Effective Date: April 20, 2025
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING LANGUAGE AND GOVERNING LAW
- Language: These Terms of Service are provided in English for convenience. However, the services are rendered primarily in Mexico. The official, legally binding version of this agreement, and any related agreements required for participation (such as the Acknowledgment of Risks Agreement), shall be the Spanish language version provided to you. You acknowledge that you have been given the opportunity to review the Spanish version (or have it reviewed on your behalf) and that it governs your relationship with Compassion Retreats.
- Governing Law: Your use of the Website and participation in the Services are governed by the federal laws of Mexico and the laws of the State of Quintana Roo.
1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms
Welcome to Compassion Retreats, accessible via compassionretreats.com (the "Website"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Website, as well as your application for, booking of, and participation in retreats, workshops, sessions, and related services offered by Compassion Retreats (the "Services"), primarily conducted in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
By accessing or using the Website, submitting information through forms linked from the Website, communicating with us regarding potential bookings, making a payment, or participating in our Services, you signify that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy (available at /privacy-policy), which is incorporated herein by reference. You also acknowledge that participation in the Services requires agreement to a separate, mandatory "Agreement of Acknowledgment of Inherent Risks, Assumption of Responsibility, and Consent to Participate" ("Acknowledgment Agreement"), available for review at /acknowledgment-agreement and as detailed in Section 10.
If you do not agree to these Terms or the mandatory Acknowledgment Agreement, you must not access the Website, book, or participate in our Services.
"We", "us", "our", and "Compassion Retreats" refer to the entity providing the Services. "You", "user", or "participant" refers to you, the individual accessing the Website or applying for/participating in the Services.
We operate in compliance with applicable Mexican laws, including the Federal Consumer Protection Law (Ley Federal de Protección al Consumidor - LFPC).
2. Description of Services
The Website serves primarily as an informational portal detailing the retreats and experiences offered by Compassion Retreats in Quintana Roo, Mexico. It provides general information, outlines our philosophy, and facilitates initial contact for inquiries and booking requests.
The core Services consist of facilitated retreat experiences, occurring primarily offline at designated locations in Quintana Roo. These Services aim to provide experiences centered around personal growth, self-exploration, well-being, and education, subject to the specific terms, conditions, and disclaimers outlined herein and in the mandatory Acknowledgment Agreement.
3. Eligibility for Retreats
Our Services are intended for and available only to legally consenting adults aged 18 years or older. Participants must be in sufficiently good physical, mental, and emotional health to safely participate in retreat activities, which can be demanding.
We strongly advise, as a matter of personal safety and responsibility, that you consult with qualified licensed health professionals (e.g., physician, mental health professional) before booking or participating to confirm your suitability for the specific activities offered, including travel to/within Mexico. Determining your fitness for participation is solely your responsibility. You agree to provide honest and complete information regarding your health and readiness during the application/booking process.
4. Booking Process
- a. Inquiry: Interest can be expressed via forms linked from our Website or direct contact.
- b. Consultation: We typically schedule a consultation call with prospective participants to discuss needs, expectations, retreat details, and assess mutual suitability.
- c. Information Provision: Before any non-refundable payment or deposit is requested, we will provide you, in writing (e.g., via email or a formal booking confirmation document), with the specific details for your potential booking, including:
- Final agreed-upon price and currency.
- Payment schedule and accepted methods.
- Amount of any required deposit and its specific refundability conditions.
- The applicable Participant Cancellation Policy (see Section 5).
- A copy of, or link to, the mandatory Acknowledgment Agreement for your review and acceptance.
- d. Confirmation: A booking is considered confirmed only upon mutual agreement on the specific arrangements, our receipt of the required payment or deposit, and your explicit acceptance of these Terms, the Privacy Policy, and the mandatory Acknowledgment Agreement.
5. Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds
- a. Pricing: Fees for Services may vary. Where a "conscious contribution" model is mentioned, specific guidance or ranges will be provided, and the final agreed-upon fee will be clearly documented in your written booking information before you make a commitment. All fees will be communicated clearly before payment is due.
- b. Deposits: An advance payment or deposit may be required to secure your booking, particularly involving third-party accommodations. The exact amount and whether the deposit is refundable (and under what conditions) will be clearly stated in the written booking information provided to you before payment is requested.
- c. Participant Cancellation Policy: The specific terms governing cancellation by you (including notice periods required and any applicable refunds or forfeiture of payments) will be detailed in the written booking information provided before you confirm your booking.
- d. Third-Party Bookings: If you book Services through a third-party platform (e.g., BookRetreats.com, RetreatGuru.com), that platform's payment, cancellation, and refund policies may apply and potentially supersede our direct policies. Please review their terms carefully.
