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Culturismo LLC

Terms and Conditions

‍Please read the following booking agreement terms and conditions carefully.  These terms and conditions, together with our privacy policy, release and waiver, and any other documentation we provide you, form the basis of your contract with us (hereinafter The Agreement).  This Agreement affects your legal rights.  By booking a trip with us, you are accepting and consenting to The Agreement. If you do not agree to the terms and conditions, you will not be able to book and travel with us. 

We reserve the right to change these Booking Terms at any time. The Booking Agreement terms and conditions that are in effect at the time of your travel will be applicable. It is your responsibility to check these Booking terms and conditions from time to time and be aware of any changes in effect before you travel.

‍The terms “we”, “us”, “our”, and “Culturismo” refer to Culturismo LLC. The term “you”, “I”, “participant”, “traveler” or “customer” refer to the person booking a reservation through us. Reference to “Suppliers” and “Service Providers” means all third parties who provide services to you, including airlines unless otherwise specified.

By making a booking with us, you affirm that you are at least 21 years of age and possess the legal authority to enter into this agreement in accordance with all terms and conditions herein. If you are making travel reservations or bookings for another person you agree to inform that person(s) about the terms and conditions that apply to the travel reservations and bookings you have made on their behalf, including all rules and restrictions applicable thereto and these terms and conditions. You agree to be financially responsible for all bookings you make. You are responsible for any bookings and travel reservations made by persons under your direction or control. You also warrant that all information supplied by you or on your behalf, or by members of your household is true, current, complete and accurate. Furthermore, you also confirm that the traveler is not an unaccompanied minor.

‍Reservations and Payment

To register for a Culturismo trip, sign up on our website or contact us directly at culturismodr@gmail.com.  A $600 deposit will be charged in order to hold your spot; payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express and can be sent to Culturismo by Venmo, PayPal or Zelle. The balance of your payment is due 90 days prior to departure. All prices are in United States Dollars.

‍Upon receipt of your deposit and signed trip participant agreement, you will gain access to all pre-departure information to help you prepare for your trip, including readings and videos created by Culturismo to give you background on Dominican history, culture, music, dance, art, literature and food. 

‍Because many of our trips fill up months in advance, we suggest reserving early.  In addition, the sooner you decide on a trip, the more time you will have to read through our materials and get ready for this unique travel experience. ‍

Cancellations and Refunds

‍We reserve the right to cancel any trip, for any reason, at any time prior to departure. In this case, refund of any payments you have made constitutes full settlement.  This will not apply in the case of Force Majeure (see definition here). All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Culturismo. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for travelers arriving late or unexpectedly leaving a trip. Culturismo does not recommend the purchase of nonrefundable airline tickets.

‍Because we strictly adhere to our cancellation policy, we strongly recommend you purchase some form of travel insurance within 14 calendar days of making the initial trip deposit. Travel insurance will protect your travel investment and most importantly to ensure your total comfort with every aspect of your travel experience.    ‍

Trip Cancellation Fees

Days Prior to Departure Trip Cancellation Charge

121 days or more                                50% of deposit*

91-120 days                                        100% of deposit*

61-90 days                                          30% of trip price

31-60 days                                          60% of trip price

0-30 days                                            100% of trip price

*If another Culturismo trip is available, you may transfer $500 of your trip deposit (there is a $100 administrative fee) to another departure up to 90 days before your original departure, or $500 may be carried forward to the following year as a credit toward the final balance of a trip.

Prices quoted are subject to adjustment without prior notification.

‍At the time of the transfer booking, we will ask for another $600 deposit to secure your spot. Carried-forward credits expire at the end of the year to which they are applied.

‍We reserve the right to update these policies at any time and without prior notice.

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Deposit Payment Terms*

Days Prior to Trip Start Date                      Trip Amount Due

121+ days                                                       $600 deposit

91-120 days                                                    $600 deposit

0-90 days                                                        Full trip price

*For all custom trips, in addition to the per person trip deposit, a non-refundable $1,000 Custom Trip Design Fee is required to initiate your request, design your itinerary and secure the availability of hotels for your group. Once the group is confirmed, this design fee may be applied toward the balance due.

We reserve the right to update these policies at any time and without prior notice.

Severability

If any provision of these terms and conditions shall be held unenforceable, such provision shall be struck and the remainder shall remain enforceable.

Travel to and from Santo Domingo

‍Travelers are responsible for making their own air travel arrangements to the Dominican Republic.  You should book flights to Santo Domingo airport, known as Las Américas, with airport code SDQ.  Each trip will have a time window for your arriving and departing flights from SDQ.  Culturismo will provide ground transportation from SDQ to our hotel in Santo Domingo on your arrival, and from Las Terrenas to SDQ on your departure day. 

