Terms and Conditions | UpClose Belize Ltd:  By checking the box provided and/or completing this booking, I represent that I have read, understood, and consent to the Terms and Conditions detailed below: 

Our Adventure Assurance: We want your Belizean experience to be memorable for all the right reasons! We do get plenty of “liquid sunshine” here in Belize 🌦️ and while we love a tropical shower, your safety is our top priority.  Occasionally, government authorities (NICH and other regulatory bodies) may issue official closure notices for specific tour sites to ensure visitor safety. Should an official closure affect your booking, you are guaranteed a 100% refund on your tour payment. No hoops, no headaches!

We track these official notices closely and pride ourselves on transparency. We make it a point to stay ahead of the forecast and will reach out to you the moment a closure is announced. Our goal is to handle the logistics so you can focus on the adventure! Whether it’s finding an exciting tour substitution, rescheduling for a better day, or processing your full refund, we’ll help you find the best “Plan B” so you don’t miss a beat.

Minimum Participation 
Adventure is often better together! Some tours require a minimum number of participants (typically 2 to 4). If the minimum hasn’t quite filled up by your tour date, don’t worry, we won’t leave you hanging! We will reach out to you at least 24 hours in advance to keep your adventures on track: Options include:  Rescheduling to join the confirmed tour on a different date.  Tour Switch: Join us on a different adventure! We’ll show you what is already confirmed for that day, and you are more than welcome to jump in.  Go Private/Smaller-Group: You can still enjoy your original tour by paying a small-group or private-tour supplement fee starting at just US$10pp . This is a great way to guarantee your trip happens with a more intimate, personalized feel.  100% Refund: If none of the options above fit your schedule or travel style, we will issue an immediate 100% refund.  

Guest Cancellations & Refunds – We want to keep your travel planning as stress-free as possible while ensuring we can continue to provide high-quality, intimate tour experiences.  Qualifying refunds may be subject to a processing fee – see General Policy Notes below for more details.

Standard Tours (1–5 Guests):
72+ Hours’ Notice: Full Refund, or Free Reschedule  (subject to availability)
36 to 72 Hours’ Notice: 50% Refund, or Reschedule to an alternate date for US$10pp (subject to availability)
Less than 36 Hours’ Notice: No refund, we have already committed guides, gear, and logistics to your adventure.

Group Tour Bookings (6+ Guests) & Private Charters:
14+ Days’ Notice: Full Refund or Free Reschedule (subject to availability)
7 to 14 Days’ Notice: 50% Refund or Reschedule at 20% rescheduling fee (subject to availability)
Less than 7 Days’ Notice: No refund, we have already committed guides, gear, and logistics to your adventure.

Peak Tourism Season – Applies to Dec 1st – Jan 31st and Mar 15th – Apr 15th
7+ Days’ Notice: 100% Refund, or free date changes (subject to availability)
5 to 7 Days’ Notice: 50% Refund or Reschedule at 22.5% rescheduling fee (subject to availability)
Less than 5 Days’ Notice: No refund, we have already committed guides, gear, and logistics to your adventure.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) & Scenic Flight Special Policy – Due to strict daily capacity limits and specialized licensing:  6+ Days’ Notice: Full Refund | 6 Days or Less Notice: Non-Refundable

— Third-Party Island Transfers (Air & Sea)
Domestic Air Transfers: Once your flight code has been issued, air transfers become 100% non-refundable at the posted carrier rates. This is due to the strict ticketing policies of our regional airline partners.  Water Taxi Transfers: You may cancel or change your water taxi transfers up to 7 days prior to your tour date without penalty. Within 7 days of the tour, these tickets become non-refundable. 

— General Policy Notes

  • To avoid confusion, all “hourly” notices are calculated based on the office operational start time of 6:00 AM on the date of your tour. 
  • If your booking includes an island transfer, please note that the cancellation terms for that portion of your trip supersede our standard policy and are governed by the specific rules found in the ‘Third-Party Island Transfers (Air & Sea)”.
  • Qualifying refunds may be subject to a processing fee of up to 22.5% to cover non-refundable merchant charges, taxes and administrative labor.
  • No-Shows: No refunds will be issued for “no-shows” on tour day or for any unused portions of a tour.
  • Notice of Cancellation: All cancellations must be submitted in writing, and is calculated from the date/time stamp of the email or WhatsApp text message.

