Booking Terms & Conditions

Welcome to Oca Valhalla.

We want your stay on the Rio Negro to be memorable for the right reasons. Oca Valhalla is not a conventional resort: it is a personal experience for a small group in a remote natural environment in the Brazilian Amazon.

These Booking Terms explain clearly what you can expect from us and what we ask from our guests.

By confirming a direct booking with Oca Valhalla, you accept these Terms together with the specific conditions shown in your booking confirmation.

1. YOUR HOST & CONTRACTING PARTY

Oca Valhalla is operated by:

The legal contracting party shown in your booking confirmation is responsible for the services included in your booking.

All direct bookings are governed by Brazilian law, including applicable mandatory consumer-protection legislation.

2. WHAT YOU ARE BOOKING

Oca Valhalla is part of the Brazilian TBC program (Community Based Tourism) and offers accommodation and individually arranged Rio Negro Experiences.

Depending on the package selected, your booking may include:

• accommodation;
• meals and beverages;
• boat transfers;
• excursions and boat trips;
• nature and rainforest experiences;
• fishing or other river activities;
• cultural experiences;
• guided activities;
• other services specifically agreed with you.

Only services expressly listed in your booking confirmation are included in the price.

Host presence. The extent and nature of the hosts' presence during your stay is described in the respective package. It indicates what you can expect but does not guarantee a certain amount of time together. The actual extent of presence cannot be guaranteed, as unplanned events, weather conditions, emergencies or similar circumstances beyond the hosts' control may occur.

Flights, hotels in Manaus, personal purchases, travel insurance and other services not expressly included remain the guest's responsibility.

3. THE AMAZON IS PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

Oca Valhalla is located in a genuine tropical riverside and rain-forest environment.

That is precisely what makes staying here special – but it also means that not everything operates like a city hotel. Weather, rainfall, river levels, currents, wildlife, local conditions and other natural circumstances can influence daily plans. For this reason, itineraries and activity times are intentionally flexible. An excursion scheduled for Tuesday may make much more sense on Wednesday. A sunset trip may become a morning trip. An activity may need to be shortened, moved or replaced.

We will always try to preserve the spirit and overall value of your booked experience rather than rigidly follow a timetable when local conditions make another option more appropriate.

Safety always takes priority over the itinerary.

4. BOOKING CONFIRMATION

An inquiry through our website, e-mail, WhatsApp or social media is not yet a confirmed booking.

Your booking becomes confirmed when:

1. we have confirmed availability;
2. you have received the final booking summary including dates, guests, package, included services and total price; and
3. the required deposit or full payment has been received.

We will provide written confirmation of your booking.

Please check the confirmation carefully and tell us immediately if anything is incorrect.

5. PRICES & PAYMENT

The total price and payment schedule will be communicated before you confirm your booking.

Unless otherwise stated in your individual offer:

For bookings made less than 30 days before arrival, the full amount is due immediately.

Any taxes, fees or charges required by law will be disclosed before the booking is concluded.

Optional services requested during the stay will be charged separately only after the guest has been informed of the price.

6. CANCELLATION BY THE GUEST

We understand that plans sometimes change. At the same time, Oca Valhalla is a small operation and confirmed bookings may require us to reserve accommodation, boats, food, staff and activities specifically for you.

Our standard cancellation policy is:

30 days or more before arrival:
100% refund.

14–29 days before arrival:
75% refund.

8–13 days before arrival:
50% refund.

7 days or less before arrival:
non-refundable, except where mandatory Brazilian law provides otherwise.

No-show or early departure:
unused services are normally non-refundable, subject to mandatory Brazilian law.

Where possible, we may offer a change of dates instead of cancellation. Any rebooking is subject to availability and possible differences in price.

Any mandatory cancellation, withdrawal or refund rights under Brazilian consumer law remain unaffected.

7. ONLINE BOOKINGS & CONSUMER RIGHTS

For bookings concluded remotely or electronically, any mandatory rights of withdrawal or cancellation provided by Brazilian law remain fully applicable.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude, reduce or replace rights that cannot legally be waived.

