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Guidelines on requirements related to the basic plans of tourism projects, for companies that plan to develop infrastructure

I)    Format of plans:

1. A copy of the basic plans must be submitted.

2. Name of the project, in accordance with Chapter 1 of Executive Decree No. 11217-MEIC, Regulation of Tourist Lodging Facilities.  Indicate the commercial name and type of project to be developed, such as building, expansion, project, and preliminary project.

A basic plan is one that includes the site ground plans, plans of architectural distribution, facades, sections, elevations and roof plans.  Also, it must show the system for supplying and draining water (potable water, rain water and sewage treatment systems), treatment of solid waste, and electrical system.  In the case of housing development projects, the basic plans include the distribution of lots, geometry of the streets, identification of common areas and contour lines.  Also, they must show the system for supplying and draining water (potable water, rain water and sewage treatment systems), treatment of solid waste, and electrical system.

II)   Aquatic transportation:

The proposed plans must be submitted to the Inter-institutional Commission on Tourism Marinas and Piers (CIMAT), whose recommendations must be followed.

III)  Minimum equipment and infrastructure for lodging establishments:

All the installations, equipment and infrastructure of tourism projects must comply with the standards specified in the laws, regulations and codes currently in force in our country, including the implementing regulations of Law No. 7600, known as "Equality of opportunity for the disabled in Costa Rica," which calls for, among other things, “obstacle-free architectural design.”

1)  Access for vehicles and pedestrians, streets, circular drives, indicating steps taken to provide access for the disabled.

2)   Parking areas: identify them on the site map (one space for each four rooms, at least); delivery areas; passenger loading and unloading zones; parking spaces for the disabled (with access ramps), near covered entrances and exits.

3)  Lobby or reception area:  with waiting areas, front desk, cashier window, information office, and separate men’s and women’s restrooms for the public and employees (in accordance with the implementing regulations of the Law on Construction).

4)   Administrative area: with offices for the manager, accounting department, etc. Include separate men’s and women’s restrooms for personnel (in accordance with the implementing regulations of the Law on Construction).

5)  Rooms with beds, a bathroom, a closet, (a dresser) and other furniture, depending on the category of the establishment, and natural ventilation and light. The minimum free floor space in a single room is 9m2, and 13.50 m2 in a double room, depending on the category.

6)  For each ten rooms, one must be designed and built in compliance with the requirements regarding access for the disabled set forth in Law No.7600, published in the Official Gazette No. 102, of May 29, 1996, and the provisions of Executive Decree No. 26831-MP, implementing regulations of Law No. 7600.

7)   Identify suite type rooms and its class:  as junior, master, presidential, etc., in accordance with the category of the room and of the establishment.

8)   Housekeeping areas and/or rooms for storing janitorial supplies with a sink (for rinsing out mops, rags, etc.)  Each complex must have one service area per module of rooms, or per floor in buildings with multiple floors. This area must hold enough supplies and equipment, taking into consideration that one housekeeper services 14 rooms each day.

9)  An area for employees, with a dining area and men’s and women’s dressing rooms, lockers and restrooms separated by gender (with a shower, if needed), accessible to the disabled.

10) Laundry facilities, indicating furnishings, areas for clotheslines, ironing area,  storage for clean and dirty linen, etc.

11) Maintenance and equipment shop with storage areas, storeroom for gardening equipment and supplies.12) Safety and emergency prevention systems, electric power generator, emergency exits, fire escapes, and emergency lights, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, etc.

13) Depending on the type and location of the project, also indicate the number, if any, of conference rooms, game rooms, recreation and sports facilities, etc. including the support services they require, and the number of occupants (seated and standing) authorized for each.

14) Indicate clearly the location of any swimming pool(s), the dimensions of each, deck areas, diving boards, slides, men’s and women’s restrooms separated by gender, exterior showers (all in accordance with the implementing regulations of the Law on Construction).

15) Indicate the location of all hermetically sealed trash collection points for the project as a whole and for specific areas.

16) Hallways and passageways to all areas served, at least 1.50 meters wide.

IV)   Equipment and minimum infrastructure for eating establishments, provided they are part of the lodging establishment:

1) Access for vehicles and pedestrians, indicating steps taken to provide access for the disabled.

2) Parking areas: identify them on the site map (at least one space for each 15 customers), spaces for the disabled, with access to other facilities; parking for delivery vehicles.

3) Dining areas, indicating furniture (tables with chairs), waiter stations, in and out doors to kitchen area, fire sprinklers, etc.  Identify areas for access by the disabled.  Indicate the number of occupants (seated and standing) authorized for each dining room, dance floor, bar, veranda, etc.

4) Men’s and women’s public restrooms with a separate vestibule and separated by gender; one with facilities for the disabled.

5) Kitchen area, indicating all furniture and furnishings, equipment, and the areas for the different stages of food preparation, dishwashing area, sink (for rinsing out mops, etc.), areas for making pasty and bread, etc.

6) Include storage areas, clearly indicating  their specific use: storerooms for cleaning supplies, dishes, pots, pans and utensils, containers and beverages, and areas for storing and freezing foods, etc.

7) An area for employees, with a dining area and men’s and women’s dressing rooms, lockers and restrooms (with a shower, if needed), accessible to the disabled.

8) Indicate the location of hermetically sealed garbage collection points, and    areas where propane gas is stored.

9) Indicate the location of all fuse boxes and emergency cutoff switches.


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