Effective Date: September 6, 2025

Welcome to ExploreCostaRica.org (“we,” “our,” “us,” or “the Service”). These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of our website, purchase of tours, merchandise, digital products, and related services. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

Agreement to Terms

By accessing ExploreCostaRica.org, creating an account, or making any purchase, you confirm that:

• You are at least 18 years of age or have parental consent
• You have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
• You agree to comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• You accept these Terms in their entirety

If you disagree with any part of these Terms, please discontinue use of our services immediately.

Description of Services

ExploreCostaRica.org provides:

• Tourism information and travel guides for Costa Rica
• Tour booking and reservation services
• Sale of Costa Rica-themed merchandise and souvenirs
• Digital travel guides, maps, and informational PDFs
• Travel planning tools and resources
• Customer support for travel-related inquiries

Technical Development and Maintenance

Our website is developed and maintained by H1100, a software development and digital marketing company. H1100 provides:

• Technical infrastructure and hosting services
• Website maintenance and security updates
• Database management and backup services
• Performance optimization and analytics
• Implementation of new features and functionality

All technical services are provided under strict confidentiality agreements and data protection protocols.

Tour Bookings and Services

Booking Process

• All tour bookings require advance payment or deposit
• Confirmation emails will be sent within 24 hours of booking
• Tour details, meeting points, and requirements will be provided upon confirmation
• Changes to bookings are subject to availability and may incur additional fees

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellations made 48+ hours before tour date: Full refund minus processing fees
• Cancellations made 24-48 hours before: 50% refund
• Cancellations made less than 24 hours before: No refund
• Weather-related cancellations initiated by us: Full refund or rescheduling option
• No-shows: No refund

Tour Participation

• Participants must meet age and physical requirements specified for each tour
• We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Follow all safety instructions provided by tour guides
• Participants assume inherent risks associated with outdoor activities

Merchandise and Physical Products

Orders and Shipping

• All merchandise orders require full payment at time of purchase
• Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on destination
• Delivery times vary by location and shipping method selected
• Risk of loss transfers to buyer upon delivery to shipping carrier

Returns and Exchanges

• Returns accepted within 30 days of delivery for unused items in original packaging
• Return shipping costs are responsibility of buyer unless item is defective
• Refunds processed within 7-10 business days after receiving returned item
• Custom or personalized items are non-returnable unless defective

Digital Products and Downloads

License and Usage

• Digital products (PDFs, guides, maps) are licensed for personal use only
• No redistribution, resale, or commercial use permitted
• Downloads available for 30 days after purchase
• Products delivered digitally via email or download link

Intellectual Property

• All digital content is protected by copyright
• You may print one copy for personal use
• Sharing or distributing digital products violates these Terms
• Violation may result in legal action and account termination

User Accounts and Responsibilities

Account Creation

• Provide accurate and complete information during registration
• Maintain confidentiality of login credentials
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized account access
• You are responsible for all activities under your account

Prohibited Activities

You may not:

• Use our services for illegal purposes
• Impersonate others or provide false information
• Transmit viruses, malware, or harmful code
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Use automated systems to access our website without permission
• Post offensive, defamatory, or inappropriate content

Payment Terms

Accepted Payment Methods

• Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
• PayPal and other approved digital payment services
• Bank transfers for large tour group bookings (with prior arrangement)

Pricing and Fees

• All prices displayed in US Dollars unless otherwise specified
• Prices subject to change without notice
• Additional fees may apply for payment processing
• Taxes included where applicable by law

Limitation of Liability

Service Limitations

• We provide tourism information and booking services but are not tour operators for all listed activities
• Third-party service providers are responsible for their own services
• We are not liable for actions, delays, or failures of third-party providers
• Weather, natural disasters, or force majeure events may affect services

Liability Caps

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• Our total liability is limited to the amount paid for the specific service
• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service
• Users participate in activities at their own risk

Intellectual Property Rights

Our Content

• All website content, logos, and materials are our property or licensed to us
• Protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws
• Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited

User Content

• Any content you submit becomes our property
• You grant us unlimited rights to use, modify, and distribute your content
• You warrant that your content does not infringe third-party rights
• We may remove any content at our discretion

Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our data collection and usage practices are governed by our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms. By using our services, you consent to our privacy practices as outlined in our Privacy Policy.

Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Costa Rica. Any disputes will be resolved in Costa Rican courts with jurisdiction in San José.

Resolution Process

• Initial disputes should be directed to our customer service team
• We will attempt good faith resolution within 30 days
• Unresolved disputes may proceed to binding arbitration
• Class action lawsuits are waived in favor of individual arbitration

Modifications and Updates

Terms Changes

• We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time
• Material changes will be posted on our website with 30 days notice
• Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
• Previous versions remain available upon request

Service Changes

• We may modify, suspend, or discontinue services with reasonable notice
• No compensation provided for discontinued services
• Essential services will have extended notice periods

Termination

Account Termination

We may terminate accounts for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Extended periods of inactivity
• At our discretion with reasonable notice

Effect of Termination

• Access to services immediately ceases
• Outstanding obligations remain in effect
• Data may be deleted according to our retention policies
• Certain provisions survive termination

Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service:

General Inquiries: info@h1100.dev
Technical Support: info@h1100.dev
Legal Matters: info@h1100.dev

Mailing Address:
ExploreCostaRica.org Legal Department
Costa Rica

Acknowledgment

By using ExploreCostaRica.org, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy.

These Terms of Service were last updated on September 6, 2025