Where Brazilian consumer legislation grants the guest a more favorable mandatory right than these Terms, the mandatory legal provision applies.

8. CHANGES BY OCA VALHALLA

Occasionally we may need to change part of an itinerary because of:

• severe weather;
• unsafe river conditions;
• exceptional water levels;
• mechanical or transport problems;
• illness or unavailability of a necessary local provider;
• restrictions imposed by authorities or communities;
• other circumstances outside our reasonable control.

Minor changes to timing, sequence or activities do not constitute cancellation of the overall experience where a reasonable alternative is provided.

If a significant included service cannot be provided, we will try to offer an appropriate alternative.

Where no reasonable alternative can be provided, the guest will receive the remedy required under applicable Brazilian law.

9. BOAT TRANSFERS

Access to Oca Valhalla normally involves travel by boat, which must be requested before arrival.

The exact meeting point, departure time, baggage arrangements and transfer conditions will be communicated before arrival.

Boat departure and journey times are approximate because river and weather conditions can change.

Guests must arrive at the agreed meeting point at the agreed time.

If a guest misses a transfer through their own delay, any additional private transfer required may be charged separately after the price has been agreed.

10. ACCOMMODATION

Oca Valhalla is deliberately different from a conventional hotel or resort experience.

Guests should review the accommodation description and photographs carefully before booking.

The booking confirmation will specify the accommodation included in the package.

Check-in and check-out arrangements, as well as applicable housekeeping arrangements, will be communicated before arrival in accordance with applicable Brazilian hospitality regulations.

11. MEALS, DRINKS & DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Your booking confirmation will state which meals and beverages are included.

Please tell us before booking about allergies, intolerances or important dietary requirements.

We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements where possible, but availability of specialized products can be limited in a remote Amazon location.

Guests with severe food allergies should contact us before confirming the booking so that we can determine whether their requirements can safely be accommodated.

12. ACTIVITIES & PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Activities in and around the Amazon naturally involve conditions different from those of an urban holiday.

Depending on the selected experience, activities may involve boats, swimming, rain-forest paths, uneven ground, heat, humidity, insects, wildlife and changing weather.

Guests must:

• follow reasonable instructions from hosts, guides and boat operators;
• inform us of relevant limitations that may affect participation;
• use any safety equipment provided or required;
• supervise children in their care;
• behave responsibly around water, wildlife and natural environments.

We may refuse or stop participation in an activity where we reasonably believe that continuing would create an unacceptable safety risk.

This clause does not exclude any liability that cannot legally be excluded under Brazilian law.

13. WILDLIFE & THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Oca Valhalla is situated in the Amazon ecosystem.

Wild animals, insects, reptiles, fish and other natural wildlife may therefore be encountered.

We cannot guarantee the presence – or absence – of any particular species.

Wildlife must not be touched, captured, fed or disturbed unless an activity is specifically conducted by an appropriately knowledgeable local host or guide and is permitted by law.

Guests must follow local safety instructions.

14. CULTURAL & INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES

Any indigenous or community experience offered through Oca Valhalla must be based on respect, permission and invitation.

A visit to an indigenous community is never automatically included merely because it is mentioned on our website.

Such visits are subject to:

• express agreement of the relevant community;
• local rules and cultural protocols;
• availability;
• applicable legal requirements;
• group-size restrictions;
• local circumstances.

The community is the host and determines the rules.

Guests must behave respectfully at all times.

Photography, video, drone use or recording of individuals, ceremonies, homes, cultural practices or traditional knowledge is permitted only with appropriate permission.

We reserve the right to end a visit immediately if a guest disregards these rules.

15. TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, PLANTS & CULTURAL INFORMATION

Guests may have opportunities to learn about local plants, food, traditions and cultural knowledge.

Such information is shared for cultural and educational purposes.

It should not be interpreted as medical diagnosis, treatment or professional medical advice.

Traditional knowledge remains deserving of respect and must not be commercially reproduced, published or exploited without appropriate permission from the knowledge holders.

16. TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

Children are welcome where the selected accommodation and activities are suitable for their age.

