Booking Terms, Payment & Cancellation Policy
By requesting a booking and participating in an Americano Scouting Week, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms.
1. What This Is
The Americano Bogotá Scouting Week is a small-group, hosted experience for adults seriously considering living, retiring, or spending extended time in Colombia. It is a scouting and community experience, not a conventional sightseeing tour, and not a real-estate sales event. Tourism services are arranged through a licensed Colombian tourism operator; The Americano provides hosting, itinerary design, community access, and curation.
2. Booking & Confirmation
Booking is a two-step process.
Step one, request. You submit a booking request and place your deposit to hold a spot.
Step two, confirmation. Your place is confirmed only once your deposit has been received and you have received a written confirmation from us. Spots are limited and filled in the order deposits are received.
Please do not book airfare, arrange non-refundable travel, or make other non-refundable arrangements until you have received written confirmation of your booking. We are not responsible for any expenses incurred before your booking is confirmed.
3. Deposit & Payment
Deposit: $500 per person, due at the time of your booking request to reserve your spot.
Balance: due by September 7, 2026 (30 days before the trip). We will send a separate invoice with payment instructions ahead of that date.
Bookings made less than 30 days before the trip require payment in full at the time of booking.
If any payment is not received by its due date, your booking may be cancelled in accordance with the cancellation policy below, and your deposit forfeited.
Payment methods. The deposit and full payment are handled securely by Stripe on their hosted checkout; we never see or store your card details. For the balance, we accept bank transfer, Wise, or other methods specified on your invoice; card payment for the balance may be available on request.
4. What's Included
- Five nights' hotel in Chapinero, breakfast included (double occupancy; single supplement for a private room)
- A welcome dinner featuring a tasting menu of traditional Colombian food
- Group private transportation for scheduled days
- Guided neighborhood scouting across the areas expats actually choose
- Real apartment viewings at different budgets
- A relocation-intelligence session with a local attorney and access to vetted local experts
- Entry to selected cultural highlights on the itinerary
- A community dinner with our expat network (guests cover their own dinner)
- A pre-trip group video call about one week before departure
- A follow-up relocation workbook
- Matt and his team hosting you throughout
5. What's Not Included
- Airfare and travel to and from Bogotá
- Airport transfer on departure day (guests arrange their own taxi or Uber; carpooling is easy and inexpensive)
- Travel insurance (required, see the terms)
- Meals not specifically listed as included
- Personal legal, tax, or real-estate representation
- Optional one-on-one expert consultations (available to book directly)
- Visa, immigration, or entry fees, and personal or incidental expenses
6. Cancellation Policy
Because this trip involves prepaid accommodation, transportation, and vendor commitments, the following applies. This policy applies regardless of the reason for cancellation, including personal or family emergencies, illness, or change of plans, which is why we require travel insurance (section 8).
Your $500 deposit is non-refundable, but if you cancel 60 or more days before the trip (by August 8, 2026), it converts to an account credit you may apply toward a future Americano Scouting Week within 12 months.
Cancellation 59 to 31 days before the trip: a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the total trip price applies. Any remaining balance paid is refunded.
Cancellation 30 days or fewer before the trip: the full trip price is non-refundable, as our costs are committed by then.
Transferring your spot: you may transfer your booking to another qualified person at any time before the trip at no charge, a good option if you can't come but know someone who can.
No refunds or credits are issued for unused portions of the trip, including late arrival, early departure, missed activities, or meals.
If we cancel the trip for any reason, you receive a full refund or a full credit toward a future edition, your choice.
7. Who This Is For
This experience is for adults. Guests should be comfortable walking two to three hours per day at a normal pace, though there is no expectation to participate in everything. You're always free to rest, skip an activity, or explore on your own. If you have mobility, dietary, or accessibility needs, tell us at booking and we'll do our best to accommodate them; some activities may not be suitable for all mobility levels.
8. Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is required, including trip cancellation and medical coverage. Because our cancellation policy applies regardless of the reason you may need to cancel, travel insurance is how you protect your investment against emergencies, illness, or the unexpected. You are responsible for arranging your own coverage; we're happy to point you toward providers.
9. Health, Mobility & Responsibility
You are responsible for ensuring you are physically and medically able to participate. Bogotá sits at approximately 2,600 meters (8,600 feet); if you have cardiac, respiratory, or altitude-sensitive conditions, please consult your doctor before booking. You are responsible for your own medications, personal health needs, and any required vaccinations.
10. Filming & Privacy
The Americano may film and photograph portions of the trip for content. Participation in the trip does not require appearing on camera; filming consent is separate from attendance, and you may opt out of appearing in any footage. We will collect a separate filming consent and will respect your choice.
11. Conduct
We keep these groups small, warm, and respectful. We reserve the right to decline or remove, without refund, any participant whose conduct endangers or seriously disrupts the group or its hosts. Guests who repeatedly reserve and cancel may lose priority for future editions.
12. Liability
The Americano and its hosts act as organizers and coordinators of a hosted experience delivered in part through third-party providers (hotels, transportation, guides, venues, and experts). We select reputable providers but are not liable for their acts, omissions, or errors, nor for events beyond our reasonable control (weather, transport disruptions, illness, force majeure). Your participation is voluntary and at your own risk. This is why comprehensive travel insurance is required.
13. Changes
We may adjust the itinerary, providers, or details when necessary for safety, weather, availability, or circumstances beyond our control, while preserving the overall character and value of the experience.
Questions before you book? Contact us at partners@theamericano.com before submitting your booking request.