— Rate Information & Bookings

  • Currency: All rates are quoted in US Dollars and are per person, unless otherwise stated.
  • Rate Changes: All rates are subject to change until secured with payment. Your tour payment remains subject to any subsequent adjustments in government-mandated costs, such as park entry fees or taxes.

— Inclusions & Exclusions – Please review your tour details carefully for tour details.  Typically Included: Meet-and-greet services, tour transfers, professional licensed guides, entrance fees, purified water, and essential tour equipment.   Typically Excluded: Gratuities (discretionary for excellent service), items of a personal nature (sunblock, towels, medication, souvenirs), and any meals or beverages not explicitly listed in the itinerary. Where tours include beverages, these are limited to non-alcoholic options, such as purified water, juices, or sodas. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

— Liability, Safety & Operational Policies Trip Insurance is Highly Recommended
Assumption of Risk. Adventure travel involves inherent risks, including uneven terrain, physical exertion, and travel to remote areas. By participating, guests acknowledge and accept these risks, including potential trips, falls, or physical jostling during transport, subject to close contact with others; travel terrain which may be narrow, uneven and unpredictable and, in some instances, be required to walk or stand for significant periods. UpClose Belize Ltd is not liable for accidents leading to injuries or death.  UpClose Belize Ltd is not liable for any expenses incurred due to delays as related directly or indirectly with tours or transfers.  The participant declares to be aware and informed regarding the nature and risks associated with tours and about the risks of traveling through Belize in general.

Guest Health & Conduct To ensure the comfort and safety of all participants:  Safety Requirements: We reserve the right to decline any guest whose health, behavior, or attire (as outlined in your itinerary) may impede safe tour operation or negatively affect the tour experience.  Resolution: Should a guest be asked to leave a tour for the reasons above, any potential refund will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Operational Flexibility:  Acts of God: UpClose Belize Ltd is not responsible for circumstances beyond our control (e.g., extreme weather or force majeure).  Adjustments: We reserve the right to cancel, withdraw, or reschedule any itinerary, either before departure or while en route, if it is deemed necessary for the safety of the group or the successful delivery of the tour.

Personal Belongings Please take care of your personal items. UpClose Belize Ltd is not responsible for the loss of or damage to personal electronics, clothing, jewelery or gear during tours or transfers.

 

Cancellation & Refund Policy: Vacation Packages | UpClose Belize Ltd

To ensure a seamless experience and the proper coordination of all package elements (including accommodations, tours, and transfers), the following policies apply to all vacation package bookings:

Written Notice Requirement: All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email. The date and timestamp on the written email notice will be used to determine the applicable refund tier.

Tiered Refund Schedule:

60 Days or More Prior to Arrival: Cancellations received 60 days or more before the scheduled arrival date will receive a 100% refund of the total package price, less a non-refundable administrative handling fee of US$100.00 per person.

59 to 45 Days Prior to Arrival: Cancellations received within this window will receive a 50% refund of the deposit paid.

44 Days or Less Prior to Arrival: No refunds will be granted for cancellations received 45 days or less before the scheduled arrival date.

High Season & Holiday Periods: For bookings during Peak Season (including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and Spring Break), stricter cancellation windows apply. Cancellations made 90 to 61 days before arrival incur a US$100.00 per room penalty; cancellations 60 to 46 days before arrival incur a 50% penalty; and cancellations 45 days or less result in no refund.

No-Shows & Early Departures: No refunds or credits will be issued for “no-shows,” early departures, or late arrivals.

Unused Portions: Vacation packages are sold as a complete experience. No refunds or credits are given for any unused portions of a package, including tours, meals, or hotel stays not taken by the guest.

Inclement Weather & Acts of God: While UpClose Belize reserves the right to cancel or reschedule tours due to adverse weather or conditions beyond our control for safety reasons, unused portions of a package resulting from such events or “Acts of God” remain non-refundable and non-transferable. We strongly recommend that all guests purchase comprehensive travel insurance to protect their investment.

Payment Failure: In the event that a final balance payment is not received by the due date (typically 45 days prior to arrival), UpClose Belize reserves the right to cancel the reservation. In such cases, any deposits made are non-refundable.