A programme at the children's pace

We adapt the daily schedule to the children's age and leave out anything that does not suit them.

Certain activities may have age, swimming ability or other safety restrictions.

We reserve the right to modify or decline a particular activity for a child where reasonably necessary for safety.

Parental supervision

Parents or legal guardians accompany and supervise their children throughout the stay and remain responsible for supervising minors.

We do not offer childcare.

Safety in the forest

The forest brings risks that cannot be ruled out entirely, in particular:

• Water
• Animals and insects
• Uneven terrain
• Weather
• Basic sanitary conditions
• Limited medical care

Our statutory liability remains unaffected.

17. HEALTH & TRAVEL PREPARATION

Guests are responsible for obtaining appropriate individual travel and medical advice before traveling to the Brazilian Amazon.

This may include advice concerning vaccinations, medication, mosquito-borne diseases and other travel-health considerations.

Oca Valhalla does not provide medical advice.

We strongly recommend appropriate travel insurance covering medical treatment, evacuation, trip interruption and activities planned during your stay.

18. PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Guests are responsible for passports, cash, phones, cameras, electronic equipment and other personal belongings.

Because transfers and activities may take place around boats and water, waterproof protection for valuable items is strongly recommended.

Oca Valhalla is not responsible for loss, theft or damage of your equipment.

19. GUEST CONDUCT

The Oca is exclusively for your group. You share the grounds, beaches, lake and village with the hosts, local residents, nature and potentially other visitors.

We ask guests to treat:

people, communities, wildlife and the Rio Negro with respect.

We may terminate an activity or, in serious circumstances, a stay where a guest:

• threatens or abuses another person;
• deliberately creates a serious safety risk;
• seriously damages property;
• harasses local residents or community members;
• deliberately disregards community or environmental rules;
• engages in unlawful conduct.

Any action taken will remain subject to applicable Brazilian law.

20. PHOTOGRAPHY, DRONES & SOCIAL MEDIA

Personal photography at Oca Valhalla is generally welcome.

Different rules may apply during community visits, cultural activities or in locations where privacy must be respected.

Always ask before photographing local people.

Drone use requires our prior agreement and must comply with Brazilian aviation, privacy, environmental and local/community rules.

Oca Valhalla will not use identifiable photographs or videos of guests for promotional purposes without appropriate permission.

21. FORCE MAJEURE & EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS

The Amazon is a remote natural environment and extraordinary events can occur.

These may include extreme weather, exceptional river conditions, flooding, government restrictions, transport disruption, public-health events or other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of either party.

Where such circumstances materially affect a booking, we will work with the guest in good faith to find a reasonable solution, which may include modification, postponement, credit, alternative services or refund where required by applicable Brazilian law.

22. PRIVACY

Personal information provided during an enquiry or booking will be processed in accordance with Brazilian data-protection legislation, including the Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD), and our Privacy Policy.

We collect only information reasonably required to answer enquiries, administer bookings, provide services and comply with legal obligations.

Please see our separate Privacy Policy / Política de Privacidade for further information.

23. QUESTIONS & PROBLEMS DURING YOUR STAY

If something is not right, please tell us as soon as possible.

Many issues can be resolved quickly while you are still with us.

We would much rather have the opportunity to solve a problem during your stay than learn about it after you have returned home.

24. BRAZILIAN LAW

Direct bookings with Oca Valhalla and these Terms are governed by the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

Mandatory rights under the Brazilian Código de Defesa do Consumidor remain fully applicable.

Nothing in these Terms excludes, limits or waives any consumer right or supplier obligation that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

ONE FINAL THING

Oca Valhalla is not designed to reproduce a European hotel in the rain-forest.

You come here because it is the Amazon.

Plans can change with the river. Wildlife does not follow a timetable. Rain can arrive unexpectedly. Nights sound different. Some of the best moments cannot be scheduled at all.

We will do our best to make your experience safe, personal and unforgettable – and we ask you to arrive with curiosity, flexibility and respect for the place and the people who call it home.

Welcome to the Rio Negro.