
Staff Perks & Costs
BeachBind V 2020
All-Inclusive Rates & Booking Options
Want to be part of the team? BeachBind has staff openings for Staff for December 2020. We may have some opportunities to get more involved with organizational duties and planning before the event! Many of these positions will include additional responsibilities during the event as well as additional compensation. You may apply to any position regardless of your expected dates (with the exception of Check In Manager and Staff Manager).
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Staff is generally a low-stress, easy job, and can be fun! It is a great way to meet new people and be a part of the event! Staff is very important and the event would not happen without them!
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Regular staff duties at the event may include check-in, event & workshop staffing, general assistance, play space monitor, & possibly luggage mule! Plus staff get discounts and perks!
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Staff perks include approximately up to $367 in perks as follows:
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Discounted rate ($25-39/night off the regular rate ($175-$273 value for 7 nights)).
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Free waterfall hike trip to Bento Falls or discounted catamaran trip
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Free staff t-shirt ($25 value)
Additional compensation for larger involvement may be available.
Staff should try to arrive a day early if possible.
Returning Staff (Discounted Rates)
For staff that attended in 2019 and are registered with deposit paid by June 30th, 2019

Staff Standard Rates
For staff that did not attend in 2019 or any staff that registered or paid a deposit after June 30th, 2019

Note: These rates are subject to change by the resort or BeachBind at any time.
Not sure what room type to pick? See room type descriptions here. Also note that:
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Ocean View rooms are located on the beach.
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Garden View rooms are located just behind the Ocean View rooms.
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Nude rooms are on or near the nude beach.
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Regular rooms are on the "prude" side, which is clothing optional, but otherwise not really any different.
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If you are hanging out in the nude beach area of the nude side, you must be nude, but you do not have to be nude to walk to and from your room (whether you are walking on the beach or on a path on the non-beach side).
Think BeachBind is Expensive?
It certainly requires budgeting, but though it is hard to believe, BB can actually be similar or sometimes even less expensive than or about the same as many major rope cons! See how.
Payment Plans! You can start making installment payments to Tom's Trips at any time. Set up monthly payments to be paid about the first of each month.​ Seven payments of about $190 to $265 monthly from May through November gets you paid in full for 5-7 days, for a GVR room type. Start now and get a head start! Request a payment plan here or contact Michelle at Tom's Trips at info@tomstrips.com. You can also make payments on your invoice anytime here.
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Payment plans are not available after December 1st.
GENERAL BOOKING INFO AND TERMS
All Inclusive / Minimum 5 Nights
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These rates are per person and all-inclusive: all food (drinks including alcohol), all BeachBind events and workshops other than optional excursions and private instruction, and all entertainment and activities offered by the resort are included.
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The resort requires a 5 night minimum stay. You must book for at least 5 nights (see below).
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Travel Options: You can come for: Just BeachBind Week1, BeachBind Week 1 AND Week 2 part of all), or just Week 2!​
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BeachBind Week 1: Come early, stay late! You must book at least five nights between 5/2-5/9, and you can come early and/or stay for any part (from 1 to 5 nights) of Week 2 or even stay after Week 2.
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BeachBind Week 2: You must book at least five nights between 5/9-5/15. No early arrivals (some exceptions may apply (e.g. for staff, presenters, overseas travelers, and extenuating circumstances; please message us for more information). Stay after if you want!
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Rates for additional nights before and after these dates are subject to availability or price differentials based on resort rates for those nights.
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Want to come early or stay longer???? Do eeeeet!! It is becoming more common for people to arrive a day or two early or stay a day or two late. Some are staying even longer. Hard points will be typically available on the beach, the gym, and/or in cabanas, trees, and other spots around the resort, and there may be other happenings and shenanigans the Friday night before like maybe a group dinner at hibachi, the steakhouse, or the Italian restaurant. There is usually a lot of tying, labbing, photo time, and relaxation as well! Who knows what else might happen! And you can usually get our group rates for your extra days (subject to availability). Please book ASAP if you want to come early as those rooms are limited.
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Which Nights Should You Attend?
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While the resort only requires a five night minimum for each event, we encourage you to attend at least seven days of Wk1 (Saturday to Saturday being ideal) and/or all five nights of Wk2 from Saturday to Thursday. If you talk to past attendees, the week is a shared group experience. No one likes coming late or leaving early. Of course, it is better than not going at all.
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Event Deposits:
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Returning Attendees (due by June 30th): $150 per person
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Normal (or returning attendees on or after July 1st): $200 per person
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Room is not reserved and registration is subject to cancellation until deposit has been paid. You may lose your spot if a deposit is not paid within 30 days of registration.
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All deposits are non-refundable.
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Adding/Changing Roommates:
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Any additional roommates or roommate changes must be registered separately and paid in full by April 15th, 2020.