- e. Compassion Retreats Cancellation: In the unlikely event we must cancel a retreat, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer options such as a full refund of payments made directly to Compassion Retreats for the cancelled Service, or rescheduling. We are not responsible for reimbursing you for other costs you may have incurred (e.g., flights, visas, separate travel arrangements).
- f. No Refunds After Commencement: Once a retreat or Service has commenced, no refunds will be issued for any reason, including early departure (voluntary or involuntary).
6. Retreat Code of Conduct
To ensure a safe, respectful, supportive, and beneficial environment for all, you agree to adhere to the following Code of Conduct during your participation:
- a. Sobriety: Participate in scheduled activities free from the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs not administered as part of a formally guided ceremony outlined in the Acknowledgment Agreement.
- b. Respect: Treat fellow participants, staff, facilitators, guides, and local community members with respect, kindness, consideration, and appropriate boundaries. Maintain confidentiality regarding personal information shared by others.
- c. Environment & Culture: Respect the natural surroundings, accommodations, and local environment. Follow guidelines on waste, noise, and interaction with nature. Respect the customs, traditions, and culture of Mexico.
- d. Safety & Compliance: Follow all safety instructions, schedules, and guidelines provided by facilitators. Act responsibly regarding your own safety and the safety of others.
- e. Honesty: Be honest and forthcoming regarding your health status, adherence to preparation guidelines, and any issues that arise during the retreat that could impact safety or the group environment.
Failure to adhere to this Code of Conduct, as determined by the facilitators in their reasonable discretion, may result in your removal from the retreat or Service without refund or compensation.
7. Health, Safety, and Participant Responsibility
- a. Professional Consultation Advised: As stated in Section 3, consulting appropriate health professionals before participation is strongly advised and is your responsibility.
- b. Voluntary Disclosure: We encourage you to voluntarily disclose relevant health information (conditions, allergies, medications, limitations) during the booking process to help us foster a safer environment. This information will be handled confidentially per our Privacy Policy. However, providing this information does not transfer legal responsibility for your health, safety decisions, or well-being to Compassion Retreats. Our facilitators are not medical providers.
- c. Participant's Sole Responsibility: You acknowledge and agree that you are fully and solely responsible for your own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, choices, actions, and health decisions before, during, and after the retreat. You participate voluntarily. Compassion Retreats does not provide medical services or advice.
8. Nature of Services Disclaimer – VERY IMPORTANT
The Services offered by Compassion Retreats (including retreats, workshops, ceremonies, meditation, breathwork, yoga, tantra, discussions) are provided for personal growth, self-exploration, relaxation, and educational purposes ONLY.
These Services are NOT psychotherapy, psychological counseling, medical treatment, or substance abuse treatment. They are NOT intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any physical disease, illness, injury, or mental health condition.
Our facilitators may not be licensed medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, or other licensed healthcare professionals.
Participation in our Services is NOT a substitute for professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or mental health care from qualified healthcare providers. You should rely solely on qualified healthcare providers for any medical or psychological concerns or conditions.
9. Acknowledgment and Assumption of Inherent Risks & Travel Advisory
Participation in the Services involves exposure to inherent risks, dangers, and hazards. These are risks that exist naturally within the activities, locations, or travel involved, and cannot be fully eliminated even with the exercise of reasonable care by Compassion Retreats.
These inherent risks include, but are not limited to, those associated with:
- International Travel: Traveling to and within Mexico (varying infrastructure, safety standards, potential crime, different legal/healthcare systems, political/social factors, diseases).
- Physical Activities: Yoga, movement, hiking, potential strains, sprains, or injuries.
- Nature & Environment: Weather conditions, challenging terrain, insects, animals, plants, potential for illness or allergic reactions.
- Accommodation: Unfamiliar surroundings, varying safety standards.
- Emotional/Psychological Experiences: Intense introspection, surfacing of difficult emotions or memories, group dynamics.
- Specific Practices: Potential physical or psychological effects of meditation, breathwork, tantra, or guided ceremonies (as detailed further in the Acknowledgment Agreement).
You acknowledge it is your responsibility to research the destination (Quintana Roo, Mexico) and the nature of the activities involved. You agree that your participation is voluntary. By agreeing to these Terms and the separate Acknowledgment Agreement, you confirm your understanding and voluntary assumption of these inherent risks.
We strongly recommend you obtain comprehensive travel insurance, including coverage for medical emergencies, evacuation, trip cancellation, and personal property.
10. Mandatory Agreement of Acknowledgment of Risks
As a mandatory condition of participating in any Compassion Retreats Service, you must carefully review, fully understand, agree to, and electronically or physically sign the separate "Agreement of Acknowledgment of Inherent Risks, Assumption of Responsibility, and Consent to Participate" ("Acknowledgment Agreement").
