Terms and Conditions

Last updated: [PENDING: fecha de publicacion]

1. Who you’re dealing with

This website, whaletailtourscostarica.com, is operated by [PENDING: legal name of the Marketing Provider] (“we,” “us,” the “Website”). The whale and dolphin watching tour advertised and booked through this Website is provided by Tours Bahia Ballena S.A. (“TBB,” the “Operator”), cedula juridica [PENDING], a Costa Rican company holding the tourism permits required to operate this activity (see Section 8).

The Website’s role is to provide information, process your reservation, and facilitate payment on TBB’s behalf. TBB, not the Website operator, is the party responsible for providing the tour itself. Your payment, when completed through this site, is processed under TBB’s own payment account — TBB is the merchant of record for your purchase.

2. The tour

  • Service: Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour, Marino Ballena National Park, Uvita, Costa Rica.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Includes: park entrance, bilingual guide, life jackets, insurance, water and fruit, plus [PENDING: second differentiator to confirm].
  • Group size: [PENDING: maximum passengers per boat].
  • Seasonal variation: the tour includes snorkeling during the dry season and open swim time during the rainy season; humpback whale sightings are likely December-April and July-October only. See our season calendar for details before booking.

3. Prices and payment

  • Prices are listed in US Dollars for international guests ($109/adult, $65/child ages 4-10) and in Costa Rican colones for national residents (CRC 26,000/CRC 13,000). Prices include applicable taxes unless stated otherwise.
  • Payment is processed securely through Tilopay, accepting international credit/debit cards and SINPE Movil (for guests with a Costa Rican bank account).
  • Your card is not charged until your reservation is confirmed by TBB.
  • All prices are subject to change without notice for future bookings; the price confirmed at the time of your booking is the price you pay.

4. Booking and confirmation

  • A booking is confirmed once payment is processed and you receive a confirmation email.
  • You are responsible for providing accurate contact and passenger information at the time of booking.
  • TBB reserves the right to decline or cancel a booking in cases of unavailability, weather conditions, or safety concerns, in which case a full refund will be issued.

5. Cancellation and changes

  • Free cancellation up to 1 week (7 days) before your scheduled tour.
  • Changes (date, party size) at no cost up to 24 hours before the tour, subject to availability.
  • If TBB cancels the tour due to weather or sea conditions, you will be offered a rebooking or a full refund, at your choice.
  • Cancellations within 24 hours of the tour, or no-shows, are non-refundable, except in cases of tour cancellation by TBB.

6. Right of withdrawal (derecho de retracto)

In accordance with Costa Rican consumer protection law (Ley 7472 and its regulation on distance contracts), you have the right to withdraw from this purchase within a reasonable period after booking, provided the tour date has not yet occurred and subject to the cancellation terms in Section 5. To exercise this right, contact us using the information in Section 11.

7. What we cannot guarantee

  • Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Dolphins are seen on most trips; humpback whales are only present during specific migratory seasons (see Section 2). TBB will inform you honestly of seasonal probability before you book, but sightings depend on nature and cannot be promised.
  • The sea cave visit depends on ocean conditions on the day of the tour and may not be possible on every trip.
  • Weather, sea conditions, and wildlife behavior are outside of TBB’s control.

8. Regulatory compliance

TBB operates under [PENDING: estado de la Declaratoria Turistica ICT, confirmar antes de publicar] and complies with Costa Rican regulations on cetacean observation distances and conduct (Decreto 32495 and related Incopesca requirements).

9. Limitation of liability

  • TBB is responsible for the safe operation and delivery of the tour, in accordance with Costa Rican law and applicable maritime/tourism safety regulations.
  • The Website operator is responsible for the operation of this website and the booking/payment process, and is not liable for the physical execution of the tour, injuries, loss, or damages arising from participation in the tour itself — that liability rests with TBB as the service provider.
  • Neither party is liable for delays, cancellations, or changes caused by circumstances beyond reasonable control (weather, sea conditions, force majeure).

10. Website use

  • Content on this website (text, design, photos except where otherwise credited) is the property of the Website operator and/or TBB and may not be reproduced without permission.
  • You agree to use this website only for lawful purposes and to provide accurate information when booking.

11. Contact

For questions, cancellations, or to exercise your rights under these terms: [PENDING: official contact email/WhatsApp/phone].

12. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Costa Rica. Any dispute will be subject to the jurisdiction of Costa Rican courts.

13. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. The version published on this page at the time of your booking applies to your purchase.