Park. In Manuel Antonio, our lodging at Hotel San Bada was a wonderful location just steps from the park entrance and a short walk to the beach. Our night hikes were amazing, and we were happy with the choice to not use a guide inside Manuel Antonio NP. There were so many guides around that we didn't feel like we missed anything.
Kimkim and our specialist Nuria were really helpful to us. I think the Corcovado region in particular would have been difficult to plan and navigate without inside knowledge.
I will say, however, that we learned a bit about ourselves while planning. In general, we like to make decisions based on value. The Kimkim system didn't allow us to do that since prices of individual activities and expenses aren't shared, and we found that to be a bit difficult. Whether or not we want to do something is often balanced with the cost tradeoff in a typical situation. With Kimkim, we didn't know the relative prices of trip components, so when it came time to trim or change, it was difficult. Ultimately, that has to do with our own travel and decision-making style, not a flaw with Kimkim.
The trip was amazing and everything came together without a hitch. All car pick ups and drop offs; boat transfers; activities; shuttles; etc. went smoothly. Thank you!

Hotel Reviews
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica
San José

This hotel was perfectly fine for what we needed. Nothing too fancy, but comfortable. A great place to stay before a flight.

Authenticity & Character
Kind of a chain/corporate feel, but fine.
Location
Near airport
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel San Bada Resort & Spa
Manuel Antonio

Excellent location right near entrance to Manuel Antonio NP. Comfortable room facing the ocean was great for early morning bird watching and howler monkey listening. Included breakfast was an excellent buffet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
right near national park; no need to drive
Staff
friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sunset Lodge
Drake

This place is absolutely beautiful and the hosts were wonderfully kind and friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
beautiful views
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Corcovado National Park Hike - Estación Sirena
Costa Rica

This was really a high adventure. We left Drake Bay very early in the morning (before 6am) via boat transfer to arrive as early as possible at the national park. Our guide was excellent and we saw some amazing animals including tapirs, spider monkeys, howler monkeys and more.

Quality of Experience
Food
We preordered restaurant lunch with our tour group in the morning and then when we returned to Drake Bay we all went to lunch together. It wasn't my favorite meal, but it was fine.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee Experience and Nighttime Nature Walk
Monteverde

This was excellent. The coffee and chocolate portions of the tour exceeded expectations and were really fun and engaging. The night walk was great! We saw lots of wildlife including kinkajous and vipers. We also enjoyed the gift shop.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hanging Bridges
Monteverde

We did the self-guided trip to hanging bridges and really enjoyed it. It was nice to just listen to the birds and enjoy the quiet as we walked through the canopy. We didn't see lots of wildlife, but really enjoyed the experience.

Quality of Experience
Manuel Antonio Jungle Night Walk
Manuel Antonio

This was really fun! We had a private guide and he was really informative and great at spotting frogs, insects, snakes, etc. He was less interested in mammals, but we did see 2-toed and 3-toed sloths. He was really great with his spotting scope also and took photos with our phones through the lens for us, which was pretty cool.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving at Isla del Caño Biological Reserve
Drake Bay

This was so fun! We joined a small group on a catamaran for a morning of snorkeling and playing off the boat, with lunch included. The snorkeling was guided and we were tightly monitored and kept in a group. I hadn't experienced that before on a snorkeling trip, but it worked out. We saw a huge stingray, several turtles, and lots of fish. The visibility was ok, not amazing, but we all had a great day. We also saw turtles and dolphins from the boat.

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch was served on the boat and was tasty
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Nuria Oliveira

Wonderful last-minute 9 day get-away to Costa Rica!
Costa Rica | Feb 15 - Feb 23, 2023

Steven
Steven B.
Fort Lauderdale, FL | Reviewed on Feb 27, 2023

My wife and I had (both early 60's and fairly fit) had a truly wonderful and memorable trip to Costa Rica. I usually plan my own trips, but since this was kind of last minute, I left all the planning to Kim Kim and kept my fingers crossed. They put me in touch with their local specialist, Nuria, who did a great job tailoring the trip to what was important to us. Our tours and transportation were totally private (a wonderful splurge). All guides and drivers were super friendly, prompt, and... read more

My wife and I had (both early 60's and fairly fit) had a truly wonderful and memorable trip to Costa Rica. I usually plan my own trips, but since this was kind of last minute, I left all the planning to Kim Kim and kept my fingers crossed. They put me in touch with their local specialist, Nuria, who did a great job tailoring the trip to what was important to us. Our tours and transportation were totally private (a wonderful splurge). All guides and drivers were super friendly, prompt, and knowledgeable; but a special shout out to Jacamar Naturalist Tours. These guys were 5 star! With 9 days of tours, and transportation to 3 towns and airports it was incredible that their was only one very minor glitch the entire trip (no biggie). We hiked to volcanos and waterfalls, saw wildlife that we wouldn't have noticed without the guides' knowledge and telescopic equipment, zip-lined, bungee jumped, rode horses, relaxed in Tabacon's hot springs, did a cooking class, a coffee/chocolate tour, and a city tour of San Jose. Nuria even went above and beyond by reserving a few restaurants for us. Accommodations: Finca Paraiso Mtn Retreat in the hills outside San Jose is an absolute 5 star gem. Their property and views are sublime. Tabacon Spa and Resort is also 5 star all the way. Our 3rd hotel, Hotel Senda in Monteverde is a bit more complicated. The service level is 5 star, but the rooms and the property landscaping is just 3 star. Having said that, we did really enjoy our time at Hotel Senda. Staff is very friendly and helpful, free laundry!, free snacks and beverages from the mini bar, hot water bottles left during turndown to warm your bed, etc. . Some nice touches. All in all, we loved our time in Costa Rica and would certainly recommend KimKim and Nuria. Pura Vida!

Hotel Reviews
Finca Paraiso Mountain Retreat
Heredia

This hotel is an absolute gem! Gorgeous grounds, great owners/hosts, wonderful breakfasts. Loved the included wine happy hour watching the sunset with the owner/Ken along with the small group of other hotel guests from around the world. Can't say enough. Just go here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Fortuna

5 star hotel all the way. Wonderful breakfast buffet and of course those amazing thermal springs!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Senda Monteverde Boutique Hotel
Monteverde

I am conflicted about this hotel. We DID enjoy our stay here but...for the high cost they command.. I'll nitpick a bit. First the good. The service was 5 star. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Nice touches include: FREE laundry returned folded in 12 hours, some free minibar snacks and beverages, and old style hot water bottles left near your pillow during the turn down service (must request turn downs). We also liked the ability to access the Aguiti Reserve for a hike, right from the property. The less good: Its an older property. The common buildings are decent but the rooms are in very old separate bungalows. Supposedly, they were renovated a few years ago, but not well. Grounds/Landscaping- This was our last stop in Costa Rica. The first two hotels had amazing manicured landscaping and flower beds. This hotel does the minimum, ie; cut the grass. So, mostly good, but visually this hotel needs some work.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Up a very steep hill from town. Easy walk to town, but a very athletic walk back. Think San Francisco X 2.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Nuria Oliveira
Nuria
Nuria Oliveira
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Reviewed on Mar 01, 2023

Hello Steven,

Thank you so much for traveling us and for taking the time to leave us this amazing review. I'll definitely pass your feedback to my colleagues. I was more than glad to assist during this time, and I am so happy that you had a great time here.

I hope you will visit Costa Rica in the future and can explore the different destinations in our beautiful country.

Pura Vida!

Nuria made booking an expansive trip across 3...
Costa Rica | Feb 8 - Feb 14, 2023

R
Raya I.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Feb 15, 2023

Nuria made booking an expansive trip across 3 different areas of Costa Rica very easy. She provided various tour and hotel options and stayed reasonably within the budget we had initially discussed. Overall 10/10 would recommend!

