- Costa Rica Facts:
- How is the weather in Costa Rica?
- Which Airlines fly to Costa Rica?
- Where are located the properties of Small Distinctive Hotels?
- Can I get discounts to book more than two properties of Small Distinctive Hotels?
- Do Small Distinctive Hotels accept Credit Cards?
- How can I organize my transportation in Costa Rica?
- How are the streets and roads in Costa Rica?
- Should I extra tip?
- What is Sustainable Tourism?
- What is the CST?
- How can I contribute with the Sustainable Tourism?
1. Costa Rica Facts:
Area: 51 100 square kilometers
Population: 4 331 000
Capital: San José
Government: Democratic Republic
Abolishment of army:
Geopolitical Structure: 7 provinces; Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Official Language: Spanish, however the English is well spoken in tourist areas.
Official Currency: Costa Rican Colon, but the US dollars are accepted in tourist establishments.
Official Religion: Catholic (almost the 80% of population)
Highest point: Cerro Chirripó (3820mts)
Major Industries: Tourism, Agriculture and electronic exports
2 .How is the weather in Costa Rica?
Almost year round the temperature is ideal. In highlands with a temperature of 72° F and in lowlands and coasts between 72° and 90° F. Nights in Costa Rica are free of humidity and beaches are refreshed by the ocean breeze. Rainy season is from late April or May till December, with more frequent showers on October. Caribbean side has a short summer during the months of September and October, although the weather is almost perfect you should be prepared for occasional rains.
The dry season on the pacific side and central region goes from January to March. Many people have a wrong concept of our rainy season; they think will never stop raining. Nothing would be less accurate. We can assure you that normally the mornings followed by some showers in the afternoon or at night and sometimes many days without rain. The annual average of temperature goes from 89° F at the coast to 62° F in land and precipitation average goes from 3000 to 3500 mm (120 - 140”).
3. Which Airlines fly to Costa Rica?
Some of the international airlines that have Costa Rica as a destination are: American Airlines, United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Iberia, Spirit Airlines, US Airways, Frontier Airlines, Martinair, Condor, Air Canada, Mexicana, Copa Airlines, and TACA (LACSA, the Costa Rican airline is part of this group) and Cubana.
4. Where are located the properties of Small Distinctive Hotels?
City Hotel:
Hotel Grano de Oro in San José.
Beach Hotels:
Hotel Capitán Suizo in Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste.
Florblanca Resort in Santa Teresa Beach, Puntarenas in Península de Nicoya.
Arenas del Mar in Playitas and Espadilla Beaches, just right next to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Mountain Hotels:
Peace Lodge in Vara Blanca of Heredia, nearby Poas volcano
Hotel Casa Turire located in Turrialba Valley in Cartago.
Mountain and Beach Properties: Hotels that combine both characteristics.
Hotel Villa Caletas, located 15 minutes away from Jacó Beach in the Central Pacific.
Hotel Cuna del Angel, located in Dominical beach in the area of Costa Ballena.
5. Can I get discounts to book more than two properties of Small Distinctive Hotels?
Small Distinctive Hotels usually offer special deals during the low season, from May 1st to December 15th. Email us to info@distinctivehotels.com with the information of your trip (dates, number of people, the activities you would like to do, where you are interested to stay, etc) will be our pleasure to help you finding the best discounts in our properties.
6. Do Small Distinctive Hotels accept Credit Cards?
Yes, all the properties of Small Distinctive Hotels accept AMEX, VISA, MASTER CARD, DINNERS CLUB, DISCOVERY and JCB.
7. How can I organize my transportation in Costa Rica?
In Costa Rica there is huge variety of tour operators that offer the option of driver / guide with a van that will take you wherever you want without the hassle of driving. Visit website of the Costa Rican Operator Association www.acot.co.cr or contact each hotel to reserve private transfer services.
These are our recommendations for rent a cars in case you prefer to drive along the country:
8. How are the streets and roads in Costa Rica?
The current government has invested to improve considerably the Costa Rican vial network; a regular car might do it in practically every popular destinations. There are few destinations that is recommended a 4x4 car not exactly because their muddy roads but because a stronger car is needed. To Florblanca for example, at some time of the year a 4x4 is needed. To all the other hotels you can get by using a 4x2. To popular and well known tourists destinations you will find signs along the road, the opposite happens with street and avenues signs in the city, they are absent.
9. Should I extra tip?
There is a 10% included in every food and beverage consumption to cover service. Extra tipping is recommended if you received an excellent service that you want to recognize. The food and beverage consumptions are the only ones that include the 10% for service. Drives, receptionists, bell boys and other services are not covered by this system.
10. What is Sustainable Tourism?
The development of sustainable tourism must be seen as the balanced interaction between use of our natural and cultural resources, the improvement of the quality of life among the local communities, and the economic success of the industry, which also contributes to national development. Sustainable Tourism is not only a response of demand, but also an imperative condition to successfully compete now and in the Future (Definition of Sustainable Tourism, CST 1997).
Get more information in www.visitcostarica.com
11. What is the CST?
The Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) is a program that seeks to categorize and certify each tourism company according to the degree to which its operations comply a model of sustainability. To this effect, four fundamental aspects are evaluated:
- Physical-biological parameters: Evaluates the interaction between the company and its surrounding natural habitat.
- Infrastructure and services: Evaluates the management policies and the operational systems within the company and its infrastructure.
- External clients: Evaluates the interaction of the company with its clients in terms of how much it allows and invites the client to be an active contributor to the company's policies of sustainability.
- Socio-economic environment: Evaluates the interaction of the company with the local communities and the population in general.
Visit www.turismo-sostenible.co.cr to know more about the CST.
12. How can I contribute with the Sustainable Tourism?
Three of the properties of Small Distinctive Hotels are all ready certificated with the CST, Villa Caletas, Casa Turire and Peace Lodge all of them with 2 leave. The others properties are in the process to be certificated soon. Part of all the efforts that our hotels have been doing includes contributions and supports for environmental, social and cultural programs in their community. Request all the information about the programs of Sustainable tourism that the hotel is part of and you can help. Also follow our tips for responsible travelers at www.distinctivehotels.com/sustainability_tips |
