AUTHENTIC TRAVEL – BOOKING AND CANCELLATION POLICIES

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The following terms and conditions apply to all Tours organized by Authentic Travel Ltd.

For this purpose, the term “Tours” shall include all room accommodation bookings at hotels, resorts, excursions, tours, transfers, rentals, etc., that have been organized on your behalf by Authentic Travel Ltd.

RESERVATIONS & TRIP COST

• The trip’s price will be the price agreed upon in the final itinerary accepted and confirmed by email between Authentic Travel Ltd. representative and client, where all details of what is included are provided.
• The price represents a complete package; The breakdown of individual costs is not available.
• International flights are not included.
• We generally include domestic flights on trips. All information on flights included or excluded from the total tour price will be indicated on the final itinerary.
• Reservations can be made by Phone, whatsapp or by Email.
• Whenever a reservation is made, a payment link will be sent to you for immediate payment.

PAYMENTS

• All prices are quoted in $US.
• We accept Visa, MasterCard & AMEX (credit cards)
• Credit card charges are at a rate of BZD$2.00 to USD$1.00.
• A deposit is required upon confirmation of your tour. If it is not provided within this time, Authentic Travel Limited reserves the right to release your tour until payment is made.
• Gratuities are not included in any charges. Gratuities are, however, appreciated by all staff but we prefer to leave tipping to the individual.
• A payment link is sent along with your invoice so that you can send in your information for immediate charge.
• Authentic Travel Ltd does not control added charges by your credit card company which they may add for foreign transactions.
• If payment is submitted via bank draft or wire transfer, your bank will add charges for which Authentic Travel Ltd cannot be held responsible.
• It should be noted that Authentic Travel Ltd. has no control over these charges which any bank makes directly to you. We can only account for the amount you have authorized us to charge you.

We kindly request that payment is made in the following manner:

• 50% of the total cost of the booking is required at the time booking is confirmed if booking is made 31 days or more prior to arrival.
• 100% of the total cost of the booking on or before 30 days before departure for tours. Reservations made less than 30 days for Belize must be paid in full at the time of reservation
• On Holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Holy Week, apply special payment schedules that will be informed by the representative of Authentic Travel Ltd when receiving a confirmation from the traveler or may require full payment depending on the date of booking.
• Authentic Travel Ltd. reserves the right to refuse or cancel reservations for any reason at our discretion.

Suppose payments are not received according to the payment schedule described in the reservation invoice. In that case, Authentic Travel Ltd reserves the right to cancel and charge cancellation fees as described in the reservation form.

Unfortunately, failure to remit deposits or payments on time may result in the cancellation of your reservation, and cancellation fees will apply.

• Bank deposit / Wire transfer
• Deposit and wire transfer instructions will be sent by email

IMPORTANT: When making your payment, either an initial deposit or final payment, you must inform us by email about the payment completed, the payment method and date sent, and trip references, failure to do so will result in a delay.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS

If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your trip, fees will apply computed as of the date of receipt of the written cancellation notice.

Cancellation by traveler

The cancellation in the participation of a trip is necessary to make it in writing, which will come into effect at the time of receipt. If you need to cancel your reservation, you must inform us immediately; by email, we will confirm your cancellation.

Based on the date of reception of your cancellation notice, cancellation penalty fees will apply per person. This policy and rate schedule also apply to pre-trip and post-trip extensions, as well as any transfer from one trip extension to another.

• For cancellations received 30 days or more before the first day of the tour,
• All non-refundable deposits, surcharges, and deposits will be charged (e.g., non-refundable domestic airfare, helicopter trip deposits, or hotel deposits)
• Fully refundable, less 10% of the deposit due
• 100% travel credit for the same trip postponed, change tour or destination change (charges may apply due to holiday season and availability)
• For cancellations received 29-15 days before the first day of the tour,
• All non-refundable deposits, surcharges, and deposits will be charged (e.g., non-refundable domestic airfare, helicopter trip deposits, or hotel deposits)
• A cancellation fee of 50% of the entire trip cost will be charged
• 100% travel credit for the same trip postponed, change tour or destination change (charges may apply due to holiday season and availability)
• 14 days or less:
• 100% of the trip cost will be charged,

Under no crcumstances can Authentic Travel Ltd waive or reduce cancellation fees, so it is highly recommended that you purchase travel cancellation/interruption insurance.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

We are not responsible for changes that arise as a result of events outside of our control, such as technical or maintenance problems with intrantional transportation, changes imposed by re-scheduling or cancellation of flights by an airline, or main charter company, war, or threat of war, civil strife, industrial disputes, natural disasters, bad weather or terrorist activity.

