Terms of Service

1. The agreement

"Vida de Playa," "we," "us," and "our" refer to the property owners and operators of the beachfront condo at Playa Potrero, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. "Guest," "you," and "your" refer to the person making the booking and all members of the traveling party.

A binding agreement is formed when a booking is confirmed and a deposit or full payment is received. These terms form the entirety of that agreement between the guest and Vida de Playa.

2. Booking and reservations

• All bookings are subject to availability and confirmation by the host.
• The primary guest making the booking must be 18 years of age or older.
• Maximum occupancy is 4 guests. No additional visitors or overnight guests beyond the booking party are permitted.
• Bookings are non-transferable — the confirmed guest must be present during the stay.
• A 5-night minimum stay applies to Christmas bookings (approximately December 20 – January 3).
• The property is a private residential condo within a 14-unit complex. Guests must respect the shared nature of the property and grounds.

3. Payment

All payments are processed in USD via Stripe, a secure third-party payment processor. By proceeding with payment, you also agree to Stripe's Terms of Service at stripe.com/legal.

• A non-refundable booking fee or full payment is required to confirm a reservation (specific amounts disclosed at checkout).
• A cleaning fee of $150 USD applies to all stays and is charged at booking.
• Monthly stays are charged at $4,500 USD/month, subject to adjustment if a holiday period falls within the booking.
• All prices are in US Dollars. Any currency conversion fees are the responsibility of the guest.
• We do not store payment card information. Card data is handled exclusively by Stripe.

4. Cancellation policy

• Cancellations must be submitted in writing via email.
• The cancellation date is the date we receive your written cancellation.
• In the event of a force majeure (hurricane, government-mandated closure, or similar extraordinary event beyond either party's control), we will work with affected guests to reschedule or provide a credit where feasible.
• We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Cancellation due to personal circumstances (illness, flight cancellation, change of plans) is subject to the policy above.

5. Check-in & check-out

• Check-in: 3:00 PM. The property uses keypad entry — access codes are provided prior to arrival. No coordination required.
• Check-out: 10:00 AM. Please vacate the property and return all keys/items by this time.
• Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability and must be requested in advance. We'll accommodate when we can.
• WiFi network and access code will be shared with your booking confirmation.

6. House rules

By booking, you agree to the following rules. Violations may result in early termination of the stay without refund.

• No smoking: no cigarettes, vaping, or e-cigarettes anywhere on the property or in common areas of the complex.
• Pets: one small, well-behaved dog is welcome. If a dog is disruptive, aggressive, or causes damage, guests may be asked to leave without refund. Please clean up after your pet at all times.
• Quiet hours: 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM. This is a residential complex — please respect your neighbors.
• Maximum occupancy: 4 guests. No additional visitors staying overnight. Daytime visitors must be pre-approved by the host.
• Pool: the shared pool is available to guests of the complex. Follow posted pool rules. No glass near the pool.
• Property care: treat the property and its contents with care. Furniture, fixtures, and appliances must not be moved or altered.
• Parties and events: no parties, events, or gatherings beyond the registered guest count.

7. Guest responsibility & damages

Guests are responsible for the condition of the property during their stay and for any damage caused by themselves, their party, or any pets.

• Any damage beyond normal wear and tear must be reported immediately. Unreported damage discovered at checkout will be charged to the card on file.
• Damage charges will be assessed at the cost of repair or replacement, at our reasonable discretion.
• Guests are responsible for any loss of keys or access devices.
• The property comes fully equipped. Guests must not remove any items from the property.
• Guests accept personal liability for injuries sustained during their stay. Vida de Playa is not liable for accidents, injuries, or loss of personal property during the rental period.

8. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Vida de Playa and the property owners shall not be liable for:

• Any injury, loss, damage, or expense arising from the guest's use of the property, grounds, pool, or surrounding area
• Loss or theft of personal belongings
• Disruptions beyond our control, including utility outages, weather events, construction noise, or actions of neighboring properties
• Acts or omissions of third-party service providers (including Stripe, Anthropic, tour operators, or local businesses referenced in our Local Guide)
• Any indirect, consequential, or punitive damages

Our total liability to any guest shall not exceed the total rental amount paid for the affected stay.

We strongly recommend that all guests obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and loss of personal property before traveling.

9. AI chatbot disclaimer (Tito)

Tito is an AI-powered local guide built to answer questions about the property and surrounding area. He's trained on real local knowledge but is not infallible.

• Tito's responses are informational only and should not be relied upon as professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise).
• Business information (hours, prices, availability of restaurants, activities, and services) changes. Always verify directly with the business before making plans or spending money.
• Tito cannot make, modify, or cancel bookings, process payments, or access your reservation details. For booking-related matters, contact the host directly.
• Do not share sensitive personal information (payment card numbers, passwords, travel documents) in the chat with Tito.
• Tito is powered by Claude, an AI model made by Anthropic. Responses are generated by AI and may occasionally be inaccurate or incomplete.

10. Accuracy of information

We make every effort to ensure that information on this website — including property descriptions, photos, amenity lists, and local recommendations — is accurate and up to date.

• Property photos are representative of the actual condo. Minor differences in furnishings or décor may occur due to updates or seasonal changes.
• Amenity availability (pool, beach access, BBQ, WiFi) is subject to maintenance and circumstances beyond our control. We will notify guests of any significant changes prior to arrival.
• Third-party business information in the Local Guide (restaurants, tours, services) is provided in good faith but we do not guarantee its accuracy or the quality of third-party services.

11. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Costa Rica, without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from a booking or stay shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica.

If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

12. Contact

For questions about these terms, booking inquiries, or any matter related to your stay: