Terms and policies

Terms & Policies — Tico Tours

Effective date: October 6, 2025
Company: Tico Tours (tico.tours), a Costa Rican, 100% online tour operator owned and managed by local partners in La Fortuna / San Carlos, Costa Rica.

1) Scope & Acceptance

By booking any activity, day pass, transfer, or packaged experience (“Tour”) with Tico Tours you agree to these Terms & Policies. Some Tours are operated directly by Tico Tours and others in partnership with vetted local operators. In all cases, our goal is to deliver safe, authentic experiences with clear information and support.

2) Booking & Confirmation

  • How to book: Complete the reservation form on our website. Our team will contact you quickly to confirm availability and share payment options.

  • Start times & duration: Typical departures are 8:00, 10:00, 13:00, 15:00 (varies by tour). Durations shown on each tour page are estimates and can change due to weather, traffic, river/park conditions, or safety considerations.

  • What’s included: Each tour page lists inclusions (e.g., bilingual guide, equipment, transportation from hotels near La Fortuna, entrance fees, water). Meals are not included unless explicitly stated.

3) Payments

  • Secure checkout: Pay with credit or debit card via PayPal (no PayPal account required), payment link, or cash (when offered).

  • Protection: PayPal provides purchase protection for buyers and transaction security for merchants.

  • Pricing & taxes: All prices are in USD. Taxes (IVA) are included where indicated on the tour page. Prices may change without notice until full payment is received and the booking is confirmed.

4) Cancellations, Changes & Refunds

Important: Refund and cancellation conditions may vary by tour and supplier. Some activities are non-refundable once paid; others allow limited changes. Always verify your specific tour’s policy by email before paying: info@ticotours.com

General guidance:

  • Customer changes (date/time/name): Subject to availability and the operator’s rules. Fees may apply.

  • Customer cancellations: Many adventure tours (e.g., ATV, Canopy, Tubing, Rafting) are non-refundable after payment.

  • No-shows / late arrivals: Treated as used services; no refund.

  • Supplier or weather cancellations: If a tour is suspended for safety (e.g., storms, river level, lightning, high winds) the standard remedy is rescheduling. If rescheduling is impossible, the applicable supplier’s refund/credit policy applies.

For the exact policy that applies to your reservation, write to info@ticotours.com with your tour name, date, and booking details before paying.

5) Health, Safety & Participation Requirements

Adventure and nature activities involve inherent risks. By participating you accept these risks and agree to follow guide instructions at all times.

Common restrictions across multiple tours:

  • Minimum ages:

    • Canopy/Zipline: 6+

    • Rafting (Balsa Class II–III): 6+

    • Tubing (Arenal River): 10+

    • Horseback Riding: typically 6+

    • Sloth Watching / Hanging Bridges / Night Walk: all ages (gentle hikes)

  • Weight limit (where applicable): Up to 254 lbs / 115 kg (e.g., Canopy).

  • Not permitted: Pregnant travelers; people with recent surgeries (typically within 6 months) or spine/back problems.

  • Footwear & clothing: Closed-toe shoes are mandatory for most adventure tours. Sandals/flip-flops are not allowed during activities like canopy, ATV, rafting, tubing, most hikes. Wear long pants for canopy/ATV; bring a swimsuit and towel for river or hot springs activities.

  • Equipment: Certified safety gear is provided (e.g., harness, helmet, life jacket).

  • Wildlife: Sightings (e.g., sloths, toucans, frogs) are common but cannot be guaranteed.

If you have a medical condition, mobility limitation, or accessibility need, please contact us in advance: info@ticotours.com.

6) Transportation & Pick-Ups

Most tours include round-trip transportation from hotels in or near La Fortuna Town. Pick-ups outside the standard zone may incur an additional fee or may not be available. Be ready 10 minutes before your scheduled time.

7) Photos & Media

Some tours offer optional photo packages available on site. By participating, you consent to incidental appearance in group photos or short videos shot for safety or trip memory purposes. For any usage concerns, contact info@ticotours.com.

8) Personal Belongings

Tico Tours and partner operators are not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal items during activities or transportation. Bring only essentials and use waterproof protection where relevant.

09) Force Majeure

We are not liable for delays, changes, or cancellations caused by events outside our reasonable control (e.g., severe weather, natural disasters, road closures, strikes, park regulations). Remedies typically include rescheduling where possible.

10) Liability & Assumption of Risk

Adventure activities may involve speed, heights, uneven terrain, water currents, and wildlife. By booking and participating you:

  • Acknowledge these risks and your responsibility to act prudently.

  • Agree to follow guide instructions and wear provided safety gear.

  • Release Tico Tours and partner operators from liabilities arising from non-compliance with instructions or undisclosed health conditions, except where prohibited by law.

11) Privacy

We collect only the information necessary to manage your reservation, provide service, comply with regulation, and improve our platform. We do not sell personal data. For privacy inquiries, write to info@ticotours.com.

12) Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms & Policies periodically. The version posted on our website at the time of booking applies to your reservation.

13) Contact

Have questions about your itinerary, accessibility, payments, or the specific cancellation/refund policy for your tour?
Email: info@ticotours.com

Tico Tours — local expertise, secure payments, and the convenience of booking all your Costa Rica tours in one place.