Terms & Conditions

TERMS & CONDITIONS

IMPORTANT NOTICE: All passengers who purchase one of the suggested Gateways International tours featured in this brochure should carefully read and understand the terms and conditions governing them. It is the responsibility of your travel agent to fully inform you of and clarify the terms and conditions for you. Note some programs are seasonal and may not be valid during these entire periods.

Although Gateways International has made every effort to ensure that the information, pricing and photographs contained in our brochures and online are accurate, the occasional error or change in circumstances may occur. Inclusions may be varied or withdrawn with or without prior notice. Gateways International reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions and to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time as a result of any material changes to legislation, regulation or other circumstances. Such changes will be noted here at gateways-international.com.

Gateways International Tailor-made Tours offers suggested itineraries featuring ‘from’ pricing representing entry-level price. Due to the customized nature of our products, pricing may not be available for some programs, pricing available upon request.

Reservations: Please consult your travel agent or contact a Gateways International Specialist at 1-800-268-0900.

All itineraries and tours are subject to availability at time of booking.

DEPOSITS
A fully non-refundable deposit of $500 CAD/USD (dependent on the currency of the booking) per person is due upon confirmation of your land reservation. Packages including airfare will require full payment at time of tickets being issued. The balance of the land package is due 60 days before departure date; 75 days for itineraries including cruises. Aqua Expeditions cruisers require full payment 120 days prior to departure. Other exceptions involving special events, conventions and holidays may require a higher deposit amount and in some cases FULL non-refundable payment will be required at time of booking.

Full terms and conditions of your tailor-made package will be advised at time of booking. Terms and conditions outlined in the remarks section of invoicing at time of booking and supersede cancellation terms outlined below.

AMENDMENTS & CHANGES
There will be a CAD $60 fee + HST per person for any changes or amendments made to any confirmed reservation.

GENERAL CANCELLATION POLICY*
• 61 or more days prior to departure $500 CAD/USD per person (or the amount of deposit if greater)
• 60 to 40 days prior to departure 50% of tour cost
• 39 days or less prior to departure 100% of tour cost

*General cancellation policy is for reference purposes only. Actual penalty amount will be assessed at the time of the cancellation and may differ from the general policy.

Cancellations must be received in writing and will become effective on the date of receipt, fax or email. There will be no refund for unused services, hotel nights or unused portions of airline tickets for any reason.

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
Accommodation
All prices displayed in this brochure are based on standard rooms at the hotel selected unless otherwise noted. All hotel rooms have private facilities. We reserve the right to substitute hotels of similar category without notice. In the event of a downgrade, a proportional rate adjustment will be made. Special requests made by your travel agent on your behalf for particular rooms, room location, bed types etc., other than those published in our brochure are never guaranteed and may be subject to additional charges and are at the discretion of the hotelier or contractor.

Airfare
International airfare and domestic airfare are included in packages as noted in specific itineraries. There are some itineraries that do not include any airfare in the package price.
All package pricing is exclusive of airport departure taxes, which are calculated separately at time of booking and subject to change at anytime until ticket issuance.

Transfers
As indicated in the itineraries, passengers will be met by local representatives at each airport upon arrival, and transferred to your hotel by coach, private car or taxi.

Taxes and Service Charges
Gateways International package pricing includes compulsory hotel taxes and service charges. Airport and departure taxes are not included in any package pricing and must be calculated separately.

Local City/Hotel Taxes
Local city taxes are NOT included in any Gateways International package and must be paid locally at each hotel, where applicable. This is common in most countries in Europe as well as South American countries such as Argentina. Taxes and fees are subject to change at any time and is the sole responsibility of the passenger.

Gateways International Packages do NOT include: Gratuities, items of a personal nature and items not itemized in itineraries are not included. All arrangements are subject to availability at time of booking. Published rates are not valid during conventions, important events and certain festivals. Rates for such events are available upon request. Contact a Gateways International specialist for further details.

All arrangements are subject to availability at time of booking. Airport and departure taxes are not included.

Living Conditions
Be aware that living standards and practices in other countries and the standards and conditions with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation may differ from those found in Canada.

Price Increases
Gateways International reserves the right to increase the prices displayed in this brochure in order to protect against unplanned cost increases, or for any reason at its discretion and without notice. In that event, if the increase is higher than 7% of the published price including hotel taxes and service charges, the passenger may cancel his/her holiday and receive a full refund, except if the price increase is a result of increased government taxes.

Tickets & Travel Documents
Travel tickets, vouchers, itineraries and other documents and information will be sent to your travel agent upon receipt of your full payment, and no later than 21 days prior to departure, provided that Gateways International receives full payment in our office at least 60 days prior to the departure date (75 days for cruises, 120 days for Aqua Expeditions). If full payment has not yet been received 60 days prior to the departure date (75 days for cruises, 120 days for Aqua Expeditions), you will be notified by your agent as to when your documents will be made available.

Proper Travel Documentation
It is the responsibility of your travel agent to advise you of the documentation necessary for travel to your destination and for your return to Canada. It is absolutely necessary that your agent be aware of the citizenship/nationality of all members of your travelling party to ensure they provide correct documentation requirements. Gateways International cannot assume responsibility for carriers refusing passage or for failed entry into destinations due to incorrect documentation. Documentation requirements can change at any time without notice. Consult with your travel agent or visit Travel.gc.ca for up to date information issued by the Government of Canada.

No refunds will be allowed nor will Gateways International reimburse any costs associated with documentation difficulties for any reason.

HEALTH
We suggest that all travellers consult with a physician or travel health clinic 6-8 weeks prior to departure to determine if you require vaccinations.
Please read the Travel Health notices issued and updated by the Government of Canada at Travel.gc.ca for your destination(s).

**Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates may be mandatory to enter or return to certain Latin American countries from Brazil, among others. Please check with your travel agent prior to booking. As noted below, Yellow Fever Vaccinations are recommended when visiting Iguassu, the Amazon and Colombia. 

MEASLES
Measles cases are increasing worldwide. Before travelling, check that you and your family have received the recommended measles vaccinations. Do not travel if you have symptoms of measles or have been in contact with someone with measles. If you develop symptoms of measles after your return to Canada, call a health care provider right away. Global Measles Notice

COVID-19
Ongoing monitoring of the COVID-19 virus continues around the world. Please read the following health notice from the Government of Canada. Please ensure also that you review the notices issued by the destinations you are planning to visit — some have banned entry if travellers have visited other destinations in recent weeks.

ZIKA
Ongoing monitoring of the Zika virus continues around the world. This virus may present a threat to anyone who is pregnant or may become pregnant. Passengers travelling to parts of Central, South America and the Caribbean should be aware of these risks.

EUROPE – ETIAS 2025
Starting in the first half of 2025, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries. Full details can be found here.

BRAZIL – Visas are not currently required for travellers from Canada or the USA. eVisas will be reinstated for entry starting April 2025. For all other nationalities, contact your local Brazilian Consulate for details and processing times. Subject to change at any time.

COLOMBIA – As of November 14, 2023, visitors must pay an entry fee equivalent to $85 CAD in Colombian Pesos upon arrival in Colombia.

Contact your local consulate or travel agent for more details as these conditions can change at any time.

No refunds will be allowed nor will Gateways International reimburse any costs associated with documentation difficulties.

INSURANCE
All passengers are STRONGLY URGED to take out sufficient travel insurance coverage to protect themselves against cancellation due to illness prior to departure or during travel. In the event of a passenger becoming ill during travel, all hospital and medical expenses are the traveller’s responsibility and they shall not be entitled to any refund. Please discuss your travel insurance options with your travel agent to ensure adequate coverage prior to booking your tour. No refunds for any unused services will be refunded for any reason.

NOTICE TO TRAVELLERS
Travellers should be aware that different living standards and practices may exist outside of Canada including but not limited to: provision of utilities, air conditioning, accommodations, services of all kinds, food and food preparation and water quality. Yellow Fever vaccinations are recommended when visiting Iguassu Falls and the Amazon. We suggest that all travellers consult with a physician or travel health clinic 6-8 weeks prior to departure to determine if you require vaccinations.

RESPONSIBILITY
Gateways International Tailor-made Tours, a division of The Joy of Travel Ltd. and/or its agents, act only as agents for the client in all matters pertaining to travel including services pursuant and/or in connection with the tours described in brochures, online and for the customized tours they promote and sell. Gateways International acts only as an agent in making arrangements with airlines, hotels, ground operations, car rental companies and other independent parties and thus cannot be held responsible for these suppliers’ acts or omissions. The services provided are subject to the conditions imposed by these suppliers and their ability may be limited by their tariffs, condition of carriage, tickets, vouchers and international conditions and agreements.

Gateways International is not responsible for any loss, damage, illness, injury, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, anxiety, or fear from:

(A) The act, omission or negligence of any travel service supplier whose product their clients purchase.
(B) Theft, strike, lockout, mechanical failure, governmental restrictions, weather conditions or any other cause beyond our control.
(C) The client’s failure to obtain and carry all the required documents, including visa, passport, tourist card, proof of immunization, valid driver’s license.
(D) The client’s failure to adhere to schedules for missed flight connection.
(E) Personal injury or death.
(F) Unauthorized statements or acts or misinterpretations made by any travel agency or its employees relating to the standards, quality, services, and inclusions of the vacation programs described in this brochure.

Surf Before you Fly
Government of Canada Travel Website: Travel.gc.ca

IMPORTANT: The Terms and Conditions noted above are up to date and supersede published terms and conditions noted in our brochures or other published documents.

Last updated: April 24, 2024.