We’re a Global Experience Marketplace, connecting travellers and expats with unique Private and Small-Group Experiences worldwide. Our system simplifies and streamlines the booking process, offers exceptional Experiences to choose from, and provides expert support.
You can now plan how to spend your free time at your destination even before you arrive, or discover the best Experiences to enjoy if you’re already there.
An “Experience” typically refers to any activity or event that offers a unique, engaging, and memorable experience for participants. This could include Private or Small-Group activities such as: Tours (cultural, historical, or nature tours led by local guides), Adventures (outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, diving, driving, target shooting), Workshops (skill-building sessions like cooking, thai boxing, photography, or art classes), Tastings (food tours, wine or craft beer experiences, farm visits) and Events (candlelight concerts, traditional dance shows, choir performances, and art installations)
Private Experiences are exclusive to the guests in your reservation, along with the guide/driver/host or instructor. These activites provide a more personalized and customizable experience, allowing you to influence the pace and choose the locations visited.
Small-Group Experiences offer a more intimate experience at a lower cost. You’ll travel with other guests, but the group size is typically kept between 5 and 15 people, ensuring a more personalized and engaging journey.
We travel personally to each destination, handpicking Experiences over several weeks. We invest thousands of hours to curate the perfect list of Experiences for every location. We believe in offering only the finest selection of Experiences, delivered by vetted local experts and professional Service Providers.
We work exclusively with the most reliable local tour operators, DMCs, and inbound travel agencies, all registered and approved by local governments and institutions, to ensure top-quality experiences.
While other platforms boast about having hundreds of thousands of tours, forcing users to wade through endless, similar options, we’ve built a marketplace for people like us. Believing that mass-market and standard tours are a thing of the past, we focus on offering a curated selection of carefully chosen Experiences that truly stand out, eliminating the clutter and making it easier to discover something special.
There is no intra-platform competition between Service Providers, as we prioritize strong relationships with our partners. Each city will feature only one Experience in a category, representing the best offering available.
Our booking process is quick, hassle-free, and can be completed in just a few minutes.
You can secure your reservation with a low 20% deposit of the total price, fully refundable according to the Service Provider’s modification/cancellation policy. This way, Service Provider withhold less money upfront, giving you more flexibility to focus on other aspects of your travel.
Yes, Balmondo is a secure site. All sensitive information exchanged between your computer/mobile device and our platform is encrypted using SSL, ensuring your data is transmitted securely and protected from third-party access.
In the age of AI chatbots, we believe that real, human assistance should never be automated. Our top priority is customer satisfaction, which is why we are always available to help via email, phone, or social media—don’t hesitate to reach out.
Enter your destination (e.g., Dubai, Miami) into the search bar, and the best available Experiences will appear instantly. You can further refine your search using filters like “Top Experience,” “Duration,” and “Lowest Price” to find the perfect activity.
This means we either don’t have Experiences in that destination yet or they’re currently unavailable due to seasonality, the Experience being sold out, or it no longer being in operation.
But rest assured—our adventurers are always exploring new places to bring you exciting Experiences. In the meantime, try a different location or date—you might just discover an even better adventure!
For legal reasons, Balmondo does not currently facilitate bookings for Experiences in the following countries due to sanctions or regulatory requirements: Yemen, Belize, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Myanmar (Burma), North Korea, and other countries subject to United Nations sanctions, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, and others. This decision is based on compliance with applicable laws, and we sincerely hope that at some point in the future, we will be able to assist you with travel arrangements to these destinations.
You can find detailed information about the Experience in the “About this Experience” and “What to Expect” sections, which typically include a sample itinerary along with the estimated duration of each stop.
The “Included” section highlights all the items and services provided, while “Not Included” specifies what is not covered in the Experience.
For helpful tips and important Experience details, refer to the “Things to Note” section to ensure you’re fully prepared.
Yes, many Experiences on our platform that fall under “Private Experience” category can be customized to suit your preferences. You can contact the Service Provider directly to discuss specific changes or adjustments you’d like, such as altering the itinerary, adding unique stops, or accommodating special requests.
All Experiences categorized under “Small-Group Experiences” are offered “as is,” meaning they cannot be customized. These Experiences involve other guests, and as such, the quality and timing of the activity cannot be altered. This ensures that all participants enjoy the same high-quality experience.
