Cookie Policy

Learn about how Costa Vida uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalized services on our website.

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Costa Vida ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website at vidas-costas.rest (the "Service"). This policy describes what cookies are, how we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences.

By using our Service, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to our use of cookies, you should set your browser preferences accordingly, though please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal data.

Important Information

Last Updated: January 2026

Effective Date: This policy is effective from January 1, 2026

Contact: For questions about this policy, contact us at [email protected]

2. What Are Cookies

Definition and Purpose

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners about how users interact with their sites.

Cookies contain information that is transferred to your device's storage. They allow a website to recognize your device and remember information about your visit, such as your preferred language, location settings, and other preferences.

How Cookies Work

When you first visit our website, our server sends a cookie to your browser, which stores it on your device. On subsequent visits, your browser sends the cookie back to our server, allowing us to recognize you and customize your experience accordingly.

Types of Cookies by Duration

Session Cookies

These are temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser. They help us maintain your session as you navigate through our website, remembering items in your shopping cart and maintaining your login status.

Persistent Cookies

These cookies remain on your device for a specified period or until you delete them manually. They remember your preferences and settings for future visits, making your experience more convenient and personalized.

Types of Cookies by Origin

First-Party Cookies

These are cookies set directly by Costa Vida's website. We use these to provide essential website functionality, remember your preferences, and analyze website performance.

Third-Party Cookies

These are cookies set by external services that we use on our website, such as Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and other marketing platforms. These help us understand user behavior and provide targeted advertising.

3. Why We Use Cookies

Costa Vida uses cookies for several important purposes that enhance your experience on our website and help us provide better services:

Essential Website Functionality

  • Shopping Cart Management: Remembering items you've added to your cart as you browse our menu
  • User Authentication: Keeping you logged in to your account during your visit
  • Security: Protecting against fraud and maintaining website security
  • Load Balancing: Ensuring optimal website performance across our servers

Performance Improvement

  • Website Analytics: Understanding how visitors use our website to improve performance
  • Error Tracking: Identifying and fixing technical issues quickly
  • Speed Optimization: Caching content to reduce loading times

User Experience Personalization

  • Location Services: Determining your location for delivery estimates and local menu pricing
  • Language Preferences: Remembering your preferred language settings
  • Order History: Storing your favorite orders for quick reordering
  • Dietary Preferences: Remembering dietary restrictions and preferences

Analytics and Statistics

  • Usage Patterns: Understanding which menu items are most popular
  • Traffic Analysis: Measuring website traffic and user engagement
  • Conversion Tracking: Measuring the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns

Marketing and Advertising

  • Targeted Advertising: Showing relevant ads based on your interests and browsing history
  • Remarketing: Displaying Costa Vida ads when you visit other websites
  • Social Media Integration: Enabling sharing of content on social platforms
  • Campaign Measurement: Tracking the success of our advertising efforts

4. Types of Cookies We Use

4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of our website. They enable basic functions like page navigation, access to secure areas, and maintaining your shopping cart. Our website cannot function properly without these cookies.

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Type Duration
PHPSESSID Costa Vida Maintains user session and cart contents Session Browser session
csrf_token Costa Vida Security protection against CSRF attacks Session Browser session
cookieConsent Costa Vida Stores your cookie consent preferences Persistent 1 year
user_location Costa Vida Stores location for delivery estimates Persistent 30 days
preferred_restaurant Costa Vida Remembers your preferred restaurant location Persistent 90 days

4.2 Performance/Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website, helping us understand user behavior and improve our service. All information is collected anonymously.

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Type Duration
_ga Google Analytics Distinguishes unique users and sessions Persistent 2 years
_gid Google Analytics Distinguishes unique users Persistent 24 hours
_gat_gtag Google Analytics Throttles request rate to analytics Persistent 1 minute
_gcl_au Google Analytics Stores click identifier for ad conversions Persistent 90 days
page_views Costa Vida Tracks page view statistics Session Browser session

4.3 Functionality Cookies

These cookies enhance functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences, language settings, and previous orders.

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Type Duration
language_pref Costa Vida Stores your language preference Persistent 1 year
dietary_prefs Costa Vida Remembers dietary restrictions and preferences Persistent 6 months
order_history Costa Vida Stores recent order information for quick reorder Persistent 3 months
ui_preferences Costa Vida Remembers interface customizations Persistent 30 days

4.4 Targeting/Marketing Cookies

These cookies are used to deliver advertising that is more relevant to you and your interests. They may be used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Type Duration
_fbp Facebook Tracks visits across websites for Facebook ads Persistent 90 days
_fbc Facebook Stores click identifiers for Facebook campaigns Persistent 90 days
IDE Google DoubleClick Used for targeted advertising Persistent 2 years
test_cookie Google DoubleClick Tests whether cookies are enabled Session 15 minutes
retargeting_pixel Costa Vida Enables retargeting campaigns Persistent 30 days

5. Third-Party Cookies

We work with several third-party service providers who may place cookies on your device when you visit our website. These partnerships help us provide enhanced functionality, analytics, and marketing services.

