These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time and apply to all of our services.
By accessing, browsing, using and/or completing a reservation through our (mobile) website you acknowledge and agree to have read, understood and agreed to be legally bound to the terms and conditions set out below. No contract between the customer and Samara Dive School shall come into existence until Samara Dive School receives full payment and issues a confirmation invoice. The customer making the booking accepts these conditions on behalf of all members of their travel party and is responsible for the entirety of the payment.
Samara Dive School is a tour operator, offering a wide range of adventure tours in Costa Rica.
Bookings can be made directly through Samara Dive School, its sub-brands and/or any other website through which Samara Dive School makes their services available. If you are having any problems booking through Samara Dive School website www.adventures.is then please contact our Customer Care Team.
Samara Dive School reserves the right to alter itineraries and/or timetables should it be necessary, due to adverse weather and or other related conditions. Samara Dive School is not responsible for expenses and/or other related costs due to factors outside of its control, such as flight delays, changes and or cancellations, injuries, weather, war, natural disasters etc. and/or other unforeseeable matters. You are responsible for providing Samara Dive School with the correct contact information and related details so that we can keep you informed in the event of changes made to the services booked.
1.1. Please note that all prices for the services provided by Samara Dive School and its sub-brands are in US Dollar (USD). As a local operator, Samara Dive School cannot be responsible for currency fluctuations and or additional fees outside its control that may be applied such as bank transfer fees, credit card fees, etc.
1.2. All charges are made in US Dollars (USD) unless you have selected Colones (CRC). On Samaradiveschool.com you can view an estimate of prices in CRC and EUR and other currencies. This is only to help you understand the approximate price. Your credit card will always be charged in US Dollars unless you have selected otherwise. We also refund in USD. Since Samara Dive School does not charge any booking or transaction fees we can not be held liable for any loss due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates during transactions, nor any third party transaction fees that may occur at the time of payment and/or refund. Keep in mind that your card issuer may charge you a foreign transaction fee.
1.3. All prices shown on our (mobile) website are based on current prices. All prices mentioned on our (mobile) website include value-added tax. Samara Dive School reserves the right to alter or change already published prices on the website without prior notice in the event of currency fluctuation, government taxes, or any such cost increases that are outside Samara Dive School‘ control. Prices are guaranteed against any surcharge after an invoice has been issued, unless the increase is due to government laws or currency changes and amounts to 5% of the tour price or more. The amounts that exceed 5% will be charged and clients will be entitled to cancel their booking with a full refund if the surcharge exceeds 10%. Any increase due to changes in government laws, i.e. tax changes will be added to the invoice.
2.1. Please note that special offers such as promotional codes cannot be applied to a reservation after a purchase has been made such as in the form of a refund. When offered, promotional codes and/or other special offers, must be entered into the relevant field located on the payment page upon check out at the time of booking in order to be valid and applied.
2.2. Please note that all special offers such as promotional codes and/or early bird discount only apply to the price of the tour. Extras and rental gear are not subject to discount.
2.3. Early bird discount is applied to the final price of the tour, if a special offer/promotional code is used, the early bird discount applies to the discounted price (full price less special offer/promotional code).
3.1. We guarantee that you always get the lowest price when you reserve a tour through our direct channels. or we‘ll match the lower price! It’s easy to apply for the Best Price Guarantee on www.samaradiveschool.com
Here‘s how it works:
4.1. Samara Dive School offers pick up and drop-off services for most of its tours. Please read the tour description very carefully to see if pick-up and drop-off services are included in the price, can be added as extras or the activity in question only offers the option of meeting us on location.
4.2. You as the traveller are responsible for your pick-up, this includes providing Samara Dive School with your pick up location in time as well as being ready at the correct time for the pick-up for your tour. Samara Dive School will provide you with information about your pick up time on your voucher which is provided upon booking. If you are unsure when to be ready for your scheduled tour then please contact our Customer Care Team.
4.3. Please note that missing the pick-up does not entitle you to a refund of the price paid for the services. You are responsible to be ready for pick up at the assigned pick up point from the start of the pick-up time in order to not miss our guides when they arrive to pick you up.
5.1. If you are planning to meet us on location for your tour then please be sure that this can be arranged. For most of Samara Dive School tours, it is possible to meet us on location. Please read the tour description of your tour very carefully to see if meeting us on location is possible for the activity in question. Please note that there are still some tours where this can not be offered. If you are unsure which tours this follows under then please contact our Customer Care Team.
5.2. You as the traveller are responsible for arriving at the meeting point in time for your tour. This includes being ready at the correct time at the correct location in time for your adventure tour. Samara Dive School will provide you with information about the meeting point for your tour on your voucher which is provided upon booking. If you are unsure when to arrive for your scheduled tour then please contact our Customer Care Team.
5.3. Please note that if you do not arrive in time for your tour and/or are late to the meeting point of the tour, that is to say, you do not arrive to the correct meeting point at the correct time for your adventure tour then you are not entitled to a refund of the price paid for the services.
6.1 Extras and rental gear can both be added upon booking your tour as well as afterward as long as it is made no later than the evening before your tour departure date. If you have already made a reservation with us and would like to add any extras and/or rental gear to your reservation, you can do so by contacting our Customer Care Team.
6.2. Please note that all extras and rental gear reservations fall under the same cancellation terms as the tour purchased. This includes single supplements, hiking shoes, waterproof jackets and pants, etc. After the tour departure, the extras become non-refundable. Please see section 16 for details on the cancellation policy.
6.3. Safety equipment needed for each tour is provided by Samara Dive School and is not classified as rental gear.
7.1. As with any and all world travel, we strongly recommend that you purchase a travel/diving insurance policy in your home country that covers your cost should you have to cancel your travel reservation with short notice. This kind of travel insurance is not expensive and frequently covers other risks. Having travel insurance is always a good idea when traveling around the world.
8. WEATHER AND CONDITIONS
8.1. All adventure trips and outdoor activities are dependent on weather and general conditions. Samara Dive School reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries, departure times and or cancel your trip without prior notice with your safety in mind, should the necessity arise.
8.2. Please keep in mind that Costa Rica is and will always be Costa Rica. The weather changes fast on the pacific coast and with it, conditions change. Our guides are specially trained to deal with changing conditions and their number one priority is to make decisions with your safety in mind. Please be aware of this and respect your guide’s authority to do so.
8.3. Samara Dive School can not be held responsible for any loss, damage, accident, injury, sickness, schedule change or other factors due to weather, strike, natural disasters or any other cause beyond Samara Dive School‘s control. Samara Dive School acts in good faith and cannot be held responsible for defaults or delays of organizations that are not a part of the Samara Dive family such as individual agencies, hotels, other tour operators, airlines, guides, restaurants or any other person‘s or company‘s act.
8.4. In the case of any changes to flights (domestic and international), the passenger is responsible for any additional costs incurred as a result of such changes (i.e. additional hotel nights, meals, transfers, etc.), at the time provided. We, therefore, advise all customers to have comprehensive travel insurance to meet all contingencies.
9.1. Appropriate footwear and suitable outdoor clothing must be worn. We reserve the right to refuse participation to customers who are dressed inappropriately or with inappropriate footwear since this will put the client’s well-being and safety at risk. In such cases, full cancellation charges apply.
10.1. Please note that Samara Dive School cannot be held responsible for damaged luggage if it is taken on the tour. Luggage storage can be bought as an optional extra if the customer would like to securely store their luggage while on the multi-day adventure.
11.1. Guests/Clients are advised that all activities are undertaken entirely at their own risk and they must behave in a fit and proper manner at all times in accordance with Samara Dive School or its partners’ guidelines and must take proper responsibility for their own safety. All adventure tours and outdoor activities carry inherent risks and Samara Dive School or its partners do not assume any responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions or are caused by factors outside of human control (Force majeure). With the purchase of your trip you agree to these conditions, understand its implications and accept responsibility for your participation in your trip. Depending on the excursion, you may be requested to sign an additional liability release.
