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Isabel Pérez

I'm passionate about exploring incredible places and having unique experiences. It's been 6 years since I moved to Ecuador, my family's country of origin, and since then I've had the most amazing time of my life, surrounded by volcanoes, rainforests, and beautiful beaches with sand from pink to black. There is something for everyone, and every day is an opportunity for a new adventure meeting lovely people.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Ecuador might be a small country but there is a lot to discover. I especially love natural landscapes and I've come to know quite a bit of everything around me. The Amazon rainforest, the Andes, and the coast: there are amazing experiences waiting in each and every corner of this multi-faceted country. From their unique local cuisine to the actual culture, each place is different and has a lot to offer to the curious travelers."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I've always loved traveling, especially into the natural environments. Ever since I was a little girl, I would always go on trips with my family; nothing beats camping under the stars. After I finished my degree, I started traveling again, something that was hard to do while studying. Since then, I haven't stopped, always meeting new cultures and new sceneries that take my breath away."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"When I was about 20 years old, I traveled for three weeks into La Gran Sabana, which is part of the Guianan savanna. I encountered an incredible diversity and unique landscapes in this vast region that are hard to explain. It started with beautifully multicolored rivers, and then everything changed once we went deep into the heart of the land. We stayed with indigenous people of the region and learned as they shared with us about their culture. One day they took us to the Angel Falls, one of the world's highest waterfalls. It took some time to get there, as it is located in an isolated part of the jungle. We took our traditional canoes and rowed for quite a long time and then hiked through the dense jungle until we were exhausted, our arms were tired from clearing the path, our legs sore and dirty of all the walking and the mud, but once we reached the foot of the waterfall, I got goosebumps. I felt so small. Standing there, in front of such huge force of nature, it felt as if all my problems and fears were nothing, and they just washed away."

Isabel is part of the following groups: Galapagos Islands Travel Agents, Ecuador Travel Agents
Bartolomé Island in the Galapagos
Galapagos Island Hopping in Style: Santa Cruz & Isabela - 10 Days

White-sand beaches, secluded lagoons, and a spectacular array of wildlife await on this luxurious 10-day adventure in the Galápagos. It begins in Quito with sightseeing in the colonial center. Then fly to Isabela Island, where you’ll stay in high-end lodgings and enjoy daily hikes, cycling, and snorkeling excursions. The journey continues on Santa Cruz Island, where you'll walk with giant tortoises and visit uninhabited islands. Here you can observe rare wildlife and relax on the beach before heading home.

A jungle river in the Ecuadorian rainforest
Outdoor Adventure in the Ecuadorian Amazon - 5 Days

Canoe through the jungle, spot pink dolphins in the wild, visit an indigenous community, and sleep under the stars — this action-packed itinerary takes you deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon for five days of outdoor adventure! After a day of sightseeing in Quito, you'll travel to the rainforest, entering the jungle aboard a motorized canoe. You'll set up camp on the edge of Zancudococha Lake, your home base for the rest of the trip. Jungle hikes, wildlife spotting excursions, swimming, piranha fishing, and boating are all on the agenda, not to mention guided rainforest hikes after sunset. Keep your eyes open for frogs, spiders, caimans, and other nocturnal wildlife: the jungle comes alive after dark!

Exploring scenic terrain with the family in the Galapagos Islands
Ecuador Family Trip: Quito, the Amazon & Galapagos Islands - 11 Days

From the colorful wildlife of the Amazon rainforest to the underwater playground of the Galapagos, this family-friendly journey around Ecuador offers adventure and education for all ages. Start in Quito, where you'll take a hands-on cooking class and set foot on both halves of the equator at Mitad del Mundo. Then delve into the Amazon rainforest, spotting exotic insects on a nighttime jungle tour and canoeing to a parrot habitat — bring your binoculars for the best views! Finish the itinerary in the Galapagos Islands with several days of wildlife viewing, snorkeling, and so much more. Keep your eyes open for giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies!

White sands and turqouise waters of the Galápagos Islands
How Many Days Should You Spend in the Galápagos Islands?

The best way to see as many of the 19 major islands that comprise the Galápagos is on a two-week tour. However, you can still pack in the best of Darwin's famed isles on a 10-day excursion that includes wildlife spotting and active adventures. Even five days allows for a quick island hop and highlights tour that covers some major sights and makes for an unforgettable experience.

Panoramic view of Bartolomé Island
14 Days in the Galapagos Islands - 4 Unique Itineraries

Consider yourself lucky if you have two weeks to spend in the Galapagos Islands. You could choose to spend all 14 days in the archipelago, island-hopping around the region to see giant tortoises in the wild, snorkeling with sea lions, and hiking to volcanic craters. Or you could incorporate a week in the Galapagos into a more wide-ranging trip around Ecuador that includes time in Quito and Cotopaxi National Park. If you're feeling especially ambitious, consider combining a trip to the Galapagos with an adventure to Machu Picchu in Peru. Learn more about your options by reading over the itineraries below.

Recent trip reviews for Isabel

Checked all of the checkboxes!
Galapagos Islands | Dec 12 - Dec 17, 2022

Hillary
Hillary P.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2023

All of our local guides and experts were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and quick to respond with help and recommendations. In our relatively short trip, we felt like all of our major interests were planned out and we didn't feel like we missed out on anything at all.

Plenty of snorkeling, hiking, and sight-seeing, with just enough downtime to check out the towns and local digs. We don't normally travel with so much hand holding, but for the Galapagos where so much is protected and must... read more

All of our local guides and experts were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and quick to respond with help and recommendations. In our relatively short trip, we felt like all of our major interests were planned out and we didn't feel like we missed out on anything at all.

Plenty of snorkeling, hiking, and sight-seeing, with just enough downtime to check out the towns and local digs. We don't normally travel with so much hand holding, but for the Galapagos where so much is protected and must be visited with a National Guide anyway, this process and itinerary were perfect!

The lodgings selected for us were also right up our alley--quaint and boutique with a local touch, while still providing respite and privacy.

We had one morning with miscommunicated tour times, but it was not a big deal and it just meant we had more time for breakfast!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Galapagos Suites
Puerto Ayora

Photos don't do this place justice, honestly! The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with lovely balconies equipped with hammocks. Run by a mother/daughter dream team, we felt so welcomed and comfortable every night we stayed!

Authenticity & Character
Location
A close walk to local restaurants and shops while still off the main road enough to be quiet.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Casita de la Playa
Puerto Villamil

Incredible location and very helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Galapagos Islands

We were nervous in the morning that the overcast and misty weather would keep us from seeing the caldera, but it was actually a blessing in disguise to keep us covered and cool from the sun on the first half of the trip. By the time we were out and back from Chico, we had a wonderfully clear view and made it home without too much sunburn. Easy hike, but long with the amount of stopping and sight seeing along the way.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer Baltra Airport - Puerto Ayora with visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands

Our guide, Astrid, was incredible. So knowledgeable and insightful--she made all the difference to our experience of what was already fantastic sight seeing.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

Best snorkeling of the trip in my opinion. Wide, open cove with very clear waters that don't get too sandy or crowded. You're able to see a lot of sea life without too much hard work or feeling rushed by the group.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our tour didn't actually include kayaking, which is fine in retrospect as it was the last day of our trip and I probably would have been more tired!
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

I would have liked a bit more time here, but our guide, Astrid, was extremely knowledgeable and it was so great to see the babies.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

A full day on the boat! A fairly large group, but accommodations were adequate (and lunch was so good!) and we got a bit of everything--light hiking on North Seymour with plenty of wildlife sightings, snorkeling in clear coastal waters, and beach time to relax and swim.

Quality of Experience
Would have been nice to see the boat's sails in its full glory, but not a big deal! A pretty big group, which means more chances that people are late/slow/affecting the overall experience. Really not a deal breaker at all, but we ended up preferring some of the smaller group activities. I just wish we saw more flamingos!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands

Great guide who shared photos and videos after (love that!), but really a crowded location that made it hard to see all of the wildlife. Felt a little rushed. Everyone in the group seemed to have very different levels of swim skill, so it was really hard to stay focused on a given area for sea life spotting.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Reviewed on Jan 05, 2023

Hi Hillary,
Thanks for sharing your trip with us! It sounds like it was an incredible experience in the Galapagos. I'm happy to hear that everything went smoothly and you were able to do all the activities and see all the sights you hoped to. I'm glad the hotels were to your liking, they're are just great, especially Galapagos Suites! I apologize for the miscommunication with the last tour pick-up time, but I'm glad it didn't impact your trip overall. Thanks for choosing us for your adventure... read more

Hi Hillary,
Thanks for sharing your trip with us! It sounds like it was an incredible experience in the Galapagos. I'm happy to hear that everything went smoothly and you were able to do all the activities and see all the sights you hoped to. I'm glad the hotels were to your liking, they're are just great, especially Galapagos Suites! I apologize for the miscommunication with the last tour pick-up time, but I'm glad it didn't impact your trip overall. Thanks for choosing us for your adventure in the Galapagos, I hope to work with you again in the future so you can explore more of the wonderful landscapes Ecuador has to offer.

