Booking Terms & Conditions

1.Who we are and what we do

Sea Gypsy (sea-gypsy.com) is a booking agency for boat trips, island stays and sailing experiences in San Blas (Guna Yala) and Panama.

We match you with the right boat or stay, arrange your transport, and support you before and during your trip. The trips themselves are run by independent boat owners, captains and local providers.

• The provider is responsible for operating the boat or accommodation and for everything that happens on board.
• Sea Gypsy is responsible for arranging your booking accurately and for being your point of contact from the first message until you are back in Panama City.

2.How booking works

1. You contact us on WhatsApp (+507 6867-5511) or by email.
2. We send you an offer with the boat model or stay, your dates, the price, and what is and is not included.
3. Your booking is confirmed once we receive your deposit and send you a written booking confirmation.

Please check your confirmation as soon as you get it: names, dates, number of guests and pick-up location. Tell us straight away if anything is wrong.

3.Prices and what’s included

• All prices are in US dollars (USD).
• What is included depends on the trip and is listed in your offer and your booking confirmation. If something is not listed, it is not included. Ask us if you are unsure.
• On a shared trip you share the boat with other guests. On a private trip the boat is for your group only.

Never included, unless your confirmation says otherwise:

• The Guna Yala (San Blas) entrance fee, paid in cash at the port. We confirm the current amount in your booking.
• Personal travel insurance.
• Personal expenses.

4.Payment

• Deposit. A deposit confirms your booking. It is usually around 15% of the trip price and varies by boat. The exact amount is stated in your offer.
• Payment methods for the deposit: PayPal, bank transfer, Wise or card.
• Balance. The balance is usually paid in cash in USD. For some boats, other payment methods are possible. Your booking confirmation states the amount, the method and when it is due.
• Processing fees. If you cancel, fees charged by PayPal, card processors, banks or Wise are non-refundable.
• If the balance is not paid as agreed, the trip may not go ahead. This is treated as a cancellation by you.

5.Cancellations and changes

Cancellations, rescheduling and refunds are covered in full in our Cancellation & Refund Policy. In short:

• Cancel 14 days or more before your trip: full refund, minus processing fees.
• Cancel less than 14 days before your trip: no refund.
• No-shows, missed pick-ups and leaving a trip early: no refund.

Weather cancellations are covered in our Weather & Safety Policy.

6.Your responsibilities

• Accurate details. Give us correct information about your group: number of guests, ages, dietary needs, and any health or mobility needs that could affect your trip.
• Be on time. Be ready at your pick-up point at the agreed time. Pick-ups are early in the morning, usually around 5:00 AM. Missing your pick-up counts as a no-show.
• Bring what you need. Bring a valid passport or ID, which may be checked on the way, and cash for the entrance fee.
• Luggage. On the shared 4×4 transfer, space is limited to one large bag per person. Tell us in advance about extra or oversized items.
• Travel insurance. It is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend it, covering cancellation, medical costs and water activities.

7.On board: the captain’s authority

• The captain has the final say on everything to do with the safety of the boat and its guests, including the route, anchorages, activities and whether to sail.
• Follow the instructions of the captain and crew at all times.
• Zero tolerance for illegal drugs. Anyone who brings or uses illegal drugs may be removed from the trip at the next practical point, without a refund. Any extra transport costs are theirs to pay.
• The captain may also end the trip for anyone whose behaviour puts other guests, the crew or the boat at risk, without a refund.

8.Damage to the boat and equipment

You are responsible for damage, loss or destruction of the boat, its equipment or third-party property that results from:

• negligent, reckless or unreasonable use;
• not following the instructions of the captain or crew;
• careless behaviour by you or anyone in your group;
• using equipment in a way it is not intended for, or that you were not shown.

In these cases, Sea Gypsy may charge you the cost of repair or replacement, based on an assessment by a qualified professional.

You are not responsible for:

• normal wear and tear from proper use;
• damage caused by rough or extreme sea conditions or unpredictable weather;
• mechanical or technical failures that you did not cause.

Report damage straight away. Tell the crew or Sea Gypsy as soon as you notice any damage or malfunction. Failing to report it may be treated as negligence.

Security deposit. For some trips, Sea Gypsy may ask for a security deposit before departure, or ask for payment after the trip if damage is found once it has ended.

9.Limits of our responsibility

• Sea Gypsy is not liable for loss, injury or damage caused by the acts or omissions of independent providers, by weather and sea conditions, by events outside our control, or by your own actions.
• We are not responsible for loss of or damage to personal belongings. Keep valuables and electronics in waterproof bags.
• Nothing in these terms limits any liability that cannot be limited by law.

10.Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. The version in force on the day you paid your deposit applies to your booking.