This Acknowledgment Agreement provides a more comprehensive description of the inherent risks involved (including those specific to certain activities like ceremonies), details your responsibilities, and confirms your informed consent.
We will provide you with the Acknowledgment Agreement (available at /acknowledgment-agreement) for review and signature before you make any non-refundable payment and before the start date of the Service. Failure to review, agree to, and sign the Acknowledgment Agreement prior to the retreat start date will preclude your participation, potentially without refund (subject to the specific cancellation policy provided to you).
The terms of the signed Acknowledgment Agreement are incorporated by reference into your overall agreement with Compassion Retreats.
11. Website Use Rules
- a. Intellectual Property: All content on the Website (text, graphics, logos, images, etc.) is the property of Compassion Retreats or its licensors and protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works without our express written permission.
- b. Permitted Use: You may use the Website for personal, non-commercial informational purposes and to inquire about or initiate the booking process.
- c. Prohibited Conduct: You agree not to use the Website for any unlawful purpose, interfere with its security or functioning, attempt unauthorized access, use automated means (bots, scrapers) to collect data, transmit malware, or misrepresent yourself.
12. Third-Party Links and Services
The Website may link to or utilize third-party websites or services not owned or controlled by Compassion Retreats (e.g., Google Forms, payment processors, booking platforms, social media). We are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, security, or practices of these third parties. Your use of third-party services is subject to their respective terms and policies. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your use of or reliance on third-party services.
13. Disclaimers Regarding Website Information
Information on the Website is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of website content. Reliance on this information is at your own risk. Information (including retreat details or general pricing guidance) is subject to change without notice, although specific terms agreed upon in a confirmed booking will be honored. This disclaimer does not negate our obligation under LFPC to provide truthful and verifiable information regarding our services.
14. Limitation of Liability
- a. Acknowledgment of Legal Limits: You acknowledge that under Mexican law, particularly LFPC Art. 90(II), contractual clauses attempting to release a service provider from liability for its own negligence in consumer contracts are generally void. Furthermore, liability arising from proven dolo (willful misconduct) or culpa grave (gross negligence) cannot be waived.
- b. Assumption of Inherent Risks: As detailed in Section 9 and the mandatory Acknowledgment Agreement, you voluntarily assume the inherent risks associated with participation. Compassion Retreats shall not be liable for harm resulting solely from these assumed inherent risks or from your own failure to adhere to instructions, your own negligence, or undisclosed health conditions.
- c. Permissible Limitations: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Mexican law (and subject to the prohibitions mentioned above), Compassion Retreats shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Website or participation in the Services.
- d. Aggregate Liability Cap: Except for liability resulting from our proven dolo or culpa grave, or other liability which cannot be excluded or limited under applicable Mexican law (especially concerning personal injury potentially caused by negligence where liability cannot be legally excluded), our total aggregate liability for all claims relating to a specific Service shall not exceed the amount actually paid by you to Compassion Retreats for that specific Service.
15. Indemnification by Participant
To the maximum extent permitted by law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Compassion Retreats (its owners, directors, employees, facilitators, agents, affiliates) from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of or resulting from:
- a. Your own negligent or intentional acts or omissions during participation;
- b. Your breach of these Terms or the Acknowledgment Agreement;
- c. Injury, loss, or damage you cause to third parties or property;
- d. Your unlawful use of the Website.
Exclusion: This indemnification obligation does not extend to claims, losses, or liabilities arising solely from the proven negligence (ordinary or gross) or dolo (willful misconduct) of Compassion Retreats.
16. Privacy Policy
Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information are governed by our Privacy Policy, available at /privacy-policy. By agreeing to these Terms, you also consent to the practices described in the Privacy Policy.
17. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
- a. Governing Law: These Terms, the Acknowledgment Agreement, and any disputes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the federal laws of Mexico and the laws of the State of Quintana Roo.
- b. Amicable Resolution: We encourage you to contact us directly to resolve any concerns amicably through good-faith negotiation.
- c. Jurisdiction: If negotiation fails, any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms or the Services shall be instituted exclusively in the competent courts located within the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico. You waive any objections to this jurisdiction and venue.
18. Modifications to Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at our discretion. If we make material changes, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you (e.g., by posting the updated Terms on the Website with a new effective date). Your continued use of the Website or Services after revisions become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
19. Severability
If any provision of these Terms (or the Acknowledgment Agreement) is held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect, and the invalid provision shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while preserving the original intent, if possible under law.
20. Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and the signed Acknowledgment Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between you and Compassion Retreats regarding the Services and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications, proposals, or agreements (whether oral or written).
21. Contact Information
If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at: [email protected]