11.2. Our guides reserve the right to refuse participation to any customer who they believe will not be able to complete the tour because of their physical condition, injury or illness. In such cases, full cancellation charges apply.
11.3. We reserve the right to refuse participation to clients that are being physically or verbally abusive, or if they pose a threat to staff members or fellow travellers in any other way. In such cases, full cancellation charges apply.
12.1. We reserve the right to refuse participation to clients we believe are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in such circumstances, no refund shall be given. Our guides reserve the right to refuse participation to any customer whose conduct or manner is likely to cause offense, upset or put other passengers in danger. In such cases, full cancellation charges apply.
13.1. Samara Dive School welcomes all feedback, both positive as well as negative as it helps us improve our overall services, and performance. We would greatly appreciate it if you could share your tour experience with us.
Please note that all complaints must reach Samara Dive School within 5 days from the completion of your tour. Otherwise, possible compensation is not valid.
14.1. Samara Dive School accepts all major credit and debit cards as well as PayPal. Purchases made via credit/debit card will go through 3D Secure PayPal Business. Samara Dive School requires the full amount at the time of booking.
15.1. This agreement shall be exclusively governed by and construed in accordance with Costa Rican law.
15.2. Any disputes arising out or in connection with this agreement shall exclusively be submitted to and dealt with by the local courts.
All cancellation fees held by Samara Dive School are only intended to cover our direct cost of amending and/or cancelling your reservation. By accessing, browsing, using and/or completing a reservation through our (mobile) website you acknowledge and agree to have read, understood and agreed to be legally bound to the cancellation policy as set out below. No contract between the customer and Samara Dive School shall come into existence until Samara Dive School receives full payment and issues a confirmation invoice. The customer making the booking accepts these conditions on behalf of all members of their travel party and is responsible for payment due from the party in entirety.
All communications relating to these terms and conditions (in particular any requests to cancel or amend your tour arrangements) must be from the lead traveller of each reservation and processed through the My Adventures portal where travellers can manage their bookings. If the customer portal is inaccessible, all cancellations must be delivered in writing via the customer contact form and sent by the lead traveller. Once delivered the amendment and/or cancellation needs to be confirmed by Samara Dive School before further action can be taken. If reimbursement is in order, then it shall be made in accordance with all procedures and processed as quickly as possible, and the stipulated amount will be transferred to the same credit card that was used upon booking. Please note that we can not be responsible for delays of the delivery of the reimbursement to your account once it has been processed on our end. For tours purchased through another vendor please reach out to the vendor directly with your refund and/or cancellation request. The cancellation policy applies to the original booking departure date the tour has been booked for.
16.0. Changing the number of people in a booking to a smaller number is considered cancellation for the change in number of participants. Such cancellations are subject to cancellation fees as per the below.
As we start to incur costs from the time the contract is confirmed we will apply cancellation charges as shown below from the time when written notification of the cancellation is received:
16.1. CANCELLATIONS OR AMENDMENTS OF DAY TOURS
More than 24 hours’ notice
Full refund*
Less than 24 hours’ notice
No refund*
For all bookings of day tours operated by Samara Dive School (or any of Samara Dive School sub-brands), a minimum of 24 hours’ notice of cancellation or amendment prior to your scheduled tour departure is required for a full refund. If a cancellation is made with less than 24 hours’ notice prior to departure no refund is given. For the 24-hour policy to be applicable cancellations need to be made and delivered to Samara Dive School through the customer contact form . The 24-hour policy does not honour cancellation requests sent through other channels. If the customer portal is inaccessible, all cancellations must be delivered in writing via the customer contact form and sent by the lead traveller.
Extras and rental gear, booked as part of a day tour fall under the terms as stated here above.
Please note that this only applies to tours operated by Samara Dive School. Tours operated by trusted partners are subject to the operators‘ cancellation policy.
16.2. CANCELLATIONS OR AMENDMENTS OF MULTI-DAY TOURS, SELF-DRIVE, AND GROUP TOURS
More than 14 days’ notice
100% refund
Less than 14 days’ notice
50% refund*
Less than 48 hours notice
No refund
Cancellations or amendments with more than 14 days' notice before trip departure:
You will be refunded 100% of the total tour price.
