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Travel Agency Service Agreement
Terms and Conditions
1) Reservation and Payments
Early reservations are very important to us. A refundable deposit of 30% of package’s total amount is required at the time of registration.
The balance is due two weeks before departure. The reservation may be cancelled if deposit is not received within 5 business days after booking.
Payment must be done by check, money order or bank wire transfer.Credit cards are accepted until 60 days before the departure and a 5% fee will be charged due to operational costs. Please contact us for further information.
All payment confirmation must be sent to BIOSFERA BRASIL accompanying a singed copy of BIOSFERA BRASIL Terms and Conditions Form, clearly indication full name, phone number and address of the traveler.
A last-minute booking fee of $100 will be charged for bookings received within two weeks of departure. If requested services cannot be confirmed, booking fee will be refunded.
Airfares will be billed separately at time of ticketing. If services are confirmed, final payment is due within 24 hours and all applicable cancellation penalties will apply thereafter.
Passengers are responsible to ensure that the names printed on the invoice exactly match their passport names. Name changes must be reported in written and are subject to airline penalties.
BIOSFERA BRASIL will not be held responsible for the denial of services by a carrier due to any name discrepancy.
All documents and tickets will be mailed approximately 10 days after the full payment (cleared check or approved credit card) is received.
For Next Day Air, a $20 fee will apply.
2) Cancellation and Refund Policy
If the traveler wishes to cancel or change a booking, the following charges will be added to the refundable deposits, detailed above.
Date of Cancellation and respective fee:
- Up to 60 days prior to departure - US$200 BIOSFERA BRASIL operational charge*
- Between 59 and 30 days prior to departure - 20% of tour price
- Between 29 and 7 days prior to departure - 30% of tour price
- 6 days or less prior to departure - 80% of tour price
- En route - 90% of unused land portion
*If you take another BIOSFERA BRASIL trip within one year, the $200 operational charge can be applied to that trip.
CANCELLATION: Special Events (such as New Year and Carnival) Cancellation penalties may differ from the penalties informed above, and will be advised at time of booking.
Escorted tour packages are based upon a minimum number of participants. Cancellation of any tour for lack of participation will be advised at least 15 days prior to the tour's departure, and all money will be refunded.
BIOSFERA BRASIL will not be held responsible for any costs relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of airline tickets or visa fees.
3) Refunds
All requests for refunds must be made in written to BIOSFERA BRASIL within 20 days of trip termination and shall be effective only on the date the Company receives the cancellation notice.
Processing will take from six to eight weeks from the date BIOSFERA BRASIL receives all documents.
Refunds are subject to a processing fee of $50 plus any hotel and/or supplier charges incurred. Claims for unused services should be substantiated in written by local representatives.
Refunds are not made for unused sightseeing, meals and accommodations or missed transfers due to airline changes and/or missed flights.
BIOSFERA BRASIL does not guarantee offers and/or promises (written or verbal) made by non-authorized people, as local hotel staff, tour guides, or any other person not under direct employment of BIOSFERA BRASIL.
4) Eligibility
We consider most activities to be moderately strenuous programs. Walking, swimming and climbing stairs are sometimes required and are part of many excursions.
All trip members are expected to be in active good health. Individuals with chronic heart disease, physical handicap, advanced pregnancy, or mental illness must have in mind that they will have strong difficulties to join the group in some tours. Tour participants requiring any form of assistance are required to notify BIOSFERA BRASIL in written at the time of reservation, and must be accompanied by an individual responsible for providing those services. Tour managers, guides, drivers or other tour, hotel, ship personnel are not able to provide such assistance.
Due to space limitations, wheelchairs and walkers cannot be taken aboard motor coaches and/or ships. BIOSFERA BRASIL reserves the right to remove any person from a tour who has not provided the required notification and has not received written confirmation from BIOSFERA BRASIL. In such case, all related expenses, including those to return home, shall be borne by the passenger.
Happiness, patience and good humor are essential to have a nicer trip. The traveler should understand that traveling to developing countries or remote regions may present unexpected or difficult situations that require patience and understanding on part of the traveler. The traveler should also understand that in these areas sometimes the services and facilities are not up to western levels. BIOSFERA BRASIL is careful to choose destinations where these difficulties are reduced.
To ensure the welfare and satisfaction of trip members and guarantee the desired group harmony, all trip members must be ready to experience group acquaintance and cultural differences with grace. BIOSFERA BRASIL reserves the right to reject or expel any individual who is deemed incompatible with the interests of the group. All expenses to do so shall be borne by the passenger.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: BIOSFERA BRASIL reserves the right to decline acceptance or retain any person as a passenger should such person’s health or mental condition or physical infirmity or general deportment impedes the operation of the trip or the rights or welfare or enjoyment of other passengers; refund of unused land services is the limit of BIOSFERA BRASIL’s liability.
5) Hotels
All hotels with private facilities, when available, on the basis of two people sharing a twin-bedded room.
Air-conditioning everywhere, except where not available.
Triple rooms consist of standard twin beds plus a sofa/folding bed or cot for third person.
There will be no refunds for any difference in the cost of those accommodations.
When necessary, hotels named in the brochure may be substituted by equal standard ones Special requests such as bed types, smoking preference and connecting rooms are subject to availability.
6) Children
Minimum age for children on escorted coach tours is six (6), except when not discribed.
7) Meals on tour
As specified in the itinerary. Meals are based on the hotel or restaurant's buffet or set menu.
In general, beverages are not included, unless specifically stated.
(B) = breakfast (L) = lunch (D) = dinner
8) Flights and Airlines
The passenger tickets in use by the airlines, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between airlines and the purchaser of these tickets and/or passenger.
Airfares are based on economy-class or excursion fares. Upgrades must be requested by the time of the ticket purchase and are subject to availability. Once issued, tickets are non-refundable. Airline schedules and flights are subject to change without notice.
BIOSFERA BRASIL DOES NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR CANCELLATION FEES OR ANY SPECIAL FARES DUE TO ITINERARY OR DEPARTURE CHANGES.
We suggest you to reconfirm your flight with the carrier 72 hours prior to departure for all flights and contact your local travel agent or the carrier for seat assignments.
9) Transfers
The tours and transfers will be operated by air-conditioned vehicles, if available, canoes and boats.
It is forbidden to smoke on buses, according to Brazilian law. Nevertheless, stops will be made for smokers’ convenience.
Times listed in itineraries are approximate and meant only as guidelines. Travelers shall be ready at the hotel lobby 15 minutes before departure of the transfer. Arriving late may be considered a "no-show", in which case you will not be eligible for refund for the unused service(s).
If you buy customized program or a land-only trip, or if you deviate from the arrival and/or departure dates as detailed in the itinerary, please advise BIOSFERA BRASIL representative any change in your itinerary.
We’ll be glad to change the prior transfer and schedule the new one. In case of contracting a new vehicle the traveler will automatically be billed for the transfer service.
10) Sightseeing
Most of the tours and attractions entrance fees are included in the itinerary. Please check on the itinerary.
It is your responsibility to arrive on time for all scheduled tours. Arriving late may be considered a "no-show", in which case you will not be eligible for refund for the unused service(s).
The number of participants in each tour may vary during the program, as BIOSFERA BRASIL contracts third party local operators.
11) Luggage
Economy-class allowance per trip participant is two checked pieces for which the total sum of the 3 dimensions (length plus height and width) does not exceed 106 inches (270 cm). On boat tours, it is allowed one piece of luggage per person and one carry-on bag. Excess luggage will be left in lockers inland. BIOSFERA BRASIL, shall not be held responsible for any damage to or loss of luggage/personal items. If the traveler lose or see any damage on its luggage he must report the BIOSFERA BRASIL immediately, for submission to the insurance company.
12) Itinerary changes
BIOSFERA BRASIL reserves the right to withdraw or modify tours, itineraries and hotels for any reason it considers desirable in its good faith discretion, aiming the travelers’ benefit.
This changes may be necessary to insure the success if the trip and satisfaction of the guests. Changes regarding tours, itineraries and hotels, may eventually imply extra cost.
In such case, the change shall be previously submitted to travelers’ evaluation and, if approved by the simple majority of the group, every extra cost resulting there shall be paid by the trip members.
On special dates, including but not limited to religious holidays and national celebrations, some monuments and sites may be closed. Occasionally, during these periods, due to unforeseen circumstances, and looking for a best utilization of the time, the local Tour Operator may have to make last-minute changes in the sequence of the tour and/or hotels.
13) Health and Inoculations
In general, Brazil does not present any epidemic or sanitary disease problems.
BIOSFERA BRASIL is careful to choose destinations located in regions where these problems do not occur for sure. However some vaccines such as Malaria and Yellow Fever are recommended for travelers to Amazon and Pantanal. Contact your doctor and advise them of your itinerary.
Required inoculations must be recorded by clients' health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate which the client must carry for proof of inoculation where required.
Some of our tours and expeditions require moderate physical effort on walking, swimming and climbing.
Additionally, some parts of Brazil can be extremely hot and humid during the summer (Dec – Mar). We recommend you to bring this to your doctor’s attention.
Individuals with chronic heart disease, physical handicap, advanced pregnancy, or mental illness must communicate BIOSFERA BRASIL by the time of the reservation.
BIOSFERA BRASIL cannot be responsible or liable for personal injury, accident or illness.
14) Passport and Visas
A valid Passport and necessary Visas, permits and any other necessary document is the responsibility of the traveler.
For any information regarding Passports and Visas, access WWW.BIOSFERA BRASIL.COM or contact us by phone.
