Terms and Conditions

Pochote Ocean Adventures – Costa Rica

Last Updated: October 21, 2026

Welcome to Pochote Ocean Adventures. We offer private and shared boat tours, Tortuga Island excursions, snorkeling experiences, fishing trips, sunset tours, and bioluminescence experiences in Costa Rica.

These Terms and Conditions establish the policies applicable to reservations, payments, cancellations, refunds, tour operations, and passenger safety. Please read them carefully before making a reservation.

By making a reservation, you acknowledge that you have had the opportunity to review these Terms and Conditions before confirming your booking.

1. Bookings and Reservations

All tours are subject to availability, weather conditions, ocean conditions, and operational requirements.
Reservations are confirmed once the required payment has been received and confirmation has been provided by Pochote Ocean Adventures.
Customers must provide accurate information, including the number of participants, contact details, preferred date, and any relevant requests.
Customers are responsible for reviewing their booking confirmation and notifying us promptly of any errors.
Special requests, itinerary changes, and additional services must be agreed upon in writing.
A reservation request does not guarantee availability until the booking has been confirmed.
Any specific conditions communicated on the relevant tour page or in the booking confirmation will apply alongside these general Terms and Conditions.

2. Payment Policy

Pochote Ocean Adventures offers only two payment options when making a reservation.

Option 1: Pay a 20% Deposit

Customers may secure their reservation by paying a deposit equal to 20% of the tour’s published base price, before applicable taxes.

The 20% deposit is required to secure the reservation.
The remaining 80% of the base tour price must be paid on the day of the tour, before departure.
Applicable taxes will be calculated and included in the payment breakdown provided to the customer.
The deposit will be applied toward the total tour price.
The deposit is non-refundable in the event of a customer cancellation, except where a refund is required by applicable law or under these Terms and Conditions.

Option 2: Full Payment

Customers may choose to pay 100% of the tour’s published base price at the time of booking, before applicable taxes.

Full payment must be completed during the booking process.
Applicable taxes will be added to the tour price.
The cancellation and refund provisions in Section 3 apply to bookings paid in full.
Full payment does not remove any rights to a refund that may arise under these Terms and Conditions or applicable law.

General Payment Conditions

Customers must select one of the two available payment options: a 20% deposit or full payment.
No “Book Now & Pay Later” or “Reserve Now, Pay Later” payment option is offered.
Reservations are confirmed once the required payment has been received and confirmation has been provided by Pochote Ocean Adventures.
Accepted payment methods will be communicated during the booking process.
The total price, applicable taxes, amount due at booking, and any remaining balance will be communicated to the customer before payment is completed.
The remaining balance for reservations made with a 20% deposit must be paid before departure.
If the outstanding balance is not paid as agreed, Pochote Ocean Adventures may take appropriate action in accordance with these Terms and Conditions and applicable law.

2.1 Taxes – Costa Rica Value Added Tax (IVA)

Tour prices displayed on the Pochote Ocean Adventures website are shown before applicable taxes.

The applicable 13% Value Added Tax (IVA) will be charged on services subject to the standard rate, in accordance with Costa Rican tax regulations.

Before a reservation is completed, customers will be informed of the applicable taxes and the final amount payable.

The payment breakdown will clearly indicate the base tour price, applicable IVA, deposit or full payment amount, and any remaining balance.

Example for a tour subject to the standard 13% IVA rate:

Base tour price: $100.00 USD
IVA (13%): $13.00 USD
Total price, including IVA: $113.00 USD

For reservations made with a 20% deposit, the deposit and remaining balance will be calculated according to the payment breakdown communicated to the customer, including applicable taxes.

The applicable tax rate and treatment will be determined in accordance with Costa Rican tax regulations.

3. Cancellation and Refund Policy

3.1 Cancellations by the Customer

Customers who need to cancel a reservation must notify Pochote Ocean Adventures directly using the contact details provided on our website or in their booking confirmation.

Cancellations made more than 48 hours before departure

The 20% deposit is non-refundable, except where a refund is required by applicable law or under another applicable provision of these Terms and Conditions.

For reservations paid in full, the amount paid in excess of the 20% deposit will generally be refunded, subject to applicable law and the circumstances of the cancellation.

Any refund will include the corresponding adjustment of taxes paid, in accordance with Costa Rican tax regulations.

If the customer has paid only the deposit, no additional balance will ordinarily be due for a cancellation made more than 48 hours before departure.

Cancellations made less than 48 hours before departure

Payments already made are generally non-refundable for cancellations made less than 48 hours before the scheduled departure, subject to applicable law and any circumstances that legally require a refund.

For reservations paid in full, no refund will ordinarily be provided for a cancellation made within this period, except where a refund is required by law or under another applicable provision of these Terms and Conditions.

Any claim for an unpaid balance or additional cancellation charge must be supported by the booking conditions disclosed to the customer before confirmation and must be permitted by applicable law. An unpaid balance will not automatically be treated as a debt solely because a cancellation occurred.

No-shows

Customers who fail to arrive at the agreed meeting point at the scheduled time without prior notice or an agreed alternative will be considered no-shows.

Payments already made are generally non-refundable, subject to applicable law. Any additional amount claimed must be permitted by the booking agreement and applicable law.

Late arrivals

Customers must arrive at the meeting point at the time specified in their booking confirmation.

Late arrivals may result in a shortened tour or loss of the reservation if departure cannot reasonably be delayed. Refunds are not guaranteed in these circumstances, subject to applicable law.

All cancellations must be communicated directly to Pochote Ocean Adventures. Customers should retain written confirmation of their cancellation.

3.2 Cancellations by Pochote Ocean Adventures

Pochote Ocean Adventures may cancel, postpone, or modify a tour when necessary because of unsafe weather, dangerous sea conditions, mechanical or technical problems, official restrictions, or other circumstances affecting the safe operation of the excursion.

If Pochote Ocean Adventures cancels a tour and cannot provide an acceptable alternative, the customer may choose between:

A refund of all payments made for the canceled tour, including applicable taxes paid for that service; or
Rescheduling the tour for another available date by mutual agreement.

If the customer chooses to reschedule, payments already made will be applied to the new reservation, subject to the agreed arrangements.

If a refund is due, it will be processed using the original payment method where reasonably possible, subject to payment-provider procedures and applicable law.

Customers will be informed of cancellations or significant changes as soon as reasonably possible.

Nothing in this section limits any refund or other rights that customers may have under applicable Costa Rican law.

3.3 Weather-Related Cancellations

Weather and sea conditions can change rapidly along the Costa Rican coast.

Rain alone does not necessarily mean that a tour must be canceled. The decision will depend on safety, visibility, waves, wind, navigation conditions, and the feasibility of the planned activities.

The captain and Pochote Ocean Adventures will determine whether the excursion can proceed safely.

If a tour is canceled by Pochote Ocean Adventures because conditions are unsafe, the refund or rescheduling options in Section 3.2 will apply.

4. Bioluminescence Tours

Bioluminescence is a natural phenomenon, and its visibility and intensity cannot be guaranteed.

The experience may vary depending on:

Moonlight and natural light conditions.
Cloud cover and water visibility.
Weather and sea conditions.
Seasonal and environmental variations.
The natural presence and activity of bioluminescent organisms.

Pochote Ocean Adventures cannot guarantee that bioluminescence will be visible at a particular intensity or that every participant will experience the same level of visibility.

If a tour operates as scheduled and the bioluminescence is weak or not visible, this alone does not automatically qualify the customer for a refund.

If we determine that conditions are unsuitable for safe operation and cancel the excursion, the cancellation policy in Section 3.2 will apply.

Customers are encouraged to contact us before booking if they have questions about moonlight, visibility, or the suitability of a particular date.

5. Shared Tours and Minimum Participants

Some shared tours require a minimum number of participants to operate.

If the minimum number is not reached, Pochote Ocean Adventures may offer an alternative departure date or another suitable arrangement.

If no acceptable alternative is available, customers will be offered a refund of the payments made for the affected tour.

Private tours are subject to their own agreed itinerary, price, schedule, and booking conditions.

Any minimum participant requirements applicable to a particular excursion will be communicated on the relevant tour page or in the booking confirmation.

6. Tour Itineraries and Activities

The itineraries published on our website describe the planned experience. Actual routes, stops, and activities may change depending on operational and environmental conditions.

Changes may be necessary because of:

Weather, wind, waves, and sea conditions.
Tides and water visibility.
Safety considerations.
Navigation restrictions.
Wildlife conditions.
Other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Tours may include visits to beaches, islands, snorkeling locations, mangroves, fishing areas, and locations suitable for observing bioluminescence, depending on the selected excursion.

Pochote Ocean Adventures will make reasonable efforts to provide the experience described in the booking while prioritizing passenger safety.

For fishing tours, the quantity and type of fish caught cannot be guaranteed. For snorkeling and wildlife experiences, sightings and visibility depend on natural conditions.

7. Safety Rules and Passenger Responsibilities

Passenger and crew safety is our priority.

All participants must follow the instructions of the captain and crew throughout the excursion.

Passengers agree to:

Follow all safety instructions before and during the tour.
Wear life jackets whenever required by the captain, crew, or applicable regulations.
Use snorkeling equipment, fishing equipment, and other provided gear responsibly.
Avoid behavior that endangers themselves, other passengers, the crew, or the vessel.
Inform the crew of relevant safety concerns before participating in an activity.
Respect marine wildlife, beaches, and the natural environment.
Follow applicable navigation, marine safety, and environmental regulations.

The captain has final authority over navigation, departure, route changes, and activities when necessary for safe operations.

If a passenger refuses to follow reasonable safety instructions or engages in dangerous behavior, the captain may restrict that passenger’s participation in an activity or take other reasonable safety measures, subject to applicable law.

8. Children and Minors

Children are welcome on our tours, subject to the conditions of the selected excursion and applicable safety requirements.

Children must be supervised by a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult throughout the experience.
Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring that minors follow the captain’s and crew’s instructions.
Life jackets and other safety equipment must be used as required.
Parents and guardians should inform us in advance of any special requirements affecting a child’s participation.
Any age restrictions or special conditions communicated for the selected tour will apply.

Children under five years of age may participate free of charge where specified by the applicable tour policy. Customers should confirm the applicable child pricing and requirements before completing a reservation.

9. Liability and Insurance

Pochote Ocean Adventures takes reasonable measures to operate its tours safely and maintains vessel insurance subject to the terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions of the applicable policy.

Insurance coverage depends on the specific policy and circumstances of an incident. The existence of insurance does not mean that every accident, injury, medical expense, loss, or damage is covered.

Boat tours and water-based activities involve inherent risks, including changing weather, waves, slippery surfaces, and natural marine conditions. Passengers must exercise reasonable care and follow all safety instructions.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, passengers are responsible for their own negligent or unsafe conduct and for any resulting damage or loss.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes, limits, or waives any liability or consumer right that cannot lawfully be excluded, limited, or waived under Costa Rican law. Pochote Ocean Adventures will assess any incident or claim in accordance with applicable law, the circumstances of the incident, and the terms of any relevant insurance policy.

Customers are encouraged to obtain appropriate travel insurance, including medical, accident, and trip cancellation coverage according to their individual needs.

10. Personal Belongings

Passengers are responsible for safeguarding their personal belongings during the excursion.

We recommend bringing only essential items and protecting electronic devices, valuables, and other belongings from water.

Any claim involving loss or damage will be assessed according to the circumstances and applicable law. Nothing in this section excludes liability where exclusion is prohibited by law.

11. Force Majeure and Circumstances Beyond Our Control

Certain events beyond our reasonable control may affect scheduled excursions, including severe weather, natural disasters, government restrictions, navigation closures, emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances.

If such events affect a tour, Pochote Ocean Adventures will make reasonable efforts to inform affected customers and offer an alternative arrangement where feasible.

If we cancel the tour and cannot provide an acceptable alternative, the refund options in Section 3.2 will apply, subject to applicable law.

This section does not remove any mandatory refund obligation or consumer protection applicable under Costa Rican law.

12. Environmental Responsibility

We encourage all guests to respect Costa Rica’s marine environment and local communities.

Passengers must not litter, disturb wildlife, damage coral or other marine habitats, or participate in activities prohibited by environmental regulations.

All wildlife encounters and water-based activities must follow the instructions of the crew and applicable environmental rules.

Our goal is to provide memorable experiences while helping preserve the natural beauty of Costa Rica for future generations.

13. Privacy and Personal Information

Personal information provided during a reservation will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable Costa Rican data protection legislation.

We use booking information as reasonably necessary to manage reservations, communicate with customers, coordinate tours, process payments, and meet applicable legal obligations.

Customers may consult our Privacy Policy through the relevant link on our website.

14. Complaints and Customer Support

If you have a question, concern, or complaint regarding a reservation or tour, please contact Pochote Ocean Adventures directly so that we can review the matter.

Pochote Ocean Adventures

Phone / WhatsApp: +506 6010-1437
Location: Pochote, Paquera, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Website: https://pochoteoceanadventures.com/

Please include your booking reference, tour date, and a brief description of the issue so that we can assist you efficiently.

15. Applicable Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the applicable laws of Costa Rica.

Any dispute will be addressed in accordance with applicable legal procedures and the rights of the parties under Costa Rican law.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to waive mandatory consumer protections or other rights that cannot legally be waived.

16. Acceptance of These Terms and Conditions

Customers are encouraged to review these Terms and Conditions before completing their reservation.

Where the booking system provides an acceptance checkbox or other confirmation mechanism, customers should be given the opportunity to review and accept the applicable terms before submitting their booking.

Pochote Ocean Adventures recommends retaining the booking confirmation and the version of the Terms and Conditions applicable at the time of reservation.

17. Updates to These Terms and Conditions

Pochote Ocean Adventures may update these Terms and Conditions when necessary to reflect operational changes, improvements to our services, or changes in applicable law.

The version published on our website will apply to new reservations from its effective date.

Changes affecting existing reservations will be handled in accordance with applicable law and the terms agreed upon when the reservation was made.

Customers are encouraged to review these Terms and Conditions before making a reservation.

Thank you for choosing Pochote Ocean Adventures.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard and sharing the natural beauty of Costa Rica’s coast with you.