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After April 15th, 2020, room additions/changes may be available (at BB/TT discretion), but will be subject to a $200 late fee
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Payment Plan Deadlines & Alternate Payment Plans:
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Default Payment Plan: 50% by September 15th, 2019; payment in full by December 1st, 2019.
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Tom's Trips may cancel your registration and room if your invoice is not paid in full by December 1st. No refunds will apply after December 1st (some exceptions may be available; see below). You may also lose your spot if you do not pay your 1/2 payment by September 15th and have not contacted Tom's Trips to arrange an alternate payment plan.
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Late Fees: Payments after December 1st: For accounts not paid in full by 12/1/19, registrations may be cancelled. Late payments may be accepted at the discretion of BeachBind and Tom’s Trips (without obligation). For invoices paid and accepted after December 1st, a $150 per person will be added if accepted. NOTE, please contact Tom's Trips immediately if you will not be able to pay by December 1st. You have a better chance of keeping your spot if you communicate.
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Exceptions to late payments and fees can be granted in special situations, but ONLY if you request an extension and it is approved.
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All payments (other than deposits) are 100% refundable until December 1st if paid by check. Credit card payments are 95% refundable due to the 5% credit card processing fee charged to Tom's Trips. After December 1st, no payments are refundable due to the resort group policy (there is nothing we can do about it; although some exceptions may apply).
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Your spot is secured only after you have paid your deposit and you have received a confirmation from Tom's Trips.
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Payments will be made to our travel agent, Tom's Trips, shortly after you register. Tom's Trips will contact you (or you can contact them immediately) to make payment arrangements. Payments can be made at anytime here.
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Alternate Payment Plans: Ideally, alternate payment plan requests will be made upon registration or prior to September 15th, but otherwise please request alternate payment plans or extensions by November 1, 2019.
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You can request to set up any number of payments (e.g. 3, 4 or even monthly). You can elect for automatic withdrawals or a self-pay installment plan using our website. Set up a payment plan here or contact Tom's Trips at info@tomstrips.com. Alternate payment plans are subject to the same late fees, cancellation policies, and deposit requirements as described above.
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You can make payments to your account at any time here.
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Airfare:
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Purchase your own airfare at any time (we recommend sooner than later to get the best rates). Airfare is not included in any packages or plans.
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Airfare from most North American cities is currently around $400-$800 round trip. You can book this on your own or through Tom's Trips.
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Room Types & Nude Rooms vs. Regular "Prude" Rooms:
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Nude rooms are adjacent to the nude beach and nude pool. You have to be nude at the nude beach and nude pool, or you will be asked to leave (although you can walk to and from your room clothed).
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"Regular" or "Prude" rooms are on the "Prude" side, which is clothing optional. At Hedo, "prude" is simply a non-derogatory term for "clothing optional."
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Most rooms are the "classic" rooms, which have renovated or improved by May of 2019.
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More expensive "premium" rooms are also available, which are rooms that have been renovated to be a little nicer. Some have their own private hot tubs or doors that open to the beach (at an additional fee). There are only a small number of premium and hot tub rooms.
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The rooms right on the beach (Ocean view) are a little more expensive than the Garden View rooms, which are just behind those rooms and really not much farther from the beach.
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Cancellation:
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Cancellations made prior to December 1st are eligible for a full refund less deposits for any amount paid via check. Credit card payments are 95% refundable less deposits (5% is credit card processing fees paid by Tom's Trips).
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After December 1st all deposits and payments are non-refundable. We recommend that you consider optional trip cancellation insurance, which can be purchased through Tom's Trips when you confirm your reservation. After December 1st, while no refunds are available, if we or you are able to find someone to take your room, and we and the resort approve the change, a partial refund or credit for future event may be available. Please contact Tom's Trips to obtain an estimate of options and potential available refunds or credits. BeachBind and Tom's Trips are not responsible for finding or attempting to find a replacement for your room.
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Airport / Resort Transportation:
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Your booking does not include transportation to and from the airport; however Tom's Trips will book that for you! Round-trip transfers are $50.00 per person and are available through Tom's Trip's when booking. You need this to get to the resort from the airport and back! The transfer will be automatically added to your invoice unless you opt out on your application or let Tom's Trips know you do not want it.
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Passports:
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Passports are required. Please do not wait to get or renew a passport as it can sometimes take months. Make sure your passport is not going to expire in 2020, even after the trip - if so, renew now!
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NOTE: Make sure your booking info on your airline reservation matches your passport exactly. TSA (Transportation Security Administration) can deny boarding if they do not match exactly and the resort also needs an exact match for check-in.
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Travel Health Insurance (highly recommended):
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While the resort has a nurse available or can refer you to a local doctor for routine health issues, your medical insurance will likely not cover medical expenses in Jamaica. A serious matter involving medical evacuation or long-term injury could be extremely costly (often $30,000+).
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Plans are available through Tom's Trips or private companies like United Healthcare.
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RopeLab and Tom's Trips are not responsible for your travel insurance, medical needs or injuries while traveling.
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*Not Included With All-Inclusive BeachBind Rates:
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Airfare
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Anything not included by the hotel, such as spa services or SCUBA certification (SCUBA diving is included if you are already certified), their wine bar, gift shop, espresso bar, etc.
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certified), their wine bar, gift shop, espresso bar, etc.
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Off-Resort and optional activities like private instruction, sightseeing, day trips, and excursions, such as the waterfall photoshoot and eco hike or kinky catamaran.
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Airport - Resort transportation (round trip is $50 through Tom's Trips and is automatically added to your invoice unless you opt-out)
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Trip cancellation insurance and travel health insurance (highly recommended)
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Airline baggage fees
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Tipping: The resort has a no-tipping policy, but you will want to tip non-resort staff such as your bus/taxi drivers and staff assisting with excursions. The guides and bus drivers for the waterfall hike and catamaran will expect tips and they rely on them!
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Cell phones: Cell phones work in Jamaica, but check with your provider to get an international plan and make sure you understand how it works. AT&T, for example, has an international plan that you must purchase or you will be charged an exorbitant amount.
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Internet: The hotel has free wi-fi in the rooms and most areas around the resort. There is an extra fee to access a "faster speed" that is meant to be for streaming; however, Wi-fi may not be as good as you are used to; e.g. may not be ideal for remote desktop or video streaming. Don't worry though, there is free porn 24/7 on the TV in your room...
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Electrical current: If it works in the US, it should work in Jamaica. The resort has the US standard 110 volts for its outlets, so in general, your electric razor, phone chargers, and other electrical devices will operate in the standard electrical current in Jamaica if they work in the US. If not, you will need a converter.
See our extensive FAQ page for more details and lots of useful info.
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New special organizational roles include the following (it might be possible to combine roles; additional compensation may be available) (THESE ROLSE ARE CURRENTLY FILLED):
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*Ropelympics Chairperson: This position would involve responsibilities before and during the event which may include brainstorming new ropelympics events, drafting ropelympics rules, facilitating sign ups, forming teams, and running all ropelympics events.
*Check in Coordinator: This position would involve responsibilities primarily during the event which may include managing and training check in staff, monitoring check in, and being available throughout the week to check in late arrivals to Week 1 or early arrivals to Week 2. You must be arriving by 5/1 to apply for this position and ideally staying until at least 5/10.
*Merchandise Coordinator: This position would primarily involve responsibilities before the event which may include assisting with selection of merchandise designs and options, creation of merchandise store and store management, and ensuring everyone receives their merchandise.
*Excursion Coordinator: This position would involve responsibilities before and during the event which may include assisting with planning of excursions, assisting with excursion registration, maintenance of excursion registration lists, on-site excursion check in, and group lead during excursions as a BeachBind representative.
*Equipment Coordinator & Space Manager: This position would primarily involve on-site responsibilities which may include overseeing delivery and set up of tent, trusses, hard points, signage, and bamboo, ensuring that hard points are moved on time and to the correct locations throughout the week, and ensuring all event spaces are ready (available, unlocked, air conditioned, water and towels available, speaker at tent, etc.).
*Communication Lead - Social Media: This position would involve responsibilities before and during the event which may include social media management and attendee communication via social media (FetLife, Twitter, & Instagram), publicity and event promotion, and assisting with model releases and communication with event photographers.
*Communication Lead - Email & App: This position would involve responsibilities before and during the event which may include attendee communication via email (drafting and proofreading emails to all attendees before and during the event), adding information to a new event mobile app, and general app moderation.
*Sponsorship Chair: This position would primarily involve responsibilities before the event which may include drafting sponsorship levels, finding and communicating with potential sponsors, negotiating with interested sponsors, follow up on fulfillment of our obligations regarding sponsorships, and acquiring donations for BeachBind Gives Back.
*Performance Liaison: This position would primarily involve on-site responsibilities which may include communication with performers, assisting with music, ensuring performances start and stop on time, and emcee (introduce our group and performers).
*Staff Manager (Week 2): This position would involve primarily on-site responsibilities which may include overall management of all staff, understanding of all staff positions, and availability to step in and cover staff positions as needed. You must be attending Week 2, ideally arriving 5/7 if not also attending Week 1, to apply for this position.
*Consent and Mediation Advocate: This position would involve responsibilities before and during the event which may include assisting drafting and implementing a consent and mediation policy and intake form and assisting in investigations regarding any registered attendee before the event. This person should be promptly available throughout the week by text/whatsapp, email, the event app, and/or during office hours for consent education, consent information, or intake of disputes and consent issues or reports. If an incident were to occur, this person must be comfortable, confident, and prepared to accept reports, mediate disputes if requested, conducted on-site preliminary investigations, and provide resources to all parties involved. This position will not have standard staff responsibilities during the event, but this person must still be visible, highly accessible, and approachable.