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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

  1. Costa Rica Facts.
  2. How is the weather in Costa Rica?
  3. Which Airlines fly to Costa Rica?
  4. Where are the properties of Small Distinctive Hotels located?
  5. Can I get discounts to book more than two properties of Small Distinctive Hotels?
  6. Do Small Distinctive Hotels accept Credit Cards?
  7. How can I organize my transportation in Costa Rica?
  8. How are the streets and roads in Costa Rica?
  9. What are the tipping policies?
  10. What is Sustainable Tourism?
  11. What is the Certificate of Sustainable Tourism (CST)?
  12. How can I contribute to Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica?

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, Limón, Puntarenas, San José
Official Language: Spanish, however English is spoken well in tourist areas.
Official Currency: Costa Rican Colon, but US dollars are accepted in tourist establishments.
Official Religion: Catholic (almost the 80% of population)
Highest point: Cerro Chirripó (3,820 mts)
Major Industries: Tourism, Agriculture and electronic exports

2 .How is the weather in Costa Rica?
Almost year round the temperature is ideal. In the highlands with a temperature of 72° F and in the lowlands and coasts with temperatures between 72° and 90° F, it is nearly the perfect vacation spot. Nights in Costa Rica are free of humidity and beaches are refreshed by the ocean breeze. The rainy season is from late April or May till December, with more frequent showers in October. The Caribbean side has a short summer during the months of September and October, and 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 the wrong idea of our rainy season; they think it will never stop raining. But we can assure you that normally the mornings are clear, followed by some showers in the afternoon or at night, and sometimes there are many days without rain. The annual average of temperature goes from 89° F at the coast to 62° F inland and precipitation average goes from 3,000 to 3,500 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 Air, 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 the properties of Small Distinctive Hotels located?

City Hotel:
Hotel Grano de Oro in San José.
 
Beach Hotels:
Hotel Capitán Suizo  in Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste. Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, Osa Peninsula – Golfo Dulce,  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 1 to December 15. Email us at info@distinctivehotels.com with the information of your trip (dates, number of people, the activities you would like to do, where you are interested in staying, etc.). It 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 the web site of the Costa Rican Operator Association www.acot.co.cr or contact the individual hotel you have booked to reserve private transfer services.

These are our recommendations for rent-a-cars in case you prefer to drive on your own in the country:

8. How are the streets and roads in Costa Rica?
The current government has invested to considerably improve the Costa Rican highway network; a regular car it is all you need in practically every popular destination. However, there are few destinations for which it is recommened to rent a 4x4 car because the quality of the roads requires a stronger, tougher vehicle. Going to Florblanca in Santa Teresa, for example, at some times 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 is the case with street and avenues signs in the city, they are absent.

9. What are the tipping policies?
There is a 10% gratuity 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% gratuity for service. Drivers, receptionists, bell boys and other services are not covered by this system, so you will want to plan accordingly.

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 to 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 Certificate of Sustainable Tourism (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 with a model of sustainability. To this effect, four fundamental aspects are evaluated:  

Visit www.turismo-sostenible.co.cr to know more about the CST.

12. How can I contribute to Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica?
Seven of the properties of Small Distinctive Hotels are already certificated with the CST: Arenas del Mar with five leaves, Playa Nicuesa Rain Forest Lodge, Cuna del Angel, Casa Turire and Grano de Oro  with 4 leaves  and Villa Caletas, Peace Lodge with two leaves. The other properties are in the process of being certificated. Their efforts include 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 you choose is part of and you can help. Also follow our tips for responsible travelers at www.distinctivehotels.com/sustainability_tips  

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