Cancellations or amendments with less than 14 days’ notice before trip departure:
You will be refunded 50% of your total tour price. 50% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of cancelling any arrangements made for your tour.
Cancellations or amendments with less than 48-hours’ notice before trip departure:
No refund will be given if tours are cancelled or if amendments are made with less than 48 hours’ notice, as Samara Dive School will be charged for all costs such as guides, transport, etc.
Extras and rental gear, booked as part of a multi-day tour fall under the terms as stated here above.
16.2.1. Self Drive tours are not eligible for partial cancellations of included activities and/or passenger count. Complete cancellations follow the terms mentioned here above.
16.3.1. Cancellations of Private & Customized Day Tours (Individuals and Group Bookings)
More than 72 hours’ notice
90% refund
Less than 72 hours’ notice
No refund
Cancellations or amendments of Private, Group & Customized Day Tours (Individuals and Group Bookings) made with more than 72 hours‘ notice (prior to departure):
You will be refunded 90% of the total tour price. 10% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of booking and preparing your tour.
Cancellations or amendments of Private, Group & Customized Day Tours (Individuals and Group Bookings) made with less than 72 hours’ notice:
No refund will be given if tours are cancelled or if amendments are made with less than 72 hours‘ notice, as Samara Dive School will be charged for all costs such as guides, transport, etc.
16.3.2. Cancellations or amendments of Private & Customized Multi-Day Tours (Individual bookings, 1-9 participants)
More than 14 days’ notice
90% refund
Less than 14 days’ notice
50% refund*
Less than 72 hours‘ notice
No refund
Cancellations or amendments of Private & Customized Multi-day Tours (Individual bookings of 1-9 participants) made with more than 14 days‘ notice (prior to departure):
You will be refunded 90% of the total tour price. 10% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of booking and preparing your tour.
Cancellations or amendments of Private & Customized Multi-day Tours (Individual bookings of 1-9 participants) made with less than 14 days’ notice:
You will be refunded 50% of your total tour price. 50% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of cancelling any arrangements made for your tour.
Cancellations or amendments Private & Customized Multi-day Tours (Individual bookings of 1-9 participants) made with less than 72 hours‘ notice:
No refund will be given if tours are cancelled or if amendments are made with less than 72 hours‘ notice, as Samara Dive School will be charged for all costs such as guides, transport, accommodation, etc.
16.3.3. Cancellations or amendments of Private & Customized Multi-Day Tours (Group bookings, 10+ participants)
More than 8 weeks’ notice
90% refund
Less than 8 weeks’ notice
50% refund*
Less than 4 weeks‘ notice
No refund
You will be refunded 90% of the total tour price. 10% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of booking and preparing your tour.
Cancellations or amendments of Private & Customized Multi-day Tours (Group bookings, 10+ participants) made with less than 8 weeks’ notice:
You will be refunded 50% of your total tour price. 50% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of cancelling any arrangements made for your tour.
Cancellations or amendments of Private & Customized Multi-Day Tours (Group bookings, 10+ participants) made with less than 4 weeks‘ notice:
No refund will be given if tours are cancelled or if amendments are made with less than 4 weeks‘ notice, as Samara Dive School will be charged for all costs such as guides, transport, accommodation etc.
16.4. Cancellations or amendments of Airplane & Helicopter Tours
More than 72 hours’ notice
90% refund
Less than 72 hours’ notice
50% refund
Less than 48 hours’ notice
No refund
Cancellations or amendments made with more than 72 hours’ notice (prior to departure):
You will be refunded 90% of the total tour price. 10% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of booking and preparing your tour.
Cancellations or amendments made with less than 72 hours’ notice:
You will be refunded 50% of the total tour price. 50% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of cancelling any arrangements made for your tour.
Cancellations or amendments made with less than 48 hours’ notice:
No refund will be given if tours are cancelled or if amendments are made with less than 48 hours’ notice, as Samara Dive School will be charged for all costs such as guides, transport, etc.
