Terms and conditions

1. Purpose of these terms

1.1 Group trip. The Client books a place on the group trip they choose when booking, organised by Diaspora Traveler and shared with other travellers. It is not a tailor-made trip: the programme is designed for the group as a whole.

1.2 Trip information. The itinerary, included and excluded services, price, booking deposit, payment schedule and type of accommodation are set out on the trip page on our website and in the booking summary, and form part of these terms. Any service not expressly listed as included is not part of the trip.

1.3 Additional services. Any additional service (private transfers, extra nights, activities outside the programme) must be requested in writing to hey@diasporatraveler.com and will be quoted separately. It becomes effective only upon the Client's written acceptance and full payment.

1.4 Room type. Accommodation may be in a single room or a room shared with another group member, as stated on the trip page for each accommodation and the option booked by the Client. For shared rooms, Diaspora Traveler will take the Client's stated preferences into account where possible.

2. Trip Requirements and Minimum Group

2.1 Minimum age. This trip is only suitable for persons over 21 years of age. By booking, the Client declares they will be at least 21 years old on the trip start date. Diaspora Traveler may request proof and will not admit anyone who does not meet this requirement, in which case the cancellation terms in clause 4.1 shall apply.

2.2 Minimum group. The trip will only take place if a minimum of 6 (six) participants with a paid booking is reached.

2.3 Departure confirmation. Diaspora Traveler will confirm to the Client in writing whether the trip goes ahead no later than 3 (three) months before the trip start date. The trip shall only be deemed confirmed once Diaspora Traveler informs the Client that the minimum group has been reached.

2.4 If the minimum group is not reached. If the minimum group of 6 participants has not been reached by that date, Diaspora Traveler will cancel the trip and refund the Client all amounts paid within a maximum of 15 business days, in accordance with clause 4.4. Alternatively, the Client may transfer their booking to another Diaspora Traveler departure.

2.5 Expenses before confirmation. Diaspora Traveler is not responsible for any expenses the Client incurs before the trip is confirmed (flights, travel insurance, fees, visas or others). The Client is advised not to purchase non-refundable services or tickets until the group departure is confirmed.

3. Price and Payment

3.1 Price. The price per person is as stated on the trip page. It is guaranteed once the booking deposit is paid, except for subsequent increases in official taxes or fees, which will be notified in writing with supporting evidence.

3.2 Payment schedule. Payment is made in three instalments, for the amounts and on the dates stated on the trip page and in the booking summary:

• Booking deposit: at booking; secures the Client's place.
• Second payment: on the group departure confirmation date (clause 2.3), about 3 months before the trip start date.
• Final payment (final balance): about 60 days before the trip start date.

Late bookings. If the Client books after the second payment date, they shall pay the booking deposit and the second payment together at booking, and the final payment on its date. If they book after the final payment date, they shall pay the full price at booking.

3.3 Payment method. All payments are made through the WeTravel payment link provided by Diaspora Traveler, which offers different payment options (credit or debit card, bank transfer or others offered by the platform). After each payment, the Client will receive an email confirmation, which constitutes the official receipt.

3.4 Transaction fees. Payment processing fees and charges applied by WeTravel, the bank or the chosen payment provider are borne by the Client and are not part of the trip price.

3.5 Late payment. If a payment is not received by its due date, Diaspora Traveler will send a written reminder. If it remains outstanding 3 calendar days after the due date, Diaspora Traveler may cancel the booking, and the terms of clause 4.1 shall apply.

3.6 Transfer of booking. The Client may transfer their place to another person over 21 years of age up to 30 days before departure, by written notice. The new person must accept these terms and meet all its requirements, including travel insurance. Any name-change costs charged by providers shall be borne by the Client.

4. Cancellations and Refunds

4.1 Cancellation by the Client. The Client may cancel at any time by written notice to hey@diasporatraveler.com. The cancellation date is the date such notice is received. The following terms apply:

• Within 7 calendar days of paying the deposit: no penalty. 100% of the amounts paid is refunded.
• After 7 days and before the trip is confirmed: penalty of 50% of the deposit.
• From trip confirmation until 45 days before departure: penalty of 100% of the deposit plus 25% of the remaining trip price (total price less the deposit).
• Between 44 and 31 days before departure: penalty of 100% of the deposit plus 40% of the remaining trip price.
• 30 days or less before departure: penalty of 100% of the deposit plus 60% of the remaining trip price.

The penalty is deducted from the amounts already paid by the Client, and any difference is refunded. If the minimum group is not reached, no penalty applies and clause 2.4 governs.

Example: a USD 2,000 trip with a USD 500 deposit (remaining: USD 1,500).

Note: practical example for the Client's guidance only. The amounts do not correspond to the price of the booked trip.

4.2 Leaving the trip. If the Client leaves the trip once it has started, by their own decision or due to exclusion under clause 6, they are not entitled to any refund for unused services. Early return costs are at the Client's expense.

4.3 Cancellation by Diaspora Traveler. Diaspora Traveler may cancel the trip if the minimum group is not reached, in which case clause 2.4 applies, or due to force majeure, in which case clause 9.2 applies.

4.4 Transaction fees. Payment or transaction fees paid by the Client (WeTravel, bank or payment provider) are not borne by Diaspora Traveler and are not refunded under any circumstances.

5. Changes to the Itinerary and Accommodation

5.1 Adjustments based on group size. The Client accepts that the itinerary, transport and accommodation shown on the trip page may be adjusted according to the final number of participants. Such adjustments may include replacing the accommodation with another of similar category and characteristics, the type of vehicle or the order of activities.

5.2 Other operational changes. Diaspora Traveler may modify the itinerary for weather, safety or provider-availability reasons, or by decision of the coordinator during the trip, always prioritising the group's wellbeing.

5.3 Equivalence. Diaspora Traveler will ensure that any change preserves the essence, quality and value of the experience. Such adjustments do not entitle the Client to a refund or to cancel without penalty.

5.4 Substantial changes. If, before departure, a change substantially alters the trip (for example, removing a main destination), Diaspora Traveler will notify the Client in writing. The Client will have 5 business days to accept it or cancel with a refund of the amounts paid, in accordance with clause 4.4.

5.5 Changes requested by the Client. As this is a group programme, the itinerary does not allow individual changes. Personal requests will be treated as additional services under clause 1.3.

6. Group Conduct and Coordinator

6.1 The coordinator. The group travels with a Diaspora Traveler coordinator responsible for logistics, schedules and the group's wellbeing. The Client agrees to follow her instructions, particularly regarding schedules, safety and travel.

6.2 Code of conduct. The Client agrees to:

• Treat other group members, the coordinator, providers and local communities with respect.
• Respect agreed schedules, understanding that individual delays affect the whole group.
• Respect the culture, customs and environment of the places visited.
• Refrain from violent, discriminatory or harassing behaviour, or behaviour that endangers their own or others' safety.
• Not use illegal substances and drink alcohol responsibly.
• Take care of accommodation, vehicles and shared spaces.

6.3 Independent activities. Any activity the Client undertakes outside the programme or apart from the group is at their sole responsibility. They must inform the coordinator of their absence.

6.4 Breach. If the Client seriously breaches these rules or their conduct endangers the safety or running of the trip, the coordinator may, after prior warning where possible, exclude them from the group. In that case, they are not entitled to a refund and shall bear the resulting costs, including the return journey. Any damage caused to accommodation, vehicles or third parties shall be at their expense.

7. Mandatory Travel Insurance

7.1 Requirement. The Client must hold travel insurance valid for the entire trip covering, at a minimum, medical assistance and hospitalisation, evacuation and repatriation. Cover for cancellation, lost luggage and trip interruption is also recommended.

7.2 Proof. The Client shall send Diaspora Traveler a copy of the policy (insurer, policy number and assistance phone number) together with the final payment, and always before departure.

7.3 Consequences. If the Client does not provide proof of insurance before departure, Diaspora Traveler may refuse them on the trip, and clause 4.1 shall apply. In any case, the Client bears any costs such insurance would have covered and holds Diaspora Traveler harmless from any related claim.

8. Client Obligations

8.1 Information. The Client shall provide complete and accurate details: name as per passport, passport number and expiry date, nationality, contact details, emergency contact, flight details and any relevant allergy, dietary restriction or mobility need. Costs arising from incorrect information shall be borne by the Client.

8.2 Documentation. The Client is responsible for holding a valid passport, visas and any other entry requirements for the Dominican Republic. Diaspora Traveler may provide guidance but is not liable for denied boarding or entry.

8.3 Country travel recommendations. The Client agrees to comply with the laws, rules and travel, health and safety recommendations issued by the authorities of the Dominican Republic, and to consult the travel advice of their country of residence before departure. Diaspora Traveler shall not be liable for the consequences of non-compliance.

8.4 Communication. The Client shall respond promptly to Diaspora Traveler's requests and report any relevant change, such as flight delays.

9. Liability and Force Majeure

9.1 Travel risks. The Client acknowledges that travel involves inherent risks (injury, illness, loss or theft of belongings, weather conditions) and accepts them as part of their participation.

9.2 Force majeure. Force majeure means unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances beyond Diaspora Traveler's control that prevent the trip from taking place or put it at risk, such as natural disasters, hurricanes and tropical storms, epidemics or pandemics, conflicts or civil unrest, acts of terrorism, official restrictions or recommendations issued by the authorities, strikes or airport closures.

a) Before the trip. If Diaspora Traveler must cancel the trip due to force majeure, the Client may choose between:

• Transferring their booking to another departure.
• A credit for the amount paid, valid for 12 months for any Diaspora Traveler trip.
• A refund of the amounts paid, less documented non-recoverable costs already paid to providers.

b) During the trip. If a force majeure event affects the trip once it has started, Diaspora Traveler will adapt the itinerary and assist the Client to ensure their safety. Any additional costs incurred (extra nights, flight changes or others) shall be borne by the Client or their travel insurance.

c) Client unable to travel. The Client's personal circumstances (illness, flight cancellations or others) are not considered force majeure and are governed by clause 4.1. The Client is advised to cover them with travel insurance (clause 7).

10. Data Protection and Image

10.1 Personal data. Diaspora Traveler, SRL is the controller of the Client's personal data, which it processes lawfully, fairly and transparently and in accordance with Dominican Law No. 172-13. Data is used solely to manage the booking and the trip (bookings, trip organisation, payments and communications), comply with legal obligations and protect the Client's safety; health data (allergies, dietary or mobility restrictions) only with their express consent, and marketing communications only if authorised. Data is shared, to the extent strictly necessary, with trip providers, the coordinator, WeTravel, technology providers and insurers, including outside the Client's country, always with adequate safeguards; it is never sold to third parties. It is kept for the legally required period, with appropriate security measures. The Client may at any time exercise their rights of access, rectification, erasure, objection, restriction and portability, and withdraw consent, by writing to hey@diasporatraveler.com, and may lodge a complaint with the competent data protection authority.

10.2 Photographs. Diaspora Traveler may separately request the Client's consent to use photos or videos of the trip for promotional purposes. Such consent is voluntary, revocable in writing and is not a condition of the services. The Client agrees to respect the privacy of other group members when posting images.

11. Complaints, Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

11.1 Complaints. During the trip, any issue must be reported immediately to the coordinator. Later complaints must be submitted in writing to hey@diasporatraveler.com within 20 calendar days of return. Diaspora Traveler will acknowledge receipt within 48 business hours and respond within 15 business days.

11.2 Governing law. These terms are governed by the laws of the Dominican Republic, in particular the Civil Code and Consumer Protection Law No. 358-05.

11.3 Dispute resolution. Any dispute arising from these terms or the booking shall first be addressed through good-faith negotiation between the parties for 30 calendar days from the date either party notifies the other in writing. If no agreement is reached within that period, the dispute shall be submitted to the competent courts of the Dominican Republic.

12. General Provisions

12.1 Entire agreement. These terms, together with the information on the trip page and the booking summary, constitute the entire agreement between the parties. Any amendment must be made in writing.

12.2 Severability. If any clause is held invalid, the remaining clauses shall remain in force.

12.3 Waiver. Failure to enforce a clause does not constitute a waiver of it.

12.4 Language. These terms are published in Spanish and English. In the event of any discrepancy or conflict between the two versions, the Spanish version shall prevail. The English version is provided for information purposes.

13. Acceptance

These terms are accepted electronically. By ticking the acceptance box and paying for the booking, the Client declares that they have read, understood and accepted these terms and the trip information, and that they have the legal capacity to be bound. Electronic acceptance has the same legal validity as a handwritten signature.