Best,
Isabel

This was an amazing trip! Everything was so o...
Galapagos Islands | Oct 8 - Oct 14, 2022

D
Dyllon M.
Longmont, CO | Reviewed on Oct 19, 2022

This was an amazing trip. Everything was so organized and Isabel, the travel specialist we worked with, was so helpful in promptly answering all questions. Once we got to the Galapagos everything went so smoothly. The hotels and tours were great. Overall, I cannot recommend this trip, and using kimkim and Isabel to arrange/organize everything enough. read more

This was an amazing trip. Everything was so organized and Isabel, the travel specialist we worked with, was so helpful in promptly answering all questions. Once we got to the Galapagos everything went so smoothly. The hotels and tours were great. Overall, I cannot recommend this trip, and using kimkim and Isabel to arrange/organize everything enough.

Hotel Reviews
Ikala Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Ayora

The hotel is in a great location. The rooms and grounds are great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
We were just a couple blocks from the water, and within walking distance of everything you would want in Puerto Ayora.
Staff
So helpful and kind
Cleanliness & Comfort
Albemarle
Puerto Villamil

Very quaint hotel right on the water. Our room had a balcony overlooking the beach.

Authenticity & Character
The balcony overlooking the ocean was so nice and the sun deck on the roof was great for an evening glass of wine!
Location
Staff
They were so helpful and nice!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Transfer Baltra Airport - Puerto Ayora with visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands

Our guide was great! He was so knowledgeable and passionate about the Galapagos.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

Seeing the conservation efforts up close and the tortoise breeding center was great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

The guide was so knowledgeable and this is such a cool excursion!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

There was no option to kayak, but the snorkeling was cool with a focus on white tipped reef sharks. The guide seemed a little less into the trip than other guides, but still had a ton of information to give.

Quality of Experience
Snorkeling over the reef sharks was so cool.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands

This was amazing! Such a beautiful and unique area. There was amazing diversity while snorkeling and we saw so many sea turtles. Bonus we also saw penguins, orcas and albatross! This is a must-do experience if you are on Isabela.

Quality of Experience
Overall just a great day and we saw so much!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everyone was so nice and the guide was so knowledgeable.
Transport
Fun and fast boat ride!
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Galapagos Islands

Our guide Nadia was clearly passionate about the area and the ecology. She was so knowledgeable. The hike is beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Food
Sandwiches which were filling, but basic.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Nadia was amazing.
Transport
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Reviewed on Oct 19, 2022

Thank you for your kind words, Dyllon! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip and found everything went smoothly. Thank you for recommending us and we hope to welcome you on another journey soon!

We had a great time in Ecuador! It’s a wonde...
Ecuador | Aug 10 - Aug 23, 2022

Kevin
Kevin F.
North Canton, OH | Reviewed on Aug 25, 2022

We had a great time in Ecuador! It’s a wonderful place to visit and the people are very friendly. Our trip was about 2 weeks and we stayed in the mountains between Quito and Cuenca. Our driver Christobal was great and Isabel with Kim Kim did a great job at making all of the arrangements at the hotels and coordinating all of the activities. I would highly recommend using both Isabel with KimKim and Christobal if you want to have a nice time in Ecuador! Thanks again! 😃 read more

We had a great time in Ecuador! It’s a wonderful place to visit and the people are very friendly. Our trip was about 2 weeks and we stayed in the mountains between Quito and Cuenca. Our driver Christobal was great and Isabel with Kim Kim did a great job at making all of the arrangements at the hotels and coordinating all of the activities. I would highly recommend using both Isabel with KimKim and Christobal if you want to have a nice time in Ecuador! Thanks again! 😃

Hotel Reviews
Masaya Quito
Quito

It doesn’t get any better!

Authenticity & Character
The place is fantastic!
Location
Staff
Friendly staff!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The place is very nice!
El Edén Treehouse
Mindo

It doesn’t get any better!

Authenticity & Character
It’s in the woods with allot of humming birds and natural flora and fauna.
Location
It’s a great location. Out of town but a short drive from the town’s center.
Staff
The people are very nice!
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was as nice as it gets.
Hosteria PapaGayo
Machachi

This place is fantastic!

Authenticity & Character
It doesn’t get any better!
Location
Beautiful grounds!
Staff
The people are very friendly!
Cleanliness & Comfort
It’s like a dream come true!
La Floresta
Baños

It doesn’t get any better!

Authenticity & Character
The place is fantastic!
Location
It’s right in town - close to everything!
Staff
The staff couldn’t be nicer!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was great!
Pucara Tambo
Riobamba

This place is fantastic!

