Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions below are general in nature. Each tour may have specific terms and conditions in addition to those listed below.

 

REGISTRATION

To register for any of tours, please reach our via the reservation form on the tour page. Alternatively, contact us at info@biotropica-exeditions.com.

DEPOSIT & PAYMENTS

The initial payment for this tour is 50% of the total cost upon registration. The final payment, the remaining 50% should be covered and paid 45 days prior travel, giving us time to take care of all transactions with service providers in advance as well as avoiding some fluctuating costs.

Information We Will Request

The following information will be needed in order to secure spaces and coordinate logistics throughout our nature travel itinerary. Also knowing details about your needs can help us better serve you during the entire trip.

Upon confirmation of your travel dates, we will kindly ask you to send us the following details:

  • Scanned clear copy of passport. Please note that passports should be valid at least 6 months prior travel date.
  • Profession or occupation
  • E-mail
  • Physical address
  • Phone number
  • Emergency contact person (name, relationship, address, phone, e-mail address)
  • Special dietary restrictions or food requirements
  • Allergies
  • Specific personal medication taking at the time of travel
  • Health condition or previous treatments
  • Applicable vaccination certificates – yellow fever if traveling from certain countries.
  • Any additional information you feel is relevant for us to know.

CANCELATION POLICY

Cancellation penalties and refunds are based on the following schedule:

  • If cancellation is made 120 days or more before the tour departure date, a cancellation fee of $500 per person will be charged unless the deposit is transferred to a new registration for another Biotropica Expeditions tour that will operate within the next 12 months. In that case, the cancellation fee will be $100 per person.
  • If cancellation is made fewer than 120 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also apply to all trips or extensions. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance for your protection.

FUEL AND FUEL SURCHARGES

In the uncertain, often volatile oil market of late, it is difficult – if not impossible – to predict fuel costs over the long term and, more specifically, at the time of operation of this departure.

Our prices are based upon the prevailing fuel rates at the time of itinerary publication. While we will do everything possible to maintain our prices, if the fuel rates increase significantly, it may be necessary to institute a fuel surcharge.

TRIP CANCELLATION & MEDICAL EVACUATION INSURANCE

We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance as soon as possible to protect yourself against losses due to accidents or illness. Please check with your insurance agent regarding coverage you may presently have via other insurance policies that may cover illness during your trip.

Not all insurance providers provide the same levels of coverage. 

We suggest either Travel Insured International or Redpoint Travel Protection as travel insurance provider.

Through Redpoint, we recommend their Ripcord plan. Designed for all types of travelers, Ripcord is among the most comprehensive travel protection programs available. Critical benefits of Ripcord include a completely integrated program with a single contact for emergency services, travel assistance, and insurance claims; medical evacuation and rescue services from your point of injury or illness to your hospital of choice; comprehensive travel insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, and much more. Optional expanded insurance coverage is available and includes items such as security evacuation coverage in case of a natural disaster or other security events, waiver for pre-existing medical conditions exclusion, and a “Cancel for Any Reason” benefit. Ripcord is available to U.S. and non- U.S. residents.

AIR INFORMATION

Please use your preferred agent for your international air travel arrangements from your home and return. Biotropica Expeditions is not responsible for any air ticket penalties.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Visas are not required for U.S., Canadian or European citizens for entry into Ecuador for a stay of up to consecutive 90 days – three months.

Please check the expiration date on your passport. If it is not valid over the duration of your visit, you will need to get it renewed. Also, it must have a minimum of 6 months remaining to be valid for travel to Ecuador.

You will also want to make sure that you have at least two blank pages in your passport for stamps.

If you need a new passport or to renew an old passport, you should get it well in advance of your trip departure date. For additional fees, a passport can usually be issued on an expedited basis. In the United States this can be done at the nearest passport office, most post offices, or the county clerk’s office.

As a safety measure, photocopy the first two pages of your passport. Keep the photocopies in a safe place, so if your passport is lost you will have proof of identification. Your passport should be signed and easily available at all times. You will need it for check-in at the airport on your first day of departure, so do not pack it in your checked luggage.

CURRENCY & MONEY MATTERS

The official currency of Ecuador is the US dollar.

Your tour with Biotropica Expeditions includes most necessary expenses. You will want to bring enough cash to cover personal expenses not included in the program. These might include taxi rides, gifts, laundry, special gratuities, meals on your own, and personal items. Most credit cards, especially Master Card and VISA, are accepted in different establishments and businesses in major cities. In rural areas, only cash is accepted. We recommend bringing bills in small denominations. A $20 bill is considered large to most Ecuadorians.

In Conclusion

Thank you for traveling with us! Your business helps us to continue impacting and empowering local and Indigenous people, their cultures and territories, supporting native forests and national parks, contributing to science projects, and leaving behind only footsteps for a better world!