TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ALL TOURS AND COURSES
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the complete Terms & Conditions governing your tour or diving course. It is especially important that you are aware of conditions regarding Silent World Divers cancellation and refund policies. We urge you to please review our Terms & Conditions page before booking your tour. Please read the entire page so that you are fully aware of the information that you will need as it relates to pier location, entry and arrival times and more.
OUR MEETING & DEPARTURE POINTS
All tours depart from the pier called Muelle or Marina “Los Peines”, ocasionally we offer another pick up options, make sure you know the name of the pier and meeting time. All taxi drivers are familiar with the pier. Silent World Divers has no control of the fares charged by taxis.
Please arrive at the pier 20 minutes before your departure time. There are no refunds for no-shows. If you are running a little late you can always call us at the following mobile phone numbers: 322 294 0608 or 322 135 6468.
Allow a minimum of 30 minutes for transportation time to the pier from downtown Vallarta, less if you are closer to the area of the pier. Allow more time if you are coming from other locations either north or south of the departure point depending on your location.
A light lunch is offered on board on morning departures and consists of a ham and cheese baguette, fresh fruit, purified water and soft drinks. Please advise us if you require a vegetarian lunch or any other dietary restriction when making your booking. For the safety and convenience of all guests on board, flammable liquids of any type of alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed on board at any time. All Silent World Divers tours are NON-SMOKING.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PORT ENTRY
You will be asked at the entrance gate for the name of your tour company and the boat you’ll be travelling on. The tour company name is Silent World Divers and the boat’s name is Mundo Silencioso.
FEDERAL PARKING TAX FOR PRIVATE VEHICLES
Guests arriving into the Federal Zone of Los Peines pier are required to pay a per vehicle federal tax in exchange for parking in a secure, guarded lot. When arriving at the main entrance, make the immediate first left and pay the usage tax to the attendant in the white kiosk. After payment of your fee, walk out of the fenced area, turn to the left and follow the sidewalk to the main entrance. You will see another white kiosk and a large gate. Enter and proceed forward to the covered waiting area in front of you. You will be met there soon by a Silent World Divers representative or guide. The window to the right is where you will pay your per person federal pier tax. You will be required to pay a $37.00 pesos Federal Port Usage Tax (subject to change without notice). This tax is collected by the government and is not included in your tour cost or in any way associated with Silent World Divers tours, only cash is accepted for this fee. There are NO exemptions to the fees and taxes and everyone, except children under the age of 8, are not required to pay.
GENERAL DAILY OPERATING SCHEDULES
Our tours are scheduled to depart between 8:50 or 9:00 AM. Depending on the tour you choose, the trips last from 4 to 6 hours and we normally arrive back to our departure point in the early afternoon, depending on the tour that you have booked.
Tour times are dependent on the tour that you choose, weather conditions and guest safety. All our tours are subject to change with or without advance warning. We are operating in real time and have no control over nature.
You will be advised of any changes at the time of booking and before tour departure of schedule changes should they be known in advance. Please be sure to provide your local Puerto Vallarta contact information when making your reservation.
CRUISE SHIP AND PASSENGER INFORMATION
We offer special departure times for cruise ship passengers and private charters. E-mail us directly for special arrangements for you or your group. Keep in mind that “ship’s time” may be different than local Puerto Vallarta time. Check with your cruise ship company and ship’s Purser for exact local time here in Puerto Vallarta.
WHAT TO BRING
As the mornings are cooler during winter time, we recommend that you dress in layers. Bring along a towel, sunglasses, sunblock, a hat, a light jacket, wind breaker or sweater and your camera or video recorder.
GRATUITIES FOR GUIDES AND CREW MEMBERS
Our staff is on board to not only guide your tour, but to see to your needs and ensure that your trip is just as great as all the reviews that our tours and staff receive annually. As in any service related industry, a standard gratuity will be very much appreciated by your guides. The Captain and crew thank you in advance and look forward to exceeding your expectations throughout the tour. Gratuities are at your own discretion.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Information given in all brochures, leaflets, websites, emails and other advertising is given in good faith by Silent World Divers and these are based on the latest information available at the date of publication. Silent World Divers reserves the right to change any of the facilities, vehicles or boats described in the brochures, leaflets, websites, emails or any other advertising without becoming liable for compensation or refunds. While every endeavor is made to keep to the prices advertised in the brochures, leaflets, websites, emails and advertising, Silent World Divers reserves the right to increase or change the prices at any time due to any unforeseen increase or decrease of exchange rates to which it may be subjected. Surcharges will not be applied after confirmation of bookings.
PHOTOGRAPHIC AND VIDEO MATERIAL
Clients should be aware the team of Silent World Divers may take photographs or films while on any tour and reserves the right to use such material for any advertising or brochure production without obtaining consent and without payment to the client.
PAYMENT AND REFUND POLICIES
CANCELATION BY THE CUSTOMER
If you fail to show or cancel less than 3 days before a dive trip, join it after the start or leave it prior to its completion, NO REFUND will be made. If you cancel a trip or dive course the deposit is not transferable to any other person.
Cancelations due to sickness or other medical conditions preventing you from doing the activity require a written statement from a local approved Physician, in which case Silent World Divers will do everything possible to reschedule the activity without extra cost. If rescheduling is not possible at that time, you shall receive a coupon for the activity to be used within the next 6 months.
The same cancelation policies aplies for any dive package purchase or diving certification course, if you decide to not continue or complete a dive package or a diving course no refund will be made.
If you decide to cancel any activiy with more than 72 hours notification of your excursion date, a 15% administrative charge will be made to your payment or deposit and you will get the difference of your payment within the next 7 business days of your cancelation date throuhg Paypal if your payment was covered through this option.
CANCELATION BY THE COMPANY
All our activities are highly weather dependent and Silent World Divers reserves the right under any circumstances to cancel a trip. In instances where Silent World Divers cannot provide the tour booked, we will return to you all deposits paid or we may offer an alternative trip. If an alternative trip is refused, Silent World Divers retains the right to deduct the administrative costs resulting from such transactions.
ALTERATIONS TO ITENERARIES
Although every effort is made to adhere to schedules and itineraries, Silent World Divers reserves the right to alter dive schedules and itineraries at any time or when forced to by weather conditions.
Silent World Divers is not responsible for any compensation to you if we are forced to cancel or in any way change trips due to force majeure, namely war, riot, civil strike, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, traffic congestion or any other external circumstances beyond Silent World Divers’ control.
EXCLUSION FROM A TOUR
The decision of the Divemaster, Dive Instructor or Captain on the tour will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety of the group. Silent World Divers will not be responsible or liable for any one who commits an illegal or unlawful act during any part of the trip. You may be excluded from the trip without any refund if Silent World Divers considers any action unsuitable on the trip. Silent World Divers may in its absolute discretion cancel your booking or decline to accept your booking if you are found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs prior to any activity.
If the diver or snorkel chooses to interrupt the activity, tour or diving course, there are no partial refunds.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DIVERS
Any person booking dive excursions with Silent World Divers must show proof of certification through his/her relevant training agency to the minimum level required before any trip begins. If there is no proof provided of certification, the dive booking will be cancelled and no refunds will be made.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR DIVING TOURS, COURSES AND EXCURSIONS
A person making a booking must be in good health and medically fit. If there is any preexisting medical condition at the time of the booking, a medical statement from a General Practitioner must be provided to Silent World Divers. This information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
There are not refunds for seasickness.
PAYMENTS FOR TOURS, ACTIVITIES AND COURSES
A 100% of the total price for a booking of a tour must be made to confirm a reservation. The full amount of the activity must be paid prior to the time of the dive trips or courses.