Important Notes & Conditions

• Meals are pre-arranged and prepaid so if the group wishes to make changes to the schedule that result in missing a pre-arranged meal, there will be no refund for the missed meal and guests will assume the additional cost of the missed meal elsewhere for themselves, the guide and driver.

• Participants must bring a reusable water bottle and refill water bottles at filtered water dispensers in lodges and on the bus to reduce our use of plastic. Single-use plastic bottles are not allowed in the National Parks

• Any additional airport transfers that are not on the arrival or departure date for this tour have an additional charge of $60 per transfer (if you require a private transfer from any other location, this will be quoted upon request and added as an additional item on your invoice)

• International airfare not included

• Early check-in (usually before 3pm) and late check-out (usually after 10am) fees are not included. Early check-in / late check-out must be requested before final invoicing (service contingent upon hotel availability and is not guaranteed)

• Cotinga Tours will not cover any additional costs that could result from flight changes such as schedule changes, flight cancellations, airstrip closures, flight rerouting or other situations that are out of our hands, including extra costs in transfers, lodging, or costs due to missed/rerouted flights that may result from these changes.  All additional costs due to flight related changes will be covered by the participant

• Each participant is responsible to make sure they meet the legal requirements for entry/travel to Costa Rica, including up to date and proper travel documents and visas when applicable based on the traveler's passport issuing country.

• Non-smokers preferred. Costa Rica has strict laws on smoking in public. Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas away from the main public amenities. This means that there is no smoking on public property, inside the hotel facility, trail systems or reserves. 

• Physical Fitness Disclaimer: Our tours involve a moderate level of daily physical activity. Participants should be comfortable standing for several hours at a time in the field, sometimes in hot and humid weather conditions. Daily walking is typically 1–2 miles at a slow pace on generally flat terrain, though some slight and gradual inclines may be encountered. Participants should also be able to comfortably navigate stairs. Please note that many of our itineraries include high-elevation locations reaching up to 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) above sea level. Our birding and wildlife tours feature unhurried walks over mostly easy terrain. That said, some trails—particularly in the Talamanca Mountains and Arenal National Park—can be steep, root-strewn, and muddy at times. Conditions in the lowlands are often hot and humid, which can make walking more demanding. For these reasons, our tours are best suited to participants with an average level of fitness who enjoy walking. If any of the above could present an issue, you are required to inform us prior to booking.

• Participants must disclose in their registration form: any health conditions that could prohibit them from fully participating in the tour and/or interfere with their or other participants' ability to enjoy the tour. Failure to do so can result in expulsion from the tour and will not be eligible for a refund of any portion of the tour and any costs related to an expulsion will be the sole responsibility of the participant.

• No refund for any unused entrances or tours

• Tips to guides and hotel staff not included (tipping is customary, expected and merit-based in Costa Rica): group tours (10+ participants): $10-12  per day per participant for guide(s) and $5-8 per day per participant for the driver; $ 1 per day for hotel maid service and $2 per service for porters for 1 bag and an additional $1 per bag. What guests decide to tip within these guidelines should be based on the merits of the service provided.

• Alcoholic beverages and costs of a personal nature are not included

• We highly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical care, medical evacuation, and loss or damage to optics and equipment, in order to protect your investment.

• Non-refundable registration deposit: $850 USD per person, unless otherwise stated in the tour quote.

• All tour balances are due 90 days prior to the arrival date, unless otherwise stated in the tour quote.

• Cancellations and respective refunds are according to the following schedule (all cancellations must be received in writing):

• All cancellations must be received by email in writing to the emails: croffice@cotingatours.com with copy to info@cotingatours.com and inquiries@cotingatours.com

• Cancellations received before 90 days prior to the arrival date, the client receives a full refund less the non-refundable deposit.

• Cancellations received between 90 and 0 days prior to the arrival date are non-refundable.

 

Pandemic and Illness Detailed Policies 

• In case of illness or medical emergency including injury, all medical costs and any extra costs associated with a medical issue (lodging, transportation, meals, etc) are the responsibility of the participant. Cotinga Tours will not be responsible for any costs incurred. Cotinga Tours will assist participants in finding alternative accommodations if participants are denied entrance into a hotel in their itinerary due to illness. Participants will pay for these additional accommodations and transfers directly to the hotel and transportation companies.

• If a specific test or other testing is necessary while in Costa Rica, extra costs incurred--transportation, medical costs, test cost, alternative lodging and meals will be covered by the participants.

• The above pandemic and illness related travel requirements could change at any time due to government mandates, please check with us.

• In case of a travel emergency within Costa Rica, Cotinga Tours will keep communication with the participants. *In terms of a travel emergency that affects travel to or from the country of origin, it will be the responsibility of the participant to communicate with Cotinga Tours so we can assist. Any costs incurred related to delays, changes or cancellations due for medical reasons, weather or airline delays will be the responsibility of the participants to cover. 

• Traveling during any pandemic does come with risks. Cotinga Tours as well as the hotel properties, tour operators, and restaurants follows the sanitary policies enforced by the Costa Rican Ministerio de Salud.