ODC Network - Birding Costa Rica

Trip Price: Trip price is based on double occupancy. Participants who specifically request single accommodations will pay an additional charge, subject to availability, on a trip-by-trip basis. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will try to match you with a roommate.

Deposit and payment: The deposit is non-refundable. Funds received by ODC from trip participants are deposited into a trust account and managed in accordance with Michigan Sellers of Travel laws.

Cancellation: If ODC Explorer Network must cancel a trip, we will issue a full refund of amounts paid to us for the trip less ODC's administrative costs and any non-refundable expenses incurred. However, we cannot be held responsible for personal expenses incurred in preparation for the trip such as the cost of non-refundable airline tickets or pre-paid hotel expenses. If you cancel, no refund will be made unless a replacement can be found for your spot on the trip. In that case, a reimbursement will be made less ODC's administrative costs and any non-refundable expenses incurred. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.

Trip Cancellation Insurance: We strongly urge you to obtain trip cancellation insurance so your travel investments are covered in the event that you must cancel the trip for personal or family illness.  ODC partners with USI Travel Insurance. Your trip leader will send you more details after your registration is confirmed.

Trip price does not include: Airfare, baggage handling, excess baggage charges, passport fees when applicable, personal insurance and trip cancellation insurance, and all items of a personal nature are NOT included.

Air Transportation: Air transportation is NOT included in the trip price. We strongly recommend that you book your flights through a travel agent. Contact us to connect with our travel agent to make flight reservations or to coordinate with your travel agent of choice. Your trip leader will set necessary arrival and departure times for travelers at the destination airport or a leg leading to the destination airport.

Limits on Responsibility: ODC Network purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, and other services from various independent suppliers that are not subject to its control. ODC Network, its owners, operators, escorts, agents, employees, servants, contractors, and associates give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors, and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or all other related travel services. Therefore, ODC Network cannot be held responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property that may occur in connection with the service of an aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle, or other means of transportation that is not under its control. The operation of any vehicle or other conveyance used on this trip will be the full responsibility of the companies or individuals engaged in conveying passengers; said companies or individuals are governed by the laws of the country in which they are operated and recourse for any mishap must be filed locally. Furthermore, ODC Network, its owners, operators, escorts, agents, employees, servants, and associates assume no responsibility for injury, loss, or damage to person or property resulting from acts of God, weather, fire, acts of governments or other authorities, wars, civil disturbances, riots, terrorist acts, strikes, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, dangers incident to sea, land and air travel, and other similar acts or incidents beyond its ability to control. The right is reserved to make reasonable alterations to the itinerary (including substitution of hotels) when and where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the trip participants. ODC Network reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.

Know Before You Go

Baggage: Specific baggage handling services have not been priced into the trips (and are sometimes unavailable). We strongly advise that you pack adequately but lightly and limit baggage to an amount you can easily handle. Not all accommodations have elevators. ODC Network will share additional information on what to bring and the best way to pack for the trip. If you have questions, you may contact us at any time.

Equipment and Preparedness: Since virtually all of our activities take place “off pavement,” you should be prepared to encounter rocky and uneven footing, mud, puddles, and even occasional snow patches. Trail conditions can vary considerably during the course of a trip; some trails are wide, well-built and well-graded, while others may be rough and practically non-existent. For trips with more strenuous options, additional gear recommendations and requirements will be provided.

Fitness Requirements: ODC Network trips take place in a variety of environments and may include activities from hiking to kayaking. All activities are optional and when possible, multiple options for various fitness abilities will be planned. Participating in longer hikes will require a reasonable amount of fitness, elevation changes and sometimes rocky and uneven paths to negotiate. If in doubt about your general physical fitness, consult your physician.

Included Costs: The costs of all arrangements necessary to support the trip described are built into the trip price unless noted. This includes all lodging (in twin/double rooms with private bathrooms unless otherwise specified), meals as specified in the itinerary, guide services, ground transportation costs, and service charges, taxes, and gratuities for service providers. There are no additional charges for chairlifts, cable cars, ferries, or admissions to national parks and other sites included as part of the trip itineraries.

Accommodations: Accommodations for our trips will vary depending on location and availability; however, we strive for accommodations with en-suite bathrooms whenever available in the area we are visiting. Please check for more information with individual trip itineraries. Rooms in hotels, lodges, inns, and boats can vary in terms of size, furnishings, amenities and views available. Please note that single rooms may not be available in all places for single travelers.

Meals: All meals are included as indicated in the official itinerary. Dietary restrictions, allergies, or concerns should be noted when signing up for the trip.

Meetings: We will have at least one group meeting before departure. At this meeting, we will cover packing lists, travel expectations, answer questions and allow the group members to meet one another

1. Itinerary design Horizontes will design a personalized itinerary upon request, based on the client's main interest, age, physical conditions, time of year, length of stay, and available accommodations and other suppliers. Once the client approves the final itinerary, Horizontes will make the reservations. Horizontes will immediately inform the client if there is no space available in any approved properties and suppliers and propose modifications if necessary. The client will approve the final itinerary before the final trip commitment. 2. Reservations Making reservations in advance is essential to guarantee your accommodation and services on the date the client wants to travel. For clients traveling from November to April and the months of July and August, Horizontes recommends that reservations be made at least six months in advance to guarantee space availability due to the high seasons’ high demand. 3. Payment terms A deposit of 20% of the total cost must be paid by the client to guarantee the reservation. The remaining amount must be paid no later than 30 days before the trip during low season (May to November) and 60 days during high season (December to April). Certain vendors may require additional deposits to guarantee space, especially during peak seasons (Christmas, New Year´s and Easter Holidays). Horizontes will notify the client if an additional ammount is required. The client must make bank transfers to the following account: Beneficiary: Agencia de Viajes Horizontes de Costa Rica S.A. Account number: 909247793 / Swift: BSNJCRSJ Beneficiary Bank: BAC San José Address: San José, Costa Rica, 0 ST, 3RD AND 5TH AVE. • The cost for the wire transfers should be covered by the client • The client can also make the payment with a credit card through our digital platform, our travel designers will send a link to the payment platform. 4. Cancellation and Refunds Cancellations by the client must be received in writing at least 30 days before arrival during the months of low season and, 60 days during the months of high season. In such cases, a $250 USD per person handling charge will apply, in addition to any prepaid hotel and service provider penalties, which are subject to the suppliers’ cancelation policies. When clients cancel or postpone their trip less than 30 days before their arrival due to a force majeure event before traveling, accommodations and other suppliers’ cancelation policies will apply. However, once the trip begins, no refund can be made for any part of the program that the client has not used during the tour. The expenses incurred during the trip, in addition to the services originally offered for the trip, if any, will be borne by the client (s). Horizontes recommends that clients purchase a trip cancellation insurance policy. If the client needs to cancel, they can apply for credit and re-book within 365 days (1 year). Not applicable to Holiday Season and Holy Week. 5. Responsibility Travel Agency Horizontes de Costa Rica S.A. acts only as an agent of the client concerning travel and does not assume responsibility for any circumstance beyond its direct control. Horizontes will not reimburse those who, by their own decision, responsibility, or negligence, decide not to use any or any of the services included in their program. If this modification implies an additional fee, the client must cover it. Horizontes has the right to modify the original itinerary due to circumstances beyond its control and participants whose behavior is inconvenient for the development of the itinerary without compensation or reimbursement. Horizontes or its agents cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in schedules, theft, loss (or damage) of luggage or any item belonging to passengers, illness, personal health, injury, death, weather conditions, strikes, fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, epidemics, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, wars, accidents, change, force majeure, or other causes. All these expenses or expenses will be borne by the passenger. Many of the activities can be physically challenging. Each passenger must verify the classification of the level of difficulty; It is the passenger's responsibility to judge the suitability of these travel activities according to their physical capabilities and to release Horizons from any liability. Horizontes requires that all participants be covered by adequate life, accident, and medical insurance and extended stay coverage due to medical reasons and are financially responsible for such expenses. Horizontes requires that participants who plan to operate a motor vehicle abroad must obtain liability and collision insurance that covers them in Costa Rica. Insurance can be obtained from the car rental office. Horizontes recommends that all participants must ensure their personal belongings for loss and theft. Horizontes is not responsible for costs or losses resulting from such events