‍If you elect to fly into another airport, such as Punta Cana (PUJ), you will be responsible for arranging your own ground transportation to Santo Domingo city when you arrive and from Las Terrenas to Punta Cana on the day you depart. You must arrive in the same time window as travelers flying into Santo Domingo.  Punta Cana airport is 120 miles (192 km.) from Santo Domingo and 186 miles (300 km.) from Las Terrenas.  Taxi or car service to and from Punta Cana costs several hundred dollars.  ‍ ‍

Accommodations

‍The cost of the trip shown are based on double occupancy—that is, two people per hotel room. If you would like your own room, there is an additional single supplement charge. A limited number of single rooms are available on all trips, so please check with us about availability at the time you make your deposit.

‍Please understand that our hotels charge the same for single and double rooms. 

Participant Responsibility

‍We will gladly answer questions to help you select a trip or provide you with names of past participants who will candidly describe their experience with Culturismo. However, you are responsible for selecting a trip appropriate to your physical abilities and interests, carefully reading all of the detailed pre-departure information before traveling, and being in sufficiently good health to undertake the trip.

‍Each participant is expected to act responsibly and adhere to all behavior guidelines established by Culturismo and our on-the-ground partners, including third-party providers.  We and our local partners reserve the right to remove you from a trip if you endanger yourself or others or disrupt the general well-being of the trip itself. In any such case, there will be no refund.

‍When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you. Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be paid directly at the time to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. You must indemnify us for the full amount of any claim (also including legal costs) made against us. Culturismo is not responsible for any costs incurred by a traveler removed from a trip. Travelers agree not to hold Culturismo or any of its third-party associates liable for any actions taken under these terms and conditions.

‍Luggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions and Physical Requirements to Travel

‍Due to the nature of our trips and the destinations we visit, all participants must be fully capable of walking on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, riding in a boat, and riding a standard bicycle without assistance.

‍This means that individuals with medical conditions or disabilities that could pose a safety risk to themselves or others, or require a level of attention or care beyond what is reasonably and equally provided to all participants, unfortunately cannot be accommodated on our trips. By signing these terms and conditions, participant represents that they are physically and mentally able to participate in the tour activities.

‍We kindly ask that you inform us in writing at the time of booking of any medical condition, disability, or special requirement that may affect your participation. We may request medical documentation confirming your ability to safely join the trip. While our guides offer support to all participants equally, they are not able to provide continuous or specialized care to any single participant. By signing this agreement, participant agrees to disclose any medical conditions, dietary restrictions or mobility limitations prior to departure.

‍Please note that accommodations outside the USA may not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and may lack wheelchair accessibility. Any additional costs for accommodations or support are the responsibility of the guest.

Special dietary requirements

Special diets should be requested on the Culturismo booking form; however, it may not be possible for special diets to be fully accommodated in the Dominican Republic. For safety and liability reasons, Culturismo and its representatives cannot be responsible for directly accommodating any food allergies, or dietary requirements and restrictions, and Culturismo is not responsible for any issues or problems associated with the same. We will advise hotels and restaurants of your request but we cannot guarantee their availability.

Children

The experiences we will have in the Dominican Republic are designed for adults interested in learning about Dominican culture, history, and environment.  Culturismo welcomes children over 16 years old who have the level of maturity and interest to enjoy our walking trips, museum visits, lectures, conversations, and excursions to rural areas.  ‍

Group Travel

Traveling in a group invariably involves compromise to accommodate the diverse interests, travel goals, personalities, and physical abilities of all participants. Culturismo trip leaders may be required to improvise and exercise good faith, use discretion, and/or make decisions based upon group consensus. These decisions may not always please each individual, but they are intended to satisfy the desires of the larger group.

Confirmed Trips

If a trip does not reach the minimum group size within 120 days prior to departure, we offer guests the chance to move to a different trip. If you wish to stay, only 1 guide will be provided and each guest will have to pay an additional $500.

Changes to the Itinerary

Due to circumstances beyond our control, Culturismo may at times have to make changes to the original itinerary. Every effort is made to keep changes to a minimum, and our standard of quality is always maintained. Such changes shall not constitute a breach of this agreement.