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. This service uses cookies to collect anonymous information about your visit, including pages viewed, time spent on site, and traffic sources.

Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

Facebook Pixel

We use Facebook Pixel to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns and to show relevant ads to users who have visited our website.

Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation

Opt-out: Facebook Ad Preferences

Google Ads

We use Google Ads for advertising and remarketing purposes. Google may use cookies to show our ads on other websites you visit.

Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Opt-out: Google Ad Settings

Other Marketing Partners

We may occasionally work with other advertising networks and marketing platforms. When we do, we ensure that these partners comply with applicable privacy laws and maintain appropriate data protection standards.

Third-Party Cookie Control

Please note that we do not control third-party cookies. These cookies are subject to the respective third parties' privacy policies. We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of these services to understand how they use your data.

6. Cookie Duration

The length of time cookies remain on your device varies depending on their purpose and type:

Session Cookies

These cookies are automatically deleted when you close your browser. They typically include:

  • Shopping cart contents
  • Login session information
  • Form data during completion
  • Security tokens

Persistent Cookie Lifespans

Duration Cookie Examples Purpose
1 minute _gat_gtag Rate limiting for analytics
15 minutes test_cookie Cookie capability testing
24 hours _gid User identification for analytics
30 days user_location, ui_preferences, retargeting_pixel Location services and personalization
90 days preferred_restaurant, _gcl_au, _fbp, _fbc Restaurant preferences and ad tracking
6 months dietary_prefs Dietary restrictions and food preferences
1 year cookieConsent, language_pref Consent preferences and language settings
2 years _ga, IDE Long-term analytics and advertising

Cookie Expiration

Most cookies will automatically expire after their set duration. However, some cookies may be renewed each time you visit our website, effectively extending their lifespan. You can manually delete cookies at any time through your browser settings.

7. How to Manage Cookies

You have several options for managing cookies on our website. You can control cookie settings through your browser, use our cookie consent tool, or opt out of specific services.

7.1 Browser Settings

All modern browsers allow you to control cookie settings. Below are instructions for popular browsers:

Google Chrome

  1. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner
  2. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu
  3. Click "Privacy and security" in the left sidebar
  4. Choose "Cookies and other site data"
  5. Select your preferred cookie setting:
    • "Allow all cookies" (default)
    • "Block third-party cookies in Incognito"
    • "Block third-party cookies"
    • "Block all cookies" (not recommended)
  6. To delete existing cookies, click "See all cookies and site data"
  7. Use the search bar to find specific cookies or click "Remove all" to delete all cookies

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Click the hamburger menu (three lines) in the top right corner
  2. Select "Settings" from the menu
  3. Click "Privacy & Security" in the left panel
  4. Under "Cookies and Site Data," choose your preference:
    • "Standard" - blocks known trackers
    • "Strict" - blocks more trackers but may break sites
    • "Custom" - choose specific settings
  5. To delete cookies, click "Manage Data" button
  6. Search for specific sites or select "Remove All" to delete all cookies

Safari

  1. Click "Safari" in the top menu bar
  2. Select "Preferences" from the dropdown
  3. Click the "Privacy" tab
  4. Choose your cookie settings:
    • "Block all cookies" - prevents all cookies
    • "Allow from websites I visit" - blocks third-party cookies
    • "Allow from current website only" - very restrictive
    • "Always allow" - allows all cookies
  5. To delete existing cookies, click "Manage Website Data"
  6. Select specific websites or click "Remove All"

Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner
  2. Select "Settings" from the menu
  3. Click "Cookies and site permissions" in the left sidebar
  4. Choose "Cookies and site data"
  5. Select your preference:
    • "Block only third-party cookies" (recommended)
    • "Block all cookies" (may break websites)
    • "Allow all cookies"
  6. To manage stored cookies, click "See all cookies and site data"
  7. Use search to find specific cookies or click "Remove all" to delete everything

7.2 Opt-Out Links

You can opt out of specific tracking and advertising cookies using these direct links:

7.3 Our Cookie Consent Tool

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

  • Accept All: Allow all types of cookies for the full website experience
  • Customize: Choose which categories of cookies you want to allow
  • Reject All: Block all non-essential cookies (may limit functionality)

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

  1. Scrolling to the bottom of any page on our website
  2. Clicking on "Cookie Settings" in the footer
  3. Adjusting your preferences in the modal that appears
  4. Saving your new preferences

Mobile Devices

Cookie management on mobile devices may vary depending on your browser app. Most mobile browsers offer cookie settings in their settings menu under "Privacy" or "Site Settings." Some mobile browsers may have limited cookie control options compared to desktop versions.