BELIZE TRAVEL/ ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Travellers & visitors to Belize must possess a passport that is valid for anywhere between 3 and 6 months after the date of arrival.

When Traveling with Children:

• Parents travelling with children under 18 years of age must have proper documentation including a valid passport and letter of parental consent. Children traveling with one blood parent do require a notarized letter from the other parent indicating travel consent and authorization.
• When traveling with adults other than parents (Student Groups in particular) must be in possession of an original notarized letter of authorization signed by both parents
• children traveling with both parents must hold custody papers if child’s name is different from those of the adopting parents

In cases where travel is denied by an airline or immigration authority, refunds will not be extended. Authentic Travel Ltd reserves the right to review the arrangements and decide on any actions on a case by case basis. Rebooking will incur additional charges and fees.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

• Because Authentic Travel Ltd cannot be held responsible or liable for trip cancellations or altered itineraries due to reasons out of our control, it is highly recommended that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance for all bookings done in Belize.
• We do not sell travel insurance.
• Contact Travel Guard at (800) 826-1300, or visit their website: www.travelguard.com. Trip insurance has to be booked within 7 days of purchasing the trip in order to cover pre-existing medical conditions.
• Please review the following link carefully in regard to Weather or Hurricane Cancellation Coverage – which has some really important information on how to purchase: “AIG – Questions about Hurricane & Travel Insurance“

WAiVER OF LIABILITY

• Upon checking in, all guests are required to sign a Waiver of Liability release form. A copy of this Waiver of Liability release form can be sent to you in advance if requested.

GUARANTEE OF PARTICIPATION

• Our concern for your safety is our primary mandate.
• Guarantee of Participation on any expeditions cannot be made in advance for any person even if they have made a reservation and or made a deposit or made payment in full for any activity.
• Authentic Travel Ltd, the management and the staff have the right to refuse participation of any person at any time for any reason leading to the concern that the person’s fitness or actions might put that person, or others, in harm’s way.
• All decisions are final and not arbitrated.

RESTRICTIONS AND PARTICIPATION

Our tours usually do not imply a very strenuous activity, but if this cannot be avoided, it will be informed in the final itinerary details.

However, participants must be able to complete moderate walks a day, sometimes on irregular or slippery surfaces, to fully participate in the tour activities.

CHANGE OF ITINERARY OR GUIDE

• Authentic Travel Ltd reserves the right to make changes to the route if the need arises due to unforeseen circumstances while traveling.
• Suppose the trip leader/guide determines that it is better to deviate from the activities described on the trip program. In that case, he/she will make reasonable efforts to replace an activity of comparable interest and satisfaction for the trip participants.
• If significant changes are needed to do before starting any tour, participants will be informed about those changes of itinerary or mode of operation by Authentic Travel Ltd representative. Changes such as airline strikes, weather, demonstrations, and political unrest, whatever additional costs may be, will be the participants’ responsibility.

Finally, Authentic Travel Ltd reserves the right to assign or replace any of its guides on any tour.

LEADER AUTHORITY / TRAVEL GUIDE

Inform the leader/guide of the trip about any problem or dissatisfaction; he/she can usually solve the situation.

If a schedule change is necessary, he/she will usually consult with the participants of the trip. However, in matters related to the safety and proper conduct of the journey, the leader’s decision is unappealable.

Authentic Travel Ltd accepts no responsibility for a participant who violates the laws or regulations of any destination visited, which is considered detrimental to the safety or well being of other participants in the trip, or whose behavior prevents the operation of the tour or rights, the protection or enjoyment of other travelers.

We can ask that person to leave the trip, and AuthenticTravel Ltd will not be responsible for the further expenses incurred by any person excluded from the continuation of a trip, including ground transportation costs and airfares.

If you have any questions regarding your reservation, cancellation, payment, or travel arrangements, please contact us, and we would be happy to assist.