Terms and Conditions
Deposits & Payments
All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars. Once an itinerary has been agreed upon, a credit card will be requested to keep on file while we work on confirming the hotels and services. Once the itinerary has been confirmed, a non-refundable deposit is required to secure land reservations (the minimum deposit is $250 per person). The required deposit amount will be dependent on the confirmed hotel policies and will be outlined on your confirmation. Full payment for international airfare is required at this time of booking. All reservations are considered pending and on request until confirmed in writing. If the quoted property is unavailable due to the popularity of the destination(s), an alternative option similar in price and amenities will be offered and will be subject to your approval prior to processing payments. The balance due must be paid at least 70 days before departure. If you have not contacted us prior to the final payment due date to provide a different desired form of payment, the credit card we have on file will be charged for your remaining balance due. In the event that your credit card number is expired and/or you have not provided us with a new form of payment for your remaining balance by the due date listed on your confirmation, your deposit will be forfeited and your reservations will be canceled. A signed traveler disclaimer is required with a deposit. For bookings made less than 60 days before departure, payment is due within 7 days after confirmation of reservations.
Plan to Go Deposit
The Plan to Go Deposit is a non-refundable, one-time payment, that will be applied as a credit towards the balance of the hotel and tour cost once the reservations have been booked and confirmed. This deposit is not applicable towards airline reservations and the hotel/tour package price must be a minimum of $3K. In the event that you do not proceed with booking reservations with Central America Journeys, this deposit is kept as a service fee and will be non-refundable.
Late Bookings
Late bookings often incur additional costs in order to secure last-minute space. Therefore, a $100 late booking fee applies to reservations made 14 days or less before departure and 25 days prior to departure during holiday periods.
Changes to Land Reservations
A $35 per person change fee will be charged for each change to an itinerary after confirmation plus any change fees assessed by the suppliers (ie. departure date, duration, etc). Lodging changes requested less than 60 days prior to departure are subject to availability and supplier cancellation penalties (see paragraph below). Once travel has commenced, no changes are allowed.
Cancellations & Refunds – Accommodation and Land Arrangements
Cancellation received within 7 days of deposit/final payment will be assessed at $250 per person penalty. After 7 days, all payments are non-refundable. Once travel has commenced, accommodation and land arrangements are non-refundable and non-changeable. No refunds will be issued for unused portions and/or services. If there are any price disparities between the published accommodation and tour rates, Central America Journeys will not accept any claims for any price disparities, once the quoted itinerary has been accepted and the deposit paid by clients. We decline responsibility for losses or accidental expenses incurred as a result of defaults, sickness, death, weather conditions, strikes, war, riots, government actions, insurrections, or other such similar causes. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Cancellations & Refunds – Airline Tickets
Passengers traveling internationally must have a valid passport and or visa. Once tickets are issued they are non-refundable. If you cancel, change your departure date, return date, class of service prior to departure an airline change fee will be assessed in addition to any applicable change in airfare. Changes made after departure will result in a re-issue/exchange fee plus any applicable change in airfare. Change fees are determined by the airlines and are subject to change. Central America Journeys is not responsible for any passenger denied boarding by a carrier for failure to have a valid proof of citizenship. Failure to check-in at least 2 hours or more for any international flight prior to departure may result in 2
denied boarding and additional fees. Participants are subject to the ticket terms and tariffs of the airlines which, when issued, shall be the sole contract between the airline and the participant. We accept no responsibility for losses or expenses caused by delays or changes to schedules by the airlines and/or other transportation suppliers. We further decline responsibility for losses or accidental expenses incurred as a result of defaults, sickness, death, weather conditions, strikes, war, riots, insurrections, or other such similar causes. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Proof of Citizenship
All foreign citizens entering Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date they enter the country. The passport MUST be in good condition without any rips, tears, water damage, or any suspicious marking or you WILL be denied entry into the country. Central America Journeys will not assume responsibility for denied boarding, delays, damages, losses, missed portions of tours or other missed services due to failure to obtain necessary valid travel documentation.
Please visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/ for updates.
For health related recommendations, please visit www.cdc.com
For the latest Covid-19 government travel regulations, please review www.iatatravelcentre.com.
Citizens of countries other than the United States, Canada, and the European Economic Community should check with the nearest Costa Rican Embassy or Consulate for visa requirements. Please note effective January 23, 2007, all nationals, including U.S. citizens, will be required to hold a valid passport to enter the United States by air. This also applies when coming from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The new passport requirement means that all travelers, including U.S. citizens, who are departing the U.S. and intend to re-enter the United States are required to hold a valid passport upon departure from the U.S.
If traveling with minors with a different last name then both accompanying adults will require a notarized letter of consent for travel or a birth certificate showing the name of parents (if the birth parent traveling has a different last name than the traveling minor).
Price Breakdowns Price breakdowns on customized packages are not provided. We take great care and pride in crafting itineraries for each individual client. Our focus is to provide our clients with their ideal vacation at the best possible price. Our goal is to assist our clients in making the correct decisions regarding their travel options by providing the most accurate descriptions possible of the experience, and a clear explanation of what is and is not included in the cost. A detailed breakdown takes attention away from the overall quality of the experience. We want every trip we plan to be crafted with your passion, imagination, and budget. In the instance that the quote is over your intended budget, please let us know and we will do our best to create a more affordable itinerary.
Baggage Allowance
Checked baggage allowed on international flights is two pieces up to 50 lbs. per ticketed passenger. The dimensions of checked pieces may not exceed a total sum of 62 inches. Hand baggage is limited to one bag whose dimensions may not exceed a total sum of 51 inches. Always keep medications and travel documents with you in your carry-on baggage. Do not pack these articles in your suitcase. Central America Journeys does not assume liability for loss or damage to luggage. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Documents
Documents will be emailed 2 weeks prior to departure.
Travel Insurance Protection & Waiver
We recommend that you protect your travel investment with the purchase of travel insurance. Travel insurance will safeguard your travel investment against penalties if the trip is cancelled or interrupted for covered reasons, baggage loss, damage, or delay, medical expenses, and more. Feel free to ask us for specific information about coverage with a full explanation of benefits, terms, and exclusions.
Items Not Included
Unless otherwise specified, alcohol, meals, rental car insurance, or round-trip airfare from your country of origin are not included in the price of your package. Passport and visa fees, laundry, telephone calls, other items of a personal nature, and tips to guides, drivers, and baggage handlers are not included in the price of the vacation. Equipment, gear, activities, and day trips are not included unless otherwise stated on your itinerary and vouchers. Departure tax is not included and is payable at the airport in cash on the day of your departure.
U.S. Customs
U.S. customs currently imposes a limit on the value of goods you may bring into the U.S. duty-free. You are restricted from bringing fresh produce into the U.S.
Credit Cards
Visa, Mastercard, and sometimes American Express cards are accepted in most of the hotels in Central America. We suggest you take an adequate supply of cash with you for use where credit cards are not accepted.
Handicapped Facilities:
Central America Journeys cannot guarantee the availability of wheelchairs at any airport. Handicapped facilities are limited for travel within Latin America.
Limitations of Liability
Central America Journeys has made arrangements with airlines, hotels, and other independent suppliers to provide you with the services you purchase. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that proper arrangements have been made for your vacation. However, we do not assume any liability for the actions or omissions of these independent suppliers, over whom we have no direct control. We will assist to the best of our abilities in resolving disputes. We cannot control such factors as weather, force majeure, government actions, mechanical breakdowns, travelers’ physical or mental conditions including but not limited to injury/illness/death during your trip, failure to obtain valid travel documents, or failure to follow travel instructions. We are not responsible for losses or damages arising from physical or emotional injury, property, or other economic damage caused by factors beyond our control. Central America Journeys is not responsible for any consequential damages or monetary losses due to flight delays or other unforeseen circumstances. All prices are subject to change without prior notice based on currency fluctuation, tax increase, fuel surcharges, and/or inflation. Central America Journeys is not responsible for changes that may occur during the booking process not yet under deposit. Space will be secured for your land reservation when written confirmation has been received from the hotel/tour operator and your deposit has been paid.