Authenticity & Character
It’s like staying in a museum!
Location
It’s up on a hill with a view of the town/city. The view couldn’t be nicer!
Staff
The people couldn’t be nicer!
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was fantastic!
Hostal Posada Del Angel
Cuenca

This place is amazing! Perfect location. Everything about it is wonderful. And the people who work there are very friendly. They could not be nicer and more helpful. It is a fantastic place to stay in a wonderful town!

Authenticity & Character
The building is wonderful! And it’s surroundings are great!
Location
The location is perfect!
Staff
The staff could not be better! They’re very nice.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The place is very clean!
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Reviewed on Aug 31, 2022

Hi Kevin, I'm glad to hear that you have a great time in Ecuador! You had a chance to experience some of the culture as well as the diverse wildlife. There is still much to see and do in Ecuador, hope you can come back soon!

Best,
Isabel

Family vacation to Ecuador and Galapagos
Ecuador | Jul 23 - Aug 5, 2022

L
Lance B.
University Place, WA | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2022

My family of 4 spent a memorable 2 weeks in Ecuador and Galapagos recently. I can't thank Isabel enough for our wonderful itinerary . She was so patient with us as we changed our itinerary 4-5 times during the planning. She was always willing to listen to our needs and accommodate to our requests. Her attentiveness continued even during our trip in Ecuador. I forgot my contact lenses which would have ruined the snorkeling excursions in Galapagos . Isabel went out of her way to find... read more

My family of 4 spent a memorable 2 weeks in Ecuador and Galapagos recently. I can't thank Isabel enough for our wonderful itinerary . She was so patient with us as we changed our itinerary 4-5 times during the planning. She was always willing to listen to our needs and accommodate to our requests. Her attentiveness continued even during our trip in Ecuador. I forgot my contact lenses which would have ruined the snorkeling excursions in Galapagos . Isabel went out of her way to find contact lenses and dropped them off at my hotel upon my return from Antisana National Park. This was completely above and beyond the call of duty. I so appreciated that.

I can not write this review without mentioning our AMAZING guide, Cristobal. From the moment he picked us up at the airport, we had nothing but first class treatment from Cristobal. He was personable, and knowledgeable. There wasn't anything we ask that he didn't know. His experience and recommendations gave us a close look at the Ecuadorian culture. It was something that we could have never experienced without his guidance. We would not consider going back to Ecuador without using Cristobal again as our guide.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Mama Cuchara
Quito

Amazing hotel with outstanding staff and accommodation. The front desk was always willing to make sure that our stay was wonderful. A shout out to Dino, our waiter, for our amazing dinner service.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Itamandi EcoLodge
Quito

You can not find more genuine people than the staff at Itamandi. Our guide, Octavio, is amazing. We enjoyed the natural excursion, and meeting the local village families at Santa Barbara. We highly recommend this facility.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Reviewed on Aug 25, 2022

Hi Linda, thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We strive to provide a great experience and we're so happy that you had a great trip to Ecuador.

Cristobal is excellent and it sounds like he really made your family's trip special! I'm really glad to hear that you enjoyed the local culture while exploring some of the highlights Ecuador has to offer. It's been great getting to know you and I hope we see you again soon!

A perfect 19days tour of Ecuador.
Ecuador | Oct 15 - Nov 2, 2021

Sabine
Sabine V.
Spain | Reviewed on Nov 08, 2021

A perfect 19days tour of Ecuador. Many thanks to Isabel for her patience and help in the organization of the trip.
Our excellent guide Cristobal Cabezas had a lot of experience and knew all the perfect places to spot birds. He made this trip unforgettable. He was sympathetic, polite and very patient while we were taking pictures, a pleasant companion and good driver, sharing a lot of information about the history, politics and people of Ecuador.

Ecuador is a save country and Covid proof.... read more

A perfect 19days tour of Ecuador. Many thanks to Isabel for her patience and help in the organization of the trip.
Our excellent guide Cristobal Cabezas had a lot of experience and knew all the perfect places to spot birds. He made this trip unforgettable. He was sympathetic, polite and very patient while we were taking pictures, a pleasant companion and good driver, sharing a lot of information about the history, politics and people of Ecuador.

Ecuador is a save country and Covid proof. Nature is very diverse and untouched.

Hotel Reviews
Casa Hotel Baquedano
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Edén Treehouse
Mindo
Authenticity & Character
Lo
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hosteria Pampallacta
Papallacta
Authenticity & Character
Lo
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Waita Lodge
n/a
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hosteria PapaGayo
Machachi
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Birdwatching and time at leisure in Mindo
Mindo
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez