|
Your itinerary and the following Travel Conditions constitute the contract between you, the passenger, and Viajes sin Fronteras S.A. (hereinafter “VSF”) and apply to all services provided by VSF across the whole Costa Rica.
VSF is responsible for services operated by VSF.
As a bonded and authorized tour operator, VSF, states that it is only a mediator between the passengers and the companies or people who operate the services scheduled in the itineraries, such as transportation companies, hotels, restaurants, etc. Please read your contract carefully.
Viajes Sin Fronteras S.A. P.O. Box 2294-2050,
100 east, 25 north from “Fuente de la Hispanidad”
San Pedro, Montes de Oca,
San José, Costa Rica
Viajes Sin Fronteras S.A. Travel Conditions
Definitions
As used in this contract:
Segment
Segment means the trip between the origin of a place with a specific pick up place to a destination place with a specific drop off place. Provide in a segment, this service could appear in the itinerary as supplementary, private, regular shuttle, transfer in or transfer out; this depends of the customer needs or customer requests.
Luggage
Luggage means such articles, effects and other personal property that is necessary or appropriate for your wear, use, comfort or convenience in connection with your trip, whether checked in the cargo compartment or carried in the passenger compartment of the bus.
Voucher/ Coupons
A voucher/coupon is a receipt that guarantees each service purchased. This document should be delivered to the companies or people who operate the services scheduled in the itineraries, such as transportation companies, hotels, restaurants, etc.
Free Pass VSF
created one of the safest, easiest and economic way to travel to Costa Rica. The Costa Rica Free Pass permits you to pre-book the services and change them if you want while traveling around the country, taking into consideration that you have to advise 48 hours in advance prior the arrival to your next destination.
Itinerary
tinerary means the quantity of services requested for the same customer. An itinerary has, at least, one service.
No Show
It happens when a client has already booked any specific service and for some reason doesn’t show up.
Customer Support Representative
Customer Support representatives mean our sales agents or customer service online.
Force Majeure Event
Force Majeure Event means, any condition beyond VSF control including, but not limited to, meteorological conditions, acts of God, riots, civil commotion, embargoes, wars, hostilities, disturbances or unsettled international conditions, actual threatened or reported. Also, because of any delay, demand, circumstances or requirement due, directly or indirectly to such conditions, or any strike, work stoppage, slowdown, lockout or any other labor related dispute involving or affecting VSF service, or any government regulation, demand or requirement, or any shortage of labor, fuel or facilities of VSF or others, or any fact not reasonably foreseen, anticipated or predicted by VSF.
Reservations
All reservations must arrive to VSF by fax or email and will be answered through the same way. Full payment must arrive at latest 15 days before client’s arrival. For all reservations you must send us full names for all the passengers, give us your arrival and departure time, airline company details, program selected and program dates you want to book. Also, please feel free to send as information that you consider necessary to properly arrange the services.
As soon as we receive your request we will make reservations and send you your booking number. This number will be your reference number for future changes or cancellations.
Payment
Final payment is due 60 days prior to the first services provide or at time of reservation if made within 59 days prior to the first services provide. Bookings including travel dates Dec 20th to Jan 06th and Easter Week, require full payment at time of reservation and are non refundable.
There are two ways to make the payment:
1. Via wire transfer to the following accounts: [$25.00 must be added to wire bank transfer fee]:
PLEASE USE THIS ACCOUNT TO MALE YOUR PAYMENTS:
The International Bank of Miami N.A.
121 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables, Fla. 33134.
ABA/FED Routing No. 067001699 - SWIFT: IBMIUS3M - TELEX No 6812179
ACCOUNT No. 990002032-06
OF CUSCATLAN INTERNACIONAL BANK & TRUST LTD.
FOR FURTHER CREDIT ACCOUNT # 136050549-06 of Rimani Financial Inc.
2. By Credit Card
From now on we will accept VISA, DINERS CLUB, MASTER CARD, GE MONEY, JCB INTERNATIONAL, DISCOVER NETWORK or AMERICAN EXPRESS, please feel free provide whichever is more convenience for you.
Changes
All changes must be sent by e-mail and Viajes sin Fronteras will send a new booking number confirming the change. Modifications at no charge are accepted within 15 days in advance prior to departure. After that term modifications charge may apply.
When you ask for a modification request, you must have your credit card available as a method of warranty for the charges incurred. After the confirmation process has begun, each change will incur in a $25.00 revision fee. Plus any additional fees imposed by the hotel, local airline, tour, car or transfer company.
It is important to consider that the changes are subject to availability and there is no refund for any cancellations. The new services need to be fully paid.
Schedule and Stopping Places Changes
VSF will carry the clients as well as the luggage within a reasonable timeframe, but the times shown in the itinerary or elsewhere are not guaranteed and are not part of this contract. VSF may incur into unexpected changes at any time without any notification. If necessary, VSF may alter or omit stopping places shown on the itinerary. Schedules are subject to change without notice. VSF is not responsible for or liable for failure to make connections or to operate any shuttle services according to schedule or for a change to the schedule of any shuttle service. Under no circumstances shall VSF be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages arising from the foregoing.
Cancellations
For Cancellations requested more than 60 days prior to departure are charged 10% for administrative costs, the refund will be 90% of the full amount charged in the reservation. Cancellations requested less than 60 days prior to departure are charged 100%. No refunds apply.
Refunds
If you decide not to use the service, and unless the services or itinerary specifies otherwise, VSF will issue a refund as follows.
If the itinerary is totally unused, the full amount paid will be refunded. However, an administrative service charge or refund penalty up to the full amount paid may be assessed if applicable, this according with the cancellation policies.
Service purchased with a credit card will be refunded only as a credit to the credit card account; VSF assumes no liability for any special, incidental, or consequential damages for instances in which we do not meet our goals for processing refunds.
Service purchased against a prepaid method advice will be refunded only to the purchaser; administrative service charge will be applied. Our Customer Support Representative will ask the purchaser the best way to refund.
nce travel has commenced, refund requests for lower fares will not be honored.
VSF will strive to process eligible refunds in the time frames set out below, upon receipt of all required information. Some tickets are not refundable. See Cancellation policies.
If you had paid with a credit card, refunds will be provided within 10 business days of receipt of the required refund information. The credit card refund may take up to two billing cycles before appearing on a credit card statement, so you should contact your credit card company directly to verify receipt of the credit.
Costa Rica Free Pass package is not refundable. For further information please, see Costa Rica Free Pass Section.
Refund for credit card purchases will be made only to the credit card account.
Quotations
The quotation does imply neither reservation nor blockade of space or places. All the rates are subject to availability at the time the official reservation is made depending on the existing availability. It does not include services that are not properly specified in the quotation.
Force Majeure Events
VSF may, in the event of a force majeure event, without notice, cancel, terminate, divert, postpone or delay any service without liability except to issue an involuntary refund. The involuntary refund will be made in the original form of payment in accordance with involuntary refund rules for any unused portion of the service.
Medical & Health
Guest with existing medical conditions should make them known to VSF well before their arrival in Costa Rica, given that guests will be, at some time during their trip, in some of the most remote places in Costa Rica.
Under certain circumstances, evacuation could be prolonged, difficult, expensive or impossible. Guests should take special care. If they feel sick, they should tell us so we can start making arrangement for evacuation if necessary.
Our transportation company carries a fully stocked first aid kit. Hospital facilities are excellent in Costa Rica. VSF assumes no liability for cost of evacuation or provisions of medical care. We strongly recommend that trip passengers purchase short-term traveler’s insurances, covering baggage, accident/life and trip cancellation.
Customers with Disabilities
VSF endeavor to provide passengers with disabilities dignified, professional, and courteous service at all times.
Customer Support representative who responds to the customer's initial email passes pertinent information to our operation department once customer has made the reservation.
Pre-Reserved Seats
VSF block seats on each bus to accommodate customers who identify themselves as having a qualified disability. Adjacent seats are provided, under certain circumstances, for customers with disabilities who must travel with a companion for assistance.
Assistive Devices
Unfortunately, VSF is not able to accept motorized and non-motorized assistive devices for transport. We are able to accept manual wheelchair, we will disassemble and reassemble wheelchairs for customers when they travel. We do not provide wheelchair to our customers.
Boarding Assistance
If you have special needs, upon request, pre-boarding assistance will be provided to you, allowing you the opportunity to be seated prior to general boarding or pre-reserved a special located seat.
Therapeutic Oxygen
VSF do not provides onboard therapeutic oxygen.
Service Animal
At VSF, customers with disabilities accompanied by a service animal are welcome. The service animal is the responsibility of its owner and must be under the control of its owner at all times (i.e., leash, harness or carrier). The service animal must ride in the bus within the customer's space. Service animals may not travel in the aisle or occupy a seat. VSF reserves the right to refuse passage to any animal that poses a direct threat to the health and safety of other customers, VSF personnel or contractors.
Luggage
Liability
VSF' liability for loss, damage or delayed delivery of checked or transferred luggage is limited to the actual value of the luggage or $500.00, if the passenger declares a higher value, we will not cover more than such a sum.
VSF assumes no responsibility for loss, damage of transferred luggage not acceptable for transportation by VSF such as checked luggage, items damaged as a result of items contained in checked or transferred luggage, as well as items a
ccepted by VSF followed by a luggage tag that is given to you.
VSF assumes no liability for articles carried in the passenger cabin.
VSF assumes no liability for minor damage such as scratches, scuffs, stains, dents, cuts and dirt resulting from normal wear and tear.
VSF is not responsible for damage to contents if the outside of the hard-sided case is not damaged.
VSF assumes no responsibility for damage to or loss of protruding luggage parts such as wheels, straps, pockets, pull handles, hanger hooks or other items attached to the luggage.
VSF assumes no liability for any indirect, consequential, incidental, punitive or special damages resulting from loss, damages for lost revenue or profits, loss of use or business interruption.
General Acceptance of Luggage
Only luggage as defined in the definition section will be accepted for transportation. All luggage is subject to inspection. Checked luggage will be accepted for transportation only on shuttle service in which you are traveling.
VSF will not accept luggage whose size, weight, or character makes it unsuitable for transportation on the bus as determined by VSF.
Other than exceptions for certain special items, no article will be accepted as luggage if it weighs more than 70pounds/32kgs or has a total out side linear dimension (length plus width plus height) of more than 62inches/157cm.
Additional restrictions apply to some VSF services.
Further information is available with VSF office.
Checked Luggage
Your name will not necessarily appear on all luggage, instead, a number along with the destination name will be on a paper tag. However, we highly recommend you to write down your name on it.
Free Luggage Allowance
For each passenger, the following pieces will be carried free of charge:
Checked pieces with total outside dimensions not exceeding 62 inches/157cm each. Checked luggage may weigh 72pound/32kgrs.
This luggage pieces will be tagged and placed in the luggage compartment.
One carry-on item with total outside dimensions not exceeding 45 inches/114cm.
Carry-on luggage may weigh up to 40pound/18kgrs. The carry-on must stay with the passenger at all times. VSF will not assume liability for loss or damage to carry-on items left unsupervised by the passenger. This includes carry-on items incorrectly stored with the luggage. VSF will not assume liability for any personal belonging left in our vehicles.
Manual wheelchairs with no assistive devices will be carried free of charge for qualified handicapped passengers (Our buses structures are not able to transport hove rounds wheel chair or any other kind of power chair).
Extra charges apply to additional, non oversized and/or non overweight pieces. Check with any VSF Customer Support Representative for further information.
Fragile, Perishable and Hazardous Items
Fragile and perishable items will be accepted only if the passenger agrees to release VSF from liability for damage due to spoilage or delay.
Hazardous materials will not be accepted as luggage.
Firearms
Firearms and ammunition will not be accepted.
Live Animals
No animals are allowed on the vehicles, traveling with the owner. Guide dogs are exceptions.
Surfboards
Surfboards (maximum 7 feet in length) are not included in the free luggage allowance and must be arranged ahead of time with VSF as an extra luggage and they represent an additional charge.
Further Luggage Information
Further information regarding VSF' rules for specific items may be obtained from VSF Customer Support representative. VSF' classification of an item shall be final.
Acceptance of Passengers
VSF may refuse to transport you, or may remove you from your service at any point, for one or several reasons, including but not limited to the following:
Action necessary or advisable due to weather or other conditions beyond VSF' control.
Refusal to permit a search of person or property for explosives or for deadly, controlled, or dangerous weapons, articles or substances.
Refusal to provide positive identification upon request.
Your physical or mental condition is such that in VSF' sole oinion, you are rendered or likely to be rendered incapable of comprehending or complying with safety instructions without the assistance of a bus driver.
Your conduct is disorderly, abusive or violent, or you appear to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
Attempt to interfere with any member of the bus trip representative, have a communicable disease that has been determined by a health authority to be transmissible to other persons in the normal course of service, refuse to obey instructions from any bus driver, have an offensive odor not caused by a disability or illness, are clothed in a manner that would cause discomfort or offense to other passengers, are barefoot, or engage in any action, voluntary or involuntary, that might jeopardize the safety of the bus or any of its occupants.
Additional information regarding VSF' passenger acceptance policy may be obtained from VSF Customer Support representative.
Acceptance of Children
Accompanied
Children or teenager under 12 years of age will be accepted for transportation when accompanied by a passenger at least 18 years of age. Also for lodging children have to be accompanied by an adult or under their parents’ responsibility and VSF assume no liability.
