Booking Terms, Payment & Cancellation Policy

Applies to: every Americano scouting trip
Host: Matt and his team, The Americano
Version 2026-10-30.2, last updated October 30, 2026

By requesting a booking and taking part in an Americano scouting trip, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms.

1. What This Is

An Americano scouting trip 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. The Trips

All prices are in US dollars and exclude airfare.

3. Rooms

There are two room options. Solo: one traveler in a private room. Couple: two people sharing one room, booked together in one payment. A Couple booking counts as two guests.

4. Group Size and Minimum

Each trip runs with 6 to 12 guests. Each trip needs at least 6 guests to run. We will confirm whether a trip is running by its go/no-go date, 45 days before departure (see the table above).

Once a trip reaches 12 guests it is full, and new requests go to a waitlist.

5. Booking & Confirmation

Booking is a two-step process.

Step one, request. You submit a booking request and pay in full to hold a spot.

Step two, confirmation. Your place is confirmed only once your payment has been received and you have received a written confirmation from us. Spots are limited and filled in the order payments 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.

6. Payment

You can pay in one of two ways when you book.

Pay in full. The whole trip price is paid at booking.

Pay a deposit. A $500 per-person deposit reserves your spot ($1,000 for a Couple booking). A deposit holds your spot exactly like a full payment. The balance is charged automatically 60 days before departure, using the card on file (the dates are in the table above). When you pay a deposit, you authorize us to make that charge, and Stripe saves your card for it. We email you 7 days and 1 day before the charge, and you can pay the balance early at any time. The deposit option is offered until 14 days before the balance due date; after that, bookings are paid in full.

If the balance charge doesn't go through (for example, your bank asks you to approve it), we email you a secure payment link right away. Please pay it promptly; we'll be in touch if it stays unpaid.

Payment method. Payment is handled securely by Stripe on their hosted checkout; we never see or store your card details.

If your payment is not completed, your spot is not reserved and may be offered to the next person.

7. What's Included

• Hand-picked hotels with breakfast every night of the trip
• Airport pickup on arrival day
• Private ground transportation every day except departure day
• A welcome dinner on arrival night
• Matt as your guide, 10 to 12 hours a day, every day except departure day
• A pre-trip group video call about one week before departure
• Entry fees listed for each trip:
  • Bogotá: the cultural visits on the itinerary
  • Medellín: Comuna 13, El Peñol, and the Museo de Antioquia
  • The Coffee Axis: the Parque del Café pass, the Santa Rosa de Cabal hot springs day pass, and the coffee farm tour
  • Bucaramanga & Barichara: Chicamocha National Park and Parque El Gallineral

8. What's Not Included

• Airfare
• Lunches and dinners, other than the welcome dinner
• Transportation to the airport on departure day
• Travel insurance (required)
• Personal expenses

9. If We Cancel

If we cancel a trip for any reason, including not reaching the minimum of 6 guests by the go/no-go date, you receive a full refund of everything you've paid us, deposit included. Not a credit.

10. If You Cancel

Because each 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 12).

Cancellation 60 or more days before the trip: everything you've paid (deposit or full payment) converts to an account credit you may apply toward a future Americano scouting trip 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 amount 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.

11. 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 take part in everything. You're always free to rest or skip an activity. 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.

12. 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.

13. Health, Mobility & Responsibility

You are responsible for making sure you are physically and medically able to take part. Some destinations sit at high altitude; Bogotá, for example, is 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.

14. Filming & Privacy

The Americano may film and photograph portions of each trip for content. Taking part in a 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.

15. 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 trips.

16. 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, and venues). 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.

17. 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.