15) Travel Insurance
We highly recommend the purchase of comprehensive trip insurance, including cancellation, baggage, health insurance and emergency medical evacuation.
Some of the International personal health insurance is not accepted in Brazil. Check with your insurance agent if your plan’s coverage includes Brazil.
BIOSFERA BRASIL includes accident and sickness insurances in some of its programs. Details will be sent at time of booking. Please check in the product brochure if the program you choose includes the insurance.
BIOSFERA BRASIL cannot be responsible or liable for loss, damage or theft of personal luggage and belongings. Insurance premium payments and refunds are subject to policies of the insurance carrier.
16) Responsibility
BIOSFERA BRASIL and its representatives abroad, as independent contractors, does not act on behalf of neither the customer nor the suppliers and principals, acting only in the capacity of agents in all matters of transportation and tour operation.
BIOSFERA BRASIL does not own nor operate the hotels, motor coaches, airlines, cruise lines, or any other service providers which compose their tours, and will not be held responsible for changes and/or cancellations for any reason by airlines, hotels or cruise ships.
All exchange orders, coupons, and tickets are issued subject to the terms and conditions under which such means of transportation, accommodations, and other services are offered or provided. The issuance and acceptance of such documents shall be deemed to be consent to the further conditions.
A) The Travel Agent, BIOSFERA BRASIL, shall not be in any way liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity in any vehicle, or through the act of default of any company, or person engaged in conveying passengers, or of any hotel proprietor, personnel, servant or any other person otherwise in connection therewith.
The travelers and tour participants release BIOSFERA BRASIL any and all liability for political stability, government actions, restrictions and regulations, strikes, weather, acts of God, as well as standards of quality, hygiene, cuisine, sanitation facilities, cleanliness, telecommunications facilities, methods of conducting business, emergency medical evacuation, treatment or medical services found in these destinations.
B) The total responsibility for the operation, maintenance and scheduling of transportation rests with the “third party” contractors providing these services.
C) BIOSFERA BRASIL cannot accept responsibility for loss or expense due to delay or changes in transportation schedule or other causes.
D) Each exchange voucher and ticket is to be regarded as one contracted by or on behalf of the particular company or person named on it.
E) The air ticket shall constitute the whole contract between the Airlines and the Purchaser of these tours and/or the passengers. Similar responsibility as noted above applies to all types of carriers.
F) BIOSFERA BRASIL does not assume responsibility for airlines, cruises, or hotels overbooking, cancellations, or delays.
G) BIOSFERA BRASIL do not guarantee, express or implied, that the tours offered hereby will meet all guest’s expectation. WE RECOMMEND THE VISIT OF WEB SITE: WWW.BIOSFERA BRASIL.COM.
H) In no event shall BIOSFERA BRASIL be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special or consequential damages arising from, or in any way connected with, the use of its web site or for any information, products and services obtained through this web site.
I) The information, products, and services published on this web site may include inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made regarding the disclosed information. The content of this site is not guaranteed to be complete, accurate, or available and may be changed at any time without notice. BIOSFERA BRASIL may make improvements or changes on this web site at any time.
J) Links to Other Web Sites: WWW.BIOSFERA BRASILNILE.COM may contain hyperlinks to web sites operated by parties other than BIOSFERA BRASIL. Such hyperlinks are provided for your reference only. BIOSFERA BRASIL does not control such Web sites and is not responsible for their contents.
17) Validity
Every price and service condition offered by BIOSFERA BRASIL shall be valid for the period of 2 days after its disclosure to Customer. Such validity period may be shorter or longer, if informed so in the respective proposal.
Notwithstanding the above, if the U.S. dollar devalues from the local currency, BIOSFERA BRASIL reserves the right to increase prices accordingly. All prices quoted are based on current exchange rates and are subject to change without notice.
18) Miscellaneous
Resolving Disputes. The parties agree to attempt to quickly and amicably resolve any disputes concerning the interpretation of this Agreement in good faith.
However, if any such dispute cannot be amicably resolved, the parties agree that such dispute shall be decided by a court of competent jurisdiction sitting in the Capital of the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The parties consent to personal jurisdiction of such courts. Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by the Brazilian laws without reference to its choice of law principles.
Notice. All notices required to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand, by certified or registered mail (or an equivalent), return receipt requested courier or facsimile (if confirmed by receipt). Notice shall be deemed made, in the case of facsimile, upon confirmed receipt, and in the case of mail or courier upon receipt. The agreement between Customer and BIOSFERA BRASIL is available at www.biosfera brasil.com
The effective conclusion of this Agreement with BIOSFERA BRASIL is conditioned to Customer’s acceptance of the Terms and Conditions contained herein, without modification in anyway.
I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND AGREED TO ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH ON EACH PAGE OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date: _____/_____/________
Customer’s name: ______________________________________
Passport Number: ______________________________________
______________________________________________________ (customer’s signature)
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