Force Majeure

Culturismo shall not be responsible for, and shall make no refund for, events beyond its control, such as, without limitation, acts of God, strikes, acts of war, terrorism or civil disturbance, government restrictions, changes of schedules or operational decisions of air carriers, terrorist activity or the threat thereof, industrial action, natural or nuclear activity, epidemic, pandemic, illness, physical injury, quarantine, medical or customs or immigration regulation, delay, or cancellation, adverse weather conditions, fire, or for acts or omission of third parties or other parties not under the control of Culturismo and all similar events outside our control.

Guest to Guide Ratio

We limit the group size of each trip to maximize every traveler’s enjoyment and support. On our regularly scheduled trips (excludes private and custom), our average group size is 12, and our maximum is 14 with at least two guides. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Non-Responsibility

Culturismo and its employees, shareholders, agents, and representatives use third-party suppliers to arrange trips, transportation, sightseeing, lodging, and all other services related to this trip. Culturismo is an independent contractor and is not an employee, agent, or representative of any of these suppliers. Culturismo does not own, manage, operate, supervise, or control any transportation, vehicle, airplane, hotel or restaurants, or any other entity that supplies services related to your trip. Culturismo is not affiliated with any other trip operator. All suppliers are independent contractors and are not agents or employees or representatives of Culturismo. All tickets, receipts, coupons, and vouchers are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by each supplier, and by accepting the coupons, vouchers, and tickets, or utilizing the services, all customers agree that neither Culturismo, nor its employees, agents, or representatives are or may be liable for any loss, injury, or damage to any trip participant or their belongings, or otherwise, in connection with any service supplied or not supplied resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrence beyond the control of Culturismo. Culturismo assumes no responsibility or liability for any delay, change in schedule, loss, injury or damage or loss of any participant that may result from any act or omission on the part of others; and Culturismo shall be relieved of any obligations under these terms and conditions in the event of any strike, labor dispute, act of God, or of government, fire, war, whether declared or not, terrorism, insurrection, riot, theft, pilferage, epidemic/pandemic, illness, physical injury, quarantine, medical or customs or immigration regulation, delay, or cancellation. Culturismo accepts no responsibility for lost or stolen items. Culturismo reserves the right to refuse any participant or potential participant at its sole discretion.

Additional Risks

The Dominican Republic is classified by the World Bank as an upper middle-income nation, a category that includes Argentina, Turkey, Serbia, China and Thailand. That said, travelers to the Dominican Republic will find conditions different from those in the United States. Additional risks and dangers may therefore arise including, but not limited to, hazards of travel by automobile, van, bus or motor coach, aircraft, bicycle and other means of conveyance, animal interactions, forces of nature, natural disasters, political unrest, other unrest, risks associated with water, food, plants, insects and differing animal regulation, infectious diseases, and acts of national and local governments and of others against governments. These risks are not an exhaustive list but are examples of many kinds of risks.

You are voluntarily participating in these activities with the knowledge that there are significant dangers involved, and you hereby agree to accept any and all risks. As lawful consideration for the agreement with Culturismo to participate in such trips and activities you agree you will not make a claim against Culturismo, its related companies or its personnel or sue for bodily injury, emotional trauma, death, property loss or damage or other loss, cost or expense, however caused, as a result of or related to your contracting for, traveling to or from, or in any and every other way participating in the trip. You release Culturismo, its related companies and its personnel from any and all claims, known or unknown, arising from contracting for, traveling to or from, and in any and every way participating in a trip. This release of liability and assumption of risk agreement is entered into on behalf of you and all members of your family and party, also including minors. This agreement also binds your heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

Where the traveler occupies a motor coach or other vehicle seat fitted with a safety belt, neither Culturismo nor the Operator nor its agents or co-operating organizations or service providers will be liable for any injury, illness or death or for any loss or damages or claims whatsoever arising from any accident or incident, if the safety belt is not being worn at the time of such an accident or incident. This exclusion and limitation of liability shall not be used to imply that the Operator or its agents or affiliated entities are liable in other circumstances.

Travel Advisories/Warnings and your responsibility

By offering reservations for travel in the Dominican Republic, Culturismo does not represent or warrant that travel to that country is advisable or without risk. It is the responsibility of the traveler to become informed about the most current travel information, advisories and warnings by referring both to the U. S. State Department’s travel website at www.travel.state.gov/ or by phone at 1-888-407- 4747 and by accessing the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices. If the traveler still chooses to travel to the locale of a warning, the traveler assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of or which relates to the type of events warned against.

Passport & visa information for US and Canadian citizens

Participants are solely responsible for ensuring their passports are up to date, do not expire for at least 6 months after the trip return date (a requirement to enter many countries, including the Dominican Republic) and have two completely blank pages for migration officials to stamp. We recommend that you keep a copy of your scanned passport (or a clear photograph) accessible on your email while traveling.

