Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

BookTropics ("BookTropics", "we", "us") operates the website booktropics.com, a travel information and comparison site for the Caribbean and South America. The data controller responsible for your personal data is [LEGAL COMPANY NAME], [REGISTERED ADDRESS], reachable at [PRIVACY EMAIL].

2. Information we collect

Information you give us

• Account details — when you register, we collect your username, first name, last name, email address and an encrypted password.
• Newsletter sign-up — your email address, if you subscribe.
• Messages — anything you send us through contact forms or email.

Information collected automatically

• Usage data — pages viewed, links clicked, time on site, referring page.
• Technical data — IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, language preference.
• Cookies and similar technologies — see section 4.

We do not collect payment card details, passport numbers or booking details. Those are handled by our partners on their own platforms.

3. How we use your information

• To create and manage your account and keep you signed in.
• To send the newsletter and deal emails you asked for (you can unsubscribe at any time).
• To answer your questions and provide support.
• To understand which pages and deals are useful, so we can improve the site.
• To keep the site secure and prevent abuse, spam and fraud.
• To comply with legal obligations.

Our legal bases for processing are: consent (newsletter, non-essential cookies), performance of a contract (your account), and legitimate interests (site security, analytics, improving our service).

4. Cookies and tracking

We use a small number of cookie types:

• Essential cookies — needed for login sessions and basic site function. These cannot be switched off.
• Preference cookies — remember settings such as your chosen language (our translation tool sets one of these).
• Analytics cookies — help us count visits and see which pages perform well, in aggregate.
• Affiliate tracking cookies — when you click a booking link, our partner sets a cookie so they know the referral came from us and can credit the commission. This does not change your price.

You can clear or block cookies in your browser settings at any time. Blocking essential cookies may stop parts of the site from working.

5. Affiliate partners and third-party services

When you click a booking link, you leave booktropics.com and continue on a partner's website. From that moment, their privacy policy applies to you, not ours. Our partners currently include Booking.com, GetYourGuide, Tripadvisor, Expedia, Localrent, Klook and services routed through Stay22 and Travelpayouts.

We also use service providers who process limited data on our behalf: our web host, our email/newsletter provider, our analytics provider, and our translation tool. They may only use the data to provide their service to us.

6. What we never do

• We never sell your personal data.
• We never rent or trade your email address.
• We never share your data with advertisers for their own marketing.

7. How long we keep data

• Account data — for as long as your account is open, plus a short period after closure.
• Newsletter data — until you unsubscribe.
• Messages — normally up to 24 months.
• Analytics data — in aggregated or anonymised form.

8. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Correct data that is wrong or incomplete.
• Delete your data ("right to be forgotten").
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Receive your data in a portable format.
• Withdraw consent at any time, for anything based on consent.
• Complain to your local data protection authority.

To exercise any of these, email [PRIVACY EMAIL]. We aim to respond within 30 days. You can also delete your account yourself from your account page.

9. Security

We use HTTPS encryption, hashed password storage and access controls on our systems. No website can promise perfect security, but we take reasonable steps to protect your data and will notify you and the relevant authority if a breach affects you.

10. Children

This site is not intended for children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect their data. If you believe a child has given us personal data, contact us and we will delete it.

11. International transfers

Our service providers may process data outside your country, including in the EU and the United States. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the site develops or the law changes. The "last updated" date at the top always reflects the current version, and significant changes will be highlighted on this page.