Unaccompanied
Unaccompanied children or teenager under 12 years of age will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Unaccompanied teenager over 12 years old will be accepted and consider as an adult, they will travel under their parents responsibility and VSF assume no liability.
Period of Validity
The vouchers/coupons will only be used in the suitable dates and with the specified operator. The operator has the right of not accepting the voucher or coupons with different dates of the day of service.
Unless your transportation’s voucher/coupons indicate otherwise, transportation’s voucher/coupons are valid only for service shown in your itinerary for the segment, date and hour printed in the itinerary.
Voucher/coupons are valid for travel only when used in accordance with all terms and conditions of sale.
Terms and Conditions of Sale
Terms and conditions of sale include but are not limited to:
The passenger's itinerary, as stated on the voucher/coupon or in the passenger's reservation record,
Unless a ticket is rebooked by VSF or its authorized agent upon payment of applicable charges, or an authorized representative of VSF waives applicable restrictions in writing, a ticket is invalid:
- If used for travel to a destination other than that specified on the voucher/coupon.
- If the passenger does not meet the purpose or status requirement associated with the fare category on the voucher/coupon.
- If VSF determines that the voucher/coupon has been purchased or used in a manner designed to circumvent applicable fare rules.
Where a voucher/coupon is invalidated as the result of the passenger's non-compliance with any term or condition of sale, VSF has the right in its sole discretion to:
- Cancel any remaining portion of the passenger's itinerary
- Refuse to board the passenger or check the passenger's luggage, or assess the passenger for the reasonable remaining value of the voucher/coupon, which shall be no less than the difference between the fare actually paid and the lowest fare applicable to the passenger's actual itinerary.
Bus Information
VSF generally uses either 15-passenger units, adapted to transfer no more than 8 people for greater comfort. Smaller unit considerably reduce the time lost during pick-ups and drop-offs, leaving passengers with more time to invest in their vacation. Occasionally VSF will use 22 passenger
vehicles, but in these cases only 16 passengers are allowed onboard. In all cases, the luggage will always be placed inside the vehicle to safeguard passenger possessions.
There are no restrooms aboard vehicles. However, policies require that longer trips must include one or two rest stops of 15 minutes.
Rest stops take place at restaurants for your convenience and include areas with clean bathrooms and fresh food. Meals are not included.
All our trips include a rest stop. These rest stops also often act as a connection point between routes. Some long segment has connection point before the final destination; our trip representative will communicate them.
VSF Customer Support representatives will advise you when it will be necessary for you to move from one bus to another during your travel, including when the service identification number remains the same.
Occasionally VSF uses ferries for transportation of passenger in places where there are no bridges. In this case, the shuttle bus will leave the passengers and their tagged luggage on the ferry to be picked up on the other side by a different shuttle bus and driver. VSF will not be held responsible for any situation due to the ferryboat operation.
VSF Customer Support representatives are able to provide you with a wide variety of information related to the VSF fleets. Bus configuration, seat size, and seat pitch are just a few examples of information that can be obtained from our customer support representatives.
Lodging Information
All the hotels we show you on this catalogue are well known by all the VSF Staff and they are categorized according to the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) which is the authorized organ in Costa Rica to qualify the tourist facilities in the country. Often, the qualification in Stars given to the hotels, by the C. R. Tourism Board does not coincide with the international standards due to the geographical conditions in which these are located: mountains, jungles, wetlands.
Customer Relations
Our customer relations department is dedicated to addressing unresolved customer comments and concerns. The customer relations department will respond to our customers written complaints within 48 hours.
Delays
VSF bus trip representative will provide customers onboard an affected bus with timely and frequent updates regarding known delays will strive to provide the best available information concerning the duration of delays and to the extent available, the service's anticipated departure time. We are not responsible for any special, incidental or consequential damages if we do not meet this commitment.
VSF assumes no liability, if the delay was caused by force majeure events, and we do not get you to your final destination on the expected arrival time.
Claims
To VSF is very important to satisfy your traveling needs. Please take into consideration that any claim or complaint in regards the services rendered must be made within a period of 30 calendar days, after having finished your program, since after this time it is very difficult to obtain all of the necessary information to be able to give response to your claim. After the established time, of not having any claim, VSF assumes that all of your expectations have been fulfilled and have accomplished with all your itinerary services accordingly and satisfactorily. No action shall lie in the case of damage to luggage.
Authority to Change Contract
No agent, employee or representative of VSF has authority to alter, modify or waive any provision of the Conditions of Carriage unless authorized in writing by a corporate officer of VSF.
|
|
|
