Terms & Conditions

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Due to our remote and pristine location we need to use our resources wisely so as to limit waste and minimise our impact. The same applies to our boat which we aim to utilise as efficiently as possible.

CHECK-IN: On the day of arrival, your cabin will be ready by 3:30pm and the pick up from Golfito or Puerto Jimenez is after lunch from 2:00pm (but no later than 4:30pm). Subject to availability, we can arrange for a morning pick up (from 9:30am onwards) with lunch at the Retreat, for an extra charge of $70 per cabin and the accommodation will be ready immediately after lunch. Please note that we will not be able to pick-you up from town before 9:30am.

CHECK-OUT: We will take you back by boat to Golfito or Puerto Jimenez departing after breakfast at around 10:00am. Subject to availability, we can accommodate earlier departures, however if you require a boat journey before 7:00am there is an additional charge of $55 per cabin which will include a packed breakfast. Subject to availability, we can also arrange for an afternoon boat departure combined with an extra lunch at the Retreat for an additional charge of $90 per cabin. For afternoon departures we are not able to guarantee that you will have the use of your cabin after 10:00am, however, note that shower and changing facilities are available at the Retreat.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Due to our small size and remote location, our guests book well before their stay, on average 7 months in advance and, for the more popular times of the year, 12 to 15 months. On the other hand, our off the beaten path location means that bookings closer to the arrival date tend to be rare and for this reason it is difficult for us to replace a late cancellation. Also, as we are only accessible by boat, we need to plan well in advance of our guests staying at the Retreat. As such we need to apply a strict cancellation policy and we cannot make any exception under any circumstances. We strongly recommend that our guests purchase travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances. If you are uncertain about your travel plans, please consider booking closer to your arrival date.

Cancellations must be sent by replying to the booking confirmation email you received from us and must be confirmed as received by Golfo Dulce Retreat to be considered valid.

The following conditions apply to reservations made for High, Low and Holiday Season and for Group bookings:

HIGH SEASON (1 November - 30 April but excluding Holiday Season): An advance deposit equal to 30% of the total amount of your stay is required to confirm your reservation. If a cancellation is received 8 weeks or more prior to the arrival date, we will refund your deposit minus $100 administration fee per cabin and minus any charges such as credit card commissions or PayPal fees that we may be unable to recover. Payment of the balance will be due 8 weeks before the arrival date after which the reservation becomes non-refundable. In the event of a ‘no-show’, 100% of the total of the reservation will be charged. If a reservation is cancelled 8 weeks or less prior to the arrival date, 100% of the reservation will be charged. This cancellation policy may also apply if a reservation is modified 8 weeks or less prior to the arrival date.

LOW SEASON (1 May - 30 September): An advance deposit equal to 30% of the total amount of your stay is required to confirm your reservation. If a cancellation is received 4 weeks or more prior to the arrival date, we will refund your deposit minus $100 administration fee per cabin and minus any charges such as credit card commissions or PayPal fees that we may be unable to recover. Payment of the balance will be due 4 weeks before the arrival date after which the reservation becomes non-refundable. In the event of a ‘no-show’, 100% of the total of the reservation will be charged. If a reservation is cancelled 4 weeks or less prior to the arrival date, 100% of the reservation will be charged. This cancellation policy may also apply if a reservation is modified 4 weeks or less prior to the arrival date.
HOLIDAY SEASON (any portion of the stay occurring between December 22nd and January 8th): An advance deposit equal to 30% of the total amount of your stay is required to confirm your reservation. If a cancellation is received 12 weeks or more prior to the arrival date, we will refund your deposit minus $100 administration fee per cabin and minus any charges such as credit card commissions or PayPal fees that we may be unable to recover. Payment of the balance will be due 12 weeks before the arrival date after which the reservation becomes non-refundable. In the event of a ‘no-show’, 100% of the total of the reservation will be charged. If a reservation is cancelled 12 weeks or less prior to the arrival date, 100% of the reservation will be charged. This cancellation policy may also apply if a reservation is modified 12 weeks or less prior to the arrival date.

GROUP BOOKINGS (3 or more cabins booked concurrently): An advance deposit equal to 30% of the total amount of your stay is required to confirm your reservation. If a cancellation is received 16 weeks or more prior to the arrival date, we will refund your deposit minus $100 administration fee per cabin and minus any charges such as credit card commissions or PayPal fees that we may be unable to recover. Payment of the balance will be due 16 weeks before the arrival date after which the reservation becomes non-refundable. In the event of a ‘no-show’, 100% of the total of the reservation will be charged. If a reservation is cancelled 16 weeks or less prior to the arrival date, 100% of the reservation will be charged. This cancellation policy may also apply if a reservation is modified 16 weeks or less prior to the arrival date.

