Cancellation Policy
Clear, simple terms for canceling your reservation
7+ Days
Full Refund
Cancel 7 days or more before check-in and receive a full refund minus processing fees.
3-7 Days
50% Refund
Cancel 3-7 days before check-in and receive 50% of your payment back.
Less Than 3 Days
No Refund
Cancel within 3 days of check-in or no-show = no refund. These payments are non-refundable.
1. Cancellation Timeline & Refunds
7+ Days Before Check-In: Full Refund
If you cancel 7 or more days before your scheduled check-in date, you'll receive a full refund. The only deduction is a small credit card processing fee (approximately 2-3% depending on your payment method). This is the best refund option and gives you maximum flexibility.
3-7 Days Before Check-In: 50% Refund
If you cancel between 3 and 7 days before your check-in date, you'll receive 50% of your total booking amount back. The other 50% is retained to cover our administrative costs and potential lost revenue. We still process this quickly, typically within 5-7 business days.
Less Than 3 Days / No-Show: No Refund
If you cancel within 3 days of your check-in date or fail to show up (no-show), your entire payment is non-refundable. This is because we cannot resell the room on short notice and have already incurred operational costs for your stay.
2. Special Circumstances
Natural Disasters & Emergency: In the event of severe weather, earthquakes, political unrest, or other emergencies that prevent travel, we will offer you a full refund or reschedule your stay at no additional cost within 12 months. This is outside the standard cancellation policy.
Travel Restrictions: If your country issues travel warnings or restricts tourism to Costa Rica, contact us with proof and we can work out a rescheduling option.
Medical Emergencies: If you experience a medical emergency and cannot travel, we may consider a refund or rescheduling with proper documentation (e.g., doctor's note). Contact us immediately to discuss.
Death of Family Member: We understand that life happens. If there's a death in your family requiring you to cancel, contact us with details. We will work with you on a refund or rescheduling option.
3. Group Booking Cancellations
Custom Terms Apply: Group bookings (6 or more guests) have customized cancellation policies that are negotiated directly. Standard cancellation terms do NOT apply to group reservations.
Contact for Details: Please email info@blackouthostel.com with your group booking reference number to understand your specific cancellation terms.
Partial Cancellations: If only some guests in your group are canceling, different rules may apply. We can often resell individual rooms within a group booking, which may result in different refund amounts.
4. How to Cancel Your Reservation
Step-by-Step Cancellation
- Send Email: Email info@blackouthostel.com with the subject line "Cancellation Request"
- Include Details: Provide your booking confirmation number, full name, check-in date, and email address used for booking
- Confirmation: We'll reply within 24 hours confirming cancellation and the refund amount based on our cancellation policy
- Refund Processing: Refunds (when applicable) are processed within 5-7 business days back to your original payment method
Do NOT: Simply ignore your booking or assume non-payment cancels it. A formal cancellation request is required to activate refund eligibility.
5. Refund Processing
Timeline: Approved refunds are processed within 5-7 business days. Your bank may take an additional 2-5 business days to appear in your account. Weekend and holiday processing may be delayed.
Payment Method: Refunds are returned to the original payment method (credit card, PayPal, bank transfer, etc.). We cannot process refunds to a different account.
Currency: Refunds are issued in the same currency as the original booking. If you paid in USD but used a non-USD credit card, your bank will handle currency conversion.
Processing Fees: Your bank or payment processor may charge a processing fee for refund. We refund the hostel amount only; we cannot cover third-party fees.
6. Modifications vs. Cancellations
Want to Change Dates? If you want to reschedule your stay to different dates, you can request a date modification instead of full cancellation. Email us with your new preferred dates. We'll do our best to accommodate, though availability must be confirmed. Pricing may change for the new dates.
Price Drops: If you book and the price drops before your check-in date, we cannot retroactively apply the lower price. We recommend booking early at current rates rather than waiting.
7. Disputes & Appeals
If you believe your cancellation was wrongfully denied or a refund was calculated incorrectly, you may submit an appeal within 30 days of the cancellation decision. Email info@blackouthostel.com with:
- Your booking confirmation number
- Original cancellation decision email
- Detailed explanation of your dispute
- Any supporting documentation (receipts, emails, etc.)
We review appeals within 5 business days and respond with a final decision.
8. Questions or Issues?
Contact our team for clarification on cancellation policies:
Email: info@blackouthostel.com
WhatsApp: +50612345678
Phone: +506 1234 5678