Local specialist: Nuria Oliveira
Nuria
Nuria Oliveira
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Reviewed on Feb 15, 2023

Raya,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a total pleasure to help you plan this last minute getaway and I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
I hope your return soon to Costa Rica.

Nuria

This is the way to book a vacation!
Costa Rica | Jan 19 - Jan 25, 2023

L
Luciano C.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Jan 27, 2023

Nuria was great and made sure I had an amazing trip! I did not have any time to plan my trip so I relied on Nuria to take care of it for me. This is definitely how I plan on handling future vacations! Nuria took care of EVERY DETAIL and made sure everything went to plan. Nuria checked in on us from time-to-time and let us know when one of our drivers was running late. I cannot stress how great it was to not worry about making plans and booking everything.

Thank you, Nuria! read more

Nuria was great and made sure I had an amazing trip! I did not have any time to plan my trip so I relied on Nuria to take care of it for me. This is definitely how I plan on handling future vacations! Nuria took care of EVERY DETAIL and made sure everything went to plan. Nuria checked in on us from time-to-time and let us know when one of our drivers was running late. I cannot stress how great it was to not worry about making plans and booking everything.

Thank you, Nuria!

Hotel Reviews
Hacienda Guachipelin Volcano Ranch Hotel & Hot Springs
Liberia

Absolutely would recommend the Hacienda Guachipelín to anybody! The hacienda is on over 3,000 acres of volcanic jungle. The rivers, waterfalls, hot springs restaurants, etc are all on the hacienda property. Since they own the land, they also run the activities/tours on it. It was great to wake up and walk to the included breakfast, then walk across the street to meet our guide for the day's activity. I wouldn't rave about the rooms, but I have no complaints. If I find myself returning to the area I will definitely be staying here again!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Every single person was eager to help and extremely friendly. The bartender, Gama, was great to speak to each night!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Monteverde Country Lodge
Monteverde

This is definitely a "last resort" hotel. It wasn't terrible, but it did fall short in several ways. No AC (not awful since it's pretty cool in Monte Verde) No heater (can be a problem) Very thin walls (people talking outside might as well be in the room) Awkward layout (the bed light switches are behind the pillows of one of the beds. No power outlets near the nightstand) Restaurant is too small to accomodate the included breakfast (food was good, but several people were allowed to serve themselves only to realize they had nowhere to sit)

Authenticity & Character
Location
It's about a mile from the town center and down a large, steep hill. About 15 minutes down, much more back up.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
It's noisy, no ac, no heater, had ants and spiders.
Local specialist: Nuria Oliveira
Nuria
Nuria Oliveira
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Reviewed on Jan 30, 2023

Hello Luciano,

Thanks for such a lovely review and for trust me, it has been my pleasure to help you to organize this trip with your mom. I wish you both the best.

¡PURA VIDA!

Such an amazing adventure our plannned had fo...
Costa Rica | Jan 8 - Jan 17, 2023

Dylan
Dylan C.
Lehi, UT | Reviewed on Jan 26, 2023

Such an amazing adventure our plannned had for us. Amazing people , food , experiences. Definitely would recommend the same trip to all ages. read more

Such an amazing adventure our plannned had for us. Amazing people , food , experiences. Definitely would recommend the same trip to all ages.

Hotel Review
Mawamba Lodge
Tortuguero

Amazing location and food. The locals are so happy and humble and the guides and workers for the resort work so hard and give amazing Customer service.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Nuria Oliveira
Nuria
Nuria Oliveira
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Reviewed on Jan 27, 2023

Hello Dylan,

I'm so happy you had a great time here. It was my pleasure to assist you during this planning. I hope you could visit Costa Rica in the future and could explore different destinations.

¡Pura Vida!
Nuria

Costa Rica adventures
Costa Rica | Jan 8 - Jan 17, 2023

Mason
Mason P.
Lehi, UT | Reviewed on Jan 20, 2023

Where do I start! This vacation was the dream just from the itinerary we set up, only took about a week and half to customize this amazing trip to Costa Rica. Our guide Nuria helped us every step of the way making sure we had tons of excursions and amazing resorts to stay while there. We had just the right amount of days in the beautiful city learning the history, an amazing few days on a jungle island where we explored the wildlife and people there. They ended it perfectly with our last... read more

Where do I start! This vacation was the dream just from the itinerary we set up, only took about a week and half to customize this amazing trip to Costa Rica. Our guide Nuria helped us every step of the way making sure we had tons of excursions and amazing resorts to stay while there. We had just the right amount of days in the beautiful city learning the history, an amazing few days on a jungle island where we explored the wildlife and people there. They ended it perfectly with our last weekend in a giant party city where we surfed with locals, drank beers, and listened to music till the late night. I highly recommend booking with them, they make your vacation so much less stress as they accompany you ever step of the process.

Hotel Review
Mawamba Lodge
Tortuguero

Beautiful eco friendly lodge. Place is decked out with adventures and excursions. It comes with beautiful breakfast, lunch, and dinners as well as amazing cocktails. The locals in the town near by are the best too, so make sure to venture away from the beautiful resort even though you could stay there all day and still be in paradise.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Nuria Oliveira
Nuria
Nuria Oliveira
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2023

Hello Mason,

Thank you so much for your kind words. For me, it was a pleasure to help you have an experience of a lifetime. I'm are very grateful for your trust in me for your trip to Costa Rica. Meeting you both was amazing and I hope you come back to Costa Rica.

Pura Vida!

5 Stars for Kimkim!
Costa Rica | Dec 10 - Dec 17, 2022

Bianca
Bianca S.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2023

I absolutely loved my experience using kimkim. I couldn't ask for a better specialist than Nuria to plan our Costa Rica adventure. She understood exactly what we were looking for, planned the ideal trip, and made herself available for phone calls and messages at all times. She started feeling like a friend after a while. All of the companies kimkim works with for your onsite experiences are top-notch. Every driver for transport around the country was friendly and punctual. All our guides for... read more

I absolutely loved my experience using kimkim. I couldn't ask for a better specialist than Nuria to plan our Costa Rica adventure. She understood exactly what we were looking for, planned the ideal trip, and made herself available for phone calls and messages at all times. She started feeling like a friend after a while. All of the companies kimkim works with for your onsite experiences are top-notch. Every driver for transport around the country was friendly and punctual. All our guides for excursions were knowledgeable, seemed to really enjoy what they were doing, and went above and beyond to create a memorable experience. By using kimkim, we felt in good and reliable hands and would definitely use them again for another trip in the future.

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Paraiso Resort & Spa
La Fortuna

Wonderful staff and great amenities. Breakfast buffet is just ok but lunch/dinner food is fantastic. And what a view! Some hot springs pools and swim-up bar pool could be warmer and the bathroom in the rooms could be updated but overall, it was an incredible stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
quick ride La Fortuna
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco
Monteverde Costa Rica

Staff, food, location, and amenities were all wonderful. Lots of places to dine within walking distance. There was no A/C in our bedroom but luckily we did not need it as it was very cool at night.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Naoz
Manuel Antonio

Clearly, a new hotel as everything was modern, clean, and new. Such a nice staff and within walking distance to many places to go out at night. Only a $10 cab to the beach.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Arenal Volcano & 1968 Reserve Guided Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

Our tour guide was sensational and so knowledgeable. A must do to get great views of the volcano.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Nuria Oliveira
Nuria
Nuria Oliveira
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2023

Hello Bianca,

I appreciate your feedback so much. It was really nice to meet you both!
I'm very happy to know you had an amazing experience in Costa Rica, we will be waiting for you to back and continue exploring our country :)

Wish you the best and ¡PURA VIDA!
Nuria