16.5. Please make sure to fill in and/or provide all necessary details upon booking your adventure tour/s. Once you have completed the booking process a booking confirmation will follow, containing your booking number and the voucher/s for the services booked. The voucher will be your proof of payment so please bring it with you on the day of your tour. Please note that you are responsible for carefully checking all details on your confirmation and related travel documents to ensure that they are correct. In the event of a discrepancy, such as booking mistakes where the wrong date and/or an incorrect number of participants was booked please contact Samara Dive School immediately as it may not be possible to make amendments to your reservation when it gets closer to your departure date. Samara Dive School cannot be responsible for mistakes in the booking process.
16.6.1. Tours operated by trusted partners, as marked in the booking process, are subject to the partners‘ cancellation terms. The terms will be stated on the ticket after purchase. Information on the terms can also be provided in writing. Please Contact the team for further information. These cancellation policies apply during COVID-19 times as well.
This applies to the rental cars that are included in Self Drive packages, and direct rentals. Rental Contracts are exclusively entered into at branch locations of the car rental company, its affiliates or their respective franchisees.
1) The lessee agrees to the provisions of this lease and has received a copy of it.
2) The lessee will return the automobile:
a) And all accessories (including tires and tools) in the condition they were when received, with the exception of normal wear due to use.
b) On the date specified in this lease, unless otherwise agreed upon later.
c) To the lessor’s premises, unless otherwise specified.
3) If the lessee does not return the automobile at the time agreed upon in this lease, or does not declare his intention to extend the lease, the lessor or the police is authorized to repossess the vehicle without further notice and at the lessee’s expense. Extending the lease is dependent upon the consent of the lessor. If the lessee returns the vehicle 1 hour or later after the lease has expired, the lessor is authorized to demand up to 24-hours rental under the terms of this lease.
4) The vehicle shall be handled and driven carefully. Only those named as drivers on the first page of this agreement are authorized to drive the automobile. The lessee is liable for damages resulting from the use of the automobile for which no compensation will be paid by the vehicle’s insurance company. This includes damage to the automobile and/or injury to passengers due to the following:
a) Off-road driving.
b) Driving across rivers or any kind of water course.
c) Intentional acts or gross negligence.
d) Use of intoxicants by the driver.
e) Vehicle use that contravenes Costa Rican law and/or the provisions of this lease.
5) In the event of a collision or accident, the lessee shall immediately notify the appropriate police authorities as well as the lessor of the incident, and the lessee may not leave the scene before the police has arrived.
6) The number of kilometres (km) that the vehicle will be driven while this lease is in force is determined by reading a normal odometer supplied with the vehicle by the manufacturer. The lessee shall notify the lessor as soon as possible if the odometer is out of order or stops functioning during the term of the lease.
7) The lessor is not responsible for the disappearance of or damages to property that the lessee or any other party leaves in or transports with the vehicle.
8) The lessee agrees to pay the lessor, upon request:
a) A deposit amounting to the estimated cost of hiring the car.
b) Any and all expenses incurred by the lessor if he has to bring the vehicle back to his premises, in the event that it has been left somewhere without supervision, regardless of the condition of the vehicle, the roads or the weather.
9) The lessee is not authorized to have repairs done or make changes to the vehicle or its accessories, or to put the vehicle up as any kind of security, without the prior consent of the lessor.
10) The lessee is liable for all parking meter charges and fines for breaking traffic laws.
11) The lessee is not authorized to use the vehicle for transporting passengers for payment, loan it to others, or sublease it.
12) The lessor will supply the vehicle at the agreed time and make sure it meets all the demands.
13) If the vehicle malfunctions, the lessor shall supply the lessee with a comparable vehicle as soon as possible. If the damages are minor, the lessor is authorized to have repairs done on the vehicle after obtaining the lessee’s consent.
14) The lessor shall inform the lessee of the content of this agreement, particularly as to the regards of the obligations that the lessee undertakes by signing it.