It is your sole responsibility to complete the online “E-Ticket” for entry and exit from the Dominican Republic that is required by Dominican migration authorities.  You must complete the online application before you arrive at the airport as airlines will not allow you to proceed to your gate until you have shown them a valid QR code from Dominican migration.  If you have difficulty completing the form, you must notify Culturismo at least 48 hours before your flight departure time.  Access the online form and instructions (in English) here: https://migracion.gob.do/en/e-ticket-electronic-ticket-of-entry-and-exit-of-the-dominican-republic/

When travelling domestically or internationally, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advise that everyone carry at least two forms of acceptable identification in order to board a flight. Examples: DHS designated enhanced driver’s license, USA Passport, a foreign government passport. The name, date of birth and gender that appears on the identification card must exactly match the same such data that is listed on airline ticket(s) and booking records.  For more information you can visit the TSA website at www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.

For up to date visa requirements US citizens should visit www.travel.state.gov and Canadian citizens should visit www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/documents. Citizens of other countries should check with the relevant embassy in their own country.

Obtaining and carrying these documents is your sole responsibility. Culturismo bears no responsibility for such information and will not be responsible for advising and/or obtaining required travel documentation for you, or for any delays, damages, and/or losses including missed portions of your vacation related to improper documentation or government decisions about entry.

Any failure of a participant to have proper passport and migration documents will likely result in the participant not being able to leave the country and no refund will be available in any such case.

Health

At the time of this writing, no special inoculations are required or recommended for visitors to the Dominican Republic.  That said, recommended inoculations for travel may change and you should consult your doctor for current recommendations before you depart. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all health entry requirements, obtain the recommended inoculations, take all recommended medication, and follow all medical advice in relation to your trip. Inoculation requirements can be found on the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.

Disinsection: Most countries reserve the right to disinsect aircraft if there is a perceived threat to public health, agriculture, or environment.  While this is not a common practice, we want you to be aware that it is a possibility. This process includes the following: (1) spray the aircraft cabin with an aerosolized insecticide while passengers are on board or (2) treat the aircraft’s interior surfaces with a residual insecticide while passengers are not on board. For more information you can visit the U.S. Department of transportation website at: www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/spray‍ ‍

Privacy

We will not rent or sell any of your personal information to third parties. We use the information you provide combined with information from other sources to better personalize our services and content for you. Unless we are otherwise notified in writing, participant grants Culturismo permission to use photographs, videos or other media taken during the tour for marketing and promotional purposes.

Service Responsibility

Culturismo will not assume responsibility for any overseas company or person who fails to provide services that have been contracted for any of its trips. (In the case of such an event, alternative services will be sought.) In rare instances, we may ask a traveler to switch to another trip from one that has logistical problems or too few participants; in such cases, we will attempt to notify you at least 60 days before the departure date.

Travel Protection Insurance

It is highly recommended that guests protect their travel arrangements by purchasing travel insurance shortly after submitting a deposit, particularly in the case of pre-existing conditions.

There are many good companies for trip insurance, and we recommend Travel Insured International for a plan that covers both trip cancellation and medical care abroad.  Coverages differ from one company to another and vary according to your age, so consider all available options.  You should check with your medical insurance company to verify that you are covered while traveling outside the United States.

Culturismo is not qualified to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of travel insurance plans. Culturismo cannot evaluate the adequacy of the prospective insured’s existing insurance coverage. If you have any questions about your travel protection, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker.

Such insurance at a minimum should cover your losses sustained as a result of cancellation, medical issues, and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. Declining travel insurance could result in the loss of your travel cost and/or require additional payments to correct the situation. You also acknowledge that without insurance, there may be no way to recoup any losses, costs or expenses incurred. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance coverage, we will not be liable for any of your losses howsoever arising, for which insurance coverage would otherwise have been available.

Jurisdiction and Applicable Law

These Booking Conditions and any agreement to which they apply are governed in all respects by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to conflicts of law principles.  

Any dispute or claim of the traveler arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the tour services provided shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration on an individual basis, and not in court.  Arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its applicable consumer rules, may be conducted in Massachusetts or remotely, and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Class, collective, and representative actions are waived. This provision survives the completion of the tour and termination of this Agreement.

All traveler claims must be submitted in writing and received by Culturismo LLC no later than sixty (60) days after the completion of the Culturismo LLC vacation.  Guest claims not submitted and received within this time shall be deemed waived and barred.

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