PAYMENTS POLICY

Because of our small size and remote location, cancellations affect us greatly and, for this reason, we require a deposit of 30% in order to confirm and hold your reservation. The balance of the reservation, which is payable by credit card or bank transfer, is due 4 weeks before arrival for Low Season bookings (1 May to 30 September), 8 weeks for High Season bookings (1 November to 30 April but excluding Holiday Season) and 12 weeks for Holiday Season bookings (December 22nd to January 8th). For Group bookings (3+ Cabinas booked at any one time) we require the balance of the reservation 16 weeks in advance regardless of the season.

RISKS AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

Golfo Dulce Retreat is a small, isolated ecolodge accessible only by boat and in the midst of a real rainforest habitat. As such there are inherent risks which you need to be aware of and for which we accept no responsibility. By proceeding with a reservation, you shall indemnify and hold Golfo Dulce Retreat, its related companies and employees harmless in respect of any liability, loss, damage, cost and expense of any nature arising out of, and/or in connection with the following:

1) TRAVEL DISRUPTIONS: We accept no responsibility for disruptions to your travel itinerary caused by factors such as bad weather, flight cancellations, strikes, diversions, or delays. This policy applies to both road travel and/or flights, including international and domestic flights, whether purchased on your behalf or not. Please understand that the later in the day you leave your arrival or departure, the higher the risk of disruption due to adverse weather. We will not be able to offer you a full or partial refund for any missed night and so we STRONGLY ADVISE our guests to ensure that travel disruptions are covered by TRAVEL INSURANCE. If not covered by travel insurance, the responsibility still remains with the guest.

2) BOAT ACCESS ONLY: Golfo Dulce Retreat is only accessible by boat and we cannot wait for guests to arrive in Golfito or Puerto Jimenez after dark; 4:30pm is typically the latest pick-up time. If your travel is delayed beyond this time, it will be your responsibility to find a suitable accommodation for the night and we will not be able to offer you a full or partial refund for your missed night at our retreat.

3) LIMITED MEANS OF COMMUNICATION: We have no cellular signal at the Retreat and the only way to communicate with us is by email or internet messaging services such as WhatsApp. If you need to communicate with us, you therefore need to find an internet/wifi connection or a have an active data SIM card. We accept no responsibility if you choose to communicate with us by other means and, as a result of us not being aware of the communication, your arrival at the Retreat is disrupted.

4) MARINE RISKS: There are inherent risks involved with snorkelling, kayaking and boating, included but not limited to equipment failure, perils of the sea, harm caused by marine creatures (including bites), boarding or disembarking boats, kayaks and SUPs. This is true during the daytime and, especially, during night-time excursions such as the Bioluminescence Boat Outing.

5) RAINFOREST RISKS: There are inherent risks involved in a rainforest included but not limited to falling trees and branches, and harm such as bites caused by forest creatures such as snakes or spiders. These risks exist while hiking, walking around our property and the beach or residing in any of our structures including our Cabins, the Restaurant and Living areas, our pool and the beach Cabanas. Hiking excursions in particular may involve walking on uneven ground, and on unstable terrain, and we do not accept liability for any injuries that may occur as a result of this.

6) LIMITED MEDICAL FACILITIES: You must understand that the Retreat and our boats have limited medical facilities and that, in the event of illness or injury, appropriate medical care and treatment will be delayed until you can be transported to the nearest hospital in Golfito. In case of a medical problem arising during the stay, which results in costs for evacuation, use of boat, land or air transportation or repatriation, the responsibility for payment of these costs belongs solely to the guest. We strongly advise our guests to ensure that such eventualities are covered by TRAVEL INSURANCE. If not covered by travel insurance, the responsibility still remains with the guest.

7) FORCE MAJEURE: We do not accept any responsibility for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection to force majeure (act of god) events such as natural disasters, adverse weather, terrorist acts, wars, riots, fires, floods, hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, thunderstorms, explosion, strikes, lockouts, slowdowns, prolonged shortage of energy supplies, civil disturbances, and government actions, restrictions or regulations.

8) LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY: We assume no responsibility for thefts, pilferages, or loss or damage to property, whether this occurs on Golfo Dulce Retreat property, or during one of our excursions, or whilst in transit to or from the property. Guests are advised to look after all personal belongings, and to make use of the safe that we provide in your room to secure your valuables.

9) HEALTH: We will not be liable for any diseases, allergic reactions, infections and/or injuries that may occur or be transmitted during your stay. We assume that any guest that comes to stay with us is aware of the particular rainforest conditions and the physical fitness that may be required for many of our excursions. We do not accept responsibility for any injuries, sickness, or any other ill health that might occur during your stay at Golfo Dulce Retreat.

10) THIRD PARTIES: Some of our excursions and some of the transport that we may arrange for you are provided by third parties that are not employees of Golfo Dulce Retreat. We do not accept liability for any dissatisfactions, injuries, delays, cancellations, damage or loss connected with or arising from the services provided by these third parties.

11) CHILDREN: Guests must ensure that their children are within line of sight at all times and that they follow the safety guidelines that we provide. Parents must undertake a higher standard of care when looking after their children during their stay with us due to the aforementioned risks that are inherent in a marine and rainforest environment.