Most Experiences have a cutoff time of 24 hours or more and cannot be booked on the same day. To secure your spot and avoid disappointment, it’s always best to book in advance!
All availability is provided and updated by the Service Providers themselves. We are unable to check availability, rates, or make bookings on your behalf. If an Experience shows no availability for your desired dates, it’s likely that all available slots have already been booked.
Availability depends on the number of open spots for each Experience. All availability is updated and uploaded by the Service Providers themselves, ensuring it is always current.
Service Providers will indicate in the “Experience Description” whether the Experiences are child-friendly and if there are any specific conditions or requirements for children.
Our review system gives you exactly what you need to know, from positive to negative comments on Experiences, so you can easily determine if the activity is the right fit for you and your group.
Once you’ve selected your Experience, date, and the number of people for your reservation, click the “Check Availability” button. After the calendar shows available dates, select your desired date (if available).
You’ll then be directed to the final confirmation page. Complete all requested fields, choose your payment method, and proceed by clicking the “Pay Now” button.
A 20% deposit of the total value will be charged to secure the booking. You’ll receive a booking confirmation email, and the service provider will contact you with further details, including timings, pick-ups (if available), and instructions for completing the remaining payment.
No, the confirmation email only contains the name of the person who made the booking.
You must have a valid credit card, debit card, or PayPal account to complete the booking. We accept Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, and Visa Debit, but do not accept Amex. Please check the service provider’s “Payment Policy” to see if they accept credit cards on arrival. Most providers will accept debit cards unless otherwise specified.
We offer the option to pay your deposit using a PayPal account. However, please note that not all Service Providers accept PayPal, which is why you may not see it as a payment option when booking.
You can book the Experience using your debit/credit card or PayPal, and the deposit will be charged immediately. The remaining balance will be charged by the Service Provider according to their payment policies. Service Providers may also request your debit/credit card details to complete the booking process.
Occasionally, promo codes are available that can exempt you from paying the deposit, offer a percentage discount on the total price, or even make the Experience completely free. Please note that only one promo code can be used per booking, and each code comes with a time limit for usage.
There are a few reasons why your debit/credit card transaction may not be processed. Please check the following and try the transaction again:
We do not provide contact information for Service Providers before bookings. You will receive all relevant contact details, including email and phone number, in your booking confirmation. If you have any questions about a specific service not covered in the online description, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
When you book online, we require a deposit (“Payable now”) to secure your reservation. This deposit is non-refundable upon arrival. The remaining balance will be due upon arrival for your Experience, and you can find the total amount in your booking confirmation.
Deposit is fully refundable according to the Service Provider’s modification/cancellation policy.
No, the deposit is a down-payment and is non-refundable. It will be deducted from the total balance due upon arrival.
This depends on the Service Provider’s policy. It will be clearly noted in advance if the remaining balance needs to be paid by card or another method before arrival, or if it can be paid upon arrival.
The Service Provider will specify the payment methods available on the “Payment Policy” of your chosen Experience, which may include cash and/or credit/debit card.
All Experiences booked through Balmondo offer immediate confirmation and are considered confirmed once the deposit is paid.
However, in rare instances, a Service Provider may not be able to fulfill the booking (e.g., if places sell out at the same time you book, the venue hasn’t updated availability, or due to unforeseen circumstances such as vehicle damage or guide illness).
Our partners will make every effort to offer suitable alternatives, either for part of the service or the whole Experience. If you’re not willing to accept the alternative or change the date, you can cancel your reservation for a full refund. Please respond promptly to ensure timely processing.
If no suitable alternatives are available, your reservation will be automatically canceled and refunded in full.
Unless specified by the Service Provider or in the conditions provided, reconfirmation is not necessary. Simply print or save your booking confirmation on your phone and have it ready at the meeting point/pick-up for the service provider representative.
However, some Service Providers may require reconfirmation before the arrival. Check your ticket to see if reconfirmation is needed (for many activities, it is not). If reconfirmation is required, please contact the Service Provider at least 24 hours before your tour to confirm your pickup details.
Details regarding your purchase will be included in the confirmation email you receive once your reservation is complete. If you require an invoice for company accounting purposes, please contact us.
