Casa Escondida

Terms of Service

Please read these terms carefully before making a reservation or participating in dive activities at Casa Escondida Anilao.

Effective Date: April 1, 2026

Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Casa Escondida Anilao Resort & Dive Center ("Casa Escondida," "we," "our," or "us"), governing your use of our website, booking services, accommodations, and dive programs. By making a reservation, accessing our website, or staying at our resort, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. The most current version will always be available on this page. Continued use of our services following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

Bookings & Reservations

Reservations may be made directly through our website, by email, via Booking.com, or through other authorized booking channels. A booking is confirmed only upon receipt of a deposit or full payment as agreed at the time of reservation.

  • All quoted rates are in Philippine Peso (PHP) unless otherwise stated. Rates are subject to change without prior notice for future bookings.
  • A booking deposit (typically 50% of total stay cost) is required to secure your reservation. The remaining balance is due upon check-in.
  • Check-in time is 2:00 PM; check-out time is 12:00 noon. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability and may incur additional charges.
  • Guests are required to present a valid government-issued photo identification upon check-in.
  • The number of guests must not exceed the declared capacity of the booked accommodation. Additional guests may incur supplemental charges and are subject to prior approval.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

All bookings are non-refundable. Once a reservation is confirmed and a deposit or full payment has been received, no refunds will be issued under any circumstances, including early check-out, changes in travel plans, or failure to arrive.

All cancellationsNon-refundable. The deposit and any payments made are forfeited upon cancellation regardless of notice period.
No-showNon-refundable. The full booking amount is forfeited. No-shows are charged the full stay.
Early check-outNo refund will be issued for unused nights due to early departure.
Dive package cancellationsAll dive packages are non-refundable once booked. Dives not conducted due to guest cancellation or no-show are forfeited.
Group bookings (5+ rooms)Non-refundable. Separate payment terms will be communicated at the time of booking. Please contact us directly for group inquiries.
Force majeureIn the event of cancellation due to typhoons, natural disasters, or government-mandated travel restrictions, Casa Escondida may offer a credit valid for 12 months at our sole discretion. No cash refunds will be issued.

By completing a booking with Casa Escondida Anilao, guests acknowledge and agree to this non-refundable policy. For inquiries, contact us at casaescondidaanilao@gmail.com.

Diving Requirements & Safety

Participation in dive activities at Casa Escondida is subject to the following requirements. These conditions are in place for your safety and the safety of our dive team.

Certification requirementAll divers participating in guided open-water dives must hold a valid PADI Open Water certification (or equivalent from NAUI, SSI, CMAS, or similar agencies). Proof of certification card must be presented before any dive activity commences.
Medical fitness declarationAll participants must complete a standard PADI Medical Statement prior to diving. Certain medical conditions may require a physician's clearance. This is for your safety — our staff cannot override this requirement.
Age requirementsThe minimum age for PADI Open Water diving is 10 years old. Divers under 18 must have written parental or guardian consent on file.
Non-certified guestsGuests without certification may participate in our Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) experience under direct instructor supervision, to a maximum depth of 6 metres. The same medical form requirements apply.
Dive briefingsAll divers must attend the pre-dive briefing conducted by the assigned divemaster or instructor. Guests who miss the briefing may be excluded from that dive without refund.
Divemaster authorityOur divemasters and instructors have full authority to refuse, curtail, or terminate a dive if conditions are unsafe or a guest is unfit to dive. No refund will be issued for dives terminated due to guest behavior or unsafe conduct.
IntoxicationGuests who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances will not be permitted to dive. This is a non-negotiable safety policy.

Resort Rules & Conduct

To ensure a peaceful and enjoyable environment for all guests, the following rules apply throughout the resort property:

Quiet hoursQuiet hours are observed from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Loud music, gatherings, and activities that disturb other guests are not permitted during these hours.
No outside food & beveragesOutside food and beverages are not permitted in common dining areas or beach spaces. Guests may bring personal snacks to their rooms. Please respect our restaurant and bar operations.
Smoking policySmoking is strictly prohibited in all enclosed spaces, including rooms, the restaurant, and the dive center. Designated smoking areas are at the resort perimeter. Violation incurs a cleaning fee of PHP 2,000.
Environmental responsibilityThe use of non-reef-safe sunscreen is prohibited at the resort and on all dive boats. Single-use plastics are discouraged. We ask all guests to treat the marine environment with respect.
Marine protected areasAll guests must adhere to local MPA rules, including no touching, collecting, or damaging coral, marine life, or sea floor structures. Violations may result in fines under Philippine law.
Property damageGuests are responsible for any damage caused to resort property, dive equipment, or vehicles. The cost of repair or replacement will be charged to the responsible guest.
Firearms & illegal substancesThe possession of unlicensed firearms or illegal substances on resort property is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal and reporting to local authorities.
PetsPets are not permitted on the resort property, with the exception of certified assistance animals with appropriate documentation.

Liability Waiver Summary

Scuba diving and related water activities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to: drowning, decompression sickness, equipment malfunction, marine animal encounters, environmental hazards, and physical injury. By participating in any dive activity with Casa Escondida, guests acknowledge and accept these risks.

Important: All dive participants are required to sign a full liability waiver and PADI Medical Statement before their first dive. Guests who decline to sign the required forms will not be permitted to dive, and no refund will be issued for unused dive services.

Casa Escondida will not be liable for personal injury, illness, death, loss of or damage to personal property arising from participation in dive activities or resort stays, except where such loss arises directly from our gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

We strongly recommend that all guests obtain comprehensive travel insurance, including dive accident coverage (e.g., DAN — Divers Alert Network) prior to travel. Casa Escondida does not provide dive accident insurance to guests.

Casa Escondida is not responsible for loss or theft of personal belongings including underwater cameras, dive equipment, passports, cash, or valuables. Guests are encouraged to use in-room safes where provided and to store valuables securely.

Health & Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions may disqualify a guest from participating in dive activities. These include, but are not limited to: recent surgery, asthma, epilepsy, heart conditions, uncontrolled diabetes, and certain ear or sinus conditions. The PADI Medical Statement completed prior to diving will identify any conditions requiring physician clearance.

Casa Escondida maintains basic first-aid facilities and oxygen-equipped emergency kits on-site and on all dive boats. The nearest recompression chamber is located at the Philippine Navy Base in Cavite City, approximately 90 minutes from Anilao by road. Guests with known dive injury risk factors are strongly advised to discuss this with their physician and with our dive staff prior to booking.

Photography & Media

Guests are welcome to photograph and film for personal use throughout the resort. By participating in organized resort activities (dive briefings, boat dives, group events), guests acknowledge that resort staff or official photographers may capture images or video that may be used in marketing materials, social media, or the resort website.

If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please inform a staff member prior to any activity. We will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your preference. Guests may not photograph other guests without their consent.

Intellectual Property

All content on the Casa Escondida website, including text, photography, design, and branding, is the property of Casa Escondida Anilao Resort & Dive Center or its licensed contributors. No part of this website may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. Unauthorized use of our content, logos, or trademarks is prohibited.

Governing Law & Disputes

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms, your stay, or your participation in our dive programs shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Batangas Province, Philippines.

We encourage guests to raise any concerns directly with our management team during their stay or within 30 days of departure. We are committed to resolving complaints promptly and in good faith before any formal legal action is considered.

Amendments

Casa Escondida reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time. Any changes will be posted to this page with an updated effective date. Bookings made prior to an amendment are governed by the Terms in effect at the time of booking, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns regarding these Terms, or wish to discuss a specific booking situation, please reach out to us:

Casa Escondida Anilao Resort & Dive Center

Brgy. Ligaya, Mabini, Batangas Province 4202, Philippines

Email: casaescondidaanilao@gmail.com

Facebook: facebook.com/CasaEscondidaAnilao