15) The lessor shall inform a foreign lessee about Costa Rican traffic regulations, traffic signs, and regulations banning off-road driving. The lessor shall particularly point out the danger stemming from animals on the roads.
16) If the lessor wants to limit the use of the vehicle in regard to its equipment and/or road conditions, this shall be done in writing before this lease is signed.
17) The lessor will maintain valid liability insurance for his business operations.
18) The lease sum/rental fee includes mandatory vehicle insurance, that includes liability insurance and accident insurance for the driver and the owner.
19) Third-party liability insurance consists of the amount stipulated by Costa Rican law at any given time.
20) The lessee can purchase separate accident (All-risks) insurance. This policy will specify the amount deductible in each instance of loss.
21) This accident/all-risks insurance does not cover:
a) intentional damages or damages due to gross negligence on the part of the driver.
b) damages resulting from the driver being under the influence of alcohol, stimulants or sedatives, or in any other way incapable of driving the vehicle in a safe manner.
c) Damages due to race or test driving.
d) Damages due to war, revolution, civil unrest, riots.
e) Damages done by animals.
f) Holes burned into seats, carpets, or mats.
g) Damages affecting only wheels, tires, suspension, batteries, glass (other than windows), radios, or loss by theft of parts of the vehicle and damages resulting from this.
h) Damages caused by driving on rough roads to the vehicle’s transmission, drive, other parts that are in or attached to the chassis; damages to the chassis resulting from the vehicle scraping bottom on rough roads as a result of ridges being left by road graders; stones lodged in the road surface or on the shoulder of the road. The same applies to damages occurring when stones are thrown up, striking the underside of the vehicle during driving.
i) Damages resulting from driving in places where vehicle traffic is prohibited, such as paths, tracks, unbridged rivers or streams, beaches, places only accessible at low tide, or other trackless areas. However, compensation will be paid for damages if the driver is forced to leave the road, for example, due to road repairs.
j) Damages caused by sand, gravel, ash, pumice, or other kinds of earth material being blown onto the vehicle.
k) If the vehicle is transported by sea, no compensation will be paid for damages caused by sea spray/seawater.
l) In other instances, reference is made to the general conditions for accident /All-risks insurance.
22) The lessee may purchase special Gravel protection (GP), Theft protection (TP), and Super collision damage waiver (SCDW).
23) This lease agreement should be kept in the vehicle at all times.
24) Additions and amendments to the conditions and provisions of this lease agreement shall be made in writing.
25) Costa Rican law applies to agreements made on the basis of the terms cited above. This includes any claims for compensation that might be made. It also applies to the basis for and the calculation of compensation. The same applies to claims for damages based on liability outside this agreement. If legal disputes arise concerning this lease agreement, they will be heard before the lessor’s legal venue.
26) It should be pointed out that disputes between the parties to this lease agreement can be submitted to the active Arbitration committee of the Costa Rican Consumers Association and the Costa Rican Travel Industry Association.
27) In the course of the performance of the rental process, it is necessary to collect some personal data. It is mandatory to provide all the requested information. In the absence of such information, car rental organizations will not be able to correctly process your rental. The car rental service provider will use your personal data to assist you with reserving, renting, and leasing vehicles and for marketing purposes. You may correct factual errors in that data or exercise your right to access, update, or delete personal data by sending a request to the car rental company using the contact details provided in the rental agreement that you signed when you collected the vehicle. The Data Controller may transfer your personal data to entities in the car rental association located in: (i) the EU or (ii) the United States which adhere to the Safe Harbour principles. The company may use your personal data to (i) provide effective services, (ii) conduct analytic and/or direct marketing activities, and (iii) allow the car rental service provider to undertake customer satisfaction surveys by email or by contacting you on your cell phone or other number listed on the rental agreement or otherwise provided to the car rental service provider. Where required by law, you consent to the use of your personal data for the purposes in this section and to the transfer of your personal data to entities in the car rental service provider located outside of your country. For more information, please consult the car rental service provider. They may also use and disclose personal data to respond to legal requirements (e.g. request from law enforcement agencies), to enforce local policies, to respond to claims or to protect the rights, property, or safety of others.