For the receipt of the remaining payment, it will be issued directly by the Service Provider. Please contact them for further assistance.
We offer the option to view and be charged for your deposit and booking fee in either US Dollars ($) or Euros (€). However, please note that the final balance due will always be charged in the local currency. The currency displayed for your booking is for reference only, and we cannot guarantee that the exchange rate at the time of payment will match the one when the charge appears on your card. Please account for fluctuating exchange rates. If you have further questions, please contact us, and a member of our customer service team will be happy to assist you.
Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive an email with your booking confirmation for your experience. We recommend adding support@balmondo.com to your Safe Senders list to ensure you receive all our emails, including this one. If you don’t see the email, please check your spam/junk folder.
To access your bookings, simply click the “Manage Your Bookings” link in the confirmation email. This will open a separate window where you can review your order, cancel or review the bookings.
To cancel your booking, simply click the “Manage Your Bookings” link in the confirmation email. This will open a separate window where you can select the “Cancel my booking” option below. By selecting this, your reservation will be canceled.
You can also cancel your reservation by reaching out to the Service Provider directly using the contact details provided in your booking confirmation email.
In most cases, you can cancel your booking for a full refund up to one day before your activity. However, please review the “Terms of Use” section of your confirmation for the specific cancellation policy of your activity. Keep in mind that canceling within the allowed period does not release you from the obligation to pay the remaining balance, nor will it be eligible for a refund.
You can only modify your booking by canceling your current reservation and booking a new one.
Alternatively, you may attempt to make changes by contacting the Service Provider directly. However, any amendments are subject to the service provider’s approval.
If you need to add a traveler, change the date, or make other adjustments, most changes can be made up to 24 hours before your activity. Be sure to check the “Terms of Use” section of your confirmation for the specific policy related to your booking.
For additional information or modifications from the Service Provider, please contact them directly.
If you encounter an issue that doesn’t require assistance from the Service Provider, please contact us with your booking reference number, and we will be happy to assist you.
For resending the confirmation, please contact the Service Provider directly.
If you encounter an issue that doesn’t require assistance from the Service Provider, please contact us with your booking reference number, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Not all of our Experiences include hotel pickup. If it’s part of the Experience, you’ll find it listed in the ‘What to Expect’ section under ‘Included’ on the Experince info page.
Even if hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in your booking, the Service Provider may still request your contact details in case there are any changes to your itinerary, such as weather-related issues or mechanical problems.
If pickup is included in your booking but you have not received contact details or instructions from the Service Provider 48 hours before the activity, please contact them immediately.
If you’re late for a Private Experience pick-up, the Service Provider’s representative will wait for you, but please be aware that other time-sensitive activities may need to be adjusted or cut from the itinerary to accommodate the schedule.
If you miss your scheduled pickup for a Small-Group Experience, it may not be possible to join the experience, and you may forfeit your booking. Service Providers generally cannot accommodate late arrivals due to the fixed schedule of the activity. Always aim to arrive at the designated pickup point ahead of time to avoid missing the Experience.
If you’re having trouble finding the meeting point, contact the Service Provider directly using the details in your booking confirmation. They will be able to guide you to the correct location. If needed, feel free to reach out to us for assistance as well.
If you’re late for the Private Experience meeting point, the Service Provider’s representative will wait for you. However, please note that to accommodate the schedule, other time-sensitive activities may need to be adjusted or removed from the itinerary.
If you’re late for the Small-Group meeting point, the service provider may not be able to wait for you, especially if the tour has a strict schedule. It’s always best to arrive on time to avoid missing out on any part of the activity. If you’re running late, contact the service provider as soon as possible to discuss options.
For any last-minute questions, your Service Provider is the best point of contact. You can find their contact details on your booking confirmation.
You will receive an automatic email the day after your Experience, inviting you to leave a review, rate your Experience, and share any comments.
We highly encourage you to do so, as it helps us improve our service, address any issues, and appropriately reward guides/hosts for their outstanding work.
If you don’t receive the feedback email, please contact us with your booking reference number, and we’ll be happy to resend it to you.
If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to us! We’re here to help. You can contact us via contact form below, and our team will be happy to assist you with any inquiries you may have.