8. Consequences of Disabling Cookies

While we respect your choice to disable cookies, please be aware that doing so may significantly impact your experience on our website. Here's what you might experience:

Limited Functionality

  • Shopping Cart: Items may not stay in your cart when navigating between pages
  • Login Issues: You may be repeatedly asked to log in
  • Preferences Lost: Language, location, and other settings will not be remembered
  • Order History: Previous orders and favorites will not be accessible

Features That Won't Work

  • Quick Reorder: One-click reordering of previous meals
  • Personalized Recommendations: Menu suggestions based on your preferences
  • Delivery Estimates: Accurate delivery time calculations
  • Dietary Filters: Automatic filtering based on dietary restrictions
  • Location Services: Automatic detection of your nearest Costa Vida location

Degraded User Experience

  • Slower Navigation: Pages may load more slowly without cached preferences
  • Repetitive Prompts: You'll see the same notifications and pop-ups repeatedly
  • Generic Content: Website content will not be tailored to your interests
  • No Progress Saving: Form data may be lost if you navigate away

Essential Cookies Cannot Be Disabled

Please note that some cookies are essential for basic website functionality and cannot be disabled while using our service. These include security cookies, session management cookies, and cookies required for the shopping cart to function properly.

Impact on Different User Types

First-Time Visitors: May not notice significant differences initially, but will miss out on personalization features.

Returning Customers: Will experience the most significant impact, losing all saved preferences, order history, and personalization.

Regular Customers: May find the website frustrating to use without the convenience features that cookies enable.

9. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that sends a signal to websites requesting that they not track the user's browsing activity. Here's how Costa Vida responds to DNT signals:

Our DNT Response

Currently, there is no industry standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. Different companies and organizations interpret DNT requests differently, and there is no consistent technical implementation across the web.

At Costa Vida, we take privacy seriously, but we do not currently respond automatically to DNT signals. Instead, we provide you with comprehensive cookie controls through our cookie consent tool and this detailed Cookie Policy.

How to Enable DNT

If you wish to enable DNT in your browser, here's how:

Chrome

  1. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
  2. Turn on "Send a 'Do Not Track' request with your browsing traffic"

Firefox

  1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security
  2. Under "Enhanced Tracking Protection," select "Strict" or "Custom"
  3. Check "Send websites a 'Do Not Track' signal"

Safari

  1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Privacy
  2. Check "Ask websites not to track me"

Alternative Privacy Controls

Rather than relying on DNT signals, we recommend using our comprehensive cookie controls, which give you granular control over different types of tracking and data collection on our website.

Future DNT Support

We are monitoring developments in web privacy standards and may implement automatic DNT response mechanisms in the future if a clear industry standard emerges. We will update this policy to reflect any changes in our DNT handling.

10. Updates to This Policy

Costa Vida reserves the right to update this Cookie Policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or business operations.

When We Update This Policy

  • New Cookie Technologies: When we implement new tracking technologies or third-party services
  • Legal Requirements: When privacy laws change or new regulations are introduced
  • Business Changes: When we modify our services, add new features, or change partners
  • User Feedback: When we receive feedback suggesting improvements to our cookie practices

How We Notify You of Changes

When we make significant changes to this Cookie Policy, we will:

  • Update the "Last Updated" Date: At the top of this policy
  • Website Notification: Display a prominent notice on our website
  • Email Notification: Send an email to registered users (if applicable)
  • Cookie Banner: Show a new cookie consent request if the changes affect how we use cookies

Your Continued Use

By continuing to use our website after any changes to this Cookie Policy, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the updated policy. If you do not agree with any changes, you should stop using our website or adjust your cookie preferences accordingly.

Version History

  • Version 1.0: January 2026 - Initial policy publication

Staying Informed

We recommend reviewing this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies and protect your privacy. You can always find the most current version at vidas-costas.rest/cookies.html

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please don't hesitate to contact us:

Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 510-548-5525 Address: 1517 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709, USA

Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

We aim to respond to all cookie-related inquiries within 48 hours during business days.

12. More Information

For additional information about cookies, online privacy, and your rights, we recommend consulting these external resources:

Cookie Education Resources

Browser Help Pages

Privacy Regulations

Related Costa Vida Policies

For complete information about how we handle your data, please also review:

Accessibility

If you need this Cookie Policy in an alternative format due to accessibility needs, please contact us at [email protected]